WWE WrestleMania 33 review: What we learned, takeaways, future projections

Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles

What we learned: I think we learned that Shane-O-Mac is still freaking crazy.

I was quite surprised they went with this match for the opener given AJ Styles’ popularity at this point but I suppose the curtain-jerker is supposed to get the crowd into it, and they were certainly into Styles from the start. Styles was really cocky from the get-go as he immediately outwrestled Shane but the SmackDown Live commissioner came back nicely with some good mat wrestling of his own before things literally kicked into high gear as AJ sent Shane flying over the announce table in a nice-looking spot.

The two went back and forth for a little while and that led us into Styles attempting the springboard 450 that Shane countered with a nice triangle choke. Very well done. But Styles turned that into a nasty-looking Styles Clash that had to be very uncomfortable on Shane with him having one arm tucked in. Shane kicked out of that, which definitely had social media in a bit of an uproar but seeing as it wasn’t a full one I’ve got no problem with it and that was likely their goal to begin with. Mike Chioda took a nice ref bump and that allowed for some “illegal” spots like Shane’s coast to coast, which was pretty predictable once the trash cans came into the ring. And we got some nice stuff outside the ring as well, including Shane’s signature elbow onto the announce table, which always looks pretty great whether or not he actually hits his target. He did not in this case and Styles rolled Shane back into the ring for a two count as the ref came to.

Styles then went for the Phenomenal Forearm, which Shane also countered with a beautiful DDT and then went super crazy and attempted a Shooting Star Press. Again, he didn’t connect with it but big props to him for even trying that in the first place. Styles then did hit the Phenomenal Forearm to get the 1-2-3. Great opening match.

What’s next: I could see the fallout going one of two ways on Tuesday night. The first scenario sees AJ Styles having a new respect for Shane McMahon and coming out and giving him his due in a promo, turning face in the process. The likelier scenario is that Styles continues to be cocky and saying that since he took down the commissioner at WrestleMania, he deserves anything he wants and demands a WWE Championship match.