WWE WrestleMania 35 review: Highlights, takeaways and projections

Falls Count Anywhere Match

Shane McMahon vs. The Miz

This was always going to be a trainwreck, but it was a very entertaining trainwreck to watch as both The Miz and Shane McMahon did exactly what they were supposed to do in this WrestleMania grudge match.

Things looked a little sloppy in the beginning but once they got settled in, these two took us on a journey around MetLife Stadium and really brought the intensity. Things took a weird turn early on as The Miz’s dad jumped the barricade (MetLife must have hired the same security hired to protect Bret Hart) to protect his son, who was laid out on the announce table, from taking McMahon’s big elbow from the top rope. But it didn’t stop there. George Mizanin actually got into the ring with McMahon and put up his dukes so awkwardly it’s clear he’s never been in a fight and, as a result,  took a mild beating from McMahon. This set the tone for the rest of the match, as an infuriated Miz took the intensity up a notch.

The rest of the match was contested on the outside as Miz and McMahon went into the crowd, to a lighting platform, to the international announce tables and which included a great spot with The Miz knocking McMahon over a railing onto a parked golf cart and then the concrete floor (ouch) before heading up some scaffolding to set up the finish.

The finish was done so beautifully. Miz controlled the later part of this match, dominating McMahon. He looked so angry at what had happened to his father and it came off very well. After McMahon apologized and begged for mercy, Miz hit him with a monster superplex off the scaffolding that looked great visually, even if the landing spot was a little soft. However, with how they landed, it was McMahon who was on top and once the referee finally got down there, he counted the pin. Excellent work.

What’s next: This is nowhere near over. McMahon got the win here and the bragging rights that come with that should make for fantastic television going forward. Miz can say that Shane won the match but still took the bigger beating, while still looking for his retribution. Expect more between these two going forward.