WWE WrestleMania 34: Results, Highlights, Analysis, and Grades

Photo Source: WWE.com

SmackDown Women’s Championship Match

Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Asuka

Result: Charlotte Flair defeated Asuka via submission

Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars

Four years ago, when WrestleMania was last in New Orleans, Triple H opened the show with a kingly entrance. He was flanked by three valets – we know now they were Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss, and Charlotte Flair.

Tonight, the same throne was brought back for The Queen herself. Charlotte was flanked by a pair of gladiators – my guess is that it was Tino Sabbatelli and Riddick Moss, but time will tell. The parallel to Charlotte’s first Mania as a performer is a nice throwback, and you can’t say she hasn’t earned it. The non-remixed version of “Also Sprach Zarathustra” was welcome, as we haven’t heard that at a WrestleMania in a long time.

This match was opposite end of the spectrum of the wild Intercontinental Triple Threat, but it was no less impressive. Charlotte suffered damage to her shoulder early on, and Asuka was like a shark smelling blood in the water. The shift in strategy to attack the shoulder led to some great psychology, knowing Asuka’s devastating submissions were just around the corner.

And just because this one was more psychologically driven doesn’t mean it was devoid of big spots. Asuka countered a dang moonsault into a triangle, for Pete’s sake! And that suplex from the apron to the arena floor? OUCHTOWN, BRO, POPULATION YOU.

And holy cow, when did Charlotte master the Spanish Fly? Is that why 205 Live tapes after SmackDown – so the cruisers can teach The Queen their repertoire? Unbelievable.

The list goes on and on of great things – Natural Selection reversed into a submission, the fact that Charlotte sold the shoulder injury on the Figure Eight by only bridging on one arm, and THAT SPEAR, MY GOD. But the biggest shock was not only Asuka’s streak coming to an end, but by submission. Someone who’s been undefeated for three years doesn’t strike me as the type to willingly just give up.

But the streak is done, which opens the door for Asuka to remain on Raw, I guess. And the variety of her stories should pick up now that there isn’t the specter of the undefeated streak looming overhead. Charlotte gets a rub she probably didn’t really need, but it sets up a great main event in New Jersey at WrestleMania 35 when Charlotte faces a monster Ronda Rousey.

Following the match, a referee ran down the ramp to hop the railing and tell John Cena “something,” according to the broadcasters.

I specifically heard, “The Undertaker’s here, you gotta head backstage.” But let’s see how long they try to play off “WHY DID CENA RUN TO THE BACK?”