PWTorch Specialists Roundtable: What will WWE's WrestleMania 28 Weekend be most remembered for?

Anthony Beckingham, PWTorch review specialist

WrestleMania 28 weekend will be remembered for the same thing that was being talked about going into it: Rock versus Cena, particularly Rock beating Cena clean with a Rock Bottom to counter Cena's Attitude Elbow. It wasn't a five-star classic, but it was a damn good spectacle match that I felt didn't disappoint after a year's anticipation. I imagine people forgive Rock and Cena a few sloppy spots (sadly, the final one itself included) easier than they would someone like Daniel Bryan or Chris Jericho, so really it was a worthwhile main event with an intriguing ending.

It may also end up being remembered for the Hell in a Cell match, but we won't know that for another year. While it was a good and memorable match, likely the best of the evening, it will only overshadow the main event if it becomes The Undertaker's final match.

Depending on the future of the company, it might also be remembered as the year WWE dropped the ball on the future like no other. Eight matches were on the card and WWE went through four of them in the first hour of a four-hour show, which meant WWE spent three hours focusing on non-wrestlers, retired wrestlers, and two full-time wrestlers (not including Jericho, who takes well-earned breaks). (Read Beckingham's regular Shimmer DVD reviews.)

Nathan Kyght, PWTorch PPV specialist

All in all, I'd say that WWE presented a very entertaining and noteworthy WrestleMania that had three good-to-great matches on a show that was every inch the spectacle the company hypes. The weekend of course wound down with Brock Lesnar making his return at the end of Raw, so I'm also optimistic that the usual "post-WrestleMania lull" won't go in effect this year (or, at least, not as quickly) as Cena vs. Lesnar seems on tap for perhaps Summerslam (or earlier), unless they're going for another one-year build.

As far as the weekend itself, though, my first thought looking back is Daniel Bryan. Strangely, in a show that saw a classic Undertaker vs. Triple H match and the return of The Rock, the thing that sticks out is the sudden organic way that Daniel Bryan seemed to emerge as a new Superstar over the course of a few hours. Indeed, by the time Raw rolled around, he was all the fans wanted all night, and arguably the most popular wrestler in the building. And, he wasn't even on the show. Having Bryan squashed in 18 seconds by Sheamus may have been the company's idea of embarrassing the smug heel (not that I think it was an intentional burial, but instead maybe a miscalculation on the animosity the crowd felt for Bryan), but whatever the reason it ended up going in the other direction. Drastically. Bryan has been awesome in his role and maybe, just maybe, this unintentional moment is the catalyst for a major star to emerge. Don't forget, Steve Austin got "Stone Cold" from his wife telling him to drink his tea while it was warm, or he'd have been "Chilly McFreeze." Sometimes you catch lightning in a bottle, yes? Yes. Yes. (Read Kyght's PPV Evaluation column following each major wrestling PPV.)

Jon Cudo, PWTorch specialist

The birth of "Yes, Yes, Yes!" (Read Cudo's in-depth thoughts on the past week in his latest True - False - TBD column posted today on the main listing.)

Jimmy Eaton, Retrospective of the Common Fan specialist

I think this past weekend's WrestleMania event will be most remembered for The Rock and Cena. Sure, that's fairly obvious, but it's not a terrible thing, either. The match was solid and the crowd seemed to love every minute of it. Unfortunately, I can also see the show being remembered for the insulting opening match for the World Title, where Sheamus defeated Daniel Bryan in 18 seconds. I would hope that the former is more-so where fan's memories are, but despite the bad parts of the show, I think WWE got their wish if the rumor of a great buyrate is true, and people talking about the match into this week. It was a WrestleMania moment that won't be forgotten any time soon.

Perhaps in the future we will also be able to say that this was the start of Daniel Bryan's rise to stardom, but time will tell on that one. I hope that is the case despite the terrible outcome for the opening WrestleMania match. I think the "Yes! Yes! Yes!" chants will also be fondly remembered and, for the love of all that is good, I hope it does replace "What?" chants for the foreseeable future. I think that Bryan has something special going for him now and if WWE doesn't drop the ball, this past WrestleMania can be remembered for more great moments, instead of some nagging negative ones that hurt characters. (Agree? Disagree? Follow @TheCommonFan to start the debate!)

Check back for Part 2 on Saturday!

[Torch art credit Travis Beaven (c) PWTorch.com]

We suggest these recent related articles...

10/5 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Natalya vs. Paige, Owens vs. Cara, Stephanie McMahon, Sasha Banks, Xavier Woods

COLLECTIBLES COLUMN: The History of Foam Hands in Pro Wrestling

9/28 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Kane's Split Personality, Divas Revolution, Heyman & Big Show, Reigns vs. Wyatt