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

Alex Roberts, PWTorch reviewer

The short answer to this question - and forgive me for being a bit cynical - is that this WrestleMania weekend will be remembered for however WWE wants people to remember it. It's a pretty positive sign to me, though, that it's not clear which of this week's huge stories this will be. From an epic-feeling Cena-Rock match with its surprising outcome, to Undertaker reaching 20-0 in a grueling match-up, to the return of Brock Lesnar, the last week has been packed with some great moments.

Perhaps this past week will be most notable for what we won't remember - namely, some of the lackluster buildup that preceded it. I found Rock and Cena's weekly trash-talk to be consistently embarrassing, unprofessional, and potentially damaging to their match and to WWE's brand. Already, that feels like a distant memory growing dimmer by the day, while their actual match is one I can't wait to revisit soon. My main question entering WrestleMania was answered; I found Cena and Rock's match to live up to (or at least somehow sidestep) the year-long build, and turned off my TV Sunday night feeling extremely satisfied.

Indeed, I think what I'll most remember personally about this WrestleMania is that it was maybe the first Show of Shows since at least WM24 to have a satisfying, Big Show feel. After a terribly disappointing first hour, WWE rebounded with a show that featured three of the most exciting, moving matches they've offered in a while. The memories of Jericho and Punk's amazing match ending sequence and Cena's downfall at the hands of his own ego will stay strong for me long after I've forgotten about Daniel Bryan's frustratingly quick loss or the Mama Clay's dance routine. Unlike last year's Mania, I'll remember WM28 quite fondly. (Read Roberts's regular DVD/movie/book reviews.)

Mike Cupach, PWTorch contributor

It is so hard to pick one thing that the show will be remembered for when so many newsworthy stories came from the event. If I had to pick one I would say the thing that I will remember the most will be the End of a Era match. Another year went by where Undertaker proved naysayers wrong and was able to have a great match despite concerns over what shape he would be in. Shawn Michaels returned to the spotlight and showed why he is Mr. WrestleMania with a superb performance as a *referee!* You also can’t forget Hunter and the intensity he brought to the match and all he contributed. These three together brought such great drama and put together a match where even though you knew Undertaker was going to win, they put together spots that made you think for a second that The Streak would be ending tonight. To me, everything hit on all cylinders again and that made for a unforgettable match.

I think that wrestlers come and go, and favorite Superstars lose matches every once in a while, but at the end of the day you will always remember a great performance when you see it! Taker vs. Hunter was that great performance for me. (Read Cupach's weekly Smackdown alt. perspective review.)

Shane McKinley, PWTorch Absurdity specialist

This WrestleMania will always be remembered for the return of Brock Lesnar. Hunter vs. Taker was a classic, but it's not yet believable by many they're hanging up their boots, especially with both of them starring in WrestleMania 29's adverts. It felt more like a great homage to the Attitude Era than a retirement match. The Daniel Bryan chants were insane, and it made the next night's Raw feel epic, but I don't think it will stand the test of time. Cena-Rock drew huge, but the match itself was nothing special (Rock-Hogan, by comparison, was magic). Hall of Famer Ric Flair talking about drinking with John Cena until three in the morning? Runner up. (Read McKinley's regular Absurdity of it All columns on topics in the news.)

Justin James, PWTorch contributor

I think that it will be hard to call anything other than the Triple H-Undertaker match the most-remembered part of WrestleMania 28. If this was indeed Undertaker or Triple H’s final match (and I think it should be both men’s last match), than it will have that “I remember where I was when…” quality to it. I thought the Rock–Cena match, despite a year-long build, was really lacking on the in-ring side. Add to it the lack of any substance, and who cares who won or lost? It was no MITB 2011, that’s for sure.

The perceived Daniel Bryan debacle is going to be one of those “lives in infamy” moments, like Santino getting cleared from the Rumble in one second or the Shockmaster dragged up in video packages and “remember when” situations. Hardcore fans are going to be annoyed by it for a while too, and the “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chants could keep the memory alive for some time as well. I find it peculiar that WWE barely even talked about the match on Raw, though. So, there is a chance that it will rival the “End of an Era” match in the memory for some time. (Read James's NXT & Superstars reports weekly.)

Ben Tucker, PWTorch TV specialist

This week will be remembered for many things - the end of Rock-Cena being one of the biggest, ending a whole year of hype. Depending on how Brock Lesnar's return is handled, it could also be remembered for either Brock giving a huge boost to the company, or pulling a Jericho and losing steam just a few weeks after his major comeback.

I, for one, am most interested in seeing if this week will be known as the moment that Daniel Bryan became a star. While I don't see him becoming as popular as Austin or Rock, Bryan's rise in live audience popularity could end up turning him into a mega-star. Of course, the whole thing may just fizzle out, but if WWE handles it they could get another guy on the level of Cena, Orton, and Punk. But, in the end, I just want the "Yes!" chants to replace "What?" chants. Yes! Yes! Yes! (Questions or comments? Follow Tucker on Twitter @BTuckertorch, or e-mail btuckertorch@aol.com)

Brian Leahy, PWTorch review specialist

Long after fan fury over Bryan's title loss, the electricity of Cena-Rock, and Ric Flair's disregard for his employers at the Hall of Fame are forgotten, the spectacle of Undertaker and Triple H in the Cell will be the lasting image of WrestleMania 28.

Almost everything else has been up for debate, but was hasn't been questioned is if Taker and Hunter delivered in the ring. The overwhelming response seems to be that this was the one match that delivered what it promised, and maybe even exceeded it. The value of the match, and the moments that followed it, will only grow in the memories of that weekend if it's one of, if not, the closing moment in the careers of all three men.

In a time when WrestleMania has ceased being the end of WWE's "season," the "End of an Era" match was the only bout that felt like it had a sense of finality about it; it took Cena less than 24 hours to get wrapped up in something else, Punk and Jericho only really kicked off their feud on April 1, and Bryan and Sheamus are already moving on and away from their 18 seconds of fame.

There's always talk of "WrestleMania moments" when January comes around and WM28 season begins. WWE can pretend all they want that almost everyone gets a "moment" on the night, but in 12 months time, the moment they'll refer back to from Mania 28 is the Deadman going 20-0, and the emotional "curtain call" to the end of an era. (Read Leahy's regular independent wrestling reviews and hear him regularly on Sean Radican's VIP audio shows.)

[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