Grading Every WrestleMania 33 Match

WrestleMania is the biggest, and longest, night of the year in pro wrestling. This year’s event was no different. WrestleMania 33, from the beginning of the preshow to the time the show signed off, ran seven hours. That’s a ton of wrestling, and a fair amount of filler, so here is a quick assessment of every match, including a grade.

Neville vs. Austin Aries

Winner: Neville

A fine start to the show, even if it was easy to forget it after watching so much wrestling afterward. Neville has done great things for the Cruiserweight division. Hopefully there is a rematch in the near future. Grade: B+

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Winner: Mojo Rawley

This was a battle royal, with all that entails, but lacking any real memorable spots. Rob Gronkowski’s intervention was supremely silly, but also kind of amusing. Rawley is an acceptable winner, if not particularly interesting. Grade: B-

Dean Ambrose vs. Baron Corbin

Winner: Dean Ambrose

OK, here’s a match that really suffers thanks to the long runtime of WrestleMania. It’s largely forgettable. Whatever. Grade: B-

AJ Styles vs. Shane McMahon

Winner: AJ Styles

This was the first match of the event proper, and a good opening. It felt like Shane McMahon’s “Hey, I got into MMA” match. Shane had a few big spots that were fun, and Styles got the win, which was the only acceptable outcome. Grade: B

Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho

Winner: Kevin Owens

We have a new US champion. Both these guys are really good workers, so it should not be surprising this was a really good match. The backstory didn’t play into it as much as it could have, and probably should have, but that’s a minor quibble. Grade: A-

Women’s Fatal Fourway Elimination Match

Winner: Bayley

They did a good job justifying Nia Jax not winning. She got to look impressive, and it was also fun to watch all three of the other women pin her at once. The match felt a little rushed after Jax’s elimination. Charlotte actually was dead on with her corkscrew moonsault for once, but didn’t get the win. That’s fine. Bayley is a worthwhile champion. Grade: B

Tag Team Title Ladder Match

Winner: The Hardy Boyz (!?)

Shoehorning ladders into this match makes a lot more sense knowing the Hardys were going to make their surprise return to the WWE. Then they won the title, which is also cool because none of the other three teams are all that over. This was also arguably the best match of the night. Lots of great spots, which, you know, duh. It was a ladder match with the Hardys in it.

Matt & Jeff Hardy make a shocking return to WWE: WrestleMania 33 (WWE Network Exclusive)

John Cena and Nikki Bella vs. The Miz and Maryse

Winners: John Cena and Nikki Bella

The match gets a B-. Cena proposing to Bella after the match gets a B. The doofuses in the crowd deriding a genuine marriage proposal in the ring get an F. Grow up.

Seth Rollins vs. Triple H

Winner: Seth Rollins

While the storyline here was about Rollins injured knee, this ended up being the longest match of the night. Rollins’ knee fortunately looked no worse for the wear. Triple H still has some life left in his legs. Good match, and kudos to Stephanie McMahon for taking a bump through a table. Grade: B

Randy Orton vs. Bray Wyatt

Winner: Randy Orton

We have a new champion, but Orton is kind of a boring choice for champ. Speaking of boring, this match felt lackluster. Writhing bugs being superimposed over the ring couldn’t really make up for that. So much for the “headlining” match of WrestleMania. Grade: C+

Brock Lesnar vs. Goldberg

Winner: Brock Lesnar

Hey, this match lasted more than a couple minutes. On the other hand, it still lasted less than five minutes, and both guys only did two moves over and over. Then, Lesnar won. Grade: B-

Six Woman Title Match

Winner: Naomi

Naomi got to win the title back in her hometown. That’s about all you can say about this match. This match had six women in it and it barely lasted more than five minutes. Needless to say, it was a spotfest. There were also some questionable fashion choices here. Mickie James seems to have been channeling Tatanka. Grade: B-

Roman Reigns vs. The Undertaker

Winner: Roman Reigns

Heading into this bout, I was concerned about The Undertaker’s ability to put on a full match. I clearly did not need to worry. Undertaker looked unexpectedly impressive. This was also clearly his last match. As such, you can’t complain about Roman winning. An old school guy like Taker was going to go out on his back. At least he got to look super tough, and Reigns, for all his negatives, is a really good worker in the ring. The Undertaker’s goodbye dragged on a bit, but you aren’t going to deny him his big moment. Grade: B+

Overall grade: B

What grade would you give WrestleMania 33? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check out the Wrestling Rumors Facebook page.