THE REAL WINNERS & LOSERS
WRESTLEMANIA 35 WAS a marathon night of title changes, grudge matches, and unforgettable moments.
The so-called women’s evolution reached its apex as Ronda Rousey, Charlotte Flair, and Becky Lynch took over the main event. “Kofi-Mania” broke out when Kofi Kingston shattered the glass ceiling and captured the WWE Championship. The Miz took Shane airborne (and George Mizanin put up his dukes). “The Beast” was slain. The “Doctor Of Thuganomics” made a house call. And Triple H practiced some crude cosmetic surgery with the help of some needle-nose pliers.
An announced crowd of 82,265 packed MetLife Stadium for a 16-match, 7½ hour supercard of epic proportions. Every match had a winner and a loser … but sometimes the real winners and losers aren’t the ones who had their arms raised in victory when the bell sounded. Here is our exclusive analysis of the REAL winners and losers of WrestleMania 35.
BUDDY MURPHY vs. TONY NESE
As soon as the bell sounded, Murphy charged in with a running knee, but Nese sidestepped and unloaded with a series of lefts. Murphy caught Nese on the top rope and hit a rope-assisted gutbreaker and worked over Nese with a chinlock. Nese recovered with an exploder suplex into the turnbuckle, then hit a gorgeous springboard moonsault for a near-fall. Murphy landed a corkscrew slam for a two-count, but Nese spiked Murphy with an inverted ’rana. Nese floored Murphy with a hands-free Fosbury Flop somersault to the floor. Murphy hit Murphy’s Law, but Nese draped a foot on the ropes to break the pin. Nese hit a German suplex into the corner followed by Running Nese to put Murphy down for the count.
THE WINNER
Tony Nese by pinfall in 10:40
THE REAL WINNER
Buddy Murphy. Murphy had a sterling reign as cruiserweight champion and is primed to graduate from 205 Live to a spot on the main roster. He could very well be wrestling for either the U.S. or I-C title at WrestleMania 36.
THE REAL LOSER
Drew Gulak. Gulak came within a hair’s breadth of winning the top contender’s tournament, but lost to Nese. He’s still waiting for his moment in the spotlight.
WOMEN’S BATTLE ROYAL
The Riott Squad established themselves as the early favorites in the 17-woman battle royal, teaming up to eliminate Lana and Kairi Sane and watching each other’s backs to stave off elimination. But the Squad lost
