Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of Wrestlemania XXX.
The super-show, which is being hosted by Hulk Hogan at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, is staging a series of highly-anticipated match-ups, with the winner of the encounter between Daniel Bryan and Triple H being added to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match involving Randy Orton and Batista later in the evening.
Elsewhere on the card, The Undertaker will be hoping to move to 22-0 when he goes toe-to-toe with Brock Lesnar, while John Cena will attempt to overcome the challenge of Bray Wyatt.
Welcome everyone to Wrestlemania XXX!
Well, ladies and gentleman...boys and girls...children of all ages (see what I did there?), it's been a monster buildup to the 30th staging of the supershow that is Wrestlemania XXX, but we are finally here!
We are still 55 minutes away from the main show getting underway in New Orleans, but before that, we have the pre-show, which will see the WWE tag-team titles on the line in a fatal four-way encounter. That should be coming up in the next 15 minutes.
While we wait for that bout to get underway, let me guide you to our WWE section, which includes plenty of news and features in the run-up to the pay-per-view at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. You can find out everything that you need to know by clicking here.
Here's a quick look at the stage in New Orleans. It looks pretty impressive, doesn't it?
Back to a look at some of our WWE content. Earlier this week, we put together our thoughts and predictions regarding the outcome of each match? Will Daniel Bryan earn himself a place in the WWE title match? Do we think that The Undertaker will extend 'The Streak'? You can read our predictions here.
Talking of 'The Streak', it's been pretty phenomenal, hasn't it? When 'Taker made his Wrestlemania bow all the way back in 1991, no-one could have predicted that it was the start of a incredible journey that has seen him become immortalised at the event. We've picked out five defining moments of his 21-match undefeated run.
With this being the 30th staging of Wrestlemania, we have also taken the opportunity to take a look back at the previous 29 shows. If you fancy a look back into the history books, you can do so by selecting any of the articles below.
Wrestlemania I to VI
Wrestlemania VII to XII
Wrestlemania XIII to X8
Wrestlemania XIX to XXIV
Wrestlemania XXV to XXIX
That's enough of our shameless plugging, let's start taking a look at what we have in store tonight. The main event of the evening is likely to revolve around who will end the night as the WWE World Heavyweight champion. Current titlist, Randy Orton, and Royal Rumble winner, Batista, have already secured their spots in the match but who will join them? Daniel Bryan has been riding a crest of a wave for the best part of a year but his quest for success has always been hindered by the interference of The Authority, headed by Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon. Will he finally win "the big one" this evening and get his Wrestlemania moment? There's probably around 70,000 people hoping that he does!
The tag-team title match is getting ready to get started, with the four teams currently making their way down the lengthy entrance ramp towards the ring. Don't expect this one to last long, folks - the main show gets started in 25 minutes!
The current champs, The Usos, are being challenged by Rybaxel, The Real Americans of Cesaro and Jack Swagger and Los Matadores. I am going on record to say that it would be the biggest Wrestlemania shock of all time if Los Matadores walk away with the belts!
El Torito has just jumped from the top rope and knocked everyone to the floor! I suppose that anything can happen at Wrestlemania...
Ah, that's all she wrote for Los Matadores. They have been eliminated after Jack Swagger applied the Patriot Lock.
There are plenty of "WE, THE PEOPLE" chants in New Orleans. Could this be Cesaro and Swagger's time to pick up the straps?
Rybaxel have been eliminated after a huge Neutralizer from Cesaro. The Usos and The Real Americans are left to fight it out for the gold.
The momentum is swinging back and forth. Cesaro was dominating but Swagger has been tagged in.
THE USOS RETAIN THE TAG-TEAM TITLES
That match deserved a place on the main card, but you get the feeling that both teams may have just elevated their careers with that showing. The Usos get the win after a double splash from the top rope. If that hasn't whetted your appetite for the main show, then nothing well! Nine minutes to go!
Do we have a split?! After Cesaro mistakenly speared Swagger during the match, Swagger has reacted angrily by putting Cesaro in the Patriot Lock. However, after that was broken up by Zeb Coulter, Cesaro delivers the giant swing to Swagger! Awesome stuff! We will have to wait until tomorrow night to see how that one plays out.
I've read a couple of rumours that The Shield versus The Outlaws and Kane will get us underway. Whether that is true or not, we will find out in just a few minutes!
Here we go. Ladies and gentleman, WrestleMania XXX is here. A video package is shown looking back over the 30 years of WrestleMania. "Celebrating yesterday, today." Michael Cole's opening monologue starts with an alliterate rule of three and ends with: "Then. Now. Forever."
Justin Roberts introduces our WrestleMania XXX special guest host - Hulk Hogan. The Hulkster gets a big pop wearing the yellow and red. Jerry Lawler says without Hogan there would not even be a WrestleMania. Cole reminds us of our master of ceremonies' Mania history. Hogan grabs a mic.
"Well let me tell you something brother!" Hogan welcomes every in the 'Silverdome' and everyone watching on the WWE network to WrestleMania. Hogan says 'Silverdome' again and gets booed by the fans! He twigs that he is in fact at the Mercedes-Benz SUPERDOME and not at the Pontiac Silverdome, as he was when he lifted Andre the Giant above his head and slammed him to the mat.
Hogan says WrestleMania is full of special moments, and you never know when one of those moments is going to happen. Cue the breaking of glass! It's Austin. Stone Cold, Stone Cold, Stone Cold!
"If you're ready for WrestleMania, give me a hell yeah." Austin mocks Hogan's gaffe on the venue name. Stone Cold says he only ever steps in a Mania ring to kick ass and asks the crowd if want him to kick The Hulkster's ass. Mixed response. Austin hypes what Hogan has done for the business.
Austin says he could flap his gums all night, but tonight is about the current WWE Superstars and urges them to give everything they've got like he did. "Austin 3:16 says I just wooped your ass."
"If ya smell, what The Rock is cooking". Seriously?! This one I did not see coming. Rock, Austin and Hogan to kick off WrestleMania XXX. Talk about star power. King says the ring is filled with the three most popular Superstars of all time. JBL: "The Mount Rushmore of sports entertainment has just come to life at WrestleMania XXX. Rock milks his ovation before making his way to the ring.
Rock hugs Austin and Hogan on his way to saluting the crowd via the turnbuckle. Remember, he has beaten both of these men at Mania. The crowd are loving this. Rocky is glad to finalllllyyyy be back in New Orleans, at WrestleMania and at the Superdome.
'The Great One' says he is in the ring with his friend, Austin, and his childhood hero, Hogan. But he also says that he is in the ring with unquestionably the two biggest names in the history of the WWE. He hints that John Cena wouldn't be here tonight without Hogan eating his vitamins and saying his prayers, and Bryan likewise if Austin hadn't stood up to the authority.
Rock continues with a couple of rhymes and then signs off with an "if ya smell what The Rock is cooking." Austin: "And that's the bottom line because Stone Cold says so." Hogan: "Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold, and The Rock run wild on you."
The three legends share a beer in the middle of the ring and leave to a concoction of their entrance musics. JBL says this is already the best WrestleMania of all time and Cole states that we have just witnessed the biggest WrestleMania moment of all time. He might just be right.
Ah, this is interesting. We are informed that Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H will be up first. A video package showing Bryan's rise from NXT all the way up to being the most popular superstar of the past couple of years. A subsequent promo recapping the HHH vs. Bryan feud follows. Everything the WWE has done and said of late suggests that 'The American Dragon' will complete his climb to the top of the company tonight by becoming the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Stephanie is in the ring to introduce her husband, the CEO, the next WWE World Heavyweight champion, the Game, the King of Kings, Triple H. Hunter is on a throne dressed as a king as he was for his WrestleMania 22 match with John Cena. He takes off his 'armour' and motorhead hits.
Cole goes through the list of people that HHH has fought against at Mania. It's an impressive list. Shawn Michaels, Rock, The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Brock Lesnar among others. He says that him vs. Bryan looks like a mismatch on paper, but you can't judge heart and guts on paper.
Bryan's music hits and he skips down the aisle to a 60,000 strong "YES" chant. King calls the reception thunderous. Everyone is on their feet. "YES" signs are everywhere. Stephanie leaves the ring. Oh we are about to get in on at WrestleMania in New Orleans, Louisiana!
The commentators downplay Bryan's chances, although King warns HHH that he should not underestimate the "YES" movement. The bell rings. HHH and Bryan stare down. Bryan is wearing strapping on his supposedly injured shoulder to make him appear even more of the underdog.
Triple H offers his hand, but Bryan kicks it instead of shaking it and tries a quick roll up. Triple H kicks out at two and rolls out of the ring. King suggests that Stephanie could have a role to play from the outside, but JBL interprets her presence as a married couple "spending time together".
We are down to the nitty gritty of the mat action now. HHH chop blocks Bryan to the ground and then drags him to the corner to try and ram his injured shoulder into the ring post. Bryan wriggles free and rallies to his a tornado DDT off the apron onto the outside. Bryan goes higher still, onto the top rope, to somersault onto Triple H and into the barricade. That was a nasty landing.
Stephanie throws insults at Bryan from the outside, distracting him long enough for Triple H to run into the ropes to knock him down off the top. Hunter clears the announcers table and goes for the pedigree. It's reversed, but HHH throws Bryan into the table nonetheless.
Triple H rolls back into the ring as the referee's count reaches seven before Bryan joins him. We can have a winner by count out in this contest but I just cannot see it going that way.
Bryan drops the ropes to send HHH to the outside. Bryan goes for the suicide dive, but 'The Game' catches him with a great right hand as he came between the ropes. Triple H continues to work the arm, tucking it behind and hitting a a back suplex onto the apron. He then applies the crossface chicken wing, and then the same hold minus the chicken wings. Hmm, chicken wings. I'm hungry.
Bryan rallies with a succession of punches and speeds things up with a flying forearm off the ropes. HHH dodges Bryan off the top, but the Washington grappler reverses a german suplex to hit two of his own, holding the pin for two on each occasion.
Triple H hits a great double underhook suplex and Bryan sells the pain to his arm. They go up top and HHH goes for a supperplex, only for Bryan to counter and nail him with a sunset flip.
The crowd gets behind Bryan as he hits a couple of front dropkicks into the corner, but, when attempting a third, Triple H pounces to hit an absolutely massive clothesline, sending Bryan 360 degrees.
Pedigree time?! Again Bryan reverses into a jackknife cover. Near fall. Top-rope headbutt is countered by HHH with a knee, and the crossface is locked in again. The commentators hype that Bryan seems to be being sapped of energy and that this could be the beginning of the end.
Bryan reverses into the YES lock! Triple H sneaks towards the ropes and grabs it after a minute in the hold. HHH rolls onto the outside to be comforted by Stephanie. Oh moma. Bryan looks to the crowd before hitting not one, but two suicide dives to take The Game out.
'The American Dragon' is on top now. Kicks to the midsection and then one to the head. Bryan calls for the flying knee, with HHH struggling to his feet, but The Game counters with an Arn Anderson-like spinebuster. Pedigree? Third time lucky! He hits it, but Bryan kicks out!
It's Bryan's turn to get a long two with a roll-up. HHH takes Bryan to the corner and unleashes some fierce punches. He goes for the pedigree again, but Bryan reverses into a pin. Bryan blocks another pedigree attempt, and reverses a back suplex, charges to the corner before running back and kneeing Triple H's face off. One, two, three! Cole: "Daniel Bryan has stunned the world".
DANIEL BRYAN beats TRIPLE H by pinfall
"The biggest upset in WrestleMania history." "WrestleMania has become 'YEStleMania." "The YES movement has overcome The Authority." Bryan celebrates in the middle of the ring before Stephanie comes into the ring and slaps him four times. HHH ambushes Bryan from behind, drags him to the corner and whips the injured shoulder into the ring post. Steel chair to the shoulder.
Bryan is into the Mania main event, but at what cost? Medics attend to the Washington-born grappler and Cole says that there is no way that he will be able to compete later in the night. Triple H as he leaves: "There will be no happy ending." Well, I'm happy. That was a really good match, and a smart finish. It makes Bryan appear more unlikely to win the title later, which actually makes him more likely to win the title later, if you know what I mean, bruv?
The New Age Outlaws come out but Road Dogg's rap, in which he confirms their affiliation to The Authority, is cut short by The Shield. They come through the crowd. Kane is out quickly too. We are wasting no time in getting this one going. Dean Ambrose starts with Road Dogg.
Very fast start to the match. The Shield clear the ring before Reigns hits that great leg drop from the outside onto the apron. Superman punch by Reigns onto Road Dogg. Kane blocks another and tries a chokeslam, but Rollins makes the save.
Kane is on the outside. Rollins hits a somersault over the top. Double suicide dive from Ambrose and Rollins onto the Outlaws. Reigns spears Kane, and then follows it up with a double spear onto the Outlaws. Rollins and Ambrose lift the DX alumni up and the three members of The Shield triple powerbomb both members of the Outlaws and The Shield get the pin! That was quick!
THE SHIELD beat THE NEW AGE OUTLAWS & KANE by pinfall
It's disappointing that The Shield did not get a bigger spot considering how great they have been over the past year. At least they were dominant. All three of them will have bigger Mania moments in the future. The Million Dollar Man, Ricky Steamboat and other crop up backstage.
The ring is full of superstars. The battle royal is up next. Big Show and Sheamus get televised entrances. The bell rings. Yoshi Tatsu, Brodus Clay, Zack Ryder and The Great Khali are out early.
This could be hard to keep pace with. No sign of touted winner Alexander Rusev, as far as I can see. Darren Young is chucked out. Mark Henry clotheslines over 2/3 of 3MB, and then throwns Heath Slater out onto Jinder Mihal and Drew McIntyre for good measure.
Big Show eliminates Mark Henry! A host of guys ambush Show, one of them being Titus O'Neill, who is quickly dispatched of. Santino hits the Cobra to eliminate Miz. How the mighty have fallen.
Sandow is tossed over the top. My prediction to win, fresh from his face turn, Cesaro. Why else would he be in the match and Swagger not? David Otunga. Remember him? Yeah, he's gone. And Big. E too, eliminated by Fandango, that is a surprise. The Superdome is Fandangoing!
Sheamus pounds the chest of Fandango before throwing him out. We see some dance moves from R-Truth before Show throws him out too. Out goes Tyson Kidd, with Alberto del Rio climbing up the ropes to hit the enziguri. Nice move, well sold. Goldust is gone too!
Cody Rhodes follows his brother out of the ring. It's moving too fast for me to tell you who is eliminating who! Cesaro gets rid of Rey Mysterio in style, with a huge uppercut. Think we are down to six, if I can count. Kingston, Cesaro, Show, Ziggler, Sheamus and Del Rio.
Kofi is a battle royal specialist remember, an escapologist certainly. Incredible scenes as Cesaro throws him over the top, but his feet land on the steel steps, somehow. That was actually very, very impressive. Kingston is spun 30 times by Cesaro and then clotheslined over. Finally that got rid of him. He always has a trick up his sleeve, Kingston. Ziggler gets going but is eliminated by Del Rio. The crowd did not like that one, but it was entirely predictable. Another blow to the legions of Dolph fans.
We are down to two men! Sheamus and Del Rio fumble over the top rope together, leaving Big Show and Cesaro. Show throws Cesaro over, but the Swiss Superstar hangs onto the rope. Show has Cesaro on his shoulder and points towards the ground! Cesaro wriggles free and, OH MY WORD. Cesaro lifts Show above his shoulder, Hogan on Andre flashback, (we are at the Silverdome after all), and drops him over the top rope. Cesaro wins the battle royal! A star is born.
CESARO wins the Andre the Giant memorial battle royal!
Cesaro's huge trophy is brought into the ring. He celebrates. The night belongs to him thus far, and he is certainly hugely over with this live crowd. He appears to be in line for a major push.
John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt is up next. I am really looking forward to this one, it could be the show stealer. We see the promo package of how this match came about. Another pretty good build by WWE.
A beating tribe drum sets the mood for the Wyatt entrance. "New Orleans, we're here. And out go the lights. A live band plays that perfectly-creepy theme and Bray emerges out of the shadows.
The lights come up. Wyatt kneels in the ring, with henchman Luke Harper and Eric Rowan behind him. He gets a fairly positive reaction. He is just so fascinating. Cena's reception is as mixed as ever.
Harper and Rowan stand in front of Wyatt, sitting atop the turnbuckle as Cena enters the ring. Remember, this is Wyatt's first Mania, and he is facing one of the best of all time. That shows just how highly he is thought of, and how quickly he has got over since debuting last June.
The bell rings. Wyatt gets on his knees again and offers Cena a free shot. "Be the monster that you are, John." "Finish me". Cena refuses to hit Wyatt while he is not on his feet.
It is all Wyatt in the early stages. A slow, methodical beatdown. He mocks Cena and the fans. "Is this your hero?" I am just mesmerised by Wyatt. I would follow the buzzards, certainly. Mind you, I'm 5ft 7in and have arms as thin as Cena's hair, so would not be much use.
Cena gets angry, and you won't like him when he's angry. He floors Wyatt with a huge kick to the face, and then, twice, has to be pulled off Wyatt, who was letting Cena hit him, by the referee.
They are really hyping the psychological side of this match, with Cena taking a time out and Wyatt regrouping himself, crawling to his corner where Harper whispers evil nothings in his ear. Wyatt can go in the ring too, though, and he hits a huge throw across the ring.
Wyatt can be so physical and explosive, but he is slow playing Cena at the moment. A sleeper hold and a side headlock keep him grounded, but Cena rallies to hit two shoulder knockdowns followed by the STO. Five knuckle is up next, but Cena is stopped in his tracks as he turns off the ropes to see Wyatt in that crab position. Rowan provides a distraction on the apron, allowing Wyatt to hit a massive side slam.
Wyatt conducts the crowd, who are hanging on his every move. Cena gets a two with a tornado DDT off the top, and Wyatt also gets a near fall when countering a top-rope leg drop with a powerbomb.
What a juxtaposition of move sets. I'm not getting on at Cena or anything, but his predictable STO and five-knuckle shuffle, successfully hit this time, is followed by Wyatt reversing the AA into a modfield gutbuster, and he then plants him with a DDT of sorts onto the apron.
Cena goes up top, but then surprises everyone by leaping onto Harper and Rowan on the outside. Wyatt whips Cena into the steel steps, separating them, and goes to hit the 14-time world champion with the top set before being blocked and whipped into the ring post.
Cena is just so noble. He lifts the steps above his head and threatens to drop them on Wyatt, but can't bring himself to do it! He rolls Bray into the ring and Wyatt breaks him in half with that flying crossbody, which is, again, anything but textbook. "The Eater of Worlds" holds Cena's head on his lap and sings: "He's got the whole world, in his hands. He's got the whole world..."
Out of nowhere, AA from Cena! Wyatt kicks out at two. Rowan distracts the referee to allow Harper to deliver a thumping kick to Cena's head. Cena gets up to spear Harper through the barricade on the outside. Bray pounces on his fallen pray, and Sister Abigail's kiss! Cena kicks out at two!
Bray brings a chair into the ring, and hands it to Cena. He gets down on his knees again, and offers his opponent a free shot. Cena debates what to do. He must be close friends with the referee, who tells him: "That's not who you are, John". This official seems anything but impartial. Rowan pops up onto the apron, Cena charges and hits him with the chair. Wyatt goes for a roll-up, but only gets two! Sister Abigail's kiss is countered into the AA and Cena gets the win!
JOHN CENA beats BRAY WYATT by pinfall
Cole says that Cena maintains his legacy and stayed true to himself tonight. There are hugs for the Cena family, and the mother of The Rock, at ringside in fairly muted post-match celebrations.
That was another really good match. I'm just not so sure about the result. Wyatt obviously benefits much more from the victory. This won't go down as a landmark win in the Cena career, but it could have been one that rocketed Bray's fledgling career into a new dimension.
Cole recaps last night's WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, accompanied by a video package. The 2014 inductees of course: Ultimate Warrior, the late Paul Bearer, Jake 'The Snake Roberts' Carlos Colon, Razor Ramon, Lita and Mr T. Howard Finkel introduces them to the stage.
Warrior gets his own entrance. This must be the first time his music has hit and he has not run out into the arena. The WWE Hall of Fame ceremony was available on the WWE network.
It is streak time. Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar is up next. WWE production is so good. Another excellent pre-match promo video is shown in which Paul Heyman insists that all good things must come to an end. Eat, sleep, conquer repeat. Eat, sleep, conquer the streak?
Lesnar is out first, Heyman in tow. He is wearing the UFC-style ring gear that he has sported since his WWE comeback two years ago tomorrow. JBL reels off Lesnar's resume.
Wyatt and Triple H have already had an entrance upgrade wise tonight. What does the WWE have in store for Taker? The gong hits, with previous soundbites from his WrestleMania streak playing over the top of his music. There is a coffin with Brock Lesnar's name on it on the ramp!
'The Phenom' emerges. Blue lights fill the stadium. Taker strides forward before turning back to watch Lesnar's coffin ignite in flames. He continues his slow pacing to the ring, which gives me a chance to preview this match ever so briefly. In a sentence or less, it will be physical, it will be fairly short, it will be full of big spots, and it will end with 'The Deadman' going 22-0 at WrestleMania.
The lights come up. Taker takes of his coat, and his hat. What makes Undertaker's entrance so eerie is the silence coming from both the crowd and the commentary booth. King says that Lesnar does not seem intimidated. Heyman has not left his client's side, until now. Until the sound of the bell.
The two men exchange strikes. Lesnar clothesline's Taker over the top, but 'The Deadman' lands on his feet. Taker throws Lesnar into the ring post, shoulder first, and then again.
Taker goes up top for old school, but Lesnar punches his way free while his opponent sits on top of the turnbuckle. Taker reverts back to using the ring post as a weapon. Calculated stomps from 'The Phenom' on the outside, followed by the legdrop across the apron. Cole: "Vintage Undertaker."
The man who is undefeated at The Showcase of the Immortals hits snake eyes, and sets up for an early chokeslam. Lesnar counters and attempts an F5, but Taker wriggles free amid Heyman screams.
This match continues to be fought at a slow pace. I'm surprised that this is the way they are going. I thought it would be quick and explosive. Taker limps on the outside, selling the damage done to his leg by Lesnar in the early stages. Big suplex on Taker as we return to the squared circle.
The arena has gone quiet, perhaps anticipating a Taker response as the commentators sell how bad 'The Deadman's injuries' look. Taker rallies and gets Lesnar up for a chokeslam and a two count.
Taker kicks out of the F5 at two and a half! Lesnar reversed the Tombstone and immediately lifted him up, twisted his 6ft 10in frame around in midair and slammed him down. Only a two, though!
Lesnar bides his time before returning to continue his offence, but Taker locks him in Hell's Gate! Lesnar feigns to tap, but manages to lift Taker up dead weight of the mat and break the submission!
Taker appears to be struggling, but he hustles Lesnar again, locking him in Hell's Gate after being dragged into the middle of the ring. Lesnar shows his strength again to get out of trouble.
Rolls are exchanged now as Lesnar applies the Kimora to The Undertaker. Cole hypes what destruction this move has caused in the past. Taker counters into a rather feeble looking version of the same hold, but then ups the pressure as he drops to the mat. Lesnar gets to the ropes.
This is being booked as a war of attrition. Not quite how I expected. I would not say it was boring, yet, but the pace does need to quicken sooner rather than later to avoid it stagnating.
Undertaker goes for old school, but Lesnar drags him off the top rope and onto his shoulder, great counter! He hits a second F5, but again only gets a two. The commentators hardly sell the kick out. Come on guys, at least make us believe that the streak could be ended tonight!
Lesnar and Taker retreat to opposite corners of the ring. Heyman gives his client a pep talk and 'The Beast' responds, stomping down on Taker as the beatdown continues in the corner. He goes up top for a flurry of punches, but 'The Phenom' counters with a rather weak last ride. Lesnar back to his feet, Undertaker hits the Tombstone but the former UFC champion will not lay down! Only a two count.
BROCK LESNAR beats THE UNDERTAKER by pinfall
Oh my goodness. I can't believe it. The Mercedes-Benz Superdome is in complete shock. The streak is over. Taker went for a second tombstone, Lesnar puts his weight back to flip the switch, and then shifts 'The Phenom' into position for a third F5. The referee's hand hits the mat for a three count to the absolute astonishment of an arena full of speechless fans. The streak is over. 21-1. Lesnar is the one.
Lesnar leaves to plaudits from Heyman, but he is not the centre of attention here. The crowd have not taken their eyes off The Undertaker. He lies in the ring, with '21-1' showing on the big screen. The crowd: "Thank you Taker". They know what this is. This is goodbye. The Undertaker is done.
Undertaker has still not left the ring, or even made it back to his feet fully. The commentators stand and applaud 'The Phenom'. The crowd join in. Taker acknowledges them. He begins his walk back up the ramp. The gong hits. I am fairly certain that this is the last time that we will ever see The Undertaker compete in a WWE ring. Maybe that will be cleared up tomorrow. Taker leaves through a blue cloud of smoke, no customary single arm raise to the crowd. The streak is over. The streak is over.
The ring is full of 13 divas as AJ's music hits and she skips to the ring to meet her 13 challengers for the Divas Championship. Remember, this is a one-fall match and AJ does not have to be pinned to lose her title. The crowd are still in shock and so are the commentators. They have all thanked The Undertaker and paid tribute to him. I'll get to the divas in a minute, once what's just happened has sunk in.
This match is chaotic, but not organised chaos. It's messy. Highlights so far: Four divas, including the Bella twins, performing simultaneous suplexes, and Natalya locking three divas in the sharpshooter at the same time. The Bellas do a double suicide dive out onto a pile of divas on the outside.
Brie and Nikki put blood to one side for a minute to feud, and Brie hits her finisher. She gets a two count before Alicia Fox makes the save. Natayla powerbombs Aksana while she superplexes Naomi. The ring is cleared apart from the Funkadactyl, and AJ Lee swoops in to apply the black widow. Naomi taps and against the odds, the Divas champion continues her historic and long reign.
AJ LEE wins the Vickie Guerrero invitational to retain the Divas title
There's a WrestleMania I flashback as 'Mean' Gene Okerlund prepares to interview Hogan. Roddy Piper and Paul Orndorff interrupt and of course Mr T comes to stand by Hogan's side. The four threaten to come to blows before all shaking hands and "putting the past behind them".
The WWE World Heavyweight Championship match is up next, the main event. Although, it will have to be something incredibly special to overshadow what we saw earlier with The Undertaker. I'm not sure if you can tell, but I still can't believe it. The streak over, and Lesnar the one to do it. Wow. Anyway, the champ Randy Orton is out first to a live musical entrance from rock band Rev Theory.
Batista is out next. Incidentally, both him and Orton were victims during the streak. (I just can't drop it). Of course, it was the reaction to 'The Animal's return that has necessitated Daniel Bryan's inclusion in this match. Bryan comes out last, clutching his injured shoulder.
Bryan sells the injury inflicted on him by Triple H by only performing the "YES" chant with one arm. Justin Roberts does the introductions for this triple threat match. Orton looks smug, Bryan looks apprehensive, Batista looks confident. The bell is rung and our main event is underway...
'The American Dragon' flies out of the blocks, hitting Orton with a front dropkick in the corner. Bryan escapes an early Batista bomb and the action quickly moves to the outside.
Batista sets up for a Batista bomb onto the steps, but Orton reverses it onto a back body drop onto the steal. Orton kicks a recovering Bryan back to the floor. He and 'The Animal' are doing the heavy lifting in this match so far but remember of course that Bryan is pulling double duty.
Orton stomps away at his former Evolution comrade in the middle of the ring. The two exchange blows until Bryan hits them both with a dropkick of the top rope. He takes turns in kicking them in the midriff. One to the face of Batista, but Orton protects his money maker and hits a huge t-bone suplex on the counter. 'The Animal' recovers to break up the pin before it gets to three.
Bryan is taking on both men, who each occupy a corner. The bearded one ups the pace, charging from one side of the ring to the other to hit front drop kicks on each of his opponents.
Triple H is here! Triple H and Stephane come through the crowd and pull the referee out of the ring when Bryan has Orton in the 'YES' lock. Batista hits a Batista bomb on Bryan and HHH throws Scott Armstrong, the referee who was fired for doing The Authority's bidding, into the ring. One, two...Bryan kicks out. Against adversity, the YES movement has come to life. The crowd is on its feet!
Bryan kicks Armstrong. This match is no DQ of course. Bryan suicide dive through the ropes onto Armstrong, HHH and Stephanie! Hunter goes for the sledgehammer, but Bryan grabs it off him and hits HHH with his own weapon as the CEO tried to enter the ring!
Batista rolls up Bryan for a two, but Orton breaks the count. They double team Bryan on the outside, dissecting him piece by piece, focusing closely on the shoulder. Triple H, Armstrong and Stephanie are carried to the back by a bunch of referees. Not sure we have seen the last of HHH, though.
The former Evolution buddies look at each other and share an evil grin. They clear the announce table. Orton drags the steps over to the table. Batista climbs on the second table, and Batista bombs Bryan into an RKO from Orton. What a combination! Bryan is completely laid out. What a move!
Medics rush out to attend to Bryan and put him in a neck brace and on a stretcher. Batista's attention turns to Orton, who also stayed down for some time after planting Bryan through the table. A clothesline floors Orton and 'The Animal' continues to use the surroundings, barricade, apron and ring post, to pick apart his opponent. A "Daniel Bryan" chant is started in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome!
Orton balances Batista on the apron and hits his patented DDT onto the outside. Bryan is in the process of being wheeled out of the arena, but he forces his way free of his shackles and the stretcher to reenter the match. Orton is having none of it, and immediately whips him into the steel steps.
The two men are back in the ring. Orton poses to the crowd while posing for the RKO. He goes for it on Bryan, but is reversed into the YES lock. Batista breaks the submission, but is then locked it in himself. 'The Animal' prepares to tap, but Orton comes to his rescue. The magic of a triple threat.
Batista goes for a spear on Orton, who leapfrogs, sending 'The Animal' straight into Bryan. Orton hits an RKO on Batista! He goes for the cover, but only gets a two. Bryan is out of the ring. Orton lines up the punt on Batista. He begins his run up, but Bryan appears out of nowhere to hit the running knee on Orton. Batista throws Bryan out of the ring and goes for the pin. Orton kicks out at two! Batista bomb on Orton. 'The Animal' gets back to his feet, but Bryan drops him to the floor and applies the YES lock. Batista taps. Batista taps! Bryan wins!
DANIEL BRYAN IS THE NEW WWE WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION
Bryan has done it. He has finally done it. His eight-month pursuit for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship culminates with a memorable victory on the Grandest Stage of Them All! Daniel Bryan is the new face of the WWE, fifteen years in the making for a former star of the indy scene.
Bryan celebrates on the top rope, with ticker-tape falling from above and a huge "YES" chant filling the arena. This is his WrestleMania moment. Wins over Triple H, Batista and Randy Orton. He is now the number one guy in the company. The show closes with Bryan holding both belts in the ring.
That's it. Another WrestleMania passes, but not without some truly special WrestleMania moments. Hogan, Rock and Austin in the same ring, the making of a star in Cesaro, great matches between Bray Wyatt and John Cena, and Triple H and Daniel Bryan, who ended the night on top of the company, and on top of the world. But this night will always be remembered for The Undertaker's WrestleMania undefeated streak being broken. Brock Lesnar is the one, in 21-1. Rest in peace, the streak. Rest in peace, The Undertaker. That's it from Sports Mole. Goodnight.