This match signals us finally getting what we all wanted back at Summerslam 2013. Daniel Bryan finally won the WWE Championship from John Cena. Then The Authority ruined his celebration with a Money in the Bank cash-in and the rest is a long painful history. If Daniel Bryan beats Triple H in this match he is entered into tonight's WWE World Heavyweight Championship match between Randy Orton and Batista. NOW THAT! IS SOME LONG-TERM CONTINUITY! I kept that in bold as a not-so-subtle hint and the people that WWE doesn't practice. The show's opening video shows Wrestlemania as a Carnival, playing on being held in New Orleans and works in the Daniel Bryan vs. The Authority Story, as well as Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena and Brock Lesnar taking on Undertaker.
Wrestlemania Host Hulk Hogan is introduced first before Michael Cole, Jerry “The King” Lawler and JBL introduce us from commentary tonight. One line in, Hogan fucks it up, calling the arena the Silver Dome from Wrestlemania 3. He corrects himself, thanking the Hulkamaniacs for their help. The glass smashes, bringing out “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. King says arguably the 2 most popular superstars in WWE history are sharing the ring. Austin takes a dig at Hogan's Geographical botch before the fans “Hell yeah” for Hogan to receive a can of whoop-ass. You'd think it was nWo Hogan with the volume from the crowd. Instead, Austin says he watched Hogan in the first Wrestlemanias, using the “What?” chant and getting up to number 10 (although Hogan wasn't there). He shakes Hogan's hand saying he appreciates what Hogan's done for the business. Hogan steals a “hell yeah” to make himself feel better before Austin says tonight is about the current crop of talent.
This brings out that youngster, The Rock! Michael Cole plugs his starring role in the new Hercules movie and he takes his time soaking in the atmosphere on the stage (I used this time to begin my can of Monster Energy drink if you're interested (either in the information, or if you're from Monster Energy, in sponsoring me...?) and he signals his goosebumps. Rock makes his way into the ring, hugging Austin. He gets his stuff in, saying finally he's back at Wrestlemania even though he's appeared the last three years. He emphasises coming back to the S-uper-Dome. He calls Austin his good buddy and Hogan his childhood hero, they're two of the biggest Icons in company hero. He says they've headlined Wrestlemanias before mentioning John Cena. The crowd didn't like that. He thanks Hogan for giving Cena the chance to fight for Hustle, Loyalty and Respect (yeah, thanks, Hogan, I guess...) He says a man will be going on tonight to rise against The Authority, getting the crowd back on side. That doesn't happen without Austin crossing the boss and whooping his Candy Ass. “Yes” chants from the crowd. The Rock takes the credit for all the Wrestlemania babies. The Rock finishes with a poem and they all get in one last catchphrase. Hulk Hogan reminds us it's the Superdome and Austin loses his shit, they share a beer as JBL's life is complete.
Thanks to WWE for putting that awesome video package on Youtube.
When we return Stephanie McMahon is in the ring to introduce her husband, she calls Triple H by every nickname he has, might as well get your money's worth from the Trademarks. Triple H is on a throne at the top of the ramp because of course, he is. The gold skull mask doesn't look right with his short hair. A grand spectacle is made of him removing the mask and capes, and I'm sure one of his assistants is the future Charlotte. His music hits and he walks down, Michael Cole immediately buries Bryan on commentary, justifying it with the phrase “on paper” before commentary run down who Triple H has faced at Wrestlemania. Daniel Bryan stands at the top of the stage soaking in his “Yes movement” taking effect. Bryan sidesteps all the way down the ramp as King calls it “Yestlemania” JBL thinks the Yes movement could be Bryan's downfall. Bryan has his left shoulder taped up for this match.
TRIPLE H VS. DANIEL BRYAN
WWE Wrestlemania XXX (6th April 2014)
The bell rings and Triple H smirks across the ring at Daniel Bryan. Bryan looks focused on this match. Triple H holds his hand out but Bryan kicks it away. Daniel Bryan rolls Triple H up for a quick nearfall. Both Trips and Steph look shocked, Triple H forces Bryan back into the corner. Bryan ducks a right hand, kicking Triple H's chest, Triple H bails to the floor. He is pissed as Stephanie tries to calm him down, the fans aren't so supportive. Daniel Bryan holds his hand out in the ring, which JBL calls an insult as Triple H makes his way back in. They lock up again, with Triple H targetting the left arm, Daniel Bryan rolls out of a wringer and hits a dropkick. Triple H charges into a headlock takeover, trying to use Bryan's long hair to his advantage but has to roll to his feet. Triple H sends Bryan back into the ropes and knocks him down with a shoulder tackle into Bryan's left side. Daniel Bryan fires back with a running knee to the gut. Triple H gets caught in another headlock takedown but counters with a headscissors on the mat. Bryan tries to roll out of it, ending up on his back and releasing with a bridge. Bryan gets a headlock on the mat but Triple H counters with a top wristlock, they work to their feet with Bryan hitting a series of European uppercuts. Triple H forces Bryan back into the corner and hitting some cheap shoulder tackles in the corner.
Triple H goes back to the shoulder, draping Bryan's arm over the top rope. Bryan fires back with forearms and kicks to the chest, but Triple H blocks a kick, dropping to the mat to cut Bryan off. Daniel Bryan avoids Triple H wrapping the arm around the ringpost and dropkicks him back down to the floor. Stephanie McMahon is cheering her husband on but she's outnumbered 75,000 to one. Bryan rolls out to the apron and hits a running tornado DDT on the floor. Stephanie McMahon acts like D-Bry just killed her husband. Daniel Bryan climbs to the top rope but overshoots a somersault plancha, hitting the barricade with as much force as he hit his opponent. Daniel Bryan gets a nearfall back in the ring. Triple H knocks the top rope as Bryan climbs on the turnbuckle, crotching him then knocks him down to the floor with a right hand. Triple H rearranges the furniture outside, practically launching the announce table cover at Steph. He sets Bryan up for the pedigree but Daniel Bryan fights out with right hands so Triple H goes back to the injured arm. Triple H gets back in the ring and tells the referee to count Daniel Bryan out as Stephanie mockingly chants “Yes”
Daniel Bryan makes it back in the ring at 7 but Triple H is there with an elbow drop. Triple H drops his knee on Bryan's arm, so Bryan scurries to the ropes. Triple H hits a falling arm breaker and keeps Bryan on the mat with an armbar, standing over him. We see a replay of Bryan's arm colliding with the announce table as he tries to roll out, but Triple H repositions himself, keeping a top wristlock on Bryan who gets to his feet. Triple H cuts him off with a knee to the gut and sends him across the ring, Daniel Bryan grabs the ropes and low-bridges a charging Triple H. Triple H cuts off a dive with a right hand, knocking down Bryan who was at full speed. We see a replay as Triple H sets Bryan up on the apron and drops all of Bryan's weight onto his injured arm with a back suplex on the apron! We get a replay because it's that uncomfortable to watch (as said by Michael Cole) Triple H again wants the count out victory but Bryan just slides back in the ring in time. Triple H brings Bryan to his feet with a crossface chickenwing focusing on the left arm still. Bryan drops back down to his knees, Triple H transitions to a crossface on the mat, forcing Bryan to crawl to the ropes. Triple H keeps it locked in to begin the 5 count, Bryan releases the rope but he's already forced the break.
Triple H drops Bryan's arm into the mat as they get to their feet as Lawler calls Steph's smile evil. JBL calls her beautiful because he needs a raise, Texas taxes are higher than Tennessee. Triple H drives his fist into Bryan's skull, sending him into the corner. The referee backs Triple H away giving Bryan a chance to fight back with rights of his own. They exchange rights with “Yes/No” chants until Triple H shoves Bryan into the ropes. Bryan ducks a clothesline and knocks Triple H down. It took just as much out of Bryan as he's slow to get to his feet. Bryan kicks Triple H in the chest so H's goes low, JBL says he needs to be careful. Daniel Bryan is sent across the ring but runs up the turnbuckles, Triple H telegraphs the back flip and grabs a waistlock but it's reversed bridging german by Daniel Bryan gets him a nearfall. Daniel Bryan keeps his arms locked and hits a second bridging german suplex for an even closer nearfall! Triple H releases Bryan's grip going back to the crossface chickenwing but Bryan breaks free but is sent across the ring with a tiger suplex, landing on the back of his head! Stephanie McMahon taunts Daniel from ringside as Triple H covers but Bryan kicks out defiantly after 2.
Triple H carries Bryan to the corner, placing him on the top turnbuckle. Daniel Bryan blocks the superplex with a flurry of right hands and a headbutt then takes Triple H down to the mat with a sunset flip powerbomb leaving both men down. Triple H gets to his feet in the corner, looking for support from his wife. Bryan flies into him with a running boot in the corner. Daniel Bryan hits a second one, quickly getting to his feet and in position for a third but he ends up getting decapitated with a LARIATOOOO! Out of the corner. We see a replay of Bryan's beard getting knocked into the third row as Triple H tries to shake off the cobwebs with his wife shouting to him (not an enviable position, I might add). Triple H has Bryan set up for another pedigree but Bryan reverses with a desparation jackknife cover for 2. Daniel Bryan kicks Triple H in the temple and climbs to the top rope, using the support of the fans to his advantage. He flies from the top rope straight into Triple H's knee. Triple H takes advantage locking in another crossface! Bryan tries to drag them both to the ropes but starts fading from the pain and pressure so he rolls Triple H onto his back. Triple H rolls all the way through and they're back in the middle of the ring!
Bryan tries to struggle to the other side, faced with Stephanie McMahon still chatting shit from ringside, he rolls Triple H up again and reverses to a crossface of his own! Bryan only has it held on with two fingers, but Triple H can't break the grip. He struggles to the ropes and gets a break before rolling outside for a breather. Daniel Bryan flies through the ropes with a tope to Triple H, but his shoulder collides with the barricade. Daniel Bryan hits another tope to Triple H on the floor then goes back to lighting up his chest with kicks. Triple H is sent back into the ring and Bryan hits a missile dropkick from the top rope, but he landed on his shoulder. Bryan finds it in him to kip up as Triple H gets to his knees. Bryan kicks at Triple H's chest with “Yes” chants before clocking him with one to the head. Daniel Bryan covers but only gets 2. Daniel Bryan uses the power of the crowd to get to his feet but runs into a spinebuster. Triple H picks up Bryan, planting him with a pedigree. 1, 2, Bryan kicks out at 2.999 to stop a riot breaking out!
Triple H is in shock that it isn't over. Stephanie tries to keep her man focused but he gets caught in a small package! Triple H kicks out at the last second. Triple H drags Bryan to the corner and pummels him with right hands, barely avoiding a disqualification. Daniel Bryan is set up for another pedigree but sends Triple H over, keeping his shoulders down for 2. Triple H rolls through keeping his grip, but Bryan stays on his knees, sandbagging Triple H. Triple H drives his knee into Bryan's shoulder and his head. He drags Bryan up for another pedigree but Bryan gets out of hit, kicking Triple H in the head. Triple H ducks a second kick but Bryan lands on his feet from a back suplex attempt, Bryan hits the running knee! 1, 2, 3!
WINNER: DANIEL BRYAN
Daniel Bryan celebrates his victory as Stephanie McMahon looks on shocked. She climbs into the ring to congratulate him, oh no.... It was to try and cut his balls off. Bryan laughs off Stephanie's slaps making everyone else that sold even one look a bit shitty. Triple H blindsides Bryan, wrapping the injured arm around the ringpost and slamming a chair into it before leaving. Bryan's helped to the back by medics before we see highlights of the match.
Get ready... This match was worked perfectly and I'm trying to persuade myself it wasn't Triple H in the match to try not to nit-pick. Daniel Bryan took a lot and kept fighting, building his sympathy all through the match. He ate a Pedigree (after countering multiple attempts) and in general was working from underneath all match. Triple H was vicious and worked a slow methodical match (as he seems to do as a Part Timer) trying to dissect Bryan more than beat him, making it so even if he got to the main event he would have no chance. Daniel Bryan got enough to make it not seem inconceivable he would beat The Game, but it helped the atmosphere that the fans felt a part of the last push of his journey. Triple H pulled out some new moves to try and keep Bryan down but in the end all it took was a surprise running knee to keep the COO down for 3. The aftermath added even more sympathy for Bryan (although it can look like Triple H's ego making sure he walks out of the match looking strong) and Bryan laughed off the Executive Slaps of Doom. Awesome match to kick off the show. – WORKRATE: 4/5 PERSONAL ENJOYMENT 4.5/5 OVERALL 8.5/10
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