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WWE Network has built a reputation for delivering amazing original shows and documentaries in the last few years. WWE recently released a new edition of the WWE 24 series titled "WrestleMania: The Show must go on".
The episode focused on the happenings before and at WrestleMania 36, arguably the most unique edition of the Show of Shows. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, WWE was forced to hold its shows at the Performance Center without any crowd. While there were concerns over WWE canceling WrestleMania altogether, they went ahead with it and delivered a solid show.
So much was revealed during this fantastic documentary. Let's take a look at ten things we learned from it.
#10 Triple H's address to the WWE family
The episode started with a chaotic shot of the Performance Center. Triple H was standing in the middle of the ring and he addressed everyone about the situation. Being a true leader that he is, he reminded everyone of how this is a part of what they do.
"This is WWE. We have been doing this for generations, and we will continue to."
Triple H revealed that he had a talk with Vince McMahon recently about "what if" and only 24 hours later, it turned into reality as WWE was forced to shut everything down and move their production to the Performance Center. We then saw how the crew changed what looked like a warehouse to the amazing set of WrestleMania 36, within a few days.
#9 What Superstars thought about WrestleMania at PC
The biggest concern in circumstances like these is how the Superstars react to it. WrestleMania this year was way different as it lacked the biggest component - the WWE Universe. WWE Superstars thrive off the energy of the fans, and without them, WrestleMania did feel very different.
But the morale of the Superstars was very high even after all the mishaps. Former Universal Champion Kevin Owens mentioned how it felt just as big to him. Former NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley also said:
"It's still WrestleMania. And it's still a huge deal."
It was the Superstars who made sure people have something to watch on their TV and are entertained during these hard times when everything seems to be falling apart. WWE's dedication to continue entertaining the fans is truly commendable.
#8 Drew McIntyre was angry about WrestleMania happening at WWE Performance Center
At WrestleMania 36, Drew McIntyre finally fulfilled the prophecy when he became World Champion. The 2020 men's Royal Rumble Winner challenged Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36 for the WWE Championship. The ingredients were there for one of the biggest WrestleMania moments in recent history. Unfortunately, WWE had to shift WrestleMania to the Performance Center with zero fans in attendance. Drew McIntyre revealed how he was initially furious about it.
"I remember hearing it in the news that it [WrestleMania] is going to be in the Performance Center. And I was just so p****d off. You know obviously when Drew McIntyre finally makes it to main-event WrestleMania, everything's gonna go to hell."
But later, he realized how everyone was suffering badly because of the pandemic and felt guilty about his feelings earlier.
"So when I heard that WrestleMania was just going to be at the Performance Center, I was really angry. I was like I cannot believe this. I don't get my special moment in a stadium full of people in front of my family, friends and wife. It wasn't until I really started watching the news and seen what was going on and people were suffering. I kinda felt guilty the way I've been feeling."
Drew McIntyre mentioned how he realized that he has a chance to put smiles on million of faces through his "feel-good" story at WWE WrestleMania 36.
#7 Shane McMahon was involved in the Firefly Funhouse match at WWE WrestleMania 36
With WrestleMania being shifted to the Performance Center and without fans, WWE realized that they'd have to make big changes to ensure fans enjoy the show. One of the massive changes was WrestleMania becoming a two-night event. The other change saw WWE try their hand in cinematic matches, the first of which was the Boneyard Match between The Undertaker and AJ Styles on Night One.
The second cinematic match at WrestleMania was the bizarre Firefly Funhouse match between Bray Wyatt and John Cena. During the WWE 24 episode, it was revealed that Shane McMahon was involved in the shooting of the match. While it is not clear how much creative input Shane had, it was great to see him with Cena.
We also saw some interesting clips from the shooting of the match, including the unedited voice of Rambling Rabbit.
John Cena mentioned that he thoroughly enjoyed working the Firefly Funhouse match at WrestleMania 36 as it was something very challenging and unique for him. Fans are still divided in their opinion of the match though - some loved it, while others hated it.
#6 Braun Strowman's reaction when WWE wanted him to wrestle Goldberg at WrestleMania
The original plan for WrestleMania 36 was for Roman Reigns to challenge and defeat Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship. But just days before the show, Reigns dropped out as he chose not to work during the pandemic. Subsequently, Braun Strowman was called up as a last-minute replacement to face Goldberg for the WWE Universal Championship.
The Monster Among Men revealed how he was not originally on the card and hence drove back to his property 21 hours away from Florida, only to get a call that there is an emergency and they need him back. On getting back, Braun Strowman was told that he would be wrestling Goldberg at WWE WrestleMania, and his reaction was "What?"
Braun Strowman revealed how he respected Roman Reigns' decision to drop out of the event, before acknowledging that without that, he wouldn't have become the WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania.
#5 Braun Strowman was bullied for his size
The Monster Among Men got emotional talking about how we was bullied due to being overweight.
"I just didn't understand why I would get picked on because I was friendly. I'm a fun person, like when I walk into a room I like making people laugh and stuff so it was really hard as a young kid growing up understand. I knew I was fat. Dealing with that, hearing it over and over and over, it wears on you. I mean this is hard to talk about."
He mentioned how he was sick of being bullied and used that as fuel to push himself and joined the Iron Physique Fitness Center in Denver, North Carolina.
#4 Kevin Owens on his original WWE WrestleMania plans
Kevin Owens was one of the most prominent WWE Superstars to feature in the documentary. He faced Seth Rollins at The Show of Shows and had one of the "moments of the night" when he jumped off the huge WrestleMania sign through the announcers' table on Seth Rollins.
Speaking of his original plans, Kevin Owens revealed what he originally planned to jump off at the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.
"A change of plan I had because when it was originally going to be at the stadium in Tampa, I went to that stadium in February with my dad and my son to a monster truck show. When I got there, I saw the giant pirate ship they have. So I said, I'm gonna jump off that thing."
#3 Vince McMahon jumped off a platform during WrestleMania rehearsal
One of the most talked-about moments from the episode was Vince McMahon jumping off a high platform to demonstrate it to the WrestleMania host, Rob Gronkowski, who was initially not comfortable doing the spot.
As mentioned by several wrestlers, Vince McMahon does not make any of his stars do anything which he wouldn't do himself. Watching the 75-year old WWE Chairman still perform such stunts is why he still commands respects. In Rhea Ripley's words - "It's a Vince thing!"
#2 Rhea Ripley started crying after her match at WWE WrestleMania 36
WrestleMania 36 saw Rhea Ripley make her WrestleMania debut as she defended her NXT Women's Championship against Charlotte Flair. As revealed in the episode, Rhea Ripley visited the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida before her match with the Queen. Unfortunately, things changed and WrestleMania took place at the WWE Performance Center, but it was still a huge moment for Rhea Ripley.
WrestleMania 36 saw Ripley lose to Flair and drop her title after a fantastic match. As seen in the episode, both hugged each other after the match. Rhea Ripley started crying out of happiness after the match, which was quite special for her despite the circumstances being were different.
#1 Drew McIntyre's reaction after winning WWE Championship at WrestleMania
WrestleMania 36 was the culmination of years of hard work for Drew McIntyre, who defeated Brock Lesnar to finally win the WWE Championship for the very first time in his career. McIntyre revealed how the world does not get to see the genuine reaction of a WWE Superstar winning the title which usually happens after they get back to their hotel rooms, look at the title, and realize that they actually did it.
But WrestleMania 36 was different as he had his private special moment in front of the world after winning the WWE Championship. Drew McIntyre's journey to the top of the WWE mountain has indeed been special and inspiring.
All in all, "WrestleMania: The Show Must Go On" was an amazing rollercoaster ride which every WWE fan must watch.
