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Wow...Vince McMahon actually came through for the WWE Universe. He actually gave them what they wanted. It's not that Vince McMahon hasn't done it in the past. It's just that in the last few years, it just seems they were on autopilot like a bad political campaign. Sometimes, they were pulling the shock factor just for the sake of it.
Look back to WrestleMania 34 and Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal Championship. Shinske Nakamura didn't win the WWE Championship. Jinder Mahal won the WWE United States Championship. What a difference a year makes.
A WWE Superstar who put his mind, body, and soul for eleven years finally got his reward. A losing streak came to an end and the era of The Man finally arrived much like her male predecessor. Mr. McMahon truly was Santa Claus, or to be more cynical, like Oprah, he was like, "You get a Championship, You get a Championship and You certainly get a championship." WWE Titles all around!
With the exception of Kurt Angle vs John Cena and no appearance by The Undertaker, Vince McMahon proved once why he is the best wrestling promoter of all time. So, what made Vince dance to the whims of the WWE Fans? Let's take a look.
Here are 5 reasons why Vince McMahon gave the WWE Universe what they wanted at WrestleMania 35.
#5. Going back to the basics
Vince McMahon has a feel for the audience like no one else in WWE History. He took his father's company and made it into a global phenomenon. His vision changed the face of pro-wrestling. As mentioned above, McMahon started listening again to WWE fans.
At WrestleMania 35, McMahon did what he does best. He listened to the WWE Universe and was a man of his word. Sure, the WWE fans can't always get what they want. Not all the heels win. Not all the faces win. It never actually works that way. But, when it came to all the high-profile matches, Vince McMahon got it just right. He went back to basics.
#4 Rise of AEW, ROH, and NJPW
Vince McMahon has ruled the pro-wrestling industry since the demise of WCW back in 2001. Few pro-wrestling organizations have tried to compete but have failed at every step. Impact Wrestling did try but didn't even come close.
But in the last few years, NJPW and ROH have been providing WWE fans and wrestling fans with healthy alternatives. AEW will be releasing their first official PPV in May with AEW Double or Nothing. The success of ALL IN has certainly caught Vince McMahon's attention. While competition certainly gets the best out of him, no businessman actually likes competition.
Like Jeff Bezos, Vince McMahon wants to be The Man. He would rather own everything and have a monopoly on the entire thing. With that in mind, he gave the WWE Universe what they wanted. Because he certainly loves the 'greenbacks' they bring with them.
#3. Sagging ratings
It's been an open secret that WWE ratings for RAW and SmackDown have been abysmal at times. It has more to do with repetitive storytelling, an absentee Universal Champion, aborted creative decisions and too many face and heel turns.
WWE creative has been all over the place and it has shown in the ratings. Sure, the red and blue brands have their ratings hit peak levels in the past but that might as well be another life. With AEW probably launching another television show, Vince McMahon knows he had to step his game up.
Granted, with 5 Brands including NXT, 205 Live and Mae Young Classic, they have nothing to worry about. But with the impending move of WWE SmackDown Live to Fox Sports, it's quite obvious that WWE won't be able to sit back and relax. WrestleMania 35 might be the start of that change for the better.
#2. Enough of Brock Lesnar as the Champion
It was a long time coming but Vince knew it. The WWE Universe was sick and tired of Brock Lesnar. The idea of putting the WWE Universal Champion on Brock Lesnar was certainly exciting the first time and it was worth the investment. But, putting it on him again over Braun Strauman was a ludicrous idea.
Brock Lesnar lost whatever aura he once had. He was The Beast Incarnate. But with his return to the UFC most likely happening, it made sense that WWE needed a full-time WWE Universal Champion on WWE RAW again. While Roman Reigns was there, it actually came across as proper if not interesting. At least, there would be no excuses.
Seth Rollins beating Brock Lesnar may be underwhelming in terms of the buildup but the match was exciting as it opened the show and set the tone for the night that was about to come.
#1. Evolving with the diversity and the Women's evolution in WWE
Kofi Kingston winning the WWE Championship. Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair main-eventing WrestleMania 35 and closing the showcase of the immortals. How the times have changed?
No one in the WWE Universe would have ever thought it would have been possible. Vince McMahon has been accused of not being in sync with the WWE fans. His relentless push of Roman Reigns, repeating tired formulas and ending pushes of WWE Superstars like Braun Strauman have been part of the indecisiveness of Vince's decisions in recent times.
Perhaps, Vince started realizing that Kofi and Becky were putting butts in the seats, reaching into their pockets and turning over those 'greenbacks' he craves so much. And maybe, he deferred to Triple H and others. While that is not clear, it would certainly be in the realm of possibility.
Here's hoping he stays this way!
Do you think Vince McMahon will continue to listen to the fans? Comment below.
