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WrestleMania 33: the Ultimate Thril Ride was the 33rd annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event and WWE Network event produced by WWE for their Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. It took place on April 2, 2017, at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. WrestleMania 33 was the first WrestleMania since WrestleMania XXVII in 2011 to feature multiple brands (while a brand extension is in effect) as the brand split had ended that year, but was reintroduced in July 2016.

Thirteen matches were contested at the event, including three on the Kickoff pre-show. For the first time since WrestleMania 29 in 2013, two world championships were contested: Raw's Universal Championship and SmackDown's WWE Championship; it marked the first time that the Universal Championship, SmackDown Women's Championship, and new Cruiserweight Championship were defended at WrestleMania. In the main event, Roman Reigns defeated The Undertaker in a No Holds Barred match, giving Undertaker his second loss at WrestleMania. In addition, Brock Lesnar defeated Goldberg to become the Universal Champion, thus becoming the first wrestler to win both the WWE and Universal titles, and Randy Orton defeated Bray Wyatt to win his ninth WWE Championship. The event also marked the surprise return of The Hardy Boyz (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy), who won the Raw Tag Team Championship. It was also the first WrestleMania to be on the air past midnight Eastern time.

The defending Super Bowl champion Broncos entered the game with an AFC-best 14–2 regular season record. The Falcons, under former Denver head coach Dan Reeves, were making their first Super Bowl appearance after also posting a 14–2 regular season record.

Aided by quarterback John Elway's 80-yard touchdown pass to receiver Rod Smith, Denver scored 17 consecutive points to build a 17–3 lead in the second quarter from which Atlanta could not recover. In the final game of his career before his announced retirement on May 2, 1999, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 336 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and also scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown. At 38 years old, Elway became the oldest player, at the time, to be named Super Bowl MVP, a record that stood until Tom Brady surpassed it in 2017 at the age of 39, coincidentally also against Atlanta.

Reception towards the event was mixed to positive, although it was largely considered to be an improvement upon last years event. Praise was directed towards Styles vs. McMahon, Owens vs. Jericho, the ladder match, Rollins vs. Triple H, and the Universal Title match. Criticism was reserved for the main event, the WWE Title Match, and the overall length of the show.


Background

WrestleMania is considered WWE's flagship event, having first been held in 1985. It is the longest-running professional wrestling event in history and is held annually between mid-March to mid-April. It was the first of WWE's original four pay-per-views, which includes Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series, dubbed the "Big Four". It has been described as the Super Bowl of sports entertainment. The event featured wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands, following the reintroduction of the brand split in July 2016. It was the first WrestleMania to feature the Universal Championship, following its introduction on Raw in July 2016 after the WWE World Heavyweight Championship became exclusive to SmackDown and renamed to WWE Championship. It was also the first WrestleMania to feature the SmackDown Women's Championship and new WWE Cruiserweight Championship.

The NFL originally awarded Super Bowl XXXIII to Candlestick Park in San Francisco on November 2, 1994, at the owners meetings in Rosemont, Illinois but pulled the game away after it became unclear whether planned renovations to the stadium were going to happen.

NFL owners then awarded Super Bowl XXXIII to the Orlando area during their October 31, 1996 meeting in New Orleans. Other cities under consideration were Atlanta, Tampa, and Los Angeles. Owners initially planned on selecting only two hosts (XXXIII and XXXIV), but decided to name three after strong showings by the respective delegations. Miami, Atlanta, and Tampa were selected to host XXXIII, XXXIV, and XXXV, respectively. This was the eighth time that the South Florida area hosted the game, and the third at Pro Player Stadium (formerly Joe Robbie Stadium).

The event was the third to be held in the state of Florida, after 2008 (at the same venue) and 2012. Tickets went on sale on November 18, 2016, with individual tickets costing $38 to $2,130. On October 31, 2016, traveling packages with accommodation ranging from $950 to $5,900 per person were sold. A two-hour Kickoff pre-show preceded the main show, with the second hour broadcast simultaneously on USA Network. On February 20, 2017, The New Day (Big E, Kofi Kingston, and Xavier Woods) of WWE's Raw brand were confirmed to be the hosts of WrestleMania 33.

The four official theme songs for the event were "Greenlight" (by Pitbull feat. Flo Rida and LunchMoney Lewis), "Like a Champion" (by Danger Twins), "Flame" (by Tinashe), and "Am I Savage?" (by Metallica). At the event, Pitbull performed "Options" with Stephen Marley before performing "Greenlight" with Flo Rida and LunchMoney Lewis. American singer Tinashe performed "America the Beautiful" to kick off WrestleMania 33. The pre-show was broadcast on the WWE Network, WWE.com, Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube, with USA Network joining the live coverage for the second hour.

Beginning at WrestleMania 32, a match between Big Show and NBA star Shaquille O'Neal had been teased from various media outlets, including WWE. Shaq was a surprise entrant in the 2016 André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal where he and Big Show faced off, but the other participants eliminated both of them. In July at the 2016 ESPY Awards on the red carpet, Show and Shaq had another brief confrontation. A match was proposed for WrestleMania 33, which Shaq accepted. In January 2017, the two began calling each other out on social media, posting workout videos of themselves preparing for the potential match. Big Show then began to doubt Shaq's commitment to the match. By the end of February, Shaq said that it looked like the match was not going to happen, but he would still train just in case. The following week, Shaq said that discussions were back on between him and WWE. However, Big Show's announcement as a participant in the 2017 André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal indicated that the match was off. According to Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the match was canceled due to monetary reasons, as both parties could not agree on a deal. Big Show said that he really wanted to do the match, especially since this would probably be his last WrestleMania and blamed Shaq's weight as a reason for why Shaq backed out.

According to wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer in January 2017, a WrestleMania 33 match between The Undertaker and John Cena was scrapped as Vince McMahon had "a different vision for the show and [was] thinking [about the] longterm picture not short-term."

Since 2014, WWE had attempted to establish Roman Reigns as their top babyface and the next 'face of the company', but a significant portion of fans rejected Reigns in this role, taking issue with his perceived special treatment, real-life demeanor, wrestling moveset, speaking skills and character presentation. This resulted in Reigns being booed while he wrestled in the main events of WrestleMania 31 and WrestleMania 32. Reigns was even voted as 2016's "Most Hated Wrestler of the Year" by Pro Wrestling Illustrated readers, a first for a heroic character since the award was devised in 1972. In response to the negative reception, Reigns said that there is "possible jealousy" from fans regarding his "major success". In March 2017 before WrestleMania 33, wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer reported that WWE's long term plans ("which obviously could change") leading to WrestleMania 34 was to "once again build for a year and have the big coronation" for Reigns, who would still be a heroic character "between now and then" and beat Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship "to fully replace John Cena as the lead babyface of the company", while the "idea" for Lesnar's role "for years now" was "to become a monster, be unbeatable, run through everybody, and then lose to Roman Reigns"

At Elimination Chamber, Nikki Bella and Natalya had a backstage confrontation that lead to Natalya shoving Nikki into Maryse. Later that night, The Miz attempted to eliminate John Cena from the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match, but Cena eliminated Miz. On the February 21 episode of SmackDown, Nikki and Natalya's Falls Count Anywhere match led to the backstage area, where Natalya again shoved Nikki into Maryse, who retaliated by hitting Nikki with a lead pipe, costing Nikki her match. In that episode's main event, the same incident between Cena and Miz happened in the WWE Championship number one contender's battle royal; this time, however, Miz returned and caused Cena's elimination. Cena was then the guest on Miz TV where Miz criticized Cena for being a hypocrite, as Cena was basically doing the same thing that he himself had criticized The Rock for doing: leaving the WWE and going to Hollywood. Miz said that he works as hard as Cena, but does not get the same opportunities, and he eliminated Cena to prevent him from going to WrestleMania 33, and wanted Cena to know what he felt when Cena defeated him for the WWE Championship back in 2011. Miz also said that Cena gets what he wants, but Cena said if that were true, he would be facing The Undertaker. Cena then criticized Miz for copying other people's gimmicks and moves, which caused Maryse to slap Cena for insulting her husband. Nikki then came out and Maryse and Miz retreated. The following week, The Miz and Maryse attacked Cena and Nikki after the latter two's match. The Miz said he was tired of Cena's lies and said his relationship with Nikki was also a lie. Afterwards, on Talking Smack, The Miz and Maryse said that Nikki was where she was at now because of Cena, and that Nikki was jealous of them because Cena will not marry Nikki. The following week, Miz and Maryse continued their insults against Cena and Nikki, and the two came out and chased Miz and Maryse out of the ring. SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan then came out and said that since he could not fight The Miz, who had been insulting him for months, both The Miz and Maryse would face Cena and Nikki at WrestleMania; Maryse's last match was in 2011. The Miz and Maryse then made fun of Cena and Nikki's reality show Total Bellas by impersonating them in "unaired footage". On March 27, Cena was a guest host on NBC's Today and announced that weatherman Al Roker would be the special guest ring announcer for the match.

Bayley's time to Shine or Jarrett's Time for Redemption?

Wrestlemania 33 raw womens championship


At Roadblock: End of the Line, Charlotte Flair defeated Sasha Banks to win her record fourth Raw Women's Championship, ending their long feud, and as per a post-event stipulation, as long as one of them were champion, the other could not challenge for the title. Charlotte then began a feud with Bayley, resulting in a championship match at the Royal Rumble, where Charlotte retained the title. The next night on Raw, Bayley pinned Charlotte in a tag team match, thus granting her a rematch for the title on the February 13 episode of Raw, where she defeated Charlotte to become the new Raw Women's Champion, thanks to help from Sasha. The following week, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon confronted Bayley, asking her to relinquish her title due to Sasha's interference, but Bayley refused. Charlotte then came out and invoked her championship rematch for Fastlane, which saw Bayley retain after Sasha again interfered, which subsequently ended Flair's undefeated streak in singles matches at pay-per-views. The following night on Raw, Sasha said that her and Bayley should face off for the title at WrestleMania 33 as it was a dream of theirs to face each other at the event. Charlotte came out and demanded that she should have a rematch due to Sasha's interference and said that Sasha interfered due to the Roadblock stipulation. Raw General Manager Mick Foley then scheduled Charlotte to face Sasha in which the winner would challenge Bayley for the title at WrestleMania. However, Stephanie changed those plans. She kept Charlotte in the championship match at WrestleMania, but allowed Sasha the opportunity to be added to the match if she could defeat Bayley that night, which she did and made the Raw Women's Championship match a triple threat match at WrestleMania. The following week, Sasha defeated Charlotte's ally Dana Brooke, who Charlotte had ordered to take out Sasha. Charlotte came out and disassociated herself from Dana, who then attacked Charlotte. Later, Bayley defeated Nia Jax by disqualification after Nia continued to beat Bayley in the corner beyond the referee's five count. Stephanie then gave Nia a rematch the following week in a no-disqualification match where if Nia won, she would be added to the championship match at WrestleMania. Nia defeated Bayley and turned the Raw Women's Championship match into a fatal four-way. The following week prior to Raw, the match was turned into a six-pack elimination challenge match with the addition of GFW/Impact stars Sienna and Allie into the match per request of GFW Founders Jeff Jarrett and Karen Jarrett.

Alexa vs the World

WM 33 smackdown womens title 12-pack Lumberjill challenge match

At Elimination Chamber, Naomi defeated Alexa Bliss to win the SmackDown Women's Championship, but due to injury, she had to relinquish the title as she was not able to defend it within 30 days. Bliss then demanded that the title be awarded to her since Naomi could not face her for a rematch. SmackDown General Manager Daniel Bryan instead had Bliss face Becky Lynch for the vacant title, in which Bliss won. The following week, Natalya hinted that she wanted to face Bliss for the title. On the March 7 episode of SmackDown, Bliss claimed to be the greatest female wrestler on the SmackDown roster. Lynch then came out and said she would become SmackDown Women's Champion at WrestleMania. Natalya then came out and said she would face Bliss for the title, but Bliss denied her. Bliss' ally Mickie James then said she would be the one to face Bliss for the title at WrestleMania to Bliss' surprise. Bryan then came out and said that since Bliss is apparently the greatest female wrestler on the roster, she would have the chance to prove it as she would be defending the title against all available female SmackDown wrestlers at WrestleMania, much to the dismay of Bliss. Bliss and James then teamed up and defeated Lynch and Natalya, and James turned on Bliss after the match. The following week, Lynch defeated Natalya, but after the match, both were attacked by Carmella, who claimed that she would be the next SmackDown Women's Champion. Later, James defeated Bliss. On the March 21 episode, Natalya interfered in Lynch and Carmella's match. James then came out followed by Bliss and all the women brawled until Bliss was the last standing. The match was moved to the pre-show later to the co-main event and made a 12-pack challenge Lumberjill match with 2016 Chaos Tournament World Champion, Usagi "Sailor Moon" Tsukino, Impact Knockouts Champion Rosemary, Melina, Ashley Massaro, Brandi Rhodes and ODB representing Global Force Wrestling

Teenage Woodstock 99 Riots and Operation Snowy Wind

in March, disgraced Angel School Student Emma Easton was sexually abused in the Maitland section of Orlando. several Teenage Woodstock 99ers gathered and Violently Rioted on the Autistic Section of Orlando raiding and looting the Greek, Romanian, Belgian, Vietnamese and Australian embassies. which prompted the Commonwealth of Autistic Republics and Autistica Holy Kingdoms to initiate Operation Snowy Wind, the Autistic equivalent to the 1975 Operation Frequent Wind, to evacuate Autistic Diplomats, Cardinals, Preachers, Reverends, Pastors, Archbishops, Bishops, Lords, Barons, Baronesses, Knights, Ambassadors and Clergymen out of the Autistic Section of Orlando and transport them to the Warp Jumpgate and in the waiting safety of the Key Largo Operation Task Force Fleet (consisting of: 2 Excelsior class heavy escorts, 1 Excelsior refit class Heavy Cruiser, 5 Constitution Refit Mark 2 Class cruisers, 33 B'rel class Kilingon Birds of Prey, 12 K'tinga Class Klingon Battlecruisers, 14 Cardassian Galor-Class Destroyers, 15 Cardassian Keldon Class Heavy Cruisers, 2 Vor'cha Class Klingon Attack Cruisers, 5 Breen Warships, 33 Hideki Class Fighters, 33 Cardassian Norin Class Escort Ships, 7 Cardassian Tonga Class Heavy Battle Cruisers, 33 Jem'Hadar Strike Cruisers, 2 Negh'var Class Battleships and an Executor class Super Star Destroyer)

WrestleMania 33 in Orlando

# Result Stipulation Time
Kevin Owens defeated Chris Jericho (c) Singles match for the WWE United States Championship
Bayley (c) defeated Charlotte Flair, Nia Jax, Sienna (Mike Kanellis, Laurel Van Ness, Maria Kanellis-Bennett and KM), Allie (w/ Braxton Sutter) and Sasha Banks 6-pack elimination challenge match for the WWE Raw Women's Championship and to determine the #1 Contender for the GFW Womens Championship
The Hardy Boyz (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) defeated Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson (c), Cesaro and Sheamus, and Enzo Amore and Big Cass Fatal-4-Way tag team ladder match for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
John Cena and Nikki Bella defeated The Miz and Maryse, Headbangers, Godwinns, Doug Furnus and Phil LaFon, the New Blackjacks, Legion of Doom and Ahmed Johnson, Nation of Domination (Farooq, Savio Vega, Crush, Wolfie G JC Ice, D-lo Brown w/ Clarence Mason), Vader and Mankind, Owen Hart and the British Bulldog Tag Team Apocalypto Match to determine the #1 Contenders for the GFW Tag Team Championship
Seth Rollins defeated Triple H (with Stephanie McMahon) Non-Sanctioned match
Randy Orton defeated Bray Wyatt (c) Singles match for the WWE Championship
Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) defeated Goldberg (c) Singles match for the WWE Universal Championship
Naomi defeated Alexa Bliss (c), Becky Lynch, Ashley Massaro, Melina, Usagi "Sailor Moon" Tsukino, Rosemary, Brandi Rhodes, ODB, Carmella (with James Ellsworth), Mickie James, and Natalya by submission 12-pack challenge Lumberjill match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship
Roman Reigns defeated the Undertaker, Psycho Sid, Bret the Hitman Hart, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Shawn Michaels, Batista, HHH '97, Goldust '97, Chyna '97, Marlena '97, Ricky the Dragon Steamboat, Macho Man Randy Savage, Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan Autistica Apocalypto Match to determine the #1 Contender for the GFW Global Championship


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