WWE WrestleMania 30 PPV Results
April 6, 2014
New Orleans, La. at the Superdome
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

WM30 Pre-Game Show - 4:00 p.m. CST local time

The panel for the two-hour pre-show panel is Josh Mathews with Booker T, Mick Foley, and Shawn Michaels. WWE opened with a live shot inside the Superdome of people starting to trickle into the building.

- Shawn Michaels was talking about John Cena needing to stop thinking about his "legacy" and let it happen on its own when the Wyatts's video interruption played. Bray Wyatt spoke in front of Erick Rowan and Luke Harper that he used to have a friend, like a brother. He said this man was a danger to everyone around him and himself. He still could have saved him, John. All he had to do was reach his hand out; instead, he watched him walk right into the fire. "The flames were so beautiful," he said. Bray said if he did that to a friend, imagine what he will do to John tonight.

- Back to the panel, where Michaels finished his thought that he wasn't worried about his legacy when he was trying to keep his WWF Title back in the day, including against Mick Foley (Mankind) in the mid-1990s.

After a video package on Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker, Michaels commented that the timing for Lesnar is good because the last five Streak matches have taken their toll on Taker. Foley then produced a ticket and said he will be sitting in the crowd for the first time since WM12 for Michaels vs. Bret Hart to watch this year's Streak match.

- Backstage: Byron Saxton was outside Brock Lesnar's locker room. Paul Heyman interrupted from outside the locker room, questioning Saxton's thought process wanting thoughts from a dangerous Lesnar. Heyman then said Lesnar is prepared to end The Streak. He offered a sales pitch that if you watch WM30 tonight, you will witness it live when The Streak was conquered by Brock Lesnar.

- Outside: Alex Riley was bumped down to field reporter interviewing fans outside the Superdome. Riley talked to a Daniel Bryan fan, then led the gathered audience in "Yes!" chants.

- Back to the studio panel, former NFL star Shawn Merriman joined the pre-show panel to discuss Mania moments with Michaels and Booker. Mathews then fed to a career retrospective video package on Daniel Bryan, going back to his run on NXT. The video transitioned to the Bryan vs. Authority feud from Summerslam to WM30.

- Backstage: Tom Phillips brought in Bryan for a pre-WM30 interview. Bryan said he will be in two matches tonight. Or, he will go down trying. He said he has lost respect for Hunter as a person, but he respects him as a competitor. Bryan said his strength doesn't come from lifting weights, but from his heart and from the people who have supported him. He said he owes it to the fans to beat Hunter and then Orton and Batista to become WWE World champion. Bryan said tonight is his night and he will not let down his fans.

Back to the studio panel, where Merriman said he expects Bryan vs. Hunter to be one of the most passionate and emotional match of the night. Mathews the introduced Michaels back into the equation of Bryan-Hunter. He said he's watched Hunter succeed, and it's been great watching that. Pause. He's enjoyed watching Bryan's rise, too, and he doesn't think it ends tonight.

- Video Package: WWE aired a sit-down interview with Batista conducted by Booker T. Batista, dressed like a big-shot star, says he wishes WWE picked a better place for him to return than Dayton, Ohio, chuckled, and said he was glad to be back, though. He said the fans received him for the first two minutes, but he doesn't care if they boo or cheer him. The conversation moved to the triple threat WWE World Title match, where Batista noted it bothers him that he could not get pinned and lose the match.

Booker brought up Triple H's line about being tired of Hollywood movie stars coming back here and telling him what to do. Batista said he first thought Hunter was talking about The Rock, then said he was flattered Hunter thinks he's a Hollywood star. Batista ran down Hunter, Bryan, and Randy Orton, then said he is ready to become World champion.

Back at the panel, Booker said he thought Batista was soft when Batista first came to WWE, but now he senses a different Animal. Interesting tip-toe around Booker and Batista having a legit fight at a commercial shoot eight years ago.

- Earlier Today: The Andre the Giant trophy was taken away from Axxess to be taken to WrestleMania. The trophy looked very short compared to how WWE built it up via the Andre camera shot during WM30 build-up. The platform that the trophy was standing on was bigger than the trophy itself. This led to a video package on the Andre battle royal and Hulk Hogan's guest-hosting role. This concluded the first hour of the Network pre-show.

- Josh Mathews reset the pre-show as 1:00:00 flashed on the countdown clock. Mathews hyped the four-team WWE Tag Title match still to come on the pre-show, then welcomed in his second hour panel of Booker, Michaels, and now Jimmy Hart. Michaels joked that he doesn't know what he's still doing here. The panel then spent a few minutes discussing the potential craziness in the Tag Title match.

- Renee Young checked in from the social media lounge. She noted Hugh Jackman is tweeting tonight during WM30 as "the" social media ambassador.

- Video Package: Andre the Giant. Included was a 1970s soundbyte from Vince McMahon on Andre being the "greatest sports attraction in sports." In a newer interview, McMahon talked about Andre vs. Hulk Hogan at WM3. Stephanie McMahon talked about her friend, Andre, before WWE showed more 1970s clips of Vince with Andre.

- Moments Ago: An armored truck pulled up with the Andre trophy. WWE tightened up the camera shot to make the statue look more impressive. Back at the studio, the panel discussed favorites to win the Andre battle royal.

Suddenly, Mathews introduced some new information that the Tag Title match is now an elimination match. Mathews threw to the panel for thoughts and they comically looked at each other, like, 'We just spent five minutes discussing a non-elimination match and we have nothing." Mathews thanked Michaels for being on the panel, then threw to a video package. Meanwhile, an audio issue occurred. It sounded like radio quality from four or five decades ago.

- In the Superdome, Lilian Garcia was introduced 45 minutes before the start of WrestleMania. WWE then cut to a video package on the John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt feud. Back in the building, Jerry Lawler made his ring entrance. Mathews then fed to a pre-taped promo from The Shield talking about facing Kane and the New Age Outlaws.

- Back to the panel, Mathews brought in Trish Stratus to replace Jimmy Hart with Booker and Alex Riley. The audio issue got worse as Trish talked about inducting Lita into the Hall of Fame last night. Asked about the 14-Divas Title match tonight, Trish said she thinks it's time for a change.

- At ringside, Michael Cole introduced the first match. There was a slight glitch when the Real Americans were introduced for the Tag Title match, which apparently refreshed the audio feed. After the Real Americans joined Zeb Colter in the ring, Ryback & Curtis Axel came out to new music. Los Matadores then made their ring entrance, complete with El Torito. The defending champs Usos were out next.

A -- WWE tag champions THE USOS vs. REAL AMERICANS (JACK SWAGGER & CESARO w/Zeb Colter) vs. LOS MATADORES (FERNANDO & DIEGO w/El Torito) vs. RYBACK & CURTIS AXEL -- four-team elimination match for the WWE Tag Titles

The match started with Michael Cole apologizing for reading the wrong sponsor of the show. The teams felt each other out at the start, then Cesaro tagged in to a pop from the international crowd. Suddenly, everyone was on the floor except for Los Matadores, who went for a double splash onto a sea of bodies on the outside. Torito teased splashing everyone ringside, but Axel threw him into the ring. Axel then teased a moonsault, but Los Matadores stopped him and Torito splashed Axel off the top turnbuckle into the sea of bodies on the floor.

Back in the ring, Swagger put un Matador in the Patriot Lock. A quick tap-out produced the first elimination. The crowd popped, probably thinking there were new tag champs since this wasn't an elimination match until about 20 minutes ago.

*** Los Matadores eliminated at 5:40 ***

The match continued with Ryback & Axel battling the Usos while the Real Americans hung out on the ring apron. Swagger eventually just tagged himself in and nearly pinned Uso to guarantee new tag champs. The Usos exited when Ryback tagged in and tried to channel Ultimate Warrior. But, Ryback walked into a Cesaro Uppercut, which popped the crowd. Cesaro followed with the Neutralizer to Ryback for the next elimination.

*** Ryback & Axel eliminated at 11:43 ***

The match was down to Usos vs. Real Americans. The crowd buzzed, thinking there could be new tag champs. Cesaro scored a close nearfall on Uso, then teased the Neutralizer, but Uso blocked. More blockage, then Uso delivered a double splash to both Real Americans. Uso then walked into the Patriot Lock from Swagger, but Uso kicked free. Cesaro nailed a European Uppercut into an Uso with a Samoan Drop. All four men down as Zeb contemplated matters and the crowd applauded.

Reset at 15:30. Usos with a double superkick to Cesaro, then a double top-rope splash. Uso covered Cesaro, and it was good for the pin and the win, drawing a mix of boos and cheers from the crowd that wanted to see Cesaro win.

WINNERS: Usos at 16:13 to retain the WWE Tag Titles. Good opening match setting up...

Post-match: The Usos left with the belts, then Jack Swagger confronted Cesaro in the ring. Zeb tried to calm down Swagger, then he teased grabbing Cesaro, but the spot wasn't ready. So, he reset and grabbed Cesaro for the Patriot Lock. Cesaro broke free as Zeb reprimanded Swagger. Swagger calmed down, then extended his hand to Cesaro. The crowd shouted, "No!," then Cesaro shook, but dropped Swagger to the mat for the crowd-pleasing Big Swing. Big babyface moment and delayed gratification for the audience. Cesaro stood tall as Zeb freaked out about his group falling apart.

Back at the studio panel, Mathews talked to Booker, Trish Stratus, and Alex Riley about the pre-show match and Hall of Fame. WWE threw to a video package on how the 14-Divas Title match was set up for WM30. Back to the studio, Mathews wrapped up with final thoughts on the WrestleMania line-up.

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