However, the technological marvel is no substitute for the euphoric feeling of watching professional wrestling performed as it’s intended: in front of a live crowd that can react in real time.
This much became clear as WWE made its triumphant return to Raymond James Stadium, the site of WrestleMania 37.
As such, it was difficult to return to what now felt like a lifeless sea of monitors displaying viewers at home.
The finish was also as satisfying, as The Head of Table forced his cousin to quit when his injured brother, Jimmy, interfered on his behalf.
Later, Sasha Banks and Bayley produced the match of the night when they settled their long-term feud in the second Hell in a Cell bout.
Unfortunately, the rest of the card felt fairly inconsequential, and the main event was kind of a bore.
In terms of match quality, WrestleMania Backlash is possibly the best WWE pay-per-view of the 2021.
In the opening contest, for the Raw Women’s Championship, Rhea Ripley successfully defended her title against Asuka and Charlotte Flair.
Similarly, Bobby Lashley, Braun Strowman, and Drew McIntrye delivered a wildly entertaining hoss fight that frankly overachieved.
The Tribal Chief wrestled a decidedly technical style, possibly as a jab at Daniel Bryan, as he forced the challenger to pass out with the Guillotine Choke.
Also, the title, WrestleMania Backlash, was a clunky attempt to capitalize off the company’s biggest event of the year as it migrated to Peacock.
TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs closed 2020 on a high note for many WWE fans.
The opening match saw Drew McIntyre defend the WWE Championship against AJ Styles and The Miz in a Triple Threat TLC match.
Her new look and character change fit her well, and she proved just how much she has improved between the ropes in her SmackDown women’s title match with Sasha Banks.
Then Charlotte Flair made her surprise return as Asuka’s mystery partner in her title shot against Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler.
The unlikely pairing went on to win, making The Empress of Tomorrow a double champion and Flair a Grand Slam champion.
Although the Japanese star fell to The Role Model, she was able to defeat Banks to regain the Raw women’s title.
Both of the men’s world title matches weren’t much to write home about, but Roman Reigns’ shocking return was the biggest moment of the night.
However, WWE was clearly stretching out the feud so the two could compete again on The Grandest Stage of Them All.
Fortunately, the second half of the show was much better thanks to a surprisingly great performance from Seth Rollins and Shinsuke Nakamura.
But the best was yet to come, as Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns produced arguably the greatest WWE pay-per-view match of the year.
At one point, it looked like Bryan had the match won as he cinched in the Yes! Lock and forced The Tribal Chief to tap out.
Drew McIntyre alleviated some viewers’ fears when he successfully defended his WWE Championship against Goldberg in less than three minutes.
The contest came with some emotional surprise entrants like Victoria and featured bona fide star-making moments for both Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, the final two.
This wasn’t a perfect card, but there was something here for everyone.