WWE WrestleMania 34 Recap, Collecting Guide

WWE WrestleMania 34 Recap, Collecting Guide – The annual WWE spectacle that is WrestleMania never fails to disappoint and this year’s event was no different. With many championship titles on the line, the stage was set for a night of drama and mayhem that only the WWE can deliver.

Here is a look at the participants in the WrestleMania 34 match-ups as well as unique insights into the outcomes.  For collectors, we have included a  look at their autographed rookie cards, current Topps WWE autographed cards and other information about the subject’s collectibles portfolio that may be of interest.

WWE WrestleMania 34 Recap, Collecting Guide – WrestleMania Kick-off Show

The festivities got underway with the two-hour, WrestleMania Kick-off Show that included a few must-see, marquee bouts of its own.

Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal – Matt Hardy Eliminates Baron Corbin 

The carnage of this match escalated quickly and left the crazed Matt Hardy as champion. His embrace of Bray Wyatt at the conclusion of the match also signaled a new story line for the lunatic faction of WWE.

Participants and order of elimination: Aiden English, Konnor, Curt Hawkins, R Truth, Primo Colon, Mike Kanellis, Tyler Breeze, Viktor, Zack Ryder, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, Apollo, Shelton Benjamin, Rhyno, Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, Bo Dallas, Curtis Axel, Sin Cara, Fandango, Heath Slater, Chad Gable, Titus O’Neil, Goldust, Tye Dillinger, Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Mojo Rawley, Baron Corbin

Matt Hardy Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 355
• First Autograph Year: 1999
• Autographs: 100
• Memorabilia: 19
• Serial Numbered: 133

Find current Matt Hardy autographed cards in 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

Cruiserweight Championship – Cedrick Alexander Defeats Mustafa Ali (Pinfall)

Breaking out of the WWE Network only feature, the Crusierweight Championship was a featured match during the WrestleMania 34 Kick-off Show. It featured some amazing athleticism and high-flying antics. However, from a collecting standpoint, Cedrick Alexander currently does not have any physical trading cards. He is featured in the digital app Topps WWE SLAM and has some of those cards on eBay.

Topps WWE SLAM Card Trader Cedric Alexander

WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal – Naomi Eliminates Bayley

It seemed only fitting that after the debut of the first women’s Royal Rumble match in January that a Battle Royal for the division take place at WrestleMania. The even got off to a slow start. At first, the women were content to take a gang mentality approach. They quickly teamed up by the always mouthy Carmella and then Dana Brooke before turning into a free-for-all. Bayley was initially left standing after suckering Sasha Banks, her former BFF, with a fake make-up moment. However, Naomi, who had exited the ring, but not over the top rope, was never officially eliminated. She entered the ring, stealing Bayley’s thunder and quickly hoisted her up and out of the ring to take home the trophy as the first women’s champion of the WrestleMania Battle Royal.

Participants and order of elimination: Carmella, Dana Brooke, Mandy Rose, Sonia Deville, Kairi Sane, Lana, Kavita Devi, Taynara Conti, Bianca Belair, Dakota Kai, Becky Lynch, Mickie James, Peyton Royce, Natalya, Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Sasha Banks, Bayley

Naomi Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 399
• First Autograph Year: 2012
• Autographs: 75
• Memorabilia: 85
• Serial Numbered: 283

Find current Naomi autographed cards in 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

WWE WrestleMania 34 Recap, Collecting Guide – WrestleMania 34 Matches

*Indicates current title holder when applicable

Intercontinental Championship – Seth Rollins Defeats The Miz* (Pinfall) and Finn Balor

Despite the athleticism of two-worthy competitors, Seth Rollins would not be denied his Intercontinental Championship. He took to the top rope and delivered the most impressive areal drop of the evening.

Seth Rollins Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 895
• First Autograph Year: 2013
• Autographs: 121
• Memorabilia: 180
• Serial Numbered: 611

Find current Seth Rollins autographed cards in 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

SmackDown Women’s Championship – Charlotte Flair* Defeats Asuka (Submission)

Easily one of the best match-ups of the night pitted the current champion, Charlotte Flair A.K.A. The Queen against undefeated Asuka, The Empress of Tomorrow. Both combatants were left physically scarred. Flair was bloodied and Asuka had numerous, bruises and scrapes. In the end, Flair won by submission. Asuka, to her credit, humbly congratulated the victor.

Charlotte Flair Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 758
• First Autograph Year: 2015
• Autographs: 172
• Memorabilia: 250
• Serial Numbered: 602

Find current Charlotte Flair autographed cards in 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

United States Championship – Jinder Mahal Defeats Rusev (Pinfall), Randy Orton*, Bobby Roode

It just seems odd for two foreigners in Jindar Mahal (India) and Rusev (Bulgaria) to be competing for the U.S. title. However, it’s that very gimmick that WWE knows fuels the passion of the WWE Universe. Mahal made his WWE debut in 2011 but for whatever reason has played a much more prominent role in recent years. Despite the crowd’s support for, The Viper, Randy Orton, Mahall captured the title by pinfall.

Jindar Mahal currently has no physical trading cards and is not a featured character in the Topps WWE SLAM app.

Ronda Rousey & Kurt Angle Defeats Stephanie McMahon & Triple H (Submission)

This was by far and away the single best match of the night. The brewing feud between WWE power couple Triple H, wife Stephanie McMahon and Raw General Manager Kurt Angle and newly signed Ronda Rousey did not disappoint. This marked the in-ring performance debut for the former UFC Bantamweight Champion who successfully kept her promise by nearly ripping McMahon’s arm out of its socket, forcing the WWE executive to submit.

Last year, collectors were treated to the first pack-issued, autographed cards of Stephanie McMahon. In addition, she and husband Triple H, signed dual autographed cards for inclusion in 2017 Topps WWE Legends. It was the first time the couple had appeared on a card together.

2017 Topps Legends of WWE Triple H Stephanie McMahon Dual Autograph

Ronda Rousey does not yet have a WWE autographed card. However, she does have several from her tenure in UFC. It’s only a matter of time before she takes center stage in a WWE product.

Ronda Rousey Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 591
• First Autograph Year: 2012
• Autographs: 189
• Memorabilia: 203
• Serial Numbered: 498

Find current autographed cards of McMahon, Triple H and Kurt Angle in 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

SmackDown Tag Team Championship – Bludgeon Brothers (Luke Harper, Erick Rowan) Defeat The New Day Pinfall), The Usos

The six-man Tag Team match was more pomp and circumstance than substance. The ex-communicated members of the Wyatt family, Harper and Rowan easily defeated the other challengers.

The Bludgeon Brothers do not have any current year Topps autographed cards to date.

The Undertaker Defeats John Cena (Pinfall)

After whining on SmackDown for the better part of a month, imploring The Undertaker to take Cena up on his offer of a “WrestleMania moment”, Cena finally got his way. Attending as a fan, Cena was ushered out of the audience, running up the ramp. Everyone except the announcers knew what this was going to mean. Sure enough, the Dead Man heeded the call, arose from his gravely slumber and choke-slammed Cena to the canvas.

The Undertaker Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 1,726
• First Autograph Year: 1994
• Autographs: 63
• Memorabilia: 137
• Serial Numbered: 788

Last year, The Undertaker signed his first trading cards since 2001. Collectors can find his autographed cards in 2017 Topps WWE as well as Heritage, Legends, Undisputed. He also has cards in this year’s 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

Daniel Bryan & Shane McMahon Defeats Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn (Submission)

The feud between Kevin Owens, his stooge, Sami Zayne and Shane McMahon, escalated to the point of extreme violence in recent weeks. It resulted in McMahon’s hospitalization and the dismissal of the two from WWE. However, as with all things, nothing last forever. The much-anticipated and celebrated return of former champion, Daniel Bryan to the roster provided an opportunity that was just too good to pass up. A deal was struck that if Owens and Zyne won a match against the two at WrestleMania, that they would be reinstated. After nearly having his medical clearance revoked in a sneak attack, Bryan came back to save McMahon from the brutal pounding he had been receiving in Bryan’s absence.

Raw Women’s Championship – Nia Jax Defeats Alexa Bliss* (Pinfall)

WWE has been a long-time supporter of adolescent and childhood anti-bullying campaigns. In recent weeks, the issue became personal, very personal to the point of uncomfortable. In recent weeks, it was revealed on Raw that Alexa Bliss’ friendship with Nia Jax was nothing more than a ruse. She was caught telling Mickey James that while traveling with the plus-sized Jax that it was “like watching Shrek lumbering through the airport”. The moment was captured by a live microphone and broadcast world wide to Jax’s horror. The storyline played out with Jax absolutely destroying the, always fiesty, but much smaller Bliss. The topics of bullying, body shaming, back-stabbing and real friendship were commentated about throughout the match. Congratulations to Nia Jax, a wonderful role-model.

Nia Jax Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 202
• First Autograph Year: 1994
• Autographs: 54
• Memorabilia: 50
• Serial Numbered: 159

WWE Championship – A.J. Styles* Defeats Shinsuke Nakamura (Pinfall)

Two of the most athletic men on the roster squared-off for the WWE Championship. Both fought galantly but in the end it was Styles forcing Nakamura to tap-out for the submission victory. A class move by Nakamura turned savage when the defeated foe knelt before Styles, head bowed, to hand him the championship belt. Nakamura than proceeded to deliver an uppercut into the groin of the champion. Nakamura than proceeded to beat Styles senseless, leaving him bleeding on the ramp.

A.J. Styles Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 842
• First Autograph Year: 2004
• Autographs: 262
• Memorabilia: 125
• Serial Numbered: 616

Find current A.J. Styles autographed cards in 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

Raw Tag Team Championship – Braun Strowman & Nicholas Defeat The Bar* (Cesaro, Sheamus) (Pinfall)

Strowman, quite possibly, may be the strongest man on the face of the earth. So confident was he in his abilities to defeat Cesaro and Sheamus that, he choose as his partner a young boy from the audience. He then went on to single-handily defeat The Bar.

Braun Strowman Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 191
• First Autograph Year: 2004
• Autographs: 33
• Memorabilia: 67
• Serial Numbered: 138

Find current Braun Strowman autographed cards in 2018 Topps Road to WrestleMania.

2016 Topps Undisputed Braun Strowman Autograph

Universal Championship – Brock Lesnar* Defeats Roman Reigns (Pinfall)

Talk about an anti-climatic conclusion. This match was just awful to watch. The fact that Brock Lesnar performed six F5’s and another handful of suplexes on Roman Reigns, only reiterated the fact that Lesnar’s repertoire limits him to being a brawler. Despite multiple attempts to get Reigns pinned, Lesnar only failed. It would have been a great opportunity for him to show that he was capable of some areal maneuvers of submission holds or  . . . something. The chants of “This is awful!” from the WWE Universe had to be an embarrassing moment for Vince McMahon and Lesnar himself.

Brock Lesnar Cardboard Statistics

• Total Cards: 1,511
• First Autograph Year: 2009
• Autographs: 164
• Memorabilia: 263
• Serial Numbered: 1,007

Lesnar is unique in the trading card world in that he has cards as a college wrestler, NFL football player, UFC fighter and WWE wrestler. His first WWE autographed cards were released in 2015 Topps products.

WWE WrestleMania 34 Recap, Collecting Guide

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