Main event time in New Orleans as The Showcase of The Immortals approached midnight Eastern on Sun., April 8, and yes, there were boos as Roman Reigns entered the Superdome for his Universal Title match with Brock Lesnar... it was probably 50/50.
The Beast Incarnate, who Michael Cole reminded us entered without having lost since Survivor Series 2016, came out firing.
We are UNDERWAY for the #UniversalChampionship at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/ECgeJ3uBYs
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
Shoulders in the corner and a trio of German Suplexes didn’t stop The Big Dog, however, who fired back with Superman Punches - knocking Lesnar in and out of the ring. On the floor, Brock responded by suplexing Reigns face first into the floor, then into the announce table. The Beast Incarnate went to work, stalking the ring and staring at fans who are supposed to hate him because he’s rumored to be leaving for UFC after this match.
During this time, it was return trip to Suplex City for Roman.
We're now entering familiar territory in New Orleans...#WrestleMania @BrockLesnar @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/9sYjnCWXEH
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
But after being thrown off the barricade, Reigns squirmed out of an attempt to put him through the announce table, and then speared Lesnar over that same table.
Bringing the champ back into the ring, The Guy put Brock down with a Superman Punch, then put him down again for two spears... but Lesnar kicked out.
BACK-TO-BACK SPEARS, but @WWERomanReigns STILL can't put away @BrockLesnar! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/y9z3riUDdL
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
Another spear attempt ran right into a high knee from The Beast, but Roman wouldn’t stay down for three. He’d go on to kick out of multiple F5s, a move WWE’s been protecting for this moment. It didn’t seem to have much of an effect on the crowd, still chanting “Let’s go/Sucks” at the challenger (with a bit of “boring” mixed in).
It seems we've left #SuplexCity...and are NOW in #F5City!#WrestleMania @BrockLesnar @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/F86GZfdF38
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 9, 2018
Lesnar finally made an announce table spot go to plan, F5-ing The Big Dog through one, then dragging Roman into the ring by his neck.
Absolute DESTRUCTION by the #UniversalChampion.#WrestleMania @BrockLesnar pic.twitter.com/X6cvCZChx9
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2018
It was back to Suplex City for a while, as the crowd and Brock seemed to be enjoying the beatdown, but Roman kicked out again. After a straight right hand, Reigns was busted open and after another F5, Lesnar pinned Reigns.
WHAT!?!?
Yep, the sure thing wasn’t a sure thing. And a guy we’ve been told all week was leaving the company left New Orleans with the Universal Title.
Get complete WrestleMania 34 results and coverage of the entire card here.