The efforts of anyone who stayed up last night for WrestleMania 32 last night were rewarded by the WWE with the return of a string of legendary stars.
As reported by ETOnline, a record 101,763 fans packed out the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and the atmosphere was electric saw Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, John Cena, Mick Foley, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and Shawn Michaels all step into the ring.
It was no secret The Rock would be appearing, and he did so in true ‘Brahma Bull’ style armed with a flamethrower. What wasn’t expected was that the 43-year-old would strip down to his trunks and take on Bray Wyatt.
And if that wasn’t enough, John Cena returned to fight by The Rock’s side.
I'm not going to lie I was happy to see John Cena back in the ring ?#WrestleMania https://t.co/uakmNsgAA9
— Sam (@Sam_Rigley) April 4, 2016
Arrive. Make #WrestleMania moments. Leave. @JohnCena @TheRock pic.twitter.com/W9fNyQuUt1
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 4, 2016
The sense of nostalgia went into overdrive when Mick Foley in his ‘Cactus Jack’ persona joined forces with ‘HBK’ Shawn Michaels, and Stone Cold to address ‘The League of Nations’.
Having just beaten ‘The New Day’ ‘The League of Nations’ were on a high and made the extremely bold claim that they were the ‘toughest’ wrestlers in history.
Cue the music…
I think we can forgive @SteveAustinBSR for wearing Boot Cuts. When you hear the glass shatter #WrestleMania ??? https://t.co/BShLBRO17x
— Ontopfm.net (@Ontopfm) April 4, 2016
Grateful for the lesson the legends had taught ‘The League’, ‘The New Day’ then attempted to dance with the trio.
But Stone Cold doesn’t visit WrestleMania to dance, he visits to deliver stunners…
The #StoneColdStunner just NAILED @RusevBUL!!! #WrestleMania @steveaustinBSR pic.twitter.com/3Cg1aG8bg1
— WWE (@WWE) April 4, 2016
It wasn’t just legends who made surprise appearances.
Shaquille O’Neal stopped by with his incredible size to take part in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale.
His seven-foot one-inch frame was not enough to protect the basketball star from elimination however.
Shaq came out at #WrestleMania and his entrance music was "Panda" ?, I'm done ??? https://t.co/82UGFZC2HR
— Hollywood Moz (@Mozzatron) April 4, 2016
Shaq wasn’t alone in making a celebrity appearance either.
WWE Hall of Fame inductee Snoop Dogg was on hand to perform his cousin, Sasha Banks’, entrance music live.
Sasha' some entrance was on point ❤️
If you're going to do it, do it like a boss ?#WrestleMania https://t.co/yfSRP2HwMC— Sam (@Sam_Rigley) April 4, 2016
Oh and there is no way we couldn’t mention Shane McMahon doing this…
Still hurts to watch… (via @wwe) https://t.co/k31PqyPfI8 https://t.co/Wb5jtrfah5
— SB Nation (@SBNation) April 4, 2016
Scripted maybe, but falls like that are anything but fake.
Unsurprisingly, following that lofty drop Shane O’Mac went on to lose his hell in a cell match with The Undertaker.
The sentimental return of so many idols was certainly not lost on fans.
Our childhood came back for one night. #Wrestlemania pic.twitter.com/M3uFuPMtAw
— Riz. (@johncenaAm) April 4, 2016
Yes Riz, yes it did.
