The most entertaining spectacle since the WWF days of wrestling. Here’s our Wrestlemania 36 Boneyard Match review.
It has been many years since we have covered any form of wrestling content here on Back to the Movies for the simple reason being that, it isn’t very entertaining for me personally anymore.
I’m a little bored with the direction that WWE has taken since the good old Attitude Era.
Whilst I’ve reviewed more recent WWE titles they’re all a bit predictable minus the odd entertainer or spectacle.
Up rolls Wrestlemania 36, an event that is playing to an empty crowd amidst the pandemic. A spectacle showdown between Undertaker and AJ Styles is on the cards labeled as a Boneyard match and rather than a wrestling match we had a fight-scene spectacle of quality and performance.
This over the top and crazy spectacle involved Undertaker and AJ Stiles facing off in a graveyard where the loser would be buried alive.
The Undertaker has recently seen his character go back to the good old days of The American Bad Ass minus the Limp Biscuit introduction. Replacing it with a Metallica introduction and riding his bike onto the set with stage presence.
What’s cooler about The Undertaker is that his phenom persona has been blended with The American Badass so we still have that spooky, scary personality but now he has more dialogue, more wit and more free roam to trash talk.
The Boneyard match was filmed on location in Flordia. A whole production team was used to build this custom set and it took a whole five days to construct.
Initially, the set was made to be used for a promo scene only. When Triple H and Michael Hayes arrived on set they didn’t want the quality of the set to go to waste. As a result, the Boneyard match was born.
Shot completely like a Hollywood horror movie this piece was one of the strongest WWE spectacles I think I’ve ever witnessed.
Whilst I don’t know much about wrestling anymore I certainly know good visuals and incredible set pieces when I see them. The whole match was structured perfectly.
WWE fully embraced their creativity with frightening detail.
A full match later and one on-set injury to The Undertaker’s arm later we had a winner. This eight-hour shoot all edited down to a Wrestlemania 36 moment that will be remembered for years to come.
During a time of uncertainty much like this, it was unclear whether Wrestlemania 36 would go ahead.
A number of talent pulled out due to the pandemic and to be honest, I don’t blame them.
Although I’m now incredibly grateful and appreciative of the stars who did take part.
For many of us at home, this opening night of Wrestlemania provided a much-needed escape. No sport of any such kind has been broadcast for quite some time. It was refreshing to see something new on the TV instead of old highlights being replayed on many sports channels lately.
It’s been a long time since I’ve shouted at the screen in pure disbelief of what I was seeing. My inner child screaming as The American Badass character returned as I shot my fist up in the air in salute.
Without a crowd, the in-ring matches are rather dull. This particular match-up was much needed as the rest wasn’t great (let’s be honest).
Thankfully both Undertaker and AJ were talking smack throughout which broke up what would have been an awkwardly silenced beat down.
Stay tuned towards the end of the match and spot the Evil Dead reference. It’s incredibly cheesy but perfectly delivered.
WWE have outdone themselves when we needed a distraction the most.
Hats off to everyone behind this particular match-up. Thank you for the long hours of work and the intense dedication and time put into crafting this wonderful match.
From the fight to the musical score that wouldn’t be out of place playing at Scarefest at Alton Towers.
A perfect set to compliment a perfect match.
Roll on the Firefly Fun House showdown!
Wrestlemania 36 Boneyard Match review by Sean Evans
