Jonathan Bachman/AP Images for WWEWrestleMania 30 gave diehard fans everything they could have hoped for—and more.
WWE icon Hulk Hogan returned to host the event, which smashed ticket-sale records once again at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans—meaning, though the $10.9 million shelled out by the sold-out crowd of 75,167 probably couldn't dislodge the 2013 Super Bowl from its sports-event pedestal, WrestleMania 30 is now the top-grossing entertainment event ever held at the arena.
But apparently the evening's host was in a nostalgic mood, because as he was riling the crowd up early on, he accidentally referred to the Superdome as the Silverdome, where he toppled Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III in 1987.
"Well, let me tell you something, brother, first off I'd like to welcome every here at the Silverdome to Wrestlemania 30!" he began, and it appeared that the crowd, which according tothe WWE comprised fans from all 50 states, was going to let it slip. But then he did it again after talking about his headlining appearance at WrestleMania I.
"Fast-forward 30 years later right here in the Silverdome...Wait what?" he wondered as the crowd erupted into boos after he name-checked the Pontiac, Mich., arena once again.
"I'm sorry, this is the Superdome!" Hogan righted himself.
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson couldn't help but poke a little fun at their fellow superstar, both being careful to emphasize their current surroundings as the Superdome.
And then the audience roared its approval when Hulk shouted, "Whatcha gonna do, brother, when Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin, WrestleMania 30—and the Superdome—run wild on you, brother!"
The crowd (and hundreds of thousands of WWE Network subscribers at home) were treated to a huge tournament, and while they cheered for the likes of John Cena besting Bray Wyatt and Daniel Bryan beating Triple H and then Batista to win the WWE championship, the collective air went out of the audience when Brock Lesnar sent The Undertaker's 21-match WrestleMania streak literally crashing to a halt.
"I only have two words: THANK YOU" Bryan tweeted after his big victory.
The twitterverse was proud of Bryan, but it had a rougher time with The Undertaker's loss.
"Just landed..I can't believe the winning streak is over," tweeted Maria Menounos. "...I hear you could hear a pin drop..#WrestleMania love undertaker..wow!sad!thoughts?"
Just landed..I can't believe the winning streak is over...I hear you could hear a pin drop..#WrestleMania love undertaker..wow!sad!thoughts?
? maria menounos (@mariamenounos) April 7, 2014Per the WWE, The Undertaker suffered a severe concussion during his match and spent the night at a nearby hospital for observation. The 49-year-old champ was released this afternoon and we wish him a speedy, full recovery!