Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.0
Audio		2.5
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

WWE: WrestleMania 36 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Martin Liebman June 21, 2020

2020 has been an unusual year to say the least, defined not by the ordinary ebbs and flows of the modern world but rather massive shake-ups that have redefined what it means to live in the 21st century. Even as the world was in a constant state of flux as new, tangible, oftentimes tiny technologies enabled new approaches to everyday living, it was the invisible -- a tiny virus -- that put everything on hold, that challenged humanity to realize that even all of the digital interconnectedness really was no substitute for being together, that a screen cannot replace that craving closeness to flesh and blood after all. The sporting world was hit particularly hard in that regard. Television and Internet have made sports more accessible than ever before, but without fans in the seats, without that lifeblood energy pulsing through an arena, there seemed to no reason to continue on (and, of course, with great consideration for the safety of the athletes, too; it was not until COVID-19 hit the NBA and the league made the then-drastic decision to cease operations that things truly began to change, and fast, to the surreal). As the major sports shut down or delayed the beginnings of play, as schools shuttered and business were ordered to halt operations, as masks and social distancing replaced welcoming kisses and warm handshakes, it became quickly apparent that anything and everything was not just vulnerable to change, but that anything and everything had to change.

The WWE was certainly not immune to the shutdown. While it was a big deal for the NBA or NHL to lose out on regular season games, it would be another thing entirely for the WWE to lose its showcase annual event, WrestleMania, the night around which the entire sports entertainment world revolves, the night that settles the yearlong build-ups and rivalries and sets the course for the year to come. Cancelling was not an option, not so close to Mania. But it was no longer feasible -- and essentially not permissible -- to hold the event at Raymond James Stadium, where as many as 75,000 fans would be packed in to soak in the Showcase of the Immortals. But fans weren't WWE's only concern. If there's any sport that demands intimate contact with another human being, it's professional wrestling. If there's a spot that all but guarantees an exchange of bodily fluids through the necessary verbal and physical ebbs and flows of a match, it's professional wrestling. But that was risk WWE had to take. For the company's sake, the show must go on, and go on it did, just not with fans. This year's two-night WrestleMania event played to empty buildings, the performers eerily entering to toned down entrances and silence from the seats. Only ringside seemed anything resembling normal, with cameramen patrolling the apron and announcers seated nearby. "It is sure to be the most unique WrelsteMania in the 35-year history of this great event," the voice of WWE, Michael Cole, says as the show gets underway. An understatement, but also perfectly stated.

Does it work?. The are obviously some constrictions, and the lack of that ebb and flow crowd din -- getting behind some wrestlers, jeering others, vocally responding to certain storylines and offering approval or disapproval for how the evening is playing out -- certainly lessens the overall impact. The scope is also missing; rather than play to the typical WrestleMannia excess, expanse, and extremities, the action feels confined. There's no mile-long (so it often seems) ramp, no superfluous flash and excitement. Certain segments almost feel like rehearsal run-throughs. The Corbin-Elias matchup is almost painfully bizarre. "King" Corbin walks down the ramp, looking around as if soaking in the adoration of his beloved subjects. When the match begins, WWE pumps in no canned noise; one can hear every grunt, each of the ref's commands and counts, and the overall hollowness is just bizarre. But if one focuses on the stories and the stars it's still a faithful WWE event. The better performers put on a superior show, but WWE needs its lifeblood fanbase to thrive, and never has that been more evident than it is right here.

Official synopsis: The Showcase of the Immortals transforms into a two-night sports entertainment spectacle for the ages! It's The Claymore vs. The Beast when Drew McIntyre gets his opportunity at immortality against Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship. WWE’s most indestructible forces come to a collision course as Goldberg defends the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman. Shaya Baszler gets a challenge she can sing her teeth into when she collides with Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch. Yowie Wowie! John Cena steps into the twisted mind of Bray Wyatt in the first-ever Firefly Fun House Match. “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles crosses paths with Undertaker in a Boneyard Match. In a bout never seen before, Charlotte Flair goes head-to-head with Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women’s Championship. For the first time in almost a decade, Edge returns from retirement to The Grandest Stage of Them All to take on former partner turned rival Randy Orton in a Last Man Standing Match.

The following matches comprise WrestleMania's 2020 event:

Disc One (4:05:05 total runtime):

• WWE Women's Tag Team Championship Match: The Kabuki Warriors (Asuka & Kairi Sane) vs. Nikki Cross & Alexa Bliss.
• Singles Match: King Corbin vs. Elias.
• RAW Women's Championship Match: Becky Lunch vs. Shayna Baszler.
• Intercontinental Championship Match: Sami Zayn (with Cesaro & Shinsuke Nakamura) vs. Daniel Bryan (with Drew Gulak).
• SmackDown Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Ladder Match: Kofin Kingston vs. John Morrison vs. Jimmy Uso.
• Singles Match: Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens.
• Universal Championship Match: Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman.
• Boneyard Match: AJ Styles (with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson) vs. Undertaker.
• NXT Women's Championship Match: Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair.
• Singles Match: Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley.
• Singles Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Otis.

Disc Two (2:06:26 total runtime):

• Last Man Standing Match: Edge vs. Randy Orton.
• RAW Tag Team Championship Match: The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford) vs. Austin Theory & Angel Garcia.
• Fatal 5-Way Elimination Match for the SmackDown Women's Championship: Sasha Banks vs. Lacey Evans vs. Tamina vs. Naomi vs. Baley.
• Firefly Fun House Match: John Cena vs. "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt.
• WWE Championship Match: Brock Lesnar vs. Drew McIntyre.

WWE: WrestleMania 36 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

WrestleMania 36 may be a rare release to Blu-ray for WWE, but it's entirely typical of the studio's output in recent years, which includes the 1.78:1 aspect ratio and 1080i resolution. The picture is generally crisp and sharp, revealing fine-point skin and tattoo details in assorted close-up. Action shots hold steady, too, with even fast moving action maintaining stability as wrestlers fly around the ring and over the ropes. The picture's backgrounds are sparse, generally fading to black where fans might be, even the smaller footprint arenas where the show takes place. Those matches that take place beyond the ring's borders do enjoy good essential clarity though are sometimes more challenged by noise and compression artifacts, the latter of which do linger around backgrounds for more eagle-eyed viewers to see. Colors are appropriately bold, whether the limited digital signage or various examples of vivid attire or complex makeup work. Those black levels hold steady and skin tones seem fine. This is a perfectly watchable image in every way. It's absolutely far from perfect -- every WWE release has been labeled as such -- but most audiences will find a well-rounded presentation.

WWE: WrestleMania 36 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

WrestleMania 36 doesn't have much to offer, sonically. The lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 presentation captures the limited essentials nicely enough. Ringside commentary is generally clear if not occasionally, and very mildly, hollow. Prioritization slightly struggles to overcome some surrounding effects, such as crashes, smacks, ringside claps, and ref calls. Those additional elements are pleasantly detailed, and part of the novelty of this WreslteMania is the opportunity to pick up the little sounds that are often drowned out by the rowdy crowd noise. The material largely remains the property of the front channels, and the center in particular, without much of it drifting particularly far from center. Even intro music doesn't stray very far from center, and it plays through house speakers underneath the ringside commentary as the wrestlers enter. This is an extremely basic presentation, and it may as well be given the larger body of constraints that define the event.

WWE: WrestleMania 36 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

WrestleMania 36's Blu-ray includes several bonuses on disc two, broken down into "Special Features" and "Blu-ray Exclusives." There are no "meaty" extras; everything is simply additional matches and highlights from various programs leading up to WrestleMania. This release ships with a loose Topps WWE trading card (I received Kofi Kingston) as well as a leaflet breaking down the disc content. Also included is a Movies Anywhere digital copy code. This release ships with a non-embossed slipcover.

Special Features:

• WrestleMania Kickoff Match (1080i, 7:35): Cesaro vs. Drew Gulak.
• WtrestleMania Kickoff Match (1080i, 8:39): Natalya vs. Liv Morgan.
• RAW - March 2, 2020 (1080i, 13:02): The Beast Beckons (how weird to see WWE playing to a packed house!).
• RAW - March 2, 2020 (1080i, 17:05): Rated RKO.
• RAW - March 9, 2020 (9:50): A Phenomenal Mistake.
• RAW - March 9, 2020 (8:18): Rated R for Revenge.
• NXT - March 11, 2020 (7:46): The Queen Has Spoken.
• RAW - March 23, 2020 (3:41): Advocating Pain.
• RAW - March 23, 2020 (3:32): Have a Seat.
• RAW - March 30, 2020 (3:46): Deadman Talking.
• SmackDown - April 3, 2020 (6:48): Hare Today, Gone Tomorrow.

Blu-ray Exclusives:

• NXT - February 5, 2020 (8:53): You Don't Even Go Here.
• RAW - March 16, 2020 (8:11): Signing a Death Wish.
• RAW - March 23, 2020 (6:57): Living on the Edge.
• RAW - March 30, 2020 (6:41): Conquering the Claymore.

WWE: WrestleMania 36 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

What a peculiar exercise in powering forward in a shutdown world. On one hand this WreslteMania plays awkwardly and on another it's a fascinating novelty. It works within the necessary context, and better to put on a show rather than no show. Most of the matches work, particularly those that journey beyond the ring. Several of those inside struggle to hold interest, but the action is solid, the storylines are fine, and it's cool to hear the banter between the wrestlers and with the refs so clearly. Sadly WWE continues to ignore Blu-ray outside of the annual Mania release, but the studio has not sacrificed quality. It looks good and sounds OK and disc two includes a solid compilation of extras. Recommended as a piece of 2020 history.