As WrestleMania Sunday entered the final stretch, World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk removed the tape from his fist and tossed it at Roman Reigns, daring him to do something.
Referee Rod Zapata made a motion as if to say, “C’mon, Punk,” before removing the tape from the ring. Meanwhile, Reigns stood disgusted by his opponent’s latest act of disrespect.
As he moved toward the champion, Punk dropped to a knee and landed a low blow. When Zapata turned back, he caught Punk lifting Reigns for a GTS, oblivious
to the foul. Reigns folded, face twisted in pain just before he bounced off Punk’s knee and crashed to the mat.
Though it happened in a flash, a million thoughts hit at once, but one in particular stood out.
This son of a bitch is gonna win.
False Finish, True Emotion
In its simplest terms, a false finish is a moment meant to make the audience believe the match is over. The problem is that nearly every match these days has them. I’m immune now.
Big move, pin attempt, kick out, shocked face, match keeps going.
Cool. What’s next?
But this spot? Perfection. Why? Two reasons.
First, I was deeply invested in the outcome. I admire Reigns’ work and professionalism. Despite a recent interview suggesting otherwise, I suspect his time in WWE is winding down. And so, as a fan, I wanted him to win one more title.
As an analyst, Reigns holding the title would put him in a position to use his status to pass the torch to WWE’s next big thing, Oba Femi. That logic made his Mania win feel certain. But as Punk looked more like an underdog, an upset suddenly felt plausible.
And then came this spot, which leads me to reason number two. Credit to whoever laid it out, the three men who executed it, and WWE’s production crew for capturing it. This was cinema.
Referee Zapata’s body language was on point, an exasperated official trying to maintain order while giving both men leeway. His timing was flawless, missing the low blow entirely with no reason to suspect foul play when his focus returned to the action.
WWE’s cameras caught Reigns’ disgust, then anguish, while Punk showed no hint of wrongdoing. My heart sank as Punk had seemingly pulled the plug on everything I had wanted and expected. When Reigns kicked out, though, it was as if the power had been restored.
Ultimately, he fought back, finishing Punk with a spear.
As the ref began the count, I stood and counted with him. When Zapata’s hand hit the canvas for three, the 100-plus fans in Auditorium 15 at Fashion Valley’s AMC 18 erupted. I turned to my wife, who jumped into my arms, then to a small child next to me and gave him a high five.
This was an excellent performance, and in the end, I got the outcome my brain expected, and the one my heart wanted most.
Yet, they got me. For a moment, Punk, Reigns, and Zapata made me believe the outcome was in jeopardy, making the actual finish as sweet as much as it was a relief.
On a weekend that saw tables, ladders, blood, and weapons galore, it was the setup and delivery of a low blow that hit the right spot.
