The NXT television tapings last night at Full Sail University wrapped up a busy week for WWE in Orlando with countless media appearances, community work, and five other sold out shows at the Amway Center and Camping World Stadium.
Full Sail was sold out as well for the NXT tapings which saw the return in action of Drew McIntyre as well as a farewell to Shinsuke Nakamura as he moves to Smackdown. Nakamura got a nice send off from the whole locker room, including Triple H and Finn Balor.
A new challenger for Bobby Roode’s NXT title was also announced during the tapings that will start airing on the WWE Network from next week. The NXT episode which aired yesterday featured matches that were taped prior to NXT Takeover: Orlando on Saturday night.
Although Matt and Jeff Hardy are now working full time for WWE, they have four other independent bookings that Matt said they will honor thanks to WWE.
“WWE is graciously allowing us to fulfill our previously booked dates,” Matt wrote on Twitter, listing the April 8 show for International Wrestling Cartel, April 21 and 22 for House of Hardcore, and April 29 for Pro Wrestling South.
After these dates are done, the Hardys will no longer be appearing on independent promotions due to their WWE commitments.
Nikki Bella posted a photo of her ring gear along with a post explaining why we won’t be seeing her for the next several months on Smackdown.
“This isn’t goodbye, just need time to heal. When the day is right I will be back and hopefully then…. BRIE MODE will be ACTIVATED,” Nikki wrote. “Can’t wait for the day I can lace up my kicks, throw on my jersey, put on my SnapBack and come back home. Until then…. Stay Fearless Bella Army!”
Speaking to E!, Nikki said that when she returned, WWE knew that she would not be returning full time. But another injury is forcing her away from the WWE ring after she revealed that a recent MRI and CT scan showed that she has a slight herniation above where she had surgery. “Which isn’t good,” she said, ”Which means I have to take time off and I have to heal. And hopefully when that heals, if it does, I can get back in the ring,”
Nikki is praying that it won’t be a long time but she doesn’t know how things will turn out.
The former Divas champion returned at SummerSlam last year following 10 months on the sidelines due to neck surgery that almost ended her wrestling career. The rumors that she would be leaving WWE after WrestleMania were getting stronger as the show got closer and eventually her departure was tied in the storyline with The Miz and Maryse. Her fiancee John Cena is also leaving for the next several months to film a couple of movies and rumors are he will be back sometime after SummerSlam.
Smackdown after WrestleMania pulled in 2,885,000 viewers, up 187,000 viewers from last week’s show. That is up from the 2,444,000 the same show did last year, although Smackdown back then was not live. This week’s episode is the highest rated Smackdown of 2017 so far and was #1 in the top 50 cable chart among the 18-49 demographic. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Aaron Stevens, the man who most recently was known as Aaron Rex announced that he is no longer working for Impact Wrestling.
Rex, who wrestled in WWE as Damien Sandow, joined TNA in August 2016 and then disappeared for a month in December before resurfacing in January of this year using a new Liberace-inspired gimmick, wearing a fur coat, rings on his fingers and even lip gloss, along with Rockstar Spud as his manager.
The gimmick didn’t last long though and he revealed on Twitter yesterday that he’s gone from Impact Wrestling. “@ImpactWrestIing was some of the most fun I have had in my career, great company. Just exploring other opportunities,” he said, adding that he never mentioned that he retired so those rumors are incorrect.
The tag team The Vaudevillains are no more as Simon Gotch was released by WWE effective immediately.
“WWE has come to terms on a mutually agreed upon release with Simon Gotch as of today, April 5, 2017. WWE wishes Gotch the best in all his future endeavors,” read a short statement on WWE.COM.
The 34-year-old New Jersey native signed his WWE developmental deal in 2013 and a year later joined Aiden English to form The Vaudevillians. The two made their main roster debut last year after WrestleMania and then moved to Smackdown as part of the draft.
The duo won the NXT Tag Team title once during their run there. It’s not known what will happen to English following the release of his tag team partner. English is married to the daughter of Eddie and Vickie Guerrero, Shaul, who herself is a former NXT developmental star.
The biography of former WWE Divas champion AJ Lee was released nationwide yesterday and AJ is already embarking on a book tour to support the release.
Titled “Crazy is my Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules,” the book chronicles AJ Lee’s – now Brooks – rise through the WWE ranks and her life story which includes battles with mental illness. AJ reveals in the book that she suffers from bipolar disorder.
The hardcover book has 288 pages and is published by Crown Archetype. It is available on Amazon.com for $13.21. You can find more info about the book at http://ajmendezbrooks.com.
Meanwhile, W-O reader Joel Murphy conducted an interview with AJ for the website HoboTrashCan.com to discuss the release of the book and you can listen to it at http://bit.ly/2n9jFlD.
Total Divas returns tonight for the second half of season 6 with a mid-season premiere episode titled The Draft.
The synopsis for tonight’s show reads, “In the mid-season premiere, the big WWE draft is finally here and the Superstars are all on pins and needles awaiting the outcome, which could affect their relationships and friendships. Meanwhile, Nikki is determined to get cleared by WWE after her injury and get drafted, and asks an apprehensive Nattie to train with her in the ring.”
The show reunites Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eva Marie, Naomi, Natalya, Paige, Lana, Maryse and Renee Young, with occasional appearances from their partners. Total Divas airs at 9PM ET on E!
The Hardys’ return to WWE went over pretty well and the video by WWE on YouTube showing their arrival at WrestleMania 33 has nearly 9 million views as of today.
The video was so popular that it topped YouTube’s trending chart and it is still part of the chart as fans keep replaying the segment.
On Raw Talk, Matt Hardy said that the two were locked up in a bus inside the Camping World Stadium on Sunday and only a handful of people knew that they were there. When it was showtime, both were ushered out of the bus and quickly ran up the stairs and out through Gorilla position for one of the highlights of WrestleMania.
On Twitter Matt has been hinting that there will be no “broken” gimmicks on WWE television for now, mainly due to the legal battle he has with Anthem Sports & Entertainment and Impact Wrestling over the ownership of the gimmick.
The WWE main roster has a couple of new NXT “graduates” as The Revival, Tye Dillinger and Shinsuke Nakamura all debuted on Raw and Smackdown this week following WrestleMania.
The Revival joined Raw and answered The New Day’s open challenge, also winning the match. Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder began as a tag team in July 2014 as The Mechanics and then changed their name to Dash and Dawson in October 2015 before once again changing to their current name in February of last year. They went on to being one of the best tag teams in NXT history and the two won the NXT Tag Team title twice.
Tye Dillinger had the perfect 10 debut on Smackdown, answering Curt Hawkins’ open challenge. The crowd welcomed Dillinger with a big pop and countless 10 chants. Dillinger spent two years as a WWE developmental between 2006 and 2008 and then made his debut in ECW as Gavin Spears. His stint in ECW was short though and he was released from his WWE deal in January 2009. He re-signed with WWE in late 2013 and had been part of NXT under the current name ever since.
Shinsuke Nakamura also made his debut on Smackdown, interrupting The Miz and Maryse who were mocking John Cena and Nikki Bella to perfection. Nakamura was introduced on the main roster by violinist Lee England Jr., who played his theme live on the show. The former NXT champion made his debut in NXT at NXT Takeover: Dallas last year and quickly became one of the most popular Superstars on the brand. He is a two-time NXT champion.
WrestleMania has come and gone and now we start again in WWE. We have new champions (one I’m okay with and one I’m not); a “redemption” of sorts; and potentially the biggest departure (on their own) in the company ever (Shawn Michaels would be the other).
I’m sure if you’re reading this, you know what I’m writing about above by now, but I still will not spoil, so to find out, read on!
Tuesday Night Smackdown! Live Television Report for April 4, 2017 – “The Future…”
Introduction: Video Promo
A recap of WrestleMania plays.
We go live to Orlando, Florida, where the pyro explodes in the Amway Center. Commentators Tom Phillips, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, and David Otunga welcome us. They announces that new Women’s Champion Naomi will put her title on the line against former champion Alexa Bliss; and they also talk about the rambunctious crowd.
Arena Promo
New WWE Champion Randy Orton struts out. He declares to be the “master” of Bray Wyatt – the former WWE Champion. Wyatt appears on the Titantron and says that Orton is the “master of nothing.” He vows that “the ‘era of Wyatt’ is just beginning,” and promises to win back the title in their rematch. However, it won’t be a regular rematch. Bray wants it to be a “house of Horrors Match;” Randy takes the challenge and wants to fight; the lights go out and Wyatt now appears in the ring! “I’m here.”
They brawl for a bit until Erick Rowan makes his return! He helps Bray, but Luke Harper charges out and saves Orton. The two sides stare at each other, with Bray and Erik on the floor, and Randy and Harper in the ring.
Backstage Promo
Rene Young interview The Miz and Maryse; they accuses John Cena of self-promoting when he proposed to Nikki Bella at Wrestlemania; they are going to meet them in the ring later tonight, and then promise the fans that Cena and Bella will “never be seen again.”
Commercials.
Later tonight, Erick Rowan and Bray Wyatt reunite to face Luke Harper and WWE Champion Randy Orton.
Match #1: Single for the Women’s Championship – Naomi (Champion) VS. Alexa Bliss (Challenger)
They lock up and Alexa kicks away. She presses her knee against the back of Naomi against the middle rope. Naomi fires back, running Alexa into the middle turnbuckle and follows with a running calf-kick on the outside!
Commercials.
Alexa is working over Naomi’s leg as we return. Naomi begins a comeback with a flurry of forearms and then a backdrop. She has Alexa in a fireman’s carry and drops her into a kick, but Alexa just kicks out of a pin attempt! The Challenger hits back with a DDT, but the Champion also kicks out! Naomi tries an enziguri, but Bliss counters. Naomi springs off of the top rope with a kick, and then goes for her split-legged moonsault; Alexa yanks her leg, but the two then trade a pin combo, and Naomi turns it into a leg/arm scissors lock, forcing Bliss to give in!
Winner and STILL Women’s Champion: Naomi
Later tonight, Baron Corbin and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose will engage in a Street Fight!
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – Curt Hawkins VS. ???
Hawkins issues an open challenge, and the man to answer is “The Perfect 10” Tye Dillinger! He starts off with a waistlock slam and a cartwheel! Curt gets a little offense, but is Tye is dominating. He hits Hawkins with ten-punches in the corner and gears up for his finisher – the Tye-Breaker! (fireman’s carry into a knee-to-the-head). Tye covers and gets the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Tye Dillinger
Commercials.
Backstage Promo
Mojo Rawley is questioned on his Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal victory. He is overjoyed to have this honor and alludes to defend it properly.
Video Promo
A quick recap of Mr. McMahon’s announcement about the “Superstar Shakeup” next week; later tonight, Commissioner Shane McMahon will talk about that.
Up next, The Miz and Maryse!
Commercials.
Arena Promo
John Cena’s music plays, but it is actually The Miz and Maryse. They mock Cena and Nikki again, as they are dressed like them. Miz and Maryse make fun of Cena and Bella’s engagement, and then assure that John and Nikki will cease to be on Smackdown!
A violinist appears in the aisle way and the lights go out, followed by the arrival of Shinsuke Nakamura from NXT!
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – Baron Corbin VS. Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose (Non-Title)
(Stipulation: Street Fight Rules)
Baron immediately stomps away at Dean in a couple of the corners, and then goes to slam Ambrose as he ran off of the ropes. Dean tries to counter but is choke-slammed to the mat. Corbin goes for a chair on the outside, but Ambrose stops him with a suicide dive and then he dropkicks him over the barricade!
Commercials.
A table is set up in the corner and chairs are in the ring as we come back. Baron picks Dean up and torpedoes him through the table! Corbin gets a strap from and whacks Ambrose on the back with it a few times! He tries to run Ambrose into a chair that is setup in the corner, but the I.C. Champion reverses and Baron goes into the chair!
Dean has the momentum with fast fists and then hits with the strap. He sends Baron to the floor and follows with an elbow drop from the top turnbuckle! He places Corbin on the table that’s on the floor, and then dives off of the top turnbuckle with an elbow onto Baron through the table!
In the ring, Ambrose climbs the turnbuckle, but Baron chucks a chair at him, and Dean falls onto the top rope! “The Lone Wolf” capitalizes, finishing “The Lunatic Fringe” with his “End of Days!”
Winner via Pinfall: Baron Corbin
Commercials.
Arena Promo
Commissioner Shane McMahon is out. He addresses his father’s revelation about the “Superstar Shakeup,” telling us that the Raw Roster “should be praying” to be on Smackdown! as it has become “the land of opportunity.”
“The Phenomenal One” A.J. Styles interrupts. He pronounces that he “does not want to go anywhere,” because Smackdown! is “the house that A.J. Styles built.” Styles also gives props to Shane for their ‘Mania match, as they both shake hands. He fakes hitting McMahon, but poses and backs up the aisle.
Commercials.
Match #4: Tag-Team – The Wyatt Family (Erick Rowan and Bray Wyatt) VS. Luke Harper and WWE Champion Randy Orton
Erick and Randy begin, with Orton trying to figure Rowan out. He goes for an R.K.O., but Erick slams him away and puts him to the outside.
Commercials.
Orton makes the hot-tag to Luke who cleans house on Bray and Erick until Bray hits Harper with a clothesline on the outside!
Rowan takes advantage with a slam and chops away in the corner, and then presses his fists against the sides of Luke’s head. He catches Harper off of a run and spin-slams him for two! Rowan switches with Wyatt who pounds away on Luke’s head with fists. Erick is back in shortly, and The Family takes control for a bit.
Orton gets a hot-tag, but The Wyatt’s video plays. Back into the match, Bray is now in the aisle, and Erick goes for a full-nelson. Harper superkicks Rowan, and Randy drives him with an R.K.O., and then covers for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Luke Harper and WWE Champion Randy Orton
Post-match, Bray laughs and claps from the aisle as Orton and Harper look on/pose to close the show.
End of Smackdown! Live
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was a great Smackdown! coming of an ok WrestleMania. The two debuts were pretty-good, the wrestling was great, and the stories were good. Onto the particulars
Excellence: promos by Bray, Miz/Maryse (both times), Mojo, and Shane/A.J.
Matches between Naomi/Alexa, Dillinger/Hawkins, and Corbin/Ambrose.
Shinsuke Nakurma’s debut was pretty good; I half-expected it, but was a little surprised at the spot. I expected him to be a main eventer, but glad they didn’t go with that, as he should be slowly built to there.
Tye Dillinger’s was a complete surprise and quite enjoyable! I hope he stays on Smackdown! as I think that is a better fit for him for his abilities. He can easily be Intercontinental Champion by the summer and WWE Champion by next year, if built-up correctly.
I am interested in the “House of Horrors,” so at least they’ve thrown a small twist into a lame feud. Very glad they didn’t have Luke turn back into the Wyatt Family; that would’ve killed his momentum and made no sense.
Bogus: Randy Orton as WWE Champion; Bray needed to win for his career, and it’s unfortunate that they didn’t let him. I didn’t like this storyline from the moment Orton turned on Bray; they should’ve had him milk it until after ‘Mania. The only way Bray can be redeemed as a legit contender/champion is to have him beat Randy Orton in both rematches (presuming that they have a third/Wyatt defeats Orton in the “House of Horrors.”)
Baron and Dean need to have one more match and end this feud; Baron should get the win and move on.
Overall, I like where Smackdown! is still going, and I hope they don’t change too much after next week’s Raw. Until next week’s Smackdown!, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Fans!
The Raw after WrestleMania pulled 3,767,000 viewers, up 475,000 viewers from last week’s show.
Hour one did 3,826,000 viewers, followed by 3,893,000 viewers in the second hour, and then down to 3,583,000 for the third and final hour. This was the highest rated Raw of 2017 so far but fell compared to what the same show did last year after WrestleMania 32. That particular show did 4,090,000 viewers.
Raw was #1, #2, and #4 in the top 50 cable chart among the 18-49 demographic. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Former Raw General Manager Mick Foley wrote on Facebook that he is now scheduled to undergo hip surgery on April 19 after it was postponed by a week.
The hardcore legend will only be doing one appearance – on May 13 in Queens – after his surgery and will then see how it feels in July before taking further bookings. Foley talked about needing hip surgery last year but kept putting it off due to insurance problems and financial matters.
Foley has officially wrapped up his WWE duties and is no longer on the WWE payroll as Kurt Angle takes over the role he occupied on television. Due to this, Foley added that he will be taking a page out of former US Presidents playbook and stay quiet about the WWE product on social media moving forward. “I may occasionally point out something positive that I see (like Neville and Mustafa Ali working their butts off last night under less than ideal circumstances) but, in general, I will be keeping a much lower profile on social media,” Foley added.
On May 20, NXT Takeover returns for another installment, this time in the city of Chicago on the same weekend as the Smackdown-only Backlash pay-per-view.
Tickets for this show, which will take place at the Allstate Arena, go on sale this Saturday at 10AM CT with an Internet pre-sale starting tomorrow at 10AM CT.
The build-up for NXT Takeover: Chicago will start tomorrow night at the NXT television tapings in Winter Park, Florida. It will be the last WWE-related event in the city of Orlando as part of the WrestleMania weekend. Tickets for the show are sold out.
There was no denying that last night’s crowd at Raw gave Roman Reigns one hell of a whooping! Judging from what went down, there was no single Roman Reigns fan at Raw in Orlando and they were quite vocal about it too.
From “Delete” to “Go away” to “F*ck you Roman” and every other chant in between, over 15,000 WWE fans did not want the Big Dog in his yard.
But the man who seems to have now ended The Undertaker’s illustrious wrestling career did not mind the hostile reception at the Amway Center. Reigns noted on Twitter that it was the loudest segment of the show, and maybe the loudest segment of the past two decades. “And I could of stood there for another 15 min,” he wrote, adding the hashtag #TheGuy.
It took several minutes for Reigns to be allowed to talk, and the only line he had to say was, “This is my yard now.” He nearly smiled on a couple of occasions as he looked around and taking it all in.
Howdy folks! This is @TheMagnumDA with tonight’s RAW Report. As many of you already know, tonight’s episode is typically considered the wildest RAW of the year. The fans are smart, tough, and relentless if they don’t like you. If they love you? You’re in good shape. Let’s see what crazy shit unfolds this year!
We start…without the broadcast team? Immediately, it becomes apparent that this crowd is not only going to take over the show, but they’re going to be unruly. There’s a LOUD and LONG “Undertaker” chant to start Monday Night Raw. That part is fine…but then they incorporate a “ROMAN SUCKS!” chant with it. Of course, this brings out the Big Dog. The fans are completely ruthless, with chants of “DELETE! DELETE!” This spirals out of control, as the fans chant “F*ck You Roman!” This transitions into an “ASSHOLE, ASSHOLE!” chant similar to the one Triple H used to get. Just as Roman’s about to say something, he hesitates and the crowd jeers him even more! He doesn’t even say anything and the fans tell him to “SHUT THE F*CK UP!” This is incredible. Finally, Roman says “This is MY yard now.” Then he drops the mic to even louder boo’s. That was one memorable opening. I can’t foresee USA Network loving the use of “F*ck” on live TV, but that’s live TV for you.
Match #1 – WWE Tag Team Championship Match
The Hardy Boyz (c) vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
Yes, the Hardys returned last night to claim the Raw WWE Tag Team Championship. This makes them seven-time tag champions in the WWE! Anderson attacks Jeff to start, but Jeff gets a shoulder block and an armbar to take advantage. Matt is tagged in and they hit a double-team for a near-fall. Matt continues to throw Karl into the corner post, but Anderson fights out. Matt counters with a Side Effect for the ONE, TWO, NO! Twist of Fate is missed, but both Anderson and Gallows get knocked outside as we go to break.
After the break, Gallows attacks Matt in the corner and tags in Anderson. Anderson beats down Matt and knocks Jeff off the corner. Gallows is tagged back in, throwing some rights and gouging Matt’s eyes in the process! Gallows with a splash in the corner! Anderson is tagged back in and hits a kneedrop for two. Karl goes for the Front Face Lock, and this turns into a chinlock. GNARLY Mafia Kick in the corner by Anderson as another tag is made to Gallows. They trade rights, but Gallows hits his own Mafia Kick.
Gallows misses an elbow, allowing Matt to tag Jeff who is a HOUSE OF FIRE! The inverted atomic drop and legdrop to the midsection gets ONE, TWO, NO! Jeff goes outside and hits POETRY IN MOTION on the outside to Gallows. The fans are hilarious throughout, with “DELETE!” and “OB-SO-LETE!” chants. Back inside, Gallows and Anderson go for the BOOT OF DOOM on Jeff, but he only gets two! They try the Magic Killer, but Matt pulls Anderson outside, allowing Matt & Jeff to hit the Twist of Fate/Swanton Bomb combo for the ONE, TWO, THREE! Man, it’s so good to see these guys back. They look great!
Winners: Hardy Boyz (**3/4)
The broadcasters discuss Triple H vs. Seth Rollins. Hell of a match, once it got going. Rollins came out on top! I gave it ***3/4. Great stuff. Neville comes out and brags about his victory, saying that he will have a coronation on 205 Live tomorrow night! During this promo, Mustafa Ali interrupts and we have a match!
Match #2 – WWE Cruiserweight Champion Neville vs. Mustafa Ali
Neville shoves HARD before the bell. Collar-and-elbow tie-up at the beginning, leading to Ali hitting a few shoulder blocks and a sweet cartwheel! Ali with some awesome offense, including a spin kick, catching Neville in the face and knocking him off the apron. Ali with a sweet suicide dive to the outside! Back in, Neville flapjacks Ali and throws him to the outside. After the break, Neville has Ali in a headlock on the ground. A fan gets thrown out, distracting the other fans while Ali hits an AWESOME dropkick to the face. This is followed by an incredible somersault into a rolling neckbreaker! ONE, TWO, NO! Neville misses a suplex, but elbows Ali right in the mush. Neville with a WICKED CLOTHESLINE, nearly taking the kid’s head off in the process.
A huge BEACH BALL MANIA chant breaks out as the guys go upstairs. Ali with an INCREDIBLE Springboard Spanish Fly from the top rope! They trade forearms and Neville hits a back spin kick to the ribs. Ali is able to catch him with a reverse Frankensteiner and a HUGE DDT! ONE, TWO, NO! I can’t do this match justice with my writing. This is GREAT! Inverted 450 by Ali MISSES! Neville with the Red Arrow! Actually, he fakes out the fans and delivers the Rings of Saturn for the submission! Now THAT is a heel. What a fantastic bout. Adrian Neville is on a damn roll.
Winner: Neville (***1/2)
Backstage, there’s a limo. Inside? VINCE McMAHON!
After the commercial, Vince comes out and announces that there will be a “Roster Shakeup” next week! Vince says Stephanie is out of action, which leads to cheers from the fans and clips from last night’s HHH/Rollins match. Vince then he says to the fans, “YOU’RE BLOODTHIRSTY, WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!” He starts to announce that there will be a new Raw GM, and that it’s someone from this year’s HOF class. Before the fans can digest this, Teddy Long’s music plays! Haha, what a rib! Of course, Teddy is not the new Raw GM…in fact, IT’S KURT F’N ANGLE! IT’S TRUE, IT’S TRUE!
The fans chant “YOU SUCK!” in sheer respect and love, and I mean that with total sincerity. Vince tells Angle, “Congratulations! You better do a good job.” A HUGE “Welcome back!” chant erupts! Angle tells the fans, “IT’S GREAT TO BE BACK ON MONDAY NIGHT RAW, IT’S TRUE, IT’S DAMN TRUE!” The music plays back up, and the fans continue to chant. This is a fantastic show so far. I truly enjoy the direction this show is going.
The NEW DAY are out to talk about WrestleMania. Big E starts to talk about getting a WrestleMania boner, but Kofi stopped him short. I love Kofi and Xavier’s shoulder pads…it’s like the Road Warriors special Easter-themed pads. They issue an open challenge! WHO will show up?
Match #3 – The New Day vs. THE REVIVAL
The pop for The Revival was pretty extraordinary. The TOP GUYS are here! The Revival are Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder. They knock over the New Day Popcycle Truck! Xavier gets distracted, and Dawson charges him. Wilder tags in and they hit a double team move. Dash pounds Xavier down and grabs an armbar. Xavier is able to counter with a headscissors and a big chop. Xavier tries a rollup, but a blind tag is made and Dawson takes Woods down. After the break, The Revival start to work on Xavier’s left arm. Good, basic psychology. Wilder continues to beat on Xavier’s injured arm. Wilder takes Woods to the top rope, but Xavier fights off with a headbutt. Wilder, like a put bull, is relentless in the corner. Woods makes a desperation flying dropkick from the top rope. Big E comes in with the tag, and he’s a HOUSE OF FIYAHH! E hits a trifecta of German Suplexes, but he misses the suicide dive to the outside! Back in the ring, Woods tries to fight off both guys, but he has no one to tag in! Xavier looks away for just one moment, and that allows Dash and Dawson to hit the SHATTER MACHINE for the ONE, TWO, THREE!
Winners: The Revival (***)
After the match, The Revival destroy Kofi Kingston’s ankle, Pillmanizing it. Afterwards, they celebrate in the ring. They go backstage, where Angle meets Enzo & Cass. He no-sells their material, and acts like the aloof goof that we know and love. Enzo with the philosophical question of the year…”Why is Goofy treated like a human, but Pluto is treated like a dog?” They do their “SAWFT” bit, and Angle looks away and says to himself, “That’s not how you spell soft.” He hasn’t skipped a beat. Man, I missed Kurt.
Match #4 0 Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Dana Brooke vs. Charlotte, Emma, and Nia Jax
Dana and Charlotte to start…but this is faked out and Emma tags back in. By the way, this is Emma’s re-debut! She’s immediately hit in the ribs with a knee by Dana. She counters by ripping Dana’s hair back, taking her off her feet. Emma dropkicks Dana, and Bayley gets tagged in. Bayley and Emma lock up and Emma catches her in an armbar, wrenching on the arm. Emma misses a charge to the corner, and Bayley does the wacky spin on Emma as they go to break.
When they return, Nia Jax is standing over Bayley. Well, okay then. Nia hits a legdrop on Bayley’s knee and tags in Charlotte. Charlotte puts Bayley in the Tree of Woe, allowing Emma to come back in and kick Bayley in the ribs. Emma goes outside and pulls Bayley back while’s she still stuck in the corner! Sick! Charlotte tags back in and Bayley is getting hammered in the corner by the other women. Bayley fights through the pain and chops Charlotte. Charlotte takes a step back and misses a charge to Bayley, tumbling to the outside. When she gets back in, Charlotte blocks the tag from Bayley to Sasha. They try again, and this time Sasha gets the tag. Sasha hits the double knee drop from the top rope, followed by a spinning headscissors. Sasha beats Charlotte down in the corner and gets a nearfall for it. Everyone comes into the ring, and it’s a PIER 6! Inside, Natural Selection is blocked by Sasha, leading to a counter into the Bank $tatement! Charlotte TAPS!
Winners: Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Dana Brooke (**1/4)
After the match, Charlotte pushes her teammates around, and Nia Jax splashes her in the corner! She then hits a HUGE elbow on Charlotte. The fans pop for Nia!
Backstage, Sami Zayn is rambling like a fool to Kurt Angle. Angle tells him that he possesses all “Three I’s”, which Sami thanks him for. Jinder Mahal interrupts and somehow this leads to a match between Mahal and Zayn.
The NEW WWE Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar, is here! Paul Heyman talks about the “Superhero who went to Suplex City”, referring to Goldberg getting destroyed by Brock Lesnar in a matter of minutes. Heyman says that if Roman is the “Big Dog”, then consider Brock to be “animal cruelty”. Heyman asks, “Why wait? Let’s do this tonight!”
This brings out BRAUN STROWMAN. Braun says he wants a shot at the title. Brock lays down the title belt, drawing the proverbial line in the sand. The fans chant “BRAUN! BRAUN!” but he walks away. The fans chant “PUSSY!” at Braun. Ouch!
Backstage, Charly is with Chris Jericho. Y2J gets a rematch against KO at Payback for the United States Championship. Jericho talks about “BEACHBALLMANIA IS RUNNING WILD, BROTHER!” Jericho talks about tonight’s tag match (Rollins/Jericho vs. Samoa Joe/Kevin Owens), and says that he will get Payback on Kevin Owens. Unfortunately, Jericho is wiped out by Owens and Joe. Angle assures Seth Rollins that he will find him a tag partner.
Match #5 – #1 Contender’s Match
Enzo & Big Cass vs. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson
My signal cuts out briefly during this match, so we’re joined in progress. Enzo tags into Cass, who is ready to face Sheamus. Cass shoulder tackles Sheamus, and they lock up into the corner. Cass beats him down, but Sheamus returns serve with some fists to the gut. Sheamus with a spinning heel kick to the corner (sloppy), but Cass catches him with a body slam and tags Enzo back in. Cass throws Enzo into both Sheamus and Cesaro! This is followed by a Gorilla Press, where Cass throws Enzo to the outside to nail both Sheamus and Cesaro. After the break, Sheamus has Enzo in a sleeperhold. Enzo somehow fights out, and catches Sheamus with a kick in the corner.
Cesaro distracts Enzo, and this allows Sheamus to deck Enzo with a wicked clothesline. Cesaro is tagged in, and he hits the double stomp on Enzo. Sheamus is tagged back in, but he misses a shoulder charge in the corner. Enzo is able to get to the corner, but Cass is distracted on the outside, allowing Sheamus to hit a rolling senton drop on Enzo. Cesaro tags in and hits the running uppercut, followed by the Giant Swing! The fans chant “10” with every spin! Haha! Cesaro puts Enzo in the Sharpshooter, but Cass hits a big boot for the save! Cass gets in position and makes the hot tag! Cass hits a set of splashes, and a sidewalk slam. Empire Elbow connects! Big Boot! Enzo and Cass try the Rocket Launcher, but this gets broken up. Sheamus throws Enzo from the top rope right into a European Uppercut by Cesaro! ONE, TWO, THREE!
Winners: Sheamus & Cesaro (**)
Match #6 – Sami Zayn vs. Jinder Mahal
Before the match, Mahal beats Sami down and throws him into the steps. Mahal screams at the ref to ring the bell, and Jinder continues the beatdown in the corner. He drapes his shin over Sami’s throat. Mahal with a dropkick to the back of Zayn, but this only gets two. Mahal gets Sami in the chinlock, and drops a couple of knees afterwards. Sami gets nailed with ANOTHER KNEE by Mahal, but Sami finally gathers his bearings. He catches Mahal with an Exploder Suplex and the Heluva Kick in the corner! ONE, TWO, THREE! Well, that was quick.
Winner: Sami Zayn (*)
Match #7 – Kevin Owens & Samoa Joe vs. Seth Rollins & ???
The mystery partner is revealed to be…FINN BALOR! He’s back!! Strangely enough, it’s regular Finn and not the Demon King. We start with Owens and Rollins. Seth puts Owens in an armbar, but Owens catches Seth in a headlock. Owens with a shoulder tackle to Rollins, but Rollins hits Owens in the gut with a kick. Seth tries to suplex KO, but they trade reversals. Joe tags in as Corey makes a reference to the “Balor Club”.
Joe tackles Rollins in the corner and catches him with some fists. Rollins fights out of the corner, but he gets a headbutt for his trouble. I’m still thinking about that Balor Club reference…is Finn going to turn here? Joe tags Owens back in, but Seth gets him in another armbar and tags in Balor! Owens and Finn have a staredown, and then Finn catches him with some fists to the gut. Balor rolls through and hits a dropkick to Owens. Owens reverses an Irish Whip, but he misses a charge in the corner. Balor DRILLS him with a Ghetto Blaster from the apron, but Owens goes outside. Balor dropkicks Owens into the barricade outside! Back inside, Balor tags in Rollins. Rollins hits the suicide dive to KO on the outside! This is followed by the somersault cannonball to BOTH men! He might’ve hurt his knee, though. Seth tells the ref, “I’M FINE!” KO comes back in and drops Seth with a DDT for two.
KO tries another nearfall, but again…only two. Joe tags in, and he pummels Seth in the corner with kicks and elbows. Seth fights back with forearms, but Joe immediately knocks him down once more. He takes Seth to the corner, and tags in KO. Kevin hits a charge in the corner, and continues to beat Rollins down. Running Senton from KO gets ONE, TWO, NO! KO goes into the chinlock, but Rollins fights out briefly. KO knocks him back down, and tags in Joe. Joe with a fist to the face, and a kick to Seth’s injured knee. Samoa Joe hits the STO on the injured leg, but Rollins fights out. Rollins tries to get the tag, but Samoa Joe hits a unique variation on the spinebuster, placing focus on the injured knee!
Joe tries to catch Seth with a Kokina Clutch, but Seth runs to the ropes, and Joe’s neck gets caught! This leads to the HOT TAG to Finn Balor, who is a HOUSE OF FIRE! Balor hits a set of running forearms and a running dropkick to KO. Finn chops KO in the corner, but KO counters with an elbow. Balor takes out both KO and Joe, but he misses the Coup de Grace! KO tries to hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Balor counters with the Slingblade. Joe tries to get Finn in the Kokina Clutch, but Seth takes him out with a flying knee! Meanwhile, Balor goes to the top and hits the COUP DE GRACE on Owens for the ONE, TWO, THREE!
Winners: Finn Balor & Seth Rollins (***1/4)
After the match, Balor and Rollins have a staredown. Rollins raises Balor’s hand in a token of victory and respect. We go to credits!
Final Thoughts: The crowd was so wild that I couldn’t keep up with half the chants they were saying. The matches were great, and the storyline development was on the mark. If The Revival were grading this show, they’d call it a TOP SHOW! Great stuff tonight. See you next week for the ROSTER SHAKEUP!
After Raw went of the air, Bill Goldberg came out to address the fans in a segment that aired in full on the WWE Network.
Goldberg said that this was not part of the show and was speaking from the heart but wanted to tell the whole story of how his return came about. Some fans were being disrespectful chanting “What?” and Goldberg quickly silenced them down and won over the Orlando crowd who wasn’t very kind to Goldberg earlier in the show.
The former Universal champion said that everything he does now is for his family, and he wakes up every morning because of his little boy who never saw him compete before. He said he’s the luckiest man alive and is thankful for having the opportunity the past several months to do what he did.
He invited his kid in the ring and his son took a bump after slipping on the security wall. The crowd went “ooooh” but Goldberg said that his son is already learning to take bumps and said that he took one more than he ever did in his entire career until Sunday, a line which drew a good laugh and pop from the crowd.
Goldberg said that we can’t imagine how proud he was when he went to his son’s school to show them the WWE Universal title and talk with them and said that nothing in life will take that away from him.
The crowd at this point did a full 180 and were behind Goldberg all the way. Goldberg finished off saying that he doesn’t know if we’ll ever see him in the ring again as he was just a fraction of what he used to be 13 years ago and simply put, he’s not the same man anymore. He said that he thinks him and Brock did pretty good on Sunday considering their last match at WrestleMania XX was bad and the crowd responded by chanting “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
Before leaving the ring, Goldberg picked up the mic and said, “Never…say never!” and then bowed down to every side of the ring to say thank you to the fans who in return gave him a standing ovation.
Kurt Angle was announced as the new General Manager of Monday Night Raw by Vince McMahon and the crowd welcomed the new sheriff in town with open arms and “you suck” chants.
Before Angle came out, there was a tease as Vince said that this new GM has just been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame…and out came Teddy Long. The crowd first booed and then cheered when Vince yelled at him to stop dancing and letting him know that he wasn’t the one he was referring to. Long said, “my bad” and walked to the back, with the crowd appreciating the humor.
Then Vince introduced the new GM, who didn’t come out. He then re-did the intro, this time saying the new GM of Raw. But still no one came out. Then McMahon said that this guy is a prima donna and hopes he didn’t make a mistake by hiring him, finally announcing his name before Angle came out to a monster pop.
Kurt Angle replaces Mick Foley who was fired by Stephanie McMahon two weeks ago after 9 months on the job.
WWE will be shaking things up next week as WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon announced on Raw that Superstars will be moving around brands, falling short of calling it another draft.
The company is referring to it as Superstar Shake-up and it will happen on next week’s Monday Night Raw. The draft was held this past July so WWE is looking to spice things up just 9 months after Raw and Smackdown went their separate ways.
McMahon also announced that his daughter Stephanie would be out of action for a while after she went through a table at WrestleMania much to the delight of the crazy crowd who seemed relieved that the billion dollar princess was going to be off their television screens…for now!
In a conference call today, WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Officer, George Barrios, and WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer, Michelle D. Wilson, announced that the WWE Network now has a total of 1.95 million subscribers, falling short of the 2 million target that many expected. This is a 7% increase over the day after WrestleMania last year.
“With nearly 2 million total subscribers, more households than ever before watched WrestleMania on WWE Network,” said George Barrios, WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Officer. “Given the ongoing strong growth of WWE Network, we continue to expect record subscriber levels and record revenue in 2017 as we achieve targeted record profits.”
Paid subscribers reached 1.66 million, including 1.24 million domestic and 424,000 international subscribers as of April 3, 2017. A total of 288,000 subscribers domestically enjoyed WrestleMania for free and an additional 73,000 internationally. In total, WWE gave out a free month to 361,000 subscribers for WrestleMania.
WWE Network subscribers viewed 22.5 million hours during WrestleMania Week or 13 hours per subscriber during the week. This compares to 21.7 million hours last year, a 4% year-over-year increase.
Wall Street was not impressed. After reaching a high of $22.57 a share earlier in the day, it went down to $20.55 a share after the numbers were announced and eventually then closed the day at $21.85.
Last year, WWE announced 1,820,000 subscribers to the Network the day after WrestleMania 32. It was also the first time that WrestleMania was offered for free for new subscribers.
The night after WrestleMania XXX, the first Mania on the Network, WWE announced a total of 667,000 subscribers and the night after WrestleMania 31 they announced 1,315,000 subscribers.
