The main event of WrestleMania XL featured way more individuals than Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns, with several WWE Superstars – past and present – interfering.
It started with Jimmy Uso who was the first one to poke his nose in the match and that was met with his brother Jey, who came out and brawled with Jimmy on the entrance ramp before the two flew off the ramp and onto tables set up below following a spear from Jey.
Solo Sikoa was next to storm the ring, hitting Cody with the Samoan Spike in shades of last year. Cody fought back and kicked out of everything…until 16-time world champion John Cena ran down to take on Solo.
Cena delivered the FU to Roman Reigns and then did the same to Solo on the Spanish announce desk. The crowd was going apeshit at this point and went even wilder when The Rock’s music hit the speakers.
Rock and Cena went face to face in the ring again and Cena removed his t-shirt and was looking for a fight. Cena did the “You can’t see me” hand sign and was met with a Rock Bottom.
With Cena down and out, The Rock took out his weight belt and was ready to whip Cody into next week when The Shield’s music kicked in. Seth Rollins, in his Shield gear, got in the ring with a chair but was taken out by Roman instead.
And then…gong! Lights go out and The Undertaker shows up behind The Rock, sending the crowd into frenzy again. Taker chokeslammed The Rock and then disappeared as the lights went off again.
Reigns recovered and was ready to whack Cody with a chair but Seth got up and Roman returned the favor from when Seth took out Roman and Ambrose with a chair several years ago to turn on them.
After two long years, Cody Rhodes has finally won the big one in a fantastic main event at WrestleMania XL, a main event which had tons of interference and some old familiar faces return.
Rhodes hit his finisher three times to end Roman Reigns’ historic reign at 1,316 days as the champion, a reign which is highly unlikely to be ever replicated again.
Even ring announcer Samantha Irvin had a tough time announcing him as winner as she was overcome with emotion, with her voice cracking and visibly crying, same as Michael Cole, who timed his “finish the story” with the referee’s pinfall count.
The night was all drama and it was a special one for Cody, who was accompanied by his wife for his initial portion of his entrance and then celebrated with the likes of Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, CM Punk, John Cena, and his family in the ring.
Rhodes even brought out Bruce Prichard and Triple H at the end, saying they were the two reasons he is now in WWE and after the show went off the air, hugged WWE President Nick Khan at ringside.
Fans inside the Lincoln Financial Field were on their feet for most of the match and stayed until the very end to celebrate with the American Nightmare who can finally call himself WWE champion.
So after two years, will Cody finish his story? Guess we’ll find out…
*****
After we went to the show last night with HHH walking Gorilla, tonight it was Chicago Phil doing the honors. He came out to join comms.
Tonight started with Cole highlighting the main event being Bloodline Rules. The camera cut to Cody’s bus, which he hasn’t left all day as he gets ready. No-one’s seen him. Some boos again. Damage CTRL were shown arriving. To more boos. Then Bayley, to cheers.
Cole said it’s not so cold tonight. Do you think we’ll get constant updates about how mild it is?
To another video voiced by Meek Mill. He talked about taking titles, snatching glory, Cody and Roman the focus again.
They showed Drew warming up backstage. Seth too. As Cole wondered about his condition after last night.
God Bless America by the War Entreaty.
Stephanie McMahon then came out. That’s kinda fun with Punk right there. Though he hasn’t spoken yet. She got a nice pop. They are trying very hard to make it clear this is a new start and that old scumbag isn’t part of it.
She said she’s been part of every Mania. But this is the one she’s most proud of ‘because it’s the first one of the Paul Levesque era.’ She did the DX ‘Are you ready!?’ then said it’s time to kick off the show.
A bagpipe squadron (I have no idea what you call a group of them) played as Punk piped up but Cole said they’d intro him properly in a minute. Drew then came out, walking under a pair of swords like a knight. There was a whole group more of them lining the entire ramp, very cool visual.
Cole then introduced the announcers, including Punk, saying he was sitting there because of Drew.
Some massive mardi gras band began playing Seth’s theme, crowd joining in. Then Seth came out. ‘Look at this doof,’said one of them. Might have been Punk. Dude’s not wrong. Rollins led the whole band to the ring. Very cheesy. Punk refused to high-five the band on the grounds of his injury. Wants no part of this silliness.
Crowd all joined in with Seth’s intro too.
SETH ROLLINS vs DREW MCINTYRE (WORLD TITLE)
Backstory: After initial plans were scuppered when Punk was injured in the Rumble, Drew won the Elimination Chamber to earn this shot; Seth’s dodgy knee was attacked during last night’s main event
Crowd Response: Very into this, helped by a high-impact start and stream of big moves
Match quality: Good match, as noted, it was full of big moves and near falls, possibly a few too many, but good nonetheless
Drew hit a Claymore right away, Seth just out before three. Overhead belly to belly outside, Seth crashing hard. A second. He eyed Punk, crowd chanted for Punk. This allowed Seth to counter Futureshock into a Pedigree, but Seth hurt his knee in doing so.
Curb Stomp as Drew returned inside. Another near fall. Nice start – fast, big moves.
Another Pedigree coming, Drew backdropping out, big right, Seth trying to fight back, exchange of rights, into chops, Seth responding via superkick, Drew with a Glasgow kiss then a neckbreaker. Both down.
Drew kipping up though, some fans behind him here. Seth still down. Drew readying another Claymore, Seth countering into another Pedigree, another Stomp, Drew out at two.
Both down again.
Seth up first, favoring his back, to the top, thinking Stomp from upstairs. Drew moved, each ducking the other’s finish until Drew landed a Futureshock for another two. TiA from the crowd.
Drew again stopping to look at Punk before mocking the go to sleep motion. GTS coming, Seth held on to hook a pin for two. But ate another Claymore, stack, Seth kicking out again.
Drew got distracted again, heading out toward the announce desk and stripping it. Punk said he couldn’t get it done in the ring so had to resort to this. Drew readying a powerbomb through the desk, Seth firing elbows, escaping, then landing another Stomp against the announce desk.
Hurling Drew back in, the Scot landed another Claymore. Seth out again.
Drew back to the corner, lining up another, and hitting. This one got it done. Big cheer for Drew. You’d think this means he’s signed a new deal?
He looked emotional as he eyed the belt. Seth left, Drew held up the belt to another big cheer. He presented the title to his wife who was in the front row. Then eyed Punk once more. He told the other announcers to leave and crawled right into Punk’s face with the belt.
They jawed, you couldn’t really hear what was being said at first. Drew definitely said, ‘I’ll end your career.’ This went on for quite a long time. Stood atop the desk, Drew then crotch-chopped Punk, who tripped him by hooking his leg then removed his brace, stomping away at a downed Drew.
He then blew a kiss to Drew’s wife.
WINNER: DREW McINTYRE
DAMIAN PRIEST vs DREW MCINTYRE (WORLD TITLE)
And Damian Priest hit the scene with the MITB briefcase. He belted Drew with it then cashed in. Samantha feverish. Priest hit South of Heaven then pinned Drew. Punk giggled. The announcers between them said ‘Holy shit.’
The Judgment Day came out to celebrate atop the ramp.
WINNER: DAMIAN PRIEST
Snoop Dogg came out to Gin & Juice. The instrumental anyway. He filled the seat vacated by Punk. Bubba Ray then came out as the special guest ref.
Cole revealed this match is sponsored by Snoop & Dre’s new Gin & Juice drink. Snoop implied he was drunk right now. Doesn’t sound it.
BOBBY LASHLEY & STREET PROFITS vs KARRION KROSS, AKAM & REZAR
Stips: Philly Street Fight
Backstory: After feuding since early January, the heels also cost the Profits their chance to qualifying for last night’s tag title match
Crowd Response: Into some of the big spots but otherwise bored to the point of spending much of the match amusing themselves
Match quality: Nothing match, boring and too long
All six faced off, the faces sent the heels outside and setup tables at ringside. The Profits taken out though, Kross brought out the kendos, Lashley 1:3 as he was battered. Kross grabbed a chair and hit a brutal neckbreaker against it.
The Profits returned but were quickly beaten down. Akam and Rezar hit powerbombs to the Profits, B-Fab came in to help but was sent to the buckle by Scarlett. Lashley saved the Profits from another set of powerbombs and began suplexing Kross.
Ford then flew over the buckle onto Akam & Rezar at ringside. As Lashley began working over Kross with a chair. Spinebuster onto it, Scarlett preventing the Hurt Lock with a kendo stick. B-Fab took her out via pump kick then Russian legsweeped Scarlett off the apron through a table. Looked brutal, hope they’re okay.
Kross took advantage to DDT Lashley onto a chair. Lashley out at two. Kross wasn’t happy, jawing with Bubba. Who pulled out his glasses to a huge pop. And Kross turned around into a Lashley spear.
The Profits hit a Wasssssup headbutt to the knackers. Then grabbed another table and set it up inside. It collapsed as they placed Kross on it. Crowd booed. So the Profits grabbed another. Snoop said the kendo stick was the star of the show.
They placed Kross on the table, Montez Frogsplashed him through it for the win
WINNER: BOBBY LASHLEY & THE STREET PROFITS
Logan Paul was shown doing pushups. Loud boos.
Paul Heyman was interviewed by Kayla. She asked him to explain what Bloodline Rules are. He said they’re anything goes until one man is left standing and announced as the champ as the loser ‘goes home to his wife… Brandi.’
Crowd ‘oohed’ at that.
LA Knight was shown arriving in a Slim Jim sports car.
He marched to the ring with purpose but stopped to present the winner of the above sports car to the winner. Graves noted the contradiction.
AJ got huge pyro and also rushed the ring.
LA KNIGHT vs AJ STYLES
Backstory: Styles blamed Knight for snatching his spot in the Fastlane main event when he got injured, then cost him the chance to win the Elimination Chamber
Crowd Response: They loved doing the catchphrases, not sure they were much into the match
Match quality: Really enjoyed this, probably because it was dominated by Styles, who’s just so damn good
Knight immediately took him outside, slamming his head against the desk as the crowd yelled ‘Yeah!’ for each. Knight then posed atop it before sending AJ back in. The heel took advantage, attacking the leg as he returned.
More vicious kicks to them before snapping Knight’s leg across his knee. Knight kicked his way free and countered another kick into a rollup for two, pair of clotheslines, Russian legsweep, stomps in the corner, crowd continuing to ‘Yeah!’ for everything.
Hip attack next, springboard tornado DDT for another two.
Before placing Styles up top, the latter slipping under a superplex attempt, dropping Knight face-first against the buckle. AJ now back upstairs but met by Knight. Who aimed crossfaces to the chest until AJ raked the eyes. But Knight raced back up to hit an avalanche German.
Styles out at two.
Cole joked that they only knew the names of these moves from voicing over 2K. As Styles got a calf crusher, Knight screaming in pain as AJ wrenched back, Knight finally getting the ropes for the break.
AJ continuing to assault the legs against the ringpost, before aiming a dropkick at them from the apron. Knight fought back and removed some ringside mats, seeking a piledriver but being body dropped as AJ countered. Styles raced back in and demanded the ref start counting.
Knight just made it in a split second before ten.
An angry AJ aiming a stiff kick then heading to the apron for a springboard 450, Knight got his knees up, AJ’s selling was tremendous. Exchange of rights – yeah!/boo – Knight winning out until AJ ducked and hit a Pele.
Then looked for a Phenomenal Forearm, Knight moved, Styles rolled him up, looked for a Styles Clash, Knight fought out, AJ rocked him then loaded another Forearm but was tripped and came down onto the ropes, Knight hit BFT to win.
Out of nowhere.
WINNER: LA KNIGHT
Package for the 2024 HOF. Highlighted by everyone putting their phones up for Bray. And Heyman dressing like his old ECW persona. Thunderbolt Patterson still has him some charisma too.
Back in the arena, they were all introduced and brought onto the stage. Capped by Heyman coming out to the old ECW theme. Loud ‘EC-Dub’ chants.
Paul came out in a truck with a big bottle of Prime on the back. Cole said he’s never seen anyone take to wrestling so quickly. Err, Kurt Angle?
Returning the favor from last night, Sami was waiting for KO, he said ‘It’s your turn now.’ Owens got a huge pop and eyed Paul’s truck with disdain. Then disappeared and drove down in a golf kart with ‘KO’ written on a single piece of paper. He’s wearing ECW-influenced clobber.
And reversed back up the ramp to give Orton a lift.
LOGAN PAUL vs KEVIN OWENS vs RANDY ORTON
Backstory: Owens & Orton are united in their dislike of Paul, who cost Orton at Elimination Chamber
Crowd Response: Very into this, probably as much as anything on either night
Match quality: For what was a very good match, Gunther/Zayn its only competition so far
Paul quickly fled outside to leave the other two to go at it. Cole said it was ‘great strategy.’ No Michael, he’s a heel – it’s sneaky, cowardly…
Anyway, the faces had none of it and went right out after him, introducing him to most of ringside until Orton belly to backed him onto the Spanish announce desk. Owens then had a go. And Orton had another. Orton was basically giving notes on how to do it properly, Owens said, ‘Yeah, I totally see it.’
Paul’s selling was very good too tbf.
Back inside, Paul shoved Owens into Orton but they worked it out and went back to work on the champ. Orton hit a back elbow, Owens a senton. At which point they both went for the pin. Crowd ‘oohed.’
Owens said they could sort it out later; Orton went for an RKO, Owens blocked it and eyed Orton, who kind of acknowledged it was a dick move. All of which allowed Paul to land a double Buckshot lariat.
Before ramming Owens’ head against the buckle repeatedly. As a ‘Gatorade’ chant began. And Owens took over, cannonball crushing the other two in the corner, Paul got his knees up on a senton from the top. Then hit one to Owens, rolling through into a standing frogsplash on Orton. For two.
He and Orton now going at it. Exchange of uppercuts, Orton to his knees, Paul stopping to pose. And being booed. Loudly.
Allowing Orton to rake the eyes and fling the champ outside. Orton hit a pair of lariats to Owens, snap powerslam, draping DDT coming until Paul returned with a big right from the apron, but nearly botched a Buckshot and was caught into a powerslam. Orton now thinking double draping. And hitting.
Crowd rising for him as he prepped an RKO. But couldn’t decide who to target so Paul countered, Orton sent outside as Owens got two on Paul. Orton caught Owens up top, looking for a superplex, Paul slipped under looking for a powerbomb, Orton landed rights to both till Paul crumpled.
But Paul recovered to head upstairs after Owens got rid of Orton and Owens hit a slam from the top, moonsault, very near fall. Crowd into these near falls.
Owens got two on Orton via rollup, pop-up countered, Orton countered a stunner into an RKO, another very near fall. Owens outside now. As Paul slipped back in with the knucks. Orton ducked, Paul raked the eyes and knocked him out.
Or not. Orton kicking out at the very last.
Paul and Owens now brawling across the ropes, Owens left laying again, Paul dragging a dead Orton to his feet, loading up another shot with the knucks; Orton countered via RKO out of nowhere.
All three down, Owens outside. Orton up first, knucks now in his possession.
He handed them to the ref. But readied a punt. Crowd up for it, the Prime mascot pulled Paul to safety. Then revealed himself to be some streamer. He barked – literally – at Orton. And swore a lot. So Orton barked back at him then RKO’d him onto the announce desk (both desks remain intact btw).
Allowing Paul to send him to the ringpost before flinging him back in, Orton avoided a Frogsplash, Owens hit a pop-up powerbomb to Paul, stunner to Orton, another very near fall. Owens dragged up a limp Orton but saw a pop-up countered into an RKO. Paul sent Orton to the buckle, to the top, Frogsplash on Owens for the win.
WINNER: LOGAN PAUL
Bayley came out to an Egyptian theme, as Isis (I think?), carried by four dudes. Before her theme kicked in and she walked to the ring. Iyo brought Damage CTRL with her to the ramp. And seemed drunk. Guess her character is she’s unhinged? The rest of the group headed backstage, this’ll be 1:1.
Bayley got a big reaction when announced. Loud chants.
IYO SKY vs BAYLEY (WWE WOMEN’S TITLE)
Backstory: Sky and the rest of Damage CTRL booted Bayley out of the group after she won the women’s Rumble
Crowd Response: Really into it by the end as this built and built and built to a gripping finale for which they absolutely exploded like they haven’t for any other match so far
Match quality: Fantastic. Blew everything else (both nights) out of the water
Bayley quickly took Iyo down, the heel headed outside but raced back in and stomped the foot before sending Bayley outside. That old ‘Hey Bayley’ chant has started – made Bayley giggle.
Things heating up as they brawled outside. It continued back inside, Bayley avoiding a handspring but taking a dropkick. Hitting back with a neckbreaker into the ropes, tope through them, Sky down outside.
Sky kicked out at two after being sent back in. Things right back out though, where Iyo avoided a dropkick under the bottom rope and cranked on Bayley’s previously injured leg. Before stomping away back inside. Bayley got a boot up twice but Sky caught a third and hit a dragon screw in the corner.
Then a stomp out of a cazadora for two.
But was tripped off the apron then flung over among the timekeepers. And caught attempting a dive, powerslammed down onto the mats. Bagging Bayley two back inside. Rights in the corner until the ref dragged her away.
Then taking Iyo on her shoulders, into a spinning sideslam. Nice move. For two. Bayley heading upstairs but nailed with a big right, landing badly on her knee then taking a springboard dropkick and landing outside.
Where Iyo followed via moonsault. And stopped to pose.
Back inside, a series of standing switches ended with a Bayley sunset bomb into the buckle, inside cradle for two. Bayley sent to the apron but fighting back until being dragged back in by the waist, bridging German, Iyo rolling through into another, very near fall. Very nice sequence.
Both down.
Iyo to the top, Bayley knees up on a moonsault but worsening her knee in the process, crowd chanting for her as she clambered to the top, diving elbow missed, into the crossface, Bayley sliding her weight to bag two and break the hold but taken right back down into it.
Desperately crawling for the ropes, nearly there but dragged right back center, into an STF until elbowing free and hitting Bayley to Belly for a near fall. Sky tried to beg off then took a cheap shot and cackled.
Until Bayley popped up with a big smack. Iyo reciprocated, big fist fight, Iyo countering Bayley to Bayley into a cradle for two, inverted backbreaker, Sky to the top, moonsault hit, Bayley out at 2.9.
Crowd loud now as Sky looked distraught, series of rights, standing moonsault, one from the second rope, now one from the top but Bayley moved and hit Roseplant, Iyo somehow escaped out to land on her feet, crazy athleticism, but ran into a lariat.
Bayley pulling herself up in the ropes, crowd to their feet, belly to back, Bayley upstairs once more, big diving elbow, Roseplant, win.
Crowd exploded. As this match warranted.
WINNER: BAYLEY
Snoop returned with the Eagles’ cheerleaders to announce the attendance. And rev up the crowd for the main event.
Cody then got a massive entrance – dramatic music as banners with his emblem appeared on the screen and he came up from the ramp with a skull mask and Brandi appeared, getting a pop which she seemed genuinely pleased by.
His theme then kicked in, huge cheer, pep talk from his wife, here we go. Seems this is going long. Very tough act to follow that last match. Crowd seriously into Cody here.
Roman got a grand entrance too with drummers, an orchestra and a choir. Like last night, they set off a ton of fireworks as he held the belt up. Cole set the scene as far as his historic reign – bettered only by Sammartino, Backlund & Hogan. And listed all the guys he’s beaten. This feels like a really big deal. Massive spectacle.
Fantastic job on the intros. Samantha’s amazing.
CODY RHODES vs ROMAN REIGNS (UNDISPUTED TITLE)
Stips: Bloodline Rules
Backstory: Rhodes looks to finish his story of winning the championship his dad never did, after being cheated out of it at last year’s event
Crowd Response: Wild, totally into this from start to finish
Match quality: Superb, incredibly dramatic, loads of twists and turns, some might say all those legends returning takes away from Cody a little, debatable I guess, crowd loved it all though
Crowd loud just for the bell being rung, vivid ‘Cody’ chants, not a hint of last night’s boos. They went face to face, crowd getting louder. Roman skirting as Cody forced him to the corner for the break. Reigns smug before elbowing free of a waistlock. Headlock, whip off before running right through Rhodes with his shoulder.
Cody quickly back to his feet, another break bringing the crowd to their feet. Cody headlock now, whipped off, duck under, drop-down uppercut, avoiding a charge as Roman hit the ringpost hard.
And crumpled outside. So Cody took advantage of the rules and went after some goodies. Table time. Roman flew in with a dropkick and slid the table right back under. To loud boos. That’s nice heel work.
Rhodes reversed a whip, Roman crashed the steps before being flung back in. But hightailing it right back out, frustrating Cody who reached out to drag him back in but took a kendo stick to the face. And the back. Several times.
Then ducked a wild swing and grabbed the weapon. But missed a charging shot, though got a boot up in the corner, bulldog out, figure four coming, Roman screaming in pain, trying to break the grip and finally resorting to raking the eyes.
Hobbling away before launching angry stomps. Then sending Cody to the buckle before flinging him outside. And into the crowd. Where Cody countered a suplex into one of his own before bringing the champ back to ringside. And to the ring itself.
But was caught into a powerbomb out of a disaster kick, Reigns dropping afterwards, both down.
Reigns up first, snap suplex, cover, barely one. He choked Cody in the ropes and yelled he was going to send Cody ‘to Hollywood with the rest of them, this is my company you lil bitch!’
He grabbed a guillotine, Cody down before fighting to his feet, boot to the gut, Reigns countered into a Perfect Plex for two. Slowing things down as he beat Rhodes in one corner, then the next, series of aggressive lariats until Cody raced out of the corner with a superkick, exchange of superkicks and big boots until synchronized lariats left both down once more.
Yay/boo rights as they reached their feet, more aggressive as they went, flurry from Cody, avoiding a corner charge, snap powerslam, Cody firing up, disaster kick, Reigns out at two. Cutter caught by Roman into CrossRhodes for a very near fall.
A frustrated Reigns noting ‘That move sucks! That move don’t beat nobody!’
Superman coming, missing, Dusty jabs from Rhodes, bionic elbow, things heading outside now, Cody clearing the announce table until being nailed with a low blow. And powerbombed down through the desk. Flung back in, Superman Punch, very near fall. Didn’t get much of a response from the crowd.
Another one coming, Cody countered with a shot to the gut, cutter, 2.5. Reigns struggling to his feet, Cody firing up, CrossRhodes hooked, Roman desperately fighting free with a knee to the head, Cody countering out of a Rock Bottom, hitting a spear, another very near fall.
CrossRhodes coming, hit, a second coming when Jimmy Uso appeared out of nowhere with a superkick. Superman landed as Jey’s music hit and he came to brawl with his brother on the ramp. And spear him off it through a table.
Distracting Reigns who got rolled up for a near fall but came back with a Spear, Cody’s shoulder just up in time, Roman yelling at the ref, crowd really popped for that sequence. Roman going back to the guillotine, being driven through the ropes to break the hold, where Cody took a big run up and speared Roman through the barricade.
TiA from the crowd. Cole agreed.
Reigns sent back in, Cody firing up, CrossRhodes hooked, hit, through into a second, and a third, when Solo appeared with a Samoan Spike. And placed Roman’s limp body on Cody’s. Shoulder up again at the last split-second.
Solo remaining in the ring, shots from the mount, another Spike before holding Cody for a Spear. He kicked out again. And John Cena raced to the ring. Series of rights sending Solo outside, FU to Reigns, one for Sikoa onto the Spanish Announce Desk.
Which brought the Rock out. A wary Cena watching him walk the aisle. They did manage to mute Rock’s swears tonight. Those two went face-to-face, ‘Holy shit!’ from the crowd, Cena dumped his tee and got ready to fight.
Did ‘You can’t see me’ and took a Rock Bottom. What a dumbass.
Rock then prepared to whip Cody with his belt as the Shield music hit. Long wait until Seth Rollins appeared in the old Shield gear with a chair. But was immediately wiped out by Roman. Tonight hasn’t done Seth a lot of favors.
Rock again preparing to whip Cody. When the gong sounded. Lights went down. And the crowd went ape.
It sounded again, he appeared behind Rock who about shit. And took a chokeslam. Lights down again, Taker gone, Cody still down, Reigns on his feet, crowd in a lull now after such a frenzied few minutes.
Reigns readying a chair shot until spotting Seth returning to his feet. And nailing him instead. Then readying a Spear for cody, who countered into CrossRhodes, through into a second, cover, win.
Crowd went wild. This was epic. Even Samantha was clearly emotional as the crowd sang Cody’s song. Brandi returned to celebrate with her husband. And a ton of babyfaces came out to join them. Including a recovered Cena. And Randy Orton, cool seeing those two again. Punk out too, Cody’s mom in for a big hug. He presented her with the belt to a big cheer.
Cole summarised the whole journey: leaving WWE disgruntled, returning as a superstar to do the one thing his father couldn’t. ‘Dammit, I love professional wrestling!’
Cody took a mic to address the crowd. Who serenaded him as he teared up. He said he’s surrounded by greatness in the ring and the stadium. There are two people he’d never have made it back to WWE without, he wants them to come out – Bruce Prichard and HHH. He hugged Prichard and shook with Hunter before finally hugging as the Game spoke into his ear.
Then finally raised his arm for another cheer. Before Zayn and Orton took him on their shoulders. The announcers have done a great job laying out here and just letting the moment be.
He went out and hugged Cole before shaking with the others. Then returned to the ring as everyone left to give him his moment. He stopped Seth to shake his hand. Then posed as they set off half a ton of pyro.
But will he ever get his revenge over MJF? Bet he won’t sleep tonight over that. Congrats dude.
WINNER: CODY RHODES
So last night I said I liked the slower pace, emphasis and all that. But tonight started very slowly, too slowly – lots of long periods with not enough action. Until really kicking in from Knight/Styles onwards. Easily a better card than last night. Superb in fact by the end.
GO OUT OF YOUR WAY TO WATCH…
Paul vs Owens vs Orton
Bayley vs Iyo
Reigns vs Cody
Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed the show and have a great week.
Night two of WrestleMania XL is upon us with six matches remaining on the card and perhaps the most important one which will end the festivities.
Below are the latest betting odds available. Remember, these odds might probably change by the time the show starts so please be careful.
Cody Rhodes solidified his spot as favorite to win the Undisputed WWE Universal title tonight at WrestleMania with his odds now at 1/5 while those of Roman Reigns are at 10/3.
Are we getting a double heavyweight title change tonight? It looks like it’s going to be that way as Drew McIntyre is also the favorite to win the title from Seth Rollins, with McIntyre’s odds at 1/3 while Rollins is at 9/4.
Or maybe we get a triple title change? Bayley is the favorite to become the new WWE Women’s champion as the former leader of Damage CTRL is 2/7 in her odds while Sky is 5/2.
The United States title will be defended in a triple threat match but Logan Paul’s odds are in his favor with 4/11 to his name while Orton is 5/2 and Owens at 4/1.
LA Knight YEAH will make his WrestleMania debut tonight in a match against the Phenomenal AJ Styles. Knight YEAH is 2/9 favorite YEAH while Styles is underdog at 3/1 YEAH!
And finally, a Philadelphia street fight pits The Pride against The Final Testament. The team of Lashley and the Street Profits are favorite with odds of 4/11 while Kross and AOP are 2/1.
Welcome back everyone! It’s time to dive right into the picks for night two.
World Heavyweight Championship Seth “Freakin” Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
Magnum: Let’s start with this gem. The fallout from last night’s Main Event will become very apparent – we will see a brand new World Heavyweight Champion crowned. Drew will rightfully take his place, winning a title at WrestleMania in front of a paying crowd. What happens after that? Well, Drew better pray that April 7th doesn’t turn into Judgment Day for him.
Colin: It’s time for Drew McIntyre to win this one. He’s been fantastic the past several months, both on the mic, on social media, and also in the ring. The dude really deserves a win in front of fans, even as a heel. The story could be that Seth was so involved with the Bloodline angle that he underestimated McIntyre. I’m really, really hoping Drew wins this one. And no one cashes in afterward.
WWE Women’s Championship Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley
Magnum: Dude, the odds are so stacked against Bayley…but I could see the winners of the six-woman tag helping her out. Yes, that includes Bianca. Give me Bayley to finally win the title from Iyo and take her rightful place on top of the Smackdown Women’s Division.
Colin: Bayley! Bayley! Bayley! Will Mercedes Mone be in attendance to cheer on her friend like Bayley has done for her before? Hmm. This angle with Damage Control can only continue if Bayley wins the title. It’s been a while since she had it and I don’t like when Rumble winners fail.
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
Magnum: LET ME TALK TO YA. Some folks may not like this spot for LA Knight, but I look at this as a major stepping stone for him. AJ Styles is one of the few guys to walk out of WrestleMania with the WWE Championship – if LA Knight beats him, he can stick that feather in his cap and call it macaroni. YE-EAH! Knight wins.
Colin: Must be disappointing for LA Knight to not be involved in any main event-level matches but this year it’s stacked. Being on the card against AJ Styles is no joke either. This should be a good one, and a match I totally expect Knight to win. YEAH!
WWE United States Championship – Triple Threat Logan Paul (c) vs. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
Magnum: I must admit, I feel like this match could have had a couple of extra elements…but since it’s a Triple Threat, it will be No Holds Barred. Should be a wild one, but I gotta take Paul to somehow retain. Dude’s on fire right now.
Colin: There are no bad matches with Logan Paul involved. No matter how much you hate him, no one can deny the fact that he can go. Being in the ring with Randy Orton and Kevin Owens is also impossible to have a bad match, so this one will be a banger. My prediction is a Logan Paul win.
Philly Street Fight The Pride (Bobby Lashley, Angelo Dawkins, and Montez Ford) (with B-Fab) vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar) (with Scarlett and Paul Ellering)
Magnum: I’m so glad they found a place for these guys on the card. Maybe this is where a hardcore legend could make their cameo…? Either way, I think this could be complete chaos, ending with a victory for The Pride.
Colin: Remember last year that multi tag team match everyone was complaining about and then it ended up being the highlight of the show? Yeah, I’m expecting this one to get the same reaction to be honest. There will be some crazy spots, table will get a huge pop, and everyone will be happy. The Final Testament wins.
WWE Undisputed Universal Championship Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes
Magnum: This is it. The moment we’ve all been waiting for. As I mentioned in Night One’s Pick’em…for Cody, there’s no turning back. There’s no way out. His brother’s not there to save him this time…but if we hear the glass shatter…then nothing else will matter. Austin was left an Easter basket with some ice cold beer…maybe Cody sent that out as a goodwill gesture? A last resort? Either way, the pop for Austin’s return will be OUT OF THIS WORLD. I expect the kitchen sink in this match – the final chapter to one HELL of a story. Cody finally ends the Nightmare of Roman’s reign and wins the Undisputed Title…if you will.
Colin: If Cody doesn’t win, we riot. I thought they should have pulled the trigger last year with the title switch and I’m more convinced that they should do it this year. No other option should exist. Failure to win the title will probably do irreparable damage to Cody Rhodes. He’s the star of the company and should walk out of WrestleMania with THE title. And yes, I’m a Cody crybaby. Blow me.
Alright folks, that’s going to do it for us here at the Pick’em report. There’s no going back – we are here, it’s SHOWTIME!! See you next time – @TheMagnumDA signing off.
Vince McMahon’s personal trainer, Michael Monteforte, was protective of his boss in an Instagram post, saying that McMahon was unable to attend WrestleMania for the first time since he created the event.
Monteforte wrote, “Vince McMahon was unable to attend his first WrestleMania. How quickly people forget, that without his vision, there would be no wrestling or WrestleMania. Sadly, when a person is down, the people who say they love you, turn their backs on you.”
Responding to several comments, Monteforte said that we shouldn’t judge a man without getting all the facts and he had the truth “in real time” and accused Janel Grant as a “predator for men with $$.”
He added that she conveniently left out her replies in most of those texts and when they’re published, we’ll see that she is “far from innocent and any victim” and called her “actually the aggressor.”
In his post-show media appearance, The Rock said that there was nothing like wrestling at WrestleMania in front of his fellow peers and thousands of people in the stands and despite a long, long match, he feels great and credited the 12-week training camp with people who worked their asses off for being in good shape.
Asked if there will be more matches for The Rock in the future, Rock replied in the positive and said that there might be a couple so this is not a one-and-done deal. Rock did say earlier that he will now forever be part of WWE since he’s part of the TKO board.
In the final question, The Rock was asked if there will be any surprises tonight as part of the Bloodline Rules match and Rock laughed, gave credit to the reporter, Emily Mae, for swinging it and said, “You can sure expect the unexpected and a lot of surprises.”
The Rock will for sure be part of the main event again tonight as a lot of interference are expected as the Bloodline tries to derail Cody Rhodes from finishing the story. Wild rumors from John Cena to Steve Austin coming to the help of the American Nightmare have also been flying around all weekend.
The Rock answered every single question he was asked in thorough details and did not shy away from any responses, even when the name of Vince McMahon came up.
WWE held its 2024 Slammy Awards earlier this morning at WWE World in a ceremony hosted by Cathy Kelley and Big E and correspondent R-Truth.
The big winner was Cody Rhodes who in total won three Slammy Awards, one of which is shared with Roman Reigns.
The winners were Cody Rhodes for Best Entrance of the Year, Charlotte Flair vs Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania 39 won the Best Match of the Year, LA Knight won Breakout Superstar of the Year, Tiffany Stratton won NXT Superstar of the Year, Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns won the Rivalry of the Year, The Judgment Day won Faction of the Year, Drew McIntyre won Social Media Star of the Year, Rhea Ripley won Female Superstar of the Year, Cody Rhodes won Superstar of the Year, CM Punk returning at Survivor Series won the OMG Moment of the Year, and CM Punk also won the Return of the Year.
While most accepted the award via video, Tiffany Stratton, Drew McIntyre, Dominik Mysterio, and CM Punk were there in person.
The one-hour ceremony is available to watch below.
After several years of the same “Then, Now, Forever, Together” intro video, the new Triple H era kicked off with an updated, more sleek-looking video which made its debut at the start of WrestleMania.
The intro features the likes of Hulk Hogan, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Rhea Ripley, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Macho Man, Becky Lynch, Cody Rhodes, The Ultimate Warrior, Sgt Slaughter, The Undertaker, The Rock, John Cena, Roman Reigns, Steve Austin and many others in a galactic-like intro that looks like straight from a Marvel movie.
The “Then, Now, Forever, Together” tag line is still used as before but the production value of this intro has been upped by 1000%.
Live from the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, WWE presents WrestleMania XL night two on Peacock and WWE Network. The full card is as follows:
Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal title; Seth “Freakin” Rollins vs Drew McIntyre for the WWE World Heavyweight title; Iyo Sky vs Bayley for the WWE Women’s title; Logan Paul vs Randy Orton vs Kevin Owens in a triple threat match for the WWE United States title; LA Knight vs AJ Styles; and Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits vs Karrion Kross and The AOP in a six-man Philadelphia street fight.
The Countdown to WrestleMania will start at 5PM ET and will be airing on Peacock, WWE Network, and all of WWE social media properties. WrestleMania starts an hour earlier this year with a 7PM bell time.
Just Tony and Nigel tonight. Bobby Cruise ring announcing after Dasha was unfortunately fired. It’s not that Cruise is bad – he’s not – he’s just too associated with ROH which is barely a C(?) brand.
Dax headlock, whipped off, crashing through Darius via shoulder. Lockup, Darius armdrag, Dax retreating to his corner before starting again. Double leg countered into a rollup by the youngster, Dax taking time to think then tagging out.
Cash attacking the arm, Darius athletically flipping his way free, nice takedown into a brief cover, deep armdrag, Cash got two via backslide, blind tag from Dante as the two went to work on Cash, kick to the spine, Wheeler taking a breather outside.
Returning to force Dante to FTR’s corner and tag Dax. Another lockup, wristlock takedown, Dante kipping up, ducking a wild swing, armdrag, a second, Top Flight a good step ahead of FTR so far.
Drop down, leapfrog into a Dante sunset flip for two.
Darius back in, taking a big back elbow before Dax went to work with knife edges. Cash back in, uppercut in the corner, stinging chop, Darius down, out at one on a cover. Cash scoop slam, missing an elbow, Darius tagging out, Dante in with a stomp to the shoulder, Cash repaying the favor with a standing one.
Dax in, setting Dante atop the buckle, youngster slipping behind, O’Connor roll and cross body off the buckle for two as he copied Harwood’s usual offense (the cross body caught Dax very high). Lariat in the corner through the ropes into a tag, nice double-teaming into a Dante slingshot senton.
Before using his brother as a launch pad to leg lariat Dax off the apron. Then knock Cash off with a right. Until being suckered outside into a big Cash lariat.
Ads. I’m not sure the 3,000 in attendance have reacted to a single thing yet.
Back to Cash and Darius atop the buckle, the latter countering a superplex into a cross body pin in midair. Both crawling for tags, Darius got his, avoiding Dax in the corner into a rollup, pair of them, for a pair of counts.
Dax replying with his fists and hands, big stinging chop which finally got a rise out of these fans. Darius fighting back out of the heel corner, another rollup, for another two. Dante leaping kick, Darius sloppy Pele kick off the buckle, some fans trying to force a TiA chant (seriously, not every show has to have one) as Darius bulldogged Dax against the middle rope, Dante taking out Cash via tope, Darius flatliner in through the ropes, for two.
Darius dragged outside, Dante gamengiri from the apron, big splash very obviously meant to hit Dax’s knees, and doing so, right into a cradle for two. Darius ducking under a ripcord lariat into a German but taken out via Cash brainbuster, Dante elevated toward the buckle by Cash but landing on his feet (just), only to leap back into a Shatter Machine out of the air.
Cool finish. Match picked up toward the end, the bunch of near falls via rollup formula early was kinda boring and the atmosphere was so very flat.
So, question is, will the Bucks & FTR gel better than they did last year? There’s a lot on them to save a very dull tournament. FTR held up three fingers to symbolize both sides trying for a record third AEW title run.
Winner: FTR
We went to an Okada package voiced by Nigel, ‘Written by: Matthew & Nicholas Jackson.’
Many claim to be the best, but there is only one. The man who embodies everything a wrestler should be. This is the beginning of a new era in AEW. They played clips of him in NJPW and AEW.
PAC vs Encore Moore
Backstory: NONE
Guessing at the spelling since they did the thing where they don’t really bother introducing the guy.
After a couple minutes beating the guy, Pac teased the Black Arrow then climbed down and put on the Brutalizer instead for the tap. Fans booed. What the hell!!!??? Isn’t he facing Okada? Who’s a heel.
The Geordie took a mic and said he’d warned us he was done waiting for opportunities that he deserves. So now he’s taking matters into his own hands. He’s on a mission to remind everyone who he is, ‘the best bloody professional wrestler on the face of planet earth.’
So he’s ‘calling out’ Okada. ‘Let’s see how big your bollocks (balls) are.’ He didn’t think Okada could ‘survive the bastard.’
Really like Pac and they kept the squash short, AEW continue to confuse with their placement of wrestlers.
Winner: PAC
Renee with Danielson. She asked about Ospreay. He said wrestling has never been about comparing himself to others but that he uses others as a measuring stick to compare himself to himself.
Sure that sounded good in his head…
He talked about people constantly evolving. How will we live this ‘one life’ we get. He’s excited to test himself against Ospreay. He said he was sitting next to ‘Jen Pepperman’ (that’s the writer they brought in for Sasha) watching Ospreay/Takeshita and she said Ospreay ‘might be the best wrestler I’ve ever seen.’
‘I’m standing right here…’ thought Danielson.
He has no doubt the fans will enjoy it but that isn’t why he does what he does.
Like pretty much everything about Danielson (outside of his matches), this lacked consistency and clarity.
Chris Jericho & Hook vs Shane Taylor & Lee Moriarty
Backstory: Taylor challenged the duo Weds, after Hook said he trusts Jericho enough to at least team with him
The Hook signal went up and ten people went ‘Yaaay.’ Jericho didn’t seem to be being booed as he was Weds.
He and Taylor to start. The latter rushing Jericho to the corner, big rights to the gut and face, whip, charging lariat, more rights. Jericho tagged out and hit a double suplex with Hook. Who was backed to the heel corner by Taylor, Moriarty in stomping a mudhole.
Hook fought back with a throw then tagged out.
Moriarty was briefly on top, leapt off the ropes into a Walls but got right out, Taylor took a springboard dropkick, allowing Moriarty back on top.
Ads.
Jericho avoided a Moriarty dropkick, Lionsault, Hook wanting the tag, getting it, pair of lariats, judo throw out of the corner, a second, pivot under into northern lights for two. It’ so quiet you can hear individual shouts of ‘Let’s go Hook’.
He went Macho Man with a double axe handle to the outside, Jericho took an elevated DDT inside, into the Border City Stretch, hand hovering until pivoting around into the Walls. Hook suplexed Taylor to stop him breaking the hold, Moriarty tapped.
Nothing match.
Anthony Ogogo then attacked from behind. Just why? You cut a dozen people but kept a guy we haven’t seen for years. Seems he’s joined Shane Taylor Promotions. We’re all pissing ourselves with excitement. He ‘knocked out’ Jericho and they draped a banner over him. Did not see Hook and Jericho getting into a feud with these guys.
Winner: Chris Jericho & Hook
Dustin Rhodes promo over sad music. He said he’s underappreciated. He can remember Dusty bringing home the world title when he was seven. And he snuck and held the belt and vowed to become world champion.
Something he’s never done. He said Joe is under no obligation but is asking for ‘a chance.’
He’s challenging him for Dynamite.
As I said about Dustin a week or so ago, his performances are always good. But as ever with AEW, they’re all ‘tell’ and no ‘show.’ If they did this after Dustin was shown to be on a winning streak, after he’d been talking for months, maybe years, about wanting to be a champion like his dad (hey, isn’t another guy doing that ‘story’ atm?), this might mean something.
But it’s just another cheap way to build a cheap title match. This is why people aren’t watching, Tony. Right here. There’s no story, absolutely no question about the outcome, no drama. There are tens of name wrestlers who fans would tune in to see Joe defeat and who Joe would gain a lot from beating. Dustin Rhodes is not one of them. Braver booking please, tell someone to go out and put over the damn champion.
*****
Renee with Ospreay now (both of her interviews were done very casually, sitting on the crates backstage). He said he’s noticed the competition in AEW is a lot quicker, but less ground-based than New Japan, which makes him confident facing Danielson since ‘that’s his style.’
He said he sees Danielson as the ‘S-Tier professional wrestler’ but doesn’t change his approach for their match. He believes he’s the best wrestler of the 21st Century. He doesn’t think Danielson was at the level he is, even at his peak.
He’s here for a fight, to prove he’s the best, it’s the best of all time vs the best of the 21st Century. ‘Where wrestlers wrestle.’ Which seems to be a new company tagline.
Ospreay again coming off as a very real, very likeable guy. He’s not a character, he’s Will Ospreay. And even managed to call himself the best of all time without sounding arrogant, just full of conviction.
Thumbs up. They need to air this on Dynamite so people actually see it.
*****
They showed Mark Briscoe winning the ROH Title last night. Jammed that right in there.
House of Black vs Christopher Daniels, Matt Sydal & Bryan Keith
Backstory: NONE
Malakai beat Keith around the ring until a Keith exploder got two. Malakai knee strike, tag to Brody, Keith rolling away to tag Sydal. Who tagged Danielson so they could double up. King ran through both via lariat.
Ads.
Sydal kicking the crap out of Buddy, elevating behind into a flying headscissors, kick to the back of the head, to the top, Buddy moved, Sydal this time turned a headscissors into a roll up for two. Really nice flurry from Sydal, even got the fans to make some of that ‘noise’ stuff.
Keith blind tagged in but just watched Sydal take Dante’s Inferno without helping. Then ran through Buddy and Brody with kicks until a Brody lariat laid him out.
Barks, cannonball, combined with the other HOB hitting stereo kicks. Daniels saved the pin. But was left 1:3. He tried to fight back, the End laid him out. Keith nearly sneaked the win but took a bicycle knee and pump handle driver to lose.
AEW keep telling us Keith is worth bothering with. Problem with that? He never wins.
Copeland’s music played, HOB waited, except Malakai who impatiently headed up the ramp, Copeland attacking the other HOB from behind then staring down Malakai. And catching a bad case of DBS, allowing the other HOB to attack. Mark Briscoe and FTR racing out to help.
Was wondering why they’d chosen to do four faces vs three heels. Reason was, the EVP’s are out too. They did their big entrance, FTR racing to brawl with them, Copeland nailing Brody with a chair and a Spear, one for Buddy too after Briscoe laid the foundations.
Copeland and Malakai stared each other down again before the latter decided he’d have better odds another day. All leaving Matt Jackson to do the uh-oh turnaround into a pack of babyfaces, Nicholas though pulling his brother to safety.
Okay, actual stuff! This was good.
Like that they’re building Copeland/Malakai slowly, they don’t touch, just stare. And no time being wasted trying to build the tag finals.
Winner: House of Black
Lexy with Rocky Romero. He’s won titles elsewhere but not in AEW. And he knows there’s a ranking system and he can’t just be ‘hotshotted into a title match’ (unless you’re Dustin, or Penta, or… or… or…) so he wants an Eliminator vs Roderick Strong.
Strong was handily right off camera and yelled Rocky’s name. Strong asked if Rocky had seen what he’d done with his International Title (err, nothing?). He’s doing it on his own, just like his good friend Kyle O’Reilly.
Rocky will get to tell his grandkids he got beat by a wrestling legend.
*****
They announced the Bucks would be showing ‘never before seen’ backstage footage from All In 2023. On Dynamite. Presumably it’ll actually be making fun of FTR or something since they wrestled there.
Seems a bit inside and a little gimmicky.
*So scratch all that, apparently they are actually showing Punk and Perry and etc per this site and others. Wow. That might backfire. Will be must-see though.
*****
Lexy with Lionhook. Apparently ‘the real story is the shocking return of Anthony Ogogo.’ That’s what I’m taking away from this show. Definitely.
Jericho’s pissed off but they welcome a three vs two. Hook interrupted to say he has a third man. And brought in Shibata who played a translated promo on his phone.
Jericho didn’t look all that pleased but did join a fistbump.
Yuka Sakazaki vs Trish Adora
Backstory: NONE
Adora came out to the Infantry’s music. Which they seem to be trying to make a thing.
I watch every week, basically have no idea who either of these women are. Or who I’m supposed to root for.
Sakazaki hit a forward roll enziguri, basement lariat for two. Step-up headscissors blocked, Adora hit a nice backbreaker.
Ads.
Gamengiri from the apron, Yuka to the top, dropkick, two. Sakazaki spends as much time screaming as wrestling. Adora countered a suplex into one of her own, too strong for Yuka.
Exchange of forearms, Adora coming out better until a Yuka hook kick, Adora hit back with a German, Yuka popped up to hit a high-angle suplex. Adora hit a double underhook suplex, full nelson slam, two count.
Sakazaki hit an airplane spin into a drop then rolled Adora center before heading to the apron, splash off the ropes for the win. Not much of a finish.
Decent enough.
Serena Deeb came out. To clap – probably sarcastically? – for maybe two seconds before we raced away.
Winner: Yuka Sakazaki
To show Trent turning on Orange Wednesday. Also for a matter of seconds. That’s not how you get angles over. You emphasize them so they mean something.
*****
Before going to Matt Menard with Daniel Garcia. Menard said Garcia isn’t even in his prime. Garcia won last night but ‘wins are expected. We want more.’
Garcia said he gets motivated by seeing top wrestlers in their primes. But he thinks it’s time he was amongst them and along with Menard they’re ‘coming for more.’
This was good. Really hope it’s not building to a turn. Menard adds a nice bit of personality to Garcia and is a really good talker. Plus, it’s nice when babyfaces have friends. It makes them seem not dicks.
Claudio Castagnoli vs Butcher
Backstory: NONE
Your standard ‘big guy’ start, crashing together, neither budging until Butcher bit Claudio. The Swiss hit back via scoop slam, double stomp, corner uppercut, Butcher avoided a second and hit a backbreaker right up into a suplex/brainbuster.
‘Butcher and Blade has been one of the great tag teams in AEW.’ Schiavone’s a fan.
Nigel said Butcher was dyslexic, ‘You know what they say though, when life gives you melons…’
Butcher took Claudio down into a crossface, Claudio powered up with Butcher on his back, into a DVD. Uppercut flurry, short-arm lariat, swing time. Ten rotations, Neutralizer, which Tony doesn’t seem to know the name of, win.
This is about the length matches like this should go. They don’t need to be ‘good matches.’
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli
Queen Spooky with your HOB ‘spooky promo.’ She said Willow makes people smile but their smiles will disappear. She’s beaten Willow twice. Something about ‘rolling the dice’ re: Mercedes. I think everything here was supposed to rhyme.
Not as bad as the HOB’s usual esoteric twaddle. Decent for what it was. Nice presence.
*****
Joe now. A big part of being champion is managing perception. There are people whose perceptions are out of whack. He likes to talk big about where he’s been and what he’s done: ‘Then why aren’t you standing here (as champ) Dustin?’
Men like Dustin don’t possess the one thing that helps people survive around here, ‘fear of me.’
So he won’t give Dustin what he wants. He doesn’t deserve a shot. But he’ll give him a match. And if he wins, sure he can have a shot then. But Joe’ll make him an example to everyone who ‘speaks my name.’
‘Dustin, you will set that example for me.’
Joe’s amazing. Like that he makes guys earn shots too.
Penta vs Komander
Backstory: NONE
Penta has a title shot Weds. Wouldn’t it be an idea to have this match first, have Penta win, then announce he’s getting a shot so it seems he’s earned it? At the same time making this at least slightly less predictable? Seems win/win.
But would require forethought.
Silent outside of a few ‘zero miedo’ chants as we got going. Grappling for control until penta span out into a kick to the gut, each ducking, dodging and countering the other, couple pin attempts, kip up, reset.
Rapid.
Komander offering a shake, Penta ooffering only a shove to the face in return, so Komander teed off with an open hand, landed on his feet out of a tilt a whirl which clearly went wrong since they did it again, into a tejeiras. But Penta followed him into the ropes with a brutal low dropkick.
Before setting him in the ropes for a stinging open hand. ‘One more time!’
Komander countered a pop-up into a rana, following Penta outside via tope but caught military-style. And dumped across the steps.
Ads.
Komander used Penta like a jungle gym into a tejeiras, this time landing the tope, stiff kick, Penta flung back in. Where he met Komander with a thrust kick as he came off the top. Then a springboard into a destroyer. For two.
Komander slipped behind to grab a rollup for two. Magistral into a knee bar, the ref having pointing out that Penta was under the ropes so Komander could drag him back center, rather than making Komander break.
Penta got the ropes, kicked his way free, Penta to the apron, flipping in, rolling through, right into a Komander Spanish fly for two. Nigel talked about both landing awkwardly and it not being clear who got the worst.
Komander on the apron, Penta sprang over into a destroyer. Which wasn’t even sold for a second, Komander popped up to elevate Penta onto the ramp via back body. Before then collapsing.
Both down.
Before scrambling their way back inside, fighting from their knees to their feet, big Penta open hand, each beckoned the other bring it, Komander got a crisp flurry but ran into a thrust kick, Made in Penta, Komander kicked out.
Penta set Komander atop the buckle, Komander landing on his feet out of a superplex, Penta landing awkwardly, Komander tornijo splash for another two. Rope walk dropkick, Penta back outside, rope-walk moonsault, Penta back inside, Komander walking the ropes again, Penta popping up to catch a shooting star into a lungblower, Fear Factor, win.
Faster than anything else on the card. More cool moves and sequences than anything else on the card. Crowd more into it than anything else on the card. Probably sloppier in parts than anything else on the card.
Copeland wandered atop the ramp to eye Penta.
Winner: Penta
After watching my first WWE in two years, it was interesting comparing and contrasting. First, this looked so small-time. But it’s probably not fair to compare it to WrestleMania. Though the average channel flipper will.
WWE takes too long between matches; I’d still take it over rush, rush, rush: FTR winning their way to a tournament final, the two teams who are supposed to define tag team wrestling squaring off once more, and we absolutely raced away. No time for anything to have meaning. Equally importantly, it makes AEW seem like they lack confidence in their product – No but here’s some more stuff, and some more stuff, please don’t change the channel. Very counterproductive.
A new documentary, titled WrestleMania 40: Behind the Curtain, will air this coming Wednesday on WWE’s YouTube channel.
A teaser of the doc aired right after WrestleMania XL ended, with interviews conducted with Paul “Triple H” Levesque, The Rock, Seth Rollins, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns.
The documentary will focus on the build towards this year’s WrestleMania and the adjustments they had to make following the whole #WeWantCody movement which forced WWE to switch their planned main event and walk away from Roman Reigns vs The Rock.
“Power goes back as it should…to the people,” The Rock is seen saying in a new sit-down interview.
Becky Lynch walked into WrestleMania with a 102-degree fever and a strep throat and still managed to have one of the best matches on the card with Women’s World champion Rhea Ripley.
There was no stopping Lynch participating at this WrestleMania, and even if she didn’t win the match, no one would have ever guessed that she was sick unless it was pointed out.
What happens to Becky now remains to be seen as The Man has her contract ending in two months and last week said that negotiations over a new one have not started because she wasn’t offered one yet.
Asked by Ariel Helwani if this is her last WrestleMania, she said probably not and asked if she is re-signing, all she can muster was, “we’ll see.”
Pressed if she would be willing to talk to anyone else after those two months, Lynch did say that she’s “WWE” but then changed her tune to, “I don’t know.”
Triple H said during the post-WrestleMania media scrum that Brock Lesnar is still with WWE and nothing has changed with his status.
Asked for an update by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, Triple H confirmed that there was some conversation with Lesnar a few months ago regarding a possible appearance at the Royal Rumble.
Rumors are that Lesnar was scheduled for the Rumble but his appearance was canceled after he came up in the Janel Grant lawsuit referred to as the former UFC and WWE champion.
“Right now, Brock is home being Brock. And we’ll see where that leads to from here. His status is the same as it’s been before. Brock is not gone from WWE, he’s just home being Brock.”
Roman Reigns will make history tonight as he becomes the WWE Superstar with the most WrestleMania main events ever.
After tonight’s match against Cody Rhodes is done and dusted, Reigns will have a whopping nine WrestleMania main events, and that is also after making history with Cody by becoming the only two men to main event two nights of the same WrestleMania.
Reigns tied Hulk Hogan last night with eight main events but he didn’t have to wait another year to break that record.
His WrestleMania main event journey started at 31 in 2015 in Santa Clara, headlining the show against Brock Lesnar. Perhaps that event is mostly remembered for Seth Rollins cashing in his MITB briefcase, pinning Reigns to win the WWE title.
The next year at WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, Reigns won the WWE title from Triple H and the following year at WrestleMania 33, he closed the show with The Undertaker in a no holds barred match. Reigns was the second person to defeat Taker at WrestleMania after Brock Lesnar.
At WrestleMania 34, Reigns met Brock Lesnar again for the Universal title and this time around, Lesnar retained the championship. He returned to the main event spot at WrestleMania 37 against Edge and Daniel Bryan and won that match by double stacking his opponents in a controversial move. WrestleMania 38 was round three with Brock Lesnar and this time Reigns won and unified both championship titles.
Last year at WrestleMania 39 he denied Cody Rhodes from finishing the story and yesterday night he teamed up with his cousin The Rock to take on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in a tag team match.
Tonight, Cody Rhodes goes for another round with The Tribal Chief, hoping to inflict his first WrestleMania main event loss since 2018.
To combat CM Punk’s interview from this past Monday and to challenge his version of events from All In, AEW announced that footage from backstage at the show will be aired for the first time this coming Wednesday on Dynamite.
The announcement came on Collision yesterday where it was presented as the Young Bucks will show the footage and discuss it for the first time.
Punk said that he only choked Jack Perry “a little bit” before it was broken up by Samoa Joe and Jerry Lynn and denied the idea that he punched anyone. Tony Khan then said at the time that he feared for his life backstage but it looks like that footage won’t make it, and only the Punk/Perry altercation will be shown.
The Punk interview left a little sting in AEW, with Adam Copeland rallying the troops on Wednesday and several AEW stars taking to social media to say how great the company is.
Three new champions were crowned at WrestleMania XL night one, with the Undisputed WWE Tag Team titles once again split and a long streak was broken with a new Intercontinental champion.
A-Town Down Under, the team of Grayson Waller and Austin Theory, won the Smackdown Tag Team titles in the six-pack ladder match. While they did go for the other set of titles too, it was R-Truth who finally climbed the ladder to get the Raw Tag Team titles, getting the win with his partner The Miz.
This means that Judgment Day are no longer champs and each brand gets their respective titles again.
The other title change came when Sami Zayn finally managed to defeat Gunther, who got pinned for the first time on the main roster. Gunther’s record-breaking Intercontinental title run ended with 666 days.
So I was really hoping this could be pages and pages of Colin’s itinerary updates: ‘Finally got to the arena with some help from an Albanian hooker, man these bathroom lines are long.’
But he declined. Guess we’ll just review WrestleMania instead.
*****
Michael Cole introduced the show as we saw an aerial of the stadium and the four main eventers arriving. Mix of cheers and boos for Mr Maivia. It all looked very impressive.
Then to an official intro video hosted by Philly rapper Meek Mill and again featuring the four guys in the tag. No chance anyone could miss what the big match is here.
‘It’s about to be legendary,’ said Meek before one his songs kicked in. And they showed all of the wrestlers competing tonight.
Back to the stadium, they showed Rhea warming up backstage. To a huge cheer. And she’ll need to – Cole noted it’s ‘chilly’ in PA. Becky was then shown – mostly boos.
Coco Jones then sang the anthem. Lot better than Fergie anyway.
And HHH’s music booted in to a big roar. Still one of the best ever themes. He closed his eyes and just took the noise in before heading to the ring. Cole said ‘this era should be known as the HHH era here in WWE.’
He’s with McAfee and Graves. And dressed like the lights didn’t work in his hotel room.
HHH took the mic and welcomed us to ‘a new time… a new era… welcome to WrestleMania.’ Then left.
They played a Becky package including – presumably – excerpts from her new book. Pushing her as someone who came from being ‘average’ to being ‘the Man.’ Lynch looked very serious, focused, as she took in the crowd. Cole said she’s been sick all week and it shows, looks very pale.
A live band then played Rhea to the ring. Cool entrance, theme’s a banger.
RHEA RIPLEY vs BECKY LYNCH (WOMEN’S WORLD TITLE)
Backstory: Lynch won Elimination Chamber to earn her shot here & has recently flipped out over Rhea mentioning her daughter
Crowd Response: Rhea was definitely very over, crowd were quiet for much of the match though, might be being outside, we’ll see
Match quality: So I’m not going to say a bad word about anybody doing anything near this exerting with strep throat. And I enjoyed this, nice back and forth, plenty of counters and hints at finishes
Boos as Becky was introduced. Not so for Ripley. This ring announcer’s hilarious – proper OTT. Cole said Becky has strep throat and had a 102 degree fever.
Lockup, Lynch flung straight back to the corner. McAfee wondered if being sick would help when it’s cold…
Lynch went to work on Rhea’s arm, shotgun off the top, baseball slide blocked, onto Rhea’s shoulders outside, escaping to the apron and launching off, again at Rhea’s left arm. Back inside, Lynch ducked a couple shots but was taken down then hit with northern lights. For two.
Becky tried to fight back, Rhea beat her down, Becky countered a delayed vertical into a roll up; Rhea popped up to nail the suplex for a near fall, Rhea cocky; Lynch down.
Fighting to her feet, Rhea hit back with a dropkick then brushed some dirt of her shoulder – still cocky. Lynch went back after the arm with a drag off the top, working toward the Disarmher. She launched a flurry; Rhea again shook it off but couldn’t block a tornado ddt off the ropes as Lynch got barely two.
Crowd still solidly behind the champ. Lynch played to the crowd before seeking a Manhandle, Rhea fought out but took a legdrop off the top as she was propped on the middle rope, then a Bexploder against the barricade.
Another legdrop off the top. For two.
Before Lynch continued the assault on the arm, Rhea shoving free of a Disarmher, catching Becky leaping off the top and dumping her down, big knee to the face, very near fall.
Ripley then repeatedly smashed Becky against the mat before seeking Riptide, Becky countered into an armbar, Rhea moved away from the ropes for some reason until powering up into a powerbomb. Back up into a second. And a third.
Becky just kicking out.
Back to their feet, Rhea nailed a big boot for another two. Frustrated, she wailed away at Lynch, who fought up, slaps back and forth now, each retreating until Rhea launched a spear but missed, crashing her injured arm into the buckle, right into a Disarmher using the buckle to a count of four.
Another legdrop from the top; Rhea popped up seeking a prism trap, Becky dragged right back middle but crawling on her hands to the ropes, dragged back middle again as Rhea sat down into the hold, all to cheers.
Until rolling toward the ropes, ending up in a pin to bag two, forcing Rhea to break. Champ popping up thought seeking Riptide; Becky countered into Manhandle, Rhea kicked out. Big roars at the counter and kickout there.
Rhea blocked a backslide, ducked a big kick, into Riptide, another near fall.
Rhea getting desperate now, heading upstairs, crotched. Becky climbing to meet her, firing rights, seeking a superplex, hitting, floating over into Disarmher, dead center, Rhea again powering up with Becky on her shoulders, Lynch dragging both outside via headscissors. While remaining atop Rhea’s shoulders and being dumped at ringside via electric chair.
Then flung back in, Rhea to the top, frog splash, Becky out again. TiA from some of the crowd as Rhea yelled at Becky to give up. Seeking to suplex Lynch in off the apron, Becky fought it off, Rea landed on her fet to block a manhandle from the top, Riptide to the buckle, another to the mat, for the win.
Big cheer. Rhea smiled maniacally then posed atop the buckle as Becky slumped in the corner.
Go get yourself a hot drink and a bed Ms Lynch.
WINNER: RHEA RIPLEY
Did not expect to still be hearing ‘Wassup’ in the year 2024. All got shortened entrances. That New Day video of them as Super Mario’s cute.
Damian Priest & Finn Balor vs DIY vs New Day vs Awesome Truth vs A-Town Down Under vs New Catch Republic (6-Pack Ladder Match, Undisputed Tag Titles)
Stips: Both sets of belts will be hanging from the rafters, up for grabs
Backstory: Your standard spot-fest
Crowd Response: Really into Truth – who was very entertaining; quiet for a lot of the rest outside of big spots
Match quality: Went a little long despite some cool spots
Cue mass brawling, all spilling quickly outside. A-Town (we’ll go with that for brevity) quickly tried to grab ladders and snatch the belts. Cue all now rushing in trying to win quickly. Like that – too many ladder matches feature guys not actually trying to win.
A third ladder now, all twelve on ladders, a lot of very choreographed-looking bumps into the ropes. Judgment Day were left with Bate who avoided a splash against a propped ladder then hooked Balor and a ladder onto his shoulders before taking him for a spin aboard the airplane.
All now brawling outside again until New Catch launched stereo moonsaults off the ladder to all the other guys outside. But were then taken out by Priest, who was intercepted by Miz as he tried to climb, Priest fought off a Skull Krushing Finale and Judgment Day setup a ladder in the corner.
Truth then stood on the apron asking for a tag, and took a hot tag, to a massive pop. He ran wild a la Cena, all into the five-knuckle, FU onto the ladder, Truth counted himself to a very popular pinfall. Miz tried to explain they couldn’t win that way and they went to work against Priest.
Truth then asked Gargano to tune up the band, thinking he was HBK since he was dressed like him. He hit a superkick then Ciampa hit a pedigree to the heels. The four faces then agreed to go after a set of belts each. Until A-Town returned to spoil the fun.
Then grab the Smackdown titles.
Grayson Waller was then powerbombed over the ropes onto a ladder bridge by New Catch. Gargano hit a gamengiri then a cannonball to take out several guys, Ciampa took care of the rest, they then went after tables, for which the crowd had been chanting. An ‘EC-dub’ chant began.
McAfee acknowledged there were loads last night. It’s refreshing the announcers are now able to talk about stuff like that.
DIY sought a suplex out onto two stacked tables, New Day fought them off and set Ciampa on a ladder bridge inside the ring. Woods went up top, limit break elbow through the ladder.
Crowd chanting for New Day as they tried to make the climb, fighting off everybody, until Kingston launched himself backwards onto almost all the guys, except Theory, who flung Woods off the ladder, heavy boos as he made the climb, Catch Republic intercepted and hit a double burning hammer.
They were then taken out by DIY via Ciampa air raid crash off the ladder (just mental) and Gargano put Dunne through a table via ddt. Crazy moves.
Truth left alone now, loud cheers and chants as he prepared to climb, intercepted by JD McDonough. Know it’s no rules but that’s pretty dumb.
McDonough basically pulled Balor up the ladder. New Day returned just as it seemed Balor was about to grab the belts. They took him out with a chair, McDonough left stranded on the ladder and sent up and over through the double tables at ringside.
Priest returning to take out New Day, Razor’s Edge onto a chair to Kofi. Priest now ready to climb, he stalled a while waiting for Miz to return, Priest went for South of Heaven but basically just loosely goozled Miz off.
Then replaced the ladder which was clearly broken. Handed to him by New Day, which Cole acknowledged.
R-Truth finally returned, hauling him off and FU-ing him up and over the ropes. He took his time setting the ladder, no-one anywhere near him, he grabbed the belts, finally unhooking them.
WINNER: Smackdown – A-Town Down Under; Raw – Awesome Truth
REY MYSTERIO & ANDRADE vs DOMINIK MYSTERIO & SANTOS ESCOBAR
Backstory: Escobar turned on Rey a while back; Dom’s been developing new friendships Rhea’s not too happy with; they kind of threw it all together and put him back against his father a couple weeks back; Dragon Lee was replaced by Andrade on last night’s Smackdown after the former was left laying
Crowd Response: Fairly into it
Match quality: Decent but nothing special, lots of quick tags and big moves, Andrade stood out in his brief moments, all the guys at ringside getting involved and it being fine was a little silly
Loud boos for Dom as he came out.
Rey and Santos to start, latter losing out, sent quickly to his own corner, tag to Dom. Who went to work on his dad until the latter slipped behind to tag Andrade. Who unloaded with big chops until catching a kick to the gut. But hit right back with his killer back elbow then double teamed Escobar with Rey, the heels sent out via headscissors before Rey climbed Andrade’s shoulders atop the buckle, both leaping off for a double cross body down to ringside.
Very cool. Crowd loved it.
Rey now sending Dom to the post, ass showing, Rey’s belt off; Dom fought free to send Rey to the apron, knock him off then do the same to Andrade. Before tagging Santos. Who teed off on Rey outside. Then flung him in, out-to-in legdrop through the ropes, shots from the mount, tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, Rey out at two.
Santos then held Rey in place as Dom vaulted in to a senton/backbreaker combo. Again for two. Man, he looks like Eddie hitting that move.
Rey briefly fought back but took a back elbow. For another two count. Heels both in for double dropkicks to the back of the neck. Yet another dos. Escobar now sitting Rey atop the buckle, looking to unmask him to the crowd then hauling him down into the tree of woe. And aiming a punt.
Then hooking something like an abdominal stretch on the mat, Andrade’s arm out for the tag, Rey trying to fight back, finally slipping off Santos’ shoulders into a code red, both down.
Tag made, Andrade in, dragon screws for all, leaping forearm and kip-up a la Shawn, wicked double knees to Dom in the corner, double-jump for a near fall. Dom ducked a lariat to hit a neckbreaker, both made tags, Rey in off the top, headscissors into the ropes, 619 coming, Dom sent outside trying to intercept, 619 hit, Andrade taking out Dom at ringside via moonsault off the top.
Rey then intercepted up top by Umberto, leading to a Santos rana with both stood atop the buckle. Rey kicking out again. Lopez hit the apron and was hauled off by Zelina, who hit a moonsault. All of the guys at ringside started taking each other out until Wild was slingshotted off the middle rope by Carlito and the other guy, onto all the heels.
Guys in masks then intervened to stop Dom grabbing a chair, flung him back in, Rey hit a 619, Andrade hit El Idolo, Rey hit a splash to Escobar: 1, 2, 3. Andrade put Rey on his shoulders as the guys in masks hit the ring. The masked guys unmasked to reveal Philadelphia Eagles players.
WINNER: REY MYSTERIO & ANDRADE
Lil Wayne then hit the ramp, it seemed like he was lip-synching. That ended quickly as Jey Uso’s music hit and Wayne hyped him to the ring. Crowd very up for this, lots of energy, hard not to with this theme. Loud boos too for his bro.
JEY USO vs JIMMY USO
Backstory: It’s brother vs brother after Jimmy cost Jay his title match with Roman last year to ‘save him from becoming Roman’ (or something)
Crowd Response: Very into the overall story and the key moments, quiet for a lot of the in-between…
Match quality: …Understandably, because this was story-focused and very slow with lots of long stoppages, guessing they figured they were leaving gaps for the drama to sink it, it didn’t quite come off
Jey flew at Jimmy before he reached the ring, beating him around ringside as the crowd yeeted. Heading inside for the bell to ring, Jey clotheslined his bro right back out, following via tope then flinging him right back in.
Gamengiri from the apron, cross body from the top, near fall.
Jey pausing now before launching himself – seemed like Jimmy was supposed to counter into a Samoan drop. Didn’t quite come off. Jimmy following via hip attack in the corner. Taunting his brother now in between nailing superkicks, lots of them, asking him to get up only to knock him right back down.
Crowd pretty quiet after starting hot. Brief ‘Jimmy sucks’ chant as he aimed another superkick. But missing off the top and taking a superkick from his brother, turnabout and all that.
Both to their feet, catching eyes, rushing into an exchange of rights – yeet/no – Jimmy fought free off Jey’s shoulders, Jey hit back via superkick, each hit enziguris, both down.
Slow so far.
They talked a little trash then got right back to sluggin, Jimmy fought off Jey’s shoulders again and hit another superkick; Jey hit one right back. Then more in the corner, talking smack as he nailed him repeatedly. Another long pause as he sized up a leaping one.
Jimmy down. The announcers insisting on ‘Main Event Jey’ is getting annoying.
Jey now talked smack as he lined up another superkick, Jimmy cowered and covered up, Jey pulled back on the kick. Jimmy said he was ‘Sorry… for everything.’ And offered his hand. Crowd loud now as Jey looked conflicted.
He took his brother’s hand, helped him up… and took another superkick. Jimmy to the top, splash, very near fall. More long stalling/waiting. As Jimmy lined up a spear but was intercepted by one of Jey’s own. For the popular win.
McAfee joined in the yeeting. Vividly. Graves understandably asking why his hips were so aggressive.
WINNER: JEY USO
Damage CTRL got a big entrance with geisha girls throwing flowers. Dope theme. Dakota looking very nice as Cole said she was brave to be in an outfit like that in this weather and he wouldn’t wear anything like it. The other announcers were appalled at the idea of Cole in that outfit.
The faces all came in together too, lowered down off a platform, posing like statues. They then stepped off the platform to their individual themes. Interested to see if Jade’s improved. Was not a fan in AEW. Bianca’s theme’s still a belter, luh those horns.
Even Asuka was dancing.
BIANCA BELAIR, JADE CARGILL & NAOMI vs ASUKA, KAIRI SANE & DAKOTA KAI
Backstory: Belair finally has backup in her feud with Damage CTRL after Cargill’s full debut
Crowd Response: Very into Jade… quiet for a lot of the rest
Match quality: …Which was somewhat the point as the whole match built to the tag; the action good, particularly from Bianca who looked great here
So apparently the babyfaces here are being referred to by some as the ‘PowerBuff Girls…’
Naomi and Asuka to start, Kairi entered and the heels took a double dropkick. Another to Kairi in the corner, Naomi on top until the other heels interfered. Leading to Kairi leaping out onto Naomi via elbow strike and seemingly crashing right into her face.
Then flinging her back in to bag two. And taking Naomi to the heel corner, Asuka in, the Warriors hit a series of kicks into a pinfall for two. Asuka continuing to work over Naomi who got a boot up in the corner, snapped the other heels against the top rope then nailed a kick to Asuka.
Still in the wrong corner, she made the crawl, fought free of Dakota, Bianca in, series of shots, dropkicks and backbreakers. Delayed vertical on Kairi, kip up, shoulder charge in the corner to both Warriors, ten in the corner too, flipping out to avoid a rushing Dakoda, tilt-a-whirl gutbuster, spinebuster to Asuka, before pressing Kairi onto both.
Man she’s a great athlete. Might be the best performer I’ve seen so far. Handspring moonsault onto all three. For two.
Jade asked for the tag, to loud cheers, Dakota cut it off. The heels now taking over: Asuka running knee after a flurry. Bianca out at two. Crowd chanting for Jade as Bianca was crushed in the heel corner.
Dakoda and Asuka went for a suplex, Bianca slipped out, landing on her feet and finally tagging Jade. Who aimed rights and boots at both, chokeslam to Asuka. Crowd loud as Kairi went upstairs but was caught into a backbreaker.
Dakoda back bodied after attacking from behind. Sloppily. As she landed badly on her hip. Jade hit a Michinoku Driver, the other heels saved the pin. Asuka accidentally blew mist at Kairi, Bianca hit a whip to Asuka that sounded like a damn gunshot then hit KOD.
Jade hit Jaded on Dakota to win.
Guessing she hasn’t improved all that much since they kept her input to a minimum. But has much stronger opponents to help her here than she did in AEW. And feels like a much bigger star. I fully expect the same to happen with Mariah May in a few years.
The faces posed before the crowd.
WINNER: BIANCA BELAIR, JADE CARGILL & NAOMI
Sami was shown getting ready backstage. His wife and son came up to offer support, Sami was still doubting himself until his kid said he could do it.
Nice work adding to the story and playing into what happened with Gable.
Gable then refused to accompany Zayn and said, ‘You got this on your own, you always did.’ But then heelishly noted Sami owed him a favor. We then followed Sami to the entrance as he fired himself up.
Until right before he went out, Kevin Owens was waiting to offer a hug and pump him up. All of which got a pop.
This is really nicely built. Don’t know that it’ll convince many Sami’s winning. But they’ve done the best job they could with what they’re working with.
The announcement of Gunther was phenomenal. This lady’s hilarious. Dude really has an aura too.
GUNTHER vs SAMI ZAYN (INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE)
Backstory: A low on confidence Zayn is being trained – perhaps overtrained? – by Chad Gable heading into his clash with the Immovable Object
Crowd Response: Quiet at first before really coming alive late
Match quality: A credit to both performers as they sculpted a hell of a match building brilliantly to an excellent babyface comeback for which the crowd went wild
Cole openly compared this to Rocky IV. Graves noted this wasn’t a movie.
Getting started with Sami trying to stay light on his feet but quickly forced to the corner, he cowered against a chop but fired up and fought out, shots to the head, chops to the chest until trying a springboard… and being dumped on his head via German.
Big chop now as Gunther went to work. Boot to the face, scoop slam, Zayn struggling already. Another big chop knocking Sami back on his ass. And again. European uppercut now as a dueling chant played.
Gunther lariat in the corner; stinging, wince-inducing chop atop the buckle before choking the challenger with his boot. Then stopping to pose and smile. Before continuing to beat and batter Sami: club to the back, big uppercut, Zayn crumbling to the mat.
Zayn’s wife was front row offering encouragement, Gunther jawed briefly with her.
A chop battle broke out, Zayn holding his own, big running lariat, both down. Sami to his feet first, taking more huge hits but absorbing them and firing right back, rights and lefts, big boot, half and half, another, but Gunther popped up to smash him down with a lariat.
And was up first, more big shots, Zayn blocking a powerbomb, series of shots, springboard tornado, Zayn sizing up a halluva kick, Gunther countering behind, blocking blue thunder too, Zayn firing crossfaces until Gunther slipped behind beautifully into a sleeper, dead center. That was smooth as hell.
Sami to his feet, Gunther on his back, Zayn nearly had the ropes but was hauled back via German. But Gunther ran into an exploder, halluva coming but met with a tyrannosaurus dropkick, powerbomb, stack, Zayn out at 2.9.
A wobbly Zayn struggling to his feet in the corner, smashed via running boot but following Gunther into the opposite corner via halluva, very near fall, crowd liked that, they’ve been very quiet otherwise.
Announcers said that was Zayn’s big shot and it didn’t get it done.
A second halluva countered via lariat, a pissed Gunther not messing around, pair of powerbombs. Sami out again! Crowd reacted big to that.
Gunther now stopped to talk smack to Zayn’s wife before turning to aim more chops at her husband, lariats too, Zayn struggling to get any further than his knees. Gunther continuing to mock Sami’s wife, asking if she wanted to come help him up.
Another brutal powerbomb. Before staring again at Zayn’s wife. Cole now yelling at the ref to stop the match. Regardless of what Zayn might say.
Gunther to the top, big splash, no attempt to cover. He headed right back up for another. Again, no cover. Again, stopping to jaw with Zayn’s wife from the apron.
As Sami fired up inside, crowd really behind him now, Gunther heading up top and being met via halluva, superplex coming, scratch that – brainbuster against the top buckle! My god that was brutal. Gunther staggering to the opposite corner, another halluva, Zayn readying another, hitting, Gunther dropping, crowd frothing, ref counting, 1, 2, 3.
Wow. Did not expect that.
Zayn grabbed his belt, went to celebrate with his wife who was tearing up. Very cool. First thing tonight that’s really felt like a ‘moment.’ Excellent storytelling both in and out of ring.
WINNER: SAMI ZAYN
Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce out to thank fans for watching.
Very long package highlighting each guy’s path to this match.
Big pop as Cody came out. Still a trip to see him come out to his exact AEW entrance. Crowd singing along to his theme. He really took his time going around ringside, stopping to hug his mom. And presenting his father-in-law, who is battling cancer, with his belt. Really hope they don’t go cheap heat with that.
Seth out looking like a drunken rainbow as usual. With a coat trailing behind him by a good couple of feet. And a hat pinned to his shoulder. That theme is awful. Redundant AF.
Rock got a big entrance, lightning flashes and a cool display across the entrance. And a flaming brahma bull in front of the ‘XL’ letters. Back to the old ‘Hollywood Rock’ theme I see. Maybe my favorite version of him – ‘Easy big fella.’
Cole noted he hasn’t had a true match in over a decade. Cody stared him down as his music stopped.
And Roman’s very mundane theme kicked in. Cool start; flat afterwards. He came out with Heyman of course. They set off a ton of fireworks as he held the belt up. This feels really big. Bit slow but hell of a presentation job.
Cole noted he equals Hulk Hogan for Mania main events tonight. And takes the lead tomorrow.
Reigns reached the ring and they set off more pyro as he again held the belt up.
Wow, lots of boos for Cody as Samantha announced him. Seemed like the same for Seth, though they transitioned into briefly singing his theme again. Rock got lots of cheers, slightly mixed with boos, into ‘Rocky’ chants. Samantha’s amazing, man – what an intro for Roman.
THE ROCK & ROMAN REIGNS vs CODY RHODES & SETH ROLLINS
Stips: If the Bloodline wins, tomorrow’s title match is Bloodline Rules; if the faces do, the Bloodline will be banned from ringside
Backstory: After things grew heated between Rock & Cody, the latter challenged Rock, who countered by offering this match, which’ll decide who has the advantage going into tomorrow’s title match as Cody looks to complete his story
Crowd Response: Very mixed for all kinds of reasons, there were Cody fans, Seth fans, Rock fans, Cody was definitely cheered vs Roman but not against Rock, the crowd were understandably flat for a slow match which went far too long, but were into the big moments
Match quality: See the bottom
All four hit the center of the ring, crowd up as this came close to starting. All four stood and stared for a long time. A loooooong time. The heels discussed who’d start and went with Roman. Seth for the good guys.
Collar and elbow, grappling for control, Roman headlock, whipped off, shoulder block, Seth down. Roman posed.
Back to it, Roman headlock, whipped off, Seth drop down/leapfrog, thrust kick. Cody asked in and some boos started again. Seems mixed since he was cheered upon actually entering. Lockup, Cody working the arm, shots to the shoulder joint, Roman whipping him to the buckle, following with a big lariat.
Cody hit a knee to the gut as Roman came off the ropes, more boos as he went to work with rights, ducked a lariat, another pause as we got back to a lockup. Man, this is slow.
Cody got a headlock, Seth blind tagging in, Roman saw he was 1 vs 2 and backed up. To tag the Rock. He and Seth now locking up until Rollins was launched backwards by the bigger man. Seth then one-upped him and the crowd sang his theme again.
More stalling.
Lockup into the corner, Rock aimed a cheap kick after the break then went to work with rights. Seth blocking a follow up, Rock to the buckle, rebounding out via lariat. Then beckoning Cody to ‘Just Bring It’. Crowd chanting for Cody now. Seems there are just sections of very different fans here.
Cody tagged in, they went face to face, dueling Rocky/Cody chants. Lockup to a break after a stalemate. More stalling. Crowd rising now. More dueling chants. Cody rights cut off by a single boot to the gut, Cody hit back via his drop down shot to the face, chop in the corner, stomps too, more big rights, tag to Seth as they went to work on the vet.
Double back-elbow, Roman in, Seth slingblade, heels down.
More stalling.
Ref trying to get back to 1:1. The faces raced at the heels instead, knocking them outside, brawling round ringside, Roman/Cody, Seth/Rock. The former heading up the ramp. The ref started to count and Rock said he’d fire him: ‘I don’t fuck around.’ Which was not bleeped.
At least they tried explaining why there are no countouts anyway. I’ll take it over, ‘The ref’s being lenient.’
Seth and Rock brawling into the crowd as the other two continued on the stage. Roman seeking a suplex, Cody blocking into one of his own. As Rock went to work with a trash can. Then grabbed some water and spat it over Seth. Cole resisting the temptation to say ‘Vintage!’ (He’s actually been quite good tonight tbf.)
Seth then beat him back over to ringside. And into the ring. The others nowhere to be seen. Until Roman appeared from out of nowhere to hit Seth’s knee from behind as he re-entered. Rollins spilling off the apron, selling his knee.
And Rock went to work back inside, whacking the joint against the ringpost. Then tagging Roman. The assault continuing on Seth’s knee. Half crab in the middle as Seth tried to scramble for the ropes. Finally kicking his way free after a long time, Roman immediately smashed him back down, knocking Cody off the apron but being knocked outside himself by Seth.
But Rollins followed and the heels doubled-up on him outside, Rock sending him twice into the steps. Back inside, tags in and out by the heels as they worked over Seth. This is really boring.
Roman hit a big boot then stared down Cody. And posed. Before motioning for the Superman. Rollins countering into a neckbreaker, needing to tag, crowd waking a little, Rock in, cutting off the tag and dragging Seth back to the heel corner.
Then blatantly low blowing Seth in front of the ref. Cole said the ref had apologized to Cody, saying he couldn’t do anything about it. Seth started fighting back, exchange of rights, one of Rock’s absolutely nailing Seth until the latter hit an enziguri.
Both down.
Roman ran in and was sent out, hooking Cody off the apron right as Seth dove for the tag. And Rock applied the sharpshooter. Cody in to break it before retreating to the apron, Seth hitting a Curb Stomp but further injuring his knee, double tags, Roman/Cody in, crowd seemingly cheering Cody here as the action finally picked up.
Nice exchange into a snap powerslam from Cody, disaster kick, Cody cutter, cover, Roman out at two. Rhodes posing now, CrossRhodes coming, countered, a second Cody cutter met via Superman Punch, Cody kicked out.
Reigns bleeding, readying a spear out of the corner, which Cody avoided, tag to Seth during a Cody cutter, Seth in via splash, near fall. Rollins readying a Stomp, Reigns countered via powerbomb, signalling the Spear again, Seth punted him, tag to Cody, pair of superkicks, double superkick, Curb Stomp, CrossRhodes, Rock pulled the ref out right before three.
They emphasized this is what Bloodline Rules would be like.
As Rock sent Seth to the barricade. And Roman hit a low blow, Spear, Cody out at 2.9. Huge cheer. From a section of the fans at least. Cody chants too.
Roman grabbed a guillotine choke, Cody fading, trying to fight out but being tripped down by Rock from the outside. Seth came in to Stomp Roman to break the hold but again hurt his knee. Rock bundled him outside. And went to receive the tag.
Cole keeps complaining about the lack of rules and saying there are none.
They cut to Cody’s mom. Rock grabbed the belt and said Cody’s blood was on it and her tears were next. Then headed in to whip Cody, who countered with a kick to the gut, briefly got his belt but took a Rock right.
Before Cody snapped off Dusty jabs, bionic elbow, Rock down. But recovering to nail a spinebuster. Huge pop as he stood over Cody ahead of a People’s Elbow. Pad into the crowd, Cody countered the move into a cutter. That was not smart, people really wanted to see it and he was booed heavily.
Cody hooked CrossRhodes but took a Superman as Reigns entered, all three down or slumped, Roman holding himself up in the corner, Spear coming, Seth ran in to save Cody and Roman nailed Rock, huge pop.
The faces hit stereo pedigrees, the heels kicked out, crowd couldn’t believe it.
Cody and Seth helped each other up and hugged before splitting off after each heel. Seth took out Roman with a cross body to the outside. Rock gouged Cody’s eyes then cleared the Spanish announce table. And spat more water.
He dumped Cody onto the desk then readied a Rock Bottom. Seth tried to save Cody again, allowing Rhodes to nail a Rock Bottom from one desk through another, as Roman crushed Seth through the barricade with a Spear, ‘Holy Shit’ from the crowd.
Cody now trying to haul Rock back into the ring, nailed by Roman as he did, Reigns tagging in, firing rights to Cody who was on his knees. But fought up – yay/boo – crowd definitely behind Rhodes here, who rebounded off the ropes, ducked a lariat, CrossRhodes, rolling through into a second, seeking a third, but exposing his back to the ropes, allowing Rock to absolutely smack him with the weightbelt, Roman Spear.
Rock asking for the tag, getting it, a little reluctantly on Roman’s part. Rock Bottom, People’s Elbow coming, Rock making a throat slashing gesture first, Elbow hit, Rock wins.
So this was a poor match, but setup lots of stories. Not least the one tomorrow. Because the smartest outcome here was the heels winning. It creates the most doubt about who’s winning going into tomorrow’s main event. And creates an obvious Cody/Rock match in the future. While also giving Seth an ‘out’ in his match with Drew, due to his dodgy knee.
Rock and Roman posed again as pyro went off once more.
WINNER: ROCK & ROMAN REIGNS
So as a usual AEW viewer, but one who feels the show is often too busy, this was a really nice change of pace. Some might complain about the long breaks between matches for packages and such.
But it’s inarguable they allowed everything to have its own spotlight, to sink in, to highlight stars, for fans to breathe a little between matches. They did lose the balance after the IC match, on what was until then an entertaining night of wrestling. Building to what felt like a really massive main event which did not deliver in the ring. It could’ve gone half as long and still told the same stories.
But does set the stage for tomorrow – both babyfaces have a lot to overcome.
Just because one night is not enough, we have another night of WrestleMania which means another round of betting odds.
These are the early odds so far, which are a long way from being final, but an early indication of where things are going. Tomorrow we will have the latest updates.
It is not often that Roman Reigns is an underdog in a match but for the main event tomorrow, Reigns is actually the underdog as everyone is expecting Cody Rhodes to finish his damn story. Reigns is 2/1 to keep the title while Cody is 4/11 favorite to dethrone the Tribal Chief.
Will Drew McIntyre finally get his title win in front of fans? Bookmakers think so as they have him 2/5 and favorite to become the new WWE World Heavyweight champion against Seth Rollins who is 7/4 to retain.
Odds are not looking good either for Iyo Sky, the reigning WWE Women’s champion as her opponent, Bayley, is the favorite to walk out with the gold. Bayley is 1/4 in her numbers while Sky is 11/4 to retain it.
Things seem better for United States champion Logan Paul as he is 4/11 favorite to keep the title in the triple threat match against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Orton has 5/2 odds while Owens is at 4/1.
LA Knight has his first-ever WrestleMania match against ring veteran AJ Styles tomorrow and Knight is 2/7 favorite YEAH to win against Styles who is at 5/2.
And in the Philadelphia Street Fight, The Pride have odds of 4/11 and favorites while The Final Testament are 2/1 underdogs.
Collision will have a special start time of 11:30PM ET tonight due to the coverage of NCAA basketball on TNT. The show was taped this past Wednesday following Dynamite.
Matches scheduled for the broadcast are Penta El Zero Miedo vs Komander, FTR vs Top Flight in the second semi final in the AEW Tag Team title tournament, Claudio Castagnoli vs The Butcher, Chris Jericho and Hook vs Shayne Taylor Promotions, House of Black vs Christopher Daniels, Matt Sydal, and Bryan Keith in a trios match, Yuka Sakazaki vs Trish Adora, and Pac vs Encore Moore.
While the 11:30PM start time is not ideal, the show also avoids going head-to-head with WrestleMania night one.
