Wrestlemania XLI Night Two
Date: April 20, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Wade Barrett
Star Spangled Banner: Ava Max

It’s the second night of the show and in this case it’s going to be a bit of an odd card. The big main event is Cody Rhodes defending the Smackdown World Title against the now evil John Cena, which sounds good on paper but it might wind up being quite the mess. Other than that, we have a triple threat for the Raw Women’s Title which sounds promising. Let’s get to it.

The opening video is a recap of last night’s show, followed by a preview for tonight. This is rather generic by Wrestlemania standards.

Here is Stephanie McMahon to get things going. She talks about Wrestlemania IX happening when she was 16 years old and now she’s here with her 16 year old daughter. Anyway welcome to the show.

Raw Women’s Title: Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair

Sky is defending. Belair won the Elimination Chamber but Ripley stole the contract and signed it herself (as contracts in wrestling are weird) but Belair was guest referee. It ended in a double DQ so here’s the triple threat. Belair has a double dutch team and a bunch of young girls, which feels like it has to be a charity thing (cool). Ripley gets a ridiculous reaction and is definitely the crowd favorite.

Sky breaks up their staredown to start because she’s tired of being an afterthought. A nice hurricanrana takes Ripley down but she’s right back up with a dropkick to send Ripley outside. That gives us Belair vs. Ripley, with Belair sending her into the corner to hammer away. Sky is back in with a double Blockbuster and Ripley is sent outside,, allowing Belair to roll some suplexes.

Ripley breaks up Belair’s handspring but Belair catches a diving Sky and swings her into the barricade. Back in and Belair has to save Sky from the Prism Trap so they go to the corner for a kind of backwards Tower of Doom. Sky is back up to drop Ripley but gets caught with Belair’s 450. Ripley makes the save and grabs the Riptide for two on Belair and she’s shocked at the kickout. Sky reverses a Riptide into a DDT and puts Ripley on top. Ripley’s super Riptide is countered into a headscissors but Over The Moonsault hits raised boots.

The KOD hits Sky but Ripley makes the save, leaving everyone down. Belair yells at Ripley and gets knocked outside as a result. Sky tries a super poisonrana to Ripley but gets reversed into an Alabama Slam onto the post. Belair can’t hit the KOD but she can whip Ripley with her hair (YEOWCH). Now the KOD connects but Sky comes in with Over The Moonsault for the pin to retain at 14:24.

Rating: A-. This was outstanding, as they basically went out there and did everything they could think of trying, albeit with the match making sense and going until one of them stole the pin. You had a case where all three could have won and it made for an incredible opener. This is one of the Wrestlemania classics and it was great stuff all around. Check this out if you get the chance.

We recap Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest. McIntyre won the World Title last year at Wrestlemania but Priest took it from him via Money In The Bank. McIntyre has blamed Priest for all of his problems, which Priest doesn’t like. They’ve brawled multiple times, with McIntyre’s eye being injured and Priest getting dropped head first onto the steps. Now it’s time for a street fight.

Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest

Street fight.  McIntyre looks like a half Celtic Warrior/half Terminator, while Priest is played to the ring by the guitarist from Slayer. They waste no time in brawling out to the floor and Priest gets the better of things. Priest throws the steps at McIntyre’s head and loads up the table, which takes too long and allows McIntyre to fight back. Another steps shot drops Priest for a change and McIntyre hits him in the side of the head with a chair.

Two more tables are set up next to each other at ringside and McIntyre seems way too pleased. Priest fights back but gets knocked out to the floor, with McIntyre hitting a big running flip dive. The Claymore is cut off with a thrown chair, which McIntyre somehow blocks and hits a Claymore for two. McIntyre wraps the chair around Priest’s neck but Priest fights back again.

That earns him a spinebuster and a table is set up in the ring. That’s broken up so the steps are brought in, with Priest getting Futureshocked onto the steps for two. Priest gets back up and tries Old School, only to take too much time and get knocked off the top and through the tables at ringside. Priest is mostly done so McIntyre puts his head against a chair in the corner. The big Claymore sends Priest’s head into the chair for the pin at 13:57.

Rating: B. The opener was about all kinds of action while this was all about violence and carnage. They beat the heck out of each other with McIntyre getting the better of things for the most part. It was a match between two people who hated each other and wanted to hurt each other in as many ways as they could. Good stuff here, though I could have gone for more offense from Priest.

We recap Bron Breakker defending the Intercontinental Title. Judgment Day, in this case Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio (who are having issues of their own) are coming for the title, with Penta getting in on things as well. Since it’s Wrestlemania, it’s four way time.

Intercontinental Title: Bron Breakker vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor

Breakker is defending and goes after Mysterio to start but gets sent outside instead (where Carlito is lurking around too). Penta sends Judgment Day to the floor and hits the big running flip dive. Breakker runs Penta over though and then hits a World’s Strongest Slam. The gorilla press powerslam drops Balor and a Super Spear gets two on Mysterio with Balor making the save.

Breakker is not pleased with Balor’s actions so Penta throws Mysterio and Balor into the corner for the double slingshot dropkick. Breakker doesn’t like that and takes out Judgment Day, only to spear the post by mistake. Mysterio is back up and goes after Breakker, who suplexes Mysterio and Balor at the same time. Breakker’s super Frankensteiner gets two on Balor but he’s able to knock Breakker outside. Mysterio dropkicks Balor in the back and tries a 619, earning himself quite the beating from Balor.

Penta Penta Drivers Balor for two with Breakker making the save. Breakker and Penta trade shots to the face but Carlito low bridges Breakker to the floor. Carlito makes another save after a Mexican Destroyer to Mysterio and goes after Penta, only to get speared through the announcers’ table. Back in and we hit the parade of knockdown, including a Super Spear to Penta but Balor dropkicks Breakker into the corner. The Coup de Grace connects…but Mysterio hits the frog splash to steal the pin on Balor for the title at 10:31.

Rating: B-. This was a way to get the title off of the unstoppable Breakker and dang if they didn’t have a great way out of it. Mysterio is the best choice of the three challengers as the fans are into what he’s doing and it’s easy to see why. He’s a great choice of someone in over his head but making it work out so well. Another rather entertaining match, with Breakker looking safe and getting to move up and Mysterio getting his big moment.

Mysterio celebrates like nuts, even leaving the ring and then running back down the ramp to do it again.

Video on Randy Orton’s Wrestlemania history. Orton was set for a big grudge match with Kevin Owens but Owens needs neck surgery, leaving Orton with no opponent. It’s open challenge time and for once, that’s the best option they had.

Randy Orton vs. ???

Orton (in gear reminiscent of what he wore in his debut) calls out anyone and…TNA World Champion (this is non-title of course) Joe Hendry of all people accepts. I didn’t see this coming at the time and it’s a heck of a surprise. The fans go rather nuts for him and we cut to Orton with a look on his face saying “ok, this guy has something”.

Hendry wrestles him down to start and hits a running shoulder on a slightly surprised Orton. The fans get behind Hendry, who tries the Standing Ovation. Orton is NOT pleased and pokes him in the eye, followed by the snap powerslam. Hendry is right back with the fall away slam and does his spinning pose…right into the RKO for the pin at 3:11.

Rating: C+. This wasn’t a great match or anything, but they were stuck in a rough situation here and did the best they could. Hendry was literally a fill in for Owens and had no issue with Orton. It was a cool surprise and the fans were into Hendry so this went about as well as it could have gone. I’ll take this over some thrown together grudge match as it’s certainly more memorable.

Post match Orton helps him up and of course gives him another RKO. Orton does Hendry’s spin into his own pose and gives Hendry a friendly slap on the chest.

We recap Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles. This gets a rather intense build, with the focus being on Styles being a career wrestler who pulled himself up while Paul showed up as a superstar. Therefore, it’s time to fight with a natural issue between them. As usual, sometimes it’s better to keep it simple.

Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles

Paul has a drone filming his entrance, which then flies around the stadium until he catches it back in the ring. That’s certainly different. Paul powers him into the corner to start and grabs a headlock. That’s broken up so Styles gives him a running shoulder into a dropkick. Paul knocks him outside but Styles catches him in the ring skirt (ala Fit Finlay) and chops away.

Styles whips him into the barricade but Paul manages some rams into the post. The drone starts shooting the match as Paul sends him back inside for the frog splash. The Overbomb (Big Show’s Alley Oop) gets two, with Styles having to grab the rope. Styles is back up with some right hands so Paul moonsaults him out of the corner for two. Paul fires off some European uppercuts and poses (makes sense for him), allowing Styles to fight back.

The Styles Clash is broken up though and Paul hits a great looking Lionsault (with some distance on it) for two. Styles catches him in the corner but the Styles Clash is blocked. Instead Paul sends him into the corner and hits a Buckshot Lariat for two. Paul’s big right hand is countered into a torture rack bomb for two.

Paul knocks him back down and hits a Styles Clash, only for Styles to roll into one of his own. They’re both down though so here is one of Paul’s goons with the brass knuckles. Karrion Kross pops up to cut the knuckles off though and Styles sends the good flying. Kross puts the knuckles down but Styles throws them away and decks Kross before going back inside. Back in and Paul hits the big right hand and grabs the Paulverizer for the pin at 17:32.

Rating: B. As usual, Paul gets to show what he can do on the big stage and does it rather well. Styles is someone who can work with any opponent and make them better, which is a big part of why he stayed around at such a high level for so long. This was pretty much exactly what you would expect and it wound up going well. Paul gets a big win and Styles looks fine in defeat. It works fine.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Raquel Rodriguez/Liv Morgan vs. Lyra Valkyria/???

Valkyria and someone are challenging after Bayley was attacked yesterday. The mystery partner is…Becky Lynch, who has been gone since May. Morgan and Lynch start things off but let’s go with Rodriguez instead. Lynch decks Rodriguez but goes after Morgan instead. Valkyria comes in for the springboard wristdrag and the fans certainly seem to approve

Back in and Morgan shoves Valkyria off the top, right into a boot from Rodriguez for two. Morgan comes back in and stomps away in the corner before rolling some suplexes. That means an Eddie Guerrero dance before she knocks Lynch off the apron and covers Valkyria for two. Rodriguez’s slingshot Jackhammer gets two but she misses an elbow drop. An enziguri hits Morgan, who goes outside and pulls Lynch out to the floor.

Lynch comes in to clean a bit of house but she’s sent outside, leaving Rodriguez to give Valkyria a Tour Of The Islands. Valkyria fights up and makes the real tag off to Lynch and the pace picks way back up. Rodriguez has to save Morgan from a cross armbreaker so Lynch low bridges Rodriguez to the floor. Oblivion hits Lynch with Valkyria making the save. Valkyria takes out Rodriguez and it’s the Manhandle Slam to pin Morgan for the titles at 8:39.

Rating: B-. Lynch coming back was a nice surprise, though I think you’re seeing where this is going (mainly because it was a year ago). They would drop the titles back to Morgan and Rodriguez the next night on Raw and of course Lynch attacked Bayley. It was still a nice return, with Lynch showing up after a rather long absence, as she always makes things better. The action was good too, which isn’t a surprise as Morgan and Rodriguez work well together.

Here is Steve Austin on his four wheeler and yes he rams into the barricade, knocking a woman down in the process (cue Nick Khan to check on the woman and probably give here whatever she wants). Austin announces the attendance of 63,226 but thinks that’s low so he demands a recount. He starts counting the fans (complete with WHAT) and gets to about twenty before announcing that it’s a two night total of 124,693 (which would eventually be revealed to be good for about SIXTY SIX MILLION DOLLARS in ticket sales). Also, note that Austin literally just got a reaction for counting. That’s talent.

We recap John Cena challenging Cody Rhodes for the Smackdown World Title. Cena is on his retirement tour and won the title shot by winning the Elimination Chamber. Then the Rock showed up to offer Cody Rhodes a spot on the team (in exchange for his soul). Rhodes turned him down…but Cena didn’t, as he was now evil for the first time in over twenty years and now has the Rock behind him on the way towards getting his 17th World Title. Rhodes will be fighting for WWE, which actually works as the fans do NOT like Cena, who is claiming that he doesn’t need the fans and their abuse.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena

Rhodes has a bunch of motorcycle/motocross drivers on the stage for his entrance. After the Big Match Intros, Rhodes grabs a headlock and then shoulders Cena to the floor, leaving Cena less than thrilled. Back in and a hammerlock sends Cena to the ropes again so he goes outside for another breather. A headscissors puts Cena down again but he’s back up with a headlock this time.

Rhodes isn’t having that and drives him into the corner, where Cena comes back with a right hand to put Rhodes down. Cena stomps away and catapults Rhodes throat first into the bottom rope. A clothesline drops Rhodes again and we hit the chinlock. Rhodes fights up and gets taken right back down with a side slam for two. Some ax handles rock Rhodes again and Cena pokes the eyes to cut him off again.

A tornado DDT gives Cena two and some flying shoulders have Rhodes in more trouble. Rhodes gets up from the Shuffle though and it’s a powerslam into the Cody Cutter for a quick two. The AA out of nowhere gives Cena two and he can’t help but laugh. Cena takes him up top for a super AA and another near fall. That leaves Cena to go up top but he dives into a powerbomb for two. The Cody Cutter gets two but it’s another AA into the STF. Cena tries to pull him into the middle, only for Rhodes to kick Cena into the referee.

Cross Rhodes connects for no cover so Cena ribs a turnbuckle pad off. Rhodes is sent into the buckle twice in a row and there’s the fourth AA for two more. Cue Travis Scott (with a replica Hardcore Title, because that was a thing for him) who comes to the stage….and is finally off of it almost a minute later.

After nearly two minutes, Scott is on the apron as the match has just entirely stopped for this entrance. Rhodes is distracted by Scott but grabs Cross Rhodes, only for Scott to pull the referee. Scott FINALLY gets inside for the staredown with Rhodes, who gives him Cross Rhodes. Cena’s belt shot is blocked so Rhodes teases one of his own, but Cena begs off. Since Rhodes hesitates, Cena kicks him low and hits Rhodes with the belt for the pin and the title at 25:04.

Rating: D+. So this is a weird one, as they had a slow paced match (which was fine) for the most part, which then picked up near the end and felt more like a big main event fight. The problem though is the Scott stuff, which was a mixture of bad and unwanted. I’m still not sure why Cena and Scott were supposed to be friends but it was tied to the Rock, who wasn’t there. At the same time you have Rhodes looking like a moron while Cena got to look that much smarter. This wasn’t a great match, though it was fine enough until everything fell apart at the end.

Post match Cena gets his 17th title and Scott comes back in for the big celebration. Rhodes staggers away to end the show. No Rock, which would be the case for…the rest of Cena’s in-ring career, because the whole thing got dropped, leaving the story with nowhere to go. You know, because that’s a good thing for the biggest story in wrestling.

Overall Rating: B-. There were good matches during the show, with the opener being a classic, but the main event really didn’t work out so well (ok that’s an understatement). If you can get away from the main event, the show is that much better, but dang it drags things down. It’s far from a great show, but the opener and things like Hendry’s surprise appearance and Mysterio winning the title are enough to carry it.

Overall Overall Rating: B. As has been the case with every year since Wrestlemania went to two nights, there is a heck of a one night show in there but there is so much dragging it back down. On the positive sides though, you have the great set and production, some solid matches and Punk finally getting a Wrestlemania main event. I did like the show, but stretching the whole thing to about seven hours, even over two days, is still a long sit. The good here is very good, though you might want to stop it when the Rhodes and Cena recap begins.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: April 13, 2026
Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, California
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s a special show this week with the final Raw before this weekend’s Wrestlemania. That means we are not likely in for much in the way of the wrestling, but we should be getting a lot when it comes to hyping up matches. If nothing else, it should be the last big push between Roman Reigns and CM Punk. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Roman Reigns joins us to start and talks about how the fans trust him more than CM Punk because he’s real with them. We see some of Punk’s recent actions and what Pat McAfee has said about him. Reigns is giving Punk one more chance to tell the truth tonight. This was approved by Roman Reigns. Odd ending but ok.

We look at the Brock Lesnar/Oba Femi contract signing brawl from last week.

Adam Pearce is in the ring with HHH to open the show and says tonight, Lesnar and Femi will sign their contract separately. This brings out Paul Heyman, who says no one will get close to Lesnar during Wrestlemania fight week. Lesnar comes to the ring and signs, with a tip of his hat to Pearce. Heyman goes to talk about Femi, but Lesnar takes the mic and says no one will know Femi’s name after Wrestlemania. Heyman says there will be a winner and a loser and the winner will be Lesnar.

We look at the setup for the Wrestlemania six man tag.

The Vision is training with IShowSpeed, who is worried due to the whole “I’m not a wrestler” issue. They tell him that it doesn’t matter so he gets in the ring with the vision and what appears to be Dante Chen and Edris Enofe. Speed hits a nice high crossbody and a rather aggressive Boston crab before declaring himself ready.

Charlotte vs. Lyra Valkyria

Their partners are here too. Valkyria takes her down into a headlock to start but Charlotte reverses, only for Valkyria to slip away. Charlotte nips up and Valkyria drops her with a spinwheel kick, much to Bayley’s approval. A whip into the corner sends Charlotte to the apron and Valkyria kicks her to the floor. The dive misses though and Charlotte hits a big boot as we take a break.

We come back with Valkyria hitting a top rope ax kick for two but her moonsault hits knees. Charlotte’s moonsault connects for two but Natural Selection is blocked. Something like a fisherman’s buster gives Valkyria two so Charlotte throws her onto Bayley. Back in and Charlotte tries a rollup but Bayley trips her down to give Valkyria the pin at 10:24.

Rating: C+. This was another basic preview for the four (or maybe three) way at Wrestlemania. That’s not a bad way to go as Valkyria getting a pin on Charlotte is one way to change the titles. These random matches are about all you can do with the match set up and the match was completely acceptable.

Post match we get a staredown but it doesn’t get physical.

LA Knight and the Usos are ready for Wrestlemania but here are Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s to interrupt. Sikoa insults Knight and calls him an embarrassment, so Knight wants a six man tag against any of the MFT’s tonight.

We look at a clip from the Hulk Hogan documentary, focusing on the original NWO turn.

Here is Stephanie Vaquer for a chat…and Liv Morgan pops up from behind to shove her into Cathy Kelly. Agents break them up and Morgan calls her a little b****. Vaquer charges in and the brawl is on again before they’re separated again, leaving Morgan screaming a lot.

Video on Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill, including Iyo Sky being taken out.

Sky is in the back when the Kabuki Warriors come up. Asuka calls Sky Ripley’s sidekick but Sky tries to tell Sane that she doesn’t have to listen to this. That’s cut off and Asuka makes Sky vs. Sane for tonight. Asuka calls Sane a good girl and they leave together.

Usos/LA Knight vs. MFT’s

Jimmy knocks Mateo into the corner to start and it’s off to Jey for a running forearm. Jey clotheslines Mateo to the floor for a big dive and we take a rather early break. We come back with Sikoa knocking Jimmy to the floor but Jey fights his way out of trouble. Knight comes in to clean house and Mateo is sent outside. Knight drops Loa but Mateo makes the save as everything breaks down. Jey low bridges Sikoa to the floor, where Sikoa sends him over the announcers’ table. Cue Tama Tonga (not here earlier) for a staredown with Sikoa, who isn’t pleased with him. During the distraction, Knight gives Loa the BFT for the pin at 6:48.

Rating: C+. This was another fine match, though I’m not sure why they needed a break in a match that doesn’t even last seven minutes. The good thing is Knight and the Usos have some momentum heading into Wrestlemania. Yeah it’s just a celebrity match, but at least it’s something a bit unique rather than the same multi team/man stuff we get elsewhere.

We look at Pat McAfee and Cody Rhodes’ segment from Smackdown. This resulted in Randy Orton beating up Jelly Roll.

Here is Gunther for a chat…and never mind as Seth Rollins runs in to knock Gunther outside. Rollins heard Gunther say it was personal between them last week and he wants to know why. He offers Gunther a chance to get in the ring and explain (which makes you wonder why he beat Gunther up in the first place) so Gunther grabs a mic.

Gunther goes face to face with Rollins and says it has ticked him off to hear Rollins talk about how he was the best in the world. When Gunther was World Champion and going for the best competition in the world, Rollins became Paul Heyman’s servant. Gunther says it’s personal to him because he wants to prove he’s the best in the world. The fight is on with Rollins knocking him to the floor but Gunther avoids a Stomp on the steps and bails into the crowd. That is a rather basic explanation from Gunther but it’s something that makes perfect sense for him.

We get a video narrated by John Cena advertising Club WWE (which has been shown in graphics for the last few weeks), which is a way to get fans exclusive access to various things. No word on how much it costs but I’ve heard worse ideas.

We see some smoke with red lights flashing over it and….yeah the Demon is officially back to face Dominik Mysterio.

Dominik Mysterio isn’t happy with Adam Pearce for letting this happen but he didn’t sign to face the Demon so the match has to be canceled. That won’t happen, and Pearce doesn’t care for Dominik talking about his father like he’s a loser. Pearce tells him to go look in the mirror because he’ll get what he deserves.

Iyo Sky vs. Kairi Sane

Sane takes her down and pounds away, followed by a running shoulder in the corner. A nice looking top rope forearm and we hit the chinlock. Sky fights up and flips out of a headscissors before taking Sane outside. The moonsault off the barricade drops Sane again and we take a break.

We come back with Sky’s missile dropkick connecting to send Sane into the corner. Over The Moonsault is broken up so they both go up top, with Sky being knocked into the ropes. Sane is knocked down so cue Asuka to send Sky into the post. This brings out Rhea Ripley (Asuka rolls up her sleeves) for the brawl but Jade Cargill runs in to jump Ripley from behind. Sane dives onto Cargill but Asuka breaks up Over The Moonsault again. Sane’s rollup gets the pin at 9:57.

Rating: B. This wound up being a match with a big angle and I got into what we were seeing. The Asuka vs. Ripley brawl didn’t last long but it made perfect sense for all of the run-ins. That’s a nice way to build up a few stories at once and it happened to come with a rather good match as well.

Video on AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch.

Here are Adam Pearce and HHH for the signing with Oba Femi. Cue Femi, who signs the contract without saying a word. Paul Heyman pops up on stage to say he has never seen someone be perceived as the best around as fast as Femi. Heyman says Femi is the most violent person to come into WWE since Brock Lesnar so the fans chant for OBA.

This annoys Heyman again, but he says that everything comes crashing down for Lesnar at Wrestlemania. Don’t worry though, because Heyman’s door will always be open to him after Wrestlemania. The fans want Femi to beat Heyman up, but Femi says those scars will heal. The emotional beating after he beats Lesnar though? That never goes away. There are twenty five years of history that Lesnar can’t be beaten but Femi has four weeks of evidence that he can. It’s time to end the Beast and everyone can feel it.

Heyman has been Lesnar’s mouthpiece but he has never been an honest one. If Heyman was honest, he would have come out here and said that Lesnar was scared. Femi is the mountain that Lesnar cannot climb and the Beast is being slayed at Wrestlemania. Femi’s delivery isn’t perfect (granted he doesn’t have much experience) but I believed what he was saying and it sounded like he did too, which is a big part.

We get a Liv Morgan music video for a song called Trouble. This is certainly different, but it’s basically just an excuse to have Morgan dancing on TV in various outfits.

Je’Von Evans/Dragon Lee vs. JD McDonagh/Rusev

McDonagh stomps Lee down in the corner to start and hits a hard clothesline. Evans gets knocked off the apron and it’s off to Rusev to keep Lee in trouble. That’s broken up and it’s off to Evans to make the comeback. Rusev gets low bridged to the floor but McDonagh Asai moonsaults onto Lee. Evans dives onto him but gets fall away slammed onto the announcers’ table.

We take a break and come back with Lee’s running hurricanrana to send McDonagh into Rusev. McDonagh is able to catch him with a running Spanish fly so Evans is back with a flipping kick to the head. The huge dive over the top takes Rusev out, leaving Lee to roll McDonagh up for two. The Styles Clash puts McDonagh away at 8:13.

Rating: B-. This was a fast paced tag match with Rusev playing a good monster. That’s something the ladder match has been needing, as it has felt very thrown together. Giving it a bit of attention is a good idea and hopefully they can deliver on Sunday. The problem is that it’s still a bit thrown together, but this was the best build it has gotten thus far.

Post match Rusev wrecks the winners, as is his custom. Rey Mysterio runs in for the save attempt but gets taken out. Cue Penta but Rusev clears the ring again, including taking out McDonagh. Rusev grabs the Accolade on Lee and cranks way back.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Danhausen interrupts Adam Pearce and wants to talk to John Cena on the phone. Cena isn’t on the phone, though Danhausen hopes that he can see him at Wrestlemania. And then Danhausen disappears.

Here is Roman Reigns for the big closing segment. Reigns takes his time to set up the catchphrase but here is CM Punk, in the crowd, to cut him off. Punk takes his own sweet time to get to ringside, where he gets on the announcers’ table. Punk talks about watching the cold open and says stop him when he’s telling lies. Reigns says they won’t need these mics but Punk says this he hates Reigns because he envies him.

This is all Punk has ever wanted and he is jealous that it was handed to Reigns. He hates that Reigns was champion for so long, because he knows how hard Reigns worked to do that. Punk says the legacy is about how many and he hates how many times Reigns has main evented Wrestlemania. He hates that he feels this way before shifting over to Sika (Reigns’ father).

The reality is that Sika was a champion and a great man and a Hall Of Famer. Punk respects the old timers and he apologizes for invoking Sika’s name in vain. He hates that there is more than one royal family in wrestling and he hates that he wasn’t born into a dynasty. Punk doesn’t know what it’s like to have that kind of family. He grew up on the streets of Chicago and had to find his family.

Those people were found in barns, bowling alleys, abandoned churches and VFW halls. Punk conquered the indies and then he went to Japan and England and he made wrestling his home and family. Punk hates that he feels this way and he hates that he has to share his first singles Wrestlemania main event with Reigns. Tell him when he’s telling lies. He has gold on his shoes and gold around his waist, and on Sunday night after their fight, the gold will be around his head because he’ll still be Heavyweight Champion of the World. Tell him when he’s telling lies (Reigns has just stared at him during this whole thing).

Reigns says that’s probably the truest stuff he’s ever heard Punk say, except for the ending. The truth is he’s hated Punk for a long time, but that’s because of the relationship Punk has with the fans. He hopes that they chant for him when he leaves. No one can take away the connection he has with the fans and that’s his truth. The reality is that the time is up because on Sunday it’s not “AND STILL”, because it’s “AND NEW”.

The nostalgia act is through and on Sunday we fix this mess that Punk has made. On Sunday, the Tribal Chief takes over again and you, and everyone else, will acknowledge him. The staredown ends the show. Reigns didn’t get to say much but he didn’t really need to. This was a money promo and felt like a Wrestlemania go home speech from Punk, who showed some rare vulnerability. There have been some problems with this Wrestlemania build but this hasn’t been one of them.

Overall Rating: B. The wrestling wasn’t much here but that’s almost always the case with five days to go until Wrestlemania. This show was mainly focused on talking and the stuff we got worked well, with Punk’s speech and Femi’s response to Heyman going strong. I want to see their matches over the weekend as the Raw half of the shows are looking good. They mostly stuck the landing here, though the weekend is what really matters.

Results
Lyra Valkyria b. Charlotte – Rollup
Usos/LA Knight b. MFT’s – BFT to Loa
Kairi Sane b. Iyo Sky – Rollup
Je’Von Evans/Dragon Lee b. JD McDonagh/Rusev – Styles Clash to McDonagh

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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AAA On FOX
Date: April 11, 2026
Location: Gimnasio Olimpico Juan de la Barrera, Mexico City, Mexico
Commentators: Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio, John Bradshaw Layfield

We’re back to a fresh show after last week’s taped post-Rey de Reyes event. This week is big enough, as we have Flammer’s Reina de Reinas celebration, but the bigger deal is Penta defending the Intercontinental Title for the first time in AAA. That’s quite the big deal and that has me interested so let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We’re starting with Flammer’s record setting Reina de Reinas celebration, with the other members of Las Toxicas handling her introduction. We get a video on her title reign, with various comments from celebrities/wrestlers praising the accomplishments. Back in the arena, Flammer says she doesn’t know these people but they’re beneath her.

She beat Bayley and others, but she also wants to thank the Mexican women she stepped on to get here. She has beaten everyone and her coronation will never end. We cut to a pink car and La Catalina is here. This gets quite the reaction and she praises Flammer, but says Flammer has never faced someone like her. Flammer is sent into the cake and gets cleared out as Catalina looks at the title. Catalina was in CMLL as of about two weeks ago so this is quite the fast turnaround.

Octagon vs. Original El Grande Americano

They trade legsweeps and get a near fall each until Americano chops him into the corner. Octagon climbs the corner for a dropkick and nails the suicide dive to the floor. An Asai moonsault misses though and Americano hits a running shoulder. Back in and Americano teases going after the mask but Octagon gives him an enziguri. Something like a top rope Vader Bomb hits raised boots and Americano suplexes him into the corner. Americano misses the moonsault but ties up the legs and takes off Octagon’s mask. The ankle lock makes Octagon tap at 5:28.

Rating: C+. They only had so much time here and the bigger deal was Americano going after the mask. That’s quite the big deal in lucha libre and Rey Mysterio was NOT cool with it on commentary. At the same time, this seems like a setup for the mask vs. mask match with the other El Grande Americano and that should be good.

Post match some singers are interviewed by Americano goes after them. He goes after the interviewer as well and here is El Grande Americano for the brawl. Security can only keep them apart for so long as the fans certainly approve.

Intercontinental Title: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Penta

Vikingo, with Dorian Roldan, is challenging. They trade poses to start until Vikingo has to elbow his way out of a waistlock. Penta kicks him in the ribs to break up a handstand but Viking grabs a headscissors out to the floor. Vikingo’s dive is cut off with a gorilla press onto the announcers’ table but he hits a dropkick off of said table to put Penta down again.

Back in and Penta gets superkicked for two and Vikingo bites Penta’s boot. Penta is right back up with a reverse Sling Blade as the fans are way into this. The Penta Driver is blocked and Vikingo ties him in the ropes for a top rope double stomp. They forearm it out from their knees and then their feet until Penta’s dropkick breaks up a handspring. Vikingo sends him into the corner for the running knees but the inverted 450 is countered into a powerbomb for two (sweet).

They head out to the apron for the exchange of chops until Vikingo snaps off a poisonrana. A running shooting star hits Penta again but here are the battling Americanos again. Penta uses the distraction to hit a dive and a Penta Driver gets two. Roldan pulls Penta’s leg and gets ejected but Vikingo grabs the belt. Cue Mini Vikingo to to take it away though, allowing Penta to hit the springboard Mexican Destroyer to retain at 13:39.

Rating: B. They had a hot match here, which shouldn’t be a surprise whatsoever. As you might have guessed, this was much more about getting the title on a AAA show rather than having the title be in any kind of jeopardy. That’s perfectly fine as Vikingo is a big deal and this checked pretty much all of the necessary boxes.

Post match the Vikingos stare at each other again but here are Los Americanos to keep up their brawl on the floor. They head inside and break away from security but are finally held apart. Americano says this has to end and it should be eye for eye, tooth for tooth and mask vs. mask. Original seemed to be in to wrap things up.

Overall Rating: B-. This was more of an angle heavy show with the Americanos stuff getting some red hot crowd reactions. The main event was good and the Flammer/Catalina stuff served its purpose. This show wasn’t so much about what was happening here but rather what it was setting up, which is a fine way to go every so often. Good enough show here, with the crowd going nuts over the Americanos stuff.

Results
Original El Grande Americano b. Octagon – Ankle lock
Penta b. El Hijo del Vikingo – Springboard Mexican Destroyer

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: April 6, 2026
Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re less than two weeks away from Wrestlemania and that means everything has to come together. The good thing is that the Raw side of things has been the better of the two shows and that means we could be in for a nice night. If nothing else, we might be getting some more things set for the pay per view. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is a ticked off CM Punk to get things going. Punk sits down in the middle of the ring as we get some dueling chants from the fans. Punk talks about this being a wrestling town and he has some history of his own here. This is Paul Boesch territory and Houston Wrestling. He loves to hear about the old timers and you can’t help but compare yourself to them. Sometimes he dreams and asks what Harley Race would do.

The important things happen when we’re awake though (he gets up) and it’s good to be alive on a Monday night in Houston. The thing is, Roman Reigns isn’t here tonight. Punk recaps his issues with Punk over the last two weeks. Punk gets out on the apron and talks about how Reigns hates him. That’s a good thing, because he won’t trade his authenticity for approval. Not vying for the approval of losers is what prevents him from being one of them. The fans chant for Reigns but Punk says he’s the one who is here. Punk: “And I’m an old man!”

Punk takes off his jacket and stands on the announcers’ table and talks about how this company sent Reigns to Jimmy Fallon. Reigns is there because he’s safe and boring and you know he’s not going to lose it. On the other hand, Punk is someone who could say anything. He can film TV shows and movies and never miss a show but Reigns uses it as a crutch to be gone and then Punk gets booed when he shows up. Reigns puffs his chest around in the back like he’s the Rock, a Hollywood superstar. Punk: “I’m sorry. WAS a Hollywood superstar.”

After that gasp is over, Punk talks about how Reigns got a job because his father was a wrestler because he sucked at football. He calls Reigns a nepo baby who ate dog food for a weird old man. That old man treated Punk like a dog for years but Punk had FU money and walked away. That’s why everyone hates him: they can’t control him. You can’t blackball him and he can blow up his own bridge because he knows how to swim.

He’s not done though because PAT MCAFEE thinks he can come here and get in Punk’s business. Call that agent of his that shoehorned him into the show and tell him to LOWER THE TICKET PRICES. McAfee isn’t coming here and telling him to put people in seats. Lower the ticket prices so everyone in Houston (and their families) can come to Las Vegas and see him take Reigns out. This was Punk in his element as he felt like he was venting, with the part about the ticket prices not being something I was expecting to hear.

We recap IShowSpeed’s issues with LA Knight, who showed up on Speed’s stream and beat him up last week.

Speed is in the back and runs into Danhausen, who will remove the curse in exchange for Speed’s mansion. Adam Pearce shows up and Danhausen disappears. Pearce suggests that Speed go home before it gets worse but the Vision show up and have Speed come to the arena with them.

Austin Theory vs. LA Knight

Logan Paul IShowSpeed are here with Theory, who sends Knight into the ropes to start. Back up and Knight knocks him outside for a change but Theory is back with a ram into the buckle. That earns him another trip to the floor, where Knight clotheslines him into the timekeeper’s area as we take a break.

We come back with Knight grabbing a neckbreaker and hammering away, followed by a Russian legsweep. Another neckbreaker gives Knight two but Theory hits a shot to the face into a Blockbuster. Knight shrugs that off and takes him outside for the rams into the announcers’ table. With Theory back inside, Paul shoves Speed into Knight, who gives chase up the aisle. Cue the Usos to cut Speed off so Speed jumps over Knight, who catches him back inside. Paul’s save doesn’t work but Theory rolls Knight up, with trunks, for the pin at 9:43.

Rating: C. This was a case where the match was mainly a backdrop for everything else going on, which isn’t the worst thing. At the same time, it’s also a case where a DQ would have made a lot more sense. Knight didn’t need to take a fall like this and there was so much else going on that you could have saved a bit of a headache without the pin.

Post match Knight isn’t overly happy but he has an idea for how to even things up a bit: a six man tag at Wrestlemania. Adam Pearce pops up to say he told Speed to go home because the match is official. Yeah that was obvious and it’s not a bad thing to go with what makes sense.

Commentary introduces a video on Pat McAfee’s actions on Smackdown, with Michael Cole having to calm himself down.

CM Punk talks about his favorite Wrestlemania memory: being an extra at Wrestlemania XXII, which he thinks about every time he comes to work.

Finn Balor vs. JD McDonagh

Hold on though as Dominik Mysterio jumps Balor from behind and even mocks Balor’s pose. Balor fights back and goes after McDonagh but Mysterio gets in a belt shot with the AAA Mega Title. McDonagh brings in a chair and Mysterio beats Balor down so he can do the sign point. No match.

We get a video on AJ Lee, including a lot of her time before her hiatus.

Lee sits down with Michael Cole and says she is nervous about her first Wrestlemania in eleven years…and here is Becky Lynch to interrupt. Lynch calls Cole the worst interviewer and commentator in WWE so Cole leaves, telling Lee good luck. Lynch talks about seeing Lee at Wrestlemania XXXI and getting a fake hug but then Lee left the next day. Lee tells her to keep underestimating what Lee can do and cuts her off when Lynch doesn’t like this

The reality is Lynch is a big star but she walked through the doors that Lee opened. This company called her for ten years and the fans never forgot her. When Lynch goes home and asks her daughter who her favorite wrestler is, her daughter will say it’s AJ Lee. See you at Wrestlemania. Lee leaves and Lynch is livid. Keeping Lynch angry and annoyed is a good thing and Lee getting the chance to back up her words should be fun.

Bayley vs. Lash Legend

Lyra Valkyria and Nia Jax are here too. Bayley is knocked outside to start and can’t make much of a comeback before it happens again. We take a break and come back with Bayley knocking her out of the ropes but seeming to have a bad arm. Legend swings her into a backbreaker for two but misses a boot in the ropes. Bayley’s running dropkick sends Legend into the corner, where a knee to the face connects as well.

The middle rope elbow to the back gives Bayley two but Jax interferes, triggering a brawl with Valkyria. Cue Charlotte and Alexa Bliss, with Charlotte hitting Jax with her jacket for some reason. Bayley dives onto all of them and goes up, where Legend tries a superplex. Valkyria breaks that up though and Bayley falls on top for the pin (with Valkyria holding Legend’s foot) for the pin at 8:32.

Rating: C+. Much like the opener, I wouldn’t have had someone get a fall here, but at least it was a challenger pinning a champion, which could be a much bigger deal at Wrestlemania. The interference made sense, though Charlotte’s thing with her jacket was kind of weird. At least the Bellas weren’t involved, which kept things a bit better than they would have been otherwise.

We recap Gunther attacking Seth Rollins last week.

Various celebrities, including Mark Henry, are here.

We look at the trailer for Netflix’s documentary on Hulk Hogan. That could be fascinating or stupid. I’m leaning towards stupid.

Here is Seth Rollins for a chat. Rollins talks about being gone for six months and he’s so glad to be back so he wants to hear the fans singing his song. He’s BACK and in less than two weeks, he faces Gunther at Wrestlemania. Rollins isn’t sure how we got here because he didn’t think he and Gunther had any issues.

The only option is that Gunther must have entered into some kind of agreement with Paul Heyman. Rollins is back and has two goals: get his title back and kill the Vision. They’ve already got some Samoans to deal with and that won’t end well. He also put Brock Lesnar on a silver platter for Oba Femi and yes, Femi is the future.

As for Gunther, if he wants to be in league with Heyman, it has become personal for Rollins. Cue Gunther to try a sleeper but Rollins reverses into one of his own. Gunther slips out and the fight is on, with Rollins kicking him to the floor for the suicide dive. Gunther tosses him away again but security quickly breaks it up. That lets Gunther get in a cheap shot before he leaves.

In the back, Gunther runs into Heyman, who says he doesn’t know why Gunther did what he did last week. As far as Heyman knows, there’s nothing personal between Gunther and Rollins, so Heyman owes Gunther a big thank you. Gunther says it is personal between Rollins and Heyman, so it is personal to Gunther for some different reasons (which he doesn’t reveal). He shakes Heyman’s hand but pulls him in to say Heyman owes him more than he knows. Intriguing.

We look back at Roxanne Perez saving Liv Morgan from Stephanie Vaquer last week.

Vaquer says Morgan’s hair dye must have gotten to her brain if she thinks middle school insults are going to be enough. Morgan is trying to solve her daddy issues with Dominik Mysterio, who is trying to deal with not being as good as his own dad. Vaquer wants to inspire girls but while Morgan says it’s on sight, the truth is she’ll never see it coming.

Penta/Dragon Lee/Je’Von Evans vs. Los Americanos

Bravo and Lee trade some flips and posing to start before it’s off to Rayo for a running headbutt. The dancing lets Evans come in for a springboard hurricanrana as Kofi Kingston is watching from behind. Americano comes in to counter a headscissors into a kind of reverse powerbomb, allowing all three Americanos to pose. That’s broken up and they’re sent to the floor for a set of dives. Back in and Penta and company do the Penta strut as we take a break.

We come back with Penta hitting a double DDT and bringing in Lee before diving onto Americano. Bravo has to save Rayo from a Styles Clash and everything breaks down with a parade of knockdowns. Lee Styles Clashes Bravo but Americano is in for the save. A bunch of superkicks set up Penta’s Mexican Destroyer on the apron. That leaves Evans to hit the OG Cutter to Bravo for the pin at 7:45.

Rating: B-. It was an entertaining match with a bunch of people flying around and going nuts for a short amount of time, which will always work. The ladder match at Wrestlemania still feels a bit out of nowhere, but if very well could just be a big “let’s all do a bunch of high spots”, which should work out well. Then again Evans might break every bone in his body, as he seems likely to do quite often.

Post match Rey Mysterio is back (and Je’Von Evans is completely starstruck) to praise Penta for everything he has done. The ladder match has the potential to be great…and he’s going to be in it too. Penta shakes his hand and says let’s make history.

We look at Cody Rhodes’ promo from Smackdown.

We look at the Wrestlemania six man tag being set up earlier. IShowSpeed realizing he’s in big trouble is still funny.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar.

We get a video from Asuka, who talks about how Iyo Sky abandoned her and tried to steal Kairi Sane away from her too. Asuka was here to pave the way for them and made sacrifices to make everything better. It was all out of love, but she loved Sky too much. Then Sky rebelled, and it’s time for Asuka to get revenge, including one more lesson in the ring.

Iyo Sky/Rhea Ripley vs. Michin/B-Fab

Jade Cargill is here too. Ripley takes B-Fab down to start and brings Michin in for a big boot. Michin is sent outside but B-Fab is up with a pump kick. A spinning DDT gives B-Fab two and we hit the chinlock. Ripley fights out without much trouble and brings Sky back in to clean house. A double missile dropkick hits Michin and B-Fab and Sky’s suicide dive takes them out again. We take a break and come back with Sky in trouble and Ripley being drawn in off a distraction. Cargill sends Ripley into the steps but Sky sends Michin into the post. That leaves B-Fab to get rolled up for the pin at 7:27.

Rating: C+. The ending came out of nowhere but there is little reason to believe that Michin and B-Fab could win here anyway. The two of them exist to be cannon fodder for Cargill and that’s pretty much all they were here. Ripley and Sky were only ever in so much trouble here and the match wasn’t in the biggest doubt.

Post match the big beatdown is on, with Michin getting a kendo stick. Ripley tries to make the save but gets kicked in the face. Michin and B-Fab hold Ripley back in the corner, leaving Cargill to beat up Sky.

Finn Balor says he taught Dominik Mysterio how to play dirty but play time is over. There’s another side of him that he thought he had buried forever, but Mysterio awakened it. But now it’s back and coming for Mysterio at Wrestlemania. Oh dear.

Dominik Mysterio is nervous about what that means but the rest of Judgment Day tries to calm him down. Mysterio has an idea and leaves wit JD McDonagh. Liv Morgan (in a Wrestlemania XV shirt) talks to Roxanne Perez and thanks her for last week. She knows Finn Balor brought Perez onto the team…and here is Stephanie Vaquer to jump Morgan from behind.

Here are HHH and Adam Pearce to oversee the contract signing between Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi. Paul Heyman interrupts though and handles Lesnar’s introduction, as only he can. Femi comes out as well and Lesnar jumps him on the way into the ring. Femi is right back to ram Lesnar into the post though and they go through the table, with security running in to break it up. Lesnar throws a chair at Femi and security has a lot of work to do to keep them apart as the show ends.

Overall Rating: B-. We are officially in the “Wrestlemania is pretty much set so we’re not going to do much to shake it up” period and that means we might not be in for much great stuff. They added a bit more to the show though and nothing was overly bad. Raw continues to be light years ahead of Smackdown at the moment and while this show wasn’t must see TV, it advanced enough things on the way to Wrestlemania. That’s all it needed to do and it did so well enough.

Results
Austin Theory b. LA Knight – Rollup
Bayley b. Lash Legend – Top rope splash with Lyra Valkyria holding the foot
Penta/Dragon Lee/Je’Von Evans b. Los Americanos – OG Cutter to Bravo
Iyo Sky/Rhea Ripley b. Michin/B-Fab – Rollup to B-Fab

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

AAA On FOX
Date: April 4, 2026
Location: Show Center Complex, Monterrey, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Corey Graves, Rey Mysterio

We’re finally done with Rey de Reyes and it’s time to start doing something new around here. In this case that means we have some title matches coming up, including new Rey de Reyes El Grande Americano challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Mega Title. That should be enough to carry things for a bit, but hopefully there is some more to keep things interesting. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

We open with a long Rey de Reyes recap.

Tokyo Bad Boys vs. Lince Dorado/El Mesias/Mecha Wolf

The Boys are Nobu, Takuma and Kento. Dorado offers Nobu a handshake to start and kicks him in the ribs but Nobu is back with a dropkick. The other Boys get in some slaps from the apron and it’s off to Wolf vs. Takuma. Wolf tries to pick up the pace but gets kicked down, with Takuma being rather fired up.

It’s off to Mesias, with JBL sounding rather pleased on commentary. Some triple teaming slows Mesias down and it’s a triple dropkick to make it worse. That’s shrugged off and Mesias clears the ring in a hurry before it’s Kento getting back inside. Mesias and Wolf hit some clotheslines in the corner, setting up Mesias’ powerslam for two. Wolf suplexes him into a kind of snap Jackhammer (commentary isn’t sure what to call it either) for two more.

Dorado gets in on the near falls with a Backstabber before Mesias hits a sliding lariat for another two. A kick to the face just seems to annoy Kento though and he enziguris Mesias to escape. Nobu is back in to strike away and Takuma adds a missile dropkick to put Mesias outside. Back up and Nobu gets double gorilla pressed onto Mesias, followed by a dive and top rope moonsault onto the other two.

The fans approve of the Boys, including Nobu suplexing Mesias for two more. Mesias is back with a double spear and a powerbomb to Takuma but Kento gets in a clothesline. Dorado hits a double Golden Rewind and a big flipping dive, leaving Mesias to Downward Spiral Takuma for the pin at 11:12.

Rating: B. Mesias was like a big statue who happened to be able to move a bit, though he looked so much different than anyone else out there that it made up for his mobility issues. The other guys were flying all over the place, with the Boys showing off some great speed and athleticism. This was all about getting in as much stuff as they could and it worked better than I would have bet on. Good stuff.

Earlier this week, Nathan Frazer was trying to learn Spanish to come to the show. Axiom came in and it turns out they’re on different teams tonight. They seem cool with it though.

Reina de Reinas: Sussy Love vs. Flammer

Flammer is defending and, after the Big Match Intros, throws her down with ease. Love cuts off a kick so Flammer hits her in the face in a change of pace. Flammer gets tied in the ropes so Love hits a quick springboard elbow. With Flammer on the floor, Love tries to pull her back in by the hair, which doesn’t quite work as Flammer gets in a neck snap. Back in and Flammer grabs a camel clutch but Love is back up with some crossbodies. A German suplex connects for Love and a middle rope moonsault gets two. Flammer is right back with a Codebreaker though and a running dropkick against the ropes retains the title at 4:08.

Rating: C+. They only had so much time here and while I was expecting Love to potentially steal the title right before Flammer’s big celebration, that wasn’t exactly the case. Instead this was Flammer shutting Love down and winning in pretty dominant fashion. Love wasn’t bad, but that wasn’t the point of a match like this one.

Video on Penta agreeing to defend the Intercontinental Title against El Hijo del Vikingo.

Penta talks about all of the changes that have taken place over the last year, which have mainly centered around WWE buying AAA. He loves being a part of the rise of a Mexican wrestling company but would love to see his brother win some gold of his own. The only way to pay the fans back for believing in him is to defend the Intercontinental Title in Mexico and he’s ready to do it against Vikingo. Catchphrases ensue.

Nathan Frazer/Charlie Dempsey/Tristan Angels vs. Elio LeFleur/Dorian Van Dux/Axiom

Angels and Dux (pronounced Dukes) are from Evolve and this is UK vs. Europe. Dempsey and Axiom start things off with Axiom taking him down to work on the arms. That’s reversed into quite the variety of arm cranking from Dempsey, who gets reversed into an Octopus. Dempsey makes the rope so Axiom grabs a suplex to send it off to Frazer for the big partner showdown.

We don’t actually get the fight as Angels tags himself in and gets taken down by Dux’s hurricanrana. LeFleur dives in to take Angels down again but Frazer flips over him in the corner. Frazer and LeFleur trade some flips until Frazer scores with a dropkick. Angels comes in for a suplex and stomps LeFleur out of the corner. Dempsey comes in for two off a wheelbarrow suplex but LeFleur pulls Frazer out of the air with a neckbreaker (nicely done).

A rolling tag brings in the rather muscular Dux to clean house, with a cutter getting two on Angels. Dempsey butterfly superplexes Dux for two, with LeFleur’s diving splash making the save. NOW we get the Fraxiom battle, with Frazer hitting a superkick, only for Axiom to superkick his moonsault out of the air.

Frazer kicks him down again and goes up, where Axiom is waiting with a super Spanish Fly. Angels makes the save and everything breaks down with a parade of knockdowns to leave everyone down. Dux throws Axiom over the top onto Frazer and Dempsey, leaving LeFleur to give Angels a headscissors driver for the pin at 11:54.

Rating: B+. Take two teams, let them go nuts for about twelve minutes. That’s exactly as this was advertised and then it wound up going well. I had a great time with this, which went all over the place and even gave us the teased Fraxiom fight. What matters the most is having everyone get in some stuff and show off, which is what we got here. I want to see more of the people I hadn’t seen much before and that’s a rather nice bonus to the entertaining action.

Flammer promises a big celebration next week to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. It was a total throwaway show with pretty much nothing going on as far as plot points, but dang it was fun with the action we got instead. This was all about the two six man tags, with Flammer’s match being entertaining as well. It’s absolutely not a show that you need to see, but dang it’s a fun sit for under an hour.

Results
Lince Dorado/El Mesias/Mecha Wolf b. Tokyo Bad Boys – Downward Spiral to Takuma
Flammer b. Sussy Love – Running dropkick against the ropes
Elio LeFleur/Dorian Van Dux/Axiom b. Nathan Frazer/Charlie Dempsey/Tristan Angels – Headscissor driver to Angels

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Rey de Reyes 2013
Date: March 17, 2013
Location: Plaza de Toros Monumental Lorenzo Garza, Monterrey, Mexico
Attendance: 10,000
Commentators: Jesus Zuniga, Andres Maronas

This is another request from…oh about thirteen years ago and I needed to get to it sooner or later. This is from AAA, with the main event being the show’s namesake tournament final for a really big sword. To have a final we need to have some qualifying matches though and that’s the meat of the show. Let’s get to it.

Keep in mind that the commentary is in Spanish so I’m kind of flying blind.

Fusion Title: Fenix vs. Crazy Boy vs. Daga vs. Juventud Guerrera

Elimination match for the inaugural title. Daga kicks away at Fenix to start but can’t get very far before handing it off to Guerrera and Boy. An exchange of superkicks sets up an exchange of chops before they’re both pulled outside. That lets Daga and Fenix slide in for a dive each before all four get back inside. Guerrera takes over until Fenix is back with a double springboard dropkick.

Daga kicks away at Boy, who is back with a Zig Zag for two. Guerrera comes back in to steal a rollup for two but Daga kicks everyone down. Daga Death Valley Drivers Guerrera on the apron but Fenix is up with a big corkscrew dive. Back in and Boy rolls Guerrera up for two, only for Daga to give Boy a middle rope Canadian Destroyer for the elimination at 7:45.

Guerrera clotheslines Daga for two and Fenix is back in to drop Daga with a springboard flipping Stunner. Fenix sends Guerrera into the corner and hits a top rope double stomp, with Daga getting the pin at 8:58. We’re down to Daga vs. Fenix with Fenix grabbing a Michinoku Driver for two but Daga’s tiger suplex gets the same. Daga heads up top but gets pulled down with a super Spanish Fly for the title at 10:37.

Rating: C+. This was good enough with a fast paced four way, including Fenix and Daga getting to do their rather impressive stuff. It’s nothing that hasn’t been done better, but for an opening match, I’ve seen far worse. Granted the Fusion Title wouldn’t wind up meaning much, as Fenix would hold it for about a year and a half before it was unified with the Cruiserweight Title.

Post match some women come down to present the title, despite having some serious issues dealing with the steps. Fenix celebrates with the title and fist bumps Daga for the respect.

Fenix seems happy with his win.

Daga doesn’t seem happy with his loss.

Los Inferno Rockers vs. Los Psycho Circus

The Circus’ Six Man Titles aren’t on the line. That would be Devil Rocker/Machine Rocker/Soul Rocker vs. Monster Clown/Murder Clown/Psycho Clown and you might know Machine as The Beast Mortos. The Rockers come out with a table while the Circus comes out with a bunch of circus acts. The Rockers jump them to start but gets sent outside for the dives, with a Rocker dive being pulled out of the air by Murder. He holds up I believe Soul so the other two Clowns can dropkick him down for a cool looking spot.

The other Rockers get back inside and manage to dump Murder but wind up hitting each other by mistake. Monster ties up Devil in quite the hold until Soul makes the save. Psycho is back in to sunset flip Soul for two and we settle down to Devil chopping at Murder. This doesn’t work in the slightest as Murder just destroys him with a Last Ride. Machine and Soul come in to cut Murder off and it’s back to Psycho to clean house. Monster is sent outside for a running flip dive, leaving Murder to gorilla press Devil. The table is brought in and a middle rope triple bomb puts Monster through the table for the pin at 8:15.

Rating: C+. This was the usual six man brawl and it was good enough while it lasted. The Clowns were a team who worked well together and that’s why they would be around for such a long time. On the other hand you have the Rockers, who I don’t think I’ve seen before but were a nice group of….I think villains? It’s not entirely clear but they worked either way.

Post match the Rockers beat up a smaller clown because they’re not that nice.

Rey de Reyes Qualifying Match: El Mesias vs. Heavy Metal vs. Octagon vs. La Parka vs. La Parka Negra vs. Pentagon Jr.

Elimination rules and Pentagon Jr. is better known as Penta. For the sake of simplicity we’ll go with “Parka” and “Negra” to differentiate the skeleton guys. Thankfully there are tags here and it’s Mesias starting with Metal. They go to the mat with Mesias working on the arm with Metal armdragging him away without much trouble. Another armbar sends Metal over to the ropes before he grabs his own armbar, with Mesias going to the ropes.

It’s off to the two Parkas, with the fans certainly approving. Negra misses a kick to the face and gets kneed down, allowing Parka to fire off some right hands. Pentagon charges into a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker before Octagon comes in for one of his own. It’s back to Negra to help Pentagon with Octagon and a double stomp What’s Up finishes Octagon off at 6:31. Metal comes in and gets taken down with a quick Sling Blade, allowing Pentagon to stomp away. A quick la majistral gives Metal the pin on Pentagon at 8:23 to get us down to four.

Mesias can’t powerbomb Metal so instead it’s a pair of spears for the pin at 9:22. Parka and Mesias double team Negra in the corner until Mesias is sent outside. Parka’s clothesline gets two on Negra and Mesias adds a top rope elbow for the double pin at 10:50. That leaves us with Parka vs. Mesias and they slowly slug it out until Mesias hits an enziguri. Parka is right back with a reverse DDT for two, followed by a flapjack for the same. Mesias avoids a charge in the corner and hits a Downward Spiral for two of his own, followed by a Backstabber for the pin at 14:37.

Rating: C+. There is only so much you can get out of a six way match as there are so many people moving around. The tags helped a lot, though the eliminations didn’t exactly have a ton of drama. It was more like “this guy is gone and this guy is gone and then this guy wins”. That’s only getting you so far and hopefully the other two matches don’t go the exact same way.

Post match respect is shown.

Rey de Reyes Qualifying Match: Villano IV vs. Psicosis vs. Jack Evans vs. Drago vs. Chessman vs. LA Park

Elimination rules again. It’s a brawl to start with Drago getting at least double teamed, including a powerbomb dropped into a Codebreaker. Chessman comes back in for the save but gets kicked in the face by Evans. Park comes back in so Evans uses him as a launchpad for a hurricanrana and flipping splash to Chessman. We settle down to Villano armdragging Psicosis to the floor but getting dropkicked by Drago.

It’s off to Park, who sends Drago to the apron and stops to dance, but catches a diving Drago and dances again. Fenix sends Park outside and it’s time for the series of dives, with Evans diving onto the rest of the pile. Back in and Drago kicks away at Psicosis before rolling him up for the first elimination at 4:57. Chessman comes in and powerbombs Drago, followed by a backbreaker for the elimination at 5:41.

Villano comes in with a rolling headbutt to Chessman but gets knocked down by Evans. The standing corkscrew moonsault gets two on Villano, who powerbombs Evans for the pin at 6:33. Park knocks Villano down and goes up but gets knocked off by Chessman. The ensuing moonsault misses though and Villano covers Chessman for two. Park is back in with a chair to Chessman though and Villano grabs a small package for the pin at 7:50.

We’re down to Park vs. Villano and the referee takes Park’s chair away. Villano shoulders him down for two, followed by Park’s DDT getting the same. They slug it out from their knees and Villano rips Park’s mask apart. A Stunner gives Villano two but Park grabs a Backstabber and hammers away for the final pin at 11:23.

Rating: B-. This match felt like it had more star power involved and that helped a bit. Park certainly feels like a bigger name and the fans seemed to be rather happy with the result. The match felt similar to the opener with the rapid fire eliminations, but that’s kind of what you have to do in something like this. It’s not a great match, but it’s certainly not boring.

Marisela Pena, the widow of company founder Antonio Pena, makes a big announcement: AAA will be split into two groups. Going forward, AAA Fusion will be the group in Mexico while AAA Evolution will be in the United States.

Rey de Reyes Qualifying Match: El Hijo del Perro Aguayo vs. Electroshock vs. Cibernetico vs. Canek vs. Silver King vs. Toscano

One more time with the elimination rules. Cibernetico stomps on Aguayo to start and knocks him out to the floor. Canek and King come in but Electroshock takes Canek’s place and hammers on King. Toscano adds a missile dropkick to King and Electroshock’s cutter gets rid of King at 1:50. Well that was quick. Canek comes back in to shoulder Toscano over but gets dropped with a missile dropkick. A suplex and elbow drop finish Toscano off at 3:13.

Aguayo is back in to chair Cibernetico in the head and stomp away before grabbing a table. Cibernetico is able to slam him through the table instead and then chairs Aguayo in the head. Security comes out to break it up and it seems that they’re both eliminated at around 7:30. Canek clotheslines Electroshock and hits a side slam for the win at 8:05.

Rating: D+. This felt like a way to get Canek into the tournament final despite him not exactly doing much. That being said, the point of Canek is to have a legend in the finals and that worked well enough. The Aguayo and Cibernetico brawl was good enough, but that was pretty much the only interesting spot.

Earlier today, three wrestlers sat down together and talked for a bit. And unfortunately that’s about all I can give you.

Faby Apache, Lufisto and Taya are ready to win the Reina de Reinas.

Reina de Reinas Title: Lufisto vs. Mari Apache vs. Taya vs. Faby Apache

Elimination match (of course) for the vacant title. Faby gets triple teamed to start but she manages to dropkick Lufisto outside. Mari hits Taya by mistake and Faby takes Mari down with a running hurricanrana. Taya and Lufisto have a staredown, with Lufisto kicking her in the head for two as Mari makes a save. Mari kicks Lufisto down and drop toeholds Faby, setting up a surfboard. Taya runs back in to cover Mari for two before rolling Mari up for two more. Lufisto is back in to choke Mari out for the elimination at 5:17.

Taya northern lights suplexes Faby for two and cuts her off again with a big boot. Taya’s moonsault misses though and a Fairy Tale Ending gets rid of her at 7:11. Lufisto is back in with a reverse chinlock to Faby, who comes back with some running shoulders. They knock each other down until Faby charges into a Downward Spiral into the corner.

The cannonball and a running boot connect in the corner to give Lufist two but Faby is back with a German suplex. Lufisto’s Saito suplex gets two more but Faby catches her up top. A Tree Of Woe double stomp gives Lufisto two more, only for Faby to grab a dragon suplex out of nowhere for the pin and the title at 11:49.

Rating: C. I have seen a lot of Faby Apache over the years and I just do not get the appeal. She’s technically fine but I’ve never gotten any kind of attachment to her. There wasn’t much to this one as the first to were eliminated and then Faby got beaten up until she snapped off a suplex to win. I wasn’t into this and that is the case a lot of the time that this title is involved.

In the back, Faby is happy with her win.

Video on Cibernetico and El Hijo de Perro Aguayo, who seem to still be fighting backstage. I’m not sure if this is supposed to be a package from before or if this is after their pull apart brawl earlier, though I think it’s the latter. Apparently Aguayo demanded a hair vs. hair match and got his request. This would go on to headline TripleMania a few months later so it was absolutely the biggest story in the company.

We look at Mega Champion Texano Jr. sitting down and going face to face with challenger Blue Demon Jr. I believe Demon says he’s going for the title and they seem to argue about their fathers. Either way, the title match is on.

Mega Title: Texano Jr. vs. Blue Demon Jr.

Texano is defending and they chop it out to start. Demon takes him down and starts working on the leg before grabbing a bow and arrow. That’s broken up and Texano goes after the leg, with Demon getting out just as fast. Now it’s Demon working on the leg, including something like a Lasso From El Paso. With that not lasting long, they trade legsweeps for two each and then trade chops.

Texano is knocked outside for the baseball slide and then the suicide dive to the back to leave them both down. Back in and Demon hits a running shoulder in the corner but gets knocked outside, with Texano hitting a dive of his own. They head back inside, with a fireman’s carry backbreaker giving Texano two, so he yells at the referee. A Codebreaker gets two more as Demon gets a foot on the rope and he reverses a powerbomb into a hurricanrana for two.

Demon catches him on top for a super hurricanrana, followed by a DDT for two more. Demon’s lifting Pedigree gets another near fall and he ties up Texano’s leg, while pulling on a double underhook at the same time (that’s a weird one but it has to hurt). That’s reversed into an ankle lock but Demon kicks his way out, meaning it’s time for more chops in the corner. Texano goes up and gets armdragged back down and they both need a breather. The referee almost gets bumped before Demon hits another lifting Pedigree. Demon tries another but gets reversed into an Air Raid Crash to retain the title at 16:36.

Rating: B-. It felt like a big showdown, but it never hit that higher gear. That being said, title matches aren’t as important in Mexico so it isn’t that big of a surprise that it was just good instead of some blow away match. Texano has grown on me over the years and Demon is better than I remember him, so this was a nice showdown. If nothing else, it was nice to have a singles match for a change.

Post match Demon seems to want a title vs. mask match at TripleMania but Texano isn’t interested. That match didn’t wind up happening.

In the back, Demon seems upset by his loss.

Texano is a bit happier with the result.

Rey de Reyes: El Mesias vs. Canek vs. LA Park

Elimination rules. Canek gets double teamed to start fast, with Mesias punching him in the face and Park hitting a running boot to the chest. Park starts untying Canek’s mask before turning on Mesias. Canek gets a double arm crank on Park but a rope is reached for a fast break. Mesias is back up with a running corner clothesline but Parka takes off his belt for a whipping. Canek is back in to drop Park and grab a Figure Four on Mesias, with park using a chair to make the save.

Park chairs both of them down but Canek catches Park with a kick to the face out of the corner. A middle rope elbow connects, with Mesias pulling the referee. Park rips Canek’s mask off and gets the pin at 6:42. So it’s Mesias vs. Park, with the two of them colliding to give Mesias an early two. Park gets a Backstabber in the ropes for two of his own and it’s time to strut. A charge hits the post though and Mesias hits a middle rope hurricanrana to the floor.

Mesias follows with a SCARY running flip dive (as he basically stops flipping and is upside down as he crashes into Park) and they go back inside, where Park knocks him down again. A running boot sends Mesias outside, with Park getting in a running knee from the apron. Back in and Park gets crotched on top and a super Codebreaker brings him back down. The delayed cover gets two so Park takes him up top, where Mesias reverses into…I have no idea. Either way, they come crashing down and Mesias is up first with a top rope splash for the pin at 15:38.

Rating: C+. It was another case of the match being fine but not exactly great. I’m guessing that was supposed to be a super Spanish Fly at the end, but they really just kind of crashed down. The match didn’t feel like some kind of a big showdown, though Mesias feels like a big star and having him win an important competition is a good idea. All in all, just an ok final, with Canek not adding much.

Post match Mesias is presented with the sword for winning the tournament. Celebrating ends the show.

Overall Rating: C+. There were good parts in here, but the bigger issue here was a lack of variety. Save for one match, everything was an elimination match with some not so thrilling eliminations. That didn’t make for the most thrilling show and while it did feel important to have Mesias win the tournament and setting up Aguayo vs. Cibernetico, a lot of the show felt like it just came and went. Not bad, but nothing memorable whatsoever.

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: March 30, 2026
Location: Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s back to the home place for WWE and that means they’re going to make things even bigger than usual. That’s not a bad thing either as this year’s Wrestlemania build has been a bit hit and miss. Hopefully something other than Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk and Brock Lesnar vs. Oba Femi gets to take off this week. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

Here is Cody Rhodes to get things going. He hits the catchphrase but here is Stephanie McMahon of all people to cut him off. She talks about how she wants to talk about Randy Orton because they’re all third generation people in the wrestling business. We’re coming up on Wrestlemania and she sees Orton being all crazy. This version of Rhodes can’t beat this version of Orton and so far, Cody isn’t as good as his father.

Rhodes says he doesn’t know who Orton is because he knows everything about Orton. The reality is that Orton has done some great things and some things that are so violent that we can’t even show them around here anymore. At one point Rhodes was having to babysit Orton by making sure he was still breathing when Orton passed out in the car. With all due respect, no he isn’t his father, but Stephanie isn’t her father either.

That gets one heck of a gasp from the audience and one heck of a slap from Stephanie to Rhodes. She’s out here because she cares about him because Rhodes needs to become more like Orton if he wants to keep the title. Orton is listening to the voices in his head and someone else on top of that. Rhodes says he has two words for her, which are THANK YOU, and he leaves as Stephanie smiles. The message was good, but this felt like a way to get Stephanie on the show whether it fit or not.

IShowSpeed is in the back and demands to see Danhausen. Cue Danhausen, with Speed wanting the curse to be reversed because Speed’s week has been terrible. Danhausen will do it for ten million dollars and the rights to Speed’s streaming service, but Speed can’t do that. Instead, Adam Pearce gives Speed front row seats and introduces him to LA Knight, who will be a guest commentator for the Tag Team Title match. Danhausen doesn’t disappear because Pearce is watching.

Tag Team Titles: The Vision vs. Usos

The Usos are defending in a street fight and LA Knight is on commentary. It’s a brawl to start and the Usos send them outside to start, setting up Jey’s big dive to take them out as we take a break. We come back with the Vision in control and a bunch of weapons in the ring. Some running trashcan shots miss though and the Usos get to fight back, with a trashcan being put on Paul’s head. Stereo superkicks knock him outside and Theory is put in the trashcan for a beating with the kendo stick.

The table is loaded up and Theory gets double superplexed through it for the big crash. Paul goes over to the barricade where his mom gives him some brass knuckles. Knight goes over to go after Paul (Mr.) but IShowSpeed is pulled over with him. Speed picks up the knuckles and accidentally knocks Knight down. That sends Speed bailing as he knows he’s in trouble. Paul misses the knuckles shot and gets superkicked, with Theory getting the same. Jey spears Theory but Paul uses the knuckles to knock Jimmy out. Jey dives on Paul but Theory gets the pin and the titles at 8:53.

Rating: B-. That feels like a way to set up a six man tag for Wrestlemania and….eh I’d take it over seeing these teams fight again. The title change is a good way to go as the Vision desperately needed something good to happen and it’s not like the Usos need the titles. Nice enough match here, with the street fight aspect helping a bit.

Speed realizes he’s in trouble but stays with the Vision, who know Knight and the Usos are going to want to kill him. That would be quite the six man at Wrestlemania.

We look back at the end of last week’s show, with CM Punk getting under Roman Reigns’ skin and laughing when Reigns hurt him.

We look at CM Punk winning the WWE Title in this building at Survivor Series 2011.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Liv Morgan for a chat. She gets right to the point by saying that Stephanie Vaquer is done at Wrestlemania. Vaquer attacked her family, including Dirty Dom, but she doesn’t have any family of her own here. Morgan is ready to fight on sight so here is Vaquer to interrupt. Vaquer kicks her down and grabs a chair but Roxanne Perez is back to jump Vaquer from behind. Oblivion onto a chair leaves Vaquer down and Morgan is rather pleased. Morgan is all but guaranteed to win the title so she doesn’t need the help, but it’s good to have Perez back.

We look back at Paul Heyman getting attacked by Seth Rollins last week, resulting in Rollins being arrested.

IShowSpeed tries to explain that he didn’t mean to help the Vision and it was an accident. Heyman comes in and says Speed is in good hands so the three of them should go to dinner. With the three of them gone, Heyman says the Usos are going to kill Speed. Adam Pearce comes in to say he needs to talk to Heyman, who didn’t get his email. Heyman leaves without finding out the message. That’s dumb for Heyman.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Lyra Valkyria/Bayley vs. Irresistible Forces

The Forces are defending. Legend throws Valkyria around to start and it’s off to Jax to crush her in the corner. Legend comes back in so Valkyria flips over her and brings Bayley in for a change. Legend knocks both of them down and it’s back to Jax to take over on Valkyria. Bayley sends Jax outside for a dive and we take a break.

We come back with Valkyria trying to get over for a tag but Jax knocks Bayley off the apron. Valkyria manages a DDT to Legend though and it’s back to Bayley for the middle rope elbow. A kick to the face cuts Bayley off though and Jax drops the big leg for two. Bayley actually breaks up the Annihilator though and hits a powerbomb, with Valkyria adding a moonsault.

Legend makes the save and everything breaks down, leaving all four of them down. Cue the Bella Twins, followed by Charlotte and Alexa Bliss, who show up to argue with them. Valkyria yells at them all so Jax shoves Valkyria into Bliss and Charlotte. Legend jumps the Bellas and drives Bayley into the apron. Back in and Jax headbutts Valkyria but Bliss comes in to jump Jax for the DQ at 10:42.

Rating: C. This has pretty clearly been building towards a multi-team match of some kind for the titles and that ending almost guarantees one is getting set up. It’s nice to have this many viable teams coming for the titles and it lets us get the Bellas title match, which absolutely has to happen. Either way, the match wasn’t great, but it served it purpose.

Post match the six non-champions knock the Forces out to the floor.

We look back at Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar in recent weeks.

Danhausen announces the Saturday Night’s Main Event will be back in the Garden on July 18. Having him be this weird backstage guy who makes the occasional announcement is the best use of Danhausen.

Here is Brock Lesnar, in fighting gear and with Paul Heyman, for a chat. Heyman says he’s here to talk about Oba Femi, with the fans seemingly being on Femi’s side. What Femi needs to learn is that a ticked off Lesnar is a different kind of beast and various people have taken some beatings over the years. Lesnar grabs the mic and calls Femi out but instead it’s Adam Pearce, with security.

Pearce says this isn’t happening tonight…and here is Femi to interrupt. Femi wrecks security, and Pearce, and takes his time walking around the ring. The fans are WAY into this as Femi gets inside for the staredown but HHH himself comes out to get between them. Lesnar goes to the floor and grabs the steps (Femi tells him to bring it) but Lesnar throws them down and leaves instead. Lesnar gives a security guard an F5 to blow off some steam. I want to see these two fight and that’s a good sign.

IMG Credit: WWE

Finn Balor talks about how he wasn’t happy with some of the things he did in the Judgment Day. Dominik Mysterio turned on him because Mysterio is a coward and a villain. He created Mysterio and now it’s time to destroy him at Wrestlemania.

IMG Credit: WWE

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Kofi Kingston

Penta is defending and Grayson Waller is here with Kingston. They start fast with Kingston sending him into the corner. That’s broken up and Penta strikes away but Kingston is able to get up top. Kingston dives into a Codebreaker though and the slingshot dropkick in the corner gives Penta two. They fight out to the apron with Kingston getting in a shot to take over but calling Waller off as we take a break.

We come back with Penta fighting out of trouble and hitting a reverse Sling Blade. The SOS gives Kingston two, followed by a jumping Fameasser to send Penta outside. Waller picks Penta up but Kingston says he wants to do this on his own. Kingston’s dive over the top is cut off though and Waller drops him onto the announcers’ table. Waller leans over to mock Kingston and gets taken down by a Mexican Destroyer. Back in and Penta dives into Trouble In Paradise, leaving Kingston’s eyes bugging out. Penta is right back up with the Mexican Destroyer to retain at 10:02.

Rating: B-. These two working well together isn’t exactly a surprise and it’s a good idea to have a veteran like Kingston out there to give Penta another nice title defense. Penta is getting some momentum going as champion but I’m not sure what he’s supposed to do at Wrestlemania. He doesn’t have a big challenger right now and they’re running out of time to set one up.

Post match Penta is asked what he’s going to do with the Intercontinental Title at Wrestlemania. Penta says it’s pain for himself and anyone who dares because it’s going to be….a ladder match. Well of course it will be.

Paul Heyman is discussing a sandwich when Adam Pearce comes in. Pearce asks about Brock Lesnar, who has left the arena. That’s fine with Pearce, who asks if Heyman checked his email yet. Heyman says he hasn’t and there’s nothing overly interesting, so he’s got something to say in the ring.

Here is Heyman, who mocks the lighting guy as possibly being from New Jersey (the fans approve of the mocking) before praising the Vision for winning. He tries to give something back to the fans, like Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar, but here is Pearce to interrupt. Apparently the email said that all charges against Seth Rollins have been dropped, which Heyman seems to lie about knowing in advance.

Heyman isn’t worried because he’s the last manager standing from the 1980s and the last promoter standing from the 1990s. Pearce gets to the second part of the email: Rollins is medically cleared to compete (how this really changes much for Heyman isn’t clear). Cue Rollins from behind with a chair to knock Heyman down. The Stomp is loaded up…but Gunther pops up to choke Rollins out. Gunther even points at the sign (and got his eye cut up somewhere in there). That’s an interesting way to go and it’s certainly a big match for Gunther at Wrestlemania.

Post break we look at what we saw pre-break.

IMG Credit: WWE

Raquel Rodriguez vs. Iyo Sky

Neither get an entrance. Sky is sent into the corner to start but comes back with a quickly broken octopus. A dropkick to the knee sends Rodriguez outside but she cuts off a dive and hits a hard clothesline. Back in and Sky can’t get very far on an armbar so Rodriguez kicks her in the face. A hurricanrana sends Rodriguez into the corner though and Sky hits an Asai moonsault as we take a break.

We come back with Sky hitting a springboard missile dropkick into the running knees in the corner. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and Rodriguez Pounces her for two. Cue the Kabuki Warriors as Sky fights up and hits a top rope diving DDT. The running knees connect in the corner again as Asuka yells at Kairi Sane. Sky dives onto Asuka (and lands on her head for a scary crash), which she says she did for Sane. Back in and the Tejana Bomb finishes for Rodriguez at 10:28.

Rating: C+. This was another match that felt a bit tacked on to get us to something at Wrestlemania. Sky doing something against Asuka, possibly for Sane’s freedom, could be interesting, though I’m not sure where that leaves Rodriguez. The match was fine, though it never really got going.

Wrestlemania rundown, with Rey Fenix, Je’Von Evans, Rusev and JD McDonagh now in the ladder match. Also added: Finn Balor vs. Dominik Mysterio and a four way tag for the Women’s Tag Team Titles, featuring the four teams from earlier tonight.

Oh and John Cena is hosting Wrestlemania.

Adam Pearce makes Seth Rollins vs. Gunther for Wrestlemania.

Here is Roman Reigns for a chat. He soaks in some dueling chants and hits his catchphrase…but here is a ticked off CM Punk, who marches to the ring and starts the fight fast. Reigns gets the better of things by knocking Punk outside, where Adam Pearce and security are here again. Reigns loads up the powerbomb but Punk gets out and tries a GTS.

Reigns manages to spear Petey Williams but walks into the GTS. Punk teases leaving and then comes back to powerbomb Reigns through the announcers’ table. Punk sits down next to him and does the crazy laugh before mocking the Roman Reigns chants. Celebrating/posing ends the show. This was a hot angle and it’s nice to see Punk fired up, as this feud is ready to go for Wrestlemania.

Overall Rating: B-. There wasn’t much in the way of great action this week but there was more than enough build to Wrestlemania. You had a few title matches added, plus Gunther vs. Seth Rollins, which should be quit the undercard match. The Reigns vs. Punk stuff is still good and I want to see where it goes at Wrestlemania, which is a good feeling. This wasn’t a great show , though it did get some important things accomplished, which is the bigger deal.

Results
The Vision b. Usos – Brass knuckles punch to Jimmy
Irresistible Forces b. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria via DQ when Alexa Bliss interfered
Penta b. Kofi Kingston – Mexican Destroyer
Raquel Rodriguez b. Iyo Sky – Tejana Bomb

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Rey de Reyes 2026 Night Three
Date: March 28, 2026
Location: Auditorio GNP Seguros, Puebla, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Rey Mysterio, Corey Graves

It’s the last night of Rey de Reyes and oddly enough, the biggest matches have been used up. There are still a few things to cover here though and we should be in for some good stuff. That has been the case around here in the first two weeks and I want to see where this goes after the big event is over. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The opening video talks about having what it takes to become forged into greatness. I believe the opening is the same as the previous two weeks, but it does move into clips about the remaining matches and talks about the final week of the show.

Cruiserweight Title: Jack Cartwheel vs. TJ Perkins vs. Dragon Lee vs. Laredo Kid

Kid is defending and this is one fall to a finish. Kid goes right after Perkins to start but it gets broken up, with Lee getting in some stomps to both of them. Cartwheel’s diving hurricanrana off the apron takes out Lee though and it’s Cartwheel with an Asai moonsault to knock down the pile. Back in and Lee knocks Kid down for two, followed by a bridging German suplex for the same.

Perkins is back up with kind of a double abdominal stretch to Lee and Kid, with Cartwheel making the save. Cartwheel takes out Lee and Perkins and hits the springboard flipping splash onto Lee. The sitout powerbomb gets two on Perkins with the other two making the save, leaving everyone down. Perkins is dropkicked to the floor and Kid is sent outside as well, with Cartwheel dropkicking Lee out too.

Cartwheel isn’t done and hits a big cartwheel dive onto the other three but Perkins crotches him on top. Lee superplexes Kid down to give Perkins two, with Lee making the save. Perkins gives Lee a Detonation Kick but gets caught with Cartwheel’s spinning moonsault…but the landing bounces Cartwheel into a Styles Clash from Lee, which lands on Perkins for a bonus. Kid breaks up a cover on…I have no idea and strikes it out with Lee. A running flipping DDT drops Lee but he’s right back with a running knee.

Kid takes Lee up but gets sunset bombed down by Cartwheel. Lee is able to block a super wheelbarrow rollup and double stomps Cartwheel on the back. Operation Dragon hits Cartwheel, with Perkins hitting a top rope legdrop for the save. Kid breaks up Perkins’ cover and a double superkick sends Perkins outside. Lee gives Cartwheel a big running flip dive but comes up holding his knee. Perkins misses a belt shot and gets taken down with a poisonrana. A curb stomp retains the title at 13:19.

Rating: B+. This was pretty much exactly as advertised, with everyone doing a bunch of spots and flying all over the place. That’s exactly what you expect with a Cruiserweight Title match, especially involving four people. Cartwheel and Lee got to stand out but Kid retains in the end to continue his record reign. Very fast paced, entertaining match.

Post match Rey Fenix comes out for the staredown with Kid.

Las Toxicas are proud of Flammer for her record reign as Reina de Reinas. There’s going to be a big celebration on April 11 in Mexico City. Champagne and men will be provided. Oh and there’s some woman named Sussy Love who she has to beat first but it shouldn’t be a problem.

We recap El Fiscal vs. Abismo Negro (I believe the same video from a few weeks ago) to set up their latest grudge match. Apparently they’re fighting over the Abismo Negro name, with Fiscal being the son of the original Abismo Negro, while this one took the name in a bad direction as part of Los Vipers (I think).

Abismo Negro vs. El Fiscal

Fiscal jumps him to start and hits a dive before going back inside to slug away. A clothesline puts Abismo down and it’s time to start slugging away. Abismo ties him in the corner for a dropkick and a big clothesline cuts off Fiscal’s comeback (JBL approves). The chinlock goes on before Abismo just slaps him in the face. That earns him a double leg takedown but Abismo blocks a Tombstone (illegal in Mexico). Abismo tries one of his own but gets rolled up for the pin at 6:34.

Rating: B-. This had me thinking of Jake Roberts vs. Randy Savage at This Tuesday In Texas, as it was clear that they hated each other but they didn’t have much time to do the actual match. Fiscal pretty much had to win for the sake of the honor of his own name, though the ending feels like it’s setting up another match. You could feel the hatred between these two though and it came off as a fight, which is how it should have felt.

Post match Abismo jumps Fiscal and tombstones him onto the announcers’ table (which doesn’t break). Points for the medical team, as the stretcher is RIGHT THERE.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is El Ojo for a chat. Dorian Roldan didn’t expect much from this crowd and the fans should have cheered for El Hijo del Vikingo. They have turned their back on him and need to get over Vikingo turning his back on them. Vikingo calls Mini Vikingo dumb and he doesn’t know what he’s gotten into. Last time, Mini Vikingo’s mother was crying, so buy her a lot of tissues for what he’s got planned. Vikingo is ready to go to Wrestlemania as the Intercontinental Champion because he’s seen the stupid man with the title.

So Penta can get out here with his dumb dance…and here he is, complete with the dance. Penta acknowledges Vikingo’s skill but doesn’t like Roldan, who turns everything he touches to trash. Vikingo doesn’t respect his town and his mother doesn’t like him. He’s out here in a suit like he’s about to be baptized and the match is on. How about April 11 in Mexico City? Oh and here’s the little dance you didn’t like, plus a shove to Vikingo’s face. Penta thanks the fans and hits his catchphrase to wrap it up. That’s a big match, as they’re definitely making the Mexico City show feel important.

Overall Rating: B. This show did a nice job of covering a few things, as not only did it have the very good opener, but it also bridged things forward. We have the Intercontinental Title match and Flammer’s celebration announced for April 11, albeit with another title defense for Flammer in the way. While this felt like the least important of the three weeks (because it was), they did a good job of keeping me interested. Nice work again here, which is pretty normal for AAA.

Results
Laredo Kid b. Dragon Lee, Jack Cartwheel and TJ Perkins – Curb stomp to Perkins
El Fiscal b. Abismo Negro – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

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Monday Night Raw
Date: March 16, 2026
Location: Frost Bank Center, San Antonio, Texas
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

It’s Steve Austin Day and odds are that isn’t going to mean much for this show. We’re about a month away from Wrestlemania and the show is needing a shot in the arm. We might get some of that this week as Brock Lesnar is here to hopefully address his Wrestlemania challenge. Let’s get to it.

Here are last week’s results if you need a recap.

The masked men storm ringside to start things off and Seth Rollins is in the ring. Rollins gets right to the point: he created the Vision and he will be the one to destroy it. He doesn’t care which member you are, but if you stand next to Paul Heyman, you are marked for death. Rollins is the one who attacked Paul Heyman and….here is Heyman, looking like he just fell out of a bus. Rollins is ready to destroy Heyman, who says he wouldn’t miss this for the world. Everyone knows that the rule is FAFO. Heyman: “FAFO. FAFO. FAF….5.”

And here is Brock Lesnar, which has Rollins’ goons surrounding him. Lesnar takes off his hat and wrecks the masked men until he’s alone with Rollins….and here is Oba Femi. Even Lesnar isn’t sure about this one and Femi stares him down. The Fall From Grace immediately plants Lesnar (Cole: “HOLY S***!”) and Femi steps on Lesnar’s chest while pointing to the Wrestlemania sign. Well that works, but DANG Femi better be ready.

We look at last week’s CM Punk showdown with the Usos, who are not happy with how Punk has been talking about Roman Reigns. Punk didn’t back down and got hit in the face for his efforts.

We look at El Grande Americano winning the AAA Rey de Reyes tournament over the weekend. You should check out AAA if you haven’t (it airs on WWE’s Youtube page) as it’s one of the better weekly series going today.

Original El Grande Americano vs. El Grande Americano

Los Americanos are here with Americano. Original hits a quick rolling Liger Kick and crabs an armbar over the top rope. The lackeys get involved for a distraction, allowing Americano to send Original into the post. Original is able to reverse a slingshot into a northern lights suplex for two and they chop it out. A suplex sends Americano over the top onto the other two and we take a break.

We come back with Original grabbing a backdrop but needing a breather. Original’s rolling kick to the head sets up some rolling German suplexes but Americano sends him to the apron. That lets Original take out Rayo and then Bravo, only for Americano to grab his weird Death Valley Driver variant for two. A big kick to the chest rocks Original again and Death Valley Driver gets two more.

Original manages a suplex into the corner and the ankle lock goes on, with Americano making the rope. The rolling Chaos Theory suplex drops Original but the referee is with Rayo. Original Cactus Clotheslines him outside, allowing Bravo to load up Americano’s mask. Original’s Swan Dive knocks himself out and Americano gets the pin at 9:55.

Rating: C+. This was a fine enough match, but dang they need to have the inevitable mask vs. mask match down in Mexico. The fans there are eating up everything these two are doing and it would be great to see them get the chance to show off on the big stage. If nothing else, it’s nice to have them getting something else rather than fall down the ladder by being themselves.

Roman Reigns arrives and runs into the Usos. Reigns says there are consequences for what you say and he grabs the camera, saying his fans should be offended by what CM Punk said. Over Wrestlemania Weekend, Punk belongs to him. He’ll catch up with the Usos later.

We look back at Judgment Day turning on Finn Balor last week.

Liv Morgan says this has been her plan since the day she joined Judgment Day. She only put up with Balor for his relationship with Dominik Mysterio and it has been a pleasure watching Balor fall from grace. It made her sick to call him family every week so they took something out of his playbook. The team is on to bigger and better things, like her beating Stephanie Vaquer for the title at Wrestlemania.

We look at Dominik Mysterio retaining the AAA Mega Title on Saturday, though he isn’t medically cleared for tonight.

The Usos talk to Roman Reigns about how he should deal with CM Punk. He’s heard the part time thing all the time but he doesn’t care because it’s about his wife and children. Reigns will get his apology later tonight.

Women’s Intercontinental Title: AJ Lee vs. Bayley

Lee is defending and gets powered into the corner to start. Some quick rollups give Lee two each but Bayley trips her down. Lee kicks her out to the floor and lets Bayley come back in, where Lee grabs a flipping armbar. Bayley gets out and sends her outside for a change as we take a break.

We come back with Lee reversing a suplex into a crossbody before also reversing the Bayley To Belly. A spinwheel kick gives Lee two and a Standing Sliced Bread drops Bayley again. The Shining Wizard is countered into a half crab but Lee gets out, only to be kneed in the face for some near falls. The Rose Plant is blocked so Bayley goes with the Bayley To Belly for two instead. They slap it out from their knees until the Shining Wizard rocks Bayley. The Black Widow is countered into a side slam but Bayley misses the top rope. Now the Black Widow goes on and Bayley taps at 10:32.

Rating: C+. This is the kind of win that does a lot of good for Lee. She isn’t likely to be around here, champion or not, for very long but she can still beat some of this generation one on one. That’s what Lee did here with a clean win over a big modern name. Bayley is absolutely set and can lose something like this without being hurt so it’s not like there is much of a downside.

JD McDonagh isn’t happy that Dominik Mysterio isn’t getting his Intercontinental Title shot but Mysterio isn’t cleared. Penta comes up and thanks Adam Pearce, who argues with McDonagh some more.

Back from a break and Becky Lynch is attacking AJ Lee in the aisle. Referees try to break it up but Lynch drops Lee with a belt shot to the head.

We look at Randy Orton turning on Cody Rhodes on Smackdown and laying him out on Smackdown.

Here is Penta for a chat before his Intercontinental Title defense. He wants to be a fighting champion because this title is for everyone. And we have a challenger.

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Dragon Lee

Penta is defending and we’re joined in progress with the two of them going to the mat. Lee gets up and does Penta’s strut and then dropkicks him into the corner. Penta is back with a chop of his own, followed by the slingshot dropkick to send Lee outside. Lee is able to get back up for a running flip dive, only for Penta to come back with one of his own. Back in and Penta’s high crossbody gets two and we take a break.

We come back with the two of them slugging it out until Lee manages a Styles Clash for two. A quick Penta Driver gives Penta two more but Lee kicks him out to the floor. One heck of a running flip dive knocks Penta over the announcers’ table and the fans are way into this. Back in and Operation Dragon gives Lee a very close two but Penta is right back up with the Mexican Destroyer for the pin at 11:48.

Rating: B. Yeah this worked as they did the fast paced, non-stop action match that you would want them to do. It worked very well, with that flip dive from Lee looking outstanding. This was about Penta getting in the ring and getting a nice win, with Lee getting to do his thing as well. Very entertaining match.

Post match respect is shown.

The Vision tells Paul Heyman that they’re coming for Seth Rollins but an anxious Heyman says that’s a bad idea. They need power to do what they want and that means getting the Tag Team Titles. Go do something to get the Usos’ attention. Austin Theory is off to do just that, with Logan Paul saying consider it done.

Maxxine Dupri vs. Nattie

Nattie wrestles her down with ease to start and it’s time for some choking in the ropes. Dupri gets tied in the Tree Of Woe for more choking and Nattie grabs a rear naked choke. That’s reversed into the ankle lock, followed by a kick to put Nattie down. A fisherman’s suplex lets Dupri take the straps down for a step up legdrop and a near fall. Nattie is right back with a knockdown of her own though and the Sharpshooter makes Dupri tap at 4:20.

Rating: C. This was about what you would expect from these two, as Dupri showed off her athleticism and spammed the heck out of the ankle lock. Nattie’s whole point is about proving that Dupri isn’t ready and she got so show some of that tonight. Odds are this feud isn’t over yet, which is quite the shame at the moment.

Post match Nattie says the Dungeon is alive.

Randy Orton is on the phone with someone about what he did on Friday, saying he’ll see you soon. Orton stops for an interview with Michael Cole…but he’s changed his mind and isn’t doing it. He will say this though: he had a conversation with someone who has a brain and they made him understand who and what he is. The reality is Orton is a killer and wrestling has more than one royal family.

Je’Von Evans comes up to Dragon Lee, who is banged up from his match. Kofi Kingston pops in to tell Evans to hang out with the right people. Kingston insults Lee and that’s enough for Evans to give him a no. Grayson Waller says he doesn’t get what they see in Evans, but Kingston says that’s how people feel about Waller. Cue Danhausen to say he should join the New Day because they can have curse cereal. He does the New Day Dance but gets a no, so YOU ARE CURSED, with Kingston and Waller arguing over which one got it.

Stephanie Vaquer vs. Raquel Rodriguez

Non-title and Liv Morgan is here with Rodriguez. Vaquer gets shouldered down to start so she grabs a rolling cradle for two. A big clothesline hits Vaquer and we’re already in the chinlock. That’s broken up just as fast and Vaquer escapes a powerbomb attempt. Vaquer’s running dropkick sends Rodriguez outside, where she launches Vaquer face first into the post. That leave Vaquer’s eyes bugging out as we take a break.

We come back with Vaquer being knocked to the apron, where she gets up top for a high crossbody. Vaquer starts in on the leg and hits the running knees in the corner. Rodriguez is able to block the Devil’s Kiss and a suplex cutter puts Vaquer down. The Vader Bomb elbow misses though and now the Devil’s Kiss works.

Morgan gets up for a distraction but here is Iyo Sky to go after her. Rodriguez is up with a shoulder to put Sky over the announcers’ table but Vaquer superkicks Rodriguez and throws Morgan into the timekeeper’s area. Back in and Vaquer tries a high crossbody, which is reversed into a powerslam. The Tejana Bomb is loaded up but Vaquer reverses into a rollup for the pin at 10:06.

Rating: B-. The interference got a bit messy at the end but Vaquer gets to look solid in a win on the way to Wrestlemania. It is hard to imagine Vaquer retaining the title at Wrestlemania but she needed a chance to get back in the fans’ mind. Sky wanting to destroy Morgan is an interesting side story and I like where this is going.

Lyra Valkyria tries to talk to Bayley about her Wrestlemania prospects but Bayley cuts her off. The idea is for them to do it together but the Kabuki Warriors come in, with Asuka blaming them for her recent loss. Revenge is teased. Of note: the Vision was shown in the background, talking to a woman I believe was Maxxine Dupri.

We look back at Oba Femi laying out Brock Lesnar and their Wrestlemania match is set.

The Usos run into LA Knight, who wants to take out the Vision as well. As for Roman Reigns, it’s Family business and Knight needs to mind his own business. Knight respects the idea but he doesn’t want the Bloodline coming back.

Here is Roman Reigns for a chat. Reigns hits the catchphrase and says the fans know who closes this show. The thing is Phil gets a little confused because this is Monday and this is Reigns’ show so come on out here. Punk comes out and takes his sweet time circling the ring until Reigns welcomes him to his show. Punk says Reigns keeps calling him Phil when it’s supposed to be an insult.

That’s a friends and family thing and he should call Reigns “Titi Tiaki” or whatever his real name is. Punk certainly isn’t going to call him Joe because that’s insulting to a real Samoan named Joe that he loves very much. Reigns hasn’t sent any Samoans after Punk but he has told them to do whatever they need to do. Punk shows the proof that this is his show by asking how good it feels to be alive in San Antonio.

Punk knows he has already won because he is in Reigns’ head, though the fans chanting for Reigns cuts him off a bit. Reigns says the fans are calling Punk out, with Punk saying that he called Reigns out last week because he wasn’t here. Reigns says that he’s heard the part timer thing for years and if Punk wants to know what the top stars do, go ask his wife. That’s enough for Reigns to leave, but Punk cuts him off, saying Punk decides when he leaves on this show.

Punk promises him a GTS at Wrestlemania so Reigns says he didn’t want to go here. Everyone knows Punk is great on the mic but he can’t phase Reigns, who is the most successful star Punk has ever faced. At the end of the day, the truth is Punk isn’t stronger, faster or anything than Reigns. He isn’t even as good looking as Reigns. Punk is a try hard because he’s….old.

That’s enough for Punk to hit him with a right hand so agents come out to stop him, with Reigns laughing. With a ticked off Punk being escorted out, Reigns looks into the camera and talks about making Punk snap with one word. This feud is working for the simple reason (one of many) that you can believe these two do not like each other at all. It’s making these exchanges feel genuine and it comes off like a Wrestlemania main event, which is a job well done.

The show is dedicated to Davey Coates, the international tour manager who passed away last week.

Overall Rating: C+. This show illustrated the same thing as the last few weeks of Smackdown: outside of a few things, this company doesn’t feel like it’s in Wrestlemania mode. The main event segment was great and Femi vs. Lesnar could be awesome, but a good bit of the rest of the stuff is just kind of there. Some of it is good and could be worth your time in Las Vegas, but it isn’t making me hyped for the show. They need more of a feeling that this is what matters more than anything else and I’m not sure they can make that feel effective with about a month to go.

Results
El Grande Americano b. Original El Grande Americano – Swan Dive
AJ Lee b. Bayley – Black Widow
Penta b. Dragon Lee – Mexican Destroyer
Nattie b. Maxxine Dupri – Sharpshooter
Stephanie Vaquer b. Raquel Rodriguez – Rollup

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6

Rey de Reyes 2026 Night One
Date: March 14, 2026
Location: Auditorio GNP Seguros, Puebla, Mexico
Commentators: John Bradshaw Layfield, Rey Mysterio, Corey Graves

It’s the first of three weeks of one of the biggest AAA shows of the year and they’re starting fast. This week features both the Rey de Reyes finals, plus Dominik Mysterio defending the Mega Title against El Hijo del Vikingo, with some special stipulations. That’s in addition to a Women’s Title match so let’s get to it.

The opening video talks about what it takes to be the best and earn the crown. Or sword in this case.

Commentary sends best wishes to Konnan, who has been having some health issues.

Here is Rey Fenix to get things going. He loves being here and promises surprises for everyone. That includes his favorite wrestler, and his brother, which brings out Penta. I mean, he was already announced for the show so it’s not a surprise but close enough. Fenix even holds the rope open for him in a nice moment before going to leave, but Penta tells him to stay.

Penta greets the crowd and teases a Lucha Brothers reunion, perhaps at TripleMania. They’re the best team in the universe and they’ll be back together. Fenix leaves and Penta talks about some of the legends that have won the Rey de Reyes tournament over the years. Penta talks about how winning the Intercontinental Title is about everyone here and he wants a challenger from Mexico to step up. You could tell how much this meant for Penta and that’s rather cool to see.

Reina de Reinas Title: Flammer vs. ???

It’s open challenge time with Flammer defending against….Bayley. Ok that’s a nice surprise. Bayley headlocks her down to start and they grapple around a bit, with Flammer slipping away. Bayley takes her to the floor for a quick beating but Flammer sweeps the leg and hits a suicide dive. Back in and Flammer pounds away before grabbing the chinlock. That doesn’t last long as Bayley is back up with a running neckbreaker.

The Twisting Stunner over the ropes gives Bayley two and she knees Flammer in the face. Flammer kicks her out of the corner though and rips a pad off the turnbuckle but has to escape the Rose Plant. Bayley gets tied in the ropes for a springboard legdrop but is fine enough to hit a middle rope elbow to the back. A Codebreaker out of the corner gives Flammer two, only for Bayley to knock her down. Cue Las Toxicas for a distraction, allowing Flammer to send her into the ropes. The running dropkick against the ropes retains the title at 11:38.

Rating: B-. And that’s a great way to use a star like Bayley, as she got cheated out of the win and Flammer gets one of the biggest victories of her career. The win gives Flammer the record for longest reign in the title’s history, which is quite the accomplishment. I don’t quite get the star power out of her, but this kind of a win is always going to help.

Video on the Rey de Reyes tournament and what it has meant over the years. This year, the winner even gets a Mega Title shot in addition to the really big sword.

Rey de Reyes: Santos Escobar vs. Original El Grande Americano vs. El Grande Americano vs. La Parka

One fall and for the sake of simplicity, I’ll call them “Original” and “Americano” respectively. The bell rings twice for some reason and it’s already off to Original vs. Americano. Escobar makes the fans wait even longer though, with Parka coming back in to break it up. The fans call Original IMPOSTER as he sends Parka out to the apron. A dropkick sends Original to the floor and Escobar dumps Parka as well.

Americano is back in to hammer on Escobar but Parka is back in to clean house. Parka moonsaults down onto the other three and a spinning torture rack bomb drops Original for two back inside. Original is back up to start working on Parka’s arm and a top rope clothesline drops him for two. Escobar is back in and Original takes over on him as well, with Americano coming back in to the crowd’s delight.

Escobar gets the other three in the corners for some running knees and a superkick gets two on Parka. Americano tells Escobar to bring it though and clears him out, meaning it’s time for the showdown with Original. Escobar breaks it up again and gets his ankle locked, with Americano doing his weird camel clutch to Parka. Both of those are broken up so Escobar takes Parka up top for a superplex and a near fall.

Original German suplexes Parka and Escobar so here is Americano to hammer away. A super Spanish Fly drops Original, with Escobar adding a superkick mid-flip (cool) for two. Original and Americano take the other two down and they both load up the masks. Stereo headbutts leave both of them down and Parka frog splashes Americano for two. Parka and Escobar clothesline each other and everyone is down.

Original and Americano brawl to the back, which JBL points out as being rather dumb. Escobar grabs a chair but gets suplexed for two instead. Parka misses a moonsault and gets faceplanted onto the chair for two. Cue Americano, who points to Los Americanos beating up the Original in a sky box. Escobar avoids a charge in the corner and gets two off a rollup with tights. Cue El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. to stop Escobar from grabbing a chair though, allowing Americano to hit the running headbutt for the pin and the tournament at 19:00.

Rating: B+. This was pretty much non-stop action and the fans were WAY into everything Americano was doing. They’ve got a hot feud here and a mask vs. mask match is about as perfect of a blowoff as you can get. Putting Americano into the Mega Title picture is what the fans want and it comes after an awesome four way. Rather good stuff here, as they did not stop throughout.

Post match Americano laughs at the Original, who has been handcuffed to a railing in the box.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Mega Title: El Hijo del Vikingo vs. Dominik Mysterio

Vikingo, with Dorian Roldan, is challenging and cannot challenge again if he loses. If Mysterio wins, he has to leave Mexico. It’s also No DQ so they both grab an early kendo stick. Vikingo dropkicks him into the corner and ties him in the ropes for a running low dropkick. Some legsweeps put Mysterio down and a chair is tossed at his head (Rey: “Maybe after that hit he’ll recognize me as his father.”).

Vikingo sends him into the steps and a running flip dive knocks Mysterio out of a chair for the big crash. Back in and Vikingo puts a trashcan over Mysterio’s head and unloads with a kendo stick for two. Mysterio fights back and knocks him down for the slingshot hilo but Vikingo blocks the Three Amigos. Instead it’s a Michinoku Driver for two on Vikingo, with Roldan making the save.

Cue Omos for a distraction, allowing Vikingo to get two off a rollup. Omos pulls a trashcan away from Mysterio and throws it back at him, allowing Vikingo to hit a top rope double stomp for two. Vikingo puts on the title but misses a frog splash, only for Omos to break up the 619. There’s a big chokeslam to Mysterio but here is Mini Vikingo to break up the 630. Mysterio goes low to save Mini from Omos and some chair shots put Omos down. The 619 and frog splash retain the title at 12:55.

Rating: B. The key thing here is they didn’t go long, as this was more about just getting everything in and leaving before they overstayed their welcome. The big two promotions could absolutely learn something from that as it made things so much better here. Mysterio retaining is a great way to go, as he is thriving here and it would be insane to take him out of Mexico.

Post match Mysterio celebrates and you can hear Rey having to keep himself from cheering for his son (that’s nice).

Overall Rating: B+. As usual, I had a great time with this as everyone was working hard and you can get into everything rather easily. The tournament final was a blast and the main event was fun, with Bayley being a nice surprise. They knew this was the big show and they did well with it, though good luck following up on it in the coming weeks. AAA continues to be among the best weekly series and that was absolutely the case again here.

Results
Flammer b. Bayley – Running dropkick against the ropes
El Grande Americano b. Original El Grande Americano, La Parka and Santos Escobar – Running headbutt to Original
Dominik Mysterio b. El Hijo del Vikingo – Frog splash

Remember to follow me on Twitter and Bluesky @kbreviews and head over to my Amazon author page with 30 different cheap wrestling books at:

http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Hall/e/B00E6282W6