Wrestlemania XXXVI Night 1
Date: April 4, 2020
Location: WWE Performance Center, Orlando, Florida
Commentators: Michael Cole, John Bradshaw Layfield, Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton
Host: Rob Gronkowski

A year has passed since this show and it still does not seem real. Aside from the main event, this show has almost been erased from history as it is barely ever discussed whatsoever. The Coronavirus wiped everything out and the show was moved to the Performance Center, making it feel like a show that they had just to say they had it. Let’s get to it.

Kickoff Show: Cesaro vs. Drew Gulak

Their respective friends (Shinsuke Nakamura/Sami Zayn and Daniel Bryan) are feuding so these two are having a match as well. Yeah it’s weak but what else are they supposed to do? Cole is calling this one on his own and it sounds so strange. Gulak goes for the arm to start but a short armscissors is countered into a powerbomb. They head outside with Cesaro getting in another shot but the arm is banged up.

An armdrag on the bad arm sets up a whip into the steps but Cesaro uppercuts him out of the air for two. A Fujiwara armbar is broken up so Gulak settles for two off a sunset flip. Cesaro boots him in the face and loads up a torture rack airplane spin (with no hands at one point for a crazy visual) before just dropping Gulak for the pin at 4:27.

Rating: C. The match was fine but EGADS this is bizarre. It’s like we’re watching a training session that was recorded and they slapped a Wrestlemania logo on the thing. It was watchable enough and would have been acceptable as a warmup but I can’t believe that this is Wrestlemania. Of course it isn’t on WWE given the circumstances but my goodness this is weird and that isn’t likely to change over the course of the show.

Stephanie McMahon welcomes us to the show and says that while this is going to be the most different Wrestlemania ever (due to the current circumstances, with no mention of the virus, which was a weird WWE thing for a LONG time).

Rather than someone singing America the Beautiful live, we get a montage of previous performances. Fair enough and actually a pretty cool idea.

The opening video continues the pirate theme but someone doing a pretty bad Jack Sparrow impression cuts it off, saying it sounds like they are starting at the end. He says the video isn’t trying and calls for the “classic movie trailer voice”. The trailer voice is cut off by the Sparrow impression (which is how he refers to it) but the video still doesn’t work, so he says go to the shots of our heroes looking all serious. These people are larger than life and are marred by the work of hundreds of days and nights.

This is their quest for gold, glory and immortality. Tonight, forget EVERYTHING you know because fate leads the way, and fate can surprise us. History waits for no one and tonight, their chance to shape history begins right now. The traditional montage takes over from here. I love pirate movies and while this was pretty much a parody of the idea, it makes me wonder how good the real thing would have been with the WWE budget behind a pirate themed show.

Host Rob Gronkowski (erg) welcomes us to the show and does some fine script reading as he talks about how this is a two night event. He talks about being able to start a party on a Saturday night, even if that might be a little difficult in a mostly empty building. Mojo Rawley joins him because you need the hype here. Gronk gives him some pretty lame chops and we’re off to the first match.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross vs. Kabuki Warriors

The Warriors (Asuka/Kairi Sane) are defending and commentary points out that they took the titles from Bliss/Cross back in October. This is their first title defense since DECEMBER, because the titles really don’t mean much in WWE. Asuka and Bliss get things going with a lot of laughing but it’s off to Sane without any contact. Sane shoves Bliss around a bit, drawing Bliss back up to knock Sane down. That sets up the double knees to the ribs and a tag off to Cross, who is taken into the champs’ corner.

Some forearms stagger Asuka though and Bliss tags herself in. That means a baseball slide can knock Sane outside, followed by a flip dive from the apron. Back in and Asuka punches Cross in the face, allowing the tag back to Sane. Everything breaks down again with the Warriors taking over on the floor. Back in again and a bulldog into a basement dropkick rocks Cross but Sane gets a bit cocky.

That means Cross can kick her away, allowing the tag back to Bliss. House doesn’t have time to be cleaned though as Asuka offers a distraction, allowing Sane to catch Bliss in the ropes. The Alberto double stomp gets two and Bliss is in trouble, despite Cross trying to get….well no one here to clap. The referee yells at Asuka, allowing Sane to snap Bliss’ neck across the ropes.

Bliss forearms Asuka in the face so Asuka kicks her head off. Another shot from Bliss allows the hot tag to Cross, meaning it’s a lot of screaming as she forearms and bulldogs Sane. A high crossbody gives Cross two but Sane gets in a cheap shot from the apron. The Reckoning gets two on Asuka with Sane breaking it up off a top rope elbow (and possibly with a camera edit because that count looked ready to go down before Sane appeared).

Asuka tries the Asuka Lock on Cross but Bliss breaks it up with Twisted Bliss. Back up and Asuka hits a Codebreaker on Cross but the Insane Elbow is broken up. Instead it’s a powerbomb/top rope forearm to knock Cross silly….for two. Nikki avoids a charge to send Asuka into the post. The Reckoning sets up another Twisted Bliss for the pin and the titles at 15:11.

Rating: C. That was a lot longer than I would have bet on but the title change was the right way to start. If nothing else, just so Bliss can do her pose with a title again. You can only have the Warriors hold the title so long before it stops meaning anything due to a lack of defenses. I can’t imagine this makes a huge difference, but it was the right move here.

Sami Zayn brags about taking the Intercontinental Title from Braun Strowman, even though people thought it was inevitable that Strowman would destroy him. Tonight, people think it is inevitable that Daniel Bryan will take the title from him, but we’ll see about that.

King Corbin vs. Elias

This is fallout from Corbin knocking Elias off a platform here in the arena. That should have, you know, broken most of his bones, but instead it put him out for eight days. Corbin insists that Elias isn’t here but the comeback is here before the referee can even start to count. Corbin goes outside to start the fight in the aisle so Elias blasts him in the back with the guitar.

Elias sends him into various things and they head inside for the opening bell. An elbow to the face gives Elias two and it’s time to choke near the ropes. Corbin tosses him over the top and wants the countout but settles for right hands to the ribs back inside. The slide underneath the rope in the corner clothesline gets two on Elias and it’s time to hammer on Elias’ bad shoulder (because he has a bad shoulder after crashing off the balcony last week).

Said bad shoulder goes into the post for two and Corbin yells at the referee, which you can hear a lot more of in the empty arena. Back up and Elias sends him shoulder first into the post to even things up a bit. A kick out of the corner sends Corbin into another corner and Elias hammers away. Elias has to roll through the top rope elbow and charges into Deep Six for two. Back up and Elias nails a jumping knee to the face but gets sent throat first into the ropes. A rollup with feet on the ropes gives Corbin two but the referee catches the cheating and yells a lot. Instead Elias grabs a rollup and tights for the pin at 8:52.

Rating: C-. That’s one of the least interesting matches I can remember in a long time, but what were you expecting given who was in there? It’s bad enough that Elias’ big revenge was a rollup pin after getting beaten down for a few minutes, but the fact that it came over Corbin made things even worse. Just not an interesting match and it would have felt a lot better as the nothing Kickoff Show match instead.

We recap Shayna Baszler vs. Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Title. Becky Lynch has been champion for about a year and is out of people to face. Baszler showed up from NXT and….bit Becky’s neck for some reason, drawing a bunch of blood. Then Baszler demolished the Elimination Chamber match to become #1 contender (in other words she beat up a bunch of losers and Asuka), setting up Lynch’s biggest challenge in a long time. Lynch reminding Baszler that she beat Ronda Rousey to get the title was a great response and this was a heck of a build.

Raw Women’s Title: Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler

Lynch is defending and drives to the arena in a semi truck because…something about the Man I guess? They go straight to the slugout to start and the threat of the Kirifuda Clutch sends Becky bailing out to the floor. Baszler is sent into the steps to put her in trouble, followed by a missile dropkick back inside. Lynch comes up favoring her back but hammers away in the corner anyway.

A hard knee rocks Lynch but she slips out of the Kirifuda Clutch to grab a rollup instead. Baszler grabs a cutter for two but can’t hit a running knee. They fight to the apron with Lynch talking trash as they forearm it out. Lynch Rock Bottoms her onto the apron for two and the champ looks a bit surprised.

Baszler slams her off the top and grabs a quickly broken cross armbreaker. Instead Baszler puts on her own Disarm Her but Lynch is out in a hurry. This time Lynch grabs the Disarm Her on the ropes, only to have Baszler knock her off the rope for a big crash. Baszler picks her up for a hard swing into the announcers’ table (geez that always looks rough) before throwing it back inside. The Kirifuda Clutch goes on but Lynch backflips over for the pin to retain at 8:32.

Rating: C. Yeah I’m not sure I get this one, as Lynch was ready to lose the title and Baszler seemed primed to take the thing from her. Throw in the Lynch was about to go on maternity leave (fair enough that she didn’t know it at this point) and there was no reason to not switch the title here. It seemed that they were setting up a submission rematch, but at some point you need to just change the title and be done with it, which should have been the case here.

Intercontinental Title: Sami Zayn vs. Daniel Bryan

Bryan, with Drew Gulak, is challenging and Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura are here with Zayn. Rob Gronkowski and Mojo Rawley do the YES chant from the balcony, which just looks sad with two people in there. Sami bails straight to the floor and then does it again to get in Bryan’s head. Back in and the third exit ensues, which finally causes Bryan to go after him, only to have Cesaro and Nakamura get in the way.

Gulak dives onto the two of them and hammers away, meaning Gulak and Zayn get to have their own staredown. Bryan finally gets his hands on Zayn thanks to a suicide dive and it’s time to crank on the leg. Zayn is sent outside again for another suicide dive, followed by a missile dropkick back inside. Bryan slaps him in the face and shouts that Zayn is the loser because he hasn’t beaten anyone.

The running dropkick in the corner might have Zayn crying (JBL: “You shouldn’t be crying at Wrestlemania.”) but he cuts Bryan’s charge off with a shot of his own. Back up and Bryan hits the running clothesline, followed by the rapid fire strikes. Hold on though as Bryan needs to go after Cesaro and Nakamura, only to dive into the Helluva Kick to retain Zayn’s title at 9:18.

Rating: C. Another rather disappointing match here but again, it’s kind of hard to complain about much on this show. The biggest problem continues to be the lack of time, as you can only make a match feel so big in just over nine minutes. It’s also another situation where the title should have changed hands, as Zayn went home because of the virus (fair) and had to vacate the title without wrestling again in nearly six months.

Smackdown Tag Team Titles: John Morrison vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Jimmy Uso

Morrison is defending for Miz and John Morrison and this is a ladder match. Injuries and virus concerns took away enough of the partners that this is as good as we can get here. Everyone misses a kick to start and Morrison and Kingston both stick the landings on a monkey flip attempt, meaning it’s an early standoff.

Everyone goes out to grab a ladder (Morrison gets the only regular sized one) and they all climb up, with Jimmy being knocked down and coming up clutching his knee (always a good sign). He’s fine enough to get to his feet but Kofi dives off the ladder to take him down. Morrison is right there to go after Kofi but they both miss kicks and takedowns. Kofi knocks Jimmy off the ladder but Morrison takes him down as well, meaning Jimmy has to make a save of his own.

A springboard lets Kofi dropkick both of them through the ladder (cool), only to have Morrison clear the ring again. Morrison stabs Jimmy in the knee with the ladder but Jimmy sends him face first into the ladder in the corner. That’s fine with Morrison, who knocks him onto the ladder and hits a corkscrew flip to crush Jimmy again. Kofi is back up with a springboard hurricanrana to pull Morrison off of the ladder, because of course he can do that.

After knocking Jimmy outside, Kofi hits a big dive over the top to take Morrison down again. Jimmy tries to run the barricade so Kofi throws the ladder at him for another knockdown. It’s time to bridge the ladder between the ring and the apron, which never winds up going well. Jimmy is laid on said ladder but Morrison walks the rope to get from one corner to another and Spanish Fly Kofi off the top.

That leaves Morrison down so Jimmy can hit a Superfly Splash to crush him all over again. Kofi and Jimmy climb the same ladder (with Kofi climbing from inside because he’s a bit unique) and Jimmy gets knocked off in a heap. Morrison gets knocked down as well and Kofi comes off with the jumping double stomp to make it worse. Back up and Jimmy bridges the ladder between the rope and the standing ladder (uh oh) and then sends Kofi face first into the bridged one.

Morrison gets superkicked out of the air so Jimmy goes up another ladder, only to be shoved down. It must have been quite the fall as he went down with his feet facing the entrance and landed with his head facing the entrance. Or maybe WWE just needs better editors. Morrison throws a ladder out and goes up, only to have Kofi climb the same ladder. Jimmy is back in to climb another ladder and they all get a hand on the titles. A double headbutt knocks Morrison down….and he comes up with the titles for the win at 18:33.

Rating: B. This was the big spotfest match that you knew was coming here at one point or another on the show and there is nothing wrong with that. They did their thing all over the place here with one crazy spot after another. That’s how a match like this is supposed to be and it was as fun as you could have imagined a triple threat match for the Tag Team Titles would be. Granted there is one thing wrong with the match, which would be the horrible knee injury that Jimmy suffered, which would keep him out of action for over a year.

We recap Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens. Rollins is doing his evil messiah deal and Owens doesn’t want to hear it, nor does he want to deal with the beatdowns Rollins and company have given him. Grudge match time.

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

Dig that KO Mania IV shirt with the Andre the Giant/Hulk Hogan style as Owens continues an awesome tradition. After a quick bit of hiding in the ropes, Rollins starts the slugout and it goes about as badly as you would go. Owens hammers him down, shrugs off a kick to the face, and hits a hard clothesline. There’s a backsplash to crush Rollins but it’s too early for the Cannonball.

Some chops have Rollins in trouble on the floor but he manages a backdrop on the apron to avoid a rather painful powerbomb. A Falcon Arrow on the apron plants Owens again as Rollins is already focusing on the back. Rollins hits a hard suicide dive to knock him into the barricade and he does it again for a bonus. Back in and Rollins keeps the trash talk up but misses a pair of Stomps. Owens doesn’t miss a DDT though and a superkick lets him hit the Cannonball.

The Stunner is countered and Rollins nails an enziguri, only to have Owens nail a rebound lariat for another knockdown. A superplex is loaded up but Rollins blocks it, setting up the buckle bomb. Some superkicks rock Owens, who is still fine enough to hit a pop up sitout powerbomb for a close two. They go outside and Rollins blasts him in the head with the ring bell for the DQ at 10:09.

And no this isn’t what we’re doing because Owens says let’s keep it going with no countout or DQ. That’s fine with Rollins and the bell rings, allowing him to hit a jumping knee to the face. Rollins takes it outside again and sends him into various things, followed by a steps shot to the face.

A bunch of chair shots have Owens in big trouble but he comes up with a HARD bell shot to the head. With Rollins mostly done, Owens climbs onto the big WRESTLEMANIA sign and dives off, though he is nice enough to ask if Rollins thinks this is a Wrestlemania moment. Back in and Rollins tries to talk his way out of trouble, earning himself a Stunner for the pin at 17:15.

Rating: B-. I didn’t remember liking this one all that much but they beat each other up rather well and it was entertaining enough. The bell to the head sounded great and the violence was good, once you got part the pretty worthless pause in between the falls. Owens can brawl with the best of them, but unfortunately he got hurt here too and would miss time of his own, because this show is cursed.

R-Truth comes up to Mojo Rawley and Rob Gronkowski and complains about being 24/7. I think you know what happens here and Rawley celebrates with the title.

Paul Heyman scares the heck out of Charly Caruso and talks about how great how sure he is that Drew McIntyre is losing. Brock Lesnar is going to destroy McIntyre and leave him a broken man because Lesnar is the most awesome fighter ever. He gets the message across with a bit more emotion as you might guess.

We run down the night two card.

Smackdown World Title: Braun Strowman vs. Goldberg

Goldberg is defending and there is no recap because there is no story. Goldberg won the title in Saudi Arabia so he could lose to Roman Reigns here, but then Reigns pulled out due to the Coronavirus concerns (again, fair). After about twenty seconds of staring each other down, Goldberg kicks him in the ribs and hits an early spear.

Strowman is back up so Goldberg hits two more spears for a near fall. Make it four, but the Jackhammer is countered into a powerslam. We’ll make that two powerslams and the third sets up a fourth to make Strowman champion at 2:11. The entire match was three moves and one of them was a kick to the ribs.

Wrestlemania XXXVII is in Los Angeles. Just like it was in the Memorial Coliseum in 1991.

We recap AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker. Styles didn’t like Undertaker being a broken shell of himself so he insulted Undertaker the man, including Undertaker’s wife. This did not wind up going well and for the first time, it seems that this is Mark Calaway fighting instead of Styles, which should make things all the more interesting. Oh and they’re in boneyard to make things a little spicier/more cinematic.

Undertaker vs. AJ Styles

The hearse rides into the boneyard and the druids pull out the casket, which of course has Styles in it for a chuckle worthy moment. In a bit cooler moment, we get Biker Taker again, riding to the boneyard to Now That We’re Dead by Metallica. AJ wastes no time in talking trash, asking if Michelle McCool knows Undertaker is out this late. Undertaker knocks a brick out of his hands and the fight is on, with Undertaker dragging him around. He even calls AJ Alan to make it more freaky.

AJ is sent into the closed casket but Undertaker’s punch goes through the hearse window (cue the Goldberg flashbacks). He is fine enough to throw him through the windshield and they fight on top of the hearse, with Undertaker still getting the better of things. Undertaker hammers away while yelling at AJ to not talk about his wife and then quotes Clubber Lang by saying he has a lotta more. AJ gets smart by throwing dirt in the eyes and then trying to punch Undertaker into a grave.

It turns out that standing in front of someone who can’t see and talking a lot makes you easy to punch so Undertaker drills him in the jaw. That’s enough to knock Undertaker into the grave but the Good Brothers show up, complete with imitation western music. Undertaker goes after them….and we’ve got druids for some reason. They don’t really do much good though, as they stand there while Undertaker goes in a circle punching them. Now Undertaker can beat up Gallows and Anderson in peace, including beating on them with the handle of a shovel.

AJ is back with a tombstone (the stone, not the move) though and shatters it over Undertaker’s back. That means trash talk from AJ and weird sounds from Undertaker….and they are both knocked through the wall of a shed. Undertaker wheezes and backs away, allowing AJ to break a shove over his back to knock him into a grave. With Undertaker down, AJ jumps in the dump truck (or whatever you call it)….and Undertaker appears behind him in a big ball of light. Eh it’s not that insane really.

AJ runs off (as you should) and climbs onto the roof of the barn so Undertaker shoots fire out of the roof foo. Cue Gallows and Anderson so Undertaker beats them up again and throws Gallows into the abyss. A Tombstone onto the roof drops Anderson and Undertaker says it’s just him and AJ. For some reason AJ swings at him and gets chokeslammed off the roof and through a big piece of wood. Undertaker climbs down and asks AJ what his wife’s name is. Or maybe AJ can tell Undertaker how old he is.

AJ is out on his feet as Undertaker picks him up and talks about how AJ is tougher than he gave him credit for. It’s time to go to the grave and AJ says he’s sorry. Undertaker wants to know what for and then picks AJ up by the throat. AJ begs him not to bury him and Undertaker hugs him while saying AJ put up a great fight. Then Undertaker boots him into the grave and fills it in with the dirt. The gong sounds and we’ll say that’s the match at about 19:12 (your individual times may vary).

Rating: A. Yeah this is still great and is the pinnacle of the cinematic stuff. It doesn’t get too goofy (I mean, Undertaker stuff is weird by definition) and it felt like two guys having a fight. AJ being all cocky and sure of himself until he finally realized what he was up against is a classic Undertaker story and it worked well here. Above all else, this felt like Undertaker having one last brush with greatness before hanging it up and I can see why he was ok with this being the big ending. Go out doing something different and special, which is what he did here. I loved this when I watched it and still do here, so well done.

AJ’s gloves hand sticks out of the grave as Undertaker gets on his bike, throws up the fist to make the fire go off again. Undertaker’s symbol goes up on the barn wall and he rides away to end the show. And to end Undertaker’s career it seems, as he has not wrestled since and announced his retirement at Survivor Series about seven months later.

Overall Rating: B-. Like I said at the beginning, this show has kind of been forgotten and it is easy to see why. I’m not sure how you could expect anything else here, as the show was cobbled together from whomever was left and they did what they could to still have a Wrestlemania. It’s a Wrestlemania in name only for the most part, but it isn’t like they had any control over the thing. What we got was good enough, but don’t expect this to be anything more than an historical curiosity, because it doesn’t feel like Wrestlemania.

Ratings Comparison

Drew Gulak vs. Cesaro

Original: C

2021 Redo: C

Alexa Bliss/Nikki Cross vs. Kabuki Warriors

Original: C

2021 Redo: C

Elias vs. King Corbin

Original: D

2021 Redo: C-

Shayna Baszler vs. Becky Lynch

Original: B-

2021 Redo: C

Daniel Bryan vs. Sami Zayn

Original: C+

2021 Redo: C

Jimmy Uso vs. John Morrison vs. Kofi Kingston

Original: B

2021 Redo: B

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

Original: C

2021 Redo: B-

Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman

Original: N/A

2021 Redo: N/A

Undertaker vs. AJ Styles

Original: A+

2021 Redo: A

Overall Rating

Original: C

2021 Redo: B-

Mostly in the ballpark, but it’s not like this is a show that is going to feel the same after a year.

Here’s the original review if you’re interested:

https://kbwrestlingreviews.com/2020/04/04/wrestlemania-xxxvi-night-one-broken-undertaker/

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

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

AND

Remember to check out Wrestlingrumors.net for all of your wrestling headline needs.

Smackdown
Date: April 10, 2026
Location: SAP Center, San Jose, California
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re just over a week away from Wrestlemania and that means it’s time to start talking a lot more. That’s likely going to be the focal point of the show, though unfortunately a lot of that is probably going to be done by Pat McAfee. Last week’s big reveal was certainly a choice and I’m almost scared to see what we’re getting with the followup. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Pat McAfee being revealed as Randy Orton’s associate last week and the ensuing beatdown on Cody Rhodes. Later in the night, Rhodes gave a rather angry response to McAfee.

Rhodes runs into Nick Aldis, who says McAfee is on his way. Aldis is under strict orders for Rhodes to not touch McAfee, but he won’t say who gave the orders. Jelly Roll comes in to say this is about Rhodes’ relationship with Orton and wants him to deal with this.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat. She congratulates Jade Cargill for finding her one weakness when she attacked Iyo Sky. Ripley wants Cargill out here but gets Sky instead. She’s angry at Cargill too and knows Ripley will get her at Wrestlemania…but Sky wants Cargill tonight. Nick Aldis comes in to make the match for tonight’s main event.

Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss

Lyra Valkyria and Charlotte are here too while Bayley is the hometown girl. Bayley shoulders her down to start but they go to a quick standoff. Bliss gets in a knockdown of her own and stands on Bayley’s back, only to be sent outside. A dropkick through the ropes rocks Bliss as we take a break.

We come back with Bliss striking away and hitting a running Blockbuster for two. Back up and Bayley sunset bombs her into the corner but gets caught with a tornado DDT. The Sister Abigail DDT is countered into the Bayley To Belly and they’re both down again. Bayley gets up for the top rope elbow and a near fall before taking Bliss outside. Some chops have Bliss in more trouble and Bayley even mocks Charlotte’s strut. Charlotte isn’t having this and throws her jacket at Bayley, which is enough for Bliss to grab the rollup pin at 10:08.

Rating: C+. This was just a little taste to help boost up the four way tag at Wrestlemania and that’s a fine idea. The match is already set so there is no real point in messing with the whole thing. Go with what is set up and don’t mess with it too much, which seems to be what they’re doing here.

We look back at Sami Zayn retaining the US Title last week by taking advantage of Carmelo Hayes’ injury. Then Trick Williams called him Ginger Snap.

Matt Cardona gives the still injured Hayes a pep talk but Williams, with Lil Yachty, comes in to say Hayes can watch him win the US Title. Hayes says he’s coming for the title after Wrestlemania but Cardona sets up a match with Williams tonight.

Drew McIntyre talks about how Jacob Fatu’s family is probably in the arena tonight but reveals he’s sitting in a prison cell, which is what Fatu will always be about. This is where Fatu always belongs and after Wrestlemania, he’ll screw up and wind up right back here. At Wrestlemania, McIntyre is the judge, jury and executioner.

Fatu isn’t happy but Solo Sikoa and the MFT’s come in to mock him, including losing Fatu his teeth the last time he was here. That doesn’t work for Fatu, who seems likely to get a match with Tama Tonga tonight.

We meet Royce Keys, who grew up around here and saw all of the violence and drugs. He and his friends had Royal Rumbles, where you had to toss someone over the fence to eliminate them. Things have changed for him now and he refuses to be defined by where he is from. So yeah basically the same intro as Powerhouse Hobbs. That’s not a bad idea but it took them this long?

Royce Keys vs. Berto

Angel is here too. Berto grabs a headlock and is promptly sent flying. Keys pulls him from the mat into a powerslam (nice) but Angel gets in a cheap shot. That lets Berto get in a posting but Keys is back with a fall away slam. A running powerslam and spinebuster finish for Keys at 2:50. Not quite a squash but close enough. Now how did this take two and a half months after he started at the Royal Rumble?

Pat McAfee arrives and confirms with Nick Aldis that no one from WWE is allowed to touch him. McAfee gives him a thank you with a rather bad British accent but runs into Jelly Roll. He wants to know what McAfee was thinking with everything and teases a fight but Aldis cuts that off. McAfee wants Roll out of here and goes off to save WWE.

Royce Keys is glad to be here in front of his hometown. Solo Sikoa comes in to say long time no see. He runs things around here so if Keys needs anything, let him know. Keys doesn’t say anything.

Here is Pat McAfee for a chat and he doesn’t like San Jose. He mocks the fans and moves on to CM Punk, who had a WWE jacket over a WWE Punk shirt on Raw. Punk has 283 things to sell right now but where does that money go? To the fans who can’t afford Wrestlemania tickets or to the “I’m sorry Saudi Arabia” fund?

The difference is that McAfee gets things done, which brings him to the Wrestlemania ticket prices. He called Ram Trucks and got them to pick up 25% of the bill for a Saturday night Wrestlemania ticket from now until the end of Raw. Sunday? Who cares, as Randy Orton isn’t on that show. This city has never won a Stanley Cup but this city will see Orton win the title at Wrestlemania.

Cue Cody Rhodes, with McAfee mocking his theme song in a bit of a funny bit. Rhodes knows that he can’t touch him but McAfee can go to the back and get a nice replica title and pretend to face anyone he wants. Then he can go back to whomever sent him here and say “thank you daddy”. There’s a term in wrestling called “play wrestler” and he never got it until he saw McAfee talking about the Attitude Era.

That was THIRTY YEARS AGO and Orton watched it in high school! Rhodes brings up Paul Boesch, who didn’t like the term “marks”, which McAfee was using on his show this week. Boesch called them CUSTOMERS and when you have everything because of those people, whether it’s the collector at the airport with 70 Pops or that kid in the front row with the cool jacket, they become FAMILY.

McAfee has one talent though: he has made the fans actually agree that they want to see Orton at Wrestlemania, but not McAfee, so go home. Rhodes goes to leave but McAfee says he’s here because he was born for the business while Rhodes was born into the business. He sees a fake man in Rhodes and if Orton doesn’t win the title at Wrestlemania, he’s out of this business forever. Fans: “GO HOME PAT!”

Rhodes brings up McAfee saying he’s tired so let’s get Gunther out here to put him to sleep for good. Rhodes leaves and McAfee calls him the “Elite runaway artist, eh Stardust?”. He suggests that Rhodes is going to go suck up to HHH, which brings Rhodes back, sans jacket. Orton pops up on screen, having attacked Jelly Roll.

Orton drags him into the arena and a McAfee distraction lets Orton get in a cheap shot on Rhodes. Roll gets up and grabs McAfee by the throat, with Orton making the save. A hanging DDT drops Rhodes, as does a belt shot. McAfee even leaves with the title. This was certainly better than last week, but that’s a far cry from it being good. McAfee as a heel manager/mouthpiece (for someone who doesn’t need one) is fine, but DANG Roll feels wedged into this thing.

Post match McAfee and Orton leave with the title.

We look at CM Punk’s promo from Raw.

Miz and Kit Wilson tell Nick Aldis that he needs to do something about the referee last week. Aldis: “He was cursed.” Miz: “NOT YOU TOO!” Aldis says fixing the curse is beyond him but he can put Wilson in the ring with Danhausen. Aldis: “Unless you’re afraid of the….curse.” Miz: “THERE IS NO CURSE!” This is the goofy fun I love in wrestling.

Jacob Fatu vs. Tama Tonga

Fatu backs him into the corner to start but misses a charge, allowing Tonga to strike away. A headbutt works a bit better for Fatu as Tonga is sent outside, where a suicide dive sends him over the announcers’ table. We take a break and come back with Fatu winning a slugout and hitting a splash in the corner. The running Umaga Attack connects but Tonga is back up with a kick to the face. A reverse rolling cutter gives Tonga two but he charges into a pop up Samoan drop. The triple jump moonsault finishes for Fatu at 8:07.

Rating: C+. Fatu hasn’t been in the ring much lately so it’s a good idea to have him out there getting a win. At the same time, I’m not sure what is going on with Tonga at the moment. He was teasing going after the US Title for the better part of ever and had the thing with Shinsuke Nakamura but nothing really came of either. That could change, but for now it’s not working out so well.

Post match Fatu grabs the mic but Drew McIntyre runs in for the brawl. A chair to the back and Futureshock on the floor knock Fatu silly so McIntyre handcuffs him around the post. McIntyre asks him how it feels to be back in chains where he belongs. Fatu tries to fight back but gets knocked cold, with McIntyre throwing him back inside for another Claymore and a belt whipping.

R-Truth explains how to get the ESPN App and Danhausen seems to understand. Damian Priest comes up to say that R-Truth thought that was Asuka last week…but R-Truth says Priest thinks Danhausen is Asuka. Priest is flummoxed but we cut to Rhea Ripley attacking B-Fab. Ripley: “One down, one to go.” R-Truth: “I don’t think Rhea wants her in Judgment Day.” Priest: “I’m the crazy one?” R-Truth could make the phone book amusing.

Here is Sami Zayn to a mixed reaction, which he acknowledges. People have been telling him that he needs to change and maybe that is what the fans want. He has always tried to be something more than a catchphrase and he does this for the fans. There is no way he will ever change on the fans who love him. Now as for the fans booing him, what did he do? As soon as he knew he had fans who were with him no matter what, the pressure was off.

Cue Trick Williams and Lil Yachty to interrupt, with Williams thinking that the fans are sick of hearing Zayn talk. The reality is Zayn hates Williams and his sauce, because Williams is the anointed one. Everyone loves him, but Zayn thinks it’s just a crush. Zayn tells Williams to understand what he’s up against at Wrestlemania, but Yachty thinks Zayn should be worried. Cue Matt Cardona for his scheduled match with Williams.

Trick Williams vs. Matt Cardona

Yachty and Zayn are still here too. We’re joined in progress with Williams grabbing a headlock but getting driven into the corner. The running knee out of said corner cuts Cardona off and Williams chops him down. A running clothesline connects for Cardona and he dropkicks Williams through the ropes. Back in and Cardona’s right hands in the corner are cut off and we take a break.

We come back with Williams hammering away but getting caught in a belly to back suplex. The Reboot connects and an Unprettier gives Cardona two. Williams is right back with a pop up neckbreaker for two his own and Cardona is sent outside for a clothesline. Zayn gets shoved down so he gets on the apron, where Yachty pulls him down. That earns Yachty a Helluva Kick but the Trick Shot finishes Cardona at 11:05.

Rating: C+. This was a good way to keep Williams’ momentum up, as it feels like we’re coming up on a double turn. Williams is only going to be able to be a heel for so long and WWE seems to know that. Zayn is someone who can work both ways at any time and he seems ready to switch, though I’m not sure how necessary that’s going to be. The story here is Williams though, and he seems ready for the task.

Video on Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar.

Class Wrestlemania Moment: John Cena vs. HHH vs. Randy Orton at Wrestlemania XXIV.

Danhausen vs. Kit Wilson

Danhausen is billed from 1311 Mockingbird Lane, which works well for an old school TV fan. Miz is here with Wilson. Danhausen actually dropkicks him and grabs a northern lights suplex for two before going outside to pose with a clueless Miz (ala Shawn Michaels and Sunny back in the day). Back in and Wilson hits a running elbow in the corner before insisting that the curse is NOT REAL. Wilson goes up but Danhausen curses him again (the fans are into it this time) and some pyro goes off in the corner, crotching Wilson on top. Miz gets poked in the eye and a pump kick finishes Wilson at 3:01.

Rating: C. That was exactly what it should have been as this was all about a goofy heel getting beaten by something that doesn’t make a ton of sense but has everyone in on the joke. Danhausen is doing exactly what he should be doing and it’s working out. It’s a good, silly story and they’re not pretending it’s anything else.

Post match the lights go out and Danhausen runs off before Miz can get him.

Michin has been attacked as well. Jade Cargill is ready for revenge.

Here’s what’s coming next week, including the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Rhea Ripley tells Iyo Sky about her previous work tonight. Sky is appreciative but asks Ripley to stay back here for the match. That’s fine with Ripley, but she wants Sky to save some for her at Wrestlemania.

Iyo Sky vs. Jade Cargill

Non-title and Sky is taped up from last week’s attack. Cargill powers her into the corner to start and knocks Sky down without much trouble. Sky is back up with a pop up dropkick to send Cargill outside, only to have the suicide dive cut off. We take a break and come back with Sky striking away, including snapping the arm across the top rope. The running knees in the corner rock Cargill, who is right back with a gorilla press.

Sky slips out of that and grabs a choke, which is broken up as well. Cargill’s pump kick is countered into a rollup for two, followed by Cargill grabbing a Blue Thunder Bomb for the same. Sky kicks her outside for an Asai moonsault but Cargill gets in a wheelbarrow drop onto the steps. Back in and Cargill nails a pump kick, followed by Jaded for the pin at 9:09.

Rating: B-. This was far from some kind of epic showdown, but Cargill getting a win over a star like Sky makes her feel all the more dangerous on the way to facing Ripley. Sky even has the injuries to give her an out in the loss. This is what it should have been given the circumstances and they got the ending right, which is what matters.

Post match Cargill grabs a chair but Rhea Ripley comes in for the save. Cargill sits down to stare at Ripley (for about a second) to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show’s biggest benefit was coming off of last week’s mess. While McAfee still played a big role here, he didn’t come off as completely out of nowhere as he did last week. It’s still not a good story, but they do seem to have tweaked it a bit (thank goodness). The rest of the show feels like it’s all about getting ready for Wrestlemania, which is all but locked into place. This week and next week are bout pushing what is already set and this show did a nice enough job.

Results
Alexa Bliss b. Bayley – Rollup
Royce Keys b. Berto – Spinebuster
Jacob Fatu b. Tama Tonga – Triple Jump Moonsault
Danhausen b. Kit Wilson – Pump kick
Jade Cargill b. Iyo Sky – Jaded

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

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

Smackdown
Date: April 3, 2026
Location: Enterprise Center, St. Louis, Missouri
Commentators: Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We could be in for a big one here, as we are in Randy Orton’s hometown and Orton has teased what we’ll be finding out who has been calling him lately. That opens up a bunch of options, but hopefully it gets the fans to actually boo him. Unfortunately, the whole “it’s Orton’s hometown” might make that difficult. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Stephanie McMahon slapping Cody Rhodes on Raw, warning him that he needs to wake up before Randy Orton knocks him into tomorrow.

Here is Orton to quite the hometown reception. After picking something off the microphone, Orton talks about how this is his hometown, but he’s not doing it for everyone here. He’s doing this for the six people right here in the front row, meaning his family. At Wrestlemania, Orton is winning his fifteenth World Title and bringing it back to St. Louis while Rhodes loses empty handed.

Rhodes gave him permission to listen to the voices and now Rhodes has no idea what is waiting for him. Orton saw him at the Garden with Stephanie McMahon on Raw and McMahon was absolutely right about what this is going to mean. Cue Rhodes for the fight and beats Orton down in the corner….but Pat McAfee comes in and kicks him low. Yes that McAfee.

The big beatdown is on, with Orton beating on Rhodes with a chair while McAfee insults the St. Louis sports teams. McAfee talks about how he said he felt WWE passed him by but Orton called him to talk about how things should be. The reality is that McAfee is sick of modern wrestling and watching 5’5 guys have an Iron Man match while RANDY ORTON is available.

There are tickets still available for Wrestlemania while Orton is on the card and we’re coming off the lowest rated Smackdown in a long time. Rhodes is leading this company in the wrong direction and at Wrestlemania, Orton is going to save it. The beating continues with McAfee confirming that he’s been the one on the phone and the villains leave as Nick Aldis and company come in.

We see them going back through the gorilla position as Rhodes is helped up. I have absolutely no idea how this is seen as their best option, as the idea is McAfee is standing up for the good old days? As in the McAfee who has been the biggest WWE cheerleader imaginable? It doesn’t make much sense and the fans really weren’t booing Orton at all (shocking in his hometown) so I have no idea what this accomplished.

Post break Orton and McAfee leave in McAfee’s truck (which is of course a Dodge Ram, which is the big logo in the middle of the ring).

Rhea Ripley vs. Michin

B-Fab is here with Michin. Ripley powers her into the corner to start and here is Jade Cargill as Ripley hits a fall away slam. Michin’s German suplex takes Ripley down and Michin hammers away as we take a break. We come back with Ripley still in trouble but she fights up with some clotheslines. The belly to back faceplant sets up a basement dropkick and a not great Razor’s Edge. The running knee gives Ripley two but Michin is back with a poisonrana. A sitout powerbomb gives Michin two but Ripley knocks her down again. The Prism Trap finishes Michin at 9:15.

Rating: C. This was WAY too much offense from Michin, as the win didn’t make Ripley feel like a big star ready to come after Cargill but rather made her look a lot weaker. At the end of the day, Michin and B-Fab have been made to look rather ineffective in recent months and Ripley should be running through either of them. I’m not sure what they were thinking here and Ripley’s finisher did look good, but this wasn’t the right way to go.

Post match the villains are in for the beatdown but Iyo Sky runs in for the save as the numbers even up a bit.

Matt Cardona is getting his wrist looked at when Aleister Black and Zelina come in. Black suggests that Cardona deserved this and a match is set for tonight.

Solo Sikoa says Uncle Howdy wants to fight for the lantern tonight but Sikoa isn’t letting the lantern out of his sight. So who is stepping up? Tama Tonga asks why they’re fighting for the lantern when it’s so much of a problem. Sikoa tells him to go face Howdy and don’t screw this up.

Rhea Ripley is glad to have Iyo Sky here because she needed backup and they are bloody unstoppable.

Tama Tonga vs. Uncle Howdy

Howdy pounds him into the corner to start but Tonga is back with some right hands and headbutts in the ropes. We take a break and come back with Tonga mocking Howdy but diving into the Mandible Claw. That’s broken up and here comes Sikoa, which is enough of a distraction for Sister Abigail to finish Tonga at 7:15.

Rating: C+. There was barely any time here and the point of the match was to further the issues between Tonga and Sikoa more than anything else. At the same time, this feud has been going on for a long time now so it’s time to wrap it up already. I’d rather they do something like this than have a huge showdown at Wrestlemania, though that might still be happening.

Post match Sikoa and Tonga argue over the lantern but Howdy gets it back.

Kit Wilson is complaining about his bad luck to Miz, who insists there is no curse. They run into R-Truth, who is insisting on how water in the hot tub in the new Judgment Day clubhouse. Wilson and Miz don’t like him because he keeps getting lucky despite never taking anything seriously. They want him to take one thing seriously….and Truth accepts their challenge for a Tag Team Title shot tonight. Granted they didn’t ask, but they’ll take it. Miz/Wilson: “Master, inspire, zone-in.”

So we…wait. Master, inspire, zone-in. In today’s “I’m an idiot”, I never before realized that spelled MIZ.

Jacob Fatu is ready for Drew McIntyre. Yes he has a criminal past, but he’s ready to get violent at Wrestlemania.

Sami Zayn talks to Nick Aldis and is ready for the US Title celebration…but Trick Williams’ music kicks him off.

Here is Williams, along with rapper Lil Yachty. Williams talks about how he brought out his own star power because he’s ready to take out the ginger at Wrestlemania. He doesn’t want any ginger ale, ginger tea or ginger snaps. For now, he wants Zayn’s pyro (which Zayn was so happy about), which goes off, but comes complete with Zayn interrupting

Zayn thinks Williams is getting a bit too excited and that he’s never been about the over the top reactions. At Wrestlemania, he’s going to humble Williams’ a**. Zayn: “I think ginger snap is pretty upset.” Williams says he’s the reason Zayn won the US Title, which brings out Carmelo Hayes to interrupt. Hayes says he and Williams have a long history and they’ll deal with that later. Zayn did something last week that Hayes didn’t like and Hayes isn’t letting Zayn get into the endzone after Hayes did the work.

The fans here want Melo instead of Zayn and he wants his rematch. Zayn says he thinks the world of Hayes, but the Wrestlemania match is set. They’ll just have to do this after Wrestlemania. Williams: “AWW COME ON GINGER ALE!” Zayn says he thinks he had Hayes beat last week but we’ll never know because Williams got involved.

The reality is Zayn has called out a bunch of people for taking advantage of things. Hayes tells Zayn to do the right thing so Zayn eventually agrees to the rematch tonight. Works for Hayes, who leaves. Williams says “Ginger Snap” could have said that a long time ago so Zayn clotheslines him to the floor. Williams continues to have so much charisma and comes off as such a star.

Solo Sikoa yells at Tama Tonga about losing the lantern but Tonga wants the team to get back to getting all the titles. Sikoa agrees and says they should finish the Wyatts and then get back to business. Tonga agrees and they seem good.

Aleister Black vs. Matt Cardona

Zelina is here with Black, who gets armdragged down. That banged up Cardona’s bad arm though and he can’t hit a backdrop. Black goes after the arm and takes over, including a legsweep to knock Cardona off the apron. We take a break and come back with Cardona fighting back, but Black escapes a double underhook….something. A neckbreaker drops Black and the Reboot gives Cardona two. Cardona manages a double underhook powerbomb for two but Black goes after the arm again. Black Mass takes Cardona out at 9:51.

Rating: C+. You’re only going to get so far with Black against an injured Cardona, as Black is treated like a much bigger star most of the time. If nothing else, Black Mass is something that can wipe out anyone and it looked good again here. I’m not sure how far Cardona is going on Smackdown but he’s fine enough in this role.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria don’t think Charlotte and Alexa Bliss are real friends as they haven’t been through the same issues.

R-Truth talks to Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae, who are ready to get back to normal at Stand & Deliver. The two of them leave and Damian Priest comes in to ask why R-Truth gave a random team their first title defense. R-Truth: “They’re cursed!” And he thinks Asuka did it! Priest points out that Asuka is on Raw, but R-Truth says it was the little girl with the facepaint running around. Priest: “….you mean Danhausen???” Anyway, R-Truth thinks it should be an easy title defense and Priest eventually gives in.

Drew McIntyre talks about how he had everything ready for him but then Jacob Fatu ruined it all. Fatu is just a filthy convict and he’s only here because of his family. You can’t outrun your past and next week, McIntyre is showing everyone who Fatu really is.

Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria

Valkyria takes Charlotte down to start fast but Charlotte sends her into the corner. Bliss comes in with a less than smooth tornado DDT and we take an early break. We come back with Valkyria still in trouble. A crossbody gets her out of trouble and it’s back to Bayley to take over on Charlotte.

Bayley knees her in the head and Valkyria helps knock Charlotte off the top. The top rope elbow gives Bayley two on Charlotte and it’s back to Valkyrie, who dives into the Figure Eight. Bayley breaks that up and Valkyria pulls Bliss out of the air. Nightwing is broken up though and Bliss tries the Sister Abigail. That’s blocked as well so Bliss hits her running Blockbuster to pin Valkyria at 10:30.

Rating: B-. This got better near the end and I’ll take this over another big run in and everything falling apart. The story makes sense for the titles and the division at the moment, though the title match has the potential to be quite the mess. Bayley and Valkyria still feel like underdogs, but hopefully they can do something other than just take the fall at Wrestlemania.

Post match the Irresistible Forces run in to beat down both teams.

Miz and Kit Wilson are ready for their match and Miz insists that there is no curse. Danhausen pops in with his jar of teeth, saying he’ll be at ringside with them tonight. Wilson calls him a spooky little goblin and toxic. Danhausen says he can come to the ring with them and uncurse them, which has Wilson interested. Miz isn’t having this but Danhausen disappears.

Tag Team Titles: Miz/Kit Wilson vs. Damian Priest/R-Truth

Miz and Wilson are challenging. R-Truth takes over on Wilson to start so it’s off to Miz, who gets caught in the Cena finishing sequence. Miz breaks that up and sends him outside for a running elbow from Wilson as we take a break. We come back with R-Truth escaping a Skull Crushing Finale attempt and handing it off to Priest. Everything breaks down and Priest drops Wilson on the floor.

Back in and Miz and R-Truth clothesline each other…and here is Danhausen. He gets on the apron to offer Miz a tag but Miz isn’t doing this. R-Truth however will dive over to tag Danhausen in (Priest is lost watching this) so Miz glares at him…and the referee gets cursed by mistake. Miz loads up the Skull Crushing Finale on Miz but the lights go out and Danhausen escapes. Miz hits the Skull Crushing Finale on R-Truth but the referee suffers a crippling injury at two. South Of Heaven pins Miz (with the referee using his good arm to count) at 9:47.

Rating: B-. This was a case where the match itself was nothing special or even notable, but it was a lot of fun because they rolled with the joke. The Curse thing is working well and while it might not last very long (though it could), they’re getting a lot of value out of the thing. Hopefully Miz and Wilson interact with him some more, because it’s working rather well thus far.

Post match here is Cody Rhodes to take out Kit Wilson and yell about how he got dressed up to find out who Randy Orton has been talking to. It was Pat McAfee, which would be like the Third Man being Disco Inferno instead of Hulk Hogan. McAfee is a stoner, grifter and Logan Paul without muscles and he has a receipt coming and can kiss Rhodes’ a**. If you don’t like that, fire him. It sure worked out for you the last time.

He needs to be a bad guy to beat Orton but he doesn’t know if he can do that anymore. Rhodes talks about every record WWE has been setting with him on top. Yes he was wrestling Roman Reigns and John Cena but they were wrestling him too. Now the voices are talking to him, but you don’t want to hear what they’re saying. Rhodes was showing fire here but this whole story is just spiraling right now and it might need to be reset hard before Wrestlemania.

We look at Roman Reigns and CM Punk on Raw.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Classic Wrestlemania Moment: Kevin Owens vs. Steve Austin. Yeah that qualifies.

US Title: Sami Zayn vs. Carmelo Hayes

Zayn is defending and Trick Williams/Lil Yachty are at ringside. Hayes blocks an early leapfrog attempt and hits a dropkick, followed by some chops in the corner. Zayn fights up and hits a clothesline, only for Hayes to hit a springboard clothesline of his own. The Fadeaway connects for Hayes and the running flip dive to the floor takes Zayn out. Hayes comes up holding his leg though and we take a break.

We come back with Hayes’ leg banged up and Zayn hammering away in the corner. Hayes is able to get in a knockdown of his own but the First 48 is blocked. Zayn exploders him into the corner but charges into a superkick. A top rope splash gives Hayes two, only for Zayn to reverse into a rollup for two of his own. The Blue Thunder Bomb is countered and Hayes goes up, where he misses Nothing But Net. The referee checks on the bad leg…but Zayn fires off the Helluva Kick for the pin to retain at 10:55.

Rating: B-. That ending feels like a step towards Zayn going evil, which wouldn’t be the biggest surprise. He wants to go to Wrestlemania no matter what and that’s what he seems to be doing after that win. The match worked out well enough, though I’m hoping Hayes finds a way onto Wrestlemania somewhere.

Post match Yachty gets in to promise that Williams will win. Williams jumps Zayn and lays him out with the Trick Shot. The villains pose to end the show.

Overall Rating: C-. This is a situation where the overall rating could have been just about anything and it would have been appropriate. The thing here is there are two sides to this show: the Orton/Rhodes/McAfee stuff and everything else. For the most part, the “everything else” wasn’t exactly thrilling, but it was ok. The US Title stuff has my attention and R-Truth/Danhausen were rather funny. While some of the matches were just ok (or misguided in the opener), they were acceptable enough to a bit closer to Wrestlemania. It’s not great, but it’s ok enough.

The problem though is the show doesn’t end there. I have absolutely no idea what WWE was expecting out of the McAfee reveal/segment, but it just did not work. Orton has been cheered since the beginning of this story and…well why wouldn’t he be? Rhodes told him to go all aggressive and evil and that’s exactly what Orton has done. Orton is easy to cheer and while Rhodes has his fans, it’s really hard to get more excited about Rhodes right now. We’ve covered him as champion for a long time now and Orton would feel fresh.

Unfortunately that brings us to the issue of how we’re getting here. Unless there is some wacky double turn coming, the match at Wrestlemania could be an absolute circus. I really do not know what they are going for here and unfortunately I’m not sure I can believe WWE knows either. This was the kind of train wreck segment that really seemed to go opposite how WWE was hoping and I have no idea how to get around that situation. Not a great show overall, but the opening segment and the rest of the show are on different planets.

Results
Rhea Ripley b. Michin – Prism Trap
Uncle Howdy b. Tama Tonga – Mandible Claw
Aleister Black b. Matt Cardona – Black Mass
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Bayley/Lyra Valkyria – Running Blockbuster to Valkyria
Damian Priest/R-Truth b. Kit Wilson/Miz – South Of Heaven to Miz
Sami Zayn b. Carmelo Hayes – Helluva Kick

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

Smackdown
Date: March 27, 2026
Location: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re rapidly closing in on Wrestlemania and the big draw this week is Jelly Roll vs. Kit Wilson, which feels like it’s part of the setup towards Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes. Other than that, Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre seem ready to face off next month and we should get more on it here. Let’s get to it.

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

The opening recap looks at Randy Orton’s explanation of going full evil again. This included taking out Matt Cardona and ignoring the sage wisdom of Jelly Roll.

Here is Orton to get things going and the fans seem rather pleased to see him. Orton talks about how Cody Rhodes wanted him to be the best Orton he could be and to listen to the voices. He shut those down a long time ago, but Rhodes gave him his blessing. Now Orton is listening to those voices again and he can’t be responsible for what happens next. The voices outside of his head are the real problem and the one voice he is listening to is…and we don’t find out who that is as Matt Cardona (with his arm in a cast) interrupts to go after Orton. The fans are rather pro-Orton, even as he is knocked to the floor.

Trick Williams comes up to Nick Aldis in the back, with Aldis giving him a match at Wrestlemania. He has to tell someone so here is Sami Zayn, who hears about the match. Zayn wants to know what he’s going at Wrestlemania but Aldis says that unless something changes, there is no spot for him right now. Zayn goes to leave but has an idea. He punches Williams in the face and promises to have a match at Wrestlemania.

Post break, Randy Orton yells at Nick Aldis about Matt Cardona. Orton wants a match with Cardona tonight and threatens bad things if it doesn’t matter, so Aldis makes the match.

Bella Twins vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

Hold on though as here are the Irresistible Forces, who are ready for their title defense on Raw. There’s no reason for them to be away from this match though so they’ll be watching. Charlotte knocks Nikki down to start but Nikki is back up with a punch into the corner. Brie comes in to twist away at the arm and so Charlotte chops her away without much trouble. It’s off to Bliss, who gets taken down with a Russian legsweep. Bliss gets tied up in the ring skirt and forearmed in the face as we take a break.

We come back with Bliss not being able to fight out of the corner, with Nikki sending her back over for more double teaming. A double DDT is enough for Bliss to get over to Charlotte though and it’s time to forearm away. It’s already back to Bliss, who gets caught in a Hart Attack but is able to trade some rollups for two each. Legend forearms Bliss though and Brie gets a rollup for the pin at 9:34.

Rating: C. This is pretty much what you should expect from the Bellas these days, as you need to have the other teams slow down for them as they just do not have the in-ring abilities to back it up. The fans still respond to them because….I have absolutely no idea why. Anyway, the ending felt like a way to keep us on the road towards some big multi team match at Wrestlemania, which might make sense but it could be quite the mess.

Post match the Forces come in to clean house until Bayley and Lyra Valkyria run in for the save.

We look back at R-Truth and Damian Priest winning the Tag Team Titles in a big surprise last week.

R-Truth is trying to rebuild the Judgment Day Clubhouse (he has a tape measure) but Priest says that’s not happening. Jelly Roll comes in (R-Truth doesn’t recognize him) but here is Rhea Ripley next to him. R-Truth: “DOM AND MAMI BACK TOGETHER!” Priest has to correct him, but R-Truth says they’re getting a hot tub in the clubhouse. Priest: “….that’s cool.” Ripley hits him and Roll gives Ripley a pep talk. Roll goes to get ready for Kit Wilson, with R-Truth following him. Ripley tries to make sense of it but Priest cuts her off for the sake of everyone’s sanity. Anyway Ripley congratulates him on his win.

Tiffany Stratton NXT Origins video.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss argue with the Bella Twins about the end of their match. More violence seems suggested.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat (and the fans seem to like her). She’s not happy with B-Fab and Michin being so desperate to stoop down to Jade Cargill’s level. No one is stopping her from getting to Wrestlemania so get out here right now and let’s do this. Cue Cargill with B-Fab and Michin, with the trio being booed out of the building. They don’t like Ripley getting all of the praise and attention when Michin and B-Fab have put in the work too. Now Cargill is giving them a chance, which has Ripley laughing. Tonight, it’s B-Fab vs. Ripley, with Ripley saying it’s time for B-Fab to learn that actions have consequences.

Rhea Ripley vs. B-Fab

We’re joined in progress with Ripley kicking her in the face. Michin offers a distraction though so Ripley goes outside, where Cargill sends her into the steps for the DQ at 52 seconds shown.

Post match the trio lays Ripley out without much trouble.

Kit Wilson wants Miz in his corner tonight but Miz is freaking out, as he has stepped in gum, his packages have been sent to Romania by mistake, and his phone fell into the toilet. BUT THERE IS NO CURSE! Miz leaves and Danhausen comes in to say he has machismo but Wilson cuts him off. Wilson says he is handsome, so Danhausen says Wilson is CURSED!

We look at Drew McIntyre vs. Jacob Fatu, which goes even bigger next week in a big brawl and a rather big crash.

McIntyre is here and while he doesn’t want to fight, if Fatu starts something, McIntyre will finish it.

Jelly Roll vs. Kit Wilson

Before the match, Wilson has a poem to defend the honor of his mother. Wilson insists that his mother would NEVER choose Roll and then hits him with the book to start fast. A charge in the corner has Roll in trouble early in but he comes back with a string of atomic drops. Some dancing jabs and a clothesline send Wilson outside but he comes back in to kick away. Back in and Wilson gets in a cheap shot before slowly hammering Roll down.

Wilson misses a charge in the corner though and a belly to belly suplex leaves them both down. Roll fights up and slugs away before powerslamming a diving Wilson out of the air for a rather near fall. Roll grabs the book but walks into a Twisting Stunner for two. Another one is loaded up but Wilson is sent crashing into the corner, setting up a chokeslam to give Roll the upset pin at 5:42.

Rating: C. This is kind of a weird one as they basically did a regular match with Roll winning clean. That’s a really weird way to go though as it’s not a big deal to have Wilson lose, but it’s kind of weird to have him lose this way. Just a weird way to go, though you can all but guarantee that something else is going to happen with Roll this week. I’m sure Wilson will be fine with his rather goofy stuff, which can pick up with someone else rather quickly.

Post match Roll celebrates with his son.

We get a long recap of the CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns/Usos segment from Raw, with Jey Uso acting a lot more like the Tribal Chief, or at least the devil on Reigns’ shoulder.

Solo Sikoa wants the rest of the MFTs to be on the same page, but he apologizes for going a bit too far last week. Roman Reigns would never do that, with Sikoa focusing on Tama Tonga. With everyone else gone, Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to check on Tonga, who insists that he’s fine.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against…Sami Zayn. Yeah that makes sense. Hayes certainly seems to approve of Zayn getting the shot, despite being surprised. Hold on as here is Trick Williams (with quite the entrance) to join commentary. Hayes’ headlock doesn’t last very long to start as Zayn is back with an armdrag into a quickly broken armbar. They trade shots to the face with Hayes getting the better of things and tying him in the ropes for the Fadeaway.

We take a break and come back with Zayn clotheslining him out to the floor. Zayn follows with the dive and a glare at Williams, only to get dropkicked out of the air back inside (nice timing). The First 48 is countered into a sitout powerbomb to give Zayn two, followed by a top rope superplex to leave both of them down as we take another break.

We come back with Zayn sunset bombing him out of the corner for two more. Hayes knocks him away, only to get explodered into the corner. The Helluva Kick is countered into the First 48 for a rather near fall, leaving Hayes stunned. Nothing But Net is countered into the Blue Thunder Bomb for two…and Williams grabs the US Title. Williams throws it in for a distraction and swings at Zayn, only to hit Hayes by mistake. The Helluva Kick gives Zayn the pin and the title at 16:15.

Rating: B+. These two beat the living daylights out of each other with one big spot after another until Williams cost Hayes in the end. Zayn has been obsessed with getting to Wrestlemania and this is about as good of a way as he has right now. Williams vs. Zayn could be good, though hopefully Hayes isn’t either added in to make it a triple threat or left out altogether.

Jacob Fatu limps in and says he isn’t here to stay backstage. He wants to talk to the people in the arena.

Sami Zayn talks to Nick Aldis and asks if he’s going to Wrestlemania. He is indeed, where he’ll defend against Trick Williams. Works for Zayn.

Here is Jacob Fatu for a chat. He’s injured and all of his problems are due to Drew McIntyre. Last week McIntyre hit him with a car and threw him off the side of a building but that wasn’t going to keep him down. Fatu is still standing and that means every week, he’s going after McIntyre, who comes out to interrupt. McIntyre says Fatu committed a crime and did time and since he got out, he’s stolen from McIntyre over and over. Fatu has stolen food from McIntyre’s table for his kids. McIntyre: “Screw your d*** kids.” Cue Nick Aldis to make the Wrestlemania match, but it’s unsanctioned.

Jelly Roll comes up to Matt Cardona and says he isn’t sure what is going on with Randy Orton. Cardona wants to beat Orton up, which Roll understands. Aleister Black and Zelina come in to talk about how Orton has changed but Cardona doesn’t seem to get it.

Tiffany Stratton runs into Chelsea Green, who thinks they got off on the wrong foot. Green thinks they should be a team but Stratton says Green may be a two time Women’s US Champion, but that means she’s lost it twice. So that’s a no.

Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton

Non-title and Kiana James is here with Giulia. Stratton flips her down by the arm to start so Giulia is back up with some rams into the buckle. That’s shrugged off and Stratton sends her outside as we take a break. We come back with Stratton hitting some clotheslines, only to get rolled up for two.

Giulia’s running knee gets two but Stratton shoves her off the top. A rather not great looking Swanton (she barely rotated over and it was mainly her legs making contact) gives Stratton two but James’ distraction makes the Prettiest Moonsault Ever hit raised knees to give Giulia the pin at 9:44.

Rating: C+. That was a weird ending as it seemed like we were getting this match for the title at Wrestlemania. At the same time, there is a good chance that we’ll see the match again, possibly after Stratton beats up James on the way there. If nothing else, it would be nice to see Giulia actually defend the title for a change.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria say they’re here to keep their eyes on the Tag Team Titles, which they’ll win on Raw.

Randy Orton is on the phone again and says he’ll see whomever is on there soon.

Video on Oba Femi clearing out Brock Lesnar again on Raw.

Wrestlemania rundown.

Randy Orton vs. Matt Cardona

Cardona has a bad arm coming in and slugs away in the corner to start fast. They go outside with Cardona’s bad arm being slammed into the announcers’ table. Orton goes inside to break up the count and then comes back outside to stomp on the arm again. Back in and a quick Rough Ryder gives Cardona two but Orton takes it back to the floor. The arm is sent into the post and Orton bends it around the turnbuckle in the corner. More stomping has the arm in more pain and Orton posts him again. There’s the RKO and Cardona is done at 5:26.

Rating: C. This was little more than a squash with Cardona only getting in that one Rough Ryder and pretty much nothing else. That’s all it should have been too, as Orton is getting more and more violent on the way to Wrestlemania. If nothing else, hopefully Orton can find a way for the fans to boo him, because it isn’t happening so far.

Post match Cody Rhodes arrives and post break he’s in the arena. So is Nick Aldis, along with security…who let Rhodes get in the ring for the brawl. Security can’t break it up to start, eventually hold them apart, and then the brawl is on again. Orton is sent outside and beats up some security, allowing Rhodes to get at him some more. They’re held apart again and Jelly Roll gets inside, only to get RKO’d to maybe the biggest pop of the night. Rhodes checks on Roll to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This was a show that was mostly about moving forward matches and feuds that have already been set up. That’s not a bad way to go, but at the same time, it feels like we’re a very long way away from Wrestlemania. That has felt like it has been the case for far too long now and hopefully they have something to bridge the gap a bit better, because some of these stories don’t seem to have the legs to get there. Nice enough show here, though it it still feels like we’re slowly crawling to Wrestlemania.

Results
Bella Twins b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss – Rollup to Bliss
Rhea Ripley b. B-Fab via DQ when Jade Cargill interfered
Jelly Roll b. Kit Wilson – Chokeslam
Sami Zayn b. Carmelo Hayes – Helluva Kick
Giulia b. Tiffany Stratton – Small package
Randy Orton b. Matt Cardona – RKO

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

Smackdown
Date: March 20, 2026
Location: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, North Carolina
Commentators; Wade Barrett, Joe Tessitore

We’re less than a month away from Wrestlemania and the big story around here is Randy Orton snapping on Cody Rhodes last week and leaving him a bloody mess. That’s the kind of thing that could make for a heck of a Wrestlemania showdown, though we have a few weeks to get there first. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a look back at Orton attacking Rhodes last week.

Various people arrive but referees and Nick Aldis run to the parking lot, where Drew McIntyre pulls Jacob Fatu through a windshield of a car that has been t-boned by another car. McIntyre hammers him with right hands and Fatu is left bleeding.

Here is McIntyre in the arena to ask what you thought would happen. He wanted to go to the main event of Wrestlemania and you took it from him. Cue Aldis and security, with Aldis saying that the only thing McIntyre is heading towards is unemployment. McIntyre brings up Aldis’ son and how horrible of a father Aldis is, but here is Fatu to start the brawl all over again. Fatu gets the better of things and splashes him through the announcers’ table.

Post break we look back at what we just saw.

IMG Credit: WWE

Tag Team Titles: Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. MFT’s

The MFT’s are defending. Priest grabs the lifting Downward Spiral to start fast on Mateo and takes Tonga down as well. Talla Tonga takes R-Truth off the apron and we take an early break. We come back with Mateo’s standing moonsault hitting Priest for two but Priest kicks him in the face.

There’s the Tag off to R-Truth as everything breaks down. Priest gets knocked outside and R-Truth hits a Stunner of all things into an STF. That’s broken up and Talla chokeslams R-Truth onto the apron. Cue the Wyatt Sicks to go after the non-involved MFT’s, leaving R-Truth to hit an AA for the pin and the titles at 8:44.

Rating: C+. In theory this clears the Wyatts and MFT’s for a match about the lantern, which could be a heck of a wild brawl. Other than that, I cannot imagine that R-Truth and Priest hold titles for very long, but it’s certainly a twist in the title picture. If nothing else, this could bring some of the other teams into the fold, which is long overdue.

Priest’s stunned look (Priest: “WHAT??? WHAT???”) is great and he’ll take it.

The Bella Twins are ready for the Irresistible Forces and the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Charlotte and Alexa Bliss (with ice cream) come up to mock them for being selfish and jumping the line. Brie takes Bliss’ spoon.

Candice LeRae doesn’t know how to fix Johnny Gargano but Danhausen pops in. Danhausen thinks something is wrong and Candice asks if he can fix it. He asks if she has $20 million so she reaches into Gargano’s pocket and pulls out some cash. Danhausen takes it, examines it, and leaves. The Motor City Machine Guns come up, with Chris Sabin telling Alex Shelley to keep walking because they have a match.

We look at fan reactions to Randy Orton attacking Cody Rhodes.

Sami Zayn can’t stop thinking about Rhodes, who always tries and goes the extra mile. Now look at what happened to him. Maybe that ends with Randy Orton winning the title so maybe Zayn’s worldview is wrong. Trick Williams comes in to mock him so Zayn is ready to fight but Williams will have to check his PalmPilot and get back to him.

Fraxiom vs. Motor City Machine Guns

Fraser grabs a headlock on Shelley to start with Sabin coming in to knock Axiom off the apron. Fraxiom get back up to clear the ring and we take a break. We come back with Fraser hitting a running flip dive to take out both Guns on the floor. Back in and Chasing The Dragon gets two on Sabin but he breaks up a super hurricanrana attempt.

The tag brings in Shelley to keep up the comeback as Candice LeRae is here to watch. Everything breaks down again and Fraxiom knocks them outside for the pair of dives. Back in and Sabin kicks out of a rollup, allowing LeRae to cheap shot Fraser, giving Sabin the rollup pin at 8:03.

Rating: C+. That ending is a bit curious but I’ll take something that has the Guns both back in the ring and winning. I’m not sure where the LeRae/Gargano stuff is going and that’s a nice feeling to have. What matters the most is that the tag division is starting to do something outside of just fighting over the belts, which is nice to see for a change. Just keep it going.

We look at the McIntyre/Fatu brawls from earlier.

We look at Roman Reigns and CM Punk’s interaction on Raw.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is Randy Orton for a chat as he has a seat in a chair. Orton talks about how much love he had received from the fans since he came back. Yeah he signs autographs and tells kids happy birthday and all that, but it’s such an empty feeling. He wants his legacy to be about World Titles and he was ready to get another one against Drew McIntyre. Then Cody Rhodes took the title and Orton wasn’t sure if he could win.

Rhodes helped him out though by telling him to be the best version of Orton that he could be, because he started listening to the voices. He doesn’t always stay in control when that happens, but this time they are telling him that he’s going to win the title at Wrestlemania when he beats Rhodes with the RKO. The fans seem to be way behind Orton here.

Video on the Bella Twins’ return.

Post break Randy Orton is in the back when he runs into Matt Cardona, who doesn’t know how Orton could do that to Cody Rhodes. Orton calls him a “mark a** stooge” and lays him out with a shot to the head.

Aleister Black vs. Sami Zayn

Zelina is here with Black and Trick Williams comes out to sit on the announcers’ deck. Black strikes away to start fast but Zayn pounds him into the corner to fight back. We take a break and come back with Black striking away. Zayn fights back but gets elbowed in the face as Williams has a drink from somewhere. Black’s leglock is broken up but the Helluva Kick misses, allowing Black to hit a middle rope Meteora.

Zayn manages to get up and knocks him outside for some rams into the barricade. Back in and Black rolls to the floor again to avoid a Helluva Kick. Zayn follows and knocks Williams’ feet off the ropes so Williams throws the drink at him. That’s enough for Zayn to unload on Williams, only to walk into Black Mass (with Black shrugging as if to say “you asked for this”) and the pin at 9:31.

Rating: B-. Zayn vs. Williams is an interesting way to go, if nothing else as it shows how hot of a start Williams is on as part of the main roster. That could open up more than a few doors and I’m curious to see where it goes for Wrestlemania, where they would likely be facing off. It’s nice to see Black getting a win and hopefully this gives him a bit of momentum.

Matt Cardona wants Randy Orton tonight but Nick Aldis says no. Carmelo Hayes comes up to ask about the US Open Challenge but someone has already taken him up on the title shot tonight. Ilja Dragunov pops up and seems ready for the match, with Hayes approving.

The Irresistible Forces aren’t worried about losing to the Bella Twins. They’re not worried about any of the other teams either.

Here is Jade Cargill for a chat and she wastes no time in calling out Rhea Ripley. Cue Ripley as they’re not wasting time here. Ripley doesn’t want to talk to Cargill anymore and hopes she’s out here for a fight. Cargill says this is about what Ripley needs, because Cargill doesn’t need anything, including the fans. Ripley says she needs this because she lives for this. She’s been doing this since she was sixteen and it’s what matters the most to her.

Cargill says Ripley is just Iyo Sky’s b**** but Ripley says that title needs her so she’ll be taking it. Welcome to the big leagues b****! She offers Cargill the first shot but “on my time”. Cue Michin and B-Fab…who surround Ripley and the big beatdown is on. Maybe they’ll be better lackeys than pitiful challengers.

Kit Wilson isn’t sure what to think of what is going on and Miz talks about having a horrible week. His family vacation was ruined because of bad weather in Hawaii and he has a horrible sunburn on his back. Cue Danhausen to slap both of them on the back but Miz still won’t mentor him. Then a ladder falls down behind them as Miz tells Wilson to go do this on his own. Then another ladder falls on Miz.

Solo Sikoa yells at the MFT’s and doesn’t want to hear about the Wyatt Sicks. Tama Tonga says Sikoa is starting to sound like Roman Reigns. That’s broken up as Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre pop up for another fight, with McIntyre going for the eyes.

Dennis Rodman is going into the Hall Of Fame.

US Title: Ilja Dragunov vs. Carmelo Hayes

Dragunov is challenging. They fight over a rather aggressive lockup to start until Hayes hits him in the face. Dragunov hits himself in the face and powers him across the ring, followed by a Constantine Special. We take a break and come back with Dragunov kicking away at the downed Hayes. That doesn’t last long as Hayes is back up with La Mistica, followed by a running clothesline to the floor. The running flip dive connects, with Hayes crashing into the announcers’ table.

Back in and a frog splash gives Hayes two but bangs up his own ribs in the process. Dragunov gets in a German suplex into a top rope backsplash for two, meaning it’s time for the Coast To Coast. Hayes is back up to First 48 him out of the air, with Dragunov managing an H Bomb on the way down. Hayes gets a foot on the ropes for the break and Dragunov can’t believe it.

We take another break and come back again with Dragunov hitting a Death Valley Driver onto the apron. Back in and Dragunov takes him up top but the superplex is reversed into a cutter for two. They strike it out with Hayes hitting an enziguri but Dragunov stomps him for two. Torpedo Moscow is countered into the First 48 for two and Hayes is stunned. That’s enough to set up Nothing But Net, only for Dragunov to come back with a Torpedo Moscow but doesn’t cover. Instead Dragunov loads up a powerbomb, which is countered into a sunset flip to give Hayes the pin at 15:57.

Rating: B+. This was a match that has been built up for a long time now, though it felt like they were going to build Dragunov back up a bit before we got to the title match. The good thing is that Hayes won clean here and can move on to someone else. I’m not sure who that is, but hopefully it’s a big name at Wrestlemania, as it would be nice to see the title treated that way.

Jelly Roll praises Damian Priest and R-Truth on their win. Roll goes up to Randy Orton, who apologizes for last week. Roll understands it and hopes that Orton realizes what he means to these people. Orton has worked so hard to get here and doesn’t know why he would want to be the old version. Roll even offers to help him get back to the good version and Orton seems interested.

We look at Oba Femi beating up Brock Lesnar on Raw.

Here is Kit Wilson to call out Jelly Roll. He wants to settle this like men so Roll needs to get out here right now. Cue Roll, with Wilson rolling straight to the floor. Roll wants a referee out here to have a match but Wilson says he fights with his words. Roll: “Do what?” He thinks Wilson brought him all the way here for a rap battle, but this is SLAM POETRY. The lights go down a bit and Wilson pulls out his book.

Roll: “YOU GOT A BOOK??? YOU BROUGHT A BOOK???” Wilson starts reading about Roll’s criminal past as Roll’s jaw is hanging open. He also gets in an Ozempic line but Roll comes back with various jokes about sleeping with Wilson’s mother. Wilson jumps him from behind and drops a top rope elbow. Roll was hilarious here as he really sold Wilson’s absurdity.

Giulia isn’t happy with Kiana James for losing and James doesn’t want to hear it. Alba Fyre rolls Chelsea Green in so Green can offer to team up against Tiffany Stratton but Giulia doesn’t want any help.

Jelly Roll wants Kit Wilson and Nick Aldis gives him the match next week.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Bella Twins vs. Irresistible Forces

The Bellas are challenging and dropkick the champs’ knees out to start. Jax and Nikki start things off with Nikki working on the arm. Brie comes in to do the same and a double bulldog connects. Cue Charlotte and Alexa Bliss for a distraction, allowing Legend to clean house. We take a break and come back with the Brie Mode knee hitting Jax. Brie fires off the YES Kick but Jax hits a headbutt.

The champs head outside for a breather so Nikki dives onto the two of them. Back in and a super Samoan drop into a middle rope splash has Nikki in trouble but Brie makes the save. Nikki gets the Fearless Lock on Legend so Jax grabs a belt, only for Charlotte to cut her off and brawl for the DQ at 8:00.

Rating: C. The Bellas are going to be around for the time being and it wouldn’t surprise me if they won the titles at Wrestlemania for their big special moment. I’m still not sure how interesting that is going to be but the Bellas are stars and that means we are going to see them for the coming weeks. The match was rather generic and could have been a lot worse, but I just cannot bring myself to care about the Bellas.

Post match the Bellas go after Charlotte and Bliss, but the Forces take out both of them and wreck everyone.

Randy Orton is on the phone with someone, who needs to watch him go back out to the ring.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

Here is Randy Orton with his chair for a chat, though he does shake hands with a kid on the way to the ring. He takes his time doing his full entrance before saying he has an apology to make to Matt Cardona, so if Cardona could please come out here. Cue Cardona, with Orton immediately apologizing. They hug and of course Orton kicks him low for the RKO. Orton takes him outside and loads up the steps but agents run out for the save (as the fans chant for RANDY). Orton throws Cardona back inside and pounds on him before Pillmanizing his arm. Fans: “ONE MORE TIME!” That’s going to be an issue, especially at Wrestlemania.

Nick Aldis comes out to yell at Orton but has to run to the back as we see Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre brawling outside. They climb onto a tower as Aldis and company run to the back. The two of them go over a rail and crash down onto….whatever is behind the fence holding Aldis and company back as the show ends. Their upcoming street fight or Last Man Standing or whatever match at Wrestlemania should be fun.

Overall Rating: B. I liked this show more than most recent Smackdowns, as they covered quite a few things, with some steps being taken towards Wrestlemania. Zayn vs. Williams has me interested, and I’m also curious to see what WWE does get the fans to boo Orton. I want to see where some of these stories go and that is a nice feeling. Throw in some good action and this was a rather good show, especially for Smackdown.

Results
R-Truth/Damian Priest b. MFT’s – AA to Mateo
Motor City Machine Guns b. Fraxiom – Rollup to Fraser
Aleister Black b. Sami Zayn – Helluva Kick
Carmelo Hayes b. Ilja Dragunov – Sunset flip
Irresistible Forces b. Bella Twins via DQ when Charlotte interfered

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

Smackdown
Date: March 13, 2026
Location: PHX Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We have a Smackdown main event for Wrestlemania, as Randy Orton is now set to challenge Cody Rhodes for the World Title. Rhodes took the title from Drew McIntyre last week, which should set us on a clear course for Wrestlemania in about five weeks. That leaves some openings for other matches around here and we should see some of them coming together soon. Let’s get to it.

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

We open with a recap of Rhodes winning the title back last week, with Jacob Fatu helping to cost Drew McIntyre the belt.

Nick Aldis is looking over the contract for the Wrestlemania title match but Drew McIntyre storms into the arena and demands that Aldis come out here and make this right. Aldis says there is nothing to correct because McIntyre should be looking at the consequences of his actions. McIntyre calls Aldis a corporate stooge who had to get the title back on his corporate champion.

Aldis isn’t having that and says it’s clear why McIntyre didn’t want Rhodes to get a shot: the first time he did, he won the title. They go face to face but here is Jacob Fatu to interrupt. Fatu asks what McIntyre needed fixed and says he’s the reason McIntyre was champion in the first place. Last week Fatu fixed the situation so McIntyre is no longer champion. McIntyre can point all the fingers he wants but Fatu is the one who did it, so what is McIntyre going to do? McIntyre: “I quit.” And he walks out.

Solo Sikoa is happy with how things are going and leaves the lantern with Tama Tonga while he’s off for a tag match. The team leaves but Shinsuke Nakamura comes in to ask Tonga when he’ll be his own man. Sikoa comes back in with a threat to Nakamura.

Jacob Fatu is mad about Drew McIntyre leaving but Trick Williams comes in, saying he’s the only person who can whoop that. Nick Aldis makes Williams vs. Fatu and Williams panics, with threats of his firing.

MFT’s vs. Wyatt Sicks

Non-title. Rowan and Talla start things off for the big man fight with Talla getting in a shot to stagger him. Sikoa comes in to knock Wyatt around and they head outside with Howdy being sent into various things. We take a break and come back with Talla’s Samoan drop getting two on Howdy and Sikoa coming back in. Sikoa loads up his own Sister Abigail, which is broken up with a belly to back suplex.

Rowan is back in for a running DDT to Talla, followed by a dropkick into the corner. A middle rope elbow gives Rowan two but Sikoa comes back in off a blind tag. Sikoa’s splash hits raised knees though and Howdy comes in, where he is promptly Samoan Spiked. Rowan makes the save as the rest of the teams start brawling on the floor. Back in and Sikoa loads up another Spike but Nikki Cross grabs the lantern. Howdy uses the distraction to grab Sister Abigail for the pin at 10:40.

Rating: B-. It’s nice for the Wyatts to get a win here and odds are they’re set up for some kind of a big group title match at Wrestlemania. If nothing else, it’s a good thing for the titles to feel like they’re actually being used, as that hasn’t been the case for long enough. Granted the lantern is the more important thing right now, but the titles are a nice secondary prize.

Post match Howdy gets the lantern back but Tama Tonga runs in for the Cutthroat Driver to steal it again.

R-Truth thinks the MFT’s are the Judgment Day but Damian Priest says it’s about the titles. Los Garza come in to say they’re the reason R-Truth and Priest won. Priest is ready to fight tonight instead.

Kiana James and Giulia laugh off the idea of Tiffany Stratton winning the Women’s US Title.

Jade Cargill vs. Michin

Non-title and Michin jumps her from behind to start the fight fast. Cargill is sent outside but comes back in with a pump kick to take over. Some choking in the corner has Michin in trouble but she avoids a charge to send Cargill outside again. Michin’s crossbody off the steps is easily countered into a fall away slam as we take a break.

We come back with Michin escaping Jaded and hitting a tornado DDT for two. Eat Defeat sends Cargill out to the floor but the running flip dive misses. That lets Cargill send Michin crashing into the barricade, followed by a chokeslam back inside. Jaded finishes Michin off at 8:23.

Rating: C. This was all it should have been, with Michin feeling like absolutely nothing and being beaten down pretty easily here. It wouldn’t stun me to see Michin and B-Fab wind up as Cargill’s future lackeys as it’s not like they have anything else to do. Cargill is already going to have her hands full at Wrestlemania so maybe she needs the help. Well as much help as Michin and B-Fab can be.

Post match Cargill says she isn’t scared of Rhea Ripley and that isn’t starting today. She’ll show why she’s always on top but here is Ripley to interrupt. Cargill runs off, with Ripley saying she’s going to make Cargill her b**** at Wrestlemania.

Cody Rhodes tells Nick Aldis that the contract is fine when Sami Zayn comes up for some congratulations. He hopes Rhodes wins at Wrestlemania. Rhodes doesn’t want this to be a thing but he knows Zayn said the same thing to Randy Orton. If Zayn just wants a title shot that’s not hard to get, but Zayn says he doesn’t look up to Rhodes like he does with Orton. Rhodes says that’s fine and points at the title before leaving. Aleister Black and Zelina come in to suggest that the title picture might not be the right place for him. Zayn says stay far, far away from him.

Rhea Ripley and B-Fab console Michin, who doesn’t want the pity.

Women’s Tag Team Titles: Charlotte/Alexa Bliss vs. Irresistible Forces

The Forces are defending…but before they come out, here are the Bellas instead because this has to be a thing. They’re next in line for the titles and are going to watch from ringside. My goodness you could feel the energy go out of the air when they showed up. It’s a brawl to start with the Forces being knocked outside, where Legend knocks a diving Charlotte out of the air.

We take a break and come back with Bliss fighting out of trouble, allowing the tag off to Charlotte. The no rope Buckshot Lariat cuts Legend down but Jax is back in with a Samoan drop. The Annihilator misses though and Charlotte hits a moonsault for two, with Legend making the save. Bliss DDTs Legend and Charlotte posts Jax but accidentally kicks Nikki Bella. Back in and Charlotte kicks away at Jax, setting up Natural Selection. Twisted Bliss is loaded up but Brie Bella runs in to jump Jax for the DQ at 8:08.

Rating: C+. The match was getting going but you knew the Bellas were going to come in at some point. I’m sure they bring some kind of quote unquote star power to the title picture but it just seems incredibly forced to have them involved. Hopefully they don’t win the titles at Wrestlemania, though that definitely feels like the inevitable.

Post match the Forces lay out both teams.

Jelly Roll congratulates Randy Orton, who tells him to beat up Miz on MizTV.

Charlotte and Alexa Bliss run into the Bellas, who are apparently next for the titles. Yeah I know they have fans but good grief I do not want to see the Bellas, especially in a big match at Wrestlemania.

Damian Priest/R-Truth vs. Los Garza

Los Garza jump them to start fast but Priest rises up with a double clothesline. R-Truth comes in but gets choked on the ropes to put the villains in control. A running knee to the head has R-Truth in trouble and a quick comeback attempt is cut off. Stereo moonsaults to the floor take out R-Truth and Priest as we take a break.

We come back with Angel jumping over Berto to land on R-Truth in the corner. Angel makes the mistake of mocking You Can’t See Me though and gets a Stundog Millionaire for his efforts. It’s back to Priest to kick away and the Old School crossbody hits Berto. A cheap shot puts Priest down and Angel’s moonsault gets two, but Priest knocks Berto away. The Razor’s Edge drops Berto and the South Of Heaven and AA get the stereo pins at 11:01.

Rating: C+. It’s kind of sad that Priest, who was World Champion less than two years ago, and R-Truth, who was supposed to be more serious, can only do this. At the same time, it’s even worse when this is what the Tag Team Titles have come to with the other talented teams around here. At least it’s something for them, but it’s only so much.

Alex Shelley and Candice LeRae try to wake Johnny Gargano back up, with LeRae and Gargano wheeling away. Chris Sabin comes in to ask why Shelley is still doing this and has gotten them a match next week.

Danhausen has a shirt for Miz, who can’t believe that Danhausen already has one. He can even wear the show on MizTV with Jelly Jam! Then Danhausen can get his own show with celebrity guests! Miz isn’t doing that…so he is cursed.

It’s time for MizTV but the mic doesn’t work. With that fixed, he brings out Jelly Roll as this week’s guest. Roll is here because of the Road To Wrestlemania and Miz is happy to have him. Miz suggests he mentor Roll, but that isn’t going to happen. Miz brings up the time Roll did something at Summerslam, where he was so heavy that Miz had to help him up. Roll can’t believe Miz is taking credit for him losing 250lbs because he’s the one who was doing the work. Miz: “I liked you better when you were fat!”

The brawl is teased but here is Kit Wilson to interrupt. Wilson talks about Roll’s face tattoos and criminal history and accuses him of being FAT PHOBIC! Roll is toxic so he and Miz try to deck Wilson, only for Roll to hit Miz by mistake. Eh, Danhausen warned him. Weird segment here, as I’m not sure who I was supposed to like.

Apollo Crews and Ilja Dragunov appreciate that when Carmelo Hayes comes in. Hayes understands what Dragunov said last week about not wanting the open challenge but Dragunov says this is the only way he knows. Hayes thinks there might be another reason they aren’t fighting and Dragunov isn’t happy.

Tiffany Stratton, after shoving Chelsea Green’s wheelchair away, promises to take out Kiana James and come for the Women’s US Title.

Kit Wilson yells at Miz and is ready to get a match. Danhausen comes in to offer Miz some teeth if his lost one, but there is one thing he has to do to reverse the curse. Miz insists there is no curse but Danhausen is gone.

Tiffany Stratton vs. Kiana James

Stratton sends her into the corner to start and flips over her but has to avoid a Giulia trip. James gets in a Stunner over the ropes and Stratton is sent into the barricade as we take a break. We come back with Stratton hitting a handspring Stunner for two as Chelsea Green and Alba Fyre are here to watch. James can’t get her up for a powerbomb so Stratton gives her a Regal Roll. Giulia pulls James outside so Stratton hits her with a dive. Back in and James kicks Giulia by mistake, setting up the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to give Stratton the pin at 7:39.

Rating: C. There is only so much you can get out of a sub eight minute match with a break in the middle, but Stratton was always going to be beating Giulia’s (talented) lackey. That’s a classic way to set up the match, even with Green and Fyre being involved. Stratton vs. Giulia should be fine, as it’s nice for Giulia to remember that she’s actually a champion with a title to defend.

Next week: Kit Wilson calls out Jelly Roll.

Trick Williams isn’t happy about Jacob Fatu, but Sami Zayn comes in to complain about Williams jumping into the main event. A fight is teased and is likely coming later.

Jacob Fatu vs. Trick Williams

Fatu slugs away to start but misses a charge into the corner, allowing Williams to send him into the buckle. That goes as expected of course and a McGillicutter (yeah the McGillicutter) has the same effect and Fatu knocks him outside. We take a break and come back with Fatu fighting out of a chinlock and sending him hard into the corner.

Fatu’s Whisper In The Wind connects but the Trick Kick cuts off a running Umaga Attack. A flapjack drops Fatu again and the release Rock Bottom gets two. Fatu is back with a pop up Samoan drop into a Swanton for two more. Williams bails outside and gets taken out by a suicide dive…with Drew McIntyre running in to post Fatu. A pair of Trick Shots give Williams the pin at 11:24.

Rating: B-. Williams’ rise continues and it would be nice to see him getting something big at Wrestlemania. Like say, the US Title. Other than that, we’re all but guaranteed to see McIntyre vs. Fatu at Wrestlemania and that should be a heck of a fight, as they’ve certainly set up the feud to be quite the showdown. Williams getting a win here is a big deal, and in a way it’s nice that Fatu isn’t invincible, as it makes him more relatable.

Post match McIntyre gives Fatu the Claymore.

Jelly Roll is back at ringside.

Nick Aldis is in the ring for the Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton contract signing, but first: Drew McIntyre apparently didn’t quit so he can face Jacob Fatu next week. Anyway here are Orton (who has changed shirts from earlier) and Rhodes face to face. They shake hands and Rhodes talks about his history with Orton and how things have gone well.

Rhodes wanted to be like Orton and left, only to come back on his own. He’s not Orton’s brother, but he’s always been proud to be his boy. Rhodes signs and Orton goes to as well but doesn’t do it. Orton says he needs the title and this was supposed to be easy with Drew McIntyre in there. Rhodes is fine with that because he wants the Orton with the voices in his head and the Legend Killer.

After the match is over, Rhodes will always love him. Orton signs (with Rhodes applauding) and then kicks him low. The big beatdown is on with Orton hitting him in the head with the steps to bust him open. Rhodes is beaten onto the announcers’ table and Jelly Roll comes over the barricade, only for Orton to shove him down. Rhodes’ head is laid on the steps so Orton crushes it with a chair before sitting in the ring with the title to end the show. They needed to do this, as Orton vs. Rhodes was feeling like a great main event….for Summerslam. Now just have Orton win the title, as he needs to.

Overall Rating: B-. The show is still far too long, but the ending segment helped and Trick Williams continues to rise up the card in an impressive fashion. They’re starting to set up the card for Wrestlemania, though it only feels so good right now. Hopefully they have something extra to spice it up a bit in the near future, because they’re rapidly running out of time to make it work. It’s a good show here, but this is only going to be enough for so much longer.

Results
Wyatt Sicks b. MFT’s – Sister Abigail to Sikoa
Jade Cargill b. Michin – Jaded
Irresistible Forces b. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss via DQ when Brie Bella interfered
Damian Priest/R-Truth b. Los Garza – Double pin
Tiffany Stratton b. Kiana James – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Trick Williams b. Jacob Fatu – Trick Shot

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

Smackdown
Date: March 6, 2026
Location: Moda Center, Portland, Oregon
Commentators: Joe Tessitore, Wade Barrett

We’re done with Elimination Chamber and Randy Orton is the new #1 contender and on his way to Wrestlemania. However, his opponent is up in the air as this week will see Cody Rhodes challenging Drew McIntyre for the Smackdown World Title. That’s not a main event you often get around here so let’s get to it.

Here is Elimination Chamber if you need a recap.

We open with an Elimination Chamber recap. As a bonus, we get what was almost a fight between Nick Aldis and Drew McIntyre, with Aldis making tonight’s title match.

Here is Randy Orton to get things going. Orton swears he was on time getting here today and the Wrestlemania sign was already up. He’s been at twenty Wrestlemanias but he’s only main evented twice. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you’ve done but you’re never guaranteed a great spot.

There are people who have put him in the category of the all time best and looking at the locker room today, it makes him proud to still be this high up. He doesn’t know who he’s facing at Wrestlemania but either way, it ends with an RKO. Cue Trick Williams to interrupt, saying he’s not happy with Orton calling him less than 6’5. Williams gets in, keeps talking, and is RKO’d.

Earlier today, Carmelo Hayes came in to see Nick Aldis, who has a surprise challenger for the US Title. Hayes doesn’t want to know who it is.

US Title: Carmelo Hayes vs. ???

Hayes is defending against…AAA’s El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. (whose AAA Latin American Title isn’t on the line). After a quick look at Wagner (nice touch), he dropkicks Hayes into the corner for a cannonball. A missile dropkick gets two on Hayes but he’s back up with a dropkick of his own. Hayes knocks him into the ropes for the Fadeaway and we take a break.

We come back with Wagner hitting a hard clothesline to leave them both down. Hayes hits a springboard clothesline of his own, followed by La Mistica for two. Wagner comes back with a powerbomb for two of his own but dives into the First 48. A top rope version misses though and Wagner is back with a spin into a sitout powerbomb for two. Wagner goes up but misses the moonsault, allowing Hayes to hit Nothing But Net to retain at 10:11.

Rating: B-. Remember all those other times where Hayes has beaten a random challenger for the title? This was the most recent instance. I’m not sure what to think of this as these two have no history together and Wagner isn’t likely to be around. As usual, it was good but that’s about it, which only gets you so far.

Ilja Dragunov says he isn’t going to be accepting a US Open Challenge because he isn’t being enough of a warrior at the moment. Miz comes in to mock him but Kit Wilson pops in to say Miz is being toxic. Dragunov says he’ll have to see them in the ring, but it isn’t clear which he means.

Damian Priest has been told he’s in a match tonight but doesn’t know who he’s facing. Nick Aldis is about to answer but R-Truth comes in to reveal that they’re a team in Tag Team Turmoil. Works for Priest.

Drew McIntyre comes in to see Aldis and asks if Aldis has come to his senses. Aldis says defend the title or forfeit, so McIntyre is ready to fight.

Here are the Irresistible Forces to celebrate winning the Women’s Tag Team Titles last week. They brag about their win and promise to face anyone. We get a toast, but here are Charlotte and Alexa Bliss to interrupt. Bliss says Jax finally found a coattail to ride all the way to the top and a fight is teased. Cue Kiana James and Giulia, with James bragging about her recent successes. Aldis, tag match, next.

Giulia/Kiana James vs. Charlotte/Alexa Bliss

We’re joined in progress with Bliss armdragging Giulia and bringing in Charlotte. House is quickly cleaned, including a flipping dive off the apron. James posts Charlotte to take over though and Giulia drops an elbow for two. Charlotte kicks James down and it’s back to Bliss, who basement dropkicks Giulia. James catches a dive off the apron though and Giulia adds a kick to the head as we take a break.

We come back with Charlotte putting both of them down, setting up the moonsault for the double two. Giulia’s belly to back suplex puts Charlotte down for the same but she’s back up with a boot to the face. Bliss’ running DDT hits James and Natural Selection finishes Giulia at 10:12.

Rating: B-. Another nice match here, with Bliss and Charlotte getting that much closer to the titles. That very well could be a Wrestlemania showdown, though I would expect them to have some kind of a multi team match (ladders wouldn’t stun me either). At the same time, Giulia and James have turned into a perfectly nice team, though I’m not sure how much Giulia needs to be US Champion.

Jelly Roll will be here next week.

Cody Rhodes says he wants to point at the sign and that means winning the title back tonight. Sami Zayn comes up and says it’s crazy that Rhodes has this title match. Rhodes: “What’s crazy about it Sami?” Well, Rhodes didn’t win the Elimination Chamber and he’s getting a title shot while Zayn isn’t getting one. Rhodes thinks Zayn is trying to get a title shot at a title Rhodes hasn’t even won yet but Zayn isn’t sure what he’s doing. He wants Rhodes to become champion. “Again.”

Trick Williams was on The Breakfast Club and talked about how awesome the fans have been since he made the main roster.

Tag Team Turmoil

For a future title shot and there are five teams with the Motor City Machine Guns in at #1 and Fraxiom in at #2. Shelley and Frazer start things off and, after a handshake, trade wristlocks. Frazer sends him outside but moonsaults back in rather than firing off the dive. Axiom comes in to take Sabin out of the air off a leapfrog and the rapid fire tags are on. Fraxiom hits some dives to the floor and we take a break.

We come back with Frazer getting the tag and hitting a running flip dive to the floor. Sabin rolls him into the corner, where Axiom comes back in with a dropkick. Shelley puts the boot on the rope…but it’s a three count anyway for the elimination at 8:04. Los Garza are in at #3, with Axiom having to make a quick save. Garza gets superkicked into a brainbuster for two with Berto making the save. Axiom goes up and gets caught with a super faceplant. MTY gets rid of Fraxiom at 10:23 total and the Wyatt Sicks are in at #4.

We take a break and come back with the Wyatts in trouble with Lumis getting powerbombed out of the corner. Gacy makes the save and everything breaks down. Cue the MFTs for a distraction, allowing Berto to get a rollup for the pin at 18:18. Damian Priest and R-Truth are in at #5 and, after a break, Priest comes in to clean house.

The Pounce sends Garza over the announcers’ table but Berto is back up with a springboard spinning kick to the head. A nice moonsault gives Berto two but it’s off to Truth (in Cena gear) for the Cena finishing sequence. Garza breaks up the STF so Priest tags himself back in and it’s an AA/South Of Heaven for the double pin on Los Garza at 25:40.

Rating: C. This is where WWE causes its own problems. The issue here is that a lot of these teams (save for the one who was assembled an hour ago) were doing nothing but standing around backstage for weeks. WWE has made it clear that these teams do not matter around here, so why should I want to see them for the better part of half an hour? It isn’t that the wrestling was bad, but the interest wasn’t there and that’s not on the wrestlers.

Sami Zayn comes up to Randy Orton and asks how Cody Rhodes is ok with Orton dropping him with an RKO. Orton says you have to be selfish occasionally, but Zayn asks him if that makes him a bad person. Orton doesn’t know about all that, but it does make him a fourteen time World Champion. He believes in Zayn, who might need to listen to the voices. With Orton gone, Aleister Black and Zelina come in to say that’s just the nature of the beast.

Here is Rhea Ripley for a chat. Ripley has heard that Jade Cargill has something to say to her so come say it to her face. Cargill comes out and offers a handshake out of respect. She respects the work that Ripley has put in but she isn’t impressed. Yeah Ripley has big arms and legs, but Cargill’s are better. She’s more worthy to be champion and Ripley can do nothing about the beating that is coming for her at Wrestlemania.

Ripley appreciates the honesty and yeah Cargill might be stronger. The thing is, Ripley isn’t staying down from Cargill’s best shot. But if Cargill takes Ripley’s best shot, she isn’t getting up. Cargill’s body is built for show, while Ripley’s is built for fighting. There’s nothing Cargill can do about what Ripley has in mind at Wrestlemania because Ripley is that b****. This wasn’t exactly Punk vs. Reigns, but it’ll do.

Alex Shelley and Candice LeRae are worried about Johnny Gargano but Chris Sabin comes up to ask why Shelley is doing this. Sabin says Shelley didn’t save him during the match. Shelley says he did and they’re off to talk. LeRae tells Gargano to get up and he does so, saying they’re off to the ring.

Uncle Howdy calls out Solo Sikoa, saying he’s going to get back what Sikoa stole. Soon there will be nothing to do but run.

Here are Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae for a chat. Gargano says it’s time for everyone, including him, to remember that he is Johnny Wrestling. The open challenge is on and I think you know who’s coming.

Oba Femi vs. Johnny Gargano

A string of running uppercuts in the corner and the Fall From Grace finish Gargano at 1:02.

Michin and B-Fab want Jade Cargill, who will face Michin next week.

Nick Aldis runs into Danhausen, who wants to be in the Hall Of Fame and a mentor. Aldis says that isn’t his responsibility, and then assigns Miz to do it. Danhausen wants to be WWE Champion and his own TV show, threatening a curse if he doesn’t get it. Danhausen: “Remember what happened to Dom.” Miz goes to yell but Danhausen vanishes.

Here’s what’s coming next week.

We look back at Drew McIntyre beating Cody Rhodes to win the World Title in January. Then McIntyre eliminated Rhodes from the Royal Rumble and cost him the Elimination Chamber, so now Rhodes gets his show anyway.

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. Drew McIntyre

McIntyre is defending and rolls outside while the bell is still echoing. The brawl starts in the aisle with Rhodes knocking him over the barricade. A drink to the face has McIntyre in more trouble and they head inside for Rhodes’ drop down uppercut. McIntyre manages a kick to the face and there’s the release belly to belly suplex. They go outside again where Rhodes sends him into the steps, only for McIntyre to cut off the dive.

A side slam drops Rhodes onto the apron and a suplex gives McIntyre two back inside. Rhodes fights back but can’t hit Cross Rhodes, with McIntyre rolling outside again. McIntyre rams the arm into the post a few times and starts working on the arm back inside. A Codebreaker to the arm sets up a big stomp but Rhodes is able to catch him on top with a superplex. Rhodes starts in on the leg but McIntyre grabs the rope to get out of the Figure Four.

McIntyre is already back on the floor, where the suicide dive takes him down again. The announcers’ table is loaded up but McIntyre fights out of Cross Rhodes. The table collapses anyway so of course the fans want tables. They get one set up on the floor, with McIntyre powerbombing Rhodes through it almost immediately. Back in and McIntyre hits a Cross Rhodes for two, so naturally Rhodes hits a Claymore for the same. The referee almost gets bumped a few times so McIntyre pulls him in the way of the Disaster Kick to make sure the bumping ensues.

Rhodes manages Cross Rhodes so another referee comes out, only for McIntyre to score with a Claymore for a very near fall. McIntyre is livid at another referee coming out so he drops said referee with a Glasgow Kiss. The chair is loaded up but here is Jacob Fatu to take it from McIntyre. The Claymore misses though and it’s a Cody Cutter into the Cross Rhodes to make Rhodes a three time champion at 20:40.

Rating: B+. This took its time to get going but wound up being rather good. I do like that they let McIntyre’s reign end off a pay per view quality match, but there wasn’t much for him in the title picture at Wrestlemania. Rhodes vs. Orton is automatically bigger, though making it a four way wouldn’t stun me either. Either way, solid match here and the right move for the title picture.

Rhodes celebrates to end the show.

Overall Rating: C+. This show really does not need to be three hours a week. That’s about all I think by the end of these things, as the shows feel drawn out and a lot longer than they should be. Again, it’s part of the problem of having so many people just standing around in backstage segments: at some point they have to get in the ring and carry the fans’ interest but that wasn’t on display in the 25+ minute match.

Now, there were certainly good parts for this, with Charlotte/Bliss and Rhodes getting closer to what are likely Wrestlemania title matches. Ripley/Cargill’s segment was good enough too and I like the main event situation far more now than I did coming in. It’s certainly not an awful show, but it feels every bit of those one hundred and eighty minutes.

Results
Carmelo Hayes b. El Hijo del Dr. Wagner Jr. – Nothing But Net
Charlotte/Alexa Bliss b. Giulia/Kiana James – Natural Selection to Giulia
Damian Priest/R-Truth won Tag Team Turmoil last eliminating Los Garza
Oba Femi b. Johnny Gargano – Fall From Grace
Cody Rhodes b. Drew McIntyre – Cross Rhodes

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

Monday Night Raw
Date: March 2, 2026
Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, Indiana
Commentators: Michael Cole, Corey Graves

We’re officially out of big stops before Wrestlemania as we are done with Elimination Chamber and the Wrestlemania title matches are set, at least for now. That leaves us with about six weeks before Wrestlemania and we have a title match to get through here, as Penta challenges Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title. Let’s get to it.

Here is Elimination Chamber if you need a recap.

Long recap of Elimination Chamber.

Here is the Vision to get things going and Paul Heyman is not happy. Heyman says this is where someone is supposed to welcome us to the show but they are here to talk about Seth Rollins, who returned at Elimination Chamber. Rollins is the single biggest thief…and we pause for the fans to sing.

Heyman talks about how he can’t stand that song before talking about how Rollins keeps stealing the main event of Wrestlemania from people who don’t deserve it. He threatens Rollins before handing it off to Austin Theory, who says Rollins stole the victory from Logan Paul. That leaves Paul to talk about how the last person to eliminate three straight people in the Chamber was Brock Lesnar because that is the kind of company he keeps.

Paul threatens to hold the show hostage until Rollins gets out here but here are Adam Pearce and security to cut him off. Pearce says this can’t happen because Rollins isn’t cleared to compete, but here is a masked man over the barricade. Security gives chase and here’s another masked man to draw out Paul. A third masked man draws Theory away and Heyman suddenly realizes he’s all alone.

Cue another masked man, this one through the entrance, but a fifth pops up from behind and unmasks as Rollins. A Roman Reigns style chair shot to the back puts Heyman down and Rollins hits a Stomp. Cole says that was Heyman getting his a** stomped out but I’m pretty sure it was his head. Rollins leaves through the crowd and medics come in to check on Heyman, who is bleeding from the mouth.

Post break we watch what we saw before the break and Heyman is taken away in an ambulance but Jimmy Uso pops out of a car to jump Austin Theory, apparently believing that the Vision attacked Jey Uso. With Theory down, Jimmy goes to the cab of the ambulance…and LA Knight drives it away.

IMG Credit: WWE

Gunther vs. Dragon Lee

Lee jumps him in the aisle and hits a dropkick through the ropes. Gunther is back with a great looking backdrop into the timekeeper’s area and we take a break. We come back with the match joined in progress with Gunther slowly hammering away, including going after the mask a bit. Some choking on the ropes has Lee in more trouble but he fights back with some kicks and manages to knock him outside. A dropkick connects with Gunther again but Gunther chops the heck out of him and we take a break.

We come back with Lee chopping away and hitting some running clotheslines. Gunther goes for the mask again but gets kicked in the head, allowing Lee to hit the running dropkick in the corner. Operation Dragon is countered into something like an Emerald Flosion for two and we slow back down. The powerbomb plants Lee again but Gunther picks him up at two. They head outside for an apron powerbomb and then another onto the announcers’ table, leaving Lee looking mostly done on the floor.

That’s good for an eight before Gunther tries another powerbomb, which is countered into a Code Red. Lee is back up with a suicide dive to knock Gunther over the table and Operation Dragon gets nine as Gunther beats the count. Back in and Lee actually drops him with a clothesline but Gunther pulls him into the sleeper. Gunther isn’t playing here and rips the mask off (with the camera getting a clear shot of the uncovered face) so Lee immediately taps at 12:22.

Rating: B-. Lee still being alive after those powerbombs might have been a stretch and I’m rather sick of the “rip the luchador’s mask off” finish, but they hit another gear there at one point. If you’ve got me thinking there was a chance for Lee to actually beat Gunther (even by countout), something is going right. I liked this way more than I was expecting and that is nice to see.

Asuka yells at Kairi Sane over not winning the Elimination Chamber but Sane says Asuka complimented her last week. That earns Sane even more yelling before Asuka leaves. AJ Lee comes up to check on Sane, who is almost in a trance (Lee: “Blink twice if you need anything.”) until Asuka shouts for her.

Demolition is going into the Hall Of Fame. That’s about as overdue as you can get.

IMG Credit: WWE

Here is AJ Lee for a chat. She’s back to do more than snatch the hair off of Becky Lynch’s big head. She thanks the fans for having her back and remembering her when others wanted her to be forgotten. Now she’s the Women’s Intercontinental Champion after beating Lynch and having the scars to prove it. She’s exactly who she thought she was and Wrestlemania is in front of her. We’re not waiting for then though and she’s going to be a fighting champion. She mentioned a bunch of women she wants to fight so come at her.

Earlier today, Penta ran into the Original El Grande Americano, who wished him bueno suerte. Americano wants the first shot when Penta wins the Intercontinental Title, with Penta saying cero miedo. With Penta gone, Los Americanos came in, with an argument over which of them is the real version. Apparently they’re fighting at Rey de Reyes, but Original wants to fight one of them tonight.

IMG Credit: WWE

Liv Morgan talks about being ready to face Stephanie Vaquer and prove herself again. Morgan lists off her resume and is ready to take the title at Wrestlemania.

Original El Grande Americano vs. Rayo Americano

The other Americanos are here too. Grande goes after the arm to start but Rayo fights back, almost out of desperation. La majistral gives Grande two and a frustrated Rayo bails to the floor. Bravo dances a bit for a distraction but Grande knocks Rayo outside for a flip dive off the apron. Another distraction lets Rayo post Grande though and we take a break.

We come back with Grande hitting a rolling kick to the head, followed by something like a reverse Angle Slam. The ankle lock goes on but Rayo flips him into the corner. Rayo goes up top, where Grande belly to belly superplexes him back down. Grande tries for the mask so Bravo offers a distraction, allowing Americano to hit the (presumably) loaded headbutt. Rayo’s Swan Dive gets two so he goes after Grande’s mask, which has Grande fighting back. Americano’s interference doesn’t work so it’s a rolling Chaos Theory to give Grande the pin at 10:07.

Rating: B-. This whole Americanos thing is some of the goofiest stuff I’ve seen WWE do in a long time but what matters the most is hitting a big blowoff. Doing that at Rey de Reyes has me wondering just how crazy they’re going, because it could be a lot of fun. The wrestling itself is good, but put this in front of the right audience and a mask vs. mask match could be excellent.

Penta is ready to win the Intercontinental Title.

We look at Oba Femi wrecking Miz on Smackdown.

Here is Rusev on the announcers’ table to call out Femi for a fight right now. Cue Femi, who says come in here and make something happen. They go face to face and actually slug it out with Femi getting the better of things to clear Rusev out.

Bayley and Lyra Valkyria talk about having a bad run lately but Valkyria wants to make sure Bayley gets to Wrestlemania. Valkyria suggests the Women’s Intercontinental Title but Bayley says she cost Valkyria a title match already so they should both go. They get to Adam Pearce’s office but Iyo Sky is walking out at the same time.

Jimmy Uso vs. Austin Theory

Uso jumps him to start but gets dropped with a spinning right hand. Back up and Uso knocks him to the floor for the suicide dive and it’s time for the announcers’ table. A superkick puts Theory on the table but Uso has to dive on Logan Paul. Theory gets back in and the double teaming is enough for the DQ at 2:40.

Post match Jey Uso is already back to make the save, complete with crutches.

Adam Pearce is on the phone with Nick Aldis but runs into Danhausen. He has some demands, like a Hall Of Fame induction, his face on the trucks, and something about a camera boy. The paper is wet as he dropped it in a toilet so Pearce isn’t pleased. Judgment Day comes in (Pearce is off to drink) and Danhausen doesn’t know JD McDonagh’s name. They don’t like him, with Dominik Mysterio saying that no, he can’t have the Intercontinental Title. That earns Mysterio a CURSE and Mysterio is gone.

Here is Rhea Ripley, with Iyo Sky, for a chat. Ripley talks about how bad things have been for the two of them, but then everything changed on Saturday. She thanks Sky for being everything to her and getting her out of a dark place. Sky is proud of her and says she’ll be ok on Raw, while Ripley can go win the title at Wrestlemania. Ripley looks into the camera and says she’ll be at Smackdown and leaving Wrestlemania as champion.

IMG Credit: WWE

Intercontinental Title: Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio

Mysterio, with Judgment Day, is defending. They start fast with an exchange of kicks and Penta sends him to the floor for the early running flip dive. We take a fast break and come back with Penta kicking him in the back of the head for two. Mysterio grabs an Edge-O-Matic (which I believe he has named the Mullet-O-Matic) for two and they go to the apron, where Penta gets planted with a DDT for two. Penta tries to kick back but gets sent to the floor for a big step up dive. A running crossbody sends Penta over the barricade and we take another break.

We come back with Penta kicking away in the corner, including the slingshot dropkick for two. The Backstabber out of the corner gets two more but Penta charges into a Michinoku Driver. The 619 connects but Mysterio dives into the Sacrifice. A Penta Driver gets two more and a ticked off Penta stomps away in the corner.

The charge misses into the post though and Penta has hurt his shoulder. Mysterio tells McDonagh to get the bell hammer but Balor cuts it off, saying Mysterio needs to do it himself. Penta’s big running flip dive takes Judgment Day out and the Mexican Destroyer gives us a new champion at 16:25.

Rating: B-. This was kind of a slow paced match for awhile but Penta getting the big upset win is a great thing. He’s been the kind of guy who has been around the title picture for a long time but hasn’t won anything, so it’s nice to see it actually happen. Mysterio feuding with Balor is a fine way to go, especially if he gets the title back so Balor can get a big win of his own. It’s not like Mysterio is going to lose his heat anytime soon.

We see a clip from after Elimination Chamber, where Nick Aldis had to be held back from Drew McIntyre. As a result, McIntyre is defending against Cody Rhodes this Friday on Smackdown. McIntyre came out to yell and Aldis even took his jacket off before being held back.

Here is Roman Reigns for a chat and after a break, he hits the catchphrase but gets cut off by CM Punk. He does the one finger and points out that he’s acknowledging Roman, which is all Reigns wants. Reigns brings up a tweet he sent out about Punk, who says he isn’t bothered by it because he doesn’t get mad at what people say about him on podcasts and such. Punk says he’s got to put up with Reigns’ bulls*** for seven weeks and the first stop on the Road To Wrestlemania is here in Indianapolis.

This is where the Shield debuted because Punk brought them up. Reigns: “You brought the other two. Not me.” Punk talks about how he’s under Reigns’ skin and it’s translucent because he can see right through Reigns. It’s true that Reigns hates him but what Phil is missing is that if he didn’t have the title, Reigns would be indifferent to him. Punk is back to entertain the 38-40 year old virgins who still live with their parents. Or maybe to sell some t-shirts and draw a house in Chicago. But being champion?

That’s above Punk’s pay grade because he’s a liar. Reigns says Phil has people believing that he’s a locker room leader who has some great time. Every second that Punk is b******* and moaning back there, Reigns’ cousins are telling him about it because Punk is just a punk a** b****. When Reigns wins the title, he’s putting Punk on a John Cena retirement tour. Then Punk can go down to NXT to teach these people how to do what they do and then they’ll come up to the main roster where Reigns smashes them.

Reigns goes to leave but Punk stops him, saying they have to cover some things. Punk wants to know what Reigns means by “we” because Reigns is all alone. There are no more Samoans or even a wise man because Punk took the wise man away. Reigns is the one chasing him because Punk runs things around here.

Yeah he’s hanging out with Reigns’ cousins and the reality is Reigns can’t get it done by himself. Punk doesn’t care if Reigns doesn’t love him but Reigns will respect him. That puts Reigns on the list, because he’s not just getting beaten but he’s getting buried. Then he won’t be all alone anymore, because Punk is going to bury him next to his father. Punk leaves and Reigns is not happy with how personal that just went.

This worked rather well, as it had me wondering how much of this was a story and how much was two people airing some grievances. I want to see where it’s going from here and I have no idea how the Wrestlemania match is going to go, which is one of the best feelings you can have for a match, especially one of the biggest of the year.

Overall Rating: B+. You may like where things are going for Wrestlemania or you may not. What matters is that WWE seems to have a card in mind with a month and a half to go. Right now you have the four main singles title matches and there is a good chance you can pencil in Usos vs. Vision and Rollins vs. possibly Brock Lesnar. This show did some serious work to get us there and I’ve heard worse cards. It would be nice to have Smackdown doing the same, which very well maybe the case this Friday. Raw did well this week, though there is still a long time before Wrestlemania.

Results
Gunther b. Dragon Lee – Sleeper
Original El Grande Americano b. Rayo Americano – Rolling Chaos Theory
Jimmy Uso b. Austin Theory via DQ when Logan Paul interfered
Penta b. Dominik Mysterio – 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:

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

Elimination Chamber 2026
Date: February 28, 2026
Location: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett

It’s the last big stop on the Road To Wrestlemania and that should make for a good evening. As usual we have four matches, with two of them being the Elimination Chamber matches themselves. In addition it’s quite the Chicago flavor, with CM Punk and his wife AJ Lee both defending their titles. Let’s get to it.

The opening video, as aired last night on Smackdown, features CM Punk talking about growing up in Chicago and being used to pressure. That’s why he’s not scared by being inside the Chamber…though he’s not actually in the match.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Elimination Chamber: Asuka vs. Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Kiana James vs. Tiffany Stratton

Cole tells us that if you Google “superstar”, you’ll see Rhea Ripley. I see Molly Shannon and Will Ferrell but maybe I’m just doing it wrong. Kiana James is in at #1 and Tiffany Stratton is in at #2 and we have five minute intervals. Feeling out process to start with James offering a test of strength, which commentary thinks is a bad idea for Stratton.

That is indeed the case as James takes over and they go out to the floor, where James is sent against a pod. The handspring elbow misses for Stratton though and Rodriguez cracks up in laughter. Asuka is in at #3 but James spears her in the pod. That’s shrugged off and Asuka comes out of the pod to ram the other two into the walls. Asuka hits a high crossbody and the clothesline/bulldog sequence, ala Raven.

The clock speeds WAY up with the second entrance in about seven minutes as Bliss is in at #4. That means the pace can pick up a bit with Bliss cleaning house as James catapults Stratton into the pod. The fast clocks (I must have missed some announcement on the intervals because there is no way they could trim them down this much and expect people to buy five minutes) continue as Ripley is in at #5. Ripley and Bliss fight over some standing switches as Bliss can’t quite pick up the much bigger Ripley, which isn’t surprising.

The other three get back up so Bliss climbs the pod and flip dives onto all of them. James avoids most of it and fights back, only to get caught in Sister Abigail. Asuka breaks that up with the mist though and James pins Bliss at 13:13. Rodriguez is in at #6 to complete the field and swings Stratton into the Chamber wall. Rodriguez keeps beating people up on the floor, including swinging Ripley into the pod and tossing Stratton in as well. A running powerslam sends James through the pod, followed a Tejana Bomb to Asuka to give Rodriguez the double pin at 16:39.

We’re down to Ripley vs. Rodriguez vs. Stratton, with Stratton getting tossed down again. Rodriguez and Ripley fight on the Chamber floor, with Ripley getting her legs tied in the wall. That leaves Stratton to get beaten up again, with Rodriguez taking her up onto the top but Ripley gets on a pod for a flip dive. That bangs up Ripley’s already bad back but Stratton hits the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to eliminate Rodriguez at 20:13.

Stratton goes right after Ripley with an Alabama Slam getting two. The Swanton misses though and Ripley kicks her in the head, setting up an electric chair faceplant for two. Stratton is right back with a shot of her own and goes up top, only to get shoved face first into the pod in a great looking crash. That’s enough for Riptide to finish for Ripley at 23:15.

Rating: B-. Good enough stuff here, though they had the advantage of a pretty wide open field. There was a legitimate case to have Stratton, Ripley or Rodriguez win, with Bliss as a wildcard option. That’s a good place to be and Rodriguez got in quite the run of her own. Nice match here, with Ripley vs. Cargill sounding rather interesting indeed.

We recap Becky Lynch defending the Women’s Intercontinental Title against AJ Lee. Last year, Lee returned and beat Lynch at Wrestlepalooza, which has Lee wanting a singles match. Lynch is going insane as a result because she doesn’t think Lee deserves this but thinks Lee could beat her. This has led to Lee getting way under Lynch’s skin, including getting the match.

IMG Credit: WWE

Women’s Intercontinental Title: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee

Lynch is defending and we get the Big Match Intros. An early shoulder puts Lee down and she has to forearm her way out of a headlock. Lee fights up and knocks her to the floor, meaning it’s time for some skipping. Back in and a ticked off Lynch knocks her down and hammers away as commentary keeps bringing up how Lee hasn’t wrestled a singles match in over ten years.

Lynch slows things down and starts shoving Lee’s head into the mat and screaming at her, with a forearm cutting off Lee’s comeback. Lee kicks her out of the corner and a Shining Wizard gets two. Lynch counters the Black Widow though and takes her up top for a superplex. The cross armbreaker is countered with a kick to the head to give Lee two but a turnbuckle pad comes off. Lynch rams Lee into the referee in the corner but gets two anyway, only to accidentally kick the referee in the head.

The Black Widow makes Lynch tap but there’s no referee. With the hold broken, Lynch fights back and takes her to the floor, where she grabs a chair. Lee takes it away but gets DDTed onto the chair, setting up the Manhandle Slam for two. Lynch yells at the referee but she isn’t having it this time and yells back before counting Lee’s rollup for two more. Back up and Lee sends her into the exposed buckle, setting up the Black Widow for the tap and the title at 15:23.

Rating: B-. Another good match here, with Lynch getting in quite the performance as she was doing a lot of the hard work here. That isn’t surprising as Lee was rusty in the ring in general and especially in singles matches. Lee winning the title almost had to happen at some point and now there are several options for her opponents, including a rematch with Lynch. It’s no great match, but it was good enough.

R-Truth and the General Managers are at the crate and we find out what’s in the box. Well, meaning the pizza box that R-Truth is carrying as this turns into a Papa John’s commercial. More on this later.

IMG Credit: WWE

Raw World Title: CM Punk vs. Finn Balor

Punk is defending after beating Balor in Balor’s hometown a few weeks ago on Raw. Just to Chicago it up that much more, Punk comes to the ring to the same entrance the Chicago Bulls use to take the court (Sirius by the Alan Parsons Project. Make your own Ricky Steamboat jokes.), complete with the Bulls’ PA announcer doing his entrance.

They start slowly with Balor hitting a running shoulder, only to be knocked back down. A kick to the back and knee drop give Punk one and he rains down some right hands in the corner. Balor fights out and chops away before starting to go after the ribs. That means an abdominal stretch with an elbow in the ribs to keep Punk in trouble. That’s broken up and they head outside, with Punk sending him into the announcers’ table.

Back in and Balor goes back to the ribs but has to counter a GTS into a small package for two. The swinging neckbreaker gives Punk two and he needs a breather. Punk fights up and fires off some more kicks, even as his mouth seems to be busted open. A top rope elbow gives Punk two and Balor’s crucifix counter gets the same. There’s the Sling Blade to drop Punk again but the running dropkick is cut off.

Balor puts Punk back down though and the Coup de Grace to the bad ribs gets two. Balor fights back and tries I believe another Sling Blade, only to get GTS’d out to the floor. Punk goes after him and gets knocked hard through the barricade. Back in and another Sling Blade hits Punk so Balor loads up the Coup de Grace. This time Punk gets a leg up and reverses into a Sharpshooter, sending Balor over to the rope. Punk is frustrated but grabs the GTS to retain at 20:25.

Rating: B+. These two were in a tough spot as there was almost no reason to believe that Balor was going to win here but they put on a heck of a match anyway. It was a hard hitting fight and I was wondering what was going to happen with any interference, but thankfully it didn’t happen. Pretty awesome match here, which shouldn’t be a surprise.

Post match Balor gets up and shakes Punk’s hand before leaving in peace. AJ Lee comes out for the double champion celebration.

In the arena, the General Managers open the crate and find….a coffin. Which opens to reveal….yeah it’s Danhausen, complete with a group of cheerleaderhausens. He has his own theme song which keeps saying his name and repeating “YOU ARE CURSED”. Danhausen gives Cole a jar of teeth, gets in the ring, pyro goes off, and that’s it.

IMG Credit: WWE

Men’s Elimination Chamber: Trick Williams vs. LA Knight vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Logan Paul vs. Randy Orton

For the shot against Drew McIntyre at Wrestlemania. Evans is in at #1 and Rhodes is in at #2 to get us going. After showing some respect, Rhodes grabs a delayed suplex for two, only to get rolled up for the same. A running knee drops Rhodes for two more but he throws Evans over the top for a crash. Back in and Rhodes stomps him down but Evans knees his way out of another suplex. They trade right hands and it’s Trick Williams in at #3.

A flapjack on the steel drops Rhodes but Evans is back up with the OG Cutter. That’s blocked as well and Rhodes is knocked down again, giving Williams two each. Evans is up to chop Williams against the wall and it’s Paul in at #4. That earns him a triple teaming, with Paul being sent hard into a pod. Rhodes goes after Evans and they slug it out again. Paul is back up to go after Evans before choking Williams on the floor. Knight is in at #5 and goes right after Paul in the corner.

The jumping neckbreaker puts Williams down and it’s time to climb the pod. Paul, Knight and Evans all go up top, with Paul being thrown down onto Rhodes and Williams. A BFT drops Evans onto the pod and it’s Orton in at #6, giving us a rare instance of all six being active at once. The double hanging DDT drops Paul and Williams but Knight blocks the RKO.

Evans is back up on the pod though and gives Williams a frog splash. Paul be back up with the Paulverizer though and Evans is out at 15:59. Knight plants Rhodes down for…well eventually two as it takes him a bit to get Rhodes’ shoulders down. Knight loads up the top rope elbow on Orton but slips down, instead settling for a regular jumping elbow (that’s a bad stretch).

The BFT drops Williams but Paul hits Knight low for the rollup elimination at 18:34. Williams kicks Rhodes down and flips away from Paul, only to get caught with Cross Rhodes. Paul sends Rhodes into the post and steals the pin on Williams (that’s completely in line for him) at 20:17.

The Chamber is open to get Williams out…and the Masked Man is back. Security immediately grabs him and Adam Pearce unmasks him as….just another random guy (different from the one on Smackdown). Williams is taken out but ANOTHER Masked Man gets inside and kicks Paul down, setting up a Stomp. The Masked Man leaves and Rhodes gets the pin on Paul at 22:30.

And he unmasks as…..SETH ROLLINS and there’s a big time Wrestlemania match. Heyman: “NO! NO!” We’re down to Orton and Rhodes but here is McIntyre to miss a Claymore on Rhodes. An RKO and Cross Rhodes get rid of McIntyre but another RKO finishes Rhodes for the win at 24:56.

Rating: B. They had a lot of things going on here at once and it still worked. Orton winning is a fine way to go as he’s kind of the “break glass in case of no one better being available” safe pick, though I’m not sure on Orton vs. McIntyre as a Wrestlemania title match. The interesting match still feels like Rhodes vs. Fatu vs. Zayn, though I’m not sure how you get to that match. For now though, good match with Rollins’ return probably being the biggest story.

Orton celebrates and pyro goes off to end the show.

Overall Rating: B. This was a show where all four matches felt like they could have been good and that’s pretty much what wound up happening. Even the weakest match was good and Balor vs. Punk felt like a big time showdown. We’re seven weeks away from Wrestlemania and most of the card seems to be clear, if not already set. That’s more than enough time to really turn this into a big time event and this was a good step there. Solid show, but it’s really the beginning of the big build to the most important show of the year.

Results
Rhea Ripley won the Women’s Elimination Chamber
AJ Lee b. Becky Lynch – Black Widow
CM Punk b. Finn Balor – GTS
Randy Orton won the Men’s Elimination Chamber

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