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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Randy Orton vs. ???

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

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

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

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

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

Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Smackdown World Title: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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Wrestlemania XLI Night One
Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Attendance: 58,538
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, Pat McAfee
God Bless America: Jelly Roll

It’s kind of hard to fathom that we’re a whole year removed from this show but here we are again. The show is in (or near) Las Vegas and as usual it’s a double night spectacle, with the first main event seeing Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk in a rare non-title match. Gunther vs. Jey Uso will handle the title match aspect so let’s get to it.

The opening video looks at the influence of Wrestlemania and how many people talk about wrestling. HHH narrates about these legendary stories, but sometimes they’re true.

Here is HHH to welcome us to the show and let us know we are being seen worldwide.

A DJ and some dancers are here.

Raw World Title: Jey Uso vs. Gunther

Uso is challenging after winning the Royal Rumble. We get some people waving YEET flags on the ramp and the Las Vegas Raiderettes as Uso comes into the stadium with tens of thousands of people doing the YEET dance. There is a great shot from just over Uso’s shoulder showing what he’s seeing and my goodness it’s always cool to see this kind of thing happening because of one person.

After they Big Match Intros, they take their time to start until Gunther powers him into the corner. That earns Gunther a heck of a shot to the face to send him outside. Back in and Gunther takes him down with a headlock takeover, which doesn’t last long either. The threat of an enziguri sends Gunther outside again and we slow back down. Gunther gets back in and Uso grabs a slam before going up, where Gunther chops his soul out to the floor.

The slow chopping ensues but Uso hits a quick spear for two. Gunther is back up to try a powerbomb, which is countered into a Samoan drop. Uso goes up again and gets superplexed down, setting up the powerbomb for two. That leaves Gunther more than a bit surprised and Uso spears his way out of trouble again. The Superfly Splash gives Uso two so Gunther teases walking out.

It’s enough of a distraction for Gunther to get in a belt shot and the top rope splash for two. NOW Gunther is getting serious and we hit the sleeper. Somehow Uso makes the rope and Gunther is just mad. Uso is down in the corner so Gunther chops him anyway, which has Uso laughing (must be a family thing).

More chops don’t keep Uso down as he comes back with a headbutt. Uso has to counter a sleeper into a German suplex but Gunther is right back with the big dropkick. Another powerbomb is countered into one from Uso though and he drops Gunther with a spear. Back to back to back Superfly Splashes set up a sleeper and Gunther actually taps (and quickly too) to make Uso champion at 16:20.

Rating: B. This turned into a heck of a match with Uso throwing everything back at Gunther and beating him at his own game. At the same time, I couldn’t believe that Uso actually won the title but that is exactly what happened. They made a new big star with a clean submission in the middle of the ring. Good opener here but an awesome moment which had to happen after the way Uso was built up in the previous weeks.

Post match Jimmy Uso is the first person out to celebrate with Jey and they leave through the crowd.

We recap the War Raiders defending the Raw Tag Team Titles against the New Day. After New Day had some issues, Big E. tried to get them back on the right track but they turned him down, with New Day’s heel turned earning them a full on shunning from the crowd. This included their FAMILIES, as everyone hated them over their actions, down to Kofi Kingston’s mother walking out on him. They got a title shot anyway so here we go.

Raw Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. War Raiders

New Day is challenging and jump the champs tost art fast. Erik doesn’t care for being punched in the face and rams Kingston into Woods. That’s enough to send New Day outside, where Erik slams Ivar onto the two of them. Ivar crushes both of them against the ring video board and it’s back to Erik vs. Woods inside.

A belly to back suplex/top rope splash combination gets two on Woods but he’s able to cut off Erik’s dive. Kingston adds a top rope backsplash to Erik and we settle down to Kingston hammering away. Woods’ top rope double stomp hits Erik in the ropes but Erik fights out of the corner. It’s back to Ivar to clean house, including sitting on Kingston’s chest out of the corner. Kingston comes back with a spinning kick to the head but Ivar runs Kingston over without much trouble.

The Honor Roll connects for Woods and the Daybreak is loaded up. Erik cuts that one off and Erik kicks Kingston in the face. The Doomsault hits Kingston so Woods makes the save with the Limit Break Elbow. Another Honor Roll is broken up though and Erik hits a heck of a running knee. The springboard clothesline/German suplex combination is broken up though and the Daybreak finishes Ivar for the pin (with Kingston holding the leg) and the titles at 9:17.

Rating: B-. This was better than I remembered, though that might be due to not having to watch a dull build up to the match. The tag division was just nothing and unfortunately there wasn’t much of a reason to care. The big heel turn came from the turn on Big E., but that was several months ago. You can only get so far after that much time and it didn’t help that Big E. had no involvement. It’s a rare case where the time has helped a lot and that’s a nice relief.

Post match New Day runs out before they get destroyed again.

We recap Jade Cargill vs. Naomi. Last fall, someone attacked Cargill and put her out of actions for months. She came back at Elimination Chamber and it wound out that it was Naomi. Cargill was ready to wreck Naomi, while Bianca Belair was rather upset by everything Naomi did too. Now, as expected, it’s time for revenge.

Naomi vs. Jade Cargill

We get a celebrity cameo as….a meteorologist from the Weather Channel says we have a perfect storm in Las Vegas. From Muhammad Ali to this people. Cargill powers her into the corner to start and gets in a slam off the top. Naomi gets in a shot to the eyes though and snaps the throat across the ropes. A ram into the steps has Cargill staggered, with Naomi hitting a Blockbuster onto the floor.

Back in and Naomi grabs a chinlock while cranking on the arm as well. Cargill gets up and tosses her into the corner for a splash but charges into a raised boot. Naomi tries another Blockbuster but gets pulled out of the air into a Jackhammer, because that’s something a human can do.

Naomi fights back and goes up again but gets caught again. This time Naomi is able to bulldog Cargill off the top though and a split legged moonsault gives Cargill two. Jaded is reversed into a rollup and Cargill powers out of the Rings Of Saturn. Cargill pulls her into an electric chair and spins it into a powerbomb, followed by Jaded for the pin at 9:25.

Rating: B-. There were some sloppy moments in there, but Cargill looked like an absolute star. The power game she has is off the charts and she looks like a Greek statue come to life. Naomi was in over her head here with the power and athleticism, as the experience wasn’t enough to carry her. Nice stuff here, as Cargill felt like a monster in a great way.

We recap LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu. Knight is the very popular US Champion and Fatu is the new smashing machine. I don’t know Knight’s chances.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu

Fatu is challenging and Knight rides onto the stage in a rather expensive looking card. Knight grabs a neckbreaker for two but Fatu grabs a backbreaker to take over. The pace slows down a lot with Fatu hammering away, only to be knocked outside. Knight’s dropkick through the ropes connects but Fatu suplexes him out of the air for two back inside. The running backsplash hits raised knees though and Knight hits a standing top rope elbow for two.

Fatu runs him right back over and goes up, with Knight breaking up the moonsault. That lets Knight grab a top rope flipping German superplex for the big crash as Fatu is actually reeling. Naturally he shrugs that off and huts the running Umaga Attack in the corner, followed by a Swanton for two more. The triple jump moonsault is loaded up but Knight grabs him out of the air with the BFT (and nailed it) for the rather near fall. Knight is stunned and goes up, only to get Samoan dropped down. A pair of moonsaults makes Fatu champion at 10:40.

Rating: B-. That BFT alone made this one pretty memorable as the timing required to make that work was outstanding. At the same time, it made a lot more sense to have Fatu win here as he’s the kind of monster who had to win something at some point. It came after a good enough match too, with Fatu getting through to the next level, which Knight needs to do again.

We recap El Grande Americano vs. Rey Fenix. Americano is basically mocking the idea of lucha libre and Mysterio doesn’t like it so it’s time to stand up for the sport’s heritage. Chad Gable has been accused of being Americano but insists it is NOT him. Then Mysterio got hurt and he’s replaced by Rey Fenix. This needs more Mike Tenay’s Lucha Libre And The Mexican Luchadors.

El Grande Americano vs. Rey Fenix

Americano gets the sepia tone entrance ala the old newsreels about his career and is played in by a mariachi band. Hold on though as Americano goes outside and gets into it with AAA’s El Hijo de Vikingo, who kicks him in the head. Americano gets back inside for the opening bell and a hurricanrana for two.

They fight over a test of strength and go to the mat for a double bridge up. Fenix’s super hurricanrana sets up a missile dropkick to put Americano on the floor, meaning the big dive can follow. As commentary continues to bicker about whether it’s Americano or Gable, he suplexes Fenix for two but gets kicked in the face for his efforts. Back up and Americano LAUNCHES him into the corner with an overhead belly to belly for the huge crash.

A moonsault backsplash (commentary tries to figure out the degrees) hits Fenix for two more and Americano goes after the mask. That earns him a hurricanrana and the mask is loaded up. Fenix tries a springboard kick and hitsthe metal in the mask to leave him injured. The ankle lock goes on but Fenix rolls his way out. That means a springboard headbutt hits Americano but with Gable getting knocked out. A loaded Swan Dive finishes Fenix at 7:57.

Rating: C+. This was more about getting Americano on the show but it would have made a lot more sense against Mysterio. At the same time, this was about as good of an option as they had as a substitute, with Fenix being able to fly around so well. Americano had to win as he was still a pretty new idea and the goofiness was still working rather well.

Post match Vikingo checks on Fenix.

We look at the WWE Bought AAA announcement from earlier.

Here is Shawn Michaels to announce the attendance: 61,467. The number being written on the card in big numbers is rather amusing.

We see some celebrities, including UFC CEO Dana White for the second time.

We recap Charlotte challenging Tiffany Stratton for the Smackdown Women’s Title. Charlotte won the Royal Rumble and Stratton is rather cocky and believes she deserves everything she has. Charlotte also has her usual “I’m awesome” going and they’ve been rather nasty to each other in recent weeks.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte

Charlotte is challenging. Stratton has a rather cool entrance where she appears as three different kinds of Barbies in big pink boxes and walks out of the middle one. Charlotte charges at her to start and they go to the mat to slug it out. The fight goes outside with Charlotte still in control but Stratton gets in a shot to take over.

Back in and the Flair Flip is broken up with a running elbow and a double stomp takes Charlotte out of the corner for two. They head outside with Charlotte dropping her onto the barricade and then the apron as things slow down. Charlotte takes her back inside for what would become the Devi’s Kiss, followed by the rolling figure four neck lock rolling slams. The Liontamer goes on until Stratton reverses into a rollup for two.

Some handspring elbows connect for Stratton in the corner but Charlotte gets in a neck snap across the top rope. Stratton knocks her back down but the moonsault hits knees. Instead Stratton hits a basement dropkick for two and we pause for a double breather. A big boot gives Charlotte two and they chop it out with Stratton winning the exchange of strikes. Stratton misses a charge in the ropes though and Charlotte kicks her down.

Natural Selection is blocked though and Charlotte hits a nice sitout powerbomb for two. Stratton catches her up top and hits a spinebuster for two and they’re both down again. A high crossbody hits Charlotte but she’s able to knee Stratton outside. The moonsault to the floor is broken up though and Charlotte’s recently repaired knee is banged up. Stratton kicks away at the leg so Charlotte kicks away at the head for two.

Charlotte wraps Stratton’s knee around the post and crashes down onto it in the corner. The Figure Four goes on but Stratton gets smart by hammering on the bad knee to escape. Stratton’s Prettiest Moonsault Ever hits raised knees so the banged up Charlotte gets two and they’re both down again. Charlotte goes up and knocks her off the top, setting up a super Natural Selection for two. Another Figure Eight attempt is blocked and Charlotte misses a charge into the corner. An Alabama Slam sends Charlotte into the corner and the Prettiest Moonsault Ever retains the title at 19:12.

Rating: B. They accomplished the big goal here by having Stratton win over the most successful star in women’s wrestling history. Stratton was a star but needed something like this to really make her feel like a bigger name. She’s a big part of the new generation of women’s wrestling and Charlotte put her over, which happened to come after quite the athletic display. They worked well enough together and the result was the right call.

We look at the Hall Of Fame induction ceremony.

Here is the class:

Bret Hart vs. Steve Austin from Wrestlemania XIII (doesn’t get much better than that)
Natural Disasters (they needed a tag team)
Michelle McCool (you knew it was coming)
HHH (that’s a top level headliner)

That’s about as much of a mixed bag as you can get but I do like the smaller number. Lex Luger was also in the class but apparently suffered a fall the morning of the show and couldn’t be there.

Iyo Sky was on the Goodyear Blimp over Las Vegas.

We recap Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk. Reigns and Rollins have a long history due to the Shield and subsequent betrayals, while Punk is here because he hates both of them. The match has been made, with the caveat that Punk is FINALLY a Wrestlemania main eventer. As a bonus, Paul Heyman is in Punk’s corner to pay back the favor owed to Punk for being on Reigns’ team at Survivor Series. They also had a big fight at the Royal Rumble and then Reigns cost Punk a cage match against Rollins.

Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns

Rollins has a flamethrower, Reigns has white shoes and Punk has Heyman. Advantage: Reigns. Punk also gets a special video on his career, showing his rise from OVW to ECW to Raw and all the way to the main event. Tonight is his night and his main event. Yeah that’s well deserved after it was such a big deal to him. And of course Punk is played to the ring because we need to stretch this out even longer.

The bell rings and Punk heads outside to chat with Heyman, leaving Reigns to go after Rollins. Punk gets back in and Reigns clotheslines both of them, including one to send Punk outside. Reigns gets posted and suicide dived, with Rollins sending him into the steps. Punk and Rollins go into the crowd with Punk firing off some chair shots to take over. That’s broken up with a metal stand to the ribs and a trashcan to Punk’s head but he suplexes Rollins onto a trashcan.

They head back towards ringside, where Reigns dives over the barricade to take them both out. Reigns loads up the announcers’ table (Heyman is worried) but instead takes Punk back inside for a Samoan drop. Punk fights back and cuts Reigns off, which brings Punk quite the smile. Punk’s running knees in the corner set up a DDT/neckbreaker combination to drop both of them.

The top rope elbow hits Rollins but he’s able to catch Punk on top. Reigns breaks that up and gets Rollins on his shoulder, setting up Punk as Hawk in a Doomsday Device. Reigns and Punk slug it out with Punk getting the Anaconda Vice. Rollins dives in with a suicide dive to make the save and even covers Reigns for two. Back up and Rollins hits a buckle bomb to both of them but Punk tries the GTS.

That’s broken up by Reigns’ spear but Rollins reverses another into a Pedigree (they LOVE that spot). A Stomp connects but Rollins stops to get rid of Punk, allowing Reigns to kick out. Rollins’ phoenix splash misses Reigns so he spears Rollins down. A quick GTS gives Punk two on Reigns as Heyman is looking frustrated. Rollins is back in with a Pedigree for two on Punk, allowing him to yell at Reigns about how useless Reigns is without him. Rollins goes outside and the other announcers’ table is loaded up.

Rollins teases the DoubleBomb but Reigns punches him in the face and powerbombs Punk through the table. Rollins is powerbombed through the other but the spear to Rollins is only good for two. Reigns yells at Heyman about the favor and then grabs a guillotine choke on Punk, even jumping up onto him. That’s reversed into the Anaconda Vice but Rollins is in with a Sharpshooter to Punk. Reigns breaks that up with the guillotine, which is broken up for a GTS to Rollins. Heyman is now sitting on the steps as only Punk can get up.

Another GTS hits Rollins but Reigns spears Punk, only to get Stomped by Rollins to leave everyone down. That’s enough for Heyman to grab a chair, but he isn’t sure if he should give it to Punk or Reigns. He slides it to Punk and gets in the ring (and you can see it coming from here).

The chair shot is loaded up and it’s a low blow to Punk, leaving Reigns smiling (those are some amazingly white teeth). Heyman offers Reigns the chair so he can go after Punk but points Reigns at Rollins. Reigns loads up the chair and of course Heyman hits him low as well, revealing his real allegiance. Rollins gets the chair and blasts Reigns in the back (there’s your call back), setting up a Stomp for the pin at 32:41.

Rating: B+. This went on for a good while but once they started trading finishes, it got rather good. The question became how Heyman would get involved, but at the same time the action they had was rather good. It was a grudge match built around the idea of Heyman making his choice in the end, with everyone hating each other and wanting to beat the living daylights out of each other on the way there. I’m not sure if it’s a classic Wrestlemania main event, but dang it wound up working.

Overall Rating: B. I did like it and it feels like a big show, though I’m not sure if it felt all the way up to a Wrestlemania level show. The main event was rather great and most of the rest of the show worked, though the Americano vs. Fenix match could have probably been dropped. For a first half of the biggest show of the year it’s good enough, but it needed that one great match to put it up to the next level.

 

 

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

And then it was Sunday. Last night was already eventful enough and now we have another show with all kinds of stuff taking place. In this case, the biggest story will be John Cena challenging Cody Rhodes in an attempt to win his record setting seventeenth World Title. That should be enough to carry things but of course there is a lot more. Let’s get to it.

Here is Night One if you need a recap.

The opening video is a recap of last night and a preview of tonight’s show. Simple and to the point here.

Here is Stephanie McMahon to get things going. The last time Wrestlemania was in Las Vegas, she was 16 years old. Now they’re back here and her middle daughter is 16 years old. That’s because WWE is family and welcome to Wrestlemania.

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

Sky is defending and Belair has a double dutch team during her entrance. Ripley on the other hand gets an absolute eruption as she’s certainly the crowd favorite. After the Big Match Intros, they start fast with Sky firing off some shots to the face and a hurricanrana. Ripley breaks that up so Belair wrestles her to the mat. Belair hammers away in the corner until Sky pulls her down by the braid.

Back up and Ripley gets clotheslined to the floor as Belair takes over on Sky. Ripley pulls Belair tot he floor, where Sky’s hurricanrana is pulled out of the air. Sky gets double swung into the barricade but comes right back in with a dive. The Prism Trap is broken up though with Belair trying the KOD on Ripley. That’s broken up and they hit stereo faceplants to leave everyone down. They go up top for a reverse Tower Of Doom, with Sky being belly to back superplexed onto her face.

Belair runs Sky over again and everyone is down again. A 450 hits Sky for two but Ripley grabs a Riptide for two. Ripley takes Sky up top for a super Riptide but Sky armdrags her way out. Over The Moonsault hits raised knees though and Belair hits the KOD for two with Ripley making the save. Belair and Ripley go up top with Belair being knocked to the floor. Sky’s super poisonrana is countered with a faceplant onto the post but Belair is back with the KOD. Ripley slips out and lands on her feet but gets caught with the hair whip. Now the KOD can connect but Sky comes in with Over The Moonsault to pin Belair and retain at 14:27.

Rating: A-. I got way into this as they were laying in the offense and had me wondering where it was going. You had a match where all three could have come out with the title and that’s a great situation to be in. Sky is getting into that top tier of active stars in the women’s division and she has earned that spot. This is the kind of win that can help her a lot and she could still have a singles match with either of the two. Or you have the Ripley vs. Belair option as well, which would be quite good in its own right.

We recap Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre. As usual, McIntyre blames someone else for all of his troubles and Priest is tired of it. They’ve been fighting for a good while now and it’s time for a street fight.

Damian Priest vs. Drew McIntyre

Street fight and Priest is played to the ring by the guitarist from Slayer. The fight starts fast and they go to the floor, where McIntyre plants him on the ramp. It’s time for the weapons but McIntyre takes too long, allowing Priest to get in a few shots. Some steps to the face and back put Priest back down, allowing McIntyre to take a selfie with his brother’s phone. Two tables are set up at ringside but Priest is back up to cut McIntyre off again.

McIntyre knocks him back to the floor for the big flip dive and a big pose. Back in and Priest throws a chair at McIntyre’s head (and it comes in at a bad angle which could have gone much worse) but the Claymore connects for two. McIntyre hammers him down with the chair and wraps it around Priest’s head. Another Claymore is cut off with a chokeslam for two and now it’s Priest’s turn to chair him down.

The table is set up in the corner but a super White Noise is broken up. Instead it’s a Razor’s Edge through the table for two and they need a breather. McIntyre counters another chokeslam into a Futureshock onto the steps for two and they’re both down again. Priest tries Old School and gets shoved off the top through the two tables at ringside for the big crash. Back in and a Claymore into the chair in the corner finishes Priest at 13:56.

Rating: B+. I got more into this one than I expected to as they beat the fire out of each other. That’s one of the perks of having a match like this, as the two of them are big enough to be able to hammer on each other until one of them couldn’t get up. The ending spot was great too and while Priest didn’t feel like he was a major threat, he was a good hurdle for McIntyre to overcome on the way to something bigger.

We recap the Intercontinental Title four way. Bron Breakker has been dealing with the Judgment Day, who are fighting over the team’s future. Penta wants the title as well so Breakker is defending against all three of them.

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

Breakker is defending and Dominik has a Rey Mysterio mask on for his entrance in a nice trolling moment. Breakker charges at Mysterio to start but can’t hit a Super Spear. Instead Penta sends Balor and Mysterio to the floor for a big flip dive. Breakker dives over both of them to take out Penta in a huge crash. Back in and Breakker hits the gorilla press powerslam on Balor and the Super Spear gets two on Mysterio with Balor making the save.

Penta is back up with the slingshot dropkick to Balor and Mysterio in the corner. Breakker is back up with a double German suplex but the spear hits the post. Judgment Day fights back but Breakker is right there with a super Frankensteiner to Balor. Back up and Mysterio goes after Balor but can’t hit the 619. Instead Balor stomps on Mysterio but gets caught in the Penta Driver for two.

That leaves us with Breakker vs. Penta, which the fans certainly like. Balor breaks that up and Penta gets in a Canadian Destroyer, only for Carlito to make the save. Breakker is back up to spear Carlito through the announcers’ table, followed by another spear to Penta back inside. Balor is there to cut Breakker off though and the Coup de Grace connects, only for Mysterio to hit a frog splash to pin Balor at 10:34.

Rating: B. That’s the right ending and there is nothing wrong with having it go this way. The big story here is that Mysterio wins a title and after everything that he has done over the last few years, that is the right thing to do. Mysterio getting to hold the title over Balor is going to be great and Breakker can move up to something else on the card. I’m not sure where this leaves Penta, but this was the correct way to go and I’m wanting to see where it goes.

Mysterio goes nuts celebrating and even runs back down the ramp to get in the ring and celebrate again.

We get a video on Randy Orton’s Wrestlemania history as this is his 20th Wrestlemania (which is not a 20th anniversary). He was supposed to face Kevin Owens but Owens is out with a neck injury so it’s mystery opponent time.

Randy Orton vs. ???

Orton (in a tribute to his original trunks) makes the open challenge and it’s….TNA World Champion Joe Hendry for a pretty awesome surprise. Hendry gets the big entrance and the fans are WAY into him, as you knew was coming. An early RKO attempt is countered into a rollup and Orton is surprised. Back up and Orton hammers away but Hendry is back up with some shots of his own. Hendry grabs the fall away slam and gets to do his pose…and that’s enough for the RKO to finish for Orton at 3:09.

Rating: C. To be clear: this wasn’t a squash, this wasn’t Hendry being buried and this wasn’t bad. Hendry is indeed the reigning TNA World Champion. He’s also nowhere near the star Orton is and was little more than a warm body here. There are very, very, very few wrestlers who are bigger stars than Orton in history and Hendry losing to him at Wrestlemania in a short match is not some death sentence. The fact that Hendry got this spot and got to do that entrance on this stage is what matters and it went perfectly fine.

Post match Orton shows him some respect and then lays him out with another RKO. Orton even mocks Hendry’s pose and gets a nice reaction.

We recap Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles. Paul is the celebrity and Styles is the traditional wrestler so they don’t like each other. This feels like the “here’s a match where Paul can look good against someone who has nothing else to do”.

Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles

As usual we get a special Paul entrance as he livestreams his entrance, which is quite the visual. Paul backs him into the corner to start but gets knocked out to the apron. Styles hits a dropkick for an early one, with the kickout sending Styles into a camera. Paul gets tied in the ring skirt for a beating and a shot to the face leaves him down on the floor for a needed breather.

Back up and Styles sends him into the barricade, only to get sent into the post for a needed breather. That’s not enough for Paul as he dives onto Styles to take him out again. Apparently learning on the job, Paul ties Styles up in the ring skirt and hammers away, setting up a frog splash for two as we seem to be watching the match from a drone camera, which is such a change of pace from the standard way WWE has been shot forever.

The overbomb (powerbomb into a faceplant) gets two and Paul does some Hogan posing. The big boot into the legdrop gets two on Styles and the slow beating continues. Styles fights back and hits a brainbuster for two but Paul hits him with a Regal Roll. A Lionsault gives Paul two and a Buckshot Lariat gets the same.

The torture rack spinning powerbomb gives Styles two and they’re both down. The springboard 450 hits raised knees though and Paul hits the Styles Clash (not very well). Styles does the real thing….and one of Paul’s goons comes out with the brass knuckles. Cue Karrion Kross to cut that off and tries to hand them to Styles, who decks Kross instead. The Phenomenal Forearm misses though and Paul hits the big right hand. The Paulverizer finishes Styles at 17:43.

Rating: B-. They were running with an anchor here as there was pretty much no way around this being Paul’s match to win. There never was much of a story coming into this one and it felt like a way to make Paul look good. Styles is perfectly skilled at doing that and the match wasn’t bad, but it was pretty cold and that is going to overcome just about anything they do in the ring.

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

Morgan and Rodriguez are defending and since Bayley is injured, Valkyria has a mystery partner in the form of….fellow Irishwoman Becky Lynch. Yep that tracks and Morgan is terrified with some great facial expressions. Valkyria starts fast with Morgan, who brings in Rodriguez for the power instead. That’s fine with Valkyria who fights back but gets kicked out of the air to slow her down.

Morgan comes in for the Eddie Dance and Three Amigos and hands it back to Rodriguez. Valkyria fights up but Morgan is right there to cut Lynch off. Glaring ensues as Valkyria fights back and brings Lynch in to pick up the pace. Lynch cleans house and fires off the Bexploder but Rodriguez breaks up the Disarm-Her. Oblivion gets two with Valkyria making the save and taking Rodriguez outside. Back in and the Manhandle Slam finishes Morgan for the titles at 8:48.

Rating: C+. Lynch was one of the most logical choices the second Bayley was attacked and there was no way you could have her lose if she was making her big comeback here. That’s a good way to bring her back as she does have a history with Valkyria (in NXT) and Lynch is still a huge star. I’m not sure how much sense it makes for Valkyria to be a double champion, but we’ll have to see how long that lasts.

Here is Steve Austin, on his ATV, which he crashes into the barricade and seemingly knocks a fan over. After checking on her, Austin announces the attendance of 63,226 but that doesn’t feel right. Therefore, it’s time for a recount and he goes fan by fan up until about 19. The two night attendance is 124,693 and beer is consumed. Austin goes over to check on the woman he crashed into again (as is someone who appears to be WWE President Nick Khan, which can’t be good).

We recap John Cena challenging Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship. Rhodes is the family friendly champion and the new face of WWE. Cena then won the title shot at Elimination Chamber and then turned full evil to become Rock’s corporate star. Rock hasn’t been seen since and the two of them have traded some very personal barbs at each other.

Smackdown World Title: John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes

Cena is challenging and comes to the ring with a simple JOHN CENA graphic and black shirt for a great touch. Rhodes has some motorcycles for his entrance (without riding one himself) and his family is in the crowd. After the Big Match Intros we’re ready to go, with Rhodes grabbing a headlock. That’s broken up and Cena slugs away, including a big boot of all things to put Rhodes down.

Cena knees him in the head and takes him outside as the beating continues. Back in and a running clothesline drops Rhodes again, setting up the chinlock. A side slam puts Rhodes down again and a middle rope ax handle makes it worse. Rhodes fights back but charges into a boot in the corner, allowing Cena to hit the tornado DDT. Cena initiates the finishing sequence (in slow motion) and gets poked in the eye, allowing Rhodes to hit a powerslam.

The Cody Cutter connects for two but Cena is right back with an AA for two. Cena catches him going up top for a super AA and now Cena is getting worried. The top rope Fameasser is countered into a sitout powerbomb and the top rope Cody Cutter gets two more. Cena is right back with another AA into the STF, with Cena pulling him back to the ring a few times. The referee gets bumped off the escape though and Cena pulls the turnbuckle pad off. Two rams into the buckle sets up a fourth AA for two as the referee is back in there.

With both of them down, cue Travis Scott (because this needs to be a thing), taking his sweet time getting to the ring. Rhodes hits Cross Rhodes but Scott pulls the referee out. That brings Scott into the ring for the showdown and Rhodes takes him out, leaving Cena load up a belt shot. Rhodes blocks it and teases hitting Cena with the belt but stops. That’s enough for Cena to kick him low and hit him with the belt (Cole: “John Cena has absolutely no problem being a bad guy.”) for the pin and the title at 25:02.

Rating: B-. They had to do it. Otherwise, Cena’s turn would have felt like a huge waste of time and there wouldn’t have been much of a point. At the same time, Rhodes had a heck of a run with the title and is still the biggest star in the company. Cena gets the record and Ric Flair has something new to complain about so this was the right way to go. Cena holding the title until the end of the year and teasing retiring with the title for Rhodes to win it back in December could be rather interesting. Not a great match as Cena was going rather slowly (understandable) and it sets up a bunch of options.

Cena and Scott celebrate and Rock is nowhere to be seen to end the show.

Overall Rating: B+. The first two matches more than carry the show and you have the big moment in the end to wrap it up. That’s a great way to go and I liked this one better than the first night. It might not be a classic and the middle of the card was a bit weak, but it was certainly an eventful show and I liked what we got here rather well. Good show, and there are a lot of options as they move forward.

Overall Overall Rating: B. This might not be in the all time pantheon of Wrestlemanias, but it was absolutely eventful and had enough good matches to make things work. Last year’s show was the really big event with the happy ending and now we get the sad version as the good guys (well some of them at least) have to regroup.

Tiffany Stratton and Iyo Sky are the new faces of the women’s division with Becky Lynch being right there with them. Throw in Mysterio and Jey Uso winning and there is some fresh blood in the title picture. I had fun with this show but I’m also excited for where things are going, which is very important in its own right. Rather good, albeit not great Wrestlemania.

Results
Iyo Sky b. Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair – Over The Moonsault to Belair
Drew McIntyre b. Damian Priest – Claymore into a chair
Dominik Mysterio b. Bron Breakker, Finn Balor and Penta – Frog splash to Balor
Randy Orton b. Joe Hendry – RKO
Logan Paul b. AJ Styles – Paulverizer
Lyra Valkyria/Becky Lynch b. Raquel Rodriguez/Liv Morgan – Manhandle Slam to Morgan
John Cena b. Cody Rhodes – Belt shot

 

 

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

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Wrestlemania XLI Night One
Date: April 19, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada
Commentators: Michael Cole, Wade Barrett, Pat McAfee
God Bless America: Jelly Roll

We have finally arrived with the biggest two nights of the year. The show is stacked as always and that means we should be in for a major event. There are multiple titles on the line and there is always the chance that we will have some surprises, including the question of who Paul Heyman will side with in the main event. Let’s get to it.

Various people came to work today.

The set looks like a big casino, which looks rather good.

The opening video talks about knowing the whole story, but realizing that this is just the beginning. We look at some famous Wrestlemania moments and legends and this is the realest it has ever been. There are legendary stories and sometimes they are true.

Here is HHH to open things up. After his usual speech thanking the fans and hyping up the show, we’re ready to go.

Raw World Title: Jey Uso vs. Gunther

Uso is challenging and comes to the ring with a DJ, people waving big YEET flags and the Las Vegas Raiders cheerleaders. The stadium goes NUTS for the entrance and it must be amazing to realize that those people are going that nuts for you and you alone. After the Big Match Intros, we’re ready to go with Uso seemingly favoring his wrist. They lock up and Jey actually knocks him down, with Gunther needing a breather on the floor.

Back in and Gunther grabs a headlock takeover but gets enziguried right back to the floor. Gunther gets back in and grabs him to slow things down, setting up a huge chop to knock Jey off the top and out to the floor. Jey gets back in and gets chopped some more, including a running one in the corner. A sudden spear gives Jey two but Gunther chops him down again. Jey counters the powerbomb into a Samoan drop so he goes up, only to get superplexed back down.

The dropkick into a powerbomb gets two but Jey is back with another spear. The Superfly Splash connects for two and Gunther is ready to walk out. That does work for the referee or Jey, the latter of whom charges into a belt shot. Gunther hits the top rope splash and fires off the elbows to the head before grabbing the sleeper. Jey makes it to the ropes and Gunther’s frustration is growing rapidly.

More chops have Jey laughing as we’re getting reminiscent of Roman Reigns against Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania XXXI. Jey fights up with a clothesline and a German suplex but Gunther dropkicks him down again. Gunther’s powerbomb is countered into a powerbomb from Jey, followed by some superkicks. Three straight Superfly Splashes have Gunther getting back to his feet but Jey pulls him into a sleeper for the tap and the title at 16:33.

Rating: B. They actually did it. I know they’ve set this title change up for months now but I didn’t think they would actually pull the trigger on the change. Good for them for making a new star, as Jey is one of the most popular stars in all of the company and they needed to capitalize on it. I have no idea how long the title reign will last, but at least he has this one big moment. The match was good too, with Jey overwhelming Gunther, which has been his kryptonite for a long time. I’m not sure what is next for Gunther, but going after Cody wouldn’t be a bad idea.

Pyro goes off and Jimmy Uso comes in to celebrate. Jey gets to leave through the crowd in a great moment.

We recap New Day’s heel turn from four months ago, when they had a bunch of momentum. Then they just kind of waited around and did nothing important for a long time, but now they’re getting a title shot against the War Raiders. The champions feel like afterthoughts, but New Day isn’t exactly red hot anymore.

Raw Tag Team Titles: New Day vs. War Raiders

The Raiders are defending and New Day gets quite the negative reception, even arguing with NFL star George Kittle at ringside. Commentary spends the entrance talking about Clash Of Clans, with McAfee being either a huge fan or really good at reading a script. The Raiders jump them to start and send New Day outside for a running crossbody against the ring board.

Back in and a belly to back suplex/top rope legdrop combination gets two on Woods but Kingston pulls him outside. Erik’s dive is cut off and a top rope dive hits him on the back so New Day can take over. A double stomp gives Woods two and we stop for a Ric Flair strut. Poetry In Motion misses though and it’s back to Ivar to pick up the pace. The basement crossbody and seated senton splash out of the corner rock New Day but Kingston kicks him in the head.

Woods hits the Honor Roll but Erik breaks up the Daybreak. Trouble In Paradise hits Erik but Ivar kicks Kingston down. The Doomsault gets two, with Woods making a save with a Limit Break elbow. Woods and Erik slug it out but another Honor Roll is broken up. The War Machine is broken up though and Daybreak, with Kingston holding the leg, gives us new champions at 9:12.

Rating: C+. The match was good, but the story has felt ice cold. The problem boils down to one thing: the entire point of New Day’s heat is built around Big E. and if he isn’t there, why should I be interested? I know Big E. can’t get in the ring, but he can’t make an appearance? Maybe that comes soon, but it’s holding back everything they do.

We recap Jade Cargill vs. Naomi. Back in November, someone attacked Cargill and Naomi had to take her place as a Women’s Tag Team Champion. Then Cargill came back and attacked Naomi, revealing that she was the attacker. Naomi said she did it for her friendship with Bianca Belair, with Cargill just jumping to the front of the line. Then Naomi kept running her mouth and got wrecked by Cargill. Now they’re having a match, even after Naomi has gotten beaten up a few times already.

Jade Cargill vs. Naomi

Naomi keeps up her PROCEED WITH CAUTION theme, complete with a bunch of caution tape. Apparently enough is enough and it’s time for a change. Cargill on the other hand gets an introduction featuring a reporter from the Weather Channel, because a storm is coming. Cargill starts fast and sends her outside for a heck of a whip into the barricade. Naomi manages a ram into the steps to take over and they head inside for a big legdrop. The chinlock goes on and Cargill has to adjust her gear.

Cargill is back up with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker before pulling Naomi’s Blockbuster out of the air for a Jackhammer. Because that’s something one human can do to another. It works so well that Naomi goes up again, only to dive into a slam. Naomi kicks her down though and hits the split legged moonsault for two, followed by some basement superkicks. Naomi’s big kick to the head misses though, allowing Cargill to muscle her up for a NASTY spinning powerbomb. Jaded finishes Naomi at 9:26.

Rating: C+. Well, this could have been far worse. I’m not sure why it went that long when Cargill should have been smashing through Naomi, but they didn’t have any major botches. Throw in Cargill’s offense getting to look awesome and this was a good showcase for Cargill. Naomi never had a chance of winning and that’s an acceptable way to go with something like this.

We recap LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu for the US Title.

US Title: LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu

Knight, driving in a Maserati, is defending and slugs away to start. A neckbreaker puts Fatu down but the BFT is blocked, leaving Knight confused. Fatu slowly hammers away and screams a lot, setting up a suplex drop across the top as Knight’s ribs are banged up. Knight goes after the knee for a breather and goes up, only to dive into a powerslam. The Samoan drop is countered into a crucifix driver and they’re both down again.

Back up and Fatu is sent face first into the post and a running knee to the face smashes him again. Knight sends him shoulder first into the post a few times and goes up for the standing elbow drop. Fatu is back with a superkick but his moonsault is broken up. Knight runs the corner for the belly to back release superplex for the big crash.

That’s shrugged off as well and Fatu hits three straight running hip attacks in the corner. A Swanton gives Fatu two so he goes up for the moonsault, which is pulled into a BFT (not a bad one either). Fatu grabs the rope though and Knight is a bit stunned and frustrated. Fatu knocks him off the top and hits a pair of triple jump moonsaults for the pin and the title at 10:40.

Rating: B-. They had to do the title change here, as Fatu is not someone who should be losing a singles match, especially on this stage. He comes off as the biggest monster in wrestling these days and giving him a title is a big way to boost him up. It should be interesting to see what is next for them, but what matters is getting the title on Fatu and they did that in relatively dominant style.

Post match Haku of all people comes out to celebrate. Fatu should probably give him the title just to keep the peace.

We recap Rey Fenix (replacing an injured Rey Mysterio) vs. El Grande Americano, both of whom have only been around for a few weeks. Americano is a Mexican legend but the jealous Mysterio and Fenix think it’s Chad Gable, because they can’t handle his greatness. Now it’s time for a showdown as Fenix gets to find out what lucha libre is all about.

Rey Fenix vs. El Grande Americano

Americano’s entrance is in sepia tone and a masked Mariachi band plays him to the ring. AAA star Vikingo is in the front row and Americano shoves him, earning a kick to the head. The bell rings and Fenix gets a quick rollup for two and they go to a quick test of strength. American is sent outside for a big dive off the top but Americano is back in with a German suplex.

Fenix comes back with a kick but gets suplexed into the corner. Americano goes up and hits a moonsault 450 (because that’s a thing that can be done) for two more. Fenix is back with the Black Fire Driver for two of his own but Americano knocks him away. Americano loads up the metal plate in the mask but Fenix rolls him up. Fenix goes up for a kick to the face but hits the metal plate to hurt his ankle. The ankle lock goes on but is reversed, only for Fenix to get headbutted out of the air. The top rope headbutt finishes Fenix at 7:59.

Rating: B. The action was good enough, but the whole thing was so much fun. This was just silly wrestling stuff and it worked to near perfection. Everyone is in on the joke but the villain is getting away with his lies. That’s not a bad thing and it’s working here, with the match being good as well.

Post match Vikingo helps Fenix up.

We look back at the official announcement of WWE acquiring AAA. That’s a pretty big deal.

Here is Shawn Michaels to announce the official attendance of 61,467.

We recap Tiffany Stratton defending the Smackdown Women’s Title against Charlotte. Stratton is the new star and Charlotte won the Royal Rumble to get the shot. They have traded some VERY personal insults on the way here, making it quite the controversial feud.

Smackdown Women’s Title: Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte

Stratton, with a Barbie theme (makes sense) is defending and they waste no time in going for the brawl. They slug it out on the mat and head to the floor, where Charlotte gets posted. Back in and Charlotte hammers away and they go back to the floor, where Stratton is sent into the barricade. Charlotte starts yelling a lot and hits Stephanie Vaquer’s Devi’s Kiss before rolling Stratton around.

Stratton breaks out of a Boston crab and hits some handspring shots in the corner, followed by the spinebuster for two. Charlotte’s rollup doesn’t work as Stratton hits a basement dropkick. Charlotte plants her down but Natural Selection is blocked. A nice sitout powerbomb gives Charlotte two but Stratton avoids a shot to the leg. Another spinebuster gives Stratton another two but Charlotte’s high crossbody gets two.

Charlotte comes up favoring her knee though and Stratton is on it, only for the good leg to kick Stratton in the face. Stratton’s knee is wrapped around the post and the Figure Four goes on. Stratton escapes again and knocks Charlotte down but the Prettiest Moonsault Ever hits raised knees. A super Natural Selection gives Charlotte two but she can’t get the Figure Four again. Instead, Stratton hits a Regal Roll into the Prettiest Moonsault Ever to retain at 19:10.

Rating: B. They had a few issues here and there but the important thing is Stratton won clean, which is what needed to happen. Stratton losing would have put her next on a long list of people beaten by Charlotte but having her get the win here is a big deal for her. I have no reason to believe Charlotte is done coming after the title, but at least she should be knocked back a few steps for the time being.

We get the Hall Of Fame video recap.

Here is the Hall Of Fame class:

Steve Austin vs. Bret Hart at Wrestlemania XIII (they’re both here and Austin will never look right in a suit)
Michelle McCool
Natural Disasters
HHH (who shakes everyone’s hands in a nice moment)

No Lex Luger, but maybe he didn’t want to be out there in his wheelchair.

We recap Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns in the main event. Rollins hates both of them, Reigns wants to prove he’s the best, and Punk is here because he wanted to be in the main event. Punk also has Paul Heyman in his corner to mess with Reigns, but Rollins has been trying to convince Heyman that neither Punk nor Reigns care for him.

Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins

Rollins gets a flamethrower, Reigns has screens of members of his family, and Punk, with Paul Heyman, gets a special video looking back at his early days in WWE before Living Colour plays him to the ring. Yeah he’s earned this. Punk, in the old school hoodie and yellow trunks, rolls outside and has a talk with Heyman at the opening bell. Reigns isn’t about to wait around and hammers on Rollins, which draws Punk back in to strike away at Rollins.

Reigns is back up with the apron dropkick before sending Punk into the apron and shouting at Heyman. Rollins goes after Punk on the floor and they brawl into the crowd. Punk hits him in the back with a chair but gets hit in the head with a trashcan to cut him down. That’s broken up and Punk suplexes him onto the trashcan before they head back to ringside.

Reigns pops back up for a dive over the barricade and they’re both wiped out. It’s time to load up the announcers’ table, with Reigns managing to use the Prime station to keep them both down. Punk fights back up and takes Reigns back inside, setting up the swinging neckbreaker. The running knees in the corner set up a DDT/neckbreaker combination to put Reigns and Rollins down at the same time. The Macho Elbow gets two so Punk goes up again, only to get caught by Rollins.

Reigns pulls him down for a Doomsday Device but pops back up to Superman Punch Punk for two. The spear is cut off with a knee and Punk slugs it out with Reigns. The Anaconda Vice is broken up and Rollins busts out some Buckle Bombs. Reigns is back up with a spear to Punk but Rollins counters a spear into the Pedigree for a rather near fall. Another spear does hit Rollins, only for Punk to GTS Reigns for two and shock has set in.

Rollins Pedigrees Punk for two more and shouts at Reigns, about how neither Mox nor the Bloodline is here for him. Rollins suggests they take Punk out and Reigns eventually agrees…or at least he teases it, only to punch Rollins in the face instead. Rollins is put through the other table and a spear gives Reigns two. Reigns yells at Heyman and grabs a guillotine on Punk, which is reversed into an Anaconda Vice.

Rollins breaks that up and grabs a Sharpshooter on Punk, only for Reigns to break it up and guillotine Rollins. Punk breaks that up with a Stomp for two on Rollins and everyone is down again. Back up and Punk spears Rollins but Reigns spears Punk but gets Stomped by Rollins, leaving everyone down yet again. Hold on though as Heyman goes to grab a chair. Both Reigns and Punk hold their hands out but Heyman hands it to Punk….and then gets in the ring to hit Punk low.

Heyman shouts that HE MADE ME DO IT and hands the chair to Reigns to unload on Punk. Heyman calls him off and points out that Rollins is right there….and then Heyman hits Reigns low too. Yep that’s the best way to go right now. Rollins gets the chair (with Heyman chilling in the corner) and blasts Reigns in the back, setting up the Stomp for the pin at 32:38.

Rating: B+. The Heyman turn was at least somewhat telegraphed but that doesn’t make it a bad thing. Heyman is at his best when he finds the next big thing and then has his former protege coming for revenge and that is where we’ll be heading for a long time. Rollins winning is hardly a stretch and it felt like a huge moment for him. Solid back and forth main event and I liked it more than I was expecting. What mattered the most is it felt big and that’s what you want from the Wrestlemania main event.

Overall Rating: B. This was kind of a weird one because the big matches worked well, but there weren’t many of them. You had seven matches and three of them (opener, Women’s Title, main event) felt big. The other four were just kind of there, but none of them were bad. It was a good show which flew by, but looking at Rhodes vs. Cena tomorrow makes it feel a little less important. Still though, good show, with the twist at the end being an emotional moment.

Results
Jey Uso b. Gunther – Sleeper
New Day b. Viking Raiders – Daybreak to Ivar
Jade Cargill b. Naomi – Jaded
Jacob Fatu b. LA Knight – Triple jump moonsault
El Grande Americano b. Rey Fenix – Swan Dive
Tiffany Stratton b. Charlotte – Prettiest Moonsault Ever
Seth Rollins b. CM Punk and Roman Reigns – Stomp to Reigns

 

 

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