Written by: Kevin Berge (Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Roman Reigns has gained the ultimate power in WWE: the ability to stop Stephanie McMahon from emasculating him.
Roman Reigns Declares Himself the New Authority in WWE
Overview: Stephanie McMahon opened the show, announcing Triple H would not be at Raw this week because he has corporate responsibilities. She refused to admit that Roman Reigns was the reason HHH was not there. She insulted the fans and Reigns, saying they all knew nothing about success and intelligent thought.
Reigns interrupted and took the mic out of Stephanie's hands, saying it was clear that Hunter was scared of fighting him again. He promised to win on Stephanie's dime and become the new "authority" in WWE while stopping a Stephanie slap.
Analysis: This was short, sweet, and to the point. Roman was facing a crowd in Philadelphia that was expected to be hostile (though was more or less mixed), so it made sense to not have him out there too long. That said, these are the kind of promos Reigns should always be cutting. It was concise, aggressive, and heated.
Reigns made clear he was done playing the role of a man out of control. He was taking over the company by winning on The Authority's dime then becoming his own man, the new authority in WWE. It all worked, and it never outstayed its welcome.
Reigns interrupted and took the mic out of Stephanie's hands, saying it was clear that Hunter was scared of fighting him again. He promised to win on Stephanie's dime and become the new "authority" in WWE while stopping a Stephanie slap.
Analysis: This was short, sweet, and to the point. Roman was facing a crowd in Philadelphia that was expected to be hostile (though was more or less mixed), so it made sense to not have him out there too long. That said, these are the kind of promos Reigns should always be cutting. It was concise, aggressive, and heated.
Reigns made clear he was done playing the role of a man out of control. He was taking over the company by winning on The Authority's dime then becoming his own man, the new authority in WWE. It all worked, and it never outstayed its welcome.
Obviously, in the indies, hair cuts are optional.
Kevin Owens def. AJ Styles
Overview: Kevin Owens tried to ground AJ Styles early with a headlock, but AJ Styles quickly began to rally with strikes that sent Owens running to the outside. When Styles followed him though, Owens sent AJ hard into the steel barricade. KO kept grounding Styles until he ran into a sudden hurricanrana and enzuigiri.
Styles faceplanted Owens and went for a cover for two. AJ then tried to get Owens up in a fireman's carry, but KO fought back then dodged a pele kick to hit a clothesline off the ropes that turned Styles inside out. He then hit AJ with a big spun out neckbreaker. The AJ Styles chants distracted Owens long enough that he missed the cannonball and took a firemen's carry into a knee for two.
AJ desperately tried to put KO on the top rope eventually succeeding but missing a hurricanrana with Owens then hitting a frog splash for two. Styles blocked a a pump up powerbomb then fought back from the ropes with an elbow that began a series of back and forth forearms. Styles nearly began a flurry of strikes but ran into a superkick.
Styles almost immediately turned it around with a pele kick that sent both to the mat. Styles got set up on the top rope and took an Owens chop but fought out of it and hit a spun out powerbomb. AJ set up a move off the top rope but got caught only to turn it right back into a powerbomb off the second rope for two.
Styles set up the Phenomenal Forearm, but Jericho began chanting AJ's name for the distraction that allowed Owens to nearly take out Styles but ran right into a Calf Crusher. Then Jericho got on the apron which distracted Styles again to turn into a roll up for three. AJ ran after Jericho who bolted backstage.
After the match, Owens put over his win and how much this show was all about him. He turned to not having an opponent at WrestleMania, suddenly getting interrupted by Dolph Ziggler followed by The Miz and then Sami Zayn, all staking their claim. Owens bailed on them and said he'd ask The Authority about making a number one contender triple threat for later.
Analysis: Once more on the Road to WrestleMania, we get a top tier match. Styles and Owens were on fire for this show, keeping the pace electric throughout with some impressive moves that they rarely get to use. The counters were plentiful, and the impacts were impressively brutal.
Styles and Owens is the kind of match down the line that could be headlining shows, maybe not as the main event but as one of the top contests. The two are both so electric in their own way, and once they have a story, they'll be hard to deny. For right now, they are each on their own path.
It was silly to have this match end the same way as the SmackDown match, but it gets across the point that Styles does not have time to compete for the Intercontinental Championship. He has to focus on Chris Jericho. Meanwhile, Owens has a ton of challengers of his own to deal with all of whom can put on a great match.
Styles faceplanted Owens and went for a cover for two. AJ then tried to get Owens up in a fireman's carry, but KO fought back then dodged a pele kick to hit a clothesline off the ropes that turned Styles inside out. He then hit AJ with a big spun out neckbreaker. The AJ Styles chants distracted Owens long enough that he missed the cannonball and took a firemen's carry into a knee for two.
AJ desperately tried to put KO on the top rope eventually succeeding but missing a hurricanrana with Owens then hitting a frog splash for two. Styles blocked a a pump up powerbomb then fought back from the ropes with an elbow that began a series of back and forth forearms. Styles nearly began a flurry of strikes but ran into a superkick.
Styles almost immediately turned it around with a pele kick that sent both to the mat. Styles got set up on the top rope and took an Owens chop but fought out of it and hit a spun out powerbomb. AJ set up a move off the top rope but got caught only to turn it right back into a powerbomb off the second rope for two.
Styles set up the Phenomenal Forearm, but Jericho began chanting AJ's name for the distraction that allowed Owens to nearly take out Styles but ran right into a Calf Crusher. Then Jericho got on the apron which distracted Styles again to turn into a roll up for three. AJ ran after Jericho who bolted backstage.
After the match, Owens put over his win and how much this show was all about him. He turned to not having an opponent at WrestleMania, suddenly getting interrupted by Dolph Ziggler followed by The Miz and then Sami Zayn, all staking their claim. Owens bailed on them and said he'd ask The Authority about making a number one contender triple threat for later.
Analysis: Once more on the Road to WrestleMania, we get a top tier match. Styles and Owens were on fire for this show, keeping the pace electric throughout with some impressive moves that they rarely get to use. The counters were plentiful, and the impacts were impressively brutal.
Styles and Owens is the kind of match down the line that could be headlining shows, maybe not as the main event but as one of the top contests. The two are both so electric in their own way, and once they have a story, they'll be hard to deny. For right now, they are each on their own path.
It was silly to have this match end the same way as the SmackDown match, but it gets across the point that Styles does not have time to compete for the Intercontinental Championship. He has to focus on Chris Jericho. Meanwhile, Owens has a ton of challengers of his own to deal with all of whom can put on a great match.
Clearly Rusev didn't get the memo that he was being insulted. He just finds funny men funny.
Big E def. Rusev
Overview: The League of Nations came out first, bragging about their beatdown of The New Day last week before they started insulting New Day which brought the trio out. They each spoke about how the LoN were garbage and had become shells of their former selves which angered the League into a brawl that New Day won.
The referee finally got control and started Big E vs. Rusev with Rusev trying to walk out on the match but instead getting beat down early. The League got back into it by taking out Kofi and Xavier outside which allowed Rusev to take out Big E inside the ring. Surrounded by his stable members, Rusev drilled Big E into the mat.
Big E kept trying to fight back pulling out suplexes and a uranage, but the numbers game was too much until Xavier and Kofi recovered and began taking out the League again. Rusev went for The Accolade inside the ring, but Big E reversed it into an electric chair drop. Sheamus then got taken out while Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise on Rusev who walked into the Big Ending for the loss.
Analysis: This was another strong match with Big E playing the role of babyface in peril quite well, pulling out quality impact offense to pop the crowd while he largely struggled against the numbers game. The match could have been better paced, but it did build to its climax with Big E pulling out the surprise win.
The New Day in general dominated this segment which is a bit surprising with so little time until Mania. You would think the two sides would get more even time to shine, but New Day ripped The League a new one who seemed generically unable to respond.
It was cool though that part of this feud is that LoN struggle to take all this teasing are losing their calm a bit. It's causing them to be reckless which means New Day are winning with mindgames here.
The referee finally got control and started Big E vs. Rusev with Rusev trying to walk out on the match but instead getting beat down early. The League got back into it by taking out Kofi and Xavier outside which allowed Rusev to take out Big E inside the ring. Surrounded by his stable members, Rusev drilled Big E into the mat.
Big E kept trying to fight back pulling out suplexes and a uranage, but the numbers game was too much until Xavier and Kofi recovered and began taking out the League again. Rusev went for The Accolade inside the ring, but Big E reversed it into an electric chair drop. Sheamus then got taken out while Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise on Rusev who walked into the Big Ending for the loss.
Analysis: This was another strong match with Big E playing the role of babyface in peril quite well, pulling out quality impact offense to pop the crowd while he largely struggled against the numbers game. The match could have been better paced, but it did build to its climax with Big E pulling out the surprise win.
The New Day in general dominated this segment which is a bit surprising with so little time until Mania. You would think the two sides would get more even time to shine, but New Day ripped The League a new one who seemed generically unable to respond.
It was cool though that part of this feud is that LoN struggle to take all this teasing are losing their calm a bit. It's causing them to be reckless which means New Day are winning with mindgames here.
Yep, it's that time of year again, the time when Big Show's entire gimmick is that he's a giant.
Big Show and Kane Stake Their Claim for the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Overview: Big Show came out and talked up how Andre The Giant was the original giant, and Show has always emulated the legend. That was why Show needed to win the battle royal last year and truly wanted to win it again this year. The Social Outcasts interrupted and made clear they were in the battle royal to win it.
They managed to beat down Show with their superior numbers until Kane made the save and cleared the ring. Show hugged his friend and celebrated but took a chokeslam from Kane off the second turnbuckle, allowing Kane to make an emphatic statement about his own entry into the battle royal.
Analysis: This was an all right segment. Big Show has always been a good promo and strong actor even though his scripts are often less than desirable. Here he was quite heartfelt and honest about Andre and the effect Andre had on him. He put over a match that barely feels like it's happening at this point.
This whole segment was supposed to put over the upcoming Mania match, but it's hard to get excited when the top participants of the match are Big Show, Kane, and the Social Outcasts who more and more are just walking punching bags. This roster is getting mighty thin at this point.
They managed to beat down Show with their superior numbers until Kane made the save and cleared the ring. Show hugged his friend and celebrated but took a chokeslam from Kane off the second turnbuckle, allowing Kane to make an emphatic statement about his own entry into the battle royal.
Analysis: This was an all right segment. Big Show has always been a good promo and strong actor even though his scripts are often less than desirable. Here he was quite heartfelt and honest about Andre and the effect Andre had on him. He put over a match that barely feels like it's happening at this point.
This whole segment was supposed to put over the upcoming Mania match, but it's hard to get excited when the top participants of the match are Big Show, Kane, and the Social Outcasts who more and more are just walking punching bags. This roster is getting mighty thin at this point.
For a 20 year vet, AJ Styles really does not understand a thing about distractions in wrestling.
Chris Jericho def. Fandango
Overview: Chris Jericho began this match brutally beating down on Fandango while he denied loudly having ever lost to Fandango at WrestleMania. Fandango though fought back and managed to get in position for the diving leg drop. Jericho ducked in and went for the Walls of Jericho.
As he did, Styles interrupted, chanting "Y2-Jackass" at Jericho. This allowed Fandango to get an inside cradle for a close two, but it wasn't enough as Chris then hit the Codebreaker for three. Afterward, Jericho egged on Styles but ducked out of the ring when AJ entered.
AJ took a mic and challenged Chris to face him one more time, this time at a place Styles had never been: WrestleMania.
Analysis: This was kind of a sad match to watch as it reminded everyone of what Fandango used to be. The guy made his first Raw appearance in months, and he probably won't be on the show again this year which is a shame with such a talented guy. The match was all right, but it was a disguided squash where history was used to make the two minute affair matter.
Styles ultimately failed to distract Jericho to lose which would have been odd if Chris was facing anyone who WWE wanted to give a victory to. Clearly, they cared so little about Fandango that they didn't even give him the pity victory this segment should have had. It was awkward having Styles clearly fail in his distraction attempt than still show Jericho to be angry.
I would hope Styles vs. Jericho gets some kind of stipulation for this final time because the match has run its course a bit even with Jericho as the heel. There needs to be some reason this match can play out distinctly different on the Grandest Stage.
As he did, Styles interrupted, chanting "Y2-Jackass" at Jericho. This allowed Fandango to get an inside cradle for a close two, but it wasn't enough as Chris then hit the Codebreaker for three. Afterward, Jericho egged on Styles but ducked out of the ring when AJ entered.
AJ took a mic and challenged Chris to face him one more time, this time at a place Styles had never been: WrestleMania.
Analysis: This was kind of a sad match to watch as it reminded everyone of what Fandango used to be. The guy made his first Raw appearance in months, and he probably won't be on the show again this year which is a shame with such a talented guy. The match was all right, but it was a disguided squash where history was used to make the two minute affair matter.
Styles ultimately failed to distract Jericho to lose which would have been odd if Chris was facing anyone who WWE wanted to give a victory to. Clearly, they cared so little about Fandango that they didn't even give him the pity victory this segment should have had. It was awkward having Styles clearly fail in his distraction attempt than still show Jericho to be angry.
I would hope Styles vs. Jericho gets some kind of stipulation for this final time because the match has run its course a bit even with Jericho as the heel. There needs to be some reason this match can play out distinctly different on the Grandest Stage.
That's right. There have been so many injuries that now Zack Ryder is a part of a main card WrestleMania match.
Stardust vs. Sin Cara vs. Zack Ryder for the Number One Contendership to the Intercontinental Championship Goes to a No Contest
Overview: Kevin Owens chose to be the official ring announcer for this match as he introduced each participant in his handpicked triple threat match. He teased the names of each of the men people expect for the contest, but he instead announced Stardust, Sin Cara, and Zack Ryder.
The match got going quickly with Cara and Stardust trading moves. When Ryder pulled Stardust out of the ring, Cara hit the two with a springboard moonsault. Back in the ring, Cara and Ryder collided with simultaneous crossbodies, and Stardust nearly got the pin. By this time, Sami Zayn was walking down the ramp.
The Miz and Dolph Ziggler quickly followed each walking up to Owens on commentary. They began arguing as Stardust was nearly thrown right into the heart of the argument. When Ryder fell to the outside, Owens threw Zack into The Miz, beginning an all out brawl that ended the match in a no contest.
Owens was sent reeling, stumbling up the ramp as all six men looked on, trying to get a piece of the champion.
Analysis: Honestly, I appreciated exactly what this whole segment was about. It was the culmination of the arrogant heel annoying one too many people. Owens already had three men after him. Now he has six because he cheated the first three and teased the other three. It is just a shame about who is actually involved.
Owens did a fantastic job with his announcer intros for his competitors, teasing the past of the wrestlers people expected to come out while matching it up with a different wrestler. The problem here is that, despite WWE trying to backtrack on this later, this was clearly showing that Stardust, Sin Cara, and Zack Ryder are less to The Miz, Zayn, and Ziggler.
Since this set up the second three for a match at Mania, it was wrong to make out all three as unfortunate filler. This is though a sign of the waning depth on the roster. Ryder and Cara would never have a major match on the Mania card without Neville going down and other injuries pushing Big Show into the Andre The Giant battle royal.
I do wonder why this was the lineup WWE chose. Why Ryder who has been more an NXT wrestler in the past few months? Why Cara who could have just been in Kalisto's corner against Ryback? What happened to Tyler Breeze, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, even Damien Sandow?
The match got going quickly with Cara and Stardust trading moves. When Ryder pulled Stardust out of the ring, Cara hit the two with a springboard moonsault. Back in the ring, Cara and Ryder collided with simultaneous crossbodies, and Stardust nearly got the pin. By this time, Sami Zayn was walking down the ramp.
The Miz and Dolph Ziggler quickly followed each walking up to Owens on commentary. They began arguing as Stardust was nearly thrown right into the heart of the argument. When Ryder fell to the outside, Owens threw Zack into The Miz, beginning an all out brawl that ended the match in a no contest.
Owens was sent reeling, stumbling up the ramp as all six men looked on, trying to get a piece of the champion.
Analysis: Honestly, I appreciated exactly what this whole segment was about. It was the culmination of the arrogant heel annoying one too many people. Owens already had three men after him. Now he has six because he cheated the first three and teased the other three. It is just a shame about who is actually involved.
Owens did a fantastic job with his announcer intros for his competitors, teasing the past of the wrestlers people expected to come out while matching it up with a different wrestler. The problem here is that, despite WWE trying to backtrack on this later, this was clearly showing that Stardust, Sin Cara, and Zack Ryder are less to The Miz, Zayn, and Ziggler.
Since this set up the second three for a match at Mania, it was wrong to make out all three as unfortunate filler. This is though a sign of the waning depth on the roster. Ryder and Cara would never have a major match on the Mania card without Neville going down and other injuries pushing Big Show into the Andre The Giant battle royal.
I do wonder why this was the lineup WWE chose. Why Ryder who has been more an NXT wrestler in the past few months? Why Cara who could have just been in Kalisto's corner against Ryback? What happened to Tyler Breeze, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, even Damien Sandow?
Charlotte def. Natalya
Overview: With Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks arguing on commentary, Charlotte quickly lost control against Natalya falling into a surfboard. She fought out and rolled to the outside but took a spinning lariat. Back in the ring, Charlotte slowly recovered, hitting a suplex, a series of chops, then soon a series of fists in the corner.
However, while Charlotte stood over Natalya on the top rope, she got caught for a sitout powerbomb. Natalya then locked in the Sharpshooter with Charlotte forced to crawl all the way to the ropes to break the hold. She then sent Natalya head first into the turnbuckle and rolled her up with her feet on the ropes for two.
A second attempt at a Sharshooter was blocked, and Charlotte managed to hit the Natural Selection for three and the victory. Afterward, Charlotte stared down and taunted her two competitors for WrestleMania.
Analysis: This was a fine abbreviated version of the two women's strong match at Roadblock. I'm not sure it was a necessary match, but it got all three women wrestling at Mania in the same vicinity. It is a shame that WWE has kind of dropped the ball on developing this story with very sporadic and uninteresting story build since the triple threat was announced.
Becky and Sasha were not great on commentary. They spent too much time squabbling and talking over each other rather than really digging into their conflict and history. They also distracted from any kind of commentary on the actual match going on in the ring.
It is a shame that it looks more and more likely Natalya will be the one on the outside looking in come Mania time for the Divas Division.
However, while Charlotte stood over Natalya on the top rope, she got caught for a sitout powerbomb. Natalya then locked in the Sharpshooter with Charlotte forced to crawl all the way to the ropes to break the hold. She then sent Natalya head first into the turnbuckle and rolled her up with her feet on the ropes for two.
A second attempt at a Sharshooter was blocked, and Charlotte managed to hit the Natural Selection for three and the victory. Afterward, Charlotte stared down and taunted her two competitors for WrestleMania.
Analysis: This was a fine abbreviated version of the two women's strong match at Roadblock. I'm not sure it was a necessary match, but it got all three women wrestling at Mania in the same vicinity. It is a shame that WWE has kind of dropped the ball on developing this story with very sporadic and uninteresting story build since the triple threat was announced.
Becky and Sasha were not great on commentary. They spent too much time squabbling and talking over each other rather than really digging into their conflict and history. They also distracted from any kind of commentary on the actual match going on in the ring.
It is a shame that it looks more and more likely Natalya will be the one on the outside looking in come Mania time for the Divas Division.
The capacity crowd is so excited about this match that you can actually hear every word of Bully Ray's trash talk vividly ring through the arena.
Bubba Ray Dudley def. R-Truth
Overview: Bubba Ray quickly got the advantage with a distraction with D-Von, beginning a massive beatdown with loud trash talk on the veteran. The beatdown though couldn't keep Truth contained who hit a sudden spinning corkscrew and went for the scissors kick which D-Von slowed enough for Truth to run right into a big boot for the loss.
After the match, The Dudleys kept up their assault even taking out Goldust who tried to save Truth. The Usos hit the ring though, cleared out both Dudleys and set D-Von up for a double Superfly Splash through a table. Bubba barely pulled his partner to safety.
Analysis: It is really becoming difficult to take this feud seriously. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Usos had a lot of promise once, but it's now all about regular beatdowns and tables. There is no heat or conflict. It dissipated with the weeks of zero build plus all these Bubba Ray matches are taking two minutes at most when they should be competitive.
It's hard to imagine that this tag team match is anything more that a Kickoff filler match for Mania though it is possible the winner or maybe both competitors go right into a feud for the tag team titles come Extreme Rules. I have no idea what to make of the Golden Truth now that they have kind of agreed to team but have no real competitors.
After the match, The Dudleys kept up their assault even taking out Goldust who tried to save Truth. The Usos hit the ring though, cleared out both Dudleys and set D-Von up for a double Superfly Splash through a table. Bubba barely pulled his partner to safety.
Analysis: It is really becoming difficult to take this feud seriously. The Dudley Boyz vs. The Usos had a lot of promise once, but it's now all about regular beatdowns and tables. There is no heat or conflict. It dissipated with the weeks of zero build plus all these Bubba Ray matches are taking two minutes at most when they should be competitive.
It's hard to imagine that this tag team match is anything more that a Kickoff filler match for Mania though it is possible the winner or maybe both competitors go right into a feud for the tag team titles come Extreme Rules. I have no idea what to make of the Golden Truth now that they have kind of agreed to team but have no real competitors.
So either Undertaker wins or he loses and you lose power therefore being unable to bar Taker from competing anyway? Top stakes right there.
Vince McMahon Raises the Stakes for The Undertaker at WrestleMania
Overview: Vince McMahon came out and told the crowd that he wasn't sure why anyone wanted to see Shane McMahon win. He lamented the idea of Shane running the company which would lead to Triple H, Stephanie, and Vince himself gone from positions of power.
He was sure though that Shane would not defeat Taker at WrestleMania even though he admitted Shane could be quite formidable in the ring. To make things clear to Taker about his position, Vince announced that, if Taker lost at Mania, he would never wrestle at Mania again.
Analysis: With each passing month, it becomes more and more clear Vince McMahon no longer has his edge on the microphone. He can't deliver lines with the necessary strength and venom he once possessed. Instead, he just comes off as trying too hard which has been killing the Taker vs. Shane feud where Vince is the major constant.
This whole promo could have been a two minute backstage segment. It felt pointless with the final announcement just suddenly being stated that it never felt impactful. It actually was confusing at first to quite figure out what he had said when he was done. I do like though Taker having something to fight for even if there are so many logic issues here.
He was sure though that Shane would not defeat Taker at WrestleMania even though he admitted Shane could be quite formidable in the ring. To make things clear to Taker about his position, Vince announced that, if Taker lost at Mania, he would never wrestle at Mania again.
Analysis: With each passing month, it becomes more and more clear Vince McMahon no longer has his edge on the microphone. He can't deliver lines with the necessary strength and venom he once possessed. Instead, he just comes off as trying too hard which has been killing the Taker vs. Shane feud where Vince is the major constant.
This whole promo could have been a two minute backstage segment. It felt pointless with the final announcement just suddenly being stated that it never felt impactful. It actually was confusing at first to quite figure out what he had said when he was done. I do like though Taker having something to fight for even if there are so many logic issues here.
Braun Strowman def. Dean Ambrose by Disqualification
Overview: With Paul Heyman scouting on commentary, Dean Ambrose began with a flurry of hits on Braun Strowman which did not faze the monster who threw Ambrose around with ease. Dean barely fought back by sending Braun over the top rope and hitting a suicide dive, but Braun refused to go to even a knee.
Back in the ring, Ambrose took a series of clothesline from Braun but managed to lock in a sleeper hold which Braun broke by sending Ambrose back first into the corner. With Wyatt coaching on, Braun took a dropkick and a series of forearms to the face before getting sent shoulder first into the steel post.
Not caring at all about the outcome, Ambrose went outside, grabbed a steel chair, and began wailing on Braun's arm. Strowman still fought back, barely moving against a rebound clothesline, but he took a sudden Dirty Deeds on the steel chair. The Wyatt Family finally made the save with Ambrose backing out.
Dean then stared down Paul Heyman, making clear that that beatdown was only the beginning of what Brock Lesnar would face at WrestleMania.
Analysis: Dean Ambrose is a solid wrestler in the ring, but he's no ring general especially when he's focused on being the wacky, high flying babyface. He's much better as a vicious technical competitor. No matter how he wrestled here though, it would have always been bad. This was not a main event match.
Again, WWE thrusts Braun Strowman into the main event segment as if it's not a big deal, but Strowman can't go more than three or four minutes. This whole match felt more like a segment than a contest, and it was still just long enough to start "this is boring" chants which is a serious issue.
This was supposed to show how Ambrose can beat a giant, but it didn't really have that kind of impact. It felt so rushed and unfulfilling. It was a wasted segment that might have been fine middle of the show but not as a closer.
Back in the ring, Ambrose took a series of clothesline from Braun but managed to lock in a sleeper hold which Braun broke by sending Ambrose back first into the corner. With Wyatt coaching on, Braun took a dropkick and a series of forearms to the face before getting sent shoulder first into the steel post.
Not caring at all about the outcome, Ambrose went outside, grabbed a steel chair, and began wailing on Braun's arm. Strowman still fought back, barely moving against a rebound clothesline, but he took a sudden Dirty Deeds on the steel chair. The Wyatt Family finally made the save with Ambrose backing out.
Dean then stared down Paul Heyman, making clear that that beatdown was only the beginning of what Brock Lesnar would face at WrestleMania.
Analysis: Dean Ambrose is a solid wrestler in the ring, but he's no ring general especially when he's focused on being the wacky, high flying babyface. He's much better as a vicious technical competitor. No matter how he wrestled here though, it would have always been bad. This was not a main event match.
Again, WWE thrusts Braun Strowman into the main event segment as if it's not a big deal, but Strowman can't go more than three or four minutes. This whole match felt more like a segment than a contest, and it was still just long enough to start "this is boring" chants which is a serious issue.
This was supposed to show how Ambrose can beat a giant, but it didn't really have that kind of impact. It felt so rushed and unfulfilling. It was a wasted segment that might have been fine middle of the show but not as a closer.
What a hero babyface Reigns has become, ripping a man out of his own car while his wife looks on and beating him without any warning.
Final Notes: Dean Ambrose toured Philadelphia and ran into Terry Funk who gave him a chainsaw to fight Brock Lesnar. Kevin Owens respectfully spoke with Stephanie backstage and was given the chance to make a number one contender triple threat for his title. Later, when that match was ruined, he interrupted Stephanie on the phone with HHH and got himself a ladder match at WrestleMania against all six men from earlier.
Stephanie was worried about Reigns and decided to leave early, but it was a mistake for her to ask HHH to come get her as Reigns was waiting for them as they tried to leave. He pulled Hunter out of the car and beat down on him until Triple H got in a strong punch that allowed him to slip into the car and ride off.
Video packages were shown for Shane McMahon vs. Undertaker where the excitement of Shane returning and the threat of the Undertaker were put over. Legends spoke about the match and its potential with most unsure how Shane could beat Taker but also highly excited for the match.
Before the main event, The Wyatt Family cut a promo promising to take the soul of Dean Ambrose as a sacrifice through which Bray Wyatt would be reborn. There was also an awkward Snickers commercial with Alicia Fox and Naomi consoling Natalya who looked like Todd Chrisley until she ate the candy bar.
Conclusion: This was a largely well paced show where each segment was getting its time for the first two hours. The quality was already dropping from first to second hour with a lot more filler and lesser segments, but yikes the third hour was lethargic. It felt like there were more commercial breaks than time was spent in the ring during this hour. The early match quality evaporated, and the stories here felt so clumsy.
I was ready to give this show a high grade after the second hour as there was still multiple WrestleMania match moments that I expected to have. Instead it all fell apart. In the end, the best moments came from the now realized undercard of WrestleMania with all three marquee Mania matches being underwhelming this week.
Reigns' story was probably the most interesting of the three this week, but it was decidedly underwhelming having Reigns do nothing but block a Stephanie slap and kind of brawl with Hunter for a minute. This was not the kind of moment I would expect of a WM main event match just 13 days before the contest.
Luckily, next week there are no more excuses. It's all in with hopefully a few matches finally selling themselves fully.
Stephanie was worried about Reigns and decided to leave early, but it was a mistake for her to ask HHH to come get her as Reigns was waiting for them as they tried to leave. He pulled Hunter out of the car and beat down on him until Triple H got in a strong punch that allowed him to slip into the car and ride off.
Video packages were shown for Shane McMahon vs. Undertaker where the excitement of Shane returning and the threat of the Undertaker were put over. Legends spoke about the match and its potential with most unsure how Shane could beat Taker but also highly excited for the match.
Before the main event, The Wyatt Family cut a promo promising to take the soul of Dean Ambrose as a sacrifice through which Bray Wyatt would be reborn. There was also an awkward Snickers commercial with Alicia Fox and Naomi consoling Natalya who looked like Todd Chrisley until she ate the candy bar.
Conclusion: This was a largely well paced show where each segment was getting its time for the first two hours. The quality was already dropping from first to second hour with a lot more filler and lesser segments, but yikes the third hour was lethargic. It felt like there were more commercial breaks than time was spent in the ring during this hour. The early match quality evaporated, and the stories here felt so clumsy.
I was ready to give this show a high grade after the second hour as there was still multiple WrestleMania match moments that I expected to have. Instead it all fell apart. In the end, the best moments came from the now realized undercard of WrestleMania with all three marquee Mania matches being underwhelming this week.
Reigns' story was probably the most interesting of the three this week, but it was decidedly underwhelming having Reigns do nothing but block a Stephanie slap and kind of brawl with Hunter for a minute. This was not the kind of moment I would expect of a WM main event match just 13 days before the contest.
Luckily, next week there are no more excuses. It's all in with hopefully a few matches finally selling themselves fully.