Written by: Kevin Berge (Images Courtesy of: WWE.com)
Who knew that Shane McMahon at his age could still fall with such style?
Shane McMahon Proves He Can Put Down the Undertaker, For a Short While
Overview: The Undertaker refused to believe that WrestleMania this year would be his last and threatened to put Vince McMahon's blood on his hands. He made clear while he respects Shane McMahon's fight, but he would not be beaten on his event in his match. Shane then interrupted.
Shane said the difference between himself and Taker wasn't how they'd fight but what they fought for. Shane was fighting to win, and Taker only wanted not to lose. Shane needed to bring change to WWE that was permanently necessary. Taker took exception to Shane talking about Taker's legacy which brought Shane to the ring.
Shane said Taker's legacy "died" with the end of the Streak two years ago. Taker turned it around by calling Shane Vince's "bitch" since birth. This began a brawl where the two fought to the outside with Taker throwing Shane into the steel barricade then took the cover off the announce table.
Taker went for a Last Ride through the table, but Shane fought out and threw rights until he could blast Taker with a television monitor. He then hit Taker with it again to set up an elbow off the top rope through the table and hit it, destroying the table and leaving both men lying. Shane eventually staggered to the back while Taker finally rose, angry and taunted Shane.
Analysis: This was a fantastic segment that finally gave a lackluster feud a definitive moment. The promos between both men were strong then the brawl elevated it to another level. Both men showed their strengths that will come into play at WrestleMania with Shane coming out on top for now.
It is quite impressive Shane is still able to do that elbow drop, getting so much air at his age. It shows he's still in great shape. The match may not end up being too great, but it should have a few more moments like this to make it memorable. The crowd was so hyped for this that it was hard not to get caught up in the excitement.
It is a shame we'll never really get a definitive answer to what drives Taker. Clearly he now is insulted and angry with Shane, but, if that was the whole story, it should have been set up from the beginning. Instead it feels like WWE has just thrown the official story together at the end.
Shane said the difference between himself and Taker wasn't how they'd fight but what they fought for. Shane was fighting to win, and Taker only wanted not to lose. Shane needed to bring change to WWE that was permanently necessary. Taker took exception to Shane talking about Taker's legacy which brought Shane to the ring.
Shane said Taker's legacy "died" with the end of the Streak two years ago. Taker turned it around by calling Shane Vince's "bitch" since birth. This began a brawl where the two fought to the outside with Taker throwing Shane into the steel barricade then took the cover off the announce table.
Taker went for a Last Ride through the table, but Shane fought out and threw rights until he could blast Taker with a television monitor. He then hit Taker with it again to set up an elbow off the top rope through the table and hit it, destroying the table and leaving both men lying. Shane eventually staggered to the back while Taker finally rose, angry and taunted Shane.
Analysis: This was a fantastic segment that finally gave a lackluster feud a definitive moment. The promos between both men were strong then the brawl elevated it to another level. Both men showed their strengths that will come into play at WrestleMania with Shane coming out on top for now.
It is quite impressive Shane is still able to do that elbow drop, getting so much air at his age. It shows he's still in great shape. The match may not end up being too great, but it should have a few more moments like this to make it memorable. The crowd was so hyped for this that it was hard not to get caught up in the excitement.
It is a shame we'll never really get a definitive answer to what drives Taker. Clearly he now is insulted and angry with Shane, but, if that was the whole story, it should have been set up from the beginning. Instead it feels like WWE has just thrown the official story together at the end.
AJ Styles clearly didn't get the memo you're supposed to wear WWE gear everywhere you go when you're not wrestling.
Zack Ryder def. Chris Jericho
Overview: AJ Styles came out before this match with a microphone and began asking Chris Jericho why he wouldn't face Styles at WrestleMania. He promised not to leave until he got his match he wanted. As the bell rang, Zack Ryder tried to roll up Jericho but got two. Chris threw Ryder outside and began beating on Zack, continuously looking back and taunting Styles.
Ryder could not get any offense going until he hit big knees in the corner and a dropkick. When he went for the Broski Boot, Jericho nearly turned it into a Walls of Jericho before Styles started chanting "Y2-Jackass" which distracted Jericho long enough to get rolled up in a small package for three by Zack.
This set off Jericho who hit an immediate Codebreaker on Zack and began losing it, destroying everything in sight but running from Styles. Jericho finally grabbed a mic and agreed to the match at Mania, guaranteeing this would be Styles' first and last Mania of his career.
Analysis: This wasn't much of a match and went exactly the way I expected it would, but it didn't matter. It was exactly what it needed to be. Chris Jericho has been winning the mindgames for a while, so Styles finally got his win in that department and it set off Jericho which convinced him to agree to the WrestleMania rubber match.
This was the perfect way to set the match for Mania; nothing more is needed. The match should be strong, but I don't know if it will be any different from their Fast Lane match with likely less time. It would have made more sense to put some stipulation on this match to vary it up.
It was cool that Ryder got a win too though it won't really mean anything. They are just quickly giving Zack some momentum, so he doesn't stand out poorly at Mania. I am happy Ryder is at least getting one Mania match. He deserves that for his tumultuous career.
Ryder could not get any offense going until he hit big knees in the corner and a dropkick. When he went for the Broski Boot, Jericho nearly turned it into a Walls of Jericho before Styles started chanting "Y2-Jackass" which distracted Jericho long enough to get rolled up in a small package for three by Zack.
This set off Jericho who hit an immediate Codebreaker on Zack and began losing it, destroying everything in sight but running from Styles. Jericho finally grabbed a mic and agreed to the match at Mania, guaranteeing this would be Styles' first and last Mania of his career.
Analysis: This wasn't much of a match and went exactly the way I expected it would, but it didn't matter. It was exactly what it needed to be. Chris Jericho has been winning the mindgames for a while, so Styles finally got his win in that department and it set off Jericho which convinced him to agree to the WrestleMania rubber match.
This was the perfect way to set the match for Mania; nothing more is needed. The match should be strong, but I don't know if it will be any different from their Fast Lane match with likely less time. It would have made more sense to put some stipulation on this match to vary it up.
It was cool that Ryder got a win too though it won't really mean anything. They are just quickly giving Zack some momentum, so he doesn't stand out poorly at Mania. I am happy Ryder is at least getting one Mania match. He deserves that for his tumultuous career.
Ric, the girl said no... before you made your first advance. This is getting beyond creepy now.
Charlotte def. Becky Lynch
Overview: As Sasha Banks watched quietly at ringside, Becky quickly overwhelmed Charlotte until the two got stuck in the ropes and Charlotte ripped at Lynch's hair. Charlotte dominated for a while but eventually got knocked into the turnbuckle which started a Lynch roll as she ran over Charlotte all over the ring and hit the Bex-plex for a near fall.
Thrown to the outside, Charlotte was stuck in the face of Sasha with Becky then running Charlotte around the ring. As they ran back in the ring, Ric Flair grabbed the leg of Becky, holding her off long enough to stand up right into a big boot and the Natural Selection for the win.
Analysis: It's a shame this only got two segments to deliver. The match has been strong every time, and this felt too often like the commercial break had taken the meat of the match away. Becky Lynch looked strong and explosive, and I would hope Ric Flair doesn't get too involved Sunday. This match was a bit of a holdout to remind us the match is still on the card since the story has run its course.
Most indications are that WWE is treating this as the number four match on the Mania card which is just outside the triple main event scene that the show always has. Still, that means it should get good time, at least low double digits. If these women get that, they should deliver which would make this the first strong women's match at WM in years.
Thrown to the outside, Charlotte was stuck in the face of Sasha with Becky then running Charlotte around the ring. As they ran back in the ring, Ric Flair grabbed the leg of Becky, holding her off long enough to stand up right into a big boot and the Natural Selection for the win.
Analysis: It's a shame this only got two segments to deliver. The match has been strong every time, and this felt too often like the commercial break had taken the meat of the match away. Becky Lynch looked strong and explosive, and I would hope Ric Flair doesn't get too involved Sunday. This match was a bit of a holdout to remind us the match is still on the card since the story has run its course.
Most indications are that WWE is treating this as the number four match on the Mania card which is just outside the triple main event scene that the show always has. Still, that means it should get good time, at least low double digits. If these women get that, they should deliver which would make this the first strong women's match at WM in years.
You know it's a true classic WrestleMania bout with titans like this clashing.
Big Show and Kane def. The Social Outcasts' Curtis Axel and Adam Rose By Disqualification
Overview: Kane dominated Curtis Axel immediately and set up for a chokeslam with the rest of the Social Outcasts interfering quickly to cause a disqualification. Then all hell broke loose as many of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal participants ran to the ring including Goldust, Tyler Breeze, and Damien Sandow.
Jack Swagger locked in a Patriot Lock on Fandango but got taken out by Mark Henry. Henry then got in the ring as Big Show and Kane had cleared the ring, taking a double chokeslam from Kane and Show. The Social Outcasts then ran in and took a quadruple chokeslam from the duo.
Analysis: This was short, sweet, and to the point. The match was luckily not extended here with there being no way Show and Kane would make this exciting. The brawl to follow was fast and energetic showing the many people in the mix this year for the win in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
That said, this cast of wrestlers is not that exciting. Half the crew have barely wrestled lately. The other half have not been allowed to be too imposing. While there's no excitement over the idea of Big Show or Kane winning a battle royal, the pickings beyond them are slim. I would hope somebody young gets the win this year.
Jack Swagger locked in a Patriot Lock on Fandango but got taken out by Mark Henry. Henry then got in the ring as Big Show and Kane had cleared the ring, taking a double chokeslam from Kane and Show. The Social Outcasts then ran in and took a quadruple chokeslam from the duo.
Analysis: This was short, sweet, and to the point. The match was luckily not extended here with there being no way Show and Kane would make this exciting. The brawl to follow was fast and energetic showing the many people in the mix this year for the win in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
That said, this cast of wrestlers is not that exciting. Half the crew have barely wrestled lately. The other half have not been allowed to be too imposing. While there's no excitement over the idea of Big Show or Kane winning a battle royal, the pickings beyond them are slim. I would hope somebody young gets the win this year.
Good on WWE giving that young buck Triple H a talented manager to promote him.
Triple H Makes Clear That WrestleMania Is All About Him Now and That Is Thanks to Roman Reigns
Overview: Stephanie McMahon told the crowd to grovel at the feet of her husband Triple H. HHH then took the mic and turned to WrestleMania which he said was only going to be watched because of his World Heavyweight Championship. Hunter teased the crowd because they would never get the chance to hold a championship like this.
Roman Reigns though was not like the crowd because he was special. That didn't mean much though as Reigns had so quickly lost the championship. Hunter said this was all his obsession which he had succeeded in grasping to become the best in the business's history. What Reigns did was relight Triple H's fire to compete by attacking him months back.
Stephanie McMahon took back the mic and said this whole night was all about Triple H and the World Title and nothing else. This brought out Reigns beginning a brawl that sent Hunter into full retreat.
Analysis: This promo by Triple H was solid, but the crowd couldn't have cared less about any of this. There was very little reaction throughout, and many crowd members were clearly looking away and waiting for something to happen. This was not the best way to sell your money match for WrestleMania.
The brawl that followed wasn't going to turn the crowd into cheering Roman Reigns, but it at least got the crowd noise up. They were far more excited to see action and boo Reigns than listen to HHH ramble anymore about a story we all already know. The brawl was far too short, and the promo too long.
Roman Reigns though was not like the crowd because he was special. That didn't mean much though as Reigns had so quickly lost the championship. Hunter said this was all his obsession which he had succeeded in grasping to become the best in the business's history. What Reigns did was relight Triple H's fire to compete by attacking him months back.
Stephanie McMahon took back the mic and said this whole night was all about Triple H and the World Title and nothing else. This brought out Reigns beginning a brawl that sent Hunter into full retreat.
Analysis: This promo by Triple H was solid, but the crowd couldn't have cared less about any of this. There was very little reaction throughout, and many crowd members were clearly looking away and waiting for something to happen. This was not the best way to sell your money match for WrestleMania.
The brawl that followed wasn't going to turn the crowd into cheering Roman Reigns, but it at least got the crowd noise up. They were far more excited to see action and boo Reigns than listen to HHH ramble anymore about a story we all already know. The brawl was far too short, and the promo too long.
Coach has truly gone up in the world since leaving WWE.
Kofi Kingston def. Alberto Del Rio
Overview: The New Day talked about Booty-Os and how League of Nations couldn't even have their own decent cereal. When the League of Nations came to the ring, the two stables got in each other's faces with the referee struggling to gain control. When he did, the match began with Kofi Kingston sending Alberto Del Rio to the outside and hitting a baseball slide with a timely distraction from Xavier Woods.
Del Rio fought back into it viciously beating down on Kofi. When Del Rio set up the double foot stomp on Kofi in the tree of woe, Kofi dodged it, hitting a diving double axe handle, dropkick, and the SOS for the nearfall. ADR pulled out a sudden backbreaker to slow Kofi's rally.
Kofi blocked a superkick attempt and got a nearfall. He missed a splash in the corner and a kick and took a double footstomp. Del Rio chose to set up the Cross Armbreaker, but, as he went for it, Kofi rolled Del Rio up for the win. The New Day retreated up the ramp, celebrating.
Johnathan Coachman made a surprising sudden appearance to talk to the New Day, praise them, and announce Sportscenter would cover WrestleMania all through Sunday.
Analysis: This was a solid match all around though it didn't do a great job of selling the League of Nations as a threat. Del Rio would have been better served by taking the win here. Instead they looked silly. The New Day got the pre-match promo, the win, and the post-match talk with the Coach.
I don't know what to make of the decision to have Coach come out live and talk up the New Day and ESPN. It felt like it should have been a bigger moment than it was, perhaps making clear that New Day will have a fourth mystery member help them on Sunday, not that they seem to need even odds to win.
Del Rio fought back into it viciously beating down on Kofi. When Del Rio set up the double foot stomp on Kofi in the tree of woe, Kofi dodged it, hitting a diving double axe handle, dropkick, and the SOS for the nearfall. ADR pulled out a sudden backbreaker to slow Kofi's rally.
Kofi blocked a superkick attempt and got a nearfall. He missed a splash in the corner and a kick and took a double footstomp. Del Rio chose to set up the Cross Armbreaker, but, as he went for it, Kofi rolled Del Rio up for the win. The New Day retreated up the ramp, celebrating.
Johnathan Coachman made a surprising sudden appearance to talk to the New Day, praise them, and announce Sportscenter would cover WrestleMania all through Sunday.
Analysis: This was a solid match all around though it didn't do a great job of selling the League of Nations as a threat. Del Rio would have been better served by taking the win here. Instead they looked silly. The New Day got the pre-match promo, the win, and the post-match talk with the Coach.
I don't know what to make of the decision to have Coach come out live and talk up the New Day and ESPN. It felt like it should have been a bigger moment than it was, perhaps making clear that New Day will have a fourth mystery member help them on Sunday, not that they seem to need even odds to win.
This picture is the summation of the Kalisto vs. Ryback feud. Yep, that's it.
Kalisto def. Konnor
Overview: Konnor quickly stopped Kalisto and threw him into the ground using a rolling headlock. However, Kalisto fought back quickly and hit a sudden Salida Del Sol to take the win. Viktor tried to attack Kalisto, but he also got sent to the outside. Ryback then came out and stared down Kalisto, ready to feed more.
Analysis: Why was this even a segment? The match meant nothing. Ryback and Kalisto added nothing to a feud that needed more build. Add to this that this match has officially been added to the Kickoff putting four matches (Usos/Dudleys, Divas ten-man, and Andre The Giant as well) on the Kickoff which seems odd.
I suppose WWE truly wants to give the major Mania matches their time. I feel bad for Kalisto and Ryback who are clearly being marginalized despite maximizing their minutes lately.
Analysis: Why was this even a segment? The match meant nothing. Ryback and Kalisto added nothing to a feud that needed more build. Add to this that this match has officially been added to the Kickoff putting four matches (Usos/Dudleys, Divas ten-man, and Andre The Giant as well) on the Kickoff which seems odd.
I suppose WWE truly wants to give the major Mania matches their time. I feel bad for Kalisto and Ryback who are clearly being marginalized despite maximizing their minutes lately.
And for this week's segment for Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar, Dean goes shopping. It was still the night's most compelling segment.
Dean Ambrose Grabs His Tools For War and Leaves for Dallas
Overview: Paul Heyman played hype man for the match at WrestleMania. Heyman made it clear Dean Ambrose's dream of beating Brock Lesnar was crazy. He was impressed though that Ambrose had smartly made this match a street fight not a wrestling match. The problem for Ambrose was that Lesnar was happy to use those weapons as well.
Ambrose finally interrupted, dragging a wagon behind him. Inside it, he placed a crowbar, a steel pipe, Mick Foley's barbed wire bat, Terry Funk's Chainsaw Charlie, even steel steps. He didn't even look at Lesnar as he packed up and walked away while Brock looked on holding a kendo stick.
Analysis: This was another perfect segment for this feud which has blown every other match away in the build to WrestleMania. Paul Heyman cut a classic promo for Lesnar then Dean made his point, not fighting or even getting in Brock's face. He was past that now. He saw the destination and wanted to make clear he was wholly ready for WrestleMania.
It's amazing how good this was versus almost everything else on the show when so little actually happened. It just shows how well developed this story is that quieter segments like this just work for Ambrose and Lesnar but wouldn't work for, say, Triple H and Roman Reigns.
Ambrose finally interrupted, dragging a wagon behind him. Inside it, he placed a crowbar, a steel pipe, Mick Foley's barbed wire bat, Terry Funk's Chainsaw Charlie, even steel steps. He didn't even look at Lesnar as he packed up and walked away while Brock looked on holding a kendo stick.
Analysis: This was another perfect segment for this feud which has blown every other match away in the build to WrestleMania. Paul Heyman cut a classic promo for Lesnar then Dean made his point, not fighting or even getting in Brock's face. He was past that now. He saw the destination and wanted to make clear he was wholly ready for WrestleMania.
It's amazing how good this was versus almost everything else on the show when so little actually happened. It just shows how well developed this story is that quieter segments like this just work for Ambrose and Lesnar but wouldn't work for, say, Triple H and Roman Reigns.
Well, if she can't wrestle, Lana has at least shown she can high kick.
Emma def. Paige
Overview: Emma stomped on Paige and pulled at her hair repeatedly with different leverage then hit a running dropkick to a sitting Paige. Paige fought back and began throwing her own running knees. Paige hit a fallaway slam then chaos ensued with Tamina getting on the apron. With the referee distracted, Lana ran in and hit a high roundhouse kick which knocked out Paige for three.
Afterward, the chaos fully ensued in the ring with Lana watching the action only for Eva Marie to make her return to WWE, attacking Lana and trying to be buddy buddy with the Total Divas faces with none of them seeming too pleased with the assist.
Analysis: This was about as expected. The match was somewhat sloppy as Paige does not put much effort into her work anymore. Emma was strong in the match and sold reasonably well. It was just not a match that could ever be very good despite what these two have done in the past.
This actual Mania match has no heat or excitement to it, and adding Eva Marie isn't going to help that. The WrestleMania fans are not going to be affected by a Total Divas match. The only thing interesting here is whether Lana can wrestle which probably won't be made clear with nine other women in the match.
Afterward, the chaos fully ensued in the ring with Lana watching the action only for Eva Marie to make her return to WWE, attacking Lana and trying to be buddy buddy with the Total Divas faces with none of them seeming too pleased with the assist.
Analysis: This was about as expected. The match was somewhat sloppy as Paige does not put much effort into her work anymore. Emma was strong in the match and sold reasonably well. It was just not a match that could ever be very good despite what these two have done in the past.
This actual Mania match has no heat or excitement to it, and adding Eva Marie isn't going to help that. The WrestleMania fans are not going to be affected by a Total Divas match. The only thing interesting here is whether Lana can wrestle which probably won't be made clear with nine other women in the match.
Sami spent his first few weeks doing armbars, but he finally unlocked flying mode midway through this match. Watch out now!
Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, and Sin Cara def. Kevin Owens, The Miz, and Stardust
Overview: Sami Zayn began this match and dominated with Kevin Owens seemingly tagging in to fight Zayn but quickly tagging in Stardust instead. Stardust got stuck in the face corner and had to trade blows with Dolph Ziggler who cleared out all the heels. Owens refused to tag in, forcing a tired Miz and Stardust to have to trade tags against all three faces.
Zayn, Ziggler, and Cara all got in their shots with each beginning to roll and hit big moves on Stardust. Miz helped Stardust stay in it while Owens just played cheerleader. The heels finally began to dominate Ziggler, but he finally got the hot tag to Zayn who cleared things up and tried to go after Owens, finally taking a suicide dive from Zayn.
In the ring, Stardust blocked a senton bomb from Sin Cara and began a mad rash of big moves by all the competitors with Owens finally tagging in with Zayn down and out. KO went for a pump up powerbomb but took a Zayn dropkick. The heels abandoned Owens, allowing him to take a Zayn tornado DDT and helluva kick for the loss.
Analysis: Yikes, this match was a disorganized mess. I would not have expected that from the talent involved, but they clearly did not seem ready for this match. They just sort hit a few moves and passed the baton. Kevin Owens did the least, but he also the only story of the whole match.
It's a problem that the way that crowds now say a match is bad is by chanting for former wrestlers who don't care a wink about the crowd reaction. There are better ways to make clear that things need to change in a match than that. This certainly needed to develop better, but this didn't deserve a chant for a UFC fighter or an over the hill, lazy former high flier.
Zayn, Ziggler, and Cara all got in their shots with each beginning to roll and hit big moves on Stardust. Miz helped Stardust stay in it while Owens just played cheerleader. The heels finally began to dominate Ziggler, but he finally got the hot tag to Zayn who cleared things up and tried to go after Owens, finally taking a suicide dive from Zayn.
In the ring, Stardust blocked a senton bomb from Sin Cara and began a mad rash of big moves by all the competitors with Owens finally tagging in with Zayn down and out. KO went for a pump up powerbomb but took a Zayn dropkick. The heels abandoned Owens, allowing him to take a Zayn tornado DDT and helluva kick for the loss.
Analysis: Yikes, this match was a disorganized mess. I would not have expected that from the talent involved, but they clearly did not seem ready for this match. They just sort hit a few moves and passed the baton. Kevin Owens did the least, but he also the only story of the whole match.
It's a problem that the way that crowds now say a match is bad is by chanting for former wrestlers who don't care a wink about the crowd reaction. There are better ways to make clear that things need to change in a match than that. This certainly needed to develop better, but this didn't deserve a chant for a UFC fighter or an over the hill, lazy former high flier.
At this point, Roman Reigns could save a young girl's life on live television, and he'd still get booed.
Roman Reigns Sends Triple H Into Full Retreat
Overview: Stephanie McMahon laughed at the dreams of the crowd that The Authority would ever fall. Triple H then said that his attack on Reigns backstage earlier was not about cowardice; it was strategy. He didn't care about the morality because he had a championship and money to fight for.
Roman Reigns interrupted, and the brawl began in full. Triple H threw Reigns into the steel post but got thrown into the barricade with Reigns clotheslining HHH into the timekeeper's area. With Stephanie's calling, heels ran to the ring to help Hunter with faces coming out to even the odds. The heels and faces tried to fight and stop Reigns, but Roman kept fighting to get to HHH.
Hunter began walking away then suddenly decided to fight Reigns and had to be stopped by the heels. Reigns joined him half way with a flying splash over the top rope to the crowd. The two were finally separated as Hunter retreated onto the stage while Reigns stood in the ring.
Analysis: The crowd got into this second brawl which made up for the lackluster first brawl. It is odd they decided to have two parallel segments tonight, but it sort of worked even if it could have been done more smoothly. Wrestlers got involved first seemingly to brawl then seemingly to break the two men up which was a mess and hard to follow.
In the end, this worked as it sold Reigns and Hunter as two warriors ready to go to war with Roman continually bringing out more of Hunter's ego even when he tries to play it safe. While the crowd hasn't given the feud much credit, it has been booked really well the last few weeks.
In fact, Reigns has been silent, deadly, and vicious, exactly what he should have been all along. It may too late to help him, but WWE has clearly listened and adapted. There has been nothing wrong here for weeks. In fact, it has been really exciting TV when these two are brawling, but the crowd has given up caring about good TV as long as they don't get what they want specifically.
Roman Reigns interrupted, and the brawl began in full. Triple H threw Reigns into the steel post but got thrown into the barricade with Reigns clotheslining HHH into the timekeeper's area. With Stephanie's calling, heels ran to the ring to help Hunter with faces coming out to even the odds. The heels and faces tried to fight and stop Reigns, but Roman kept fighting to get to HHH.
Hunter began walking away then suddenly decided to fight Reigns and had to be stopped by the heels. Reigns joined him half way with a flying splash over the top rope to the crowd. The two were finally separated as Hunter retreated onto the stage while Reigns stood in the ring.
Analysis: The crowd got into this second brawl which made up for the lackluster first brawl. It is odd they decided to have two parallel segments tonight, but it sort of worked even if it could have been done more smoothly. Wrestlers got involved first seemingly to brawl then seemingly to break the two men up which was a mess and hard to follow.
In the end, this worked as it sold Reigns and Hunter as two warriors ready to go to war with Roman continually bringing out more of Hunter's ego even when he tries to play it safe. While the crowd hasn't given the feud much credit, it has been booked really well the last few weeks.
In fact, Reigns has been silent, deadly, and vicious, exactly what he should have been all along. It may too late to help him, but WWE has clearly listened and adapted. There has been nothing wrong here for weeks. In fact, it has been really exciting TV when these two are brawling, but the crowd has given up caring about good TV as long as they don't get what they want specifically.
We have actually gotten to the point where WWE has a WrestleMania main event of two senior citizens wheezing at each other.
Final Notes: Vince McMahon was interviewed, saying that he knew Shane would be able to combat Taker and would not lose easily. However, Vince was pleased that Shane had angered Taker. Shane interrupted the interview and made clear he was done with Vince's god complex and would take the company away from Vince just as Vince had taken the company away from his father.
Roman Reigns was interviewed and suddenly interrupted by Bubba Ray who wanted to finish what they started on SmackDown. D-Von and Bubba began beating down on Reigns with Triple H suddenly joining in. When it was over, Triple H told Reigns he would never take the World Title away from him, slamming Reigns' head into the title.
R-Truth found Goldust backstage and cried about how they had to fight apart in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal with Goldust saying clearly they were never a team to begin with which Truth found even more sad.
Conclusion: All in all, despite some lackluster segments, this was a top quality show. The pacing was kept up. Each of the three main events has top moments to sell the contest as big time. It was the kind of go-home show that should always be expected from WWE even if they drop the ball here at times.
Almost the entire card got some spotlight though clearly some were more favored for time than others. It was odd that WWE went from breakneck speed to slowing down to a crawl at the end with a lackluster final match and a brawl that probably should have gone longer but also didn't really go past the usual end time for Raw.
All in all, this did what it needed to do. Better wrestling would have been preferred and more spotlight given to the undercard matches than some token segments along the way, but WWE isn't really in the business lately of putting in 100% for all three hours. This was about as good as we can consistently hope for.
The main unfortunate part of Raw this week was that the crowd was quite hot early but only seemed to be there for the big moments. They seemingly came for three hours of ten guys on this roster which is unrealistic to say the least. If they could have at least kept the energy elevated, this would have been a strong night.
Roman Reigns was interviewed and suddenly interrupted by Bubba Ray who wanted to finish what they started on SmackDown. D-Von and Bubba began beating down on Reigns with Triple H suddenly joining in. When it was over, Triple H told Reigns he would never take the World Title away from him, slamming Reigns' head into the title.
R-Truth found Goldust backstage and cried about how they had to fight apart in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal with Goldust saying clearly they were never a team to begin with which Truth found even more sad.
Conclusion: All in all, despite some lackluster segments, this was a top quality show. The pacing was kept up. Each of the three main events has top moments to sell the contest as big time. It was the kind of go-home show that should always be expected from WWE even if they drop the ball here at times.
Almost the entire card got some spotlight though clearly some were more favored for time than others. It was odd that WWE went from breakneck speed to slowing down to a crawl at the end with a lackluster final match and a brawl that probably should have gone longer but also didn't really go past the usual end time for Raw.
All in all, this did what it needed to do. Better wrestling would have been preferred and more spotlight given to the undercard matches than some token segments along the way, but WWE isn't really in the business lately of putting in 100% for all three hours. This was about as good as we can consistently hope for.
The main unfortunate part of Raw this week was that the crowd was quite hot early but only seemed to be there for the big moments. They seemingly came for three hours of ten guys on this roster which is unrealistic to say the least. If they could have at least kept the energy elevated, this would have been a strong night.