Written by: Kevin Berge (All images courtesy of: WWE.com)
Well, that New Day vs. League of Nations feud sure was something, huh.
The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Big E def. The League of Nations' Sheamus and King Barrett to Retain the WWE Tag Team Championships
Overview: The New Day opened the show to speak to the audience and reveal the official Booty-Os cereal box. They used the box to make fun of all of the League of Nations with Sheamus and King Barrett interrupting. The Europeans began dominating early until Barrett got stuck in the corner and taking the Unicorn Stampede.
Kofi ran right into a Barrett Winds of Change and then took a Sheamus Irish Curse backbreaker. Sheamus then hit a top rope shoulder tackle, still isolating Kofi. When Sheamus went to the top rope again, he ran right into a dropkick. Big E got the hot tag and belly to bellied Barrett all over the ring.
Big E hit a running splash but was distracted by Sheamus long enough for Barrett to get back into it. Kofi got the tag and missed the SOS but hit a top rope crossbody. Sheamus blocked the Trouble in Paradise and turned it unto the Cloverleaf. Big E took out Barrett on the outside and Kofi nearly turned it into a three count roll up.
Sheamus took an SOS, and Big E got the tag. Kofi got taken out badly, leaving Big E alone to get double teamed with Xavier having to distract the referee from the pinfall which was going to be for three. Kofi recovered enough to take out Sheamus outside with a jumping facebuster off the steel steps then Big E hit the Big Ending for three.
Analysis: This was a solid match, better than we have often gotten for the tag team titles lately; however, it was weirdly rushed as if everyone in the match felt like they were being given 5 minutes to perform but ended up getting 10. The four were running through a match they only needed to jog through which hurt the pacing.
It did however lead to some solid moments and big spots along the way. The two teams clearly have a lot they can do together especially if they can get a more consistent story rolling in their contest next time. If there is a next time which was unclear.
This did not remotely help tell us what is the tag team title plan for WrestleMania, the most murky Mania story right now. That said, it did clearly show that the New Day can work as faces as they were not just over here, but they worked the whole match as the babyface team and did well in the role.
Kofi ran right into a Barrett Winds of Change and then took a Sheamus Irish Curse backbreaker. Sheamus then hit a top rope shoulder tackle, still isolating Kofi. When Sheamus went to the top rope again, he ran right into a dropkick. Big E got the hot tag and belly to bellied Barrett all over the ring.
Big E hit a running splash but was distracted by Sheamus long enough for Barrett to get back into it. Kofi got the tag and missed the SOS but hit a top rope crossbody. Sheamus blocked the Trouble in Paradise and turned it unto the Cloverleaf. Big E took out Barrett on the outside and Kofi nearly turned it into a three count roll up.
Sheamus took an SOS, and Big E got the tag. Kofi got taken out badly, leaving Big E alone to get double teamed with Xavier having to distract the referee from the pinfall which was going to be for three. Kofi recovered enough to take out Sheamus outside with a jumping facebuster off the steel steps then Big E hit the Big Ending for three.
Analysis: This was a solid match, better than we have often gotten for the tag team titles lately; however, it was weirdly rushed as if everyone in the match felt like they were being given 5 minutes to perform but ended up getting 10. The four were running through a match they only needed to jog through which hurt the pacing.
It did however lead to some solid moments and big spots along the way. The two teams clearly have a lot they can do together especially if they can get a more consistent story rolling in their contest next time. If there is a next time which was unclear.
This did not remotely help tell us what is the tag team title plan for WrestleMania, the most murky Mania story right now. That said, it did clearly show that the New Day can work as faces as they were not just over here, but they worked the whole match as the babyface team and did well in the role.
Rating: 8/10
Jack Swagger is trying real hard to smile for this Canadian crowd.
Chris Jericho def. Jack Swagger
Overview: Chris Jericho told the crowd before the match to not chant for him because they spent too much time before chanting for AJ Styles. He called himself the greatest icon to come from Canada and was ashamed of the country. Jack Swagger came out, and Jericho immediately slapped Swagger in the face to begin their match.
This got Jack riled up who began throwing rights that sent Jericho running to the outside and running around the ring as Swagger followed. When the two got back to the ring, Jericho ran into an elbow. With Jericho stuck in the corner, Swagger reeled off punches until the referee intervened which allowed Jericho to get in a cheap shot.
Jericho kept up the attack including baseball slide kicking Swagger to the outside. Jericho then drove Jack into the steel barricade. Chris hit a dropkick right to the jaw of Swagger that stopped Jack's potential rally in its tracks. Swagger reversed a bulldog by throwing Jericho crotch first into the steel post.
Swagger rallied from there, throwing Jericho around the ring. However, when he went for the Swagger Bomb, Jericho got his knees up. He then hit the running bulldog but missed the Lionsault. Swagger successfully hit the Swagger Bomb for two. Jericho tried to trip up Swagger for the Walls of Jericho, but Swagger fought out.
When Jack went for the Patriot Lock, Jericho also fought out and hit an enzuigiri. Swagger reversed an attempt at a Codebreaker and got a nearfall. He turned another attempted Codebreaker into a successfully locked in Patriot Lock. Jericho grabbed the referee's pants to gain some leverage before getting to the ropes. He then sent Jack into the turnbuckle and locked in the Walls for the submission win.
Analysis: There wasn't a lot here that was special, but it was very competitive and well paced. Swagger looked great even if Jericho couldn't convince the crowd to cheer for the All-American against Chris in Toronto. It was always going to be a lost cause as all Jericho could do was make the crowd chant AJ Styles.
The promo beforehand from Jericho was pretty old school heel. He insulted the country and made out his lineage in the country as being something he was embarrassed about. A decade before now, this would have had the crowd completely against Chris. Now they just can't be bothered to hate bad guys.
This got Jack riled up who began throwing rights that sent Jericho running to the outside and running around the ring as Swagger followed. When the two got back to the ring, Jericho ran into an elbow. With Jericho stuck in the corner, Swagger reeled off punches until the referee intervened which allowed Jericho to get in a cheap shot.
Jericho kept up the attack including baseball slide kicking Swagger to the outside. Jericho then drove Jack into the steel barricade. Chris hit a dropkick right to the jaw of Swagger that stopped Jack's potential rally in its tracks. Swagger reversed a bulldog by throwing Jericho crotch first into the steel post.
Swagger rallied from there, throwing Jericho around the ring. However, when he went for the Swagger Bomb, Jericho got his knees up. He then hit the running bulldog but missed the Lionsault. Swagger successfully hit the Swagger Bomb for two. Jericho tried to trip up Swagger for the Walls of Jericho, but Swagger fought out.
When Jack went for the Patriot Lock, Jericho also fought out and hit an enzuigiri. Swagger reversed an attempt at a Codebreaker and got a nearfall. He turned another attempted Codebreaker into a successfully locked in Patriot Lock. Jericho grabbed the referee's pants to gain some leverage before getting to the ropes. He then sent Jack into the turnbuckle and locked in the Walls for the submission win.
Analysis: There wasn't a lot here that was special, but it was very competitive and well paced. Swagger looked great even if Jericho couldn't convince the crowd to cheer for the All-American against Chris in Toronto. It was always going to be a lost cause as all Jericho could do was make the crowd chant AJ Styles.
The promo beforehand from Jericho was pretty old school heel. He insulted the country and made out his lineage in the country as being something he was embarrassed about. A decade before now, this would have had the crowd completely against Chris. Now they just can't be bothered to hate bad guys.
Rating: 7.5/10
Enzo and Cass are a great tag team because Cass is the muscle and power while Enzo is the cannonball he throws at everybody.
The Revival def. Enzo and Cass to Retain the NXT Tag Team Championships
Overview: Enzo, Cass, and Carmella came to the ring with their usual flair which the crowd loved following along with. The Revival didn't waste much time getting to the ring and starting this match off with Dash using a distraction to make sure the referee was watching Cass as the two beat down on Enzo.
When Enzo got a window and tagged in Big Cass, Dash immediately tried to beg off the big man to little success. Dawson distracted the referee almost accidentally as the ref missed him tagging himself in, but the distraction allowed Dash to get a thumb to Cass's eye. That didn't even slow Cass who threw Dash over his head and then hit a diving Dawson with a fist to the chest.
Enzo tagged in and teased Dawson into charging into the ring to which Cass threw Enzo into Dawson before also giving Enzo momentum for a plancha into the corner on Dash. Cass then threw Dash into Dawson to take out both men. Cass put the exclamation mark on it by launching Enzo high into the air with momentum over the top rope to take out The Revival.
Enzo made the mistake of beginning a renewed attack on the heels in their corner, trying to roll up both men but getting sent shoulder first into the steel post. The two isolated Enzo and assaulted his left arm. Enzo used his shiftiness to finally start to get to Cass, but, in his mad dash to Cass, he was sent flying under the ropes to the outside by Dawson.
Enzo finally got the hot tag by sending Dawson into the steel post shoulder first. Cass just rolled right through Dash. When Dawson got involved, Cass chokeslammed him right over the top rope but had to fight out of a roll up by Dash. Cass then hit a loud big boot on Dash's chin and a second to Dawson on the apron.
Dash then ran right into the East River Crossing which allowed Cass to tag in Enzo for the Rocket Launcher with Dawson tripping up Enzo behind Cass's back. This sent Cass running after Dawson who tried to use Carmella as a shield but got slapped instead. The Revival though hit Cass with the Shatter Machine outside the ring.
All alone, Enzo flew over Dawson from the top rope to take out Dash then rolled up Dawson for a very close nearfall. Enzo then struck Dawson repeatedly until he fell into his corner which allowed Dash to tag himself in. The two then hit the Shatter Machine for the win.
Analysis: This was a really strong match with a ton of strong spots and clear emotion particularly coming from Enzo who never for one second forgot this was a grudge match. I was particularly impressed by just how much Enzo and Cass stepped up their game here with a lot of big set piece moments as they've never been the greatest in the ring.
The Revival are always top quality in the ring, and they will continue to be. The lack of reaction they get when they aren't wrestling is a bit concerning, but that's part of how you get better. They are still NXT guys who need to find their personalities to succeed. Enzo and Cass already felt like main roster stars here.
With this Revival win, it's likely that this feud is over, so The Revival can begin competing against American Alphas in matches including a likely clash at NXT Takeover: Dallas that may just give WWE fans a fresh view of tag team wrestling.
When Enzo got a window and tagged in Big Cass, Dash immediately tried to beg off the big man to little success. Dawson distracted the referee almost accidentally as the ref missed him tagging himself in, but the distraction allowed Dash to get a thumb to Cass's eye. That didn't even slow Cass who threw Dash over his head and then hit a diving Dawson with a fist to the chest.
Enzo tagged in and teased Dawson into charging into the ring to which Cass threw Enzo into Dawson before also giving Enzo momentum for a plancha into the corner on Dash. Cass then threw Dash into Dawson to take out both men. Cass put the exclamation mark on it by launching Enzo high into the air with momentum over the top rope to take out The Revival.
Enzo made the mistake of beginning a renewed attack on the heels in their corner, trying to roll up both men but getting sent shoulder first into the steel post. The two isolated Enzo and assaulted his left arm. Enzo used his shiftiness to finally start to get to Cass, but, in his mad dash to Cass, he was sent flying under the ropes to the outside by Dawson.
Enzo finally got the hot tag by sending Dawson into the steel post shoulder first. Cass just rolled right through Dash. When Dawson got involved, Cass chokeslammed him right over the top rope but had to fight out of a roll up by Dash. Cass then hit a loud big boot on Dash's chin and a second to Dawson on the apron.
Dash then ran right into the East River Crossing which allowed Cass to tag in Enzo for the Rocket Launcher with Dawson tripping up Enzo behind Cass's back. This sent Cass running after Dawson who tried to use Carmella as a shield but got slapped instead. The Revival though hit Cass with the Shatter Machine outside the ring.
All alone, Enzo flew over Dawson from the top rope to take out Dash then rolled up Dawson for a very close nearfall. Enzo then struck Dawson repeatedly until he fell into his corner which allowed Dash to tag himself in. The two then hit the Shatter Machine for the win.
Analysis: This was a really strong match with a ton of strong spots and clear emotion particularly coming from Enzo who never for one second forgot this was a grudge match. I was particularly impressed by just how much Enzo and Cass stepped up their game here with a lot of big set piece moments as they've never been the greatest in the ring.
The Revival are always top quality in the ring, and they will continue to be. The lack of reaction they get when they aren't wrestling is a bit concerning, but that's part of how you get better. They are still NXT guys who need to find their personalities to succeed. Enzo and Cass already felt like main roster stars here.
With this Revival win, it's likely that this feud is over, so The Revival can begin competing against American Alphas in matches including a likely clash at NXT Takeover: Dallas that may just give WWE fans a fresh view of tag team wrestling.
Rating: 8.75/10
Somehow this is turning Ric Flair on, and that just ruins this whole segment.
Charlotte def. Natalya to Retain the Divas Championship
Overview: Natalya began by taking down Charlotte, but Charlotte turned it around into a bodyscissors which she then transitioned into a guillotine choke. Natalya tried to wrench her way out but fell into a half Boston crab. When Natalya almost turned that into a Sharshooter, Charlotte quickly squirmed to the bottom rope.
Charlotte tried to taunt Natalya but took a stiff chop then got sent to the mat for a surfboard. Natalya continued the assault by running over a sitting Charlotte from the back then rebounding into a low dropkick. A second Sharpshooter attempt sent Charlotte reeling to the outside where she took a baseball slide to the floor.
The two fought back to the ring, and, when Natalya tried to keep her in the ring rather than running out again, she was pulled right out onto the floor spine first. Taunting Natalya again, Charlotte threw her opponent into the ring and began slamming her head first into the mat. Charlotte kept up the pressure with a headscissors.
When Natalya nearly turned the headscissors into a pinfall, Charlotte began using the leverage to slam Natalya into the mat. Natalya nearly rolled up a distracted Charlotte which got Natalya a clothesline for her effort when she got back up. Charlotte then propped Natalya in the corner but was forced to block a discus clothesline and hit a neckbreaker.
A Flair strut and a nearfall set up Charlotte to begin assaulting left leg with knees and try to lock in the figure eight. Natalya saw it coming, nearly rolling up Charlotte then smacking Charlotte hard into the mat. Charlotte blocked anymore of the Natalya rally though by again targeting the left leg even using the steel post.
Charlotte chose to let Natalya rise and begin hitting chops which Natalya answered with forearms which dazed Charlotte allowing Natalya to keep punching. Natalya then hit a side Russian legsweep and a discus clothesline which set up the Sharpshooter which Charlotte turned into a roll up and immediately followed with a big boot.
Natalya blocked the figure eight and reversed the pressure for a moment. Charlotte got back in position and screamed at Natalya to tap even slapping her to no avail. After Charlotte used the apron as leverage and the referee forced a break, Charlotte hit the Natural Selection for a nearfall. Charlotte kept trying to cover Natalya to no avail.
Natalya blocked an attempted moonsault and turned it into a sitout powerbomb for another close nearfall. Charlotte almost got the win reversing the Sharshooter into a small package then Natalya blocked another figure eight attempt.
Natalya finally locked in the Sharpshooter after that with Flair grabbing his daughter's hand which made Natalya think Charlotte had the ropes and break the hold. Flair then got on the apron, distracting Natalya long enough to get rolled up with Charlotte using the ropes for leverage for the three count.
Analysis: This was a pretty solid affair from the two women who already had a classic contest under their belt from their time in NXT. Here the match was helped by a fired up crowd that was teased continuously with the Sharpshooter until they got it. They even got to the point of chanting "This Is Awesome" for this match.
While we have seen better from both women and will see better from them again, it was good to see the two get the time to deliver and tell a strong story. The ending was a garbage mess of cheap tricks with Flair grabbing Charlotte's hand even getting a bit confusing, but the overall match was technical and athletic.
Charlotte tried to taunt Natalya but took a stiff chop then got sent to the mat for a surfboard. Natalya continued the assault by running over a sitting Charlotte from the back then rebounding into a low dropkick. A second Sharpshooter attempt sent Charlotte reeling to the outside where she took a baseball slide to the floor.
The two fought back to the ring, and, when Natalya tried to keep her in the ring rather than running out again, she was pulled right out onto the floor spine first. Taunting Natalya again, Charlotte threw her opponent into the ring and began slamming her head first into the mat. Charlotte kept up the pressure with a headscissors.
When Natalya nearly turned the headscissors into a pinfall, Charlotte began using the leverage to slam Natalya into the mat. Natalya nearly rolled up a distracted Charlotte which got Natalya a clothesline for her effort when she got back up. Charlotte then propped Natalya in the corner but was forced to block a discus clothesline and hit a neckbreaker.
A Flair strut and a nearfall set up Charlotte to begin assaulting left leg with knees and try to lock in the figure eight. Natalya saw it coming, nearly rolling up Charlotte then smacking Charlotte hard into the mat. Charlotte blocked anymore of the Natalya rally though by again targeting the left leg even using the steel post.
Charlotte chose to let Natalya rise and begin hitting chops which Natalya answered with forearms which dazed Charlotte allowing Natalya to keep punching. Natalya then hit a side Russian legsweep and a discus clothesline which set up the Sharpshooter which Charlotte turned into a roll up and immediately followed with a big boot.
Natalya blocked the figure eight and reversed the pressure for a moment. Charlotte got back in position and screamed at Natalya to tap even slapping her to no avail. After Charlotte used the apron as leverage and the referee forced a break, Charlotte hit the Natural Selection for a nearfall. Charlotte kept trying to cover Natalya to no avail.
Natalya blocked an attempted moonsault and turned it into a sitout powerbomb for another close nearfall. Charlotte almost got the win reversing the Sharshooter into a small package then Natalya blocked another figure eight attempt.
Natalya finally locked in the Sharpshooter after that with Flair grabbing his daughter's hand which made Natalya think Charlotte had the ropes and break the hold. Flair then got on the apron, distracting Natalya long enough to get rolled up with Charlotte using the ropes for leverage for the three count.
Analysis: This was a pretty solid affair from the two women who already had a classic contest under their belt from their time in NXT. Here the match was helped by a fired up crowd that was teased continuously with the Sharpshooter until they got it. They even got to the point of chanting "This Is Awesome" for this match.
While we have seen better from both women and will see better from them again, it was good to see the two get the time to deliver and tell a strong story. The ending was a garbage mess of cheap tricks with Flair grabbing Charlotte's hand even getting a bit confusing, but the overall match was technical and athletic.
Rating: 8.25/10
I don't see anything different about this from any other Bray Wyatt singles match.
Brock Lesnar def. Luke Harper and (technically) Bray Wyatt
Overview: Bray Wyatt cut a promo as he walked to the ring, saying he completely respected the destruction of the Beast but would destroy him tonight with the help of Luke Harper. Paul Heyman presented Brock Lesnar with a personal introduction. Wyatt seemed ready to fight Lesnar but immediately ran out and tagged in Harper as the bell rang. Harper then German suplexed Harper and went after Wyatt.
Harper attacked a distracted Brock from the back with a suicide dive. He then repeatedly superkicked Brock in the face as Wyatt cheered on. Harper hit a discus clothesline and got two. When Harper went for another discus clothesline, he fell into a suplex who laughed at Wyatt as he continued hitting the suplexes.
Eventually, he decided that was enough and hit an F5, pinning Harper for three. Lesnar then stalked after Wyatt who quick walked his way to the back, making sure Lesnar didn't catch up to him.
Analysis: Maybe it was too much to expect we could get two marquee matches at a live event, but this was set up to be the number two contest on the card and instead became another filler Lesnar contest. In fact, despite Wyatt's supposed involvement, this was exactly the match it was originally supposed to be: Brock Lesnar vs. Luke Harper.
Now that kind of match could have also been good if WWE had any stakes in Harper as a competitor. Luke vaguely got in some offense even teased an early nearfall, but this quickly became Brock destroying Harper with ease, basically only using German suplexes the whole match.
This may mean we're set to actually see a major PPV match between Lesnar and Wyatt later, but this was a weird bait and switch here for a feud with so little story.
Harper attacked a distracted Brock from the back with a suicide dive. He then repeatedly superkicked Brock in the face as Wyatt cheered on. Harper hit a discus clothesline and got two. When Harper went for another discus clothesline, he fell into a suplex who laughed at Wyatt as he continued hitting the suplexes.
Eventually, he decided that was enough and hit an F5, pinning Harper for three. Lesnar then stalked after Wyatt who quick walked his way to the back, making sure Lesnar didn't catch up to him.
Analysis: Maybe it was too much to expect we could get two marquee matches at a live event, but this was set up to be the number two contest on the card and instead became another filler Lesnar contest. In fact, despite Wyatt's supposed involvement, this was exactly the match it was originally supposed to be: Brock Lesnar vs. Luke Harper.
Now that kind of match could have also been good if WWE had any stakes in Harper as a competitor. Luke vaguely got in some offense even teased an early nearfall, but this quickly became Brock destroying Harper with ease, basically only using German suplexes the whole match.
This may mean we're set to actually see a major PPV match between Lesnar and Wyatt later, but this was a weird bait and switch here for a feud with so little story.
Grade: 6/10
When I heard two high fliers of this caliber were about to fight, my first thought was: I can't wait to see how well they can both apply armbars and headlocks.
Sami Zayn def. Stardust
Overview: Stardust teased and tested Zayn until the crowd began the Cody Rhodes chants which got Stardust riled up. He grounded Sami and wrenched at his arm. Zayn reversed it, going into his own arm bar, stopping a potential Stardust rally with a few arm drags, and relocking in the arm bar. Stardust though smacked Zayn with an uppercut to get back into it.
Stardust stretched Zayn on the steel post then began stomping on Sami. Zayn fought back into the match by feeding off the crowd energy with a series of forearms only to fall right into a reverse Boston crab. Sami nearly rolled up Stardust which angered Stardust further.
On the top rope, Stardust hit a huge superplex for two. Finally, Zayn rallied hit a series of clotheslines and punches in the corner. Zayn sent Stardust to the outside and hit him with a spinning plancha. With a Blue Thunder Bomb nearfall, Zayn got close but ran right into a Disaster Kick for two. Zayn sent Stardust into the corner and hit the Helluva Kick for the win.
Analysis: This match should have been so much better or a pure squash. Instead it was neither, a long trudge of a match where the crowd truly turned on both men quickly. It was poorly paced with too many Stardust rest holds and stomps. The two got going a bit late, but it was too late and not enough for two athletic stars.
Maybe this comes down to Stardust just not calling a greatly paced match or maybe it is because Zayn was not coming into this match with his best. Either way, for a filler live show match, this was quite disappointing.
Stardust stretched Zayn on the steel post then began stomping on Sami. Zayn fought back into the match by feeding off the crowd energy with a series of forearms only to fall right into a reverse Boston crab. Sami nearly rolled up Stardust which angered Stardust further.
On the top rope, Stardust hit a huge superplex for two. Finally, Zayn rallied hit a series of clotheslines and punches in the corner. Zayn sent Stardust to the outside and hit him with a spinning plancha. With a Blue Thunder Bomb nearfall, Zayn got close but ran right into a Disaster Kick for two. Zayn sent Stardust into the corner and hit the Helluva Kick for the win.
Analysis: This match should have been so much better or a pure squash. Instead it was neither, a long trudge of a match where the crowd truly turned on both men quickly. It was poorly paced with too many Stardust rest holds and stomps. The two got going a bit late, but it was too late and not enough for two athletic stars.
Maybe this comes down to Stardust just not calling a greatly paced match or maybe it is because Zayn was not coming into this match with his best. Either way, for a filler live show match, this was quite disappointing.
Grade: 6.5/10
I guess now everyone's doing figure four leglocks. They really missed the boat not having The Miz on this card to show off his as well to make everyone else's look better.
Triple H def. Dean Ambrose to Retain the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Overview: After formal introductions, Ambrose egged Triple H on to test strength and got taken out by the veteran early. When Ambrose tried to lock up again, he stopped Hunter from slowing him and sent him to the mat with a headlock. Hunter hit another shoulder tackle, but Ambrose countered and sent Hunter to the mat before taunting him.
Ambrose locked Hunter in an arm bar then let Hunter rise again as the two began shooting back and forth with right hands. Triple H then got sent over the top rope. Outside, Dean hit a rebound clothesline. Ambrose began targeting Triple H's left quad with a series of kicks and the steel post.
Outside, Ambrose almost walked into a Pedigree but instead got thrown into the steel steps then slammed onto the steel barricade. Triple H kicked into a second gear, viciously assaulting Ambrose, catapulting him throat first into the second rope. After a series of vicious shots, he locked in a crossface then shifted the hold as Dean tried to fight back.
When Dean still fought out, HHH hit him with a series of elbow drops. Ambrose hit a series of fists as he fought to his feet but ran right into a spinebuster. The two fought to the top rope with Dean blocking a superplex with a series of headbutts then hit a diving elbow drop on a standing HHH.
The two men both got to their feet and hit a series of fists with Ambrose getting the advantage. The two got very close as they both nearly hit their finishers with Ambrose nearly turning the Pedigree into a three count on a jacknife pin. Ambrose set his sight on HHH but ran right into a clothesline that turned Ambrose inside out.
Dean flipped HHH to the outside to reverse a Pedigree but ran right into a right hand on a suicide dive attempt. Triple H began destroying the announce table, but Dean fought back into the ring with Triple H tripping Ambrose off the top rope. Ambrose fought out of another Pedigree into a figure four. When Hunter fought out, Dean locked in the Sharpshooter.
Triple H barely got to the bottom rope to break the hold. Out of nowhere, Ambrose hit the Dirty Deeds, but the referee called off the three count when Ambrose had his feet under the ropes. Ambrose kicked out of a surprise roll up with Hunter's feet on the second rope. Ambrose then threw Hunter outside and hit a suicide dive.
Ambrose set up Hunter on the announce table and hit a series of fists. He then broke the referee's count and went for a diving elbow off the steel barricade, but Triple H ducked, allowing Dean to fall right through the table. Ambrose barely made it back to the ring but ran right into a Pedigree to take the fall and the loss.
Analysis: There were high expectations going into this one that might have been tempered a bit by how much the night didn't quite deliver on its heavy hype earlier on, but this match absolutely delivered on every front. I would say this will stand throughout the year as one of the top five or so matches we see as both men really brought out the best in one another.
First, we got to see Ambrose go to the well of his more technical side, a part of his repertoire we haven't seen much with him as the pure babyface. He grounded HHH and had him reeling which was a great way to continue the story going in of Hunter not quite knowing what to expect from Ambrose while Dean felt completely confident.
Triple H meanwhile was the brawler here, really throwing out right hands all the time. It was almost a shame this couldn't even get more physical with the announce table spot the only part of the match that felt brutal. The pacing from both men was excellent with the nearfalls not having to come from a bunch of finishers but teases of finishers instead.
Ultimately, Ambrose came out of this looking like gold. You could argue he defeated Triple H when he hit the Dirty Deeds, and he only lost because he let himself get too worked up, forgetting his gameplan and going for broke. We even got to have a clean victory without it feeling like someone was hurt by this.
Now we head to WrestleMania with clearly both Ambrose and Triple H at the top of their game. There's no doubt Ambrose is still on track to fight for that gold sooner rather than later, but it's important that the two headline matches stand on their own. Hopefully, in spite of a lack of build so far, HHH can pull a similar performance to this out with Roman Reigns.
Ambrose locked Hunter in an arm bar then let Hunter rise again as the two began shooting back and forth with right hands. Triple H then got sent over the top rope. Outside, Dean hit a rebound clothesline. Ambrose began targeting Triple H's left quad with a series of kicks and the steel post.
Outside, Ambrose almost walked into a Pedigree but instead got thrown into the steel steps then slammed onto the steel barricade. Triple H kicked into a second gear, viciously assaulting Ambrose, catapulting him throat first into the second rope. After a series of vicious shots, he locked in a crossface then shifted the hold as Dean tried to fight back.
When Dean still fought out, HHH hit him with a series of elbow drops. Ambrose hit a series of fists as he fought to his feet but ran right into a spinebuster. The two fought to the top rope with Dean blocking a superplex with a series of headbutts then hit a diving elbow drop on a standing HHH.
The two men both got to their feet and hit a series of fists with Ambrose getting the advantage. The two got very close as they both nearly hit their finishers with Ambrose nearly turning the Pedigree into a three count on a jacknife pin. Ambrose set his sight on HHH but ran right into a clothesline that turned Ambrose inside out.
Dean flipped HHH to the outside to reverse a Pedigree but ran right into a right hand on a suicide dive attempt. Triple H began destroying the announce table, but Dean fought back into the ring with Triple H tripping Ambrose off the top rope. Ambrose fought out of another Pedigree into a figure four. When Hunter fought out, Dean locked in the Sharpshooter.
Triple H barely got to the bottom rope to break the hold. Out of nowhere, Ambrose hit the Dirty Deeds, but the referee called off the three count when Ambrose had his feet under the ropes. Ambrose kicked out of a surprise roll up with Hunter's feet on the second rope. Ambrose then threw Hunter outside and hit a suicide dive.
Ambrose set up Hunter on the announce table and hit a series of fists. He then broke the referee's count and went for a diving elbow off the steel barricade, but Triple H ducked, allowing Dean to fall right through the table. Ambrose barely made it back to the ring but ran right into a Pedigree to take the fall and the loss.
Analysis: There were high expectations going into this one that might have been tempered a bit by how much the night didn't quite deliver on its heavy hype earlier on, but this match absolutely delivered on every front. I would say this will stand throughout the year as one of the top five or so matches we see as both men really brought out the best in one another.
First, we got to see Ambrose go to the well of his more technical side, a part of his repertoire we haven't seen much with him as the pure babyface. He grounded HHH and had him reeling which was a great way to continue the story going in of Hunter not quite knowing what to expect from Ambrose while Dean felt completely confident.
Triple H meanwhile was the brawler here, really throwing out right hands all the time. It was almost a shame this couldn't even get more physical with the announce table spot the only part of the match that felt brutal. The pacing from both men was excellent with the nearfalls not having to come from a bunch of finishers but teases of finishers instead.
Ultimately, Ambrose came out of this looking like gold. You could argue he defeated Triple H when he hit the Dirty Deeds, and he only lost because he let himself get too worked up, forgetting his gameplan and going for broke. We even got to have a clean victory without it feeling like someone was hurt by this.
Now we head to WrestleMania with clearly both Ambrose and Triple H at the top of their game. There's no doubt Ambrose is still on track to fight for that gold sooner rather than later, but it's important that the two headline matches stand on their own. Hopefully, in spite of a lack of build so far, HHH can pull a similar performance to this out with Roman Reigns.
Grade: 9.5/10
There was a time that Natalya was known for being the daughter of the legend Jim Neidhart. Now she is just the niece of Bret Hart.
Final Notes: Paul Heyman was interviewed backstage about the match Brock Lesnar had with Bray Wyatt set for the night, promising that Wyatt was going down with Lesnar wanting revenge on Bray for what happened at the Royal Rumble.
Natalya was also interviewed about her match against Charlotte with Charlotte and Ric Flair interrupting and telling her she wasn't on Charlotte's level. Natalya convinced Charlotte to put her title on the line in their match by calling the Flairs cowards.
The crowd in Toronto was a mixed bag tonight. They were usually very loud, but they were quick to turn on any match that was not moving at lightning pace. For some reason, they took any slow moment in a match to start chanting for CM Punk even in the main event. They also changed their tone quickly with "This is Awesome" chants whenever they got a few nearfalls in a match.
Conclusion: I don't really review the WWE Network streamed live shows often, but WWE really hyped this one up. It almost felt like they wanted this to be a pay-per-view style event. However, it was more hype than the show probably should have gotten. It was really just a house show with one major match.
The rest of the show was just like any live event you could see. The undercard delivered with the time it had. Brock Lesnar was there, but he wasn't really there to do much. This was a one match show, and that one match was phenomenal. I can't be mad I watched and reviewed this even if it was nothing more than a house show.
In the end, nothing changed. WrestleMania is still going full steam in its expected direction. Monday Night Raw will hopefully benefit from feeling a bit like a special show this coming week as it has some things to work off of from here. We just need to see the full card come together and the big matches finally get their big moments.
Natalya was also interviewed about her match against Charlotte with Charlotte and Ric Flair interrupting and telling her she wasn't on Charlotte's level. Natalya convinced Charlotte to put her title on the line in their match by calling the Flairs cowards.
The crowd in Toronto was a mixed bag tonight. They were usually very loud, but they were quick to turn on any match that was not moving at lightning pace. For some reason, they took any slow moment in a match to start chanting for CM Punk even in the main event. They also changed their tone quickly with "This is Awesome" chants whenever they got a few nearfalls in a match.
Conclusion: I don't really review the WWE Network streamed live shows often, but WWE really hyped this one up. It almost felt like they wanted this to be a pay-per-view style event. However, it was more hype than the show probably should have gotten. It was really just a house show with one major match.
The rest of the show was just like any live event you could see. The undercard delivered with the time it had. Brock Lesnar was there, but he wasn't really there to do much. This was a one match show, and that one match was phenomenal. I can't be mad I watched and reviewed this even if it was nothing more than a house show.
In the end, nothing changed. WrestleMania is still going full steam in its expected direction. Monday Night Raw will hopefully benefit from feeling a bit like a special show this coming week as it has some things to work off of from here. We just need to see the full card come together and the big matches finally get their big moments.