WRESTLEMANIA EXTRAVAGANZA!!! – What Happened Last Night (Mar. 29th, 2015)

How are you doing, Enthusiasts? Did you like this year’s WrestleMania?  To be honest, I enjoyed it thoroughly.  After all the misguided efforts, the WWE finally just got their shit together and put on a great show.  I wasn’t really disappointed with anything. True, a few segments were a bit hokey but, what are ya gonna do?  It can’t all be gold, I guess.  Given what we had to wade through to get here, I felt that I certainly got my $9.99 worth and that all is not lost.  Now, where the WWE goes from here is anyone’s guess but, hopefully they learn from their blatant mistakes and simply keep things interesting from here on out.

I actually didn’t know that the pre-show would air at 3pm.  I was thinking it was going to start at 4pm so, I actually missed the Tag Team Fatal-4-Way but caught it this morning.  Personally, I think it was a good move to have this and the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal kick things off. They were full on melees that were hard to keep track of but, fun to watch nonetheless.  The Fatal-4-Way was comprised of The Usos, Tyson Kidd & Cesaro, Los Matadores and The New Day.  The moments of note for me anyway, came early on with Cesaro basically taking out Jey Uso by sending him into the Timkeeper booth.  This plays up a shoulder injury for Jey and everyone battles it out from there.  Jimmy makes a good offensive turn at one point, serving up Superkicks to all but it’s the cunning technicians in Cesaro and Tyson Kidd (Cesaro mostly) who manage to sneak in the win by pinning Big E. Langston after Jimmy Uso did the majority of the work.  A wins a win and the Heels take it but, no one really minds because they have the skill to back it up.  Besides, they’ll probably lose the titles tonight at RAW.

After that, everyone dusts themselves off and enters the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.  They get to a funny start by tossing Curtis Axel out right away and then the chaos just ensues.  We get a taste of NXT with Hideo Itami and we get to see Bo Dallas again, which was nice.  Yet, the highlights basically boil down to Big Show living up to the “giant” status and dominating.  Ryback gets a little steam going but Big Show takes care of him and in the end it’s him against The Miz and Damien “Mizdow”.  Well, The Miz tries to utilize whatever sway he has left with Mizdow and pleads with him to stay on side so that they can unite and take Big Show but Mizdow says nuts to that and informally hands in his resignation.  He eliminates The Miz and tries his best to do the same to Big Show but the behemoth is just that and manages to remain in the ring and tosses Mizdow out to secure his second Memorial Battle Royal win.

We then get into the actual meat of WrestleMania with the Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match including, Stardust, R-Truth, Luke Harper, Wade “Bad News” Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Dean Ambrose and Daniel Bryan.  This match was quite entertaining.  Everyone was able to amp themselves up to 15 and just go for it.  Harper dominated early, using his heft to basically bully the competition.  Ambrose is his crazy self and starts off with an elbow drop from the top of a ladder outside the ring when the action spills out but, he gets taken out by Harper when he slams him through a pile of ladders.  Another moment of note comes from BNB suplexing Stardust from the main ladder leading to the title belt. They sell it exquisitely and officially make this a Ladder Match worthy of WrestleMania.  Everyone gets a chance to climb the main ladder but it’s after Ziggler and Bryan headbutt it out that Bryan comes away with the belt and We the Audience couldn’t be happier.

To follow is the match between Randy Orton and Seth Rollins.  These 2 fellows have a great outing.  It wasn’t the most spectacular that I’ve seen from them but definitely solid with some exciting moments.  Rollins tries to execute a few Curbstomps that Orton manages to deftly avoid and Rollins manages to slip out of a Powerslam but Orton eventually connects.  Naturally, J&J Security intervene when the going gets tough for Rollins, but Orton never has these guys and serves them RKOs to get them out of the way.  Rollins and Orton attempt to use their wiles to pull off a victory but it’s Orton with a RKO counter that gets him the win and bragging rights. 

Moving along, we come to the Old Fogy match with Triple H vs. Sting.  This match wasn’t bad at all.  I wasn’t sure what we were gonna get seeing how both guys are past their primes but they’re still in good shape and were able to put on an entertaining match.  The openings for these 2 were scene stealers in their own right with Sting being announced by Japanese Taiko drummers which, I found interesting.  Not necessarily pertinent but I always respect a cultural touch.  Triple H on the other hand made use of Arnold Schwarzenegger on hand and went with the Terminator: Genisys theme.  Personally, I didn’t think it quite fit.  It would be a good opening for like the MTV Movie Awards or something but it has nothing to do with the WWE so I marked it as being over the top for over the top’s sake.  But whatever, these 2 show that they still got something left in their tanks and went for it like they still did this on the regular.  Yet, they’re not the only ones that have some shit to still prove.  When H gets into trouble, first out to the rescue is D-Generation X in Billy Gunn, the Road Dogg and X-Pac. Then when Sting starts to falter, nWo make their entrance in the form of Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.  I said on the Twitters that they might as well do this given how they were giving everyone a last hurrah, had no idea that they were actually going to do it.  Not sure if my calling it is a good or bad thing but it happened and it was fun.  In the end, H gets a bullshit win via pinfall but when it’s all said in done, H is man enough to say well played and offers his hand to Sting.  Sting, showing good sportsmanship, shakes it and I suppose we leave it at that for now.

That brings us to the Divas Tag Team Match with The Bella Twins going up the “Alterna-Divas” in Paige and AJ Lee.  This was a better Divas match than most have been so, the WWE is going in the right direction at least.  I feel that if Paige is going to make claims as to whose “house” it is, though, she’s going to have to come at the ladies a lot harder.  She currently comes off as more bark than bite and I’m not sure if that’s on purpose or not.  Nikki Bella, however, is doing a great job of selling being a baddie and being a contender in the ring.  Brie also is finally making her war call believable though, I don’t really find “Brie Mode!” intimidating.  AJ Lee is her crazy self and though only 15lbs, she seems to make the most of it. The Bellas start off strong by keeping AJ Lee at bay and knocking her off the apron any chance they could, keeping Paige from being able to make a tag.  Yet, the frenemies catch on the Bellas’ ploy and start taking shots of their own outside the ring.  While Brie and Paige go at it, AJ Lee is able to lock Nikki into a Black Widow and take the win via submission.

Up next is the US Championship Match with Rusev vs. John Cena.  This match was well played.  Rusev makes his entrance to all sorts of Russian pomp and circumstance, establishing his foreign Heelitude.  Cena does his Top Face duty by coming out for America. The crowd still isn’t all that keen about getting behind him though but, by now this is something that Cena should be used to. As for the match itself, it was a clean outing by both gentlemen.  Regardless of the flack Cena gets, he’s always a pro in the ring and shows up with his gameface on.  Rusev is a stellar heel and though the “ferren” angle is readily played, I hope they just focus on him being big and mean as we go forward.  These 2 rightly clash and both show what they got.  Cena serves up some Attitude Adjustments and a 5-Knuckle-Shuffle.  Rusev manages to land a knee to Cena’s face and gets a dropkick or 2 in before settling in for The Accolade for the win but what’s this?!  Cena manages to stand up with Rusev on piggyback and backs him into a turnbuckle to free himself.  Lana tries some odd tactics for distraction, one of which being tossing her shoe into the ring but her efforts seem to only backfire.  Cena manages to lock Rusev into a STF to try to get a submission win but Lana does what she can to distract the referee.  Cena redirects his attention to her and Rusev attempts to take advantage but Cena steps out the way just in time and Rusev connects with Lana instead.  Stunned by his mistake Rusev leaves himself open and Cena takes the match with a final Attitude Adjustment.

We then get a promo treat with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H coming out to announce the record attendance set for the evening at 76,976 people filling up Levi Stadium.  Well, it couldn’t have been done without them.  The Authority gladly pat themselves on the back but suddenly, we can smell something and it’s The Rock having taken the red-eye from New York to be present at WrestleMania to have some choice words with The Authority.  This bit was great, to be honest.  It was nice to see The Rock back on his own terms this time around and for a moment, it really did seem like old times.  The Rock and Triple H had one of their Grade A staredowns and it was electrifying as per usual.  Stephanie McMahon was great too, fully embracing her Princess Heeldom.  Her trash talk and slap to The Rock sets him up to tag in Ronda Rousey, sitting ringside, quite smoothly.  The point they make is that The Authority may own shit but they’re the ones who end up getting “owned”. With little ceremony, Rousey shows both H and Stephanie who’s really dangerous and the 2 of them scuttle back to safety.

This leads us to the highly anticipated match between Bray Wyatt and The UnderTaker.  Word has it that Wyatt suffered a sprained ankle during a warm-up session but, it looks like they just taped him up and sent him out there. As for Taker, he looked good.  It was hard to say given the images that surfaced on the interwebs but, that may be due to him more going gray than being completely over the hill.  Nevertheless, we have to be honest and admit he doesn’t have too many more of these left in him.  Yet, as for last night, he was his intimidating self and certainly came out and delivered.  Wyatt doesn’t hold back with the Dead Man.  He gives him everything he’s got but The UnderTaker is an old and tough hand.  He takes it and gives back just the same.  Towards the end, Wyatt is able to connect with Sister Abigail and crabwalks, sure of victory but the Dead Man doesn’t die and in dramatic fashion, sits up terrifying Wyatt.  The 2 of them get to their feet and Taker waves Wyatt on to give him what’s left.  The 2 trade blows upon blows and Wyatt soon gets the upper hand.  He motions to slit Taker’s throat and goes for another Sister Abigail but The UnderTaker has something else in mind and counters with his signature Tombstone.  Dispatched, Taker ensures that Wyatt rests in peace.

That leaves the Main Event for the Heavyweight Championship, Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar.  Now, We the Audience were apprehensive about this match.  Would it be a Royal Rumble repeat or would The Beast Incarnate retain?  It was hard to say right down to the last minute.  The bout itself wasn’t bad, though.  It’s unfortunate that the crowd takes it chagrin out on Reigns but it’s the only way we can voice our disapproval and be immediately recognized.  I’ll just say this.  If a push from the WWE gets you this kind of response, who needs one?  In any case, Lesnar is well-received and Paul Heyman continues to show why he gets paid to talk by announcing Lesnar personally.  And with that done, these 2 go at it and it is a brutal assault.  Lesnar, true to form, gets to suplexing and F5-ing right from the start.  He doesn’t really let Reigns get into the match, which is fine because it plays to one of Reigns' strengths, taking hits.  Hey, he takes ‘em like a champ and in this match he takes plenty.  Yet, any offense he musters up is curtly booed by the crowd.  We the Audience just aren’t having him right now.  And though Reigns manages a late comeback, both men are dazed and confused by that point.  Reigns makes sure that Lesnar is left with a few scars after this one, and I’m sure Reigns is fine.  I’m pretty sure we could hit him with a car at 20mph and he’d still get up.  In any case, with the 2 titans groggy and spent, Rollins makes his “genius” move and cashes in his Money in the Bank contract and makes it an instant Triple Threat match.  Rollins takes to Lesnar and Curbstomps him.  He goes for a second one but Lesnar recovers enough to pull off a F5 on Rollins.  Reigns, having been pushed out the ring, gets himself back in to spear Lesnar but leaves himself open for a Curbstomp from Rollins.  Stunned, Rollins goes in for the pin and gets the win in a stealthy steal.  And there you have it.  Seth Rollins is now our Heavyweight Champion and that seems to appease Us. 

As much potential as Reigns has, he’s just not fully fleshed out yet and that’s what We the Audience continue to bridle at.  That seems to be Creative’s fault more than anything else.  I just get the feeling they don’t know what to do with him which is something I can’t really figure.  I mean, look to the WWE Hall of Fame with Arnold Schwarzenegger.  The man was a damn cyborg with an Austrian accent.  If he can work in movies, Reigns can work in the WWE.  Just keep his promos short and simple and set him up to kick ass.  What’s the problem?  He’ll iron out in time.  They’re going out of their way to sink this ship and the question remains as to why.  I don’t know if has to do with some sort of internal politicking or if they just don’t have a clue but they need to figure that shit out. In terms of business, say what you will, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be selling.  As for Lesnar, sky’s the limit.  He’s well-paid and available so, the WWE better get their money’s worth and make his 3-year stint interesting.  And Rollins, well, he’s got a nice little target on his back for now and so chasing him down with whomever for the Heavyweight title should be fun.  Let’s hope that we aren’t subjected to a year of the WWE mucking it up just 'cause they can.  Let’s see if they hold our interest.

See You Tonight,

-Nicole Alexis (^_-)