WRESTLEMANIA 41 - Where Royal Rumble winners go to be irrelevant!!

[MCWAY]

Two nights of WrestleMania and neither Rumble winner is in the main event of either night. In fact, BOTH are mid-carding night 1.

That's why I've maintained that they should just SCRAP the whole storyline of the Royal Rumble winner(s) main-eventing at WrestleMania in a world title match.

NIGHT ONE ("WrestleMania Saturday")

Triple Threat Match: Roman Reigns vs. Seth "Freakin'" Rollins vs. CM Punk: I just read Lurker's spoiler. But, it seems to have been scrapped at the "favor" has been deemed to be CM Punk borrowing Reign's 'wiseman' for the night to be in his corner. This has all the makings of a gimme match for Punk. I'm tempted to call an upset special and have Heyman turn on both Reigns and Punk to side with Rollins. But, for now, I just can't.

World Heavyweight Championship: "The Ring General" Gunther (c) vs. "Main Event" Jey Uso - These two guys got hosed. After all the buildup to this, they get jerked. The company has no trust in them. I was hoping that, at least, they'd get night one to headline. But, NOPE!! Punk and Reigns squished that. This match may be the curtain jerker like last year.

With whatever sentiment is left, I'll pick Jey Uso to be the new world champ. He'll be lucky if he even gets pyro.

WWE Women's Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) vs. Charlotte Flair - Fans are getting tired of Charlotte getting shoehorned into title match, just like WM 35. It's Tiffy time. Stratton retains.

WWW United States Championship: L.A. Knight (c) vs. Jacob Fatu - I really want to give this to the Samoan werewolf. But, I have a feeling old salty Solo is going to screw him. If Jacob becomes US champ, Solo becomes irrelevant as does his wannbe Bloodline (BTW, what the heck happened to Tanga Loa?). Knight retains.

World Tag Team Championships: War Raiders (c) vs. New Day. Evil New Day sucks and those two need another tag title run like a hole in the head. I know they need new direction after 10 years of being goofballs. But, this ain't it. It'll be a month of Sundays before Kofi is ever world champion again; Woods peaked at 2021 King of the RING and will likely be the only New Day member never to win a world title. War Raiders retain.

Jade Cargill vs. Naomi - This is perhaps the most intriguing women's match of them all, especially with Smackdown helping push my theory last night. I think Jade wins the battle but loses the war. UPSET SPECIAL (sort of): Jade wins night one. But this bleeds into night two and the Women's world title match, resulting in.......

It's clear that the suits at Titan Tower didn't have much of a plan for a post-Bloodline WWE. And night 2 will exacerbate that even more.

[MCWAY]

I KNEW IT!! Guess what the curtain jerker match is.....The so-called World title match. Lots of YEET flags, Raiderettes, and "Main Event" Jey Uso is anything but. But, he's hyped!!

Basic entrance for Gunther. And this spike-haired female ring announcer, the "Great" Alicia Taylor, is doing her worst Samantha Irvin impression.

Lots of Jey Uso, eating chops and even following up a failed bodyslam attempt with a successful one. Are my eyes deceiving me or is Gunther looking more like the old Walter?

Uso goes to the top but gets chopped for his efforts. Superplex, pterodactyl dropkick, and POWERBOMB by the Ring General....but no three count. The champ gets frustrated and slaps his challenger. He goes for a 2nd power bomb only to eat a Franken-Steiner and a spear, followed by a Uso splash... but alas, there's no three count.

Gunther leaves and takes his belt with him. But, when Jey shoves the ref aside to do the dive, Gunther cracks him in the skull with the gold. Then he hits the ugliest splash known to man on the challenger. Uso survives.

They exchange chops, forearms, and clotheslines. Uso laughs and goads Gunther to keep bringing it. Finally the ring general goes for the sleeper but Jey escapes. He tries the sleeper again but Jey barely gets his foot on the ropes.

Gunther has had enough. He wants one more powerbomb. But, the challenger escapes and hits a powerbomb of his own. Uso follows up with a super kick and the sorriest spear ever. Then, "Main Event" heads to the top, hits the splash, then to the other side for another splash, followed by another buckle and a THIRD SPLASH. But no cover....instead...he PUTS THE SLEEPER ON GUNTHER right in the middle.

The Ring General TAPS OUT......NEW WORLD CHAMPION, JEY USO!!!!

And, he actually did get pyro. Plus, the cherry on the sundae is a big hug from his twin brother, Jimmy. More yeeting and pyro!!

[MCWAY]

World Tag titles are up next.


Well, if someone cut Giant Gonzalez in half and dipped them in chocolate, you'd get Woods and Kingston.


Ivar is too ugly to hit these gymnastic moves. But, he's getting it. a BIG MOONSAULT....but Woods makes the save with a big flying elbow. Erik comes in and starts blasting everyone. But, when War Raiders go for the finish, Kofi trips Ivar who lands on his head on the edge of the apron. The challengers hit the finish. Woods covers; Kingston pulls the leg from the outside and..... Evil New Day got the nod and the shiny belts.

Naomi vs. Jade Cargill. Naomi has new music; Jade has shorter hair. And it's clear that Cargill needs Naomi to carry this match, as Cargill has spent more time keeping her boobs from falling out than actually wrestling.

A super bulldog from the top buckle from Naomi was awesome. But, she hurt her back and couldn't cover Cargill in time.

Naomi went for a splash but got caught and powerslammed. Naomi somehow slaps a submission hold on Cargill. But Cargill powers out hits an electric chair which she turned into a last-second powerslam. Cargill finally hits her move, "Jaded" (a version of Beth Phoenix's Glam Slam). And that is that.

[MCWAY]

US championship!

Fans are split. Jacob Fatu has a prosthetic werewolf mask. LA Knight shows up in a Maserati. And the match is afoot.

Jacob Fatu is like a giant Jeff Hardy. He hits swantons like nothing. However, when he went for a moonsault, LA Knight pulled a Randy Orton and drilled him midair with the BFT. Unfortunately for the champ, Fatu landed near the ropes and used them for a cheap break.

Knight went to the buckle again, only to get kicked in the ribs repeatedly. The Samoan werewolf hit three consecutive moonsaults to the delight of the crowd. Three seconds later, we have a new US Champion.

Boy, the Fatu family is racking up gold and, of all people, Haku came to the ring to congratulate Fatu.

[LurkerNoMore]

I LOVE YOU FATU!!!!!!   Thank God LA Blight was put out of his misery in a solid no nonsense convincing fashion.

Surprised about Gunther though.  I thought he would still carry the belt. 

Keep in mind that I am not 100% sure that Punk will get the match and title.  It just seemed awfully suspicious that WWE put that current replica belt on their site and then yanked it down shortly after.

If they do go through with it, I would predict something like Cena dominating the match, hurting Cody, and Cody winning with a quick move like a roll up.  Cena helps Cody up, they hug, and then Rock comes down and shakes his head.  Motion to the back and Punk comes out, Rock has hidden some clause in the contract that was signed between Cody and Cena.  Winner has to face Punk as Rock's discretion.  That discretion is now.  Cena standing on the floor in absolute shock as Punk makes quick work of a wounded Cody, despite Cena trying to cheer him own.  Punk has the belt and sets up Cena vs Punk down the road for Cena's last and record breaking title win.

[MCWAY]

I LOVE YOU FATU!!!!!!   Thank God LA Blight was put out of his misery in a solid no nonsense convincing fashion.

Surprised about Gunther though.  I thought he would still carry the belt. 

Keep in mind that I am not 100% sure that Punk will get the match and title.  It just seemed awfully suspicious that WWE put that current replica belt on their site and then yanked it down shortly after.

If they do go through with it, I would predict something like Cena dominating the match, hurting Cody, and Cody winning with a quick move like a roll up.  Cena helps Cody up, they hug, and then Rock comes down and shakes his head.  Motion to the back and Punk comes out, Rock has hidden some clause in the contract that was signed between Cody and Cena.  Winner has to face Punk as Rock's discretion.  That discretion is now.  Cena standing on the floor in absolute shock as Punk makes quick work of a wounded Cody, despite Cena trying to cheer him own.  Punk has the belt and sets up Cena vs Punk down the road for Cena's last and record breaking title win.

I KNEW IT!!! MY UPSET SPECIAL PAID OFF...THE DOUBLE NUT SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD!!!

......HEYMAN TURNED ON BOTH REIGNS AND PUNK AND ROLLINS GETS THE WIN.

I may do the review on this one because I just finished watching it this morning. BUT WOW!!!!

Oh for those who care, there was that El Grande Americano/Chad Gable match vs. Rey Fenix (pinch-hitting for an injured Rey Mysterio).

[LurkerNoMore]

I KNEW IT!!! MY UPSET SPECIAL PAID OFF...THE DOUBLE NUT SHOT HEARD 'ROUND THE WORLD!!!

......HEYMAN TURNED ON BOTH REIGNS AND PUNK AND ROLLINS GETS THE WIN.

I may do the review on this one because I just finished watching it this morning. BUT WOW!!!!

Oh for those who care, there was that El Grande Americano/Chad Gable match vs. Rey Fenix (pinch-hitting for an injured Rey Mysterio).

And THAT was an awesome swerve.  A multi swerve.  A swerved swerve.  A swerve that Russon could only have wet dreams about.

It was really awesome.  No one expected it.

[MCWAY]

And THAT was an awesome swerve.  A multi swerve.  A swerved swerve.  A swerve that Russon could only have wet dreams about.

It was really awesome.  No one expected it.

Happy Resurrection Sunday/Easter, Lurkman 


NIGHT TWO ("WrestleMania Sunday")



WWE (Universal) Championship: "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes (c) vs John Cena - Rhodes is too vanilla for me. Now that his story is finished, so is his appeal. Fans waited two decades for the Cena heel turn. Let's hope it pays off. I'm pulling for Cena

Women's World Championship - Triple Threat Match: Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley: I don't know why Rhea was added to this. Iyo and Bianca can tear the house down, as they did in Puerto Rico two years ago. But, to continue from where I left off yesterday.......Naomi is going to interfere and HELP Bianca win the title. When Jade Cargill comes for revenge on Naomi, (UPSET SPECIAL!!! Belair TURNS HEEL and beats down Cargill.




WWE Intercontinental Championship - Fatal 4-Way: Bron Breaker (c) vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor - Time to lay what's left of Judgment Day to rest. I think Dirty Dom shanks Balor and pins him or Penta to get the gold.

WWE Women's Tag Team Championship - Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs. Lyra Valkyrie and ?. Bailey is out and whoever her replacement is, she and her partner (who I forget at the moment) may make things interesting.....Nikki Bella, perhaps?

Morgan and Rodriguez retain.

Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest - This has been brewing for a year, since Priest cashed MITB on McIntyre. It's time to build both of these guys back up. And this is just the match to do it. But, I'll go with McIntyre.

Randy Orton vs. With Kevin Owens out with a bad neck, Orton has an open slate. I haven't heard of any big names from other places, scheduled to arrive in WWE. So, maybe a mid carder gets fed to Orton.

AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul - Paul almost always puts on a show when he's in ring. He rarely wrestles but when he does, you'd think he'd been doing it for decades. I'd like AJ to win, but if this is a big feud in the making, it's better if Paul gets the nod. PLEASE LEAVE KARRION KROSS and Satanic Sable (Scarlett) out of this.

[MCWAY]

Well one streak is over.....For the first time in 5 years, The Weeknd is NOT doing the official WM theme song.

And apparently one more streak is over. Io Sky RETAINS the women's world title; so Bianca is no longer unbeaten at 'Mania.

Sin City Street Fight is next, with lots of cosplaying and costumes promoting video games. The fans are behind Drew, who has been getting tenderized with a chair early. McIntyre went for a Claymore; Priest threw a chair at his head; McIntyre hit the Claymore in Priest's shoulder, and he almost scored the pin.


Priest set up a chair wedged between the middle and top buckle but has yet to use it, much like the two tables Mcintyre set up outside the ring. But there is a table in the ring and Priest just pulled a Razor's Edge on the Scotsman into the table. Somehow, McIntyre survives.

OH SNAP!!! Priest tried Taker's old school but got shoved off the ropes and into BOTH tables. McIntyre laughs but quickly winces because of his bruised ribs. He somehow gets Priest into the ring, wedges his head near that chair between the buckles, and delivers a GRUESOME Claymore.....night, night Priest!! 1-2-3.

[MCWAY]

Well, it was a mid carder of sorts, TNA World Champion, Joe Hendree. He hits a couple of moves, including a fall-away slam. But, he cheeses a little too long, gets RKOed, and pinned.

Orton pulled him, shook his hand, and gave him kudos for showing up....only to RKO him again.

[MCWAY]

Mystery partner.....BECKY LYNCH!! And now she and Lyra Valkyra are women's tag champions!!

JUDGMENT DAY IS DONE!! Between the lost tag title and Dirty Dom winning the IC belt......by pinning Finn Balor, it's a wrap, especially with Carlito still sprawled over the floor.

[LurkerNoMore]

Thank God WWE didn't go with the spoiler I predicted.  I wonder if they actually did that online belt stunt just to drum up attention.  Like put it out there but disable to the actual Add To Shopping Cart method so you could actually buy it.

Dom is overdue for a belt, but this was sad.  I guess I am old school.  I believe that title matches should be between two men (unless a tag team).  A champ and a challenger.   What is the point of adding a third or fourth to the match?  Especially when someone can pin another man that isn't the champ and win?  If I were entering a Fatal Fourway Match as champ, I would insist one of the other competitors be George South or El Dandy. So I could pin him ASAP.  No, I think it should be two wrestlers going mano-a-mano.  One wins, one loses.  Four ways should be for determining the #1 contender.

I get they are trying to move Bronn to the world title chase, but this wasn't a great option.

[LurkerNoMore]

Ok, after a little thought, it was such a lackluster main event.  I get Cody losing because the real money is in the babyface chasing the title.  Plus having a heel champ is a great ploy for the Money In The Bank winner and such.  Also they can elevate new babyfaces.

But........    they went out of their way to protect Cody in this match.  Kicking out of multiple AA.  Playing the "honor" role about deciding not to whack Cena with the belt.  Etc.

And WTF was Travis Scott there for?  Wrestlemania.  Biggest event of the year.  And The Rock couldn't be the one to come in help Cena?

Speaking of Cena, he was weak as hell in the build up for this.  I don't mean physically, but his promos were sleep worthy for the most part.  He made a few one liners land, but he used to be able to bury talent with a single promo to the point they couldn't recover.  I mean, look at Mr Anderson after Cena hit him with that promo.

This was not a Wrestlemania event.  It was barely a step up from a regular RAW episode.   However, the Rollins, Reigns, and Punk event was top notch!

[MCWAY]

Ok, after a little thought, it was such a lackluster main event.  I get Cody losing because the real money is in the babyface chasing the title.  Plus having a heel champ is a great ploy for the Money In The Bank winner and such.  Also they can elevate new babyfaces.

But........    they went out of their way to protect Cody in this match.  Kicking out of multiple AA.  Playing the "honor" role about deciding not to whack Cena with the belt.  Etc.

And WTF was Travis Scott there for?  Wrestlemania.  Biggest event of the year.  And The Rock couldn't be the one to come in help Cena?

Speaking of Cena, he was weak as hell in the build up for this.  I don't mean physically, but his promos were sleep worthy for the most part.  He made a few one liners land, but he used to be able to bury talent with a single promo to the point they couldn't recover.  I mean, look at Mr Anderson after Cena hit him with that promo.

This was not a Wrestlemania event.  It was barely a step up from a regular RAW episode.   However, the Rollins, Reigns, and Punk event was top notch!

Sometimes it’s the order the matches that make it work or not. I still maintain that Gunther and Jey Uso should have closed the show....or night 1 at the very least. No
Chamber winner should headline Mania. Again, that kills the point of winning the Rumble. If they wanted Rhodes vs. Cena, they should have had Cena win the Rumble and Uso win the Chamber.

[MCWAY]

Thank God WWE didn't go with the spoiler I predicted.  I wonder if they actually did that online belt stunt just to drum up attention.  Like put it out there but disable to the actual Add To Shopping Cart method so you could actually buy it.

Dom is overdue for a belt, but this was sad.  I guess I am old school.  I believe that title matches should be between two men (unless a tag team).  A champ and a challenger.   What is the point of adding a third or fourth to the match?  Especially when someone can pin another man that isn't the champ and win? If I were entering a Fatal Fourway Match as champ, I would insist one of the other competitors be George South or El Dandy. So I could pin him ASAP.  No, I think it should be two wrestlers going mano-a-mano.  One wins, one loses.  Four ways should be for determining the #1 contender.

I get they are trying to move Bronn to the world title chase, but this wasn't a great option.

At the very least, make it a Fatal 4-Way ELIMINATION match; so that you have to actually beat the champ to win the belt.