Opinion

Chris King’s WWE SmackDown Live Grades & Analysis For 7/9/19

Tonight is the Go-Home SmackDown Live for Extreme Rules this Sunday. We finally find out who knocked on Aleister Black’s door? Also what matches will be added from the Blue brand for this Sunday?

Published

5 years ago

July 10, 2019

Chris King

Tonight is the Go-Home SmackDown Live for Extreme Rules this Sunday. We finally find out who knocked on Aleister Black’s door? Also what matches will be added from the Blue brand for this Sunday?

Chris’s Grades For WWE SmackDown Live:

Finn Balor vs. Shinsuke Nakamura–A
Nikki Cross vs. Carmella
Daniel Bryan vs. Otis vs. Xavier Woods Triple-threat-Match–B+
Roman Reigns vs. Dolph Ziggler–B- Would have been an A without out all the outside interference and shenanigans.

The show opens with footage from earlier today in the parking lot, where Dolph Ziggler is being interviewed by Kayla Braxton. She asked about his tag team partner from last week; Kevin Owens he says “you mean the guy that I carried on my back, just like I have carried this company for ten years”, KO pulls up and honks his horn which aggravates Ziggler. After mince words, they begin brawling and are torn apart by some of the roster. “The Best in the World” and Commissioner of SmackDown Live Shane McMahon breaks it up and kicks KO out of the building.

We’re backstage as Sarah Schrieber is interviewing McMahon about his decision to kick Owens out, he claims he’s got some intriguing ideas for the main event that was going to be Ziggler vs. Owens. We’re finally going live with the theme music playing; Corey Graves and Tom Phillips welcome us, KO immediately shuts it down and he’s got something to get off his chest! “I’ve tried to be a good company guy, but it’s gotten me nowhere”; he brought up how the McMahon Family ushered in a new era where they would listen to the WWE Universe, instead all we’ve witnessed is Shane McMahon with more control and more authority and receiving way more TV time than anyone ever wanted!

Owens has had enough and McMahon cuts off his mic as he’s screaming names that haven’t seen tv time. The WWE Universe is chanting “Kevin Owens”. This is FREAKIN Gold, KO will make a fantastic rebel against the authority! Face turn back possibly?

We roll backstage to see the Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor making his way to the ring for his match with Shinsuke Nakamura for the first-time-ever on SmackDown Live. They faced each other once on NXT before Balor made the jump to the main roster and this was a passing of the torch.

Back live as Nakamura is making his entrance. Balor is out next…This is going to be electric. Bell rings and they tie up. Nakamura eats a stiff dropkick. Balor was getting stomped in the corner as we roll to commercial. Back live as Balor speeding things up with high-octane offense. Nakamura wants the Kinshasa but it’s countered into a Slingblade. Coup de Grace… nope. “The King of Strong Styles” hits a nasty knee strike on the ring apron, followed by a Kinshasa outside…countout nope…one more Kinshasa for good measure and the 1-2-3

The Best in the World Huddle: We see McMahon, Elias and “The Scottish Psychopath” Drew McIntyre discussing what happened last night with Cedric Alexander outsmarting them. McIntyre brings out that they still won and on Sunday they will have the physical and mental advantage. Ziggler interrupts and he’s pissed about his match with Owens off, McMahon books him against Roman Reigns instead. McIntyre is not sure about this partnership.

We see a replay of Kofi Kingston and Samoa Joe’s face-to-face explosive encounter. Joe gives one of his best promos in WWE to date. He offered Kofi compassion last week and clemency to his loved ones. He vows to expose him for the lie that he truly is and take his WWE Championship.

Back live as Kayla Braxton is introducing both opponents for the SmackDown Live Women’s Championship Match, Bayley and Nikki Cross (who is representing Alexa Bliss as well). We get a recap of last night’s Beat The Clock Challenge. Bayley starts things off by once again trying to be the voice of reason to Cross, but she’s not accepting it. Cross reveals that Bliss promised her that on Sunday they will become the first-ever SmackDown Live Women’s Co-Champions. She tells Bayley to stick around for her match with Carmella.

We return from commercial with WWE’s “Twisted Sister” taking out all her frustrations and aggression on Mella. Throughout every kick and headlock, Cross stares a hole through Bayley. Mella attempts a comeback but Cross drops her with the PURGE and the 1-2-3.

The Kabuki Warriors Are Coming: We see live footage from two weeks ago in Tokyo, Japan Asuka and Kairi Sane got a massive victory over The Iconics. Backstage Peyton Royce and Billy Kay are exiting the dressing room and Paige and the Kabuki Warriors are waiting. Peyton makes up an excuse that Billy is sick so they can’t defend their Women’s Tag Team Championships tonight. Paige calls them “shriveled runaway cowards” and slaps Billy.

Back to ringside as Tom Phillips and Corey Graves congratulate The Man Becky Lynch for being on the cover of ESPN magazine alongside “Glow” star Alison Brie. Plug for Sunday’s Winners-Take-All Mixed Tag Team Championship Match on Sunday.

Sarah Schrieber interviews The Big Dog Roman Reigns. He says that “These Crazy nights have created the big fight” and it’s because of that, he’s confident that Ziggler is not ready for him. “Me and The Deadman are going to do our thang, and this Sunday those boys are going to Rest In Peace”.

It’s a New Day…Wait where’s the Intro lol technical error. Here comes Xavier Woods and Big E for the SmackDown Live Tag Team Summit. Woods has a Triple Threat Match tonight with Otis and Daniel Bryan. E says this Sunday they have a Triple Threat Tag Team Match for the SmackDown Live Championships. E claims “he thought he was involved in another type of three-way” –Rated R style. Sunday they will become your SIX-TIME Champs, The Planet’s Champions quickly interrupt;

Bryan says he’s figured it out that every time, The New Day wins the gold nobody takes them seriously. Woods cuts him off and wants to hear from Rowan…First, he was taking orders from Bray Wyatt, then it was Luke Harper, and now it’s Bryan. They need some clarification on who his daddy is, Rowan is pissed as a “Who’s your daddy” chant breaks out. Bryan is actually complimenting New Day as terrific wrestlers and having some of the best tag team title matches in WWE history. Of course, it’s quickly negated with some mince words about how if they or Heavy Machinery won the titles it would be a travesty. Here come Otis and Tucker.

Tucker says they proved themselves as worthy contenders at Stomping Grounds; they didn’t sit and mope after they lost, they went back to work. Last week Otis and Tucker earned their way into the triple-threat-match on Sunday. They respect the longest-reigning tag team champions New Day, but the sixth will have to wait. We finally get to the triple-threat-match…It was solid work from all three but, they should have been given more time to do the talking with their fists.

Bell rings with all three competitors but Bryan scurries outside so Otis and Woods can tear each other apart. Classic methodical heel work from Bryan. He tries to help Woods hit a double-suplex to Otis however, he suplexes both of them! All hell breaks loose as Rowan drills Otis with a ferocious clothesline and bulldozes through Tucker. Tucker and E drive Rowan over the announce table, but now the two powerhouses are broken up by the official. E, Tucker, and Rowan get sent to the back as we head to commercial.

Back live with a fired up Woods driving Bryan headfirst into the barricade. Back in up top, Bryan eats a missile dropkick…nope. Woods goes for The Honor Roll…countered into the Lebell Lock. Otis breaks it up. Otis executes a spinning slam to Bryan and a fisher-bone Suplex to Woods. It’s Worm Time! Woods goes for another aerial maneuver, but it gets countered into a massive Compactor for the 1-2-3

Recap from the Kevin Owens Show last week with McMahon and McIntyre; which where this boiled frustration in KO originated from when he started asking highly-personal questions and was shut down. Followed by Ziggler and him vying for another title shot where McMahon denied both of them and placed them in a tag team match against Heavy Machinery. Of course, it ended with miscommunication and an inadvertent Superkick by Ziggler. Then we get to the parking lot brawl earlier today and KO’s justified rant about The Best in the World crap!

Backstage in catering R-Truth is hiding under a table; Ember Moon is confronted by Sonya DeVille and Mandy Rose, this culminates into a tag team challenge for next week.

“The Dutch Destroyer” Aleister Black is getting wired up for THE BIG REVEAL…NEXT.

We’re back live as this interview will be conducted by Tom Phillips; his opponent wants to remain anonymous, Black “Applauds them, for doing what he would do”. He’s past the point of caring now…A man in a suit circles the chair before it’s revealed as “The Swiss Cyborg” Cesaro. The two will FIGHT Sunday!!! About Freaking Time that WWE does something interesting; with one of the most skilled and entertaining and competitive superstars, that has been under the damn noses for years now. Rant over!

Silent Shelton Benjamin: Sarah Schrieber asks Benjamin if he thinks Ziggler will finally do what it takes in his main event match, which is next…Silence and a sly grin.

Main Event is next as both “The Show-off” and “The Big Dog” make their way to the ring… commercial.

Kayla Braxton is about to interview the WWE Champion Kofi Kingston…Paul Heyman appears. Kofi says he knows Joe’s mind games and he knows how dangerous of a threat he is. Last week though; he accomplished something nobody else has and that is getting inside his head too, Kofi welcomes the massive challenge to edge his name as one of the best WWE Champs of all time…BABY!

Back live as Reigns makes a slow and confident entrance, followed by Ziggler. I give this match five minutes before McMahon and his cronies interfere. Before the bell rings The Corporation 2.0 come out. I’m starting to wonder how much of what KO unloaded on earlier was scripted…this is the fourth or fifth sighting of McMahon.

Bell rings as Ziggler tries to go for Reigns’ legs but to no avail. A shove to Reigns in the corner and a right hand all it takes is one headbutt for Ziggler to go down. The Big Dog is taking Ziggler to school, overpowering him. Ziggler goes on offense…flying clothesline…nope stiff uppercut. Drive-by on the apron…business as usual for Reigns. McIntyre and Reigns have a stare-off as Elias distracts him so Reigns can get his head slammed into the ring post. Ziggler takes advantage… two-count.

The Show-off takes over with his technical maneuvers that keep The Big Dog down…Comeback engaged, Elias on the apron and eats a Superman Punch, Ziggler hits the Zig-Zag…long two-count. McMahon is so giddy, he’s acting like a kid on Christmas morning. Sweet Chin Music…nope Ferocious Superman Punch… kick-out. Sets up for the spear, McIntyre pulls Ziggler outside. The Big Dog is going flying, Ziggler nails him with a Superkick off a distraction by McMahon. From out of nowhere KO stuns him and hightails it through the crowd. Zig-Zag…nope Night Night Ziggler HUGE Spear 1-2-3. Good match but disappointed no Taker at either show.

That’s it, folks! Extreme Rules begins this Sunday night at 7 p.m. ET on the WWE Network, with the kickoff show getting things started at 6 p.m.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Tiffany’s Takes: WWE 205 Live (7/9/19)

Don't Miss

Tiffany’s Takes: SmackDown Live (7-9-19)

Opinion

Greg DeMarco’s Top 5: The Final Opponent For John Cena In WWE

It’s obvious that John Cena is nearing the end of his legendary career, and he’s suggested ending it at WrestleMania 41. Who should be his final opponent?

Published

2 weeks ago

April 11, 2024

Greg DeMarco

John Cena Last Match Randy Orton WWE WrestleMania 41

It’s obvious that John Cena is nearing the end of his legendary career, and he’s suggested ending it at WrestleMania 41. Who should be his final opponent?

John Cena recently appeared on the Pat McAfee Show, the Monday after his surprise (but mostly expected) WrestleMania 40 appearance during Cody Rhodes’ win over Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship. During that appearance, he confirmed what many expect, that he is nearly done with his in-ring career. But Cena even tossed out the idea of a time-frame, detailing that his acting schedule will likely take him through Christmas, and maybe Hollywood could “pump the brakes” to allow for one final run.

That run could easily begin at the Royal Rumble with a surprise entrance (or entering himself via TV appearances as part of the build), with a tease for his 17th world title win before finally settling in on his final match.

Fantasy booking and storytelling aside, the goal here is the final match–more specifically the final opponent. With a John Cena, you’ve got a ton of options. As such, it’s hard to narrow it down to 5, and one of your favorites is likely missing–be warned!

Greg DeMarco’s Top 5: The Final Opponent For John Cena In WWE

Honorable Mentions:

The Miz – A feud with John Cena gave The Mix a WrestleMania 27 main event–and a WrestleMania main event victory on top of it. Miz has been receiving more love than ever lately, and a match with John Cena would not be misplaced. Maybe he can use their WrestleMania 33 contest (and Cena’s personal aftermath) as fodder for it, too.
AJ Styles – The man who once made it popular to “BEAT UP JOHN CENA” is also nearing the end of his run, and could be the one candidate on this list that could realistically give us a double-retirement match. He would also be the guy who retired both The Undertaker and John Cena (and would probably end up being the guy who lost in both).
The Rock or Cody Rhodes – Both great options, but you have to figure their dance card for WrestleMania 41 is already full, potentially standing across the ring from one another. Either is an amazing option (including “Thrice In A Lifetime”), but I just don’t think it’s in the cards.
Trick Williams – Potentially a surprising addition to the Honorable Mentions, but the comparisons are there in terms of in-ring style/ability, promo skills, and the interplay they had in NXT (remember, it was Cena who is credited with encouraging Trick to not be afraid to go for it himself despite his relationship with Carmelo Hayes).

5. CM Punk

The fifth spot on this list was nearly interchangeable between several of the honorable mention names, but it really came down to Punk and Seth Rollins for me (with a hint of AJ Styles). The 2011 feud between CM Punk and John Cena was legendary, and is a moment that will forever be seen by me as the one that truly cemented CM Punk as a member of the growing list of all-time greats in WWE.

Punk is uniquely qualified for this match as he would make it mean more than a showboat for John Cena’s career and final match. It’s entirely believable that CM Punk would want to put John Cena’s career into the ground, and WWE has the video archive to support it.

Despite being #5, this could actually be a dark-horse for the match we get, and I can’t see anyone reasonably being upset about that.

4. Roman Reigns

John Cena and Roman Reigns have had two separate legendary programs. the first saw Cena, at times, embarrass Roman in promo exchanges in a feud that took place in the “pre-Tribal Chief” era. The second is more fresh and likely more memorable, as John Cena put Roman Reigns over in a football stadium in Las Vegas at SummerSlam (although it might be more remembered for the return of Brock Lesnar).

Reigns, a legend himself at his point (he’s featured alongside Steve Austin at the top of the “Forever” portion of the Then/Now/Forever/Together video that recently debuted) would provide a pairing akin to The Undertaker serving as Shawn Michaels’ retirement opponent at WrestleMania 26 9notice I didn’t say “final opponent). The end of Roman’s 1316 day world title reign has brought about a new appreciation for Reigns, which would further enhance this pairing at WrestleMania 41.

3. Bron Breakker

Bron Breakker is the picture-perfect definition of a juggernaut in WWE, a fast rising star who almost seems like a lock to main event WrestleMania one day (you never know–Seth Rollins JUST got his first WrestleMania main event last weekend). Breakker recently said farewell NXT as the natural in-ring competitor makes a transition to full-time main roster competition.

Breakker also fits the category of who “needs it.” Bring the man to retire John Cena would be quite the feather in the cap of Breakker’s early career, and would give him a moment that would be relived for generations to come. The only question mark is WWE “trusting” Breakker with this moment, as a sudden change of character could mean that Cena’s final match wouldn’t be seen or discussed as much. Breakker, to me, has given no reason for anyone to suspect that might happen, regardless of any controversies his father and uncle have been linked to.

2. R-Truth

Despite being 5-years older than John Cena, and making his in-ring debut in the same year (1999), R-Truth’s childhood hero hanging up the boots will undoubtedly be a hard-hitting moment for the man who has basically become the WWE Mascot. Truth emulating Cena in his matches, and of course the RawAfterMania moment with Cena, Truth, and The Miz hitting a Fifteen Knuckle Shuffle (thank you, Michael Cole) on The Judgment Day makes this a near can’t miss final match for both John Cena and the WWE Universe.

R-Truth himself is equally deserving of this match, as it would be a reward for all of his years in the ring as part of a career that seems age defying while proving that age is not only a number, but also a number that can be ignored (see Child Hero, John Cena).

While a rematch of their 2011 WWE Capital Punishment main event is an unlikely WrestleMania 41 match-up, it’s one I believe everyone would love to see.

1. Randy Orton

I mean, is there anyone more perfect? John Cena and Randy were inseparably linked for a good portion of their careers, and have shared the ring more times than Big Show has turned babyface/heel. Both are far into legendary status at this point, and Orton specifically is obviously focused on enjoying this stage of his career.

But Orton is still delivering great performances inside the ring, too.

Randy Orton vs John Cena was an exciting proposition many years ago, became a punchline for WWE booking a few years ago, but is now coming full circle as the perfect match-up to end the amazing career of John Cena. It has my vote, and should have yours, too.

Even if R-Truth would be the most fun option.

What say you? Who is the best candidate to stand across the ring from John Cena in his final WWE match, potentially at WrestleMania 41? Who did I leave out?

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Greg DeMarco’s WrestleMania 40 Saturday Results & Review

It’s the Granddaddy Of ‘Em All, WrestleMania! Night 1 of WrestleMania XL and Greg DeMarco has your results and review!

Published

3 weeks ago

April 8, 2024

Greg DeMarco

It’s the Granddaddy Of ‘Em All, WrestleMania! Night 1 of WrestleMania XL and Greg DeMarco has your results and review!

It all comes down to this–at least for the first night! A loaded card in front of a packed house, and I’d expect everyone to deliver one hell of a performance.

Women’s World Championship – Becky Lynch vs. Rhea Ripley (champion)

Greg’s pre-show prediction: Rhea Ripley retains

In my opinion, this match should be the main event of Night 1, but The Rock is back and that was going to take precedence (even if I disagree). Becky won this title shot at the Elimination Chamber, even though they were already building the feud before that event in Perth. Ripley herself main evented that event in a stadium, defeating Nia Jax.

It was revealed during her entrance that this is Becky Lynch’s “Flu Game,” as she has temperatures as high as 102 degrees throughout the week.
Rhea Ripley enters to a life performance of her entrance theme, which you can tell she dug.
Prime logo is center ring, just the black outline with “Prime” in the middle, and it is not at all bothersome. I can’t believe people made such a big deal out of bitching about that.
The stage looks dope, not at all “too small” as some had said. The whole environment looks great, honestly.
Rhea Ripley has been dealing with a wrist injury. She said on the Pat McAfee Show she didn’t expect to work with the wrist brace on tonight, but there it is.
Corey Graves points out that Becky’s training was likely impacted by her illness, and Pat McAfee scoffs at him for stating the obvious. I hope that isn’t what we get all night.
Commentary notes that is is 52 degrees and windy in the stadium, and I am reminded of Nick Khan’s comments about moving an outdoor WrestleMania to late April in the future, if they don’t get an indoor building (he did say “2026” when talking about that, which likely means the 2025 venue is indeed set).
Rhea’s Prism Trap is a fell of a submission finisher. Add in the body lock the way she did, and it’s even more impressive.
I just noticed the “Prime” turnbuckle pads and it’s…weird. I just didn’t expect it and can’t think of the last time we didn’t have the WWE/WWF logo on the buckles outside of Black and Gold NXT. WrestleMania 2?
I am also noticing that Dude Wipes seems to have sponsored the ring posts. Kudos to WWE (and the wrestling industry behind them) for being so damn desirable to sponsors!
That combo to get into the Riptide was fantastic–and the kickout was even better.
During the DisarmHer you can clearly see the commentary position, and Michael Cole is legit reclined all the way back. Love it–Cole is living his best life.
Rhea’s Riptide into the buckle before the proper Riptide was pretty sweet as well. Made Becky look insanely strong in defeat.

Winner via pinfall AND STILL your Women’s World Champion: Rhea Ripley

Hell of an opener, and if you didn’t know Becky was sick, you wouldn’t have known. Props to them both. That would have satisfied as a main event, but can now go down as one of the best openers in WrestleMania history.

Ladder Match for the Raw Tag Team Championships and Smackdown Tag Team Championships – DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano) vs. Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth) vs. New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate) vs. A Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) vs. The New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston) vs. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damian Priest, Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)

Greg’s pre-show prediction: Awesome Truth (Raw titles) and A-Town Down Under (SmackDown)

As many expected, the belts are hanging separately, meaning we are most likely splitting the tag titles here. Triple H and company have put some serious work into building up the tag team divisions of both brands, and even though I expect the two winners to not be actual “teams,” but either way I actually like the way they didn’t make a big deal out of splitting the titles up, they’re just doing it. They have been defended separately since being unified, albeit rarely.

R-Truth makes a joke about DIY being DX and that’s now taken off. I love it.
The Miz is very under appreciated. Can literally do anything.
Someone is struggling with the “Titan Tron” videos tonight.
Not gonna lie, I am the biggest Pat McAfee fan, but he’s actually quite annoying right now.
Sign of the night: SANTA DESERVED IT.
Lots of green in this match, half of the teams wearing their “WrestleMania Green” gear.
Also, loving the Consequences Creed gear for Woods.
God Bless Finn Balor for taking that Airplane Spin into the ladder.
205 combined years of experience in this match. That’s an average of 17 years (Waller has the least with 7, Balor and Miz are tied for the most with 23).
“Dunne Mountain?!?!” Thank you Michael Cole for fixing that.
HOT TAG TO R-TRUTH!
Poor Finn Balor, not he takes the AA to the ladder after John Cena’s Five Moves Of Doom
R-TRUTH WITH THE PIN!
Hilarious.
A-Town Down Under gets the SmackDown tag titles!
And Grayson gets tossed through a ladder, still holding a title!
The match does continue until the Raw tag titles are also retrieved.
If Theory also got the Raw tag titles down, I will laugh my ass off.
Birminghammer is a fantastic name for a tandem (somewhat) Burning Hammer.
Tornado DDT through a table!
Air Raid Crash from the ladder!
And we still have more tables set-up.
JD McDonagh trying to get Finn–who has taken a beating–to get the Raw tag titles.
McDonagh through the tables!
PERFECTLY placed Razor’s Edge onto that chair.
Dude, that ladder is trashed. (And very unsafe.)
AA sends Damian outside!
I think everyone wants R-Truth to get this. EVERYONE.
YES!

Winners via belt retrieval, AND NEW:

SmackDown Tag Team Champions – Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
Raw Tag Team Champions – R-Truth & The Miz

Really good Ladder Match, but it’s hard to have a bad one. The tag team titles are split and it was really well done. It made perfect sense to do it that way, not make a big deal out of it and just let it happen. I am excited to see both teams win–not because I picked both, but because I think one team (Waller/Theory) have amazing futures and the other (Miz/Truth) will be a lot of fun, even if their run will probably be short lived.

Santos Escobar (with Legado Del Fantasma members Angel, Humberto, & Elektra Lopez) & Dominik Mysterio vs. Rey Mysterio & Andrade (with The LWO members Carlito, Joaquin Wilde, Cruz Del Toro, & Zelina Vega

Greg’s pre-show prediction: Dominik and Santos win, giving Dominik “revenge” for his loss at WrestleMania 39.

Look, this match doesn’t make a lick of sense–Dominik shows up two weeks ago and finds his way into another WrestleMania match with Rey? Definitely shoehorned. But Dominik is outstanding, so if this gets him on the card, I’ll take it.

More green in this match, and I am here for it.
Innovative Double Cross Body by Rey & Andrade.
Dominik showing experience beyond his years, making sure the ref sees his tag with Santos.
At this moment, I am wondering who turns–Carlito or Andrade. Gotta assume it’s one of them.
Three matches in and I don’t even notice the Primo logo in the center of the ring or on the turnbuckle pads.
Santos Escobar trying to unmask Rey Mysterio, as if we don’t all have Google.
Corey Graves making a great point about Rey taking some responsibility for the issues in his life, and Michael Cole immediately dismissing it.
It’s so hard to do a really good Dragon Screw Leg Whip, and Andrade (along with Dominik and Santos) just pulled off two to perfection.
Camera shot of Rey’s cross body shows the heaters above the ring. Good–keep ’em warm!
This could have easily been an 8-man tag team match. Maybe we get that Monday on Raw (which can also be where the turn happens, making my prediction here likely wrong).
Joaquin Wilde gets to do his NXT spot at WrestleMania, and that’s probably more important than officially being in the match.
Two masked men–definitely the Kelce Brothers–are here.
My bad, it was Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson. Good call, honestly. Great pop for them, too.
Looking at the reply, Dominik sold that ringpost spot like a champ.

Winners via pinfall (Rey on Santos): Rey Mysterio & Andrade

Fun tag team match that served its purpose. Needed? Maybe not, as I really wanted to get Liv Morgan vs. Nia Jax onto this card. But when you can get Rey & Dominik on the card, everyone will be happy. and of course the Jason Kelce & Lane Johnson appearances.

Brother vs Brother: Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso

Greg’s pre-show prediction: Jimmy Uso follows in the footsteps of Owen Hart and Matt Hardy and beats the “more talented brother.”

They’ve wanted this match all their lives–and the preview video was insane. Very well done.

Jey in the WrestleMania whites tonight.
And we get a hot start to the match!
“Big Brother Jimmy” is always a fun thing to hear.
More Dude Wipes sponsorship on this one–you have to wonder if having Dude Wipes on the posts for the opener was in error.
Superkicks. Lots of Superkicks.
Very enjoyable YEET/NO chants from the crowd.
Jey just kicking the hell out of Jimmy, including a Jumping Super Kick.
This has “Fight Without Honor” feels from old school ROH, where the winners have respect after. We will definitely see these guys together again.
Jimmy apologizing to Jey. Crowd is not buying it.
Of course it was BS, and Jimmy gains the advantage.
SPEAR. USO SPLASH. DONE.

Winner, via pinfall: Jey Uso

Jey breaks the babyface curse by beating his heel brother. Thought we might get an embrace between them, instead we faded out. A good match that was more about the story than the in-ring action. I can see some feeling like this hasn’t “lived up to expectations” because of the high expectations you’d have for an Usos match. Their best work will always be as a team, but I know this is a lifelong dream come true for both.

As for all the Superkicks, I mean….it’s an Usos match.

Six-Woman Tag Team Match – Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, & Kairi Sane) vs. Naomi, Bianca Belair, & Jade Cargill

Greg’s pre-show prediction: Bianca, Naomi, & Jade win when Jade scores the pin (probably on Kairi, who always seems to eat the fall)

This match is all about getting Bianca Belair on the card (she had to be), and Jade Cargill’s debut. It also got Damage CTRL on the card, which they truly deserve–even if it is to lose.

Respectfully, Dakota Kai. (Good thing the ring and surrounding area is heated)
Not gonna lie, Jade looks nervous. But this is a six-woman tag, and her portion is likely highly choreographed. Gonna be all good.
As I watch and enjoy the match (but am not typing much lol), this seems like a match where we’re all just waiting for Jade to come in and win.
No one has told Jade about the tag ropes yet, apparently.
And now Jade is in, and Damage CTRL makes her look like a million bucks.
Dakota Kai nicely gets herself into position for the finish, and Jade gets her WrestleMania win.

Winners via pinfall (Jade on Dakota): Jade Cargill, Naomi, & Bianca Belair

We knew what this one was about going into it, and that’s what it should have been. Jade still ain’t ready. I know it might be an “ego hit” for her to go to NXT, but she needs it. If Giulia can go to NXT, so can Jade.

Intercontinental Championship – Sami Zayn vs. GUNTHER (champion)

Greg’s pre-show prediction: Sami Zayn pulls off the major upset and is the one to dethrone Gunther

Gunther has had a stranglehold on the Intercontinental Championship, defending it like crazy in 2023 but slowing that down here in 2024. It’s not fair to say he’s outgrown the title, but that might actually be the case. It’ll be really interesting to see what happens with Imperium leading up to the draft, and at the WWE Draft itself.

Sami Zayn was the perfect wrestler to have their journey form backstage to the ring followed by the cameras. From his family to Chad Gable to Kevin Owens, it was all so perfect–maybe too perfect? (Not in that someone will screw him, but in that it might be too heavily foreshadowing his win?)
Gunther looked oddly nervous standing on that stage.
You know, the Intercontinental Championship is basically a third world title at this point. And we could see the end of a legendary reign. I think this deserved the Samantha Irvin In-Ring Introductions (aka “Japan Style”) treatment.
Gunther is smiling confidently now, we’re good.
Crowd is ON FIRE for these guys (and evenly split with their chants for each guy).
This is the 21st time the Intercontinental championship is defended at WrestleMania, and it makes you wonder what in the hell they were thinking for the other 11.
Looks like Dude Wipes is back on the ringpost!
Hell of a nearfall, followed up by a Helluva Kick from Gunthcr, and one from Sami!
That finish….AMAZING.

Winner via pinfall, AND NEW Intercontinental Champion: Sami Zayn

The athletes… the moments… the storytelling… professional wrestling is such a beautiful business. Sami Zayn’s win over Gunther was everything I had hoped it would be when I picked Sami to win. Absolutely beautiful.

Cody Rhodes & World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. The Rock & Undisputed WWE Champion Roman Reigns

Greg’s pre-show prediction: Seth & Cody get the win after tons of interference and surprise appearances, making Roman vs Cody on Sunday a match where The Bloodline is banned from ringside.

So much involved in this one. As you know, If Rock & Roman win, Sunday’s WWE Championship match will be held under Bloodline Roles. If Seth & Cody win, then that mach will see ZERO Bloodline involvement. Personally, if Cody is winning the title, I’d rather it be straight up. But I wouldn’t be at all surprised if I am wrong.

Honestly, after the introductions, I realized I was just watching!
This was very much Steve Austin vs The Rock inspired, with them fighting all over the stadium, and pushing the envelope.
I loved The Rock basically neutering the referee–normally I hate that, but here it works.
That finish and the condition of Rollins both lay perfectly into night 2, I would imagine.

Winners via Rock pinfall on Rhodes: The Rock & Roman Reigns

Per rule, Sunday’s main event will now be Bloodline Rules. And given that, my prediction of Roman retaining might be harder to pull off. This was a good return for The Rock, and perfectly played into the whole story. Job well done.

Greg DeMarco’s Overall Thoughts for WWE WrestleMania XL, Saturday (Night 1)

in a vacuum, this was highly enjoyable show. Night 2 might end up being legendary if both Bayley and Rhodes win, and it could overshadow Night 1. But the scene was fantastic, production was top notch as always, and the fans went home having enjoyed one for the ages. The Triple H Era s well underway, and will likely kick into a higher gear with Night 2.

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!