Opinion

Chris’s Grades & Analysis For WWE 205 Live 7/23/19

After weeks of humiliation from his wife and consecutive losses,Mike Kanellis reached his boiling point after obliterating his opponent.

Published

5 years ago

July 26, 2019

Chris King

After weeks of humiliation from his wife and consecutive losses,Mike Kanellis reached his boiling point after obliterating his opponent. Mike disrespected the General Manager of 205 Live Drake Maverick and said he wanted to kick his ass the GM had heard enough and brought the fight to his disgruntled employee. Maverick later accepted Mike's challenge via social media. Will the two men come to blows again tonight?

After weeks of humiliation from his wife and consecutive losses,Mike Kanellis reached his boiling point after obliterating his opponent.

Mike disrespected the General Manager of 205 Live Drake Maverick and said he wanted to kick his ass the GM had heard enough and brought the fight to his disgruntled employee.

Maverick later accepted Mike’s challenge via social media. Will the two men come to blows again tonight?

Chris’s Grades:

Backstage Promo From Drake Maverick:

Drake has kept his cool long enough and last week when Mike bad-mouthed his wife, he exploded in rage. I am loving this storyline as Drake “the man” is appearing for the first time on 205 Live, but I’m not sure if this is going to help Mike Kanellis at all. After weeks of humiliation from his pregnant wife and losing consecutively, this all feels like another loss for him.

If Mike’s new character is a running joke each passing week, why the hell did he stay in WWE? Seriously though, what’s the big pay-off for this developing and hard to watch storyline?

Grade–B+

Lucha House Party (Kalisto and Gran Metalik) VS Humberto Carrillo and Raul Mendoza:

WHAT A MATCH!!! Seriously all four Lucha Libre superstars tore the house down, from counters and unique sequences and high-flying action. This was everything and more 205 Live has to offer, the veterans looked to shut down the young and up-and-coming newcomers with old-school wrestling tactics. However, it was the new blood that came up with an impressive victory tonight! I can’t wait to see the rematch down the road.

Grade–A+

Bollywood Boyz Backstage Promo:

After back-to-back weeks of getting outsmarted by The Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa, the Singhs feel disrespected. Especially after Tozawa’s win last week and taking their Boscar award. They will now do battle next week in a tag team match. I want to make one more mention here, Samir and Sunil are incredible heels that get under your skin. It makes you want to knock them out, that’s how you know their characters are working. No longer just lackeys for The Modern Day Maharaja Jinder Mahal!.

Grade–B

Oney Lorcan VS Tony Isner:

Lorcan is fun to watch with his speed and agility always coming into play. This was nothing more than a display of how dominating the crazed Lorcan can be. A mere stop in the road until he gets into the cruiserweight championship title scene.

Winner: Oney Lorcan, Grade–B

Drew Gulak’s Threatening Promo:

A vindictive and vicious Cruiserweight Champion in a dark room delivered another stellar bone-chilling promo. This is the Drew Gulak that we should have gotten all along, like a shark smelling blood anxiously waiting for a challenger and his next victim. Gulak will remain on top of the division, and he doesn’t care who he must obliterate to stay WWE Cruiserweight Champion!

Grade–A

Drew Gulak VS Isiah “Swerve” Scott:

This was a hard-fought battle between the student and the prideful and arrogant teacher. Drew Gulak continues to evolve into a raging beast who is capable of almost anything to hurt his opponents. The champion was perfect in methodically targeting Swerve’s injured hand to ensure the victory.

The young up-and-coming star was out to prove to his mentor, that he’s grown significantly in the squared circle. He did that and much more showing off his speed and agility and keeping Gulak on his toes and all times. There was a dozen of near-falls and great unique counters that brought the WWE Universe to their feet. If Swerve was a little more experienced, his “Swerve” (pun intended) aka confidence would be perfect to go up against the NXT Champion Adam Cole!

Winner: Drew Gulak, Grade–A

Chris’s Show Grade–A

Analysis:

The show opens up with a recap of Mike Kanellis weeks of frustrations and the physical altercation between Drake Maverick and himself last week.

Backstage promo from General Manager of 205 Live Drake Maverick. A remorseful Drake says he crossed the line last week but as a man, he felt justified. Drake announces that Mike’s not here tonight, but he’s going to get his title shot and the opportunity to “kick his ass!” Drake then drops a bombshell that next week it will Drake Maverick vs. Mike Kanellis in an Unsanctioned Match!!

We go live as Vic Joseph and Aiden English welcome us to Miami, FL, and announce tonight’s episode is competition night with NXT superstars crossing over! Starting the night off right high-flying action that makes the cruiserweight division must see! Lucha House Party (Kalisto and Gran Metalik) vs. Humberto Carrillo and NXT’s Raul Mendoza.

The bell rings and Kalisto and Raul start things off. They tie-up and Raul applies a wristlock, Kalisto escapes with a cartwheel into his own to reverse the pressure. Raul locks in a headlock, Kalisto scoops him and tilt-o-whirls out and escapes again! Lucha Libre at its finest ladies and gentlemen! Both competitors are tearing it up and the WWE Universe is on fire! Tag here comes Metalik and Carrillo to show the crowd what they can bring to the table, they both enter with handsprings!

Tie-up and Carillo gains some offense but Metalik reverses…back to Carillo headlock, off the ropes and backflips and Metalik does the same. The competitors shake hands…nope Metalik kicks him and scoops Carillo down. Quick tags by The Lucha House Party to cut off the ring as they school the newcomers. One highlight of the match is when Kalisto tags in Metalik and he uses his back for Metalik to land a missile dropkick! Raul is back in now, firing on all cylinders… clothesline into a dropkick. Irish Whip into the corner and Raul slides through the middle rope, and walking the ropes to hit a dropkick! Raul hits a ferocious enzugiri for a near-fall!

The finish comes with Carillo and Metalik fighting in the corner, Raul hits another enzugiri on Kalisto and wipes him out with a corkscrew splash outside. Metalik climbs up and lands a backflip into knees… Carillo up now and lands his jaw-dropping twisting corkscrew splash for the 1-2-3!

We head backstage where The Bollywood Boyz are talking about The Brian Kendrick and Akira Tozawa parading through Miami with “their” Boscar award. They say “For weeks Kendrick and Tozawa we’ve been playing your games, but next week we play ours!” Next week it will be Kendrick and Tozawa vs. The Singh Brothers in a tag team match.

We get a stellar video of another crossover superstar from NXT Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. They show highlights of his matches in NXT while proclaiming that Swerve means confidence!

We get a recap of Chad Gable/Jack Gallagher II from last week, if you haven’t watched it yet, stop reading and go check it out! Seriously GO WATCH IT! Jack Gallagher sent out a tweet following their outstanding match claiming “The Best of Jack Gallagher is still yet to come!”

The aim of performing at the highest level is not to be good just once, but to build upon each experience. As positive as the response to my contest against Mr Gable was, I assure you, the best of Jack Gallagher, and @WWE205Live, is still yet to come.
👑🐝🇬🇧#205Live pic.twitter.com/laaX835C9w

— Gentleman Jack Gallagher (@GentlemanJackG) July 23, 2019

I want the trilogy and so does the WWE Universe, perhaps a Two-out-of-Three Falls Match? Make it happen HHH!

Here comes The Fury of 205 Live Oney Lorcan and his opponent Tony Isner is already in the ring. The bell rings as Isner lands some right hands right of the gate, but it’s short-lived as Lorcan takes over with some nasty-looking chops. Lorcan with a hard whip into the corner, followed by three running uppercuts!. Crazed look by Lorcan signals the end as he hits the Half-and-half for the 1-2-3!

Ahead of tonight’s main event, the Cruiserweight Champion Drew Gulak gave another threatening promo. Claiming he sent out a challenge to anyone on the roster last week, and since nobody answered he’s facing someone from NXT. Many may have forgotten that Gulak trained Swerve and taught him the ropes, but that’s not the Drew Gulak he’ll be facing tonight!

Next week Mike Kanellis will face Drake Maverick in an Unsanctioned Match if Mike wins he will earn himself a title shot at the WWE Cruiserweight Championship!

Here comes Isiah “Swerve” Scott, followed by the champ. The bell rings and Gulak blasts Swerve with a missile dropkick right into the corner, snapmare takedown into a headlock. Swerve escapes into a wristlock and Gulak headscissors out. A slap from the ruthless champion and a stalemate. They interlock with both men jockeying for position, and Gulak throws him into the ropes to the outside. After consecutive sequences of waistlocks and wristlocks and flipping escapes Swerve blasts the veteran with a dropkick and send Gulak outside.

Gulak back in now and he shoves Swerve back to assert his dominance and tosses Swerve outside but he handsprings through. Gulak slides in…Swerve appears to escape but cartwheels into a splash! Swerve on offense and drives Gulak into the corner, breaks at the five-count. Swerve with a takedown and joint manipulation pulling the fingers back. Gulak waistlocks back to his feet, Swerve escapes… nope Gulak pulls him back, back elbow and a devastating right hand Two! The young up-and-coming superstar is taking it to his former mentor with only one hand now as he blasts the champ with knife edge chops in the corner. A “Let’s Go Swerve” chant breaks out!

Swerve lands some stiff kicks to the body of Gulak, but the champ goes right after the injured hand to and punches Swerve outside. Gulak drives him into the barricade stomach-first, takes him to the announce table and lands a thunderous slap to the chest before driving him onto the hard apron. The ruthless champion is done playing around, as he lifts Swerve up into a Crucifix Bomb into the ring post! Rolls him back in two-count. Gulak locks in a single leg submission all-the-while stomping his boot on Swerve’s head. Gulak Irish Whip into the corner reversed but Swerve can’t capitalize and gets blasted with an elbow. Gulak climbs out and turns Swerve inside out with a ferocious top-rope flying lariat, Two!

The WWE Universe is rallying Swerve back to his feet, Gulak with hard strikes now sends him to the corner. The champ lifts him up again for the crucifix bomb, but Swerve flips out…jawbreaker Gulak is in the corner and eats an elbow, following by a middle-rope spinning uppercut Two! Gulak goes up top and Swerve steiners him crashing to the mat. The fan-favorite is feeling it now, Swerve runs and delivers a killshot calf kick, another near-fall! The second week in a row the WWE Universe is chanting “THIS IS AWESOME!” Gulak back to the injured hand and locks in the Dragon Sleeper, Swerve gets his foot under the rope for a break.

Both competitors are up, Gulak goes up and over the ropes…Swerve with a right hand followed by a shortkick through the ropes. Swerve to the apron, Double-Stomp to his former mentor. Climbs up to the top and lands THUNDEROUS DOUBLE-STOMP, another near-fall! Both competitors back up, Gulak with a strike to the chest…off the ropes and catches Swerve in mid-air for a roll-up, 1-2-nope!

Gulak runs right into a tilt-o-whirl slam into an armbar. Swerve can’t use the right hand to clinch it in, Gulak now with joint manipulation on the injured hand. Swerve with slaps to the face, the vindictive champion fires back with some of his own…High Angle Suplex and then the Cyclone Crash Neckbreaker for the 1-2-3!

That’s the show folks!

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

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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

7 days 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

1 week 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!