Opinion

Tiffany’s Take: Why Just Turning Wrestlers Heel Doesn’t Work

Turning heel doesn’t always work. Tiffany takes a look at some times it did, and other times where it hasn’t.

Published

4 years ago

July 12, 2020

TiffanyMC

Turning heel doesn’t always work. Tiffany takes a look at some times it did, and other times where it hasn’t.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve found myself diving into the archives of the WWE Network and watching shows from the Territory days, back when faces were faces, heels were heels, kayfabe was alive and well, and the marks were in the majority. One thing I noticed was that when a top babyface turned heel or vice versa, it was usually for a reason and something usually came out of it, if not a title reign, then a run at the title. It was also used to refresh a character that seemed to be going nowhere. There was USU+ALLY a purpose and plan behind those changes…usually being the operative word.

Has that changed since those golden days?

Well, yeah.

Nowadays, any time a wrestler is perceived as getting stale, or just doesn’t seem to be doing anything, the IWC wants them to turn heel because heels get the best promos, and seem to be cooler, but I would argue that unless whoever is booking/writing has a definite plan for how they want things to go, and is willing to stick to it, turning a wrestler heel is basically pointless and the same can be said for turning a heel face.

Let’s look at some heel turns that worked and some that didn’t.

Hulk Hogan

Why It Was Needed: By 1996, Hogan’s uber-good guy gimmick had pretty much run its course and his sports-entertainment style of performing was not working in WCW, which still retained its NWA/Southern-style wrestling way of performing. Plus, WCW was Ric Flair’s yard, and even though Hogan did win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, he was not the beloved Face That Runs The Place that he’d been in WWF.

Did It Work?: I would say it did. Hogan was in DESPERATE need of a new gimmick and embracing the dark side, after teasing it in 95, probably saved his career. It allowed the fans, who had gotten tired of Hogan’s gimmick, to openly boo him. In 1999, he would return to being the red and yellow babyface, and the fans loved it.

The Rock

Why It Was Needed: To put it bluntly, the Rocky Maivia gimmick had fallen as flat as cheap champagne. In 1996, wrestling fans had seen Hulk Hogan turn heel, and wrestling was starting to get edgier, even if we weren’t fully into the Attitude Era just yet, so an 80s throwback was not going to work with 90s wrestling fans.

Did It Work?: Well, saying yes, would be a HUGE understatement. Rock’s career was made by ditching Rocky Maivia and becoming The Rock and the fans loved it because he could talk trash with the best of them and was more entertaining as a heel. Of course, Rock would turn face after about a year, but he was more of a tweener and his status with the fans meant that the fans still embraced him.

Stone Cold Steve Austin

Why It Was Needed: In my opinion, this wasn’t needed. Even after losing a year of his career to health problems, Austin was every bit as over as he’d been in 1999. I can see the argument that the Austin vs McMahon feud had run its course, but it seemed to be done more for shock value than a genuine plan.

Did It Work?: No. The fans didn’t want to boo Stone Cold Steve Austin, and even when he formed the Two Man Power Trip with Triple H, and it got over, the fans never really embraced it, even when Austin seemed to have been driven insane by his need to keep the WWF Championship.

Sammy Guevara

Why It Was Needed: It’s hard to say. I wasn’t familiar with Guevara before AEW, but the promos he cut about being tired of hearing how full of potential he was, made him seem like the best kind of heel: A heel with an ax to grind. He was hungry and eager to prove himself and Cody being condescending, even if he didn’t mean to be, and getting the win, only seemed to fuel him.

Did It Work?: I would say so. Before audio of him saying some really appalling things about Sasha Banks, Guevara was easily one of the most entertaining parts of Inner Circle, and he and Jericho were a great tag team.

Dean Ambrose

Why It Was Needed: Dean Ambrose had returned from a nearly nine month absence due to a torn triceps injury that lead to a bout with MRSA that nearly killed him with a new look and a more hard-nosed attitude, which caused clashes with Rollins and Reigns, who wanted their goofy Lunatic Fringe back. Plus, it could be argued that the funny, goofy Dean Ambrose had run its course.

Did It Work?: No, for several reasons. 1. Fans still loved Ambrose and had cheered the new attitude he’d come back with in July 2018. 2. The timing of the turn was TERRIBLE, Roman Reigns had just announced that he was taking a leave of absence due to a recurrence of the leukemia he’d fought in his twenties. Fans didn’t want to see the Shield completely shatter, but the higher ups in WWE decided to go ahead with it anyway. 3. No one seemed to have figured out how to do this turn right. Instead of Ambrose just being a badass, he was turned into a fussy germaphobe that got a shot in his ass on national TV and wore a gas mask to the ring.

Seth Rollins

Why It Was Needed: I can’t say that the turn was NEEDED, but it was clear that someone had decided that it was better to end the Shield right after their huge win over Evolution rather than let them risk going stale and left the fans wanting to see the Shield reunite.

His most recent heel turn was needed because the face run had gotten stale, and being a heel seems to suit Rollins more.

Did It Work?: Yes, in both cases. Seth Rollins was easily the most hated heel during both his heel runs. In 2014/15 and 2016, seeing the former rebel turn sell-out fighting against his rebellious former friend, made for great TV.

In his current run, Rollins has been able to show how much he’s grown as a character and embracing the fans’ dislike of him due to his opinions and almost constant push.

Shawn Spears

Why It Was Needed: After being a middle/low card character best known for being able to count to ten, Spears really needed a new gimmick to make people forget about the Perfect 10 and get to show his real in-ring abilities.

Did It Work?: Yes and no. Yes, Spears got a LOT of heat for attacking Cody, who had brought him in, though it could be said that Cody referring to Spears as a ‘good hand’, which is the wrestling equivalent of saying ‘he’s got a great personality’, was a good catalyst for turning a new leaf. However, Spears hasn’t been interesting enough, even with the legendary Tully Blanchard as his manager, to really go far with it.

Johnny Gargano and Candice LeRae

Why It Was Needed: I can’t say Gargano’s turn was needed, but LeRae had been suffering of a lack of direction, basically being relegated to the Big Sister of the NXT Women’s Division, while finding herself abandoned when she needed help.

Did It Work?: These two are an example of a heel turn not accomplishing much. After an initial hot moment, Gargano and LeRae are basically still where they were when they were both faces: Mid-Card and nowhere near the title picture. LeRae has managed to keep some of her heat, but it’s clear that there really are no plans to really use the turn to put her in line for a title shot.

Dakota Kai

Why It was Needed: Kai may have been a fan favorite, but she’s an immensely talented performer in a promotion full of them and she definitely could’ve used a fresher gimmick after being gone for so long and a run at the title.

Did It Work?: Much like LeRae, this heel run hasn’t done a lot for Kai. She’s got more heat, and is helping get Raquel Gonzalez over, but she’s basically still where she was as a babyface, which is very disappointing.

Britt Baker

Why It Was Needed: While Baker was great as a babyface, the gimmick didn’t seem to suit her, especially after the LIT promo she cut on Bea Priestley after a botch by Priestley caused a concussion and complications that nearly cost Baker her wrestling and dental careers and seeing her get more and more annoyed at others getting title shots instead of her was fun.

Did It Work?: I would definitely say so. Baker has embraced being a heel and is clearly having a blast doing it. Even a leg injury hasn’t kept her from wreaking havoc on TV. Her feud with Big Swole, that was sidelined due to the Coronavirus outbreak, is a highlight of Dynamite.

Shawn Michaels (Rockers)

Why It Was Needed: It had been clear for awhile that HBK was the breakout star of the Rockers and it was time for him to go off on his own since it had become clear that WWF had no intention of putting the WWF Tag Team Championship Belts on the Rockers in a way that counted.

Did It Work?: Well, HBK is a two-time Hall of Famer, a multi-time champion, Mr. WrestleMania, and an inspiration to generations of fans, so…yeah, you could say that it worked.

Becky Lynch

Why It Was Needed: Despite easily being the most over babyface in the SmackDown Women’s Division, Lynch just couldn’t seem to get to the next level, mostly because WWE didn’t really seem to want to do anything with her over Charlotte Flair.

Did It Work?: Honestly, this is a tough one to call. Lynch turning on Charlotte Flair at SummerSlam 2018 actually made her even MORE popular than she had been before. So, in terms of a successful heel turn, the answer is ‘no’, in my opinion. However, in terms of reviving her career and making her into a STAR, the answer is a DEFINITE ‘yes’ as she was the face of WWE before taking time off to have her baby.

Bayley

Why It Was Needed: Bayley was always really popular in NXT, where her kid-friendly gimmick was a huge hit, but it had fallen flat on the main roster where tweeners/heels like Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss were more popular.

Did It Work?: Oh yeah. It can’t be argued that heel!Bayley is WAY more interesting to watch than face!Bayley was, add in heel!Sasha Banks and you have the most entertaining pair on SmackDown right now.

Sasha Banks

Why It Was Needed: Even though Sasha is over no matter what she does, she seemed to struggle as a babyface before going back to being a heel, which she always excelled at.

Did It Work?: Hell yeah. Banks came back from her sabbatical last year, fully embracing her true form as a heel and getting Bayley to turn heel too has made them the highlight of Smackdown.

Alexa Bliss

Why It Was Needed: In NXT, Alexa Bliss’ face character, sparkly, cute, fairy-ish, wasn’t getting her anywhere. She was in the mid-card and losing to any one of the Horsewomen.

Did It Work?: Bliss is definitely an example of someone really finding their stride as a heel character. As the vicious Goddess of WWE, she won both the SmackDown and RAW Women’s Titles multiple times and helped get Nia Jax and Ronda Rousey over as babyfaces. However, her more tweener run with Nikki Cross has been very entertaining.

These aren’t the only ones, of course, there have been TONS of turns over the years, many of them just by Big Show, but the one factor all the successful ones had, as I stated before, there was a plan in place for how it was going to go and the person doing the turning got something out of it. Just turning someone to refresh a stale gimmick isn’t enough, there needs to be a reason and there has to be a plan. This isn’t a strictly WWE thing, AEW has had some turns that really didn’t work out. The person turning also needs to FEEL it. If a wrestler is having fun being a heel, the audience will come around if they weren’t into it at first.

It can also be said that the same holds true for turning a heel face: there needs to be a plan in place or the fans will get bored of it and you’ll be right back where you started. Also, the wrestler needs to feel it or the fans won’t buy it. Just turning isn’t enough, for the wrestler or the fan.

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

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!