Opinion

AJ’s WrestleMania 38 Sunday Results & Review

It’s WrestleMania Sunday, and AJ Balaz continues his diligent duties with another special Results & Review!

Published

2 years ago

April 4, 2022

Adam Balaz

WWE WrestleMania 38 Roman Reigns Double Champ

It’s WrestleMania Sunday, and AJ Balaz continues his diligent duties with another special Results & Review!

Alright. The first day was full of fun and a bunch of surprises but we still have some big matches going on with Edge and Styles, McAfee showing if he can beat Austin Theory and of course the massive Main Event, Winner Take All. Reigns and Lesnar for one more WrestleMania Main event.

Results:

The Street Profits vs Alpha Academy vs RK-Bro(c) for the RAW Tag Team Championship: RK-Bro wins via RKO – *** TITLE DEFENSE!!

Omos vs Bobby Lashley – Lashley wins via Spear: ** ¾

Anything Goes: Sami Zayn vs Johnny Knoxville: Johnny Knoxville wins via Literal Mouse Trap Cover – **** (It was fun. It was stupid. Don’t you judge me. That’s Andrew’s job)

Rhea & Liv vs Naomi & Sasha vs Shayna & Natalya vs Zelina & Carmella (c) for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Naomi & Sasha Banks win via Codebreaker/Facebuster Combo – ** ¾ –TITLE CHANGE!!!!

Edge vs AJ Styles: Edge wins via Spear – *** ¾

Sheamus & Ridge Holland (w/ Butch) vs The New Day: Ridge wins via Northern Grit – *

Pat McAfee vs Austin Theory: Pat McAfee wins via School Boy Roll Up – *** ¼

Pat McAfee vs Vince McMahon: Vince wins via Onside Kick – N/A (Entertaining but N/A)

Winner Take All: Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar for the Unified World Championship: Reigns wins via Spear – *** ¾ TITLES UNIFIED!!!!!!

Review:

We start the show off, not with a match but the Game, The King of Kings showing up to give a Thank You to all of the fans and welcoming everyone to WrestleMania leaving the boots in the ring before our first match comes to happen.

The Street Profits vs Alpha Academy vs RK-Bro-

Riddle, Ford and Gable are the three to start and beat Gable out of the ring and all hell breaks loose as everyone each other out of the ring and we get Gable and Ford as the last two and Ford takes out everyone with a Tope over the corner and Gable takes the pile down with a Moonsault to the outside. Alpha Academy gets the tag in and takes out Riddle with Otis the legal man now and continues the assault on Riddle. The Academy goes to take care of business on Riddle until Ford comes in and becomes Gable’s target until Ford gets the tag into Angelo Dawkins and gets the hot tag in until Otis tags himself in and breaks a tag from Dawkins and Riddle claws to reach Randy and finally does.

Randy comes in at the right time, taking it to Montez Ford to the outside, Back Suplexing Ford and one for Gable as well as he comes back into the ring and both Riddle and Orton hit Hangman DDT’s. As RK Bro coil up, Alpha Academy pull the champs out of the ring and take out The Street Profits to take them apart with the Steiner Bulldog to the Profits and after more fighting, The Profits hit a Electric Chair/ Blockbuster and almost puts it away before Riddle hits an RKO to Montez Ford to stop his victory and Randy RKO’s Gable to get the victory.

Aftermath: The Profits come in, hand a Red Cup to RK-Bro and invite Gable Steveson to the ring for a solo cup and Chad Gable slaps it out of his hand, does his stupid shuuuuuush before getting some Gable on Gable violence.

Omos vs Bobby Lashley-

Lashley tries for a kick and Omos blocks it and hits some clubbing forearms to knock him down and Lashley tries to come back but gets dominated over and over again, even attempting to try to overpower Omos but failing. The only way Lashley gets the better of Omos is to step out of the way and get some strength in but each time he gets the edge, Omos gets the stength and stops Lashley’s attempts. Even as Lashley gets beaten down each time, he comes back with something up his sleeve and even gets a suplex on Omos. He spears the giant in the back to take him down again and delivers another to finish it off and take down the giant with one more Spear.

Johnny Knoxville vs Sami Zayn:

Sami starts off with a Helluva Kick and tosses Knoxville in the barricade in front of the Jackass crew and Sami investigates a little bit and gets sprayed with Fire Extinguisher and Sami gets back and hits Johnny with a cookie sheet, a crutch and trash can as Sami gets a nearfall and gets more weapons out. Sami gets more weapons out, even a Mouse Trapped Table and Knoxville grabs two trash can lids to play the symbols between the head of Sami. Johnny sets up the table in the corner and gets instantly reversed and we get some fun started with the Jackass crew and Ponis distracts Zayn until Knoxville goes for a roll up and a nearfall. Sami kicks the Partyboy under the rign and gets absolute shit kicks out of him by Wee Man, getting punched over and over and even gets fucking body slammed by Wee Man but Sami kicks him out of the ring.

Knoxville starts to get some Jackass props in, rolling a bowling ball to the nuts, kick to the nuts… the giant hand and even a tazer to the nuts as Sami Zayn goes into the Mouse Trap Table before pulling a giant mouse trap and gets the victory over Sami Zayn.

Rhea & Liv vs Naomi & Sasha vs Shayna & Natalya vs Zelina & Carmella-

Rhea and Sasha start it off with a test of Strength and after Sasha fails, they go for each others finishers for a bit until Liv tags in and the others come in to take apart the girls on the apron and Liv and Sasha go to do dueling Suicide Dives to take the match to just get it to a One on One. This match goes all over with tags, finishers and everything good and fun. Even got two Tower of Doom spots back to back is perfectly but the finish was the special moment because as Naomi and Sasha get frequent tags in to take down Carmella and we get new tag team champions and the first win at Mania for Sasha Banks.

Edge vs AJ Styles-

AJ starts to rush Edge but, Edge ducks out to play mind games with Aj before getting a Colalr and Elbow in and backs Edge into the corner, going for a wild strike and goes back to a collar and elbow but both are even until AJ gets the drop down into the Dropkick to take Edge down but Edge keeps it with the mind games and dodges each other’s move after a while, dodging a Clash and Spear before getting back to zero.

Edge starts again with the strikes and countering each other’s moves yet again until Styles gets a sliding knee onto Edge on the outside, beating him down until AJ takes Edge to the ring again, setting up a 450 Springboard and lands into the knees of Edge, taking over and beating Styles down, targeting the ribs of Styles. Styles able to escape an abdominal stretch and gets some form of an escape as Edge grabs Styles for a Shoulder Breaker and takes the control back but hurting his leg further as Styles attempts to get something but misses a wild charge at Edge and eats the Corner Turnbuckle and Edge goes to prop a Superplex but Styles blocks it into a Suplex and starts to attack Edge quickly, getting blood flow back into Styles’ arm but Edge keeps going for the shoulder and ribs as Edge regains the control and takes some form of control but Styles blocks an apron attack and does a burst like DDT and attempts to go to the top and blocks whatever attempt AJ has but Styles fights back and lands a Torture Rack Powerbomb for a nearfall. Edge pops up after the Ushiguroshi but Edge floats over and hits the Edge-O-Cution to take AJ down.

Edge goes for a few strikes and AJ catches him with a German Suplex off a rebound and they get to a slug fest which AJ gets the better of the fight and Pele kicks Edge, going for a Calf Crusher now but Edge rolls out more and lands another Crossface to stop Styles and regains the tempo of the match and go to the apron. Edge looks to do something to the floor from the top rope but Styles comes in and stops it and AJ superplexes Edge on the apron, gets back in and actually lands the Superman 450 to get yet another nearfall. Styles readies the Phenomenal Forearm but misses. Edge runs to hit the spear but also misses into Styles hitting a Styles Clash for YET ANOTHER NEAR FALL.

Aj goes to set up another Phenomenal Forearm but, Damien Priest pops up to catch Styles off guard and Styles gets his Forearm caught with a Spear and a victory for this new Demonic Embrace.

Sheamus & Ridge Holland vs The New Day:

The pub lackeys jump The New Day instantly and pull Xavier out of the ring and the bell finally rings. Kofi hits the Trouble in Paradise, trying to get an early victory. Shaemus pulls Ridge out and Butch starts going insane to distract The New Day and… does surprisingly. Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick to stop Xavier, Ridge goes and hits a Northern Grit (Emerald Flowsion).

Pat McAfee vs Austin Theory-

Pat McAfee knocks the teeth out the little punk at least four time until Theory cheap shots Pat and takes McAfee dahn. Theory tosses Pat into the corner for Pat to dodge it, hitting a leaping European Uppercut like Shane and land a damn good Hurricanrana for a nearfall. Theory comes back and backbreaks McAfee and takes McAfee dahntan with more attacks to the lower back. As the match continues, the crowd starts to come alive for Pat and does actually get a reversal on a Suplex to stun Austin Theory. Theory gets up with the rope and rocked to the outside as McAfee grabs a headset and announces his own match and bounces Austin Theory’s head off the announce table.

As the match goes back to the ring, Pat takes too much time to the rope, going for a Swantahn Bomb but misses it. Theory goes to the top this time and Pat catches him, attempting the Superplex and Theory pushed him off, McAfee backflips off and box jumps up to land the Superplex. Pat gets a nearfall and goes to finish it with a Punt but Austin Theory starts to hit harder and goes for the A- TownDown but McAfee reverses it to take Theory dahn for the 1-2-3.

Aftermath: Pat celebrates and calls Vince into the ring and Vince tears the suit off, peeling the tie off and gets the shirt off with the Black Muscle Shirt. The match looks to start before Theory attacks Pat’s before the bell rings.

Vince McMahon vs Pat McAfee-

Vince lands two clotheslines and takes Pat down in the corner now too as Vince wipes his hands and smiles. Pat gets up every time, telling Vince lets go before Theory pulls Pat’s legs out and has him hit the post. Vince toys him, kicks over and over as Theory gets a football and has Vince parade around with it before punting the football into Pat’s ribs as Vince gets the pin. Pat should have enjoyed the first half and knew the second half would have been bad… y’know… like against the Saints.

Aftermath: Austin comes to the ring and we all know Austin can’t enjoy a McMahon’s success as Theory tries to attack Austin but gets hit with punches and Stunner. Vince realizes what is going on and Austin asks for some brews… and Vince doesn’t remember everytime Stone Cold hands him a beer and stuns McMahon (poorly… you take the move for 25 years and never can take it right). Pat is invited into the ring and drink some beers For The Stone Cold IPA Brand before getting kicked in the gut and takes by far the greatest Stone Cold Stunner sell I have ever fucking seen.

Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar-

Lesnar starts to undo his gloves and hamemrs away on the back of Roman, getting him to the corner and keeps beating the hell out of Roman, goes for a German Suplex but Roman slips out and lands three Belly to Belly Suplexes before lariating Roman out of the ring and following him out but hunts down Heyman for a good amount of time until Roman spears Lesnar through the barricade and Roman rolls back into the ring. Lesnar comes into the ring at the count of 9 and Reigns gets speared for a near fall. Roman goes to the corner and loads up for the Superman Punch and connects two suplex and the third gets countered into five German Suplexes until he takes Roman up for an F5 until he catches the third Superman Punch before readying the Spear, caught into the F5 and gets a nearfall. Lesnar picks Roman up for another but, rakes Brock’s eyes and spears Lesnar into the ref, setting up the championship title hit. Reigns wakes up the ref in time to get another nearfall. Roman gets himself back hyped and bounces off the ropes to spears Lesnar to the back and goes for the pin but Brock grabs the ropes. Roman goes for another spear but Lesnar catches the spear and has Reigns in the Kimora Lock. Paul Heyman comes to push the ropes into Reigns’ hand. Heyman pleas to get up and fight back and Lesnar gets one more F5 countered to get speared for us to acknowledge the Unified Champion.

Final Thoughts:

This was insanely entertaining and lived up to the hype that it was given so let’s run it down. Sasha and Vince are both no longer winless at WrestleMania with tonight, Edge seems to be getting some form of a New Brood going, Triple H introduces us to Mania with his boots in the ring, signifying that he is officially retired and McAfee lived his dream because if you tell me that whole thing wasn’t Pat being the happiest person ever in the world, you can find me in a canal with my phone dead with water damage and somehow Six-Hundred Dollars in my pocket with FuBu clothing.

This just goes to show that wrestling in 1999 reigns supreme. Cmon… Stone Cold wrestles one night and stuns a McMahon, Triple H, Undertaker and celebrity matches are some of the better matches on the card along with a Samoan coming out on top with the Main Championship? That’s 1999 in a nutshell. Great two nights, I might… I don’t know. The Newsies coming out over the New Day and the fustercluck of a Women’s Tag kind of saturated how good this night was compared to the other. I’ll give them equally 7 out of 10s.

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

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Greg DeMarco’s WWE WrestleMania 38 Night 2 Results & Reaction

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

1 week 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

2 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!