WWE (2)
The phrase WWE used to explain WrestleMania 38 was “stupendous.” Surreal was extra like thus far. On Night time 1, we noticed “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin have his first match in 19 years, Cody Rhodes return, Ronda Rousey get screwed and Bianca Belair reaffirm her star. Listed here are 5 highlights from the opening night time of WrestleMania 2022 at AT&T Stadium on Saturday in entrance of an introduced crowd of 77, 899.
Stone Chilly!, Stone Chilly!
There may be “Stone Chilly” Steve Austin after which their is everybody else — nonetheless. The Texas Rattlesnake received his first match in 19 years in an impromptu “no holds barred” battle in the principle occasion. It was credible, arduous hitting and a enjoyable journey down reminiscence lane. It allowed Austin, whose earlier match was a loss to The Rock at WrestleMania 19, to shut his profession the place it started in Dallas.
Austin, 57, entered to one of many loudest pop you'll ever hear after Owens continued to speak smack about him and Texas on The KO Present. Owens then mentioned he tricked Austin, who performed the hits on the mic and within the ring, as a result of he introduced him there for a match.
Whereas there was loads of brawling, Austin took a suplex onto the concrete when the 2 introduced issues into the crowed. He even drove Owens as much as stage on his signature buggy. They fought up there with Austin, who stopped to drink bear sometimes all through the match, suplexing Owens twice on the stage earlier than rolling him down the ramp.
Once they obtained within the ring, Owens was capable of hit a beer-distracted Austin with a Stunner, however the Corridor of Famer kicked out. Austin turned Owens’ try to make use of a chair into his probability to ship a Stunner of his personal and pin KO for the win. What adopted was one other Stunner to Owens, loads of beer consuming and Austin attending to closing out one other WrestleMania together with his brother within the ring. Owens — a life-long fan of Austin — bumped and offered his butt off for his hero and needs to be celebrated for all the things he did throughout this feud.
Mrs. WrestleMania
WWE has struggled at occasions constructing true babyfaces, however they deserve credit score for persistently hitting the correct notes with Bianca Belair. The EST obtained an all-time WrestleMania entrance. A complete marching band performed her out earlier than she placed on a second straight wonderful WrestleMania match and earned one other championship win at WWE’s largest present. Belair is a famous person and WWE is treating her that means by having her take the Uncooked ladies’s championship from Lynch.
The 2 began with an early callback to their SummerSlam match, this time Belair extending her hand to Lynch. They traded counters till Large Time Becks hit the Man-handle Slam however was unable to get the short pin this time. It set the tone that this wasn’t going to finish in 26 seconds. As an alternative we obtained a chess match of counters with having moments of doubt of whether or not they might win.
The EST, who topped Sasha Banks for the SmackDown belt final 12 months, lastly received by flipping off the highest turnbuckle to counter Lynch attempting to hit one other Man-Deal with slam. She obtained Lynch up on her shoulder and the group to its toes for a Kiss of Dying to seal the victory.
What’s subsequent for Lynch — who hasn’t had a nasty match since returning — stays to be seen. Does she take a while off? Does she keep a heel as Large Time Becks or slowly work her means again to her babyface The Man gimmick or one thing totally different?
Welcome Residence
The rumors and reviews proved to be true, but it surely was surreal to see Cody Rhodes, the previous All Elite Wrestling govt vice chairman, again in WWE after six years. He and Seth Rollins delivered a superbly instructed story that had hints of a struggle between the 2 firms. It ended with a touching second, the place Rhodes stopped after two straight Cross Rhodes to ship the snap punches and Bionic Elbow made well-known by his father “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes earlier than delivering the third to place Rollins down for good.
To start out, Rollins waited within the ring slightly additional earlier than the lights dimmed and Rhodes arose from the stage to a humongous pop because the American Nightmare. Nothing about his presentation modified from his ring gear and music, however his spouse Brandi was absent as he proved to be Rollins’ thriller opponent. Gone had been the boos Rhodes was receiving late in his run in AEW as he obtained an enormous babyface response. He even obtained in an outdated Stardust taunt simply to attach the dots to the way in which WWE followers final noticed him within the firm. Rollins, who has been a flagbearer for WWE, regularly welcomed Rhodes again and at one level mentioned “welcome again to the large league, bitch.”
The 2 had a extra old-school, paced wrestling match with the physicality and stiffness rising as issues when alongside. They every regularly hit large strikes that the opposite kicked out of. After quite a few counters, Rollins kicked out of an preliminary Cross Rhodes and Cody later obtained the shoulder up after a candy wanting inverted super-plex from the highest rope. He noticed Rollins get the shoulder up on a Cody Cutter and Seth even did hit a Pedigree, however couldn’t put Rhodes away. Your entire presentation equaled a unbelievable homecoming story for Rhodes and we now wait to see what he says with a mic in his hand on Monday.
Not Accomplished But
Ronda Rousey not successful in her return to WrestleMania was definitely the shock of the night time. Whereas the end to her SmackDown ladies’s championship match with Charlotte Aptitude didn’t really feel fairly worthy of a WrestleMania, that is the primary actual adversity we are going to see Rousey face in WWE and that’s not a nasty factor for babyfaces. When she misplaced at WrestleMania 35 we didn’t see her once more till her Royal Rumble return this 12 months.
Aptitude obtained out of quite a few Ankle Locks and Rousey reversed a Determine 8 with some additional torque in a match that centered round they story of them needed to make match the opposite submit. “The Baddest Girl on the Planet” noticed the champion Aptitude at one level get her foot on the rope whilst referee Charles Robinson counted to a few. After that, she kicked Aptitude into Robinson and knocking him out earlier than getting The Queens in an armbar and watching her faucet out with no referee to see it. Aptitude responded by hitting an enormous boot to flee with the victory and her title. It seemingly means we haven’t seen the final of Aptitude-Rousey and perhaps it calumniates at Hell in a Cell in June.
Whole Disrespect
The Mysterios vs. The Miz and Logan Paul was about respect and the dearth there of – even into the post-match. Paul undoubtedly earned professional wrestling followers’ respect and regarded like a terrific heel whereas disrespecting the Mysterios in each means. The YouTube-star-turned-boxer did all of the fundamentals, hit a blockbuster, a powerslam and a double suplex with Miz. He then did Eddie Guerrero’s Three Amigo and Frog Slash to Rey.
The match turned and after a double 619 to Paul, Miz tagged himself to save lots of Paul and hit the Cranium Crushing Finale on Rey for the 1-2-3. After the match, regardless of have Paul getting booed by the group, Miz turned on his companion with a Cranium Crushing Finale and blew him a kiss from the ramp.
Whereas a possible Logan Paul-Miz feud is smart on some stage, each of them work higher as heels. Possibly it was only for a stunning second, followers desirous to see Paul get his from somebody or Miz’s character simply not desirous to share highlight with anybody. It doesn’t makes a lot sense on some other stage.
Different matches
The Usos over Shinsuke Nakmura and Rick Boogs to retain the SmackDown tag crew championship
A legit damage to Boogs despatched this match off the rails and it reportedly led to the end being modified. Jimmy and Jey Uso each jumped on Boogs’ again early within the match and he shortly crumpled to the bottom holding his knee. Social media images confirmed him getting carried to the again. The match shortly grew to become 2-on-1. The Uso ultimately hit the One-D on Nakamura to win it and lengthen their historic reign. WWE introduced Boogs had a torn quadriceps patella and would require surgical procedure.
Drew McIntyre over Comfortable Corbin
You knew Comfortable Corbin’s luck was working out after McIntyre grew to become the primary individual to kick out of the Finish of Days. Nice job my Michael Cole to say it on the published and anticipate it for use in storyline after the Comfortable one’s successful streak was ended by a Claymore. McIntyre ended issues by slicing the highest two ropes with Angela going after Madcap Moss. Good strong match with the large kick-out and funky closing second. This lengthy feud is lastly over and let’s hope McIntyre strikes on to one thing a lot greater.
Notes
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Wooden’s scheduled tag match in opposition to Sheamus and Ridge Holland was reduce for time. Sheamus tweeted a scissors emoji. That match has been moved to Sunday.
WWE introduced WrestleMania 39 in Los Angles might be two nights on April 1-2.
Largest Winner: Bianca Belair
Largest Loser: Comfortable Corbin
Greatest Match: Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair
Greatest Entrance: Bianca Belair
Predictions: 6-1
Grade: A-
Post a Comment