DESERVED!
This promo does not make a bit of sense. WWE makes all their babyfaces be whiny, entitled, brats. Daniel Bryan comes out and says Roman Reigns and Edge like....didn't earn the WrestleMania main event. What?! He says that he's not asking to be given anything, then asks for a Universal Title rematch with Roman Reigns and he WON'T LEAVE THE RING until it happens. Bro, what? Adam Pearce says that can't happen, and Edge is getting the title shot at WrestleMania. Bryan pitches facing the winner at Night 2. Edge comes out, slaps Adam Pearce's board out of his hand, spears Daniel Bryan and hits him with a chair. Bryan started the fight, though. WHINY!
Later on, Edge goes to Roman Reigns and says he needs to use some of his stroke, because Daniel Bryan is stealing their spotlight.
Adam Pearce announces Roman Reigns vs. Edge vs. Daniel Bryan in a triple threat match at WrestleMania for the Universal Title. Then the show cuts off the air minutes early. It popped back on locally to Edge beating up people with chairs. Locally (Cincy area), they just abruptly cut off Smackdown after Adam Pearce's announcement. It comes back after a minute
Seth Rollins defeated Shinsuke Nakamura
5.75/10
I guess we needed this.....Fastlane rematch? One of the better matches from there, and this match is really good, too, I just don't know why. Rollins and Nakamura go through some really good spots, my favorite of which was the flying armbar into the powerbomb into the triangle spot that set up the finish. I'm just not sure what this second clean victory really does, but we're at bankrupt creative. Rollins beats down Nakamura, but Cesaro makes the save. Rollins is LIVID that Cesaro tries to swing him and challenges him to a WrestleMania match. Cesaro attacks and Swings him backstage.
Apollo Crews & Alpha Academy defeated Big E & Street Profits
6/10
They have booked Apollo Crews to go winless in six IC Title matches and are........doing another one. He gets the pin on Big E here, which would maybe mean more if he had won any of the aforementioned matches. I'm just over it. It's happened so much that I don't care that much about the feud, despite really liking the wrestlers. Speaking of really liking the wrestlers, this six-man tag is worth you seeing. Ford slingshots into the ring, right into a Northern Lights Suplex. This was a quick spectacle, but worth seeing.
MANIA
Kevin Owens calls out Sami Zayn for an answer. Zayn apologizes to Kevin Owens. Sami Zayn says Logan Paul is going to be on Smackdown with him next week on the red carpet of his documentary premiere. Sami Zayn cowers and accepts Kevin Owens' challenge for a one-on-one match at WrestleMania.
Bianca Belair defeated Natalya (w/ Sasha Banks)
5.25/10
Music distracts the best wrestlers in the world. Sasha Banks joins commentary after this, and she's really good at playing the heel role. WWE has just done a terrible job booking this. Bianca Belair is really good, delivers offense with authority. Natalya is also really good and should be used better, but this is a good spot for her. Bianca Belair wins, which is just smart, simple, good booking. Sasha got slapped during the match, but attacks after.
Rey Mysterio (w/ Dominik Mysterio) defeated Dolph Ziggler (w/ Robert Roode)
6/10
This match is just fantastic outside of the interference. Ziggler does an incredible powerbomb over the barricade, and they rely heavily on their signature moves. Superkicks, Zig Zags,Famesser, teases of the 619. Mysterio gets the win. The in-ring has been fantastic tonight, but we get a taste of so many tropes -- the unnecessary rematch, the champion eating a pin, the distraction and outside interference. I'd love WWE to lean more into clean finishes and some fresh booking.
Rating Guide
10- Perfect, 9- MOTY Territory, 8- Excellent, 7- Great, 6- Good, 5- Average to above average, 4- Slightly below average, 3 or below: Poor
Each match starts at a 5 and slides up and down based on entertainment, execution, time, environment, reaction and stakes. The ratings are in no way an indication of a "star rating," which is a completely different system. A standard, non-offensive "TV match" lands at a 5. The gap between 5.75-6 is generally the largest, with anything reaching 6 being recommended viewing.
These are opinions, and incredibly inconsistent ones that may change upon a second viewing, or sitting on the match for a period of time. Don't take them too seriously, and have (and share) your own!
