YES, NO, MAYBE
Daniel Bryan cuts a promo about what he's overcome to get here, and it's a bad ass promo. This is what was missing from a lot of the early parts of this feud. Daniel Bryan says he's not bringing the family man or the General Manager, he's bringing the guy that tapped out Roman Reigns. This is a great go-home promo to hype the audience before the big match. Street Profits are seen backstage doing the Yes Chants before their match.
Edge is in a chair in the ring, explaining how he clawed back against all odds. He doesn't want to play the hits, he came back to main event WrestleMania. He isn't happy about how some indie troll wedged his way in. Edge says Roman Reigns is just Samoan Edge because he came into WWE in a three-man group, comes through the crowd and uses a spear. Nobody made a mention or video package about this match being ten years since Edge retired.
WWE Smackdown Tag Team Titles
Dirty Dawgs (c) defeated Street Profits, Mysterios & Alpha Academy
5.5/10
Ziggler and Roode won these titles three months ago and this is their first title defense. It's comparable to the other end of the spectrum where Nia and Shayna have already beaten everyone. This match is fine, and Angelo Dawkins has a great hot tag, Montez sells great, Gable is good at everything. I can't be tricked by Montez Ford's tope con giro into thinking this is something I just needed to see, though. The tag division deserves a lot better than they've gotten. Roode and Ziggler retain with a good finish. I couldn't get too interested in this despite liking everyone involved. WWE doesn't care, why should I?
Other Stuff
- We hear from Bianca Belair backstage ahead of WrestleMania. This is a really straightforward promo.
- We get a video package for Fiend vs. Randy Orton for some reason.
- A look at Big E ahead of WrestleMania. WWE knocks this stuff out of the park almost every time when it's original and not a straight recap
- Riott Squad are interviewed backstage, and Billie Kay and Carmella are revealed as the fifth team. Dana and Mandy and Naomi and Lana show up and this happens again. Everyone brawls.
- There is a hilarious Seth Rollins political ad about Cesaro. This is amazing. They need to lean into this. It says it was paid for by friends of Seth Rollins.
Tamina (w/ Natalya) defeated Nia Jax (w/ Shayna Baszler & Reginald) via DQ
5.25/10
We're getting the face off that Tamina compared to Austin/Rock, Taker/Michaels and Hogan/Andre on FREE TV. Tamina is more motivated than maybe ever before. Admittedly I wish this happened years ago. Tamina hits a Samoan Drop on Nia which was very impressive. They have went out of their way to protect Nia. I dunno what good it does to have a DQ at a 2.5 count.
Sami Zayn
WWE managed to get Jake Paul on screen, too. Sami Zayn tries to come in and spar with Jake Paul and Logan Paul at their gym. Zayn gets locked out of the gym. He claims that he had lunch with Logan Paul, but he didn't. Kevin Owens attacks, but Zayn runs away.
Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Jey Uso wins
5.25/10
To everyone saying "the Andre Battle Royal doesn't mean anything," here's a quick solution for WWE. Make it mean something. You script the show. You decide who wins and loses. There I did it I'm a miracle worker. If the former Hurt Business wasn't going to win, I'm glad it took a lot to throw them out. Retibution eliminate Ryker and Elias, but Mustafa Ali tosses out T-Bar and Mace. There's a ton of former 205 Guys + Corbin, Uso, Nakamura left. Ricochet does an incredible headscissors elimination of Ali, but Corbin and Uso toss him. CORBIN IS OUT! Nakamura or Uso! Win-win!! Jey Uso wins the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal!! His first win in five months. A fitting win for him. Roman Reigns comes out and congratulates him.
Roman
Reigns comes out and touts the change of the ratings because of him. He says he saves careers, like Jey Uso. Roman Reigns has put over the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal as meaning something more than WWE have in years. Reigns says he's going to wreck everyone and leave Sunday. We'll hear a million dollars of pyro, and then they'll all acknowledge him. Reigns, Bryan, Edge all dropping kick ass promos on the go home show.
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!
