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WWE Wrestlemania 33 Recap & Reaction

Robert Lentini
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Kickoff Show:

Cruiserweight Championship Match: Neville (c) vs Austin Aries

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The crowd chanted “Austin Aries!” right when the match started. Neville knocked Aries to the mat and taunted the crowd. Aries took control of the match and Neville rolled out of the ring. Aries then rested across the top rope as Nevile angrily looked on. Neville returned to the ring and Aries connected with a Dropkick. Aries then climbed to the second rope and hit an Elbow Drop to the Neville’s back. Neville rolled out of the ring and Aries pumped up the crowd. Aries went for a Suicide Dive but Neville was ready for it and kicked Aries in the face just as he reached the ropes.

Neville hit a Dropkick off the top rope for a two count. Neville missed a Moonsault off the second rope and Aries capitalized and hit an Elbow Drop. Aries launched Neville outside the ring and climbed to the top rope. Aries hit a Crossbody then sprinted back in the ring and hit a Suicide Dive on Neville outside the ring. Back in the ring, Neville connected with a kick to the face and then perched Aries up on the top turnbuckle. Aries shoved Neville off but Neville landed on his feet. Aries then hit a Dropkick off the top rope for a two count.

Neville planted Aries with a snap German Suplex and Aries landed hard on the top of his head. Neville planted Aries with another German Suplex and bridged into the cover for a two count. Neville then stood over Aries and kicked him in the back of the head a few times. Neville then stomped on Aries in the corner as the referee yelled at him to back up. Neville dragged Aries to the middle of the ring and went for the Rings of Saturn but Aries reversed it into a roll up for a two count. Aries then hit the Discus Fivearm but Neville fell out of the ring.

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Aries brought Neville back in the ring but Neville rolled to the ring apron. Neville then connected with a kick to Aries’ head and Austin fell to the mat. Neville then climbed to the top turnbuckle but Aries got back up and joined him there. Aries then hit a Hurricanrana off the top turnbuckle and then climbed to the top turnbuckle on the other side of the ring. Aries then hit a 450 Splash for a two count. Aries applied The Last Chancery but Neville raked Aries injured eye. Neville then climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit the Red Arrow for the victory.

Winner & Still Cruiserweight Champion: Neville

Reaction: Hell of a way to kickoff Wrestlemania 33. I still wish this match was on the main card but Aries and Neville put on a great match. For now, Neville is still the King of the Cruiserweights.

Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Braun Strowman, Sami Zayn, Goldust, R-Truth, Curtis Axel, Dolph Ziggler, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Chad Gable, Jason Jordan, Primo, Epico, Bo Dallas, Jinder Mahal, Rhyno, Heath Slater, Apollo Crews, Mojo Rawley, Big Show, Curt Hawkins, Tyler Breeze, Fandango, Tian Bing, Mark Henry, Killian Dain & Luke Harper

Big Show and Braun Strowman eliminated a bunch of people right away including, Goldust, Heath Slater and Kalisto. Jey Use was then eliminated. Strowman and Big Show had a stare down in the middle of the ring. Sami Zayn attacked Strowman and a brawl broke out. Strowman then eliminated Big Show very early in the match. Everyone else in the Battle Royal then teamed up and eliminated Braun Strowman. Dolph Ziggler eliminated R-Truth. Dolph Ziggler followed that up by eliminating Rhyno.

Aiden English, Jimmy Use and Curtis Axel were then eliminated. Both members of American Alpha were then eliminated. Both members of Breezango and Sin Cara were eliminated. Everyone teamed up to eliminate Mark Henry. Ziggler connected with a Superkick to eliminate Tian Bing. Zayn hit a Helluva Kick to eliminate Epico. Bo Dallas was eliminated. Mojo Rawley launched Ziggler out of the ring to eliminate him. Titus O’Neil eliminated Luke Harper.

It was down to Mojo, Titus, Zayn, Dain and Jinder Mahal. Sami Zayn eliminated Titus O’Neil. Killian Rain eliminated Sami Zayn. Jinder threw Mojo threw the second rope and followed him out of the ring. Rob Gronkowski was in the front row and began shouting at Mahal. Jinder and Gronk had a stare down. Jinder then took Gronk’s beer and threw it at him. Gronk then climbed over the barricade and security grabbed him. Gronk then got into the ring and got down in a football stance. Gronk then leveled Jinder with a shoulder tackle. Mojo then eliminated Killian Dain and Jinder Mahal to win the Battle Royal.

Gronk and Mojo then celebrated in the ring after the match.

Winner: Mojo Rawley

Reaction: This was goofy as hell but entertaining to watch. I was pretty shocked that both Big Show and Braun Strowman were eliminated so early in the match. Mojo Rawley winning this match makes sense and hopefully he gets a push on Smackdown. I’ve never taken the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal seriously so I was able to enjoy the ridiculousness that took place in this match.

Intercontinental Championship Match: Dean Ambrose (c) vs Baron Corbin

Corbin started out this match dominant and shoved Ambrose into the ring post. Corbin controlled the next several minutes of the match and launched Ambrose into the barricade outside the ring. Back in the ring, Corin charged at Ambrose in the corner but Dean got out of the way and Corbin hit the ring post. Ambrose then climbed to the top turnbuckle and went for an Elbow Drop but Corbin got out of the way and Ambrose landed on his ribs.

Corbin charged at Ambrose and missed and tumbled out of the ring. Ambrose tried to jump on him but Corbin leveled him with a right hand. Corbin once again charged at Ambrose, missed and smashed into the steel steps. Ambrose then hit an Elbow Drop off the top rope onto Corbin outside the ring. Back in the ring, Ambrose connected with a Neckbreaker for a two count. Corbin planted Ambrose with Deep Six for a two count. Corbin then went for the End of Days but Ambrose reversed it into the Dirty Deeds for the victory.

Winner & Still Intercontinental Champion: Dean Ambrose

Reaction: Ambrose and Corbin were in a tough spot here because the crowd was absolutely dead for this match. This match was obviously moved to the Kickoff Show to make room for the Smackdown Women’s Championship.  The build to this match wasn’t all that good but I was still expecting more. There was nothing special about this match whatsoever. I thought it was time for Corbin to become Intercontinental Champion but it was not to be. I’m fine with Ambrose as IC Champion but I’d like to see them actually do something with the title. The Miz did a great job of building that title back up and now it is back to feeling unimportant. I thought giving Corbin the title and having him be unstoppable on Smackdown would have been the way to go here. Instead, Corbin loses clean and this match felt like a throwaway.

Main Card:

The New Day walked down the entrance ramp in Final Fantasy themed attire. They pumped up the crowd and danced around the ring to start off the show.

Shane McMahon vs AJ Styles

AJ Styles got a massive ovation as he came down tot he ring. Styles controlled the early part of the match and shouted that he was going to embarrass Shane McMahon. Styles then danced around the ring like Shane McMahon and crowd went crazy. Shane hit an Arm Drag and attempted a roll up but Styles rolled out of the ring. Shane McMahon then mocked Styles in the ring as Styles looked on from outside the ring.

Shane connected with several quick jabs to Styles in the corner. Styles went for a kick but Shane caught it and elbowed Styles in the head. Styles then tossed Shane outside the ring. Styles then hit a Dropkick that sent Shane tumbling over the announce table. Back in the ring, Styles knocked Shane to the mat with a right hand. Styles then connected with a knee to the head of Shane McMahon.

Shane fought back and connected with a bunch of jabs and followed it up with an elbow to AJ’s head. Shane then hit a Samoan Drop for a two count. Styles applied the Calf Crusher in the middle of the ring but Shane reversed it into an Arm Bar. Styles fought out of the hold and both men hit a Clothesline at the same time. The crowd applauded as both men laid on the mat.

Styles went for a springboard 450 but Shane caught him and applied a Triangle choke. Styles powered through and hit a one-armed Styles Clash for a two count. Both men got back to their feet and traded punches. Shane got the upper-hand and connected with several knees to Styles. AJ went for a kick but Shane ducked and Styles kicked the referee. AJ then hit a Pele Kick on Shane McMahon. Styles then rolled out of the ring and got some trash cans from under the ring.

AJ propped Shane up against the bottom turnbuckle and put the trash can against his chest. Styles then climbed to the top rope on the opposite side of the ring. Styles leaped in the air but Shane got up and hit him with the trash can in midair. Shane then set up AJ against the bottom turnbuckle and placed a trash can on top of him. Shane then climbed to the top turnbuckle on the opposite side of the ring and connected with a massive Coast to Coast Dropkick into the trash can. Shane went for the pinball but Styles kicked out right before the referee counted to three.

Shane then got out of the ring and cleared off an announce table. Shane brought Styles outside the ring and placed him on the table. Shane climbed to the top turnbuckle and went for the Elbow Drop but Styles got out of the way. Shane crashed through the table. Back in the ring, Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm but Shane reversed it into a Tornado DDT. Shane then went for a Shooting Star Press but AJ moved and Shane landed hard on the mat. AJ then connected with the Phenomenal Forearm for the victory.

Winner: AJ Styles

Reaction: I thought this match was very entertaining. I was concerned when this match was announced as a traditional wrestling match, but I’ll never doubt Shane McMahon again. The guy is just completely insane. The Styles Clash AJ hit during this match was also awesome. Overall, this match was simply a lot of fun to watch.

United States Championship Match: Chris Jericho (c) vs Kevin Owens

There was a gigantic list of Jericho on the entrance ramp as Jericho came down to the ring. Jericho got Owens in the Walls of Jericho right away but Owens escaped out of the ring. Jericho climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a Crossbody onto to Owens outside the ring. Jericho then bounced Owens off the steel steps and connected with several right hands to the head of Owens.

Back in the ring, Owens connected with a kick to Jericho’s face and Jericho fell to the mat. Owens then got on top Jericho and connected with a series of right hands. Owens then hit the Cannonball onto Jericho in the corner. Jericho rolled to the ring apron and Owens hit another Cannonball. Owens applied a Chinlock to Jericho in the middle of the ring and started trash talking. Jericho broke the hold but Owens connected with a Senton for a two count.

Owens slapped Jericho in the face and Jericho responded by connected with a Dropkick. Jericho planted Owens with a Back Body Drop outside the ring. Back in the ring, Jericho hit a flying elbow off the top rope for a two count. Jericho went for a Codebreaker but Owens countered and slammed Jericho to the mat. Owens climbed to the top turnbuckle but Jericho caught him. Jericho then hit a Hurricanrana off the top rope for a two count.

Jericho hit a Running Bulldog, went for a Lionsault but Owens got out of the way. Jericho landed on his feet but Owens hit him with a Superkick for a two count. Owens once again climbed to the top rope and went for a Frog Splash but Jericho got his knees up. Jericho went for the Lionsault but Owens got his knees up. Owens went back up to the top rope and went for a Swanton Bomb but Jericho once again got his knees up.

Owens went for a Pop-Up Powerbomb but Jericho blocked it and finally connected with the Lionsault for a two count. Owens applied the Walls of Jericho to Jericho in the middle of the ring. Jericho got out of the hold but Owens connected with a kick that sent Jericho into the corner. Owens went for another Cannonball but Jericho caught him and applied the Walls of Jericho in the middle of the ring. Owens was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold.

Owens hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb but Jericho kicked out at two. Owens shouted that Jericho was never his best friend and slapped him in the face. Owens went for another Pop-Up Powerbomb but Jericho countered it into a Codebreaker. Jericho went for the pin but Owens got his index finger on the bottom rope to break up the pinfall. Owens then hit the Pop-Up Powerbomb on Jericho on the ring apron for the victory.

Winner & New United States Champion: Kevin Owens

Reaction: I was hoping that this match would have been better but it was still solid. Jericho’s current run in the WWE is pretty much over as he is off to record a new Fozzy album. He had an awesome run and I hope he comes back soon. Hopefully we get to see the real Kevin Owens now during this title reign. His Universal Championship reign was far too goofy. It took a miracle for him to win a match without any assistance. Hopefully we get to see the Kevin Owens that will win at any cost and take care of business himself.

Raw Women’s Championship Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match: Bayley (c) vs Nia Jax vs Charlotte vs Sasha Banks

Nia dominated early and launched Charlotte off the ring apron on top of Sasha and Bayley. Back in the ring, everyone teamed up against Nia Jax. Bayley and Sasha had Nia set up for a Suplex. Charlotte connected with a boot to Nia’s face and then Bayley and Sasha delivered the Suplex. Nia got back up and launched Bayley out of the ring. Bayley got back into the ring and once again all three Superstars teamed up against Nia. Bayley, Charlotte and Sasha hit a triple Powerbomb on Nia. All three then got on top of Nia for the pin to eliminate her.

Charlotte rolled out of the ring and demanded that Sasha and Bayley fight. Sasha leaped on top of Bayley outside the ring. Charlotte then hit a ridiculous Corkscrew Moonsault onto both Sasha and Bayley outside the ring. Back in the ring, Charlotte exposed the middle turnbuckle. Sasha applied the Bank Statement but Charlotte countered and shoved Sasha into the exposed turnbuckle. Charlotte then pinned Sasha and she was eliminated.

Charlotte applied the Figure Four to Bayley but Bayley was able to escape the hold. Bayley and Charlotte battled on the top rope. Bayey hit a Back Body Drop off the top rope but Bayley was still hung up on the turnbuckle. Charlotte charged at Bayley in the corner but Bayley got out of the way and Charlotte hit the exposed turnbuckle. Bayley then hit the Macho Man Elbow Drop and eliminated Charlotte for the victory.

Winner & Still Raw Women’s Champion: Bayley

Reaction: This match was very good. Most people figured that the only way Nia Jax would be eliminated is if everyone teamed up on her and that is exactly what happened. There was no Sasha Banks heel turn tonight so maybe that will happen tomorrow night on Raw. It was cool to see Bayley pay tribute to Macho Man at the end of the match.

WWE Hall of Fame class of 2017 was honored. Kurt Angle was greeted with “you suck!” chants along with his theme song. The crowd then loudly applauded as he waved from the stage.

Raw Tag Team Championship Ladder Match: Gallows & Anderson (c) vs Enzo & Cass vs Sheamus & Cesaro vs Hardy Boyz

The match started out in a brawl. Sheamus and Big Cass battled outside the ring. Jeff Hardy hit Poetry in Motion on Karl Anderson and he fell out of the ring. Matt and Jeff the hit a double Suplex on Cass. Matt then started hitting everyone with a ladder. Jeff Hardy climbed the ladder but Gallows pushed the ladder and Jeff bounced off the top rope. Cesaro stood on Gallows shoulder and hit a Double Stomp onto the chest of Karl Anderson. Big Cass then hit a big boot to Cesaro, Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy.

Matt and Jeff set up ladders from the ring apron to the barricade outside the ring. Cass launched Enzo over the ladders and he landed on Gallows. Cesaro hit the Cesaro Swing on Anderson while Cesaro clubbed Gallows across the chest a bunch of times on the ropes. The crowd gave them a standing ovation as Cesaro finally dropped Anderson. Cass launched Enzo on top of Matt and Cesaro outside the ring. Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick on Jeff Hardy and he fell onto everyone outside the ring.

A “Brother Nero” chant broke out in the crowd as Sheamus brought a ladder in the ring. Gallows and Sheamus battled on top of the ladder as they reached for the titles. Enzo then shoved the ladder and Gallows and Sheamus fell to the mat. Big Cass and Enzo almost got the titles but Gallows and Sheamus dragged them down. Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick on Cass and everyone fell out of the ring. Enzo then climbed to the top of the ladder and Karl Anderson joined him there.

Anderson shoved Enzo off the ladder and he fell into an uppercut from Cesaro. Anderson and Gallows hit a Magic Killer on Cesaro. Sheamus and Cesaro were then set up on the ladders between the ring apron and the barricade. Matt Hardy hit a Twist of Fate on Karl Anderson off the top of the ladder. Jeff Hardy then hit a Swanton Bomb onto Cesaro and Sheamus. Matt Hardy then climbed to the top of the ladder and grabbed the titles for the victory.

Winners & New Raw Tag Team Champions: Hardy Boyz

Reaction: This was just wonderful! When the Hardy Boyz music hit I lost my mind. The match itself was very entertaining. The Tag Team division on Monday Night Raw just got a lot more interesting.

John Cena & Nikki Bella vs The Miz & Maryse

Jerry Lawler joined commentary for this match. Nikki and Maryse started off the match. Maryse immediately tagged in Miz and cackled in the corner. The Miz got up on the turnbuckle and the crowd cheered for him. Cena charged at Miz and Miz rolled out of the ring and shared a kiss with Maryse. Cena chased Miz around the ring. Miz rolled into the ring, stomped on Cena on the ring apron and once again raised his fists on the turnbuckle. Maryse slapped Cena while the referee wasn’t looking and Cena fell to the mat.

The Miz climbed to the top turnbuckle and leaped onto Cena for a two count. A “Miz is awesome!” chant broke out in the crowd. Miz controlled the next several minutes of the match and connected with a Neckbreaker for a two count. Miz planted Cena with a DDT for a two count. Miz then mocked Daniel Bryan and connected with several Yes Kicks. Nikki slapped Miz in the face and then Cena launched him out of the ring.

Maryse and Nikki Bella entered the match. Nikki hit Maryse with a Spear and Maryse rolled out of the ring. Nikki Bella then took out Miz with a Suicide Dive. The action returned to the ring and Nikki connected with a big right hand to Maryse. Cena and Nikki then hit a double Five Knuckle Shuffle onto Miz and Maryse. Cena then hit the Attitude Adjustment on Miz and Nikki hit the Rack Attack on Maryse.

After the match, Cena proposed to Nikki Bella and she said yes.

Winners: John Cena & The Miz

Reaction: The match itself was a pretty big letdown. Cena proposing after the match was predictable but was still a cool moment to see.

Non-Sanctioned Match: Triple H vs Seth Rollins

Triple H came down to the ring in a motorcycle with Stephanie McMahon in the back seat. Police escorted them all the way down the ramp. Rollins came down to the ring with a lit torch. He placed it on the entrance ramp and CGI fire appeared on the entrance ramp screen and also surrounded the ring. Rollins started out the match in control and knocked Tripe H out of the ring.

Rollins knocked Triple H over the barricade and the two Superstars battled in the crowd. Rollins then threw Triple H back over the barricade and the action returned ringside. Rollins jumped on top of the barricade and hit a Clothesline on Triple H. Rollins hit back to back Suicide Dives onto Triple H outside the ring. Rollins cleared off the German announce table but Triple H it him with a DDT on top of the table.

Triple H grabbed a chair and stuck the injured knee of Rollins. Triple H hit him in the knee once again with the chair and propped Rollins up between the announce table and the barricade. Triple H then leaped onto the injured knee of Rollins. The action returned to the ring and Triple H continued to attack Rollins’ injured knee. Rollins went for a Powerbomb in the corner but his knee gave out.

Rollins then delivered a Powerbomb to Triple H onto the turnbuckle but Rollins fell to the mat holding his knee. Rollins launched Triple H into the turnbuckle and Triple H fell out of the ring. Rollins climbed on top of the ring post and hit a Crossbody onto Triple H outside the ring. Rollins again grabbed his knee when he hit the floor.  Rollins set up a table outside the ring and then climbed to the top turnbuckle and hit a Frog Splash to the back of Triple H in the ring.

Seth tried to hit Triple H with a chair but Triple H kicked him in the knee and planted him with a Spinebuster. Triple H then placed Rollins’ knee in the chair and stomped on it. Triple H then climbed to the top turnbuckle but Rollins got up and threw the chair at Triple H’s face. Rollins then hit a Superplex and rolled through and planted Triple H with a Falcon Arrow for a two count. Rollins climbed up to the top turnbuckle but Stephanie shoved him and Rollins’s knee bounced off the top rope. Triple H then applied a Knee Bar in the middle of the ring.

Rollins broke the hold and applied a Crossface but Triple H hit Rollins’ knee several times to break the hold. The action spilled outside the ring and Triple H hit Seth with a chair. Triple H once again applied the Knee Bar outside the ring. Rollins grabbed a sledgehammer from under the ring and slid it near Triple H. Triple H broke the hold and grabbed the sledgehammer. Rollins escaped back to the ring but Triple H followed him with the sledgehammer. Rollins and Triple H traded punches in the ring. Triple H got the upper hand and leveled Rollins with a Clothesline.

Rollins connected with a kick to the head of Triple H and then grabbed the sledgehammer. Stephanie grabbed the sledgehammer from Rollins and Triple H hit the Pedigree for a two count. Triple H tried to deliver a Pedigree from the top rope but Rollins countered it and slammed Triple H to the mat. Rollins then hit a Phoenix Splash for a two count. Both Triple H and Rollins tried to hit a Pedigree but they took turns blocking it. Seth Rollins connected with a kick to Triple H and Triple H fell into Stephanie McMahon who was standing on the ring apron. Stephanie then fell through the table outside the ring that Rollins set up earlier. Rollins then hit the Pedigree on Triple H for the victory.

Winner: Seth Rollins

Reaction: I thought this match would be nothing more than a glorified brawl due to Rollins’ injury. I was completely wrong and this match turned out to be great. It was a very physical match and told a great story. Rollins was determined to win tonight and there was nothing Triple H could do about it. Also, it was great to see Stephanie McMahon fall through a table.

WWE Championship Match: Bray Wyatt vs Randy Orton

The match started out back and forth. The lights went out as Orton was on the mat and a video of maggots was shown on the ring. Orton rolled out of the ring and the crowd cheered. Back in the ring, Wyatt leveled Orton with a shoulder tackle. A video of worms then appeared on the ring and Bray Wyatt screamed that he is a god. Wyatt then controlled the next few minutes of the match. Wyatt jumped off the ring apron but Orton hit him with a Dropkick outside the ring.

Wyatt battled back and hit a Sister Abigail into the barricade. Wyatt went for a Clothesline but Orton ducked and then hit an RKO outside the ring. Orton brought Wyatt back in the ring and went for a pinball but Bray kicked out at two. Orton went for a punt but Wyatt got out of the way. Orton then hit Wyatt with the DDT while he was hung up on the second rope. Wyatt hit another Sister Abigail but Orton kicked out at two. Wyatt did the spider walk as cockroaches were projected onto the ring. Orton hit an RKO for the victory.

Winner & New WWE Champion: Randy Orton

Reaction: The bugs in the ring was cool the first time and then it gold old. This match was very bad. It was lame and Bray Wyatt’s title reign was incredibly underwhelming. I’m not excited for another Randy Orton title reign either. The build to this match was contrived and ridiculous. Never in my wildest nightmares did I think that they would come up with a match even more ridiculous than the build was.

It is possible to have a dark character like Bray Wyatt and not saddle him with these ridiculous scenarios. How about just have a wrestling match? Bray Wyatt won the Elimination Chamber and wasn’t assisted by a swarm of CGI bees. He simply just won the match. I sarcastically wrote in my predictions that a lightning bolt would hit the ring post and Sister Abigail would appear. I actually wish that happened now, rather than bugs appearing in the ring. Even after all those theatrics, Randy Orton still won with a simple RKO. So, what exactly was the point of doing that? This was easily the worst match of the night so far and that includes the Kickoff Show.

Universal Championship: Goldberg (c) vs Brock Lesnar

Lesnar hit three German Suplexes in a row. Goldberg then hit a Spear and Lesnar rolled out of the ring. Goldberg then Speared Lesnar through the barricade. Back in the ring, Goldberg went for the Jackhammer but Lesnar blocked it. Lesnar went for the F-5 but Goldberg blocked it and hit another Spear. Goldberg then hit the Jackhammer and Lesnar kicked out at two. Goldberg set up for the Spear but Lesnar leaped over it and Goldberg slammed into the turnbuckle. Lesnar hit seven more German Suplexes making it a perfect ten in the match. Lesnar then hit the F-5 for the victory.

Winner & New Universal Champion: Brock Lesnar

Reaction: The match went exactly how everyone expected it to. It was a few Spears, a Jackhammer, a bunch of German Suplexes and an F-5. This was probably the best match these two could have together. I’m just glad this feud is over.

Smackdown Women’s Championship Six-Pack challenge: Alexa Bliss (c) vs Mickie James vs Becky Lynch vs Naomi vs Carmella vs Natalya

Alexa and Natalya hit a double Suplex on Naomi outside the ring. Carmella hit a Hurricanrana on Becky Lynch off the top rope. Ellsworth grabbed Becky’s leg and that allowed Carmella to capitalize. Becky connected with a Suplex on Natayla and Carmella. Ellsworth went for the No Chin Music on Becky but Lynch caught him and Suplexed him out of the ring.

Natalya applied a Sharpshooter to Naomi and Carmella at the same time. Naomi hit the Rear View onto Alexa Bliss and followed it up by hitting a Crossbody onto everyone outside the ring. Naomi then applied a submission hold to Alexa Bliss and won the match.

Winner & New Smackdown Women’s Champion: Naomi

Reaction: This was a decent match. It would have been better if it was given more time. I’m glad Naomi was able to get healthy in time for Wrestlemania in her hometown and win the title.

No Holds Barred Match: Roman Reigns vs The Undertaker

Jim Ross joined commentary for this match. The Undertaker controlled the match early and threw Reigns out of the ring. Reigns got back in the ring and Taker threw him out of the ring again.Reigns Clotheslined Undertaker out of the ring but he landed on his feet. Undertaker then launched Reigns into the steel steps outside the ring. Back in the ring, Reigns planted Undertaker with a Samoan Drop.

Reigns shoved Undertaker into the ring post and followed it up with the Drive By. Undertaker slammed Reign into the turnbuckle and followed it up with a boot to the face. The Undertaker then hit a Leg Drop for a two count. The Undertaker cleared off the announce table and Chokeslammed Reigns onto it but it didn’t break. The Undertaker then cleared off the Spanish announce table.

Both Superstars were standing on the English announce table. Reigns Speared Undertaker and both men went crashing through the Spanish announce table. Reigns got back in the ring and the crowd booed him. The Undertaker sat up and joined Reigns in the ring. Roman attacked him right away and stomped on him in the corner.

Reigns climbed to the second turnbuckle and connected with a series of right hands to the head of The Undertaker. Undertaker then grabbed him and delivered a Last Ride Powerbomb for a two count. Reigns grabbed a chair but Taker booted him in the face. Undertaker then hit Reigns in the back with the chair a couple of time and set up for the Chokeslam. Reigns avoided it by rolling out of the ring. Reigns returned to the ring and Reigns hit two Superman Punches. Reigns went for a third but Undertaker caught him and Chokeslammed him onto the chair for a two count.

The Undertaker hit the Tombstone Piledriver but Reigns kicked out at two. The crowd started to chant “bullsh**” after Reigns kicked out. There was a massive botch and Reigns was forced to drop Undertaker. It looked like Reigns was trying to go for a Tombstone Piledriver of his own. Instead, he hit his fourth Superman Punch of the match. Reigns then hit the Spear and went for the pinball but Undertaker countered it into Hell’s Gate. Reigns was able to get out of the hold.

Reigns then grabbed a chair and attacked Undertaker with it. Roman then hit Undertaker with another Spear but Undertaker kicked out at two. Reigns then hit another Spear and Undertaker kicked out once again. Roman then hit his fifth Superman Punch of the match and Undertaker sat up but fell back to the mat. Roman Reigns then hit another massive Spear for the victory.

After the match, the crowd started to chant “thank you Taker” as he laid on the mat. The Undertaker sat up and highlights of the match were shown. When the camera returned to the ring, The Undertaker had his coat and hat back on. The Undertaker took his gloves, coat and hat off and left them in the ring. The Undertaker walked up the entrance ramp and raised his fist towards the top. Fog then appeared and The Undertaker was lowered under the entrance ramp.

Winner: Roman Reigns

Reaction: I enjoyed this match. It had some rough moments but I thought it was well done. The negative reaction  to Roman Reigns winning the match was over quickly  once the audience realized that The Undertaker was done. It was time for The Undertaker to go. Father Time remains undefeated and his body was wearing down. Having said that, I still do not want to accept it. The Undertaker is one of the main reasons I am a wrestling fan. I find it devastating that we won’t get to see him perform at Wrestlemania anymore. There will never be anyone like The Undertaker in WWE again. He is irreplaceable. Thank you Taker for everything.

What did you think of Wrestlemania 33? Share your thoughts below.

Photos: New WWE Universal Champion Crowned At WrestleMania

Scott Lazara
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Brock Lesnar is your new WWE Universal Champion after defeating Goldberg in one of the WrestleMania 33 main events tonight.

The match saw Lesnar hit 10 German suplexes on Goldberg.

Check out photos and videos from the match below:

New WWE Champion Crowned At WrestleMania 33

Scott Lazara
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Randy Orton became a nine-time WWE Champion after defeating Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship at tonight’s WrestleMania 33 PPV in Orlando.

Orton won the fairly short match “outta nowhere” with the RKO, the culmination of a longterm storyline that saw Randy Orton infiltrate the Wyatt Family last year, break free, burn down the Wyatt Family compound and win the Royal Rumble to earn the title shot.

This marks the 9th World title reign for Randy Orton.

John Cena Proposes To Nikki Bella At WrestleMania 33

Scott Lazara
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John Cena and Nikki Bella were engaged to be married in the middle of the ring at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando.

Following their win over Maryse and The Miz, Cena took the mic and dropped to one knee and asked Nikki to marry him. No word yet on when the wedding will take place.

Cena told Nikki that said that before she went in for her neck surgery several months ago, he wanted to ask her one question that she would give him a truthful answer to. His question, which she barely remembered because she was medicated and about to go under the knife, was whether or not she’d marry him one day. She said yes. Cena said now was the time to make it official and got down on one knee to ask for her hand in marriage. He took out a massive engagement ring and Nikki said yes. They celebrated together and at ringside with their families.

Congratulations to John Cena and Nikki Bella!

The Hardys Return To WWE, Win The RAW Tag Team Titles (Photos)

Scott Lazara
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The Hardy Boys returned to WWE at tonight’s WrestleMania 33 PPV in Orlando to capture the RAW Tag Team Championships from Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson in the Fatal 4 Way Ladder Match. Sheamus & Cesaro and Enzo Amore & Big Cass were the other two teams.

Prior to the match beginning, WrestleMania hosts The New Day came out and revealed a fourth mystery team would be entering the contest. After teasing they would be that team, the Hardy Boys music hit and the Camping World Stadium erupted with the biggest pop of the night. The match saw several high spots from Matt and Jeff, who are credited with helping put ladder matches on the map.

The Hardys became 7-time WWE Tag Team Champions with the WrestleMania victory. It was Jeff Hardy’s first WWE match since 2009 and Matt’s first since 2010.

WWE posted this video of Matt and Jeff Hardy reacting backstage after their surprise return:

Tim Wiese Leaving WWE Developmental, Returning to European Football

Chris Stephens
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9

German wrestling fans will be sad to learn that former national team goalkeeper Tim Wiese is putting his professional wrestling career on hold to return to football.

The 35-year old former Bundesliga star had only recently made his in-ring debut with the company at a November house show in Munich. German media is now reporting that Wiese plans on leaving WWE developmental to return to European football.

Tim Wiese and WWE

At 6ft4in and 260lbs, Wiese has an imposing presence. He claims he received an offer from WWE shortly after retiring from football in 2014. Wiese wouldn’t sign with WWE until 2016 however.

Despite his popularity in Europe, Wiese has opted to return to football. He recently signed with minor league football club SSV Dillingen. While he is only saying he is putting his pro-wrestling ambitions “on hold”, he is already in his mid-30s. A return to WWE developmental down the line seems unlikely considering his age.

WWE WrestleMania 33 Results & Discussion (4/2)

Eric Lynch
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The 33rd annual edition of WWE WrestleMania aired live on April 2nd at 7 PM ET, with the pre-show starting at 5 PM ET. The show was broadcast live on the WWE Network and on pay-per-view from the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

WrestleMania 33 Kickoff Show

– Fans have entered the Camping World Stadium and Shawn Michaels has joined the pre-show panel.

– Neville (c) def. Austin Aries: The WWE Cruiserweight Title is on the line in this one. Neville gets frustrated in the opening moments as he has a hard time overcoming Aries’ offense. Aries hits a spinning elbow on Neville off the middle rope, and Neville rolls outside for recover. Aries goes for a suicide dive but Neville stops him with a kick to the head. Neville beats Aries down around ringside and then takes him back in the ring where he attempts a corkscrew moonsault. Aries rolls out of the way, then lays into Neville with chops. Aries follows up with a pendulum elbow and back body drops Neville outside to the floor. Aries goes up top and hits a splash onto Neville on the floor, then follows up with a suicide dive. Back in the ring, Aries hits a wicked missile dropkick off the top rope. Aries attempts the Discus Fivearm but Neville blocks with a superkick and follows up with a German suplex for a near-fall. Aries comes back with a successful Discus Fivearm and it sends Neville falling out of the ring. Austin rolls Neville back in the ring, but the champion rolls back to the apron. Neville comes back with a kick to the head, and both men are down. Neville climbs up to the top rope, but Aries jumps up and Frankensteiners the champion down to the mat. Aries follows up with a running forearm in the corner and then a 450 splash off the top. Neville kicks out at two, so Aries put him in an STF. Neville gauges the eye socket of Aries, but the referee doesn’t stop the match. Neville follows up with the Red Arrow to retain the Cruiserweight Title.

– Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal: The Big Show and Braun Strowman are the only two entrants to have their entrance music played. Kalisto, Simon Gotch, and Heath Slater are the first three to be eliminated. Strowman and Big Show continue to eliminate anyone who comes across their path early on. The remaining talent gangs up on Big Show and Strowman, but Strowman then eliminates Big Show. Strowman is eliminated next, and the two early favorites to win are both out already. After a series of fast-paced eliminations, the final four is Jinder Mahal, Sami Zayn, Mojo Rawley, and Killian Dain. Dain quickly eliminates Zayn which gets him heat from the crowd. Jinder and Mojo brawl in front of Gronk from the New England Patriots. Jinder throws Gronks drink at him, and Gronk hops the fan barricade. The security stops Gronk, but it appears to have been a mistake and the referees run over and call off the security. Gronk gets in the ring and spears Jinder. Mojo high-fives Gronk and Gronk leaves. Mojo eliminates Dain after a series of running punches, and it’s down to Mojo and Jinder. Jinder tries to suplex Mojo outside, but Mojo blocks it and hits a running forearm on Jinder to knock him down for the elimination. Mojo celebrates with Gronk after the match. Winner: Mojo Rawley

– Paul Heyman is backstage in the “social media lounge” to field some questions from fans. Heyman says his client Brock Lesnar will give Goldberg as many suplexes tonight as he deems appropriate. Heyman says Lesnar is the greatest athlete ever in WWE, and Goldberg’s comeback ends tonight.

– On the pre-show panel, Booker T picks Goldberg to win tonight, while Lawler and Shawn Michaels pick Lesnar.

– Dean Ambrose (c) def. Baron Corbin: The Intercontinental Title is on the line in this one. Corbin starts things off with a clothesline that drops Ambrose. Corbin continues to beat down Ambrose both in the ring and at ringside in the opening moments of this one. Ambrose mounts a comeback and sends Corbin to the outside. Ambrose goes for a suicide dive but Corbin punches him out of mid-air with a right hand. Corbin charges at Ambrose but Ambrose moves and Corbin crashes into the ring steps. Ambrose follows up with a flyign elbow off the top rope onto Corbin on the floor at ringside. Back in the ring, Ambrose hits a swinging neckbreaker on Corbin, but Corbin quickly comes back with a big boot and the Deep Six for a two count. Ambrose comes back with a lariat and attempts the Dirty Deeds, but Corbin fights out and hits a back suplex for another near-fall. Corbin gets frustrated and starts throwing elbows at Ambrose. Corbin goes for the End Of Days, but Ambrose escapes it and hits the Dirty Deeds for the win.

WrestleMania 33

– A singer name Tinashe comes out and sings America The Beautiful to open up the show, and we see fighter jets fly high above the arena. The “ultimate thrill ride” intro video airs, and WrestleMania 33 officially begins.

– Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton are at ringside for commentary to start, and The New Day comes out to the ring to open up the show. They talk about being chosen to host WrestleMania because they rock, and how they’re glad to pull the level to start the ultimate thrill ride.

– AJ Styles def. Shane McMahon: Styles and McMahon trade wrist locks and headlocks early on. AJ levels Shane with a shoulder block, then follows up with a snapmare and mocks Shane’s dancing. Shane comes back with some arm drags and takedowns, and AJ rolls outside to recover for a moment. Back in the ring they start exchanging punches and Shane gets the upper hand. AJ ducks a spear and sends Shane falling outside. AJ follows up with a baseball slide kick that sends Shane falling over the announce desk. Back in the ring, AJ tees off on Shane with kicks. AJ hits a big flying clothesline in the corner on Shane. AJ goes for a series of strikes on Shane, but Shane fights him off. AJ leaps up to the top rope, but Shane bumps him off. McMahon follows up with a series of right hands, then a flying elbow to the face. Shane follows up with a back body drop and an Olympic Slam. AJ kicks Shane in the leg and follows up with a fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker over his knee. AJ locks Shane in the Calf Crusher, but Shane reverses into a sleeper hold and then an armbar. AJ gets out and they collide with a double clothesline and both men are down. AJ goes for a springboard 450 splash, but Shane rolls out of the way and puts AJ in a triangle choke. AJ picks up Shane from the triangle choke position and hits Shane with the Styles Clash. AJ only had one of Shane’s arms hooked for the Styles Clash, and Shane kicks out at two. AJ and Shane trade right hands in the middle of the ring, and the crowd sounds in favor of Styles. Shane hits some knees on AJ and AJ goes to kick him, but he accidentally kicks the referee. Styles hits the Pele Kick on Shane. The ref is down, so AJ grabs a couple trash cans from under the ring. AJ sits Shane in the corner and puts the trash can in front of him. AJ gets up on the opposite corner and comes flying towards Shane, but Shane hops up and blocks AJ with the trash can. Now Shane sits AJ in the corner, and puts the other trash can in front of him. Shane goes up top and successfully hits the coast to coast dropkick on AJ. The referee finally gets up, but AJ kicks out at two. Shane puts AJ on the announce table at ringside and heads to the top rope. Shane goes flying for an elbow drop, but AJ rolls out the way and Shane crashes through the table by himself. AJ rolls Shane into the ring and goes for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Shane ducks it and hits a DDT on AJ. Shane goes up top for a Shooting Star Press, but AJ rolls out of the way and Shane crashes on the ring. AJ follows up with the Phenomenal Forearm for the three count.

– Kevin Owens def. Chris Jericho: For Jericho’s entrance we have a huge “List of Jericho” book on the stage, and Jericho has a light-up scarf. Owens hits the cannonball in the corner early on, then Jericho rolls out to the apron and sits up against the ring post. Owens follows him to the apron and hits a cannonball against the ring post on the apron too. Back in the ring, Owens follows up with a senton splash for a two count. Jericho dropkicks Owens out to ringside and follows him to the floor where Jericho hits a back body drop. Back in the ring, Jericho hits a Frankensteiner off the top on Owens for a two count. Jericho hits a bulldog and goes for the Lionsault, but Owens stops him and hits a superkick. Owens goes up top for a Swanton bomb, but Jericho blocks it with his knees and both men are down. Owens starts laying into Jericho, but Jericho is able to put a stop to him with a back elbow and a successful Lionsault. Jericho goes for the Codebreaker, but Owens blocks it and locks Jericho in the Walls of Jericho. Jericho gets out, but Owens drops him with a superkick. Owens goes for a cannonball in the corner, but Jericho moves out of the way and puts Owens in the Walls. Owens reaches the ropes to break the hold. Jericho goes for the Codebreaker, but Owens blocks it and hits the Pop Up Powerbomb for a near-fall. Owens goes for another Pop Up Powerbomb, but this time Jericho reverses it into a Codebreaker. Things go to ringside where Owens powerbombs Jericho onto the corner of the ring apron. Owens rolls Jericho back in the ring and pins to win the United States Championship.

– Bayley (c) def. Nia Jax, Sasha Banks & Charlotte: Nia starts off charging at Sasha right off the bell. Nia dominates the opening couple of minutes and hits a bonsai drop on Bayley, which Graves called a vertical splash. Bayley and Sasha are brawling at ringside, and Nia throws Charlotte at them like a bowling ball to knock them down. Bayley, Sasha and Charlotte all team up to wear down Nia. Bayley and Sasha double-back suplex Nia with a big boot assist from Charlotte. Charlotte, Bayley and Sasha triple-team powerbomb Nia off the middle rope, and pin her for the elimination. Nia is the first woman to be eliminated. The action goes to ringside, and Charlotte hits a corkscrew moonsault off the top rope onto Bayley and Sasha at ringside. Back in the ring, Charlotte continues with offense on Sasha and Bayley. Charlotte tries to rip the turnbuckle off and does loosen it and Sasha continues the offense on her. Charlotte throws Sasha face-first into the exposed turnbuckle and rolls her up for the elimination, and it’s down to Charlotte and Bayley. Charlotte goes for a moonsault off the top on Bayley but Bayley rolls out of the way and covers her for a near-fall. Bayley goes to the top but Charlotte catches her in mid-air and slams her. Charlotte goes into the Figure Four and Figure Eight but Bayley breaks the hold. Charlotte continues working on Bayley’s knee and goes for a spear in the corner, but Bayley moves. Bayley follows up with the flying elbow drop off the top rope for the win.

– The WWE Hall of Fame class of 2017 comes out to the stage, with Kurt Angle coming out last with his own entrance music.

– Matt & Jeff Hardy def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, Sheamus & Cesaro, Enzo & Cass: The New Day comes out and announces that this match is now a Fatal Four Way — and then Jeff Hardy’s music hits. Matt and Jeff Hardy come out next and get a huge ovation from the crowd. Matt does appear to still be “broken.” The Hardy boys hit the Poetry In Motion early on against Gallows and Anderson. The Hardys hit their signature double team moves on Enzo and Cass next. Hardy hits the Whisper In The Wind on both Cesaro and Sheamus, and the crowd goes off with “delete” chants. Matt grabs a ladder and starts laying out everyone who comes near him. Gallows and Anderson grab a ladder and lay out the Hardy boys with it. Enzo and Cass take out The Club, and then Cass starts laying everyone out with big boots. Cesaro falls off the ladder and gets his leg tied up in the rungs. Enzo and Big Cass grab even more ladders and slide them in the ring. Matt and Jeff lay some ladders across the ring apron and fan barricade. In the ring, Sheamus hits the 10 Beats of The Baron on Gallows, and Cesaro swings Anderson. Sheamus hits a running powerslam on Anderson, then Cesaro hits a 619 on Gallows. Cass big boots a ladder into Cesaro and sends him off the apron. There’s some brawling at ringside, then Sheamus kicks Jeff off the apron onto everyone. Back in the ring, Gallows and Anderson powerbomb Cass into a ladder. Enzo almost grabs the title belts, but Anderson stops him. Sheamus and Cesaro go for a double Razor’s Edge on Anderson, but Gallows makes the save. They hit the Magic Killer on Cesaro and throw him and Sheamus out to the ladders that are propped up between the ring and barricade. Matt Hardy hits the Twist of Fate on Gallows, then gives Anderson a Twist of Fate off the ladder. Jeff Hardy climbs a ladder that’s nowhere near the titles, and hits a huge Swanton Bomb on Cesaro and Sheamus through the ladders. Back in the ring, Matt grabs the title belts for the win, and The Hardy Boys are now the RAW Tag Team Titles.

– Jimmy Fallon is shown in the crowd.

– John Cena & Nikki Bella def. The Miz & Maryse: Jerry Lawler replaces Otunga on commentary. Al Roker does the ring announcing and introduces himself as “Chocolate Thunder.” The Miz is hesitant to start things early on and takes a few opportunities to taunt the crowd. Cena charges at Miz but The Miz rolls out to ringside. Back in the ring, The Miz mounts some offense against Cena and taunts Nikki on the apron. The Miz hits a running clothesline on Cena in the corner and eats up the crowd’s cheers. Miz continues working on Cena with kicks and keeping him grounded. The Miz is playing to the crowd and hits Daniel Bryan-style kicks on Cena. Nikki and Maryse finally tags in and Nikki immediately spears down Maryse. Nikki levels Maryse with a elbow and then Cena hits the back suplex on Miz. They each hit back suplexes and and Five Knuckle Shuffles, then Cena hits the AA and Nikki hits the Rack Attack for the win. After the match, Cena gets a mic. Cena proposes to Nikki after the match and she says yes.

– Seth Rollins def. Triple H: There are motorcycle cops all around the stage, and Triple H is on a three-wheeled motorcycle with Stephanie on the back. The police ride along with Triple H down to the ring an he circles the ring on his bike American Badass style. The Game and Rollins start off throwing punches as soon as the bell rings. Things go out to ringside very early where they brawl over the fan barricade. Rollins back body drops Triple H back onto the ringside floor, then hits a flying clothesline off the barricade onto Triple H. Back in the ring, Rollins continues delivering offense to the 14-time World Champion. Triple H rolls back outside and Rollins drops him with a suicide dive. They brawl onto the announce table and Triple H DDTs Rollins onto the table, but the table doesn’t break. Triple H grabs a chair and slams it on Rollins’ knee. Triple H is now focused in on Rollins’ bad knee and continues working on it both outside and inside the ring. Rollins tries to fight back but his knee prevents him, until he gets Triple H up and powerbombs him into the turnbuckle. Triple H rolls outside and Rollins follows him out and continues to beat him down. Back in the ring, Rollins comes at HHH with a chair, but The Game kicks out his bad knee. Triple H goes up top but Rollins hits him with a chair then superplexes him off. Rollins follows up with the Falcons Arrow for a near-fall. Triple H comes back with a variation of the Figure Four. Rollins attempts a comeback, but Triple H stomps on his knee and takes him out to ringside for more offense on the knee. Rollins crawls back in the ring, and Triple H grabs a sledgehammer. Rollins hits a superkick on The Game, but Triple H comes back with a clothesline, and both men are down. Rollins grabs the sledgehammer, but Stephanie gets on the apron and grabs it from behind it. Rollins turns around into a boot from Triple H, and HHH hits a Pedigree for a near-fall. Triple H takes Rollins up top, but Rollins throws him off. Rollins hits the Phoenix Splash off the top for a two. They trade Pedigree attempts until Triple H finally goes back to Rollins’ knee. Stephanie grabs Rollins from behind and Triple H goes to hit him, but Rollins ducks. Rollins superkicks Triple H and he bumps into Stephanie, who falls off the apron through a table! Triple H looks furious, and when he turns around Rollins hits him with a Pedigree for the win.

– Pitbull and Flo Rida come out to perform for the crowd in Orlando.

– Randy Orton def. Bray Wyatt: Wyatt’s WWE World Championship is on the line in this one. Orton starts off on the offensive with a powerslam, but Wyatt quickly comes back. Wyatt drops Orton with an elbow, then hangs backwards from the corner. The lights go out, and a projection of maggots is displayed on the ring apron. Orton freaks out and rolls out of the ring. Back in the ring, Orton attempts an RKO, and Wyatt attempts a Sister Abigail, but Orton escapes and Wyatt drops him with an elbow. Wyatt follows up with a running splash in the corner. Wyatt hangs from the corner again, and this time a projection of worms is shown on the mat. On the outside, Wyatt comes flying off the apron towards Orton but Orton stops him in mid-air with a dropkick. Orton hits an RKO on Wyatt at ringside, then a draping DDT over the middle rope in the ring. Wyatt comes back with a Sister Abigail for a two count. Wyatt hangs off the corner again and this time we see cockroaches in the ring. Wyatt goes for another Sister Abigail, but Orton comes back with an RKO out of nowhere for the win. Orton celebrates with the WWE World Championship in the ring before he leaves.

– Brock Lesnar def. Goldberg: Goldberg’s got the security with him for his entrance. Before the match, Heyman steals the mic from Jojo to give Lesnar his ring introduction himself. As soon as the bell rings, Lesnar immediately circles behind Goldberg and starts a series of German Suplexes. Lesnar takes a moment to yell at the crowd, and he turns around into a spear from Goldberg. Goldberg hits another spear, then Lesnar rolls outside. Goldberg follows him out, and spears Lesnar through a fan barricade. Back in the ring, Goldberg goes for a Jackhammer, but Lesnar gets out and goes for an F-5. Goldberg gets out, and spears Lesnar. Goldberg goes for the Jackhammer again, and this time he hits it. Goldberg kicks out at two. Goldberg is surprised, and he backs into hte corner for another spear. Goldberg goes for a spear, but Lesnar jumps over him and Goldberg hits the turnbuckle. Lesnar follows up with German suplexes. Lesnar finishes after the tenth German suplex, then Lesnar hits the F-5 for the win. Lesnar and Heyman celebrate with the WWE Universal Championship in the ring.

– Naomi def. Alexa Bliss, Natalya, Carmella, Mickie James, & Becky Lynch: All six women go at it as soon as the bell rings, and Naomi hits a hurricanrana on Natalya early on. Things go outside and Natalya hits a vertical suplex on Noami. Back in the ring, Becky starts laying people out, then James Ellsworth runs in. Ellsworth goes for the No Chin Music, but Becky catches him with a t-bone suplex. Natalya attempts a double Sharpshooter on Becky and Alexa but doesn’t quite get it. Naomi comes back in and starts cleaning house. She hits a suicide dive on everyone at ringside, then back in the ring she locks Alexa in a submission for the win. Naomi celebrates with her new Women’s Championship belt after the match with a dark-light dance demonstration.

– The New Day comes out and Big E says there’s a new attendance record for the “Citrus Bowl.” Kofi announces it as 75,245.

– Roman Reigns def. The Undertaker: Jim Ross makes his entrance before the match, complete with entrance music. This one is a no holds barred match. Undertaker backs Reigns into the corner with punches as soon as the bell rings. Taker throws Reigns outside, and when Reigns rolls back in, Taker hits him with right hands and throws him back outside. Each time Taker throws him outside, he tells him it’s his yard. Reigns pulls Taker’s neck across the top rope an then comes back in the ring and hits a Samoan Drop. Taker rolls outside and Reigns follows him. Taker starts unloading offense on Reigns at ringside until Reigns knocks him back and hits a running dropkick. Back in the ring, Taker and Reigns exchange right hands. Taker goes fr a back body drop, Reigns kicks him and Taker no-sells it. Taker takes Reigns into the corner with punches and headbutts, then measures up for a chokeslam but Reigns rolls outside. Taker follows Reigns outside and decks him with a right hand. Taker clears the announce table, and J.R., Cole and JBL get out of the way. Reigns comes back with a dropkick. Reigns goes for a superman punch, but Taker catches him an chokeslams Reigns into a different announce table. Taker gets up on the English announce table and Reigns spears him off through the Spanish announce table. Reigns rolls back in the ring, and Undertaker sits straight up. Taker rolls in but Reigns immediately starts dropping knees on him. Reigns hits a series of clotheslines in the corner, then mounts him for a series of ten punches. After the tenth, Taker hits the Last Ride for a two count. Taker brings a chair in the ring then big boots Reigns. Taker starts teeing off on Reigns with the chair, then measures up for the chokeslam, but Reigns comes back with a superman punch. Reigns hits another one, but on his next attempt The Undertaker grabs him and chokeslams him for a two count. Taker hits a Tombstone piledriver for a near-fall. Taker goes for another one, and they try to do the rollover reversal, but Reigns was unable to get Taker up. The reversal spot doesn’t look good, and Reigns settles for a superman punch instead. Reigns follows up with a spear, but when he goes to pin, Taker puts him in an armbar. Reigns reaches the bottom rope, and the referee breaks it up despite this being a no holds barred match. Taker goes for the chair, but Reigns gets it first and nails Taker with it several times. Reigns follows up with a spear for a near-fall. Reigns hits another spear and Undertaker kicks out again. Reigns hits a superman punch. The Undertaker sits up, but he falls over. When he gets up, Reigns appears to be going for a spear, but instead throws some punches. Reigns bounces off the ropes a few more times and hits another spear, this time it’s for the win.

– Reigns makes his way to the back, and Undertaker is still down in the ring. Taker sits up as the crowd chants “thank you Taker.” Ross, Cole and JBL take us through some replays from the match. When we come back from the replays, Taker is in his trench coat and hat with the black lights on. The Undertaker looks out at the crowd as his music plays. The Undertaker takes off his gloves, trench coat, and hat, and lays them in the ring as the crowd gives him a standing ovation. The Undertaker walks over to his wife in the front row and kisses her before making the long walk back up the ramp. The Undertaker raises his fist while on the ramp, and then he lowers down into the ramp. The lights all go out and the gong sounds several times before the WrestleMania 33 broadcast from Orlando ends.

Paul Heyman Believes Charlotte Will Main Event WrestleMania Someday

Chris Stephens
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Paul Heyman appeared at Axxess yesterday, and as per usual he had plenty to say on a variety of topics. Perhaps the most notable opinion expressed by Brock Lesnar’s advocate was his belief that Charlotte Flair will one day be in the main event of WrestleMania.

Heyman even suggested that Charlotte’s opponent at that WrestleMania could be Ronda Rousey.

*Update: Heyman expanded on his comments today in a blog for Yahoo Sports.

Charlotte Flair at WrestleMania

Women in the main event of WrestleMania is something which will happen eventually. The goal is, or at least should be, to provide a division for the women which allows them to get over to the same degree the men do. This is what occurred in the UFC, when the company put Ronda Rousey’s first fight with the promotion in the main event of a PPV. The women’s divisions were seen as immediately on par with the mens’.

One of the frequently cited reasons for the Raw women’s division lacking momentum, is it’s small roster. It’s hard for a title to feel important when only a handful of women compete for it. Not to mention with the belt changing hands so frequently, fans of the Raw women’s division have become habituated to seeing new champions crowned.

Fan Records Adorable Dana Brooke Interaction at Axxess

Chris Stephens
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Dana Brooke is earning praise amongst fans who have had a chance to watch a viral video of her at Axxess. The 28-year-old Brooke was unaware a phone camera was capturing her conversation with a special needs wrestling fan.

https://twitter.com/JustdNew93/status/848232529777872896

Dana Brooke’s WWE Career

Before debuting in NXT in 2013, Dana Brooke was a competitive bodybuilder. From 2011-12 she competed on the IFBB circuit, and has been a competitor in 3 different Arnold Classic bodybuilding competitions.

In NXT she formed an alliance with Emma, before being called up to the main roster in 2016. She had been performing as Charlotte’s protege before recently turning against her mentor in March.

It is rumoured that Brooke and Dolph Ziggler are an item, and they were spotted together at the Hall of Fame on Friday. Ziggler and Brooke were drafted to different shows during the brand-split, through this did not appear to impact them as much as it did Alberto and Paige.

Drew Galloway Still Scheduled for ICW’s Barramania show 4/16

Jake Skudder
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Drew Galloway/McIntyre appeared on camera during Saturday night’s NXT Takeover show in Orlando and he now confirmed for a WWE return.

Since his WWE departure Galloway has been one of the standout performers on the UK Independent circuit, his performances in ICW being his most notable.

ICW posted the following tweet after the Takeover show advertising an already confirmed appearance by Galloway for their Barramania show that takes place April 16th. It is likely that Galloway is just finishing up his Independent dates however ICW & WWE have been heavily linked for the past couple of months with ICW rumoured to be heading to the WWE Network.

This may well develop into a bigger story with one of ICW’s biggest stars in Galloway making the jump back to NXT/WWE.

https://twitter.com/InsaneChampWres/status/848433432912949249

Hardys Lose ROH Tag Team Titles, Are They Bound for Wrestlemania?

Jake Skudder
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Matt & Jeff Hardy lost the ROH Tag Team Titles after a hellacious ladder match against the Young Bucks at Saturday night’s Ring of Honor Supercard of Honor show from Lakeland, Florida.

It has been rumoured throughout the week that the Hardy’s Ring of Honor contracts would be ending just in time for Wrestlemania. Although their title loss does not indicate they will be making a surprise appearance at WrestleMania, reliable sources say their returns are imminent.

Do you think that the Hardys will appear at Wrestlemania or RAW/Smackdown next week? Let us know in the comments section.

Also….

Are you looking for a Wrestlemania preview show? ‘The Scoop’ from the R&J Wrestling Podcast has you covered:

https://audioboom.com/posts/5770405-the-scoop-episode-1-wrestlemania-edition?t=0

https://twitter.com/NickJacksonYB/status/848414174644514816

Drew Galloway Officially Returning To WWE For NXT

Scott Lazara
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After making an appearance at NXT TakeOver: Orlando on Saturday night, WWE has officially announced Drew McIntyre (Drew Galloway) for the NXT roster.

McIntyre confirmed to ESPN that he’s back with WWE. A report at WWE.com states, “The dormer WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre has returned with his eye locked firmly on the NXT Championship.”

Drew McIntyre made his debut for WWE back in 2009 and remained on the main roster until 2014. Since then, he’s wrestled for independent promotions around the world and is a former TNA World Champion.

Second NXT Superstar Announced For WrestleMania 33

Scott Lazara
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WWE has announced that NXT Superstar Killian Dain of SAnitY will be competing in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33 tomorrow.

Dain joins Chinese recruit Tian Bing as the only NXT Superstars announced for the battle royal. Dain teamed with his SAnitY partners at TakeOver: Orlando tonight to defeat Ruby Riot, Kassius Ohno, Roderick Strong and Tye Dillinger.

The announcement on Dain’s WrestleMania role was made in this video by Cathy Kelley:

NXT TakeOver: Orlando Recap & Reaction

Robert Lentini
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SAnitY vs Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohno & Ruby Riot

No Way Jose was attacked by SAnitY during Axxess and was ruled out of this match. Kassius Ohno replaced No Way Jose in this match. Kassius beatdown Wolfe to start off the match. Eric Young distracted Kassius and Wolfe knocked him to the mat. Eric Young then enterered the match and isolated Kassius in the corner. Wolfe got back into the match and missed an Elbow Drop. Kassius then tagged in Roderick Strong and he immediately connected with a Dropkick that sent Wolfe to the mat. Strong got distracted with Killian Dain on the ring apron and Wolfe connected with a Suplex.

Dain then entered the match and connected with a series of Elbow Drops to Roderick Strong. Dain hit a Dropkick and Strong bounced off of the turnbuckle. Strong spend the next few minutes getting beatdown by Dain, Wolfe and Young. Eric Young hit an Elbow Drop off the top rope to the back of Strong. Eric Young charged at Strong in the corner but Roderick got out of the way and tagged in Tye Dillinger. Tye planted Wolfe with a DDT and launched Eric Young out of the ring. Dillinger connected with a Crossbody to Wolfe and then hit a Suicide Dive onto Young outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Dillinger connected with several punches to Young in the corner. Young hit a Neckbreaker on Ohno in the ring. Roderick Strong hit the Sick Kick on Eric Young and knocked him out of the ring. Nikki Cross leaped on Strong’s back and attacked him. Ruby Riot then jumped on Dain’s back and attacked him. Ruby then threw Nikki Cross out of the ring and then hit her with a Dropkick. Killian Dain then planted Dillinger with the Ulster Plantation for the victory.

Winners: SAnitY

Reaction: This match started out slow but really picked up towards the end. The crowd was heavily behind Tye Dillinger but he once again was the one to take the pinfall at a TakeOver event.

Aleister Black vs Andrade “Cien” Almas

Aleister Black had an awesome entrance before the match started. Almas decided to pose in the ring a few times at the beginning of the match and didn’t seem to be taking things too seriously. That didn’t work out too well for him as Black knocked him out of the ring. Almas got back in the ring, took control of the match and slapped Black across the face. Almas then posed in the ring again and went for a Suplex but Black blocked it. Almas locked in an Arm Bar on the ropes and the hold was quickly broken. Almas then connected with a Dropkick off the top rope and applied another Arm Bar in the center of the ring.

The crowd got behind Aleister Black and he booted Almas in the face to break the hold. Almas went for a punch but Black caught him and connected with a knee to the the chest of Almas. Black then knocked Almas out of the ring and followed it up with a Moonsault off the ring apron. An “NXT!” chant broke out as the action returned to the ring. Both Superstars connected with a kick at the same time and they both fell to the mat. Almas flipped across the ring and connected with another kick for a two count. Almas followed it up with the Double Knees and followed it up with a snap German Suplex for a two count. Aleister then hit a spinning kick (Black Mass) for the pinfall victory.

Winner: Aleister Black

Reaction: Both Almas and Black performed very well in this match. There were some clunky moments, but overall this match was very solid. Aleister Black has a lot of potential and could be on of NXT’s bigger stars once some of the current talent makes their way to the main roster.

NXT Tag Team Championship Match: The Authors of Pain (c) vs The Revival vs DIY

DIY and Revival started off the match and on the same page and attacked The Authors of Pain. Gargano and Ciampa sent Akam into the barricade outside the ring. DIY then grabbed a table from under the ring and set it up outside the ring. DIY then slammed Akam into the steel steps. The Revival took out Rezar outside the ring as well. DIY and Revival then battled in the ring.

Akam tagged himself in and Clotheslined Gargano and Ciampa. Rezar was tagged in and he continued to beatdown Ciampa as Gargano made his way to the ring apron. Ciampa went for a Crossbody off the second rope but Rezar caught him. Ciampa connected with a kick to Rezar and went to tag in either Dash or Dawson. Both members of The Revival then hopped down from the ring apron and refused to be tagged in.

DIY returned the favor by hopping down from the ring apron when Dawson looked for a tag. Akam went for a Clothesline on Dawson but missed and went tumbling out of the ring.  DIY then took out both members of The Authors of Pain outside the ring. A “Johnny Wrestling!” chant broke out as Gargano and Dawson battled in the ring. Gargano leaped onto Rezar and Akam outside the ring but they caught him and threw him into Wilder outside the ring.

Back in the ring, Akam and Rezar took turns beating the hell out of Gargano. Ciampa pleaded for a tag but Akam prevented it. Ciampa was eventually tagged in and he connected with a snap German Suplex on Akam. Ciampa then connected with a series of knees and hit a second snap German Suplex. Ciampa and Gargano tried to Powerbomb Rezar off the ring apron through the table but he held onto the ropes. The Revival then hit Rezar in the face and DIY were finally able to Powerbomb Rezar through the table.

DIY and The Revival then surrounded Akam  in the ring. Dawson applied the reverse Figure Four and Gargano applied the Crossface at the same time. Ciampa and Dash tried to fight off Rezar but he powered through and all three men fell on top of Dawson, Akam and Gargano to break the hold. Gargano connected with a Superkick that knocked Rezar to the mat. Dawson and Gargano then hit the Meeting in the Middle. Wilder and Ciampa followed it up with a double team move of their own.

Wilder and Gargano then hit dueling Suicide Dives onto Akam and Rezar outside the ring. Ciampa then climbed to the top rope but Dawson attacked met him there. Dawson then hit an absurd Superplex off the top rope to the outside of the ring and the two men landed on everyone else competing in the match. Back in the ring, The Authors of Pain hit The Last Chapter on Ciampa and DIY was eliminated.

Dash hit an uppercut on Rezar and Dawson then planted him with a German Suplex for a two count. Rezar got back up and slammed Dawson to the mat with a Chokeslam. Rezar and Akam then Powerbombed Dawson and Wilder as the crowd booed. Rezar and Akam then smashed Dawson and Wilder into each other and hit the Super Collider for the victory.

Winners & Still NXT Tag Team Champions: The Authors of Pain

Reaction: It is going to be difficult for any match to top this one during Wrestlemania weekend. Honestly, this match was that damn good. Rezar and Akam are incredible athletes for their size. DIY are consistently great and The Revival are as close to a perfect tag team as you can get. This is one of those matches you will be watching over and over again.

NXT Women’s Championship: Asuka (c) vs Ember Moon

The match started off back and forth. Asuka and Ember Moon quite literally ran into each other a couple of times and then started screaming at each other. Moon then connected with a kick and taunted Asuka. Moon then hit a spinning kick and knocked Asuka out of the ring. Back in the ring, Asuka took back control of the match. Asuka tried to apply the Asuka Lock but Ember Moon blocked it and connected with a forearm to Asuka’s head. Moon then hit a Crossbody off the top rope onto Asuka outside the ring.

The action returned to the ring and Asuka once again took control of the match. Ember Moon powered out of the Asuka Lock and slammed Asuka to the mat. Asuka charged at Ember Moon but Moon moved out of the way and connected with a Superkick. Moon then hit a Fallaway Slam. Asuka caught Moon as she tried to springboard off the second rope and hit a German Suplex for a two count. Ember fought back and climbed to the top turnbuckle.

Asuka joined Moon on the top turnbuckle, but Moon knocked her to the mat. Ember Moon was gearing up for the Eclipse but Asuka shoved the referee into the turnbuckle. Ember Moon then fell off the top rope and slammed to the mat. Asuka then connected with a kick to Moon’s head for the victory.

Winner & Still NXT Women’s Champion: Asuka

Reaction: The finish to this match was a bit odd because the referee didn’t just immediately disqualify Asuka. I guess he somehow thought the obvious shove was a mistake. Other than that, this match was good. I would have preferred if it was given some more time but it was still entertaining. Ember Moon will definitely be holding that NXT Women’s Championship in the near future. Asuka had to resort to shoving a referee to defeat her.

Drew McIntyre was shown in the crowd with a guy that is not Seth Rogen seated behind him. McIntyre recently left Impact Wrestling and may be making his return to NXT or WWE in the near future.

NXT Championship Match: Bobby Roode (c) vs Shinsuke Nakamura

Dueling “Nakamura!” and “Bobby Roode!” chants echoed throughout the arena as the match started. Shinsuke taunted Roode in the beginning of the match and Roode laughed it off. Nakamura kicked Roode in the chest a couple of times and once again taunted him. Nakamura then threw Roode to the mat and hit him with a knee in the face. The match went back and forth for the next few minutes. Roode connected with a Dropkick and then knocked Nakamura out of the ring.

Back in the ring, Roode continued to control the match and did so with a grin on his face. Roode stomped on Nakamura in the corner and posed for the crowd. Roode then connected with a chop to Nakamura’s chest that could be heard in the bleachers. Roode followed it up with a Neckbreaker for a two count. Roode controlled the next few minutes of the match by applying submission holds.

Nakamura finally connected with a kick and both Superstars fell to the mat. Nakamura propped Roode up across the top rope and connected with a knee to the midsection. Nakamura then hit a Dropkick that sent Roode to the ring apron. Nakamura then hit two knees to the back of Roode’s head while he was laying on the ring apron. The action returned to the ring and Roode hit a massive Clothesline.

Shinsuke connected with a kick to the face and set up for the Kinshasa. Roode avoided it and focused his attack on Nakamura’s injured knee. Roode slammed Nakamura’s knee into the ring post and followed it up by applying the Figure Four in the middle of the ring. Shinsuke reversed the hold but Roode immediately grabbed the ropes and the hold was broken.

Roode once again targeted Shinsuke’s knee and stomped on it a couple of times. Roode went for the Figure Four but Nakamura reversed it into an Arm Bar. Roode was able to reach the bottom rope to break the hold. Shinsuke then beatdown Roode in the corner and connected with several kicks. Roode battled back and hit a Backstabber for a two count. Roode hit the Glorious DDT for a two count. Roode took a few seconds to attempt the pin and it cost him.

Roode rolled out of the ring and grabbed the ring bell. Roode brought the bell in the ring and the referee grabbed it. Roode demanded to be disqualified. The referee didn’t comply and simply took the bell from him. Nakamura went for the Kinshasa but Roode countered it into a Spinebuster for a two count. Roode once attacked Shinsuke’s knee and climbed to the second turnbuckle. Roode then leaped down while holding Nakamura and planted him head first into the mat with a massive Glorious DDT for the victory.

Winner & Still NXT Champion: Bobby Roode

Reaction: There have been rumors going around that Shinsuke Nakamura will be heading to the main roster soon. If that is the case, his last NXT match was a great one. Wrestlemania 33 is tomorrow night and it will be a spectacle. There will be musical performances and the atmosphere will be electric. However, from a pure wrestling standpoint it will be very difficult for Wrestlemania to be better than this show. There wasn’t a bad match on the card. The NXT Tag Team Championship match was the best match of the night in my opinion.

What did you think of NXT TakeOver: Orlando? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Drew Galloway Ringside For NXT Takeover: Orlando

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It appears Drew Galloway is headed to NXT as the former Impact World Champion was shown sitting ringside at tonight’s NXT TakeOver: Orlando event. Drew was mentioned by his former WWE name, Drew McIntyre.

Galloway left WWE back in 2014 and recently finished up with Impact Wrestling in February of this year.

Below are photos of Galloway in attendance tonight:


https://twitter.com/ClassicCatch84/status/848350629282144257

NXT TakeOver: Orlando Results & Discussion (4/1)

Eric Lynch
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WWE’s NXT TakeOver: Orlando aired live on Saturday, April 1st on the WWE Network at from the Amway Center.

– TakeOver: Orlando opens up with a shot of the arena, and we hear Triple H cutting a promo over the speakers. Triple H says the entire world is watching Orlando tonight, and tonight “we are home.”

– Eric Young, Killian Dain, Alexander Wolfe and Nikki Cross def. Tye Dillinger, Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohno and Ruby Riot: Ohno is replacing No Way Jose. Things start off with all eight competitors brawling through the ring. It comes down to Ruby and Nikki, and Nikki grabs her by the hair and slams her on the ring repeatedly. Ohno and Wolfe tag in, and Ohno drops him with a stiff right hand. Strong tags in and hits a series of suplexes and slams on Wolfe and Young. Dain tags in and turns the tides on Strong. Eric Young tags in and gets Strong in a Dragon Sleeper on the turnbuckle. Young follows up with a flying elbow off the middle rope for a two count. Young hits another flying elbow, this time off the top, but then Tye breaks up the pin. Young punches Dillinger off the apron, then punches Ohno off too. The aprons clear with everyone brawling, and Dillinger gets Young to himself in the ring and rains down on him with punches in the corner. Dillinger drops Young with a back body drop, then superkicks Dain. Cross jumps on the back of Dillinger, and Riot jumps on the back of Dain. Eventually Cross gets off and grabs Riot, and they brawl to the outside. Young hits a lariat on Strong at ringside, and in the ring Wolfe hits a big boot on Dillinger. Wolfe is the legal man, and he immediately follows up on the big boot and pins for the win.

– WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Beth Phoenix are shown sitting at ringside.

– Aleister Black def. Andrade “Cien” Almas: Black and Almas start off with a textbook collar-and-elbow tie up and go move-for-move on the mat in the opening minutes. Black whips Cien into the ropes and Cien takes the chance to relax for a minute. Black goes for a suicide dive, but changes his mind and waits for Cien to come back in the ring. Black hits a spinning heel kick and follows up with a side headlock. Cien backs Black up in the corner and follows up with chops and stomps. Cien controls the next few moments with offense until Black takes things outside and hits a moonsault onto Cien on the floor. Back in the ring, Cien comes back with several elbows and a boot in the face. Cien hits an armbar hanging over the top rope until the ref breaks it up. Cien comes off the top but Black catches him with a powerbomb for a two count. Cien comes back with another armbar, and follows up with some elbow strikes in the corner. Almas and Black are evenly matched offensively for the next few moments as they trade kicks, but Almas gets the upper hand and hits some running knee strikes in the corner. Almas hits a snap German suplex for a near-fall. Black comes back with a boot to the face, and follows up with a stiff spinning heel kick for the win.

– We get a look at Ember Moon backstage preparing for her match tonight.

– The Authors of Pain def. DIY & The Revival: This one is a triple threat elimination match for the Tag Team Titles. DIY sets up a table at ringside early on. The three teams are very evenly matched offensively in the opening minutes until The Authors appear to take control of things. Akam puts Gargano in a rack, until Gargano is able to get out and hit an enziguri on Akam. Gargano knocks Rezar off the apron, then tags in Ciampa. Ciampa unloads with offense and hits two German suplexes on Akam. Ciampa follows up with a running knee strike for a two count. Ciampa continues fighting both of the Authors, and eventually DIY assists them in putting Rezar through a table at ringside. Akam comes back and fights off his four opponents until Ciampa counters and powerbomb and tags in Dawson. Dawson and Gargano get Akam in a double submission hold, but Rezar finally gets up and breaks it up. The Revival ends up briefly joining forces with with DIY to take out the Authors, and then they quickly start brawling against each other. It comes down to Gargano and Dash in the ring, and they stop to hit double suicide dives on Akam and Rezar on the floor. A big superplex off the apron onto everyone on the ringside floor leads to The Authors hitting The Last Chapter on Ciampa in the ring for the elimination. The Authors double team Dash until The Revival comes back with assisted German suplexes. The Authors attempts to come back with a Last Chapter, but it gets reversed. The Authors powerbomb the Revival members in unison, an then hit the Super Collider shortly after for the win. The Authors and Paul Ellering celebrate with the Tag Titles after the bell.

– Asuka def. Ember Moon: Things start off with a back-and-forth striking sequence after the opening bell, and Ember gets the upper hand shortly after with an elbow that sends Asuka to the outside. Ember follows up with a splash off the turnbuckle on the floor, then throws Asuka back in the ring. Asuka dodges a cross body off the top and capitalizes with a Shining Wizard for a two count. Asuka follows up with kicks and attempts the Asuka Lock. Ember fights out and back drops Asuka. Asuka goes for the hip attack but Ember dodges it and hits a kick to the face. Ember follows up with a hurricanrana and a neckbreaker. Ember hits a dropkick and several more kicks before a knee to the face. Ember hits a fallaway slam, but Asuka comes back with palm strikes and they exchange blows in the middle of the ring. Ember drops Asuka, and Asuka gets back up and attempts a kick, but Ember catches her leg and hits a t-bone suplex for a two count. Ember goes up top but Asuka pushes the referee into the ropes and Ember falls down. Asuka follows up with a kick to the head for the win to retain the NXT Women’s Title.

– Drew McIntyre is shown sitting at ringside and he gets a nice pop from the crowd.

– We get a look at Shinsuka Nakamura backstage preparing for his title match up next.

– Bobby Roode def. Shinsuka Nakamura: Roode’s NXT Championship is on the line in this one. Roode and Nakamura start off cautiously, trading leg kicks. Nakamura tees off with some strikes early on and stomps on Roode in the corner, but Roode comes back with a bump off the apron that sends Nakamura crashing into the guard rail. Back in the ring, Roode takes control of things and keeps Nakamura grounded. Roode rains down elbows on Nakamura and puts him in another neck hold until the challenger fights his way up. Roode attempts a sleeper, but Nakamura gets out and drops Roode with a spinning heel kick. Nakamura lays into Roode with punches and kicks, then drapes Roode over the corner ropes for a running knee. Nakamura lays Roode down with his head hanging off the apron and hits a knee drop onto Roode that sends them both to the ringside floor. Back in the ring, Nakamura goes for a suplex but Roode elbows his way out. The trade strikes until Roode drops him with an elbow and both men are down. Roode is up first and starts working on Nakamura’s bad knee. Roode gets Nakamura in the Figure Four, but Nakamura gets out and attempts an armbar on Roode. Nakamura transitions Roode into a triangle choke, then back into an armbar as Roode tries to fight out. Roode finally reaches the ropes, but his arm is hurt bad. Roode recovers around ringside, and gets back in the ring to trade strikes with Nakamura. Roode gets frustrated and grabs the ring bell from ringside. The referee holds Roode back and Nakamura hits him with a kick to the head. Nakamura follows up with a suplex, but Roode comes back with one of his own. The crowd is really getting into the back-and-forth action. Roode goes for an implant DDT, but Nakamura spears him into the corner. Roode gets Nakamura in a front face lock and hops up on the turnbuckle, then hits a huge tornado implant DDT on Nakamura. Roode pins for the win to retain the NXT Championship. After the bell, Roode celebrates with his brand new NXT Title belt and shows it off all the way up the ramp. Roode yells “I told you” towards the ring as TakeOver: Orlando goes off the air.

The Miz Talks About Fan Reaction To His Wrestlemania Match Changing Since It Was Announced

Robert Lentini
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The Associated Press obtained a quote from The Miz during their yearly Wrestlemania story.  When rumors came out about the mixed-tag match between John Cena & Nikki Bella versus The Miz & Maryse, the reaction was overwhelmingly negative. There was speculation on who The Undertaker would face at Wrestlemania 33 in the months leading up to the event. Many thought that the best option would be for The Undertaker to face John Cena at Wrestlemania 33. During a promo on the February 28th episode of Smackdown, Cena even acknowledged this and said that he would rather be facing The Undertaker than The Miz at Wrestlemania 33.

The build to this year’s Wrestlemania has been one that has lacked a lot of buzz. Everyone gets excited for Wrestlemania, but many of the feuds felt like they were missing something. As things progressed, it turned out that the mixed-tag match was actually one of the more entertaining feuds on WWE programming. The perception towards the match has completely changed from when it was announced till now. John Cena, Nikki Bella, The Miz and Maryse have done a terrific job getting the WWE Universe invested in this storyline during the past several episodes of Smackdown.

The Miz on the fan’s reaction changing since the match was announced:

“I do whenever something is there and people are talking about it and making noise about it. Why deny the magic,” he asked. “It’s funny, when it was announced as a mixed-tag match, people were like, you’re kidding me. Cena deserves to go against the Undertaker, Miz deserves to go against the WWE champion. This is below them. And then, once it started, people started going, ‘Oh wait a second,’ people are telling me this is the match people are looking forward to most. People care.”

Chris Jericho’s Current WWE Run Is Coming To An End Soon

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Chris Jericho was interviewed by Chris Smith of Forbes recently. During the interview, Jericho commented on how much longer his current WWE run will last:

“We’re getting ready to put out a new Fozzy record, and I can’t do wrestling and music at the same time. So I think this [wrestling] run is pretty much winding down at this point.” That shouldn’t be too much of a surprise – Jericho announced Fozzy’s May tour dates three weeks ago – but Jericho makes it sound like this next break could be a long one: “It’s time to take a break from wrestling and work on some of these other things that have been on the back burner and are starting to come to fruition.”

Jericho also added that he is willing to come back to the WWE in the future:

“If there’s a tour of Japan or a tour of Australia, I’ll go if I’m free. If there’s a weekend I’m free, I’ll do it in Peoria or Lakeland, Florida. It doesn’t matter to me how big or small the shows are, because they all count. I still enjoy it, and when it’s time for me to come back, if that time comes and when that time comes, then I’ll come back the same way I always do.”

Jericho is also working on his fourth autobiography and still hosts his podcast Talk Is Jericho. Jericho has made a bunch of returns to the WWE and some of them have only been for house shows. While always excellent, Jericho’s current WWE runs has included some of his best work. Time will tell when Jericho’s current run comes to an end, but hopefully we get to see another one of his triumphant returns to the WWE in the near future.

Preview For Raw Women’s Championship Match, Footage Of Bayley Announcing Women’s Tournament

Robert Lentini
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WWE uploaded a preview of Raw Women’s Championship Fatal 4-Way Elimination Match that is taking place tomorrow night at Wrestlemania 33. Bayley will defend her title against Charlotte, Sasha Banks and Nia Jax.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcz1d_bJp6Q

The WWE has also uploaded a video of Bayley leading up to her match at Wrestlemania 33. In the video, Bayley informs Asuka that she has a signing during NXT TakeOver: Orlando and will unable to watch the event. Bayley assured Asuka that she will be rooting for her and will watch the event on her phone. Also in the video, footage was shown of Bayley announcing the 32-competitor Women’s Tournament that will air on the WWE Network this summer.

Goldberg Reveals Why He’s Been ‘Absolutely Miserable’ Since Returning To WWE

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RAW Universal Champion Bill Goldberg has had a memorable run with WWE since returning to the ring back at Survivor Series, but he told Edge & Christian this past week that he’s been “absolutely miserable” ever since.

Goldberg appeared on the first episode of the E&C Pod of Awesomeness podcast and said he doesn’t sleep well, always feels bloated and is stressed 24 hours a day. He said,

 

“I’ll be honest, I’m miserable. I’m absolutely miserable. Nobody get me wrong when I say I’ve been miserable throughout this, but I am. I’m miserable. I’m bloated 24 hours a day. I’m stressed 24 hours a day. I don’t sleep, but it’s a small price to pay.”

At 50 years old, it’s not easy staying in ‘Goldberg’ shape. He made the decision to wrestle again so his wife and son could see him perform in person, but he pays a high price to compete at the highest level in WWE and admits that it’s stressful living up to the expectation of fans expecting to see him looking like his WCW prime.

“I am nothing but a machine now. I get up in the morning. I eat. I train. I eat. It’s the toughest thing I ever embarked upon, guys,” he said, “I’m 13 years removed from the business. I can’t name a power wrestler who has come back 13 freaking years afterwards. And then, within 20 pounds of what he was back then.”

After a 12 year hiatus from the ring, Goldberg said he’s also had a hard time executing his legendary ring entrance.

“Well, I mean, let’s be honest, man. I forgot how to go through my pyro! I honestly, I swear to God, I actively, when I came back to the WWE, each and every time I went through Gorilla [position], I would remember another thing that I had forgotten in my preparation,” he said. “I throw my punches. I throw my kicks. I pull my hamstring throwing a kick! Throwing a kick! It’s ridiculous.”

Goldberg will defend the Universal Championship against Brock Lesnar this Sunday at WrestleMania 33 from Orlando, Florida.

Bobby Roode Talks About His Time In NXT & TNA

Robert Lentini
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Bobby Roode was recently interviewed by Ryan Dilbert of Bleacher Report. Roode was asked about his stint with the WWE in the early 2000’s. His first run with the WWE was unsuccessful, as he was relegated to untelevised matches and matches that aired on Sunday Night Heat or Velocity.

Roode on his first go around with the WWE:

“I was working hard to be noticed and to be seen,” Roode recalled of those days. “For whatever reason, it just wasn’t my time there. Instead of quitting or being discouraged, I went somewhere else and continued to try to live my dream. I was able to do that and make a name for myself in the process.”

Roode has spent the majority of his career in TNA wrestling. For those that watched TNA while he was there, it was obvious that he was star. However, TNA never had the audience that the WWE has and TNA never fully capitalized on his talent.

Roode on his time with TNA Wrestling:

“I got an opportunity there to work with a lot of great guys, to be in the ring with a lot of veterans, to just open my eyes and open my ears to learn from guys like Kurt Angle and Bully Ray and the Hardys,” Roode said. “You get five or 10 minutes or possibly jump in the car with them to ride to the next town for two to three hours and pick their brains. I used that opportunity a lot.”

Bobby Roode is now NXT Champion. He has his sights set on joining the main roster in the near future. Roode is defending his NXT Championship tonight at NXT TakeOver: Orlando against Shinsuke Nakamura. Many in the WWE Universe feel that the NXT events are often better than WWE PPVs. Roode wants to continue that tonight at NXT TakeOver: Orlando.

Roode on tonight’s NXT TakeOver:

“The NXT motto is to go out there and steal the show,” The Glorious One said. “That’s our goal—to go out there and open eyes and challenge the main-roster guys to try to do better than we did the night before. The NXT TakeOver: Orlando card has the opportunity to be the best TakeOver of all time. The challenge is there. Hopefully, we go in there and set the bar pretty high.”

You can check out the entire Bobby Roode interview on Bleacher Report by clicking here.

Nikki Bella Confirms She Is Taking Time Off After WrestleMania

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Nikki Bella has confirmed that she will be taking time off from WWE after Sunday’s WrestleMania 33 pay-per-view.

During a media interview on Saturday morning, Nikki revealed that she has a slight herniation in her neck and will be taking time to recover. For the past several weeks it’s been rumored that she will be working a very limited schedule in the future due to her ongoing neck issues.

Nikki Bella will team with longtime boyfriend John Cena against The Miz and Mayrse in one of the most anticipated matches on the card. Cena will also be on Hiatus after WrestleMania to film another movie (The Pact).

Here’s the footage of Nikki talking about her upcoming WWE hiatus:

New NXT Championship Belts To Be Unveiled At Takeover, Mauro Ranallo Update, Jericho Trolls

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– NXT General Manager William Regal has announced that new NXT Championship belts will be unveiled later tonight at Takeover: Orlando.

– SmackDown Live announcer Mauro Ranallo confirmed that he will not be at WrestleMania 33 this Sunday, but congratulated Jim Ross on the news that JR will be calling at least one match on the show.

https://twitter.com/mauroranallo/status/848208562228674560

– Chris Jericho announced on social media that his WrestleMania match with Kevin Owens is jeopardy due to an ankle injury. It’s April Fool’s Day, so appreciate the Jeritroll and drink it in, man.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSWJNXPlTTX/?taken-by=chrisjerichofozzy

Roman Reigns’ Fans Overflow Into Samoa Joe Signing Area At WrestleMania Axxess (Video/Photos)

Eric Lynch
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Roman Reigns’ VIP autograph signing event at WrestleMania Axxess in Orlando reportedly had fans lining up an hour and a half early. Recent RAW signee Samoa Joe didn’t attract as many fans at Axxess, and Reigns’ lines were so long that they used Samoa Joe’s autograph area for the overflow. Joe’s signing ended a half-hour early. Nikki Bella’s line also reportedly had fans waiting over an hour in advance.

The autograph sessions were at 8 AM on Saturday, just one day out from WrestleMania 33.

As previously noted, Reigns is currently the top merchandise seller of WWE’s full-time performers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSWBU7qDnKZ/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BSWYbXulS-Z/

Braun Strowman Says He Wants to Feud With The Undertaker & is Jealous of Roman Reigns

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Braun Strowman talked to The Observer News Enterprise recently. He spoke about being in his first ever WrestleMania match, being envious of Roman Reigns’ feud with The Undertaker and how he feels about Bray Wyatt’s run with the WWE Championship.

Here are some highlights of what Strowman said about:

Being in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal:

“I had no idea exactly 100 percent what was going to happen this past Monday. I’m excited to be a part of [the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal]. Any opportunity this company gives me, I take the ball and run with it. Any opportunity you get, you need to make the most of it, and that’s what I plan on doing.”

Wanting a program with The Undertaker:

“Being in the ring with The Undertaker — I don’t know how to put it in words. When his music hits, it makes every hair on your body stand up, and everyone in the arena stands up. I definitely want to see more of Taker. I want a program with Taker. I’m going to be selfish. I’m envious of Roman Reigns. That’s The Undertaker. That’s his yard. Who doesn’t want to have an opportunity to have to work with The Undertaker? There’s nothing like it. He’s the Phenom. I’m really hoping he wants to come back and do one more [match at WrestleMania]. The people want it, and I want it.”

Bray Wyatt’s WWE Championship run:

“He deserves it so much. That guy has worked so hard. He’s such an unbelievable talent, character and wrestler. He has everything. It’s about time they did that for him and let him run with the strap and let him be Bray Wyatt. He’s a main event talent and has been one ever since he walked in the door. When I was with the Wyatt family, I’ll hold that near and dear to my heart. They helped me get to where I am now with my wrestling ability, my talking ability and how I carry myself.”

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