The first big surprise of the night occurred before the show even started as we got a new "bumper" - or at least one I'd not seen before - free and clear of any McMahon. It was then time for the usual pre-show video package and Grammy winner Coco something singing the National Anthem. I'm not sure if this was the first time that the Anthem was sung instead of "America The Beautiful," but if so, that'd be another switcheroo from the Vince Era.
Paul "Triple H" Levesque made his way to the ring to officially kickoff the first truly post-Vince WrestleMania. The commentators made that abundantly clear without name-checking their former boss.
Opening the show up was RAW Womens' Champion Rhea Ripley defending her title against Becky Lynch. They got cool intros with Lynch's playing off her recently-released memoir and Ripley coming out to a live rendition of her entrance music by Pennsylvania metal band Motionless in White. Good back and forth to start things as the commentators noted that Lynch was coming into this match after battling strep throat earlier in the week. Yuck. I've had strep a few times and it absolutely sucks. I'm not sure if it was Lynch not being 100% (likely), but this felt like the Rhea Ripley show more than a clash between two equals. Things picked up in the final few minutes, especially once Becky started getting more aggressive in the corner, bashing Ripley's head into the post at one point. Good stuff there. The finish was a little sloppy with Ripley not fully hitting the Riptide into the buckle the way they'd probably hoped. Liked seeing Ripley get the definitive win to extend her reign. I'm not sure where Lynch goes from here, but most likely a well-earned vacation. A good match, but not a great one like Ripley/Flair. They got plenty of time, but this still felt hamstringed. (3/5)
Both Tag Team Championships were on the line next in a 6-team scramble between #DIY (who were decked out in DX-inspired gear), The New Day, the reigning champions Judgment Day, A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory), The Awesome Truth, and New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate). This was your typical spotfest made much better by the inclusion of R-Truth, clearly the most over babyface in the entire match. Some nifty ladder and tabel spots, including New Catch Republic hitting stereo moonsaults on the floor, Grayson Waller getting put through a ladder by #DIY, and JD McDonaugh being sent flying through a table on the floor by Awesome Truth. This was fun for what it was, but nothing worth seeking out especially. (3/5)
Another tag match followed as Rey Mysterio and Andrade took on Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio. This was the third Judgment Day match in a row, which just goes to show how much of a cornerstone they are on both brands because, without them around, both this match and the previous probably would've drawn crickets. I really loved the Mysterio vs. Mysterio feud last year, but this lacked any of that spirit or emotion. I like Andrade more as a heel, but I understand the decision to push him as a babyface for now to get him on the card. Cool double-crossbody early on and Joaquin Wilde got to do his trademark assisted-springrope splash to give the fans a WrestleMania moment. The ending saw Jason Kelce and some other Philadelphia Eagle (I don't follow the NFL) come out in lucha masks to help the babyfaces win. It was fitting to have such a disconnected finish tacked onto this match because this match itself felt tacked on. Better than your typical TV match because they were given time and everyone involved is capable of delivering between the ropes, but "good filler" is still filler, especially on a show that runs 4+ hours. (3/5)
Uso vs. Uso was next after a very good video package and a not-as-good "performance" from Lil' Wayne. I wondered what they had to pay to bring him out there because it was not worth it (and I'm a Wayne fan). Jey and Jimmy definitely pulled from the Roman Reigns playbook for this match, milking the moments and adding a ton of melodrama to their match rather than filling it up with huge spots. Jey hit Jimmy with a ton of superkicks and when it came time to deliver the deathblow, Jimmy put his hands up and then apologized to his brother. It was a trick, though, and Jimmy hit his own superkick and then a splash for a 2 count. Jey's kickout led to the finishing stretch, which saw Jey hit a big spear and then his own splash to end the bout. This one could've used a little bit more time and a little bit more action as they basically fast-forwarded through the first act and got right to the trading superkicks/you're turn-my turn mirror stuff before going into the closing stretch. For a match that featured so much stalling and no-selling of superkicks, it felt rushed. (2/5)
The six-woman tag match follows as Damage CTRL's Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane took on the babyface trio of Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, and Naomi. Asuka and Naomi started things off. Speaking of Asuka, her dancing to Bianca's music before the match began popped me. Bianca got the first tag for her time, giving her the opportunity to shine by basically taking out all of Damage CTRL single-handedly. The crowd wanted to see Cargill come in, but Bianca's tag was cut-off and the heels regained control. A "We Want Jade" chant started up as the heels beat down Bianca in the corner. Cargill got the tag and Asuka and Dakota ran into her elbows and feet. Kairi came off the top but got caught and dropped with a backbreaker. Kai came at her next and ate a back body drop before getting put down with a driver. Cargill went for the cover but it got broken up. The babyfaces still got the big win moments later after Asuka inadvertently misted Kairi and the faces all hit their signature moves (with Cargill getting the pinfall W with Beth Phoenix's old finisher). This was good for what it was, clearly designed to push Cargill as the next big star of the women's division. (2.5/5)
The Intercontinental Championship match was next - GUNTHER defending against Sami Zayn. Before the match, Chad Gable gave Zayn a final pep talk and the camera followed him through the tunnel and the Gorilla Position where we saw him get a final hug from his longtime buddy, Kevin Owens. Cool moment there. This had "big fight feel" more than any match before it, which is a testament to Zayn's overness and how strong they have made GUNTHER. Very physical match with GUNTHER really laying in the chops and clotheslines (as expected). Zayn's suplexes looked great, though, and his fiery comebacks made it clear that he was not going down without a fight. I wish this match had got an extra 3-4 more minutes because I didn't necessarily buy the finish after all the punishment that GUNTHER took, but the emotion was certainly for the surprising finish. I liked how GUNTHER's overconfidence was the key factor, but felt like this was maybe a touch out-of-character for a guy that has been so laser-focused on holding onto the Intercontinental Championship in every major defense before this. The spot of the match was Zayn pulling off an insane brainbuster on the turnbuckle, a move that cut through the noise and really did feel like it was wild enough to flip a match entirely. Maybe weekly viewers of Raw would've been more emotionally invested in this than I was, but I didn't feel it quite to that level and think another minute or two of hard-hitting action before GUNTHER's prolonged heat segment could've got me there. (3.5/5)
Main event time - The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Cody came out first to a huge reaction from the Philly crowd, following by Rollins, and then The Rock, who arrived with a custom Brahma Bull championship belt that said "People's Champion" over his shoulder, a belt that Cole explained he'd been given the previous night at the Hall of Fame ceremony. The ring introductions were RIDICULOUS for this with even Michael Cole making note of how "big" Samantha Irvine went for this. And why not? A big staredown to start things, nobody making a move for a solid minute or two. They wanted a Rock/Hogan moment, but I'm not sure they got there, either because the crowd was too cold or just because, ultimately, the electricity wasn't there for all four men in the same way. Reigns and Rollins started things off, the crowd erupting into song to support the Architect of the Shield. Rhodes came in and we got a preview of Night 2's main event with Rhodes working on Roman's arm. Some good wrestling between the two before Rollins came back in and then, with the crowd demanding it, The Rock got brought into the fray. Into a collar-and-elbow they went, Rocky shoving Seth halfway across the ring. Rollins came back at him, though, showing off his quickness and technical skill with a headlock into an armbar before shoving the People's Champion away. The Rock and Rollins traded some blows, Rocky eventually landing a clothesline and then calling for Rhodes to be tagged in. Rollins made the tag and in came the American Nightmare, the crowd now chanting for both guys. The fact is, as much as The Rock has absolutely nailed it as the mega heel coming into this show, Philly has also been a "tough" crowd that might root for the villains, especially ones as cool and dominant as The Rock and Reigns. The match turned into an outright brawl, the action spilling out of the arena. The Rock told the referee not to count anyone out, throwing in a profanity for extra effect. Good stuff there. Into the crowd Rock and Rollins went while Cody and Roman fought on the entrance ramp. A nice throwback moment to The Rock's Attitude Era days when he spat water in Rollins' face. Rollins looked like he was going to go for a springboard something, but Roman yanked him off the apron, twisting his knee from underneath him. The Rock went after Rollins' injured knee, driving it into the post before tagging Reigns in. Rollins played the face-in-peril for the next stretch, selling a damaged knee and taking a serious beating from both Reigns and Rock. Roman went for a Superman Punch but Rollins countered it into a neckbreaker. Rollins tried to crawl his way over for the tag, but Rock dragged him back and nailed him with a nasty low blow. The Rock applied a Sharpshooter, but Cody broke it up with a big slap to the face. Rollins landed a superkick and then a Curb Stomp on The Rock but immediately collapsed afterwards. Rhodes and Roman came in, Cody landing a big slam before hitting the Disaster Kick and then a Cody Cutter for 2. Great nearfall when The Rock landed a Superman Punch moments later. Roman went for the Spear but Cody countered it into a sunset flip and then hit an awkward quasi-Cody Cutter off the top rope this time! Seth landed a huge splash but only got 2, this match now in a higher gear. Reigns hit a big powerbomb but a spear attempt was thwarted by a Rollins superkick and then both babyfaces got shots in. Cody hit the Cross Rhodes, but The Rock pulled the official out of the ring at 2.99. Predictable but well-executed false finish there. Back in the ring, Roman hit a low blow and then a massive spear...but Cody kicked out at 2! Roman applied a guillotine but Cody wouldn't submit or pass out. The Rock pulled Cody's legs out from under him but Rollins broke it up by hitting Roman with a stomp from the top rope! Rock sent Rollins back to the outside and tagged in but before he climbed into the ring, he grabbed the "Mama Rhodes" belt. Before he could use it, though, Cody got in a stomp and grabbed hold of it himself! Cody fired back with a bunch of series of rights and then a Bionic Elbow. Rocky caught him with a spinebuster off the ropes, though, the prelude to a People's Elbow...but Cody cut him off with a Cody Cutter, which actually drew boos from the crowd! Cody went for a Cross Rhodes but ate a Superman Punch from Reigns. Reigns went for another Spear, but this time Rollins shoved Cody out of the way and Reigns speared The Rock! The babyfaces hit stereo pedigrees, but only got 2s! Wow. I bit on that finish. The fight spilled back onto the floor with Rollins hitting a splash from the top rope onto Reigns while The Rock and Cody fought by the announce table. Rocky went for the Rock Bottom through a table, but it was Cody who ended up hitting the move through the table beside it! A split second later, Reigns speared Rollins through the barricade to another huge pop. Cody rolled The Rock into the ring, but Reigns hit him with a Drive By before he could go for the cover. Reigns, looking dazed, tagged in and beat down on Cody with some big right hands. Cody fought back and hit two Cross Rhodes, but before he could hit the third, The Rock blasted him in the back with the Mama Rhodes belt. Damn. That sounded like a gunshot. Reigns hit the Spear and then tagged The Rock in to wrap things up, the crowd on their feet by this point. The Rock hit the Rock Bottom and then the People's Elbow to score the win. This delivered and even had me doubting at one point where they might actually have the babyfaces win due to Roman spearing The Rock. (4/5)
Night 2 began with a surprise appearance by Stephanie McMahon. Personally, I'm not eager to see any McMahon on my screen right now, especially one that most likely was aware of so much of Vince's evilness. Yuck.
Drew McIntyre came out to challenge Seth Rollins for his WWE World Championship in the night's opener. In another unexpected twist, CM Punk did not get a big entrance and started the night already on commentary, which was very underwhelming and came off to me as a bit of an ego check for ol' Phil. There was plenty of time on the broadcast to give him a simple entrance. The crowd would've certainly erupted. Snoop Dogg, who was guest commentator on the next match, got to hear his theme music play (more on that later). Anyway...the crowd enjoyed this match a ton more than I did. McIntyre fired off a Claymore early and that set the pace for the rest of the match, which was heavy on "bomb-throwing" and very low on psychology. McIntyre was made to look essentially impotent throughout the match, which went way longer than it should have considering how much punishment Rollins had sustained the previous evening. Not my thing at all, though at least McIntyre got the win. (1.5/5)
After the match, McIntyre gloated in CM Punk's face, which caused Punk to take off his arm brace and attack the new champion. This led to Damien Priest cashing in his Money in the Bank Briefcase. A new Champion was crowned and McIntyre's big victory was ruined. This was more of a "segment" than a match, so I'm not going to grant it any points. Personally, I don't see Priest as a top-top guy so I doubt he'll be champion for long but I'm also not sure who they transition the title to if not back to McIntyre (in which case, why even take it off him?)
Moving on...Bubba Ray Dudley came out as the special guest referee, with the aforementioned Snoop Dogg on commentary, for the next match: Karrion Kross and the Authors of Pain vs. Bobby Lashley and the Street Profits in a Philadelphia Street Fight. I had zero expectations for this match so I can't say I was disappointed. Snoop was not good on commentary, though, again, I wasn't expecting him to be Jesse Ventura out there. Doing PG-rated "streetfights" is rarely a good idea, though I'll give Kross and Lashley credit for a cool chair spot early on and Montez Ford doing his best to shine with an absurd splash over the ring post. They paid tribute to the Dudleys at one point but ran into a hiccup when the table they used collapsed before Montez could hit the splash. Whoops. Not there fault, but that was kind of the story of the whole match. They worked hard, but bad commentary and no real heat made this feel like filler and "crowd service." (2/5)
After the Hall of Fame inductees were honored, it was time for LA Knight vs. AJ Styles. This went a minute longer than the opener, but I thought it told a much better story. LA Knight is not a great worker bell-to-bell, but he was over with this crowd. I still think he'll continue to be lost in the mix, especially now that The Rock has come back and Knight's gimmick looks even more like a bad imitation. AJ Styles proved, once again, how effortless he can make having a good match look as he and Knight were thrown out in front of a somewhat "cold" crowd with a story that hasn't been particularly interesting or original and no actual stakes on the line or stipulation. I mean, would it have killed the bookers to make this a Number One Contender's match or something? But this match clicked with me because of the way the action escalated. Something a simple, straightforward, hard-hitting match works because it doesn't overthink things or rely on gimmicks. The best of the first three matches on the show, though still just in the "average" range really. (2.5/5)
The United States Champion, Logan Paul, defended his title against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens in a triple threat match next. Before Owens came out, he ran into Sami in the gorilla position - a nice callback to what we saw the previous night. I also liked KO giving Orton a ride on his golf cart. When the bell rang, though, it didn't take long for Orton and KO to come to blows after initially beating down on the champion together in very entertaining fashion. From there, this match was just a ton of fun with a whole bunch of interesting twists - it almost seemed like these three came to steal the show and put on a main event-caliber match and they knocked it out of the park. Even the hijinks with the streamer in the Prime bottle costume was well-executed. I'm not sure where they go from here but I'd be on-board for a straight-up Owens and Orton match as they put together some excellent sequences. Easily the best match of the weekend up till this point. (4/5)
IYO SKY vs. Bayley for Sky's SmackDown Women's Championship was up next and, within the first 5-6 minutes, you knew you were watching some very special. If the previous match was a little too "fun" and featured too much "ga-ga" for it to be considered a classic, this was a competitive fight filled with excellent spots, masterful selling by Bayley, IYO Sky executing all sorts of moves and counters that finally made it clear - at least to me - why she is considered to be one of the best women's wrestlers of the past decade. This was as good as any Women's Championship match I've seen in the past year. (4.5/5)
Main event time - Cody Rhodes challenging Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. This was a "spectacle" match of the highest order - just an absolute epic war that included some great brawling in the crowd, a whole bunch of finishers and big nearfalls, and then a string of cameos as a bevy of mega-stars came out to counteract the interference from Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, and "The Final Boss" The Rock. The match has been almost universally praised and for good reason as this match needed to be a cinematic clash of good vs. evil and it played out like a blockbuster movie, with The Undertaker serving as the big final reveal after Jey Uso, John Cena, and Seth Rollins had helped even the odds. I wasn't a fan of the post-match celebration and wish it hadn't turned into a weird curtain call for Bruce Pritchard and Triple H and wish they would've cut the show before it, but I'm not going to hold it against the match itself, which was riveting and felt "big" from beginning to end. I'd still consider the previous match to be more of what I personally enjoy in a wrestling match as I didn't bite on any of the false finishes - you knew that with Bloodline rules, the match wouldn't end until we'd seen a ton of run-ins - and prefer a more straightforward match, but this was undeniably must-see and a fitting conclusion to the massive title reign of the former champion. (4/5)
After a not-that-great Night 1, I was skeptical about how good Night 2 was going to be. Night 1 wasn't bad - the worst match was the Usos match and even that match wasn't nearly as bad as some have made it out to be - but aside from the main event, nothing really delivered quite to the level that it could've and should've (even Zayn/GUNTHER felt like it needed more time to really reach "all-time classic" level). Night 2 was an overall better show despite kicking off with the match I enjoyed the least of either night. The US Championship was very fun, the IYO/Bayley match was fantastic, and the main event delivered the big feel-good ending that it needed to. With an overall runtime of close to 8 hours, there's no way to recommend this show in its entirety, but it still earned a respectable Kwang Rating of 2.82-out-of-5 and a final rating of...
FINAL RATING - Watch It...With Remote in Hand
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