Board 8 > All Purpose Wrestling Topic 513: Breakking the Cycle

(+) Yeah! (+)

ZeroSignal posted...

If Jey wins, then Gunther's dropped titles at back to back Wrestlemanias.

I don't think this is really a huge deal. Probably shouldn't happen next year but I don't think two in a row is that awful

ZeroSignal posted...

Reigns vs Lesnar vs Rollins (31 - Only good because of Rollins)

Also I know it's been 10 years but I really liked this match and the Rollins interference was just the cherry on top

ZeroSignal posted...

- Iyo vs Bianca vs Rhea - Rhea had no plot agenda after Liv, Bianca got pulled away from Naomi/Jade at the last second, and Iyo's acting like a spoiled child

now hold on Iyo's literally done nothing wrong here. she got a title shot through the usual "complain about it and then it works," won, and now Rhea is the one bitching and complaining when she lost. anytime Bianca and Rhea are in the ring together they just straight up disrespect her as tiny Japanese lady which is pretty annoying and why the crowd always ends up chanting her name. by all accounts, Rhea's a ??? throwing a tantrum, Bianca's just a typical heel, and Iyo's a face they're kinda burying in most interactions that aren't a literal match. if this results in Rhea having a heel turn it'd be super easy since she's already like 80% of the way there.

Rhea isn't going to get heat, they should be turning Bianca instead.

Wanglicious posted...

if this results in Rhea having a heel turn it'd be super easy since she's already like 80% of the way there.

Rhea spent years manipulating Dominik Mysterio and injuring Liv Morgan, and somehow became the babyface in that feud. She's not gonna get the heel reaction against Bianca or Iyo.

Between these three, I want Iyo to win. She deserves a Wrestlemania moment. Between Rhea's godlike booking and Bianca's newly advertised undefeated streak at Wrestlemania, however, it's a tall order.

counterpoint, every time the three have been in the ring Iyo gets cheered and chanted the most.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHzrwQNVDVg&ab_channel=WWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyBF8qsCvCc&ab_channel=WWE

hell, the crowd boo'd Rhea when she's being disrespectful. multiple weeks this nonsense has kept happening and Iyo's the one cheered the most. like, logically Liv should've been the face but because of mannerisms wasn't (and anything with Dom instantly gets boo'd). in this situation she's kinda gotta be both: heel to Iyo, face to Bianca.

malyg posted...

Rhea isn't going to get heat, they should be turning Bianca instead.

Bianca's already a heel.

There's been no confirmation of that. Bianca's been a face since coming to the main roster in 2020.

You could potentially say Rhea's a tweener, but that's about it. All three are either faces or tweeners right now.

A Rusev Day miracle! Reports are stating that Rusev is back in WWE.

I'm excited as fuck if Triple H can cook, but also considering we're about to get Ray Fenix, Aleister Black, AND Rusev makes me hope no one gets lost in the shuffle

Smackdown recap
- CM Punk promises to reveal the favor owed by Paul Heyman once Roman Reigns arrives
- Rey Fenix defeated Nathan Frazer
- Drew McIntyre rocks an eye patch after getting slammed on a windshield last week, promising revenge on Damian Priest.
- LA Knight defeated Tama Tonga
- Another Tiffany and Charlotte promo. Charlotte can't land anything she says and Tiffany comes off kinda heel-ish, citing Charlotte being an alcoholic failed volleyball player at 25 and 0-3 in marriages. Charlotte attempts to say Kaiser's in her DMs and no one's impressed.
- Motor City Machine Guns defeated DIY to become #1 contenders for the WWE Tag titles
- Naomi defeated B-Fab. Jade Cargill attacks Naomi before and after the match, until Nick Aldis makes it official for Wrestlemania
- Priest challenges McIntyre to meet him in the ring next week for a talk
- Kevin Owens comes out announcing he has to take time off for neck surgery, which means he can't face Orton at Wrestlemania. Orton briefly comes out and the two exchange looks before KO leaves. After being told he has no opponent at Wrestlemania, Orton hits an RKO on Nick Aldis.
- Last Man Standing match: Jacob Fatu defeated Braun Strowman to become the #1 contender to the United States title
- Final segment: Reigns arrives and Punk comes out to discuss the favor. Seth Rollins is at ringside because he doesn't want to miss this. Punk discusses his friendship with Paul Heyman going back to 2006, where those two, Big Show, and RVD were discussing the future after Heyman's departure. Heyman told Punk in 2006 that when he main events Wrestlemania, "they'll deal with us". Punk's favor is that Heyman will be in his corner at Wrestlemania instead of Roman's!

Smackdown next week
- Gauntlet match: B-Fab/Michin vs Baszler/Stark vs Bayley/Valkyria vs Fyre/Niven vs Maxxine/Natalya vs Carter/Chance. Winner faces Morgan/Rodriguez for the Women's Tag titles at Wrestlemania
- Fenix vs Berto

Wrestlemania 41
- Cody Rhodes vs John Cena for the WWE Championship *Night 2 main event*
- Gunther vs Jey Uso for the WHC
- Iyo Sky vs Bianca Belair for the Women's World title
- Tiffany Stratton vs Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's title
- CM Punk (w/ Paul Heyman) vs Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins *Night 1 main event*
- Jade Cargill vs Naomi
- LA Knight vs Jacob Fatu for the US title
- AJ Styles vs Logan Paul

ZeroSignal posted...

Final segment: Reigns arrives

So Roman didn't even show up to until the show was almost over? Why even bother traveling to the show at that point.

virgin reigns arrives vs chad mina is coming

I honestly LOVE this being the favor. Everyone assumed the favor would be something over the top and conniving. However, something simple and heartfelt has more impact. Playing up the long-term relationship between Punk and Heyman.

Punk outmaneuvered Roman and got a WM main event out of it. Then he stole the Wiseman from him. Even if for a single night, consider the ramifications of Heyman supporting Punk over his Tribal Chief.

Naomi vs Jade Cargill is part of a rare class in Wrestlemania history, as there are a small amount of 1 on 1 women's matches at said event with no gold on the line. This includes the following...

Leilani Kai vs Wendy Richter
Terri Runnels vs The Kat
Torrie Wilson vs Candice Michelle
Naomi vs Jade Cargill

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8ed94590.jpg

_PandaMaster_ posted...

I honestly LOVE this being the favor. Everyone assumed the favor would be something over the top and conniving. However, something simple and heartfelt has more impact. Playing up the long-term relationship between Punk and Heyman.

Punk outmaneuvered Roman and got a WM main event out of it. Then he stole the Wiseman from him. Even if for a single night, consider the ramifications of Heyman supporting Punk over his Tribal Chief.

It's genuinely a story that can only work with those three. I feel that's the best part, for that storyline Rollins is the third wheel. But the same is true of Punk/Rollins or Rollins/Reigns, it's become each man having something against both others. Making Heyman be an actual detail is perfect.

Another thing for Wrestlemania:

This will be the first Wrestlemania since 30 to not feature either Roman Reigns or Brock Lesnar competing for a World title

30: Orton vs Batista vs Bryan
31: Reigns vs Lesnar
32: Reigns vs HHH
33: Lesnar vs Goldberg
34: Reigns vs Lesnar
35: Lesnar vs Rollins
36: Lesnar vs McIntyre
37: Reigns vs Edge vs Bryan
38: Reigns vs Lesnar
39: Reigns vs Rhodes
40: Reigns vs Rhodes
41: Cody vs Cena, Gunther vs Jey

Also with the main events confirmed for 41, here's the all-time count for WM main event appearances...

10 - Reigns (31-34, 37-39, 40 both nights, 41)
8 - Hogan (1-3, 5-9)
7 - HHH (16, 18, 20-22, 25, 32)
6 - Rock (15-17, 28, 29, 40), Cena (22, 23, 27-29, 41)
5 - Taker (13, 24, 26, 33, 40), HBK (12, 14, 20, 23, 26)
4 - Lesnar (19, 31, 34, 38), Austin (14, 15, 17, 38), Cody (39, 40 both nights, 41)
3 - Rollins (31, 40, 41)
2 - Savage, Bret, Sid, Edge, Orton, Batista, Yokozuna, Bryan, Owens
1 - Piper, Mr. T, Orndorff, Bundy, Andre, Dibiase, Warrior, Slaughter, Lawrence Taylor, Bigelow, Big Show, Foley, Jericho, Angle, Benoit, Miz, Becky, Charlotte, Rousey, Styles, McIntyre, Sasha, Belair, Zayn, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, CM Punk

So, Speedball Mike Bailey's gear tonight at Dynasty might be the most Board 8 coded thing imaginable.

https://x.com/SwayArcher/status/1909079713282208170

History of the runner-ups in the Royal Rumble, since 2003 when there were 2 world titles, and what they did at Wrestlemania. For awhile, the runner up somehow ended up in a match for the world title not chosen:

2003: Taker wrestled A-Train and Big Show
2004: Big Show defended the US title against Cena
2005: Cena challenged JBL for the WWE title
2006: Randy Orton challenged Kurt Angle and Royal Rumble winner Rey Mysterio for the WHC
2007: HBK challenged Cena for the WWE title
2008: HHH challenged Orton and Rumble winner Cena for the WWE title
2009: HHH headlined Wrestlemania and defended WWE title against Orton
2010: Cena challenged Batista for the WWE title
2011: Santino was in an 8-man tag matches
2012: Jericho challenged CM Punk for the WWE title
2013: Ryback fought Mark Henry
2014*: Reigns was in a 6 man tag match
2015*: Rusev defended US title against Cena
2016*: Ambrose fought Lesnar
2017: Reigns headlined Wrestlemania with Taker
2018: Reigns challenged Lesnar for the Universal title
2018W: Nikki Bella did nothing at WM34
2019: Strowman took part in the Andre Battle Royal
2019W: Charlotte headlined Wrestlemania with Rousey and Rumble winner Becky
2020: Reigns went on hiatus due to the pandemic
2020W: Baszler challenged Becky for the Raw Women's title
2021: Orton fought Bray Wyatt
2021W: Rhea challenged Asuka for the Raw Women's title
2022: McIntyre fought Happy Corbin
2022W: Charlotte Flair defended the SD Women's title against Rumble winner Ronda Rousey
2023: Gunther defended the IC title against McIntyre and Sheamus
2023W: Liv Morgan took part in a fatal four way tag match
2024: CM Punk missed Mania due to injury, but still helped McIntyre lose his title after 5 minutes of having it.
2024W: Liv Morgan did not compete at Wrestlemania 40
2025: Cena challenges Cody for the WWE title and headlines the event
2025W: Roxanne Perez is currently not scheduled to compete at Wrestlemania 41

* - Only one world title during this part of WWE

Which years did the winner not end up main eventing?

I'm curious how many of them will be like this year where the winner doesn't main event but the loser does.

Just off the top of my head that happened in 07

That's the year Taker and HBK had that terrific finish, with Taker winning. But his match vs. Batista wasn't the main, iirc

Maniac64 posted...

Which years did the winner not end up main eventing?

I'm curious how many of them will be like this year where the winner doesn't main event but the loser does.

Not counting years with extraordinary scenarios (1997, 1999)

1994 (Luger only)
1995
2007
2008
2010
2011
2012
2017
2018
2019
2025

And the winners of every Women's Rumble except 2019 and 2021

Raw recap

- Adam Pearce makes the triple threat official for Wrestlemania 41 and all 3 women sign. Bianca and Rhea continue to ignore Iyo and beef with each other, so Iyo drops them both

- Liv takes credit for the fatal 4 way at Mania happening. Finn gets in Dom's head to end the segment.

- Lyra Valkyria defeated Bayley to retain the Women's IC title

- Karrion Kross wants Styles to unleash the other AJ Styles on Logan Paul. In retaliation, Styles decides to unleash it on Kross next week!

- El Grande Americano and the Creed Brothers defeated Dragon, Wilde, and Del Toro

- Gunther gets no chance to talk as Jey's music cuts him off. Jey cuts a red hot promo, stating he will pray the night before Wrestlemania, asking God to forgive the man he's about to become

- World Tag title match: New Day defeated War Raiders by disqualification, then beat the Raiders down with chairs to end the segment.

- Penta defeated Dominik Mysterio. Afterwards, Carlito beats down Penta before Bron Breakker comes in and spears him, Dom, and Penta. Balor gets a sneak attack in but runs off before Bron can retaliate.

- Final segment: Heyman states that he will always be loyal to both his Tribal Chief and his best friend. Seth Rollins comes out and states that neither Roman or Punk were around when Heyman was getting beaten down by Solo's Bloodline, and Punk is only there to make money. When Rollins threatens to assault Heyman, Punk runs in for the save, but eventually eats a curb stomp for his troubles. Rollins executes another stomp but misses Paul Heyman on purpose, telling him now he owes Rollins a favor!

Wrestlemania 41
- Cody Rhodes vs John Cena for the WWE Championship
- Gunther vs Jey Uso for the WHC
- Iyo Sky vs Bianca Belair for the Women's World title
- Tiffany Stratton vs Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's title
- CM Punk (w/ Paul Heyman) vs Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins
- Jade Cargill vs Naomi
- LA Knight vs Jacob Fatu for the US title
- AJ Styles vs Logan Paul
- Bron Breakker vs Penta vs Finn Balor vs Dominik Mysterio for the IC title
- Rey Mysterio vs El Grande Americano

ZeroSignal posted...

so Iyo drops them both

and gets cheered* for dropkicking Rhea in the back

Io did nothing wrong

Wanglicious posted...

and gets cheered* for dropkicking Rhea in the back

The whole thing's a mess. Since the beginning of March...

1) Rhea gets pissed because Bianca didn't want Iyo to get counted out, eventually loses after giving Iyo enough time to counter a Riptide.
2) Rhea interrupts a contract signing and signs it herself.
3) Pearce says Rhea's signing is null and void, but eventually allows Rhea to bully her way into a title rematch (which has not been a thing since 2018. By the way, this marks 3 title matches that Rhea didn't earn).
4) Title match ends in no contest because Bianca gets attacked multiple times.
5) Pearce makes the title match a triple threat after Rhea basically bullied her way into it.

Despite Rhea's mannerisms, somehow she's the face and Bianca's getting the heel reaction.

Updates on other titles I haven't posted in awhile...

WWE's The Man: Cody Rhodes
AEW's The Man: Jon Moxley
The Man, Women's edition: Iyo Sky
Flair's final singles match, The Man: Gunther
Custody of Dominik Mysterio: Cody Rhodes

Smackdown recap
- Orton wants to compete in his 20th Wrestlemania and almost convinces Nick Aldis to gear up before Solo Sikoa cuts him off. A brawl that includes Tama Tonga and LA Knight leads to our main event being made
- Bayley and Lyra Valkyria win the Women's Tag Team gauntlet after going the distance!
- Stratton and Flair both facing disciplinary actions, and Flair sent home after she attacked Stratton in a parking lot earlier
- McIntyre ambushes Priest en route to their face to face confrontation. McIntyre reveals his eye is fully healed afterwards. Priest attempts to retaliate and gets beaten down a second time.
- Fenix defeated Berto
- Roxanne Perez wants to replace Charlotte at Wrestlemania, but instead gets a match tonight with Stratton
- Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green by countout
- Escobar wants Fenix in Legado del Fantasmo, but Berto wants nothing to do with it. Later, Andrade tries to cheer Berto up to no avail
- Cody does a promo with various WWE titles, from Bruno's to Hogan's to Austin's to Eddie's to Cena's, promising that Cena will not retire the WWE title because he won't win it!
- Street Profits receive a warning from Miz and Carmelo Hayes, who want the gold!
- Tiffany Stratton defeated Roxanne Perez. After the match, Charlotte Flair ambushes Tiffany.
- Randy Orton and LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga. After the match, Jacob Fatu runs in and destroys Knight to end the show

Wrestlemania 41
Night 1
Reigns vs Rollins vs Punk (w/ Paul Heyman)
Gunther vs Jey Uso for the WHC
Tiffany Stratton vs Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's title
Naomi vs Jade Cargill
LA Knight vs Jacob Fatu for the US title
War Raiders vs New Day for the World Tag titles
Rey Mysterio vs El Grande Americano

Night 2
Cody Rhodes vs John Cena for the WWE Championship
Iyo vs Bianca vs Rhea for the Women's World title
Bron Breakker vs Balor vs Penta vs Dominik for the IC title
AJ Styles vs Logan Paul
Drew McIntyre vs Damian Priest in a Sin City Streetfight
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs Bayley and Lyra Valkyria for the Women's Tag titles

Also announced yesterday was more details on the 2025 Hall of Fame class

Main inductees
HHH - Inducted by Shawn Michaels
Lex Luger - Inducted by DDP
Michelle McCool - Inducted by Undertaker
Natural Disasters (Earthquake and Typhoon) - No one announced to induct. Might be either family or Jimmy Hart
Bret Hart vs Steve Austin at Wrestlemania 13 - Inducted by CM Punk

Legacy wing
Kamala
Dory Funk Sr.
Ivan Koloff

McCool and Kamala?

Really?

I'm pretty sure McCool's induction was an Undertaker move. To be fair though, she's a 4-time champion, unified the Women's and Divas belts, and was the inaugural Divas Champion.

Kamala's legacy induction isn't anything new. WWE for years has done the quiet Legacy wing inductions. They won't get a speech from them or their family or anything.

Besides, the credibility of the HOF is forever debatable, especially when you have Drew Carey, Donald Trump, and Snoop Dogg in there.

ZeroSignal posted...

and was the inaugural Divas Champion.

This reminds me... nearly every inaugural champion in WWE has made it to the Hall of Fame.

WWE title - Buddy Rogers, 1994 class
World Heavyweight title - HHH, 2025
Present day WHC - Seth Rollins, future Hall of Famer
Universal - Finn Balor, will most likely get in
IC title - Pat Patterson, 1995
US title - Harley Race, 2004
European - British Bulldog, 2021
Women's (OG) - Fabulous Moolah, 1995
Divas - Michelle McCool, 2025
Present day Women's title (Raw Women's) - Charlotte Flair, practically a lock barring any shenanigans
Women's World title (SD Women's) - Becky Lynch, see above
World Tag Team (OG) - Luke Graham and Tarzan Tyler; never got in
WWE Tag Team (later renamed Raw Tag Team, then World Tag Team) - Kurt Angle (2017) and Chris Benoit (will likely never get in)
Present Day WWE Tag Team (formerly the SD Tag titles) - Heath Slater and Rhyno; neither are in, though I wouldn't count out Rhyno making it
Hardcore - Mick Foley, 2013
24/7 - Titus O'Neil, 2021
Light Heavyweight - Taka Michinoku, not in (also the REAL inaugural champ, Perro Aguayo Sr, is not in)
Cruiserweight - Shinjiro Otani, not in

Wait, Titus O'Neil is in the Hall if Fame?

Maniac64 posted...

Wait, Titus O'Neil is in the Hall if Fame?

my reaction as well

Maniac64 posted...

Wait, Titus O'Neil is in the Hall if Fame?

Titus received the Warrior award in 2021's ceremony for his numerous charitable contributions

Also forgot a few more inaugural champ(s)

Women's Tag Team - Sasha Banks (if she returns and smooths things over, she's a lock) and Bayley (also a lock)
Women's US - Chelsea Green (obviously too early to determine. Right now, probably not)
Women's IC - Lyra Valkyria (see above)

ZeroSignal posted...

Titus received the Warrior award in 2021's ceremony for his numerous charitable contributions

I wouldn't count that as being in the hall.

WWE counts it, soooo there's that

Go Home Raw before Wrestlemania
- Gunther starts Raw by saying Jey is full of crap and anyone that's with him can screw off. He promises to put Jey down for the 4th consecutive time.
- Bayley defeated Liv Morgan
- Rey Mysterio defeated Julius Creed. After the match, El Grande Americano takes out Rey and the LWO
- Xavier Woods ensures fans will thank God for the New Day at Wrestlemania
- AJ Styles defeated Karrion Kross. After the match, Logan Paul shows a video hyping himself. Styles invites him to the ring, but a Kross distraction leads to Styles getting KO'd with brass knuckles and the Paulverizer
- Jey Uso cuts promo out in the open, states that Gunther is afraid of him.
- Finn Balor defeated Penta by DQ after Bron Breakker interferes. Breakker spears Carlito and Dom, but Penta counters an attempt to spear him
- Final segment: Reigns confronts Heyman over his betrayal and questions Punk's favor. Rollins comes out and incites the fact that Heyman made a choice to betray Roman, and states how this triple threat match determines the future of the industry (does it though?). Reigns and Rollins brawl with Reigns coming out on top. Heyman acknowledges Roman, only to get shoved down by him. Punk runs in and brawls with Roman only to get speared by him. Rollins blasts Reigns in the back with a chair, followed by a curb stomp to him and Punk. He stares down Heyman to end Raw.

This Friday on the Smackdown before Wrestlemania
- Street Profits vs Motor City Machine Guns for the WWE Tag Team titles
- The 11th annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Which brings us to the history of Andre Battle Royal winners, and it ain't pretty

2014: Cesaro. We thought great things were coming when he linked up with Paul Heyman, and even more so when he gave Rusev his second career loss on the main roster a year later. Instead we got multiple tag title reigns with Sheamus and Shinsuke Nakamura.

2015: Big Show. A month later, Reigns put Show out of action and he only existed afterwards to put Strowman, Orton, or McIntyre over.

2016: Corbin. Eventually got a forgettable US title reign in 2017, followed by becoming insufferable on TV for the next 5 years.

2017: Mojo Rawley. Was completely forgotten a month after winning, while the guy he eliminated to win, Jinder Mahal, went on to be WWE Champion for 6 months. Eventually won the 24/7 title multiple times

2018: Matt Hardy. Added two more tag titles to his resume before heading to AEW in 2020.

2019: Braun Strowman. Had forgettable runs as IC and tag champion, followed by a bad Universal title run that only happened because of Covid.

2021: Jey Uso. Back then, he went from being Roman's lackey to Roman's lackey with a trophy. With his record setting tag title run, IC title, and Royal Rumble victory, a win over Gunther this Sunday might make Jey the most successful winner here.

2022: Madcap Moss. Won a feud with Baron Corbin, did the MITB match, and then spent the next year losing a bunch until getting released.

2023: Lashley. A consolation prize for not getting a match with Bray Wyatt. Didn't do much of nothing for the remainder of his time in WWE except win at Wrestlemania 40.

2024: Bronson Reed. Was set up to be a killing machine until getting injured at Survivor Series.

2025: ??????

Go Home Smackdown before Wrestlemania
- Seth Rollins kicks off Smackdown downplaying CM Punk's return, citing that he didn't return for the fans, but the money instead. Seth also reminds us that he endured everything last year to ensure Roman would lose his world title, and at Wrestlemania tomorrow, Rollins will end them both.
- Carmelo Hayes wins the 2025 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, eliminating Andrade last
- Charlotte has the most uninspiring interview with Wade Barrett, stating people are invested in her match with Stratton
- Rhea Ripley owns up to being distracted by Bianca. Iyo Sky interrupts, and the Bianca immediately interrupts after. Bianca is definitely the heel in this conversation and promises to not let either of Rhea or Iyo's actions slide. Naomi interrupts and verbally berates Bianca for ignoring her calls and texts and states that Jade wasn't there for Bianca. Jade comes in and soon a brawl breaks out with Jade vs Naomi and Rhea vs Bianca. Iyo hits a moonsault on all four women at once to end the segment.
- WWE Tag Title match: Street Profits vs Motor City Machine Guns ends in a no contest after DIY takes out both teams and steals the titles
- Nick Aldis forces DIY to return the tag titles, then books a 3-way TLC match for them next week!
- Randy Orton issues an open challenge to anyone for Night 2 of Wrestlemania
- Viginette for what is most likely Aleister Black returning next Friday!
- Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green
- LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa by DQ after Jacob Fatu interfered. Braun Strowman evens the score and Nick Aldis channels his inner Teddy Long, playa
- LA Knight and Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu
- Tiffany Stratton is interviewed by Wade Barrett; clearly better than Charlotte's, as Tiffany intends to stop Charlotte's bullying
- Rey Fenix, Rey Mysterio, and Dragon Lee defeated American Made
- Final segment: Cody Rhodes and John Cena face off in the ring. Cena promises to win the WWE title and retire with it, taking the belt with him; he also tells Cody there's a difference between doing the right thing versus winning. Cody shoots down Cena with remarks about how it's no longer Cena's WWE and reminds him he still can't wrestle. Cena says this Sunday, he won't need to wrestle to win and attempts an Attitude Adjustment only to get countered into the Cross Rhodes. Cody leaves with the belt to end Smackdown

Wrestlemania 41
Night 1
Reigns vs Rollins vs Punk (w/ Paul Heyman)
Gunther vs Jey Uso for the WHC
Tiffany Stratton vs Charlotte Flair for the WWE Women's title
Naomi vs Jade Cargill
LA Knight vs Jacob Fatu for the US title
War Raiders vs New Day for the World Tag titles
Rey Mysterio vs El Grande Americano

Night 2
Cody Rhodes vs John Cena for the WWE Championship
Iyo vs Bianca vs Rhea for the Women's World title
Bron Breakker vs Balor vs Penta vs Dominik for the IC title
AJ Styles vs Logan Paul
Drew McIntyre vs Damian Priest in a Sin City Streetfight
Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs Bayley and Lyra Valkyria for the Women's Tag titles
Randy Orton vs ???????

Pretty sure rey blew his knee out again and won't be wrestling again for a while (ever? He's like 50 now and his knees are dust)

It's honestly a miracle that Rey even has knees, I thought they were dust 10 years ago but somehow he's still around. Whatever treatment he's on is fucking miraculous.

If Rey can't go tonight...

What will likely happen: El Grande Americano probably wrestles Fenix or Dragon, or perhaps a open Luchador challenge

What SHOULD happen: Move the 3 way TLC match between DIY, Street Profits, and MCMG to tonight. Smackdown's tag division is 100x better than Raw's, yet Raw's tag titles get featured at Wrestlemania

Hall of Fame highlights (that I didn't stay up to watch because holy hell that's late...)

- "He never met a mirror he didn't like" - DDP on Lex Luger
- Lex Luger finally stands (some assistance needed to get to the podium, but still monumental)
- Undertaker: "I'm not here as the Phenom or the Deadman" (Fan: "Yes you are!") "No I'm not"
- Legacy Wing inductees got their own separate videos and their families briefly received appreciation from the crowd. Legacy inductions this year were Kamala, Dory Funk Sr, and Ivan Koloff.
- John Tenta's family represented him on stage with Fred Ottman for the Natural Disasters induction
- Bret Hart is honored to be the first 3-time WWE Hall of Famer
- Austin claims there is no Stone Cold without Bret Hart
- "The only time Triple H and I ever kissed was on live television in front of all of you" - Shawn Michaels when addressing his friendship with HHH to their wives
- Triple H thanks damn near everyone, starting with his WCW days with William Regal and Eric Bischoff, to his WWE run with Austin, Rock, Foley, etc.
- Brings up his time with The Kliq, including an epic late night run at Denny's.
- "Not a bad commitment level for a guy just looking to get a better spot. Three kids and twenty years later, Im all in on that shit." - HHH on his marriage to Stephanie McMahon.
- HHH and Austin both name drop Vince McMahon in their speeches

ZeroSignal posted...

If Rey can't go tonight...

What will likely happen: El Grande Americano probably wrestles Fenix or Dragon, or perhaps a open Luchador challenge

What SHOULD happen: Move the 3 way TLC match between DIY, Street Profits, and MCMG to tonight. Smackdown's tag division is 100x better than Raw's, yet Raw's tag titles get featured at Wrestlemania

Hear me out... For just one night...

...El Generico leaves the orphanage...

El Generico and El Grande Americano having a match is the fever dream I've wanted since the gimmick debuted.

Watching Macho/Warrior from WM7 makes me a bit sad knowing that Those two plus Liz and Sherri are no longer with us...

WWE ranked their 50 greatest Wrestlemania matches of all time...

1) Undertaker vs Shawn Michaels - 25
2) Austin vs Bret - 13
3) Rock vs Hogan - 18
4) Savage vs Steamboat - 3
5) Austin vs Rock - 17
6) Rhodes vs Reigns - 40
7) TLC II - 17
8) Hogan vs Andre - 3
9) Warrior vs Savage - 7
10) Ronda vs Charlotte vs Becky - 35
11) Bret vs Owen - 10
12) Razor vs HBK - 10
13) Austin vs Rock - 19
14) Bret vs HBK - 12
15) Hogan vs Warrior - 6
16) Charlotte vs Rhea - 39
17) Angle vs Lesnar - 19
18) Taker vs HHH - 28
19) Sasha vs Bianca - 37
20) Reigns/Rock vs Rhodes/Rollins - 40
21) Angle/Ronda vs HHH/Steph - 34
22) Angle vs HBK - 21
23) Taker vs Punk - 29
24) Austin vs Owens - 38
25) Bret vs Piper - 8
26) Taker vs HBK - 26
27) Hogan vs Savage - 5
28) Bryan vs HHH - 30
29) Edge vs Taker - 24
30) Owens/Zayn vs Usos - 39
31) Charlotte vs Becky vs Sasha - 32
32) Orton vs Batista vs Bryan - 30
33) Flair vs Savage - 8
34) HBK vs Flair - 24
35) Bryan vs Kofi - 35
36) Becky vs Bianca - 38
37) Taker vs HHH - 27
38) Eddie vs Angle - 20
39) Gunther vs Sheamus vs McIntyre - 39
40) Lesnar vs Reigns vs Rollins - 31
41) Taker vs Styles - 36
42) Foley vs Edge - 22
43) Cena vs HBK - 23
44) Rollins vs HHH - 33
45) Batista vs Taker - 23
46) Hogan/Mr T vs Piper/Orndorff - 1
47) Goldberg vs Lesnar - 33
48) Rock vs Cena - 28
49) Sting vs HHH - 31
50) Rhodes vs Rollins - 38

Quite a few that have no business being in a top 50. Also noted that the biggest snub is Benoit vs HHH vs HBK, for obvious reasons.

uh wwe bought AAA

That's not good

FFDragon posted...

uh wwe bought AAA

That's not good

Bad, Bad, Really Bad

FFDragon posted...

uh wwe bought AAA

That's not good

Del Rio returns! >_>