Drew McIntyre vs Seth Rollins - They went for the Lesnar/Goldberg bomb dropping car crash kinda match but it didn't really work. The post-match left a sour taste too. Whoever said that Drew McIntyre is now a top babyface is right, but to me McIntyre has been a babyface for a long time. He's out there spitting truth every week with style. Whoever said that the WHC now feels like a midcard belt is also right. What a downgrade.

AJ Styles vs LA Knight - Not a bad match. Quite a good one, in fact. LA Knight delivered more than I expected, but it still felt like a nothing match.

Bayley vs Iyo Sky - A shaky first half lost the crowd but they pulled it back together at the end. On the whole a pretty good match but they didn't have the best chemistry.

Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns - The match could only end one way and that it did. To be honest, I enjoyed the Day 1 main event more. The Cena appearance was awesome, as was The Rock. The Shield music hitting was great. But something didn't click with me. Cena got punked out way too easily, as did Rollins. I was waiting for the real Rollins to appear because I thought it was a fakeout given how easily he was KO'd. For me The Undertaker was more of a "whuh?" moment than any kind of joy.

They brought it home nicely with the Reigns chair shot to Rollins leading to the finish. I know you're supposed to just enjoy the moment and not nitpick - which I did for the Day 1 main event - but Day 2 got a bit too goofy. But it sure was a treat for the live crowd and everyone else :lol:

I thought post-match/cash-in was perfectly executed from a storytelling standpoint. Drew’s downfall was that he couldn’t leave well enough alone with Punk and had to rub it in his face. If he’d have simply left, he’d still be the champion but pride and ego got in the way. All of that storytelling was beautifully done. However, I think Priest was the wrong guy to have cash in. The moment would have been better if it was someone like LA Knight instead.

Mark Henry and some of the Cornette crew shitting over all Sane for disrespecting the business by remaining in the ring for three seconds after her loss.

Apr 8, 2024 20:41:21 GMT @theshow said:

Apr 8, 2024 20:29:33 GMT Blindy said:

I usually am not a fan of people breaking out of character due to wanting them to be unbiased but think I can make an exception for this. She pulled full duty both nights in bad weather(For Saturday), yeah she has to do introductions only but still that's a lot of shit to memorize and call. Energy has to be 100%, I was nearly dazing off on the Day 1 main event(Not the fault of the match just long day for me). 

She did great, mentioned it before but yeah she was absolutely feelin' it all weekend. 

Samantha is a rockstar. Her passion for this is obvious and is endearing to fans. I love the way she announces Chelsea Green. Lol.

To be 100% honest, a few months ago when I tuned in for the first time in a long time her intensity was jarring to me, but over the months I've totally warmed up to her as I recognized her intensity as passion. Last night and this video clip is no exception. She's a gem. 

WWE knows what they got in her, they've been pushing her something fierce on social media.

Apr 8, 2024 15:59:11 GMT Michinokudriver said:

After thinking it through,

 - Austin *might* have overshadowed Cody's win by making it all about him, simply by being Stone Cold Steve Austin. To get your money's worth out of an Austin appearance, he's staying to celebrate with Cody (despite having nothing to do with him storyline-wise) and all the chants will be for him. Plus he may or may not stun everyone in the ring during his celebration, beers fly and glass shatters music instead of Kingdom

 - Undertaker, while an out of left field choice, at least has something to do with Roman (who effectively retired him), which keeps it at least a Reigns-oriented story

Undertaker also has the luxury of teleportation to get him out of there quickly.

Apr 8, 2024 16:57:20 GMT KJ said:

Apr 8, 2024 14:04:38 GMT Todd said:

Still haven’t come down from the high of watching it. Mount Rushmore moment.

Also shout out to Roman Reigns for making wrestling cool again.

In hindsight, the Thunderdome era was the best thing that ever happened to Roman.

It’s the best thing that happened to WWE period. It gave them the space to tell the stories they wanted, another one who’s done good out the Thunderdome is Bayley.

Apr 8, 2024 21:18:31 GMT @theshow said:

I thought post-match/cash-in was perfectly executed from a storytelling standpoint. Drew’s downfall was that he couldn’t leave well enough alone with Punk and had to rub it in his face. If he’d have simply left, he’d still be the champion but pride and ego got in the way. All of that storytelling was beautifully done. However, I think Priest was the wrong guy to have cash in. The moment would have been better if it was someone like LA Knight instead.

I mean LA Knight didn’t have the briefcase.

I think it was perfectly done. It also gives the Judgment Day a new story to head into the new era with. My guess is Priest head gets too big now that he’s champ for the rest of the Judgment Day and he goes ultra heel on them and they turn on him.

It probably leads to a Balor/Priest title match somewhere down the line where Balor brings back the Demon. The problem is who really survives post split from that group? Dominic probably does because of his name. Rhea of course unless she gets preggo. Balor, Priest and that other dude are going to have to find a way after though.

I knew Emperor would be the one.

It just continues to get more wholesome.

During the post WrestleMania press conference, Cody Rhodes revealed that Bruce Prichard, Triple H and Nick Khan gave him a watch backstage after he defeated Roman Reigns.

It's the same watch Dusty Rhodes had pawned so that he could pay for Cody to go to acting school & kick start his wrestling career.

Apr 8, 2024 21:57:11 GMT KING KID said:

Apr 8, 2024 21:18:31 GMT @theshow said:

I thought post-match/cash-in was perfectly executed from a storytelling standpoint. Drew’s downfall was that he couldn’t leave well enough alone with Punk and had to rub it in his face. If he’d have simply left, he’d still be the champion but pride and ego got in the way. All of that storytelling was beautifully done. However, I think Priest was the wrong guy to have cash in. The moment would have been better if it was someone like LA Knight instead.

I mean LA Knight didn’t have the briefcase.

I think it was perfectly done. It also gives the Judgment Day a new story to head into the new era with. My guess is Priest head gets too big now that he’s champ for the rest of the Judgment Day and he goes ultra heel on them and they turn on him.

It probably leads to a Balor/Priest title match somewhere down the line where Balor brings back the Demon. The problem is who really survives post split from that group? Dominic probably does because of his name. Rhea of course unless she gets preggo. Balor, Priest and that other dude are going to have to find a way after though.

I meant that someone like LA Knight would have been better in the role as MITB holder. Damien had been bleh. I hope he proves me wrong.

Apr 8, 2024 22:18:15 GMT @theshow said:

Apr 8, 2024 21:57:11 GMT KING KID said:

I mean LA Knight didn’t have the briefcase.

I think it was perfectly done. It also gives the Judgment Day a new story to head into the new era with. My guess is Priest head gets too big now that he’s champ for the rest of the Judgment Day and he goes ultra heel on them and they turn on him.

It probably leads to a Balor/Priest title match somewhere down the line where Balor brings back the Demon. The problem is who really survives post split from that group? Dominic probably does because of his name. Rhea of course unless she gets preggo. Balor, Priest and that other dude are going to have to find a way after though.

I meant that someone like LA Knight would have been better in the role as MITB holder. Damien had been bleh. I hope he proves me wrong.

He won’t.

Apr 8, 2024 21:57:11 GMT KING KID said:

Apr 8, 2024 21:18:31 GMT @theshow said:

I thought post-match/cash-in was perfectly executed from a storytelling standpoint. Drew’s downfall was that he couldn’t leave well enough alone with Punk and had to rub it in his face. If he’d have simply left, he’d still be the champion but pride and ego got in the way. All of that storytelling was beautifully done. However, I think Priest was the wrong guy to have cash in. The moment would have been better if it was someone like LA Knight instead.

I mean LA Knight didn’t have the briefcase.

I think it was perfectly done. It also gives the Judgment Day a new story to head into the new era with. My guess is Priest head gets too big now that he’s champ for the rest of the Judgment Day and he goes ultra heel on them and they turn on him.

It probably leads to a Balor/Priest title match somewhere down the line where Balor brings back the Demon. The problem is who really survives post split from that group? Dominic probably does because of his name. Rhea of course unless she gets preggo. Balor, Priest and that other dude are going to have to find a way after though.

Maybe he'll prove me wrong, but I don't think Priest has what it takes to be a breakout star from JD.  I'm still a little-okay a lot- annoyed over Drew seemingly getting screwed or I guess storyline wise, screwing himself. That being said I'm curious to see how it plays out. 

Apr 8, 2024 22:19:01 GMT UT said:

Apr 8, 2024 22:18:15 GMT @theshow said:

I meant that someone like LA Knight would have been better in the role as MITB holder. Damien had been bleh. I hope he proves me wrong.

He won’t.

It also annoys me when I have to agree with UT. It's unnatural. 

I think JD are on the trajectory for a soft babyface turn, now with Priest as Champion.

Rhea is almost universally loved by everyone. Balor is an easy turn. And, as much as everyone hates Dom, it's more the fact, they love to hate him. JDMcD is sort of just there to bump and work.

But quietly, these guys have been killing it all year. Everyone in that group has become better because of JD. It would be a shame to break them up any time soon as their friendship is real behind the scenes and it would amazing to see them given the spotlight together.

The equivalent to left overs the day after Thanksgiving:

I hope that's a character the dude is playing.

Apr 8, 2024 22:31:43 GMT NATH45 said:

I think JD are on the trajectory for a soft babyface turn, now with Priest as Champion.

Rhea is almost universally loved by everyone. Balor is an easy turn. And, as much as everyone hates Dom, it's more the fact, they love to hate him. JDMcD is sort of just there to bump and work.

But quietly, these guys have been killing it all year. Everyone in that group has become better because of JD. It would be a shame to break them up any time soon as their friendship is real behind the scenes and it would amazing to see them given the spotlight together.

I don’t see how Dom works as a babyface. Perhaps they turn on him to kick it off and he joins that other group he was wrestling with to give them some heat.

Either way that doesn’t mean Priest should be near a world title. He’s the epitome of mid.

I'd probably send Imperium out there on and off to combat JD as a bit of a foil on TV. They've teased GUNTHER v Priest before and considering Balor, JD and Dom are in the mix, and Kaiser and Giovanni.. it makes for some killer 6 man tags.

It's only 4 months until Bash in Berlin, and it's obvious GUNTHER main events here, but it also means Priest survives through Summerslam.

It's all gravy anyway, as Cody and the WWE Championship are so far ahead of anything in wrestling right now in terms of importance or relevance.

If they want JD to go face.. they have to get Dom out of the group.

The best way. Rhea walks in on him making out with Vicky Guerrero.

Mamacita!!!

At the end of Wrestlemania XXXIX, there was a lot of uncertainty over the WWE's decision to have Roman Reigns defeat Cody Rhodes. Could the company really go another year with Reigns on top? Was there enough mileage and would it all be worth it in the end? All valid questions and there were times where it seemed like the answer was going to be no, but as soon as Cody presented his mother the championship belt, I think once and for all it was an emphatic yes. The WWE took a gamble and somehow managed to top themselves and deliver this spectacle that had grown men and women like you and me captivated for a combine 8 hours.

Hats off to them.

It's been wild following the trials and tribulations of Cody Rhodes. I've seen so many second generation talent come and go that when I first laid eyes on Cody I thought he could be the least talented of the lot. Slowly but surely, Cody started making strides and I'll always remember the episode where Dusty was the special GM because that was the first time I thought Cody could be a world champion. Fast forward to 2013 and it was the Authority vs. The Rhodes family storyline that had me captivated and it led to one of the best tag team matches I ever saw live in the Rhodes Bros and The Shield.

I thought it would only be a matter of time before we saw that on a grander stage but then it started happening. The Rhodes Bros went down to the New Age Outlaws, they fell into obscurity and the next thing I know Cody is doing this cringe Stardust gimmick. The Dustin/Cody match that we'd all been fantasy booking for years happened and it just wasn't that impressive. It seemed like Cody was going to wash out until...

Cody followed the same path Drew went down, made a list of every major indie name and event and decided to throw his weight behind the movement. It wasn't always glamorous, there were many New Japan shows where Cody was easily the lowlight of the show but he persevered.

Fast forward to AEW. That one rumoured promotion that Jericho and JR were going to be apart of was here and of the original signings, only two guys wanted the ball - Cody and Jericho. Cody wasn't everybody's cup of tea, but there was denying that Cody was giving his best effort and he made a huge statement when he and Dustin tore the house down at Double Or Nothing. It was a complete 180 on their 2015 Fastlane match and proof positive that Cody had grown. When Vince was asked about the opposition, it was the Cody/Dustin match that stood out - blood and guts.

Cody certainly wrestled with plenty of heart and was an early highlight of the show with his feuds against Dustin, Chris Jericho and Maxwell Jacob Friedman being early highlights. Then it happened, in lieu of Revolution 2020, Cody got that goddamn ugly goddamn neck tattoo and it just led to this series of poor decisions and the fans turned on him.

Cody to his credit read the writing on the wall and after being booed out of AEW, he was embraced with open arms by the WWE and somehow everything that threatened his moment worked out for the best and culminated in this amazing moment.

Pro Wrestling is not something you watch hoping to be hip or fit in. At times it's some of the worst television you'll ever see and it makes you question every life decision. Then you get moments like last night, where all these series of events took place where you watched a rookie take that fifteen year journey to the top and it fills you with so much joy that it makes it all seem worth it. Of course Cody wasn't alone and if it wasn't for Roman Reigns, The Rock, Seth Rollins, The Usos, Solo Sikoa, Samantha Irvin, Paul Heyman, Michael Cole, Paul Levesque, Nick Khan, Bruce Prichard, John Cena, Brodie Lee, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, The Elite etc. it wouldn't feel as sweet.

Fantastic post BigPete. I wonder if it doesn't belong more in the Codyverse thread?

Saw someone suggest that after winning the title, on Raw Cody should have done the Punk RoH turn, turning on the crowd and claiming he was going to take the belt to a real fed, having the Bloodline come out and claim they would not let him doing a massive double turn the process. Heat would have been absolutely nuclear.

Apr 9, 2024 13:18:50 GMT Emperor said:

Fantastic post BigPete. I wonder if it doesn't belong more in the Codyverse thread?

The what thread? Oh, I see it now. Don't worry I'll go further in-depth, but so much of this year's Wrestlemania was tied into the long term storytelling that only Pro Wrestling at it's absolute best can hit.

The funny thing was, my favourite spot in the match had nothing to do with Cody. It was Roman having the opportunity to win the match and instead turning on Seth Rollins. That was the 'Rosebud' of the WWE - all of this, the Bloodline, The Rock getting booed at the 2015 Royal Rumble, Sufferin Suckertash, the heist of the century, getting eaten alive by John Cena on open mic night etc. was a result of that one chair-shot. As crazy as it is to think about, Seth was right in the lead up to the 2022 Royal Rumble, he was inside Roman's head and it cost him everything.

Apr 9, 2024 13:23:42 GMT c said:

Saw someone suggest that after winning the title, on Raw Cody should have done the Punk RoH turn, turning on the crowd and claiming he was going to take the belt to a real fed, having the Bloodline come out and claim they would not let him doing a massive double turn the process. Heat would have been absolutely nuclear.

That would’ve been a terrible idea.

Apr 9, 2024 13:23:42 GMT c said:

Saw someone suggest that after winning the title, on Raw Cody should have done the Punk RoH turn, turning on the crowd and claiming he was going to take the belt to a real fed, having the Bloodline come out and claim they would not let him doing a massive double turn the process. Heat would have been absolutely nuclear.

A little throwback I liked was Seth's promise to be Cody's Shield.

And here he is, in Shield attire, with the roles reversed and Seth taking a Plan B chair shot from Roman.

Layers.

Apr 9, 2024 23:16:32 GMT NATH45 said:

A little throwback I liked was Seth's promise to be Cody's Shield.

And here he is, in Shield attire, with the roles reversed and Seth taking a Plan B chair shot from Roman.

Layers.

The way that Seth offers his back. Roman reveals here that he hates Seth more than he enjoys being champion. He could have taken Cody out but chose Seth. Masterclass in match psychology.

Bobby Roode apparently produced the match under the guidance of Michael Hayes.

The unsung hero.