offical wwe thread

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania 41 PLE Results: 4-19-25

(7) C.M. PUNK (w/Paul Heyman) vs. ROMAN REIGNS vs. SETH ROLLINS

Seth made his entrance with a flame thrower. Fans sang his song as he posed on the ramp and then strutted to the ring. Roman Reigns came out second, which means Punk got to the symbolically prestigious last entrance slot along with Heyman. A video package on Punk aired packed with vintage footage including him reciting prior lines about who he is with his young self saying them and his current self saying them. Punk and Heyman came onto the stage to a live performance of his “Cult of Personality” entrance theme. When Punk kneeled, Heyman moved in and kissed his forehead, then high-fived him. Cole exclaimed that “in living color, C.M. Punk is in the main event of WrestleMania.” They showed Reigns pensively soaking it in from his corner. A graphic noted it’s Punk’s first WrestleMania since 2013. When Punk entered the ring, he looked over at Seth and hard-winked at him in an antagonizing manner. Cole asked where Heyman’s allegiance really lies. Fans sang “Roman Reigns” European style. Reigns took off the Trump-red Ula Fala and then glared at Heyman and placed it next to a ringpost in his corner. The bell rang 25 minutes into the hour.

All three stared at each other. Punk was glowing, then rolled to the floor to confer with Heyman and gloat that he had him in his corner. He put his arm around Heyman. Reigns punched Seth as he was mouthing off at him. He mounted Seth and punched away at him. Punk went after Reigns from behind. Punk delivered a stiff chop to Seth’s chest. Then he turned and kicked Roman’s leg. Reigns knocked Punk over the top rope. He rolled to ringside and delivered a Drive By to Seth, leaping over Punk on his way.

Reigns picked up Punk and rammed his head into the ring apron. Reigns yelled at Heyman from across the ring and then shook his head in disdain. Seth leaped thorugh the ropes into Reigns, ramming him back-first into the barricade and then the ringside steps. Punk and Seth swung wildly at each other. Cole said Seth resents Punk for leaving the company and bad-mouthing the company for years afterward.

Punk and Seth brawled into the crowd. Barrett touted Punk being in the best shape he’s been in for 15 years. Seth bashed Punk with a trash can. Reigns leaped over the barricade and tackled both. Then Reigns tossed punk onto a ringside table of energy drinks. Reigns then cleared the Spanish announce desk. They showed Heyman. Barrett said the sour look on Heyman’s face told the story.

Reigns stayed in control when the action returned to the ring at 9:00. Punk set up a GTS. Seth avoided it, so Punk landed a running knee to the jaw of Reigns. Punk smiled as he assessed having both opponents down in opposite corners. Punk kneed Reigns in the chin in one corner, then Seth in the opposite corner. He then DDT’d both at once when they came after him mid-ring.

Punk leaped off the top rope and landed a flying elbowdrop onto Seth. Punk bodyslammed Reigns and climbed to the top again. Seth set up a superplex, but Reigns leaped up and put Seth on his shoulders. Punk then gave Seth a Doomsday Device to Seth off of Reigns’s shoulders. Reigns landed a Superman Punch on Punk for a two count. With everyone down, they cut to a wide shot of the 60,000 in attendance. Reigns let out a roar and went for a spear, but Punk kneed him. Punk went for a GTS, but Roman elbowed out of it. Reigns and Punk exchanged strikes mid-ring as the crowd yelled along. Punk came out of it with a two count. He followed with an Anaconda Vice at 14:00. Seth broke it up with a frog splash for a two count on Reigns.

Seth stood and kicked both Reigns and Punk. He mounted Punk and punched away at him, then bucklebombed him. As Punk and Seth battled for their finishers, Reigns speared them. Reigns went for a spear, but Seth turned it into a mid-air Pedigree. He then stomped Reigns and kicked Punk out of the ring before covering Reigns for a near fall that popped the crowd at 16:00. Cool sequence.

Punk set up a GTS, but Reigns speared Seth instead. Punk then gave Reigns a GTS for a near fall. They cut to Heyman. Barrett said Heyman was distraught at ringside. Punk signaled for a GTS on Reigns. Reigns resisted. Seth entered and gave Punk a Pedigree for a two count. Seth bent over and yelled at Roman, saying he’s all alone. “Of course you don’t know!” He said Punk doesn’t belong there and they could take him out together. Seth then went after Punk at ringside with a kick to the head. Seth cleared the announce desk. Reigns walked over and watched. He kneeled. Cole said Reigns was torn and didn’t know what to do. Reigns yelled, “Pick him up! Yeah!” Cole said the Shield Bomb was coming. Reigns then punched Seth and gave Punk the powerbomb onto the announce desk himself. He seethed and seemed to be releasing rage.

Reigns looked over at Seth. Barrett said Reigns suckerpunched Seth. Reigns then powerbombed Seth through another announce desk. He threw Seth into the ring and delivered a spear for a dramatic near fall. Heyman was shown exhaling. Reigns yelled, “Who calls for a favor, huh?” He grabbed Punk and threw him back into the ring. Cole yelled at Heyman that it was all his fault. Reigns applied a standing guillotine. He dropped to the mat. Punk struggled and then flipped over into a bridge for a two count. PUnk then put Reigns in an Anaconda Vice mid-ring. Seth entered and applied a sharpshooter, but he gave Punk a middle finger before turning over to wrench it on. Punk yelled out in pain.

Reigns stood and put Seth in a guillotine. Seth stood and fisherman suplexed Reigns into a bridge. Reigns held on, though. Punk delivered a stomp to Reigns. He gave Seth a GTS for a near fall at 26:00. All three were down and slow to get up. Punk sat up first. Barrett said Heyman looked completely lost. Cole said Heyman has burned every bridge he ever had.

Punk began to set up a GTS on Reigns, but Seth intervened. Punk gave Seth a GTS. Reigns speared Punk. Seth stomped Reigns, but then collapsed. “Everybody is down!” exclaimed Cole. “This is absolutely incredible.” They showed Heyman walking over to the time keeper’s area. He picked up a chair. Cole noted there are no DQs in Triple Threat matches. Heyman eyed Punk and then Reigns. Reigns saw Heyman with the chair. Punk called for the chair. Heymann shook his head no at Reigns, then slid it to Punk. Reigns looked devastated. Cole said Heyman turned his back on Reigns to help his best friend Punk. Heyman entered and led Punk toward Reigns, but then low-blowed Punk from behind. Reigns started laughing.

Heyman cried and threw a fit, yelling, “You made me do it!” Heyman then handed the chair to Reigns like a platter, kneeling in front of him. Reigns picked up the chair. Heyman said, “I acknowledge you, my Tribal Chief.” Reigns smashed Punk over and over with the chair. Heyman told Reigns to look at Seth. Reigns pushed Heyman aside and then wound up to hit Seth from behind with the chair. Heyman, though, then gave Reigns a low-blow. Seth realized what was happening and exhaled. Heyman then lifted the chair and approached Seth. He handed it to Seth. Fans popped as Cole called Heyman a piece of garbage. “This is absolute insanity!” said Cole. Fans sang Seth’s song. A ref checked on Reigns. Seth then waited for him to stand and then bashed him across the back. He followed with a stomp and scored a three count.

Cole threw a barrage of insults at Heyman including “Benedict Arnold” and “leech” and “cockroach.” He called it an alliance they never thought they’d see. He said you cannot kill Heyman who always finds a way to end up at the top of the business. He said he is sick. McAfee wondered how long this had been the plan.

WINNER: Seth Rollins in 33:00.

(A lot happened in that match before Heyman helped Seth win, so that aspect of the way the story was told was contrived. What if Roman or Punk scored a three count before Heyman could turn on them? One of the aspects of this story that felt weird was what a price they’d pay and how much they’d miss out on if either Punk or Reigns turned heel. Heyman with Seth gives Seth a new character to work with and a new dynamic. I’m not sure how I feel about the Heyman-Seth dynamic, though. This is a lot to process. I suppose it makes sense that Seth believed this match would give him control of the industry.)

 

[Taiso]

I loved the final match of night one BUT I also agree that if Heyman was going to swerve us on both Punk and Roman and join up with that fag Seth Rollins, it should have happened when there was true risk of Rollins not winning. They could have done more with Heyman acting in all of their best interests leading up to the final turn. That said, the match was still a lot of fun to watch and this was the best I've seen out of Roman in some time. I suspect Punk and Heyman were heavily involved in the booking of this match.,

The rest of night one kind of...sucked, I guess?

Feeding L.A. Knight to Fatu is going to end that man's run in WWE. Putting the belt on Fatu does nothing for him and taking it away from L.A.K. clean is going to hurt him. People say he's 'peaked' but if that's true, it's HHH's fault for not putting him in more important matches and feuds.

Rey Phoenix jobbing to El Grande Americano was also a mistake. It should have been Dragon Lee if the actual lucha was going to lose. Very disrespectful to lucha libre on the day WWE's acquisition of AAA was announced. Even if this is long term booking, they should have had a long time guy that hasn't won anything in ages do the favors for Gable.

Charlotte vs. Tiffany was a botchy, sloppy mess that was carried by the personal drama between the two. I kind of hate Charlotte right now and I feel like she low key sandbagged Tiff through that match. Charlotte has this thing where she's dominating a match, the face counters to start a comeback and Charlotte just hits her opponent again and keeps dominating. It's fucking irritating. That said, Charlotte DID sell for Tiffany at key moments in the match. At least Tiffany won, even if she got a chipped tooth out of it.

New Day winning sucked. The War Raiders barely got to show their stuff as champs during their 4 month 'reign'. The 'E still can't book tag teams. Pretty Deadly should absolutely be in the TLC match next week but they aren't for...reasons.

Jey winning was awful, and especially how he won. Not convincing at all, bad storytelling and Gunther should have escaped with the belt.

Jade looked strong in spots and I mean that in the physical sense, not in a worker sense. She did all right. Naomi is not up to the speed of WWE matches and it shows. The spot where Jade walks over to the corner and waits for Naomi to climb the ropes so that she can catcher and slam her (or maybe suplex her) was ruined by Naomi's inability to be where she needed to be. It's partly Jade's fault too but I don't blame her that much, given that she probably didn't want to be late to the spot, given that Naomi could have been seriously hurt if things would have gone bad. Jade is a physical specimen for sure, and she sold better than I expected her to. But it was underwhelming and predictable in the end.

If anything else happened night one, I just don't remember it. It was a mediocre night except for the final match, which was not without its narrative problems. But I'll take it as a win.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania 41 PLE Results: 4-20-25

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's real-time report).

(1) IYO SKY vs. BIANCA BELAIR vs. RHEA RIPLEY – Women’s World Title match

Sky came out first. Then Belair. Cole noted Belair has struggled in her career against both Sky and Ripley. Ripley then made her entrance. “Listen to this ovation!” exclaimed Cole. During ring introductions, Belair was booed, Rhea was cheered, and Sky was cheered. The bell rang 18 minutes into the hour. Cole explained the (stupid) rules of Triple Threat matches where you can do literally anything and have anyone interfere on your behalf to win a title that is supposed to be represented by the wrestler who is better than her opponents, all because they haven’t figure out that it’d be okay if one of the three wrestlers got DQ’d thus eliminated, leaving it a one-on-one battle.

Sky took an early beating and rolled to ringside. Belair and Ripley then squared off. Belair knocked Ripley around, received boos, and signaled for the crowd to kiss her ass. She then beat up both Sky and Ripley in the corner. Sky slipped free and yanked on Belair’s braid. Cole said it can be a weapon or a detriment for Belair. Sky landed a double blockbuster and scored a two count on both at the same time. Belair rammed Sky into the turnbuckle. Ripley knocked Belair to the floor and then flip dove onto her. Sky then springboard backflipped onto Ripley and played to the crowd.

They battled at ringside for a couple minutes. Ripley sent Sky into Belair with a Razor’s Edge leading to a two count on Sky. Sky rallied a minute later by charging into each opponent in opposite corners. At 8:00 Belair intervened on a superplex attempt by Rhea on Sky, and then she sent them to the mat with back suplex. They were all down and slow to get up. A “This is awesome!” chant rang out.

Sky landed a springboard missile dropkick on Ripley and then kipped up. She played to the crowd and they cheered her. Belair then speared Sky. Barrett said you can pay a price if you get caught admiring your handiwork. Belair landed a top rope shooting star press. Ripley broke up the cover and then slammed Belair with a Rip Tide and then stack covered her for a two count.

Sky DDT’d Ripley, but when she charged, Ripley kicked her. Ripley leaped off the second rope with Rip Tide attempt, but Sky countered. When Sky went for a moonsault, Ripley lifted her boots. Belair then gave Sky a KOD for a near fall, broken up by Ripley. A loud “This is awesome!” chant broke out.

Ripley catapulted Sky onto the top of the ringpost as they were battling on the second rope. Belair went for a KOD, but Ripley landed on her feet. Ripley went for a Rip Tide, but Belair slipped free and whipped Ripley with her braid. She followed with a KOD. Sky landed an Over the Moonsault on Belair for the win. “What a match!” said Cole. “Ladies and gentlemen, an afterthought no more.”

WINNER: Sky in 14:00 to retain the Women’s World Title.

(Sky really needed to win to overcome being demeaned by Ripley and Belair during the whole build as a nuisance rather than the reigning champion. The match was great start to finish. That was at the top of anyone’s reasonable expectations for how good the match could be. Lots of chemistry among them, they worked super-hard, and they hit everything perfectly.)

(2) DREW MCINTYRE vs. DAMIEN PRIEST – Sin City Street Fight

McIntyre came out first. The guitarist for Slayer played Priest’s theme song live on the stage as Priest made his entrance. The bell rang 49 minutes into the hour. Drew attacked Priest from behind and the ref called for the bell. Priest fought back and sent Drew to the floor. Priest superkicked Drew and then rammed him into the ringside barricade. They brawled up the ramp. Drew suplexed Priest on the ramp.

Back at ringside, Priest threw the case of the steps into Drew. Drew came back a minute later and bashed Priest twice in the head with the top of the ringside steps. He then bashed Priest in the back.

At 5;00, Priest tried to knock Drew off the ring apron through a table, but Drew fought back and clotheslined Priest over the top rope on the other side of the ring. He then landed a running flip dive onto Priest at ringside. Drew played to appreciative fans. Drew threw Priest back into the ring. Drew went for a Claymore, but Priest threw a chair at him. Drew gave Priest a dropkick and scored a two count. Drew bashed Priest across the back with a chair. Drew then put the chair over Priest’s head, but when he charged for a kick, Priest countered with a modified South of Heaven slam for a near fall.

Priest hit Drew with the chair and then wedged the chair into the corner. Drew recovered and gave Priest a spinebuster. Drew set up a table in the ring. Priest recovered and fought back. He delivered a Razor’s Edge of Drew through the table mid-ring for a two count at 9:00.

Priest walked the top rope while holding Drew’s hand. Drew shoved Priest off the top rope through the table below. (If only someone had thought of doing that before, Undertaker and the Spoiler wouldn’t have gotten away with that move all these decades.) Drew shoved Priest into the corner against the chair Priest had wedged in there. He then landed a Claymore for a clean three count.

Drew was hesitant to let the ref raise his arm and sold sore ribs. Priest credibly told the ref he was having trouble breathing and needed medical help as he lay on his back mid-ring.

WINNER: McIntyre in 14:00.

(Good match, and a total change of pace and style from the opener. Really good effort from both wrestlers and a hard-hitting match that had the crowd engaged. It made sense for Drew to win. As good of a last year Priest has had, Dre is still more valuable.)

(3) BRON BREAKKER vs. PENTA vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO vs. FINN BALOR – Intercontinental Title match

Penta made his entrance first. When Dom came out, he was wearing a Lucha mask and had trouble pulling it off. Cole and McAfee laughed at him. Barrett said the match is supposed to be difficult to take off. Cole noted Dom’s ring entrance was sponsored by “Dude Wipes.” McAfee loved this and went off on descriptions of what the product does. “Everybody dumps,” he said. “Most people dump Dirty Doms into the toilet.” Balor came out next followed finally by Breakker. Cole noted this was Breakker’s WrestleMania debut. The bell rang 22 minutes into the second hour.

Balor stomped away at Penta in the opening seconds. Balor and Dom threw Breakker to the floor and then gloated. Penta leaped off the top rope with a bodypress on Dom. He sent both Balor and Dom to the floor, then flipped over the top rope onto them. Breaker reappeared and leaped at Penta with a flying shoulder tackle. Back in the ring, Breakker caught Penta mid-air and powerslammed him.

Penta was setting up Balor for a suplex when Breakker moved in and suplexed both at once. Barrett raved about Breakker. Dom rallied. Cole noted there was a contingent of the crowd cheering on Dom, who got a big pop when he entered the ring, too. Breakker vertical suplexed both Balor and Dom at once. Cole said he’s “an absolute freak of nature.”

Breakker took Balor off the top rope with a Frankensteiner for a two count at 6:00. Balor kicked a charging Breakker itn hte chest. Dom dropkicked Penta and knocked Breakker to the floor. Dom then dropkicked Balor from behind and landed a 619. Balor blocked it. Fans booed. Balor swept Dom and stomped away at him. Penta gave Balor a Penta Driver for a near fall, broken up by Breakker.

Penta and Breakker then faced off. Carlito pulled the top rope down so Breakker tumped to the floor. Dom rolled up Penta for a near fall. Penta landed a Mexican Destroyer on Dom, but Carlito broke up the cover and then threw Penta into the announce desk. Carlito cleared the desk. McAfee and Cole yelled at him. Breakker then leaped off one table and speared Carlito onto the other table. McAfee said Carlito was sawed in half. Cole thought he was dead. Fans chanted, “Holy shit!”

Back in the ring, Breakker speared Penta. Dom gave Breakker a 619. Balor knocked Dom off balance on the top rope. He dropkicked Breakker into the corner and then set up the Coup De Gras. Dom landed a frog splash on Balor to break up his cover and then scored the pin.

WINNER: Dominik Mysterio in 11:00 to win the Intercontinental Title.

(Well, that’s a fun big moment for Dom. No one saw that coming other than our own Javier Machado in his WrestleMania 41 Night Two Preview article! Dom has been such a pleasant surprise with his popularity growing organically over time and he has improved at a pace that made it convenient that fans were so into him. This is such a cool moment for him and certainly for Rey, more than making up for missing out on last night’s scheduled match. Dom gloating about it to Balor should lead to a full split, right? The match was really good, too.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania 41 PLE Results: 4-20-25

(4) RANDY ORTON vs. JOE HENDRY

Orton made his entrance. He did some mic work. Then Hendry was revealed as the person accepting Orton’s open challenge. Cole noted he is the TNA Champion. He wore the belt. Cole said he took NXT by storm last year and is now the TNA Champion. Barrett said he expected someone from the WWE locker room. He said Orton has a ton of rage pent up over Kevin Owens, and Orton will take it out on him. Barrett said Hendry became a viral sensation with a catchy song last year. The bell rang 49 minutes into the second hour. Fans chanted, “We believe!”

Hendry rolled up Orton for a two count in the opening seconds after a staredown. Barrett said Hendry is “no slouch.” (I should hope not.) Orton fought back, but Hendry landed a neckbreaker. Hendry stomped the mat old school style to get the fans clapping. He went for a chokeslam. Orton poked him in the eyes. Orton powerslammed Hendry and then delivered a draping DDT. Hendry came back with a fallaway slam and then played to the crowd. He spun around and smiled for the hard cam. Orton gave him an RKO out of nowhere for the win.

Afterward, Orton helped Hendry stand and talked with him about the moment he was part of. He raised his arm and fans cheered. Barrett said no one else in the locker room wanted any piece of this version of Orton. Orton then, of course, gave Hendry. another RKO. Fans chanted, “One more time!”

WINNER: Orton in 3:00.

(Eh, I get some people will love this fun little mid-card surprise, and it’s not the worst thing by any means. I’m really never a fan of a champion from another company being a comedic foil for someone in another company, even if he’s hardly a serious act even in TNA and probably dropping the belt soon. Hendry isn’t supposed to be a serious, focused competitor, but against Orton at WrestleMania, he just seemed almost disqualifyingly unserious here given the gravity of the moment. That all said, on balance, the Hendry brand was given a boost by this high-profile moment.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE WrestleMania 41 PLE Results: 4-20-25

(5) LOGAN PAUL vs. A.J. STYLES

Logan came out first and had nine camera angles on him that were shown in a grid. Styles came out second. Styles had the most straight-forward entrance of WrestleMania weekend. The bell rang 8 minutes into the third hour.

Barrett said Logan feeds off of negative energy. McAfee said he was raised on the Internet, so he’s used to a barrage of negativity. Logan took control a few minutes in and took it to Styles at ringside. Barrett said Styles is grappling with his own career mortality. Logan landed a top rope splash on Styles for a two count back in the ring at 5:00. Logan landed the Overbomb next for a near fall. Logan landed a split-legged legdrop on Styles for a one count. Logan then jabbed away at Logan. Logan stood on the second rope and played to the crowd. Barrett said no one should be surprised by this performance. He said he’s not a newcomer or an outsider. Cole said he continues to improve.

Styles showed some fire at 10:00 and made a comeback including a brainbuster suplex. When Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, Logan caught him and landed a rolling senton and then a springboard Lionsault for a two count. Styles set up a Styles Clash, but Logan resisted. Logan landed a slignshot flip lariat for a two count. Logan raised his Titanium loaded right hand and swung at Styles. Styles ducked and delivered a spinning powerbomb for a two count at 15:00.

Styles went for a Phenomenal Forearm, but Logan lifted his knees. He followed with a Styles Clash. Styles rolled through and delivered a Styles Clash himself. Both were down and slow to get up. Logan’s sidekick Jeff crawled around ringside with brass knuckles. Barrett called that Plan B for Logan. Karrion Kross appeared and took the brass knuckles away from him. Kross offered the knux to Styles. He pleaded with “Allen” to put it on and blast Logan with them. Styles held it up, but then tossed it aside.

Styles set up a Phenomenal Forearm, but Logan ducked, swung at Styles, and then landed the Pulverizer for the win.

WINNER: Logan in 18:00.

(This was fine. I don’t know if the Kross-Styles storyline is landing, and Logan is coming across more and more like he’s just screwing around in WWE and not really immersed as a true full-time wrestler. Logan is really good for his experience level, but he’d be a lot better by now if he had more frequent reps in the ring. I get having Logan get the clean win here, especially with the “out” of Styles being distracted by Kross.)

(6) LIV MORGAN & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ vs. LYRA VALKYRIA & BECKY LYNCH – Women’s Tag Team Title match
Lynch was the replacement for Bayley, who was attacked yesterday and knocked out of the match. The announcers talked about Liv and Raquel being defensive when asked about what happened to Bayley. They showed a woman crying in the crowd at the return of Becky. Cole said the last time they saw Becky was nearly a year ago when Liv beat her in a cage. Liv looked panic-stricken. (It’s too bad word of this spread so much this weekend, as it’d have been a nice surprise to witness in real time.) The bell rang 39 minutes into the third hour.

Liv opened against Becky, but Liv tagged out immediately to Raquel and then laughed. Becky pretended to tag out, but turned and hit Raquel. Becky applied an early sleeper.

The heel duo took over. Barrett said that’s because Becky and Lyra were “a hastily” thrown together tag team.
Becky eventually got the hot-tag and gave an exploder suplex to Liv. She knocked Liv around ringside before throwing her back into the ring where she applied a disarm her at 7:00. Raquel kicked Becky in the face before Liv tapped. Becky ducked a charging Raquel, but Liv then gave Becky an Oblivion. Lyra dove through the ropes. Raquel caught her, but Lyra turned it into a tornado DDT. Meanwhile, in the ring, Becky landed the Manhandle Slam for the win.

WINNERS: Valkyria & Lynch in 8:00 to capture the Women’s Tag Team Titles.

(A fine tag match. It’s good see Becky back. She and Lyra have a chemistry together. It seems, at least for now, that Becky isn’t joining a new Paul Heyman faction with Seth Rollins at this point. There’s always tomorrow.)


(7) CODY RHODES vs. JOHN CENA – WWE Championship match

Cena made his entrance first. Nothing special. Black screens in the background, black t-shirt, and a black towel held over his head. Cole noted Cena’s last singles win was 7 years ago. His last WrestleMania win was ten years ago. He said the odds aren’t good. Barrett said he is a shadow of his former self. Cody’s entrance took place next, with motor cycles crossing each other on stage and then meeting on stage as Cody walked out in a mask. Cody’s official entrance theme then played and his mask opened up to reveal his eyes. The graphic noted it was his 9th title defense and 10th career WrestleMania. Cody held his daughter in his arms at ringside and greeted his wife Brandi and his sister. A drone flew over the crowd as Cole talked about the stakes. Cena was booed during formal ring introductions. Cody was booed even more. The bell rang 13 minutes into the fourth hour as a loud “Let’s Go Cena / Cena sucks!” chant rang out.

Barrett said Cody is the “hood ornament” of WWE and Cena is “a massive underdog.” Cena rolled to the floor seconds into the match after a shoulder check. Barrett said the high-pitched voices used to cheer Cena and the low-pitched voices booed him, but now they’re unified in saying “screw you, Cena.” Cole noted Cena is 0-4 against Cena. Barrett and Cole agreed that was so long ago, it doesn’t matter.
Cena took Cody down with a side headlock. Cole said Cena needs the pace to be slow. Cody escaped and dropkicked Cena, who rolled to ringside. Cody dove through the ropes and tackled Cena at ringside. Cody played to the crowd; boos rang out. Cena punched Cody and then stomped away at him. Cena clotheslined Cena twice, taking him down. He then applied a chinlock (needlessly loosely at first, as usual, so vintage Cena.) Cena landed a leaping axe handle. Cole said Cody seemed out of sorts.

Cody made a comeback with punches at 9:00. Cody poked Cody in the eyes and then pounded on his chest. Cena landed a tornado DDT for a two count. Cena landed a shoulder tackle and then stared down at Cody before landing a shoulder tackle. Cena waved his hand over Cody, but Cody poked him in the eye from underneath and landed a powerslam. Loud boos as he rallied and hit a Disaster Kick. Cody pounded the mat and more boos rang out. Cole acknowledged the boos and said many fans wanted to see the Greatest Hits from Cena. Cody landed a Cody Cutter for a two count.

Cody set up a bionic elbow, but Cena took Cody down with a drop toe hold. He then hit the Attitude Adjustment for a two count. Cena sat up and smiled and then laughed. Cena then signaled You Can’t See Me. Cole said Cena has turned the clock back a decade. Cena landed the Five Knuckle Shuffle. He set up another AA, but Cody countered into a roll-up for a two count. Cody did the Flair flip into the turnbuckles. When he climbed to the top rope, Cena knocked him off balance and Cody crotched the top turnbuckle. A “Let’s Go Cena! / Cena sucks!” dueling chant broke out.
Cena lifted Cody onto his shoulders and stood on the second rope and leaped off with an AA for a near fall at 15:00. Barrett said he saw panic in the eyes of Cena. Cody caught Cena leaping off the top rope and powerbombed him and then stack covered him for a two count. Cody landed a leaping springboard Cody Cutter for a two count. Cody played to the crowd. More boos. Cody then set up a CrossRhodes, but Cena escaped and landed another AA. He then applied an STFU. Cody crawled to the bottom rope. Cena dragged him back to the middle and applied it again (as loosely as ever). Cody crawled over to the bottom rope again. Cena dragged him to the middle. Cody kicked Cena off of him, and Cena crashed into the ref. Cody gave Cena a CrossRhodes. Cody made the cover and got a visual cover.

Cena removed the top turnbuckle as Cody checked on the downed ref. Cena and Cody exchanged strikes mid-ring. Cena threw Cody into the exposed turnbuckle twice and then hit the AA. Cody kicked out before three. The crowd popped. “What is it gonna take?!” asked McAfee. The Rock’s music then played. Cena laughed. Travis Scott walked out with the Hardcore Title belt. He strolled down the ramp. Cena reached down and helped him up onto the ring apron. Cena gave him instructions, then held up Cody. Cody elbowed out of Cena’s grip and gave Cena a CrossRhodes. Scott yanked the ref out of the ring during his count. Cole said the ref appeared knocked out from hitting the floor.

Cody invited Scott into the ring. Scott entered and got in Cody’s face. He took a swing. Cody blocked him and gave him a CrossRhodes. Cody rolled Scott out of the ring. Cena charged at Cody with the belt. Cody blocked it and took the belt. Cena backed off. Cody looked conflicted. Cena kicked him in the crotch. Cole said Cody chose to be the good guy. Cena then hit Cody in the head with the belt. Cena looked for the ref at ringside and called him into the ring. Cena made the cover for the win.

Cena celebrated and pyro blasted. Cole conceded that Cena tonight “has become the GOAT.”

WINNER: Cena in 25:00 to capture the WWE Title for the 17th time.

(They managed to get through the match competently enough. Travis Scott being the tipping point for Cena to win when nobody cares about him in the WWE context is lame. No surprise Cena won as that did seem like the next logical chapter in the Cena retirement story. Cody was booed, but not in a way that it seemed to just become the predominant story of the match.)

 

[Taiso]

The Iyo match and the IC title 4 way were the only two good matches on this card. Everything else was trash, and it's not because I didn't like the finishes or anything.

Iyo deserved the win. Love Rhea, hate Bianca. Glad it went down the way it did.

LOVED Dom getting the belt. This is Zack Ryder part two and will last about as long. Still a lot of fun. Breaker is a fucking beast. Brock Lesnar without all the baggage and hungry for success. He is this company's biggest future star.

Logan Paul going over AJ Styles clean was bizarre to me, especially since they were teasing brass knucks that Paul never needed anyway. The Paulverizer is an impressive finisher.

Drew going over Priest wasn't bad but it doesn't do anything for either guy. It's kind of like Fatu beating L.A.K. Both were clean victories, neither really elevated the winner and only hurt the loser. If Priest and L.A.K. are to have any future as main eventers, this was not a promising way for them to finish their 'mania matches.

TNA feeding their champs to WWE is bad business.

The womens' tag match was hot garbage. I feel really sorry for Lyra, who deserves singles success and not this gimmicky crap. Tag titles in WWE mean nothing and don't elevate anyone. Also, I could never see Becky Lynch on a TV again and I'd be perfectly happy. The industry has passed her botchy shit by and she is a relic now.

The main event sucked. There's no other way to put it. The Rock didn't come out to play a role in the match, leading me to wonder what it was all for. Cena could have done all of this without 'selling his soul' to the Rock. The whole angle has been gay and dumb and anyone comparing this to Hogan joining the nWo is a dumb faggit that needs to never talk about wrestling again. The Las Vegas crowd is fucking high on something because I don't undertstand why they're booing Cody? WWE audiences in general are fucking stupid and, like Vince, I hate when they hijack the show.

Wrestlemania 41 was officially a dumpster fire. Three or four good matches over two nights is not good.

 

[famicommander]

TNA feeding their champs to WWE is bad business.

So business as usual for TNA.

 

[jro]

Worst WM in at least a decade. Promotion went from hot to shit faster than AEW did.

Stand and Deliver was far better.

 

[famicommander]

Wouldn't be surprised to see WWE go after one of the big Japanese promotions next. NJPW+Stardom, CyberFight (DDT+NOAH+TJPW), Dragongate, and AJPW are all down so bad they agreed to essentially stop competing with each other entirely.

 

[Taiso]

The IWC is calling the train wreck between Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair 'Stiffy Time'.

That's funny on multiple levels.

Charlotte Flair looks like a buff Sarah Jessica Parker. My wife once joked that it was Ric in drag.

 

[famicommander]

WWE did a roast that went so poorly they tried to scrub it from the internet

Jokes included:
Iyo can't pronounce Ls because she's Japanese
Gunther is Hitler because he's German
Freddie Prinze shot himself, take THAT Freddie Prinze Jr
Mick Foley does not like Trump, haha, what a loser
Alberto Del Rio beat up Paige
Lex Luger is in a wheelchair
The Usos drive drunk

 

[Taiso]

Yeah I'd heard it was a total disaster.

And the Rock is burying the company right now, too.

Good times.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Superstars who were released today:
• Braun Strowman
• Dakota Kai
• Shayna Baszler
• Gigi Dolin
• Cora Jade
• Kayden Carter and Katana Chance

 

[wataru330]

Brown Strongman is released?!?

¡Sacre bleu!

 

[Taiso]

WWE Superstars who were released today:
• Braun Strowman
• Dakota Kai
• Shayna Baszler
• Gigi Dolin
• Cora Jade
• Kayden Carter and Katana Chance

Most of these don't surprise me. Would have liked to see Cora stick around and rehab but otherwise, nothing of value was lost.

Baszler is another one that is disappointing but only because she was a beast in NXT and they absolutely did not carry that over to the main roster of WWE. What a waste.,, Her WWE run was trash.

 

[GohanX]

So they basically hired him back just to feed him to Jacob Fatu. I'm OK with that.

 

[wataru330]

The Samantha Irwin official vid, HOLY SMOKE SHOW, Batman.

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-10-25

Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (complete link to Keller's real-time report).

(1) JACOB FATU vs. DREW MCINTYRE vs. DAMIEN PRIEST vs. L.A. KNIGHT – U.S. Title match

The bell rang 12 minutes into the hour. Knight had words for everyone. Fans chanted “Fatu! Fatu!” Fatu and Knight battled in the ring as Priest and Drew battled at rinsgide. When Fatu went for an early splash, Knight aboided him. He rallied against Fatu, Drew, and Priest. Cole talked about how focused Knight was. Knight countered Fatu’s next move. Barrett said so far it was “a two minute highlight reel” for Knight, which he said no one expected.

Preist rallied in the next segment of the match. Fans started chanting, “We Want Tables!” Priest walked the top rope and leaped off with a crossbody on Drew. He then nailed Fatu with a clothesline, and Fatu took a flip bump to the mat. Priest clotheslined Drew over the top rope and then landed a leaping round kick to Knight. Fatu gave a Samaon Drop onto the ringside barricade to a charging Priest. Cole said Fatu is “completely unhinged.” He talked about his times in jail and sleeping on a mattress and then turning the killer instinct he learned in jail into beating people up in pro wrestling.

Drew and Fatu squared off. They paused and stared at each other. “Quite the moment,” Cole said. Drew raked Fatu’s eyes when he climbed the ropes in the corner. Knight kicked away at Drew in the corner as he was hanging upside down. Knight then climbed over Drew in the corner and tried to superplex Fatu. Fatu knocked Knight down. Drew recovered and sat up and tossed Fatu who flipped onto Knight. Fatu charged with a hip attack on Drew and then he leaped through the ropes and checked Priest into the announce table. Fans went bonkers. Fatu then hit a Swanton on Drew. Knight caught Fatu with a BFT. Priest gave Knight a South of Heaven. Drew landed a Claymore on Priest, all rapid-fire. Priest covered Knight, but Drew broke up the cover.

With all four down, they aired replays of the frenzied action. Fans chanted “This is awesome!” Drew got up first and gave a Future Shock DDT o Fatu. Knight went after Drew, but Drew landed a Future Shock on him and then kipped up. Drew then delivered a Claymore to Knight, but Priest yanked the ref out of the ring after his second count. “Once again, Damien Priest has screwed Drew McIntyre out of a championship!” said Cole. Barrett called it totally legal but incredibly underhanded. They fought to ringside.

Fatu then headbutted Knight in the ring as another “Fatu!” chant broke out. Knight landed a leaping elbow off the ropes and scored a near fall at 13:00. Priest and Drew brawled into the floor seating area and to some rolling crates near the tech area. Drew set up a superplex, but Priest blocked him with an eye rake. He lowered his straps as fans cheered with anticipation. Priest delivered a South of Heaven off the platform through tables below. Fans chanted “Holy shit!”

Meanwhile, Knight got the better of Fatu and set up a leaping elbow off the second rope onto Fatu on the announce desk. Solo Sikoa pulled Fatu off the table and out of range. Knight went after Solo. Jeff Cobb then leaped over the barricade and attacked Knight. Solo yelled, “Get him!” Barrett called Cobb “a ball of muscle and menace.” Cole called him one of the biggest free agents. Fatu recovered and assessed the situation. Cole noted he seemed as confused as them. Fatu didn’t seem pleased as he re-entered the ring. Fatu gave Knight a hip attack (he shows so much light on almost all of these, it’s not really a good move for him). Fatu then landed a top rope moonsault for the win.

Fatu dropped to ringside with his belt and looked upset with the situation and pushed himself between and past Solo and Cobb with a quizzical look.

WINNER: Fatu in 18:00 to retain the U.S. Title.

(Really good four-way match. The arrival of Cobb, without Fatu being clued in ahead of time, clears the way for WWE to shift Fatu to the role fans are insisting on, which is a babyface. Cobb gives Solo a new person to work with when Fatu breaks off.)

(2) LYRA VALKYRIA vs. BECKY LYNCH – Intercontinental Title match

The bell rang 42 minutes into the hour. Valkyria grounded Lynch in the early segment of the match. Cole said she was “putting on a clinic against one of the all-time greats.” She scored a two count with a Northern Lights suplex. Lynch took over for a minute. Valkyria landed a running fisherman’s buster at 8:00. She then hit a cartwheel into an enzuigiri followed by a sitout powerbomb for a near fall. Cole noted a sellout crowd of 17,155.

Lynch rolled through and leveraged Valkyria’s shoulders down and tried to grab the second rope for extra leverage, but the ref caught it. Barrett called it a wily veteran move that didn’t pay off. Valkyria came back with a top rope legdrop to the back of Lynch’s neck. She looked like she was going to set up another move, but then made the cover. Cole called it inexperience. When she went for a moonsault, Lynch lifted her knees. Both were down and slow to get up.

Lynch went for a Disarm Her, but Valkyria countered. Lynch leveraged Valkyria’s shoulders down for a two count. Next, Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam for a two count. Fans applauded the drama. A “This is awesome!” chant got rolling. Lynch began to have a bit of a breakdown as she soaked up Valkyria kicking out. Barrett said Lynch was losing her confidence. Lynch walked over to the ring announcer station and grabbed a chair. The ref yanked the chair away.

Lynch went over and untied a turnbuckle pad in the corner. Valkyria suplexed Lynch out of the corner and then landed a moonsault for a two count at 16:00. Valkyria set up a Night Wing, but Lynch blocked it. Lynch hit Valkyria in the nose and rolled her up for a two count. Valkyria reversed it and scored the three count.

WINNER: Valkyria in 19:00 to retain the IC Title.

-Lynch attacked Valkyria afterward. She applied an armbreaker. Valkyria appeared to be in serious pain and was clutching her nose. Cole said her nose might be broken. Adam Pearce and other officials came out to check on her. Jason Jordan directed Lynch to the back and escorted her to prevent further attack. Valkyria stood and raised her belt, but was bent over. Barrett said she appeared to be a wreck.

(A good match that earned the time it got. The crowd wasn’t rabidly into it, but they earned some investment as the match progressed and they were cheering Valkyria by the end and booing Lynch.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-10-25

(3) DOMINIK MYSTERIO vs. PENTA – Intercontinental Title match

The bell rang 15 minutes into the second hour. Cole noted that 30 seconds after winning the IC Title, Dom declared himself the greatest IC Champion of all-time. Dom got in some early offense. Penta fired back with a backstabber. At 2:00 they battled at ringside. Dom threw Penta into the ringside steps. Barrett said Dom was outmaneuvering Penta “and nobody saw that coming.” Dom gloated to the crowd.

At 7:00 Penta landed a Mexican Destroyer on the ring apron. Carlito came out to ringside. Cole called him “a goofball.” J.D. McDonagh then set up a move on Penta. Finn Balor told him to wait. He grabbed a chair. The ref saw him and sent him, McDonagh, and Carlito the back. Cole said Balor fiddled and took too long and blew up their plan. Penta landed a leaping flip dive onto McDonagh and Carlito.

Back in the ring, Penta climbed to the second rope. El Grande Americano showed up and headbutted Penta with his loaded mask as Balor distracted the ref. Dom then landed a frog splash for the win. Barrett insisted Cole not say that El Grande Americano was actually Chad Gable.

WINNER: Mysterio in 10:00 to retain the IC Title.

(The action was good and Dom looked like he belonged in there with him as he continues to improve. If you were choosing between The Judgment Day being involved in the finish or Americano, you got both!)

(4) GUNTHER vs. PAT MCAFEE

McAfee came out first in Indianapolis Colts colors. He misspelled “Math Father” on the back of his jersey. Cole apologized for being “for the first time in my career, very biased tonight.” (He had a whole run as an obnoxious heel commentator.) He insisted he should be able to express opinions tonight. Barrett said he’ll try to be the voice of reason “at times” during the match. The bell rang 38 minutes into the hour.

Cole said McAfee looked to be in great shape and ready for a fight. Cole wondered what would happen if Gunther took him lightly. Fans chanted, “You tapped out!” at Gunther. Barrett said he feels Gunther can take McAfee lightly and still beat him. Gunther tossed McAfee across the ring. Gunther applied an armbar and then slapped McAfee across his skull a few times. Gunther smiled. Fans chanted, “Let’s go Pat!” Gunther patted McAfee on his head patronizingly. McAfee exploded with some strikes, but Gunther knocked him down hard.

McAfee got up and landed a chop. Gunther invited more, then chopped McAfee to the mat. Gunther kicked McAfee in the head. Cole stood at the desk and looked on with concern. Barrett said he could win anytime, but was enjoying it too much. Cole told Gunther to just end it. McAfee got in a slap that surprised Gunther. Gunther then back suplexed McAfee. Gunther applied a sleeper briefly, then suplexed McAfee again. Cole said Gunther has made his point. He told Gunther to end the match and be done with it all.

McAfee threw some back elbows to stop a back suplex out of the corner. He then went for a moonsault. Gunther moved, but McAfee landed on his feet. McAfee landed a punt kick to Gunther for a one count. Gunther quickly stood and got in McAfee’s face and smiled. McAfee was breathing as heavily as Luka Doncic after playing some defense. They exchanged mid-ring wild swings. McAfee landed a running boot and then a superkick. Gunther caught his punt kick attempts and then powerbombed him. Cole yelled, “Enough! End this. You got him beat!!”

Gunther applied a Boston Crab mid-ring. Cole got up and yelled at McAfee from the ring apron. He encouraged him to reach the bottom rope. Gunther dragged him back to mid-ring and then dropped a series of elbows on him. Fans chanted, “Michael Cole! Michael Cole!” Gunther pulled Cole into the ring and shoved him and then set up a powerbomb. McAfee kicked Gunther to prevent it. Gunther fired right back with a boot to the face. Gunther looked down at Cole. McAfee rolled up Gunther from behind for a two count.

Gunther suplexed McAfee into the ring from the ring apron. Cole pulled on Gunther’s leg so McAfee landed on Gunther leading to a near fall. Gunther was furious and turned to Cole. McAfee put Gunther in a sleeper. Fans cheered. Gunther escaped and landed a short-arm lariat. McAfee took a flip bump. Gunther then applied a sleeper. Cole hung his head at ringside, knowing it was over. McAfee raised his arm, but then it sank. McAfee lifted his hand again, though, and fans cheered. McAfee stood and tried to elbow out of it. Gunther locked it back on tight and dropped back. This time, McAfee passed out.

WINNER: Gunther in 14:00.

-Afterward, Cole checked on McAfee. Gunther stood and watched. McAfee rose and looked proud of the fight he put up. Gunther gave McAfee a salute of respect before leaving the ring. Barrett called it a rare show of respect.

(That went really well. Gunther didn’t lose anything even with McAfee lasting that long since the story throughout was the Gunther was just “playing with his food.” McAfee put up a spirited and credible fight, and he wasn’t trying to show off how many big spots he could pull off, which would have been more about him than telling a story that suited the situation. The only part I didn’t think worked was Cole pleading for Gunther to just finish it to spare McAfee more of a beating, only to then extend the match with interference and lament when Gunther put a sleeper on McAfee.)

 

[Arcademan]

WWE Backlash PLE Results: 5-10-25

(5) JOHN CENA vs. RANDY ORTON – WWE World Title match

Orton came out first to a big ovation. Cena came out to boos. After ring announcements, Cole said they first wrestled on Aug. 9, 2001 in a Brian Pillman Memorials Show. Then they met in Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2002. He said they have the number of wins and losses over the years against each other. He said if this is their final match, he’s honored to call it. He said they will tear the house down once again.

The bell rang 13 minutes into the third hour. They locked up. Cena offered a handshake, but then poked Orton in the eyes. He then applied a side headlock. Orton threw Cena off and shoulder checked him and then poked him in the eye. Cena rolled to the floor as Orton posed in the ring.

They locked up mid-ring again. Orton applied a side headlock as Cole and Barrett talked about Orton’s personality over the years and his “absence of malice.” When Cena tried to run, Orton chased him down. Back in the ring, Cena landed a clothesline and then punched away at him. Orton came back and punched Cena 20 times in the corner.

Orton then did the Orton Stomp, although Barrett called it a Garvin Stomp at first. Cole said they’ve named it the Orton Stomp by now. Barrett said, “I’m old school.” Orton applied another chinlock. Cena escaped and applied a sleeper. Cole noted this was Cena’s first defense of this reign. Orton back suplexed Cena.

Cena came back with some shoulder tackles. He signaled for the You Can’t See Me routine. He then landed his Five Knuckle Shuffle. Orton slipped out of his Attitude Adjustment attempt. Cena applied an STF. Orton escaped and then applied a draping DDT. Orton looked to the crowd as they cheered. Cena blocked an RKO and then landed an Attitude Adjustment. Both were down and slow to get up at 13:00. Cole noted on replay that it appeared Orton delivered an RKO at the same time Cena was landing the Attitude Adjustment.

They stood and exchanged strikes. Cena hit another Attitude Adjustment for a two count. A “Let’s Go Cena / Cena sucks!” chant broke out. Cena hit a shoulder tackle, but on a second attempt, Orton gave him an RKO out of mid-air. He went for a punt, but Cena moved and landed another Attitude Adjustment for a near fall. Both were down and slow to get up again.

Cena kneeled and mocked Orton slapping the mat to signal for an RKO. Cena charged for a punt, but Orton moved. Cena shoved Orton into the referee (and the term “shoved” is used loosely there). Cena gave Orton an Attitude Adjustment. He didn’t go for the pin because the ref was down. Cena dropped to ringside and picked up his title belt. When he entered, Orton gave Cena an RKO. The ref came to and slowly counted. Cena kicked out before three, and the crowd let out a roar at the drama. Fans chanted, “Bullshit!”

As Orton had a word with the ref at ringside, Cena recovered and knocked Orton into the ref again. Cole called for medical help. Cena threw Orton into the ringpost. Cena smugly smiled. Another “Let’s Go Cena! / Cena sucks!” chant broke out. Cena then lifted Orton for another Attitude Adjustment, but Orton slipped free and gave Cena an AA on the announce desk.

At 22:00 Orton reached under the ring and pulled out a table. He set it up at ringside. Cena fought back at ringside. Orton gave Cena an AA through the table at ringside, which popped the crowd. Cole said there was still no referee and the match has turned into a street fight. Fans chanted, “This is awesome!” Cole said Orton can’t win the match if there’s no one there to count.

Orton stood over Cena and signaled for the RKO. Cena struggled his way to his feet. Orton then hit an RKO. A second ref ran out and counted to two before Cena kicked out. Cena charged at Orton with the title belt, but Orton ducked and Cena hit the ref. Orton then gave Cena an RKO and he made the cover. Fans counted past ten. Nick Aldis and more officials ran out to check on the referees. Orton sat up and looked frustrated. Orton implored Aldis to get another ref and indicated he had Cena pinned. Orton gave Adis an RIO. He gave RKOs to four producers who fed him one after another. “There are bodies everywhere!” said Cole. He said Orton was “absolutely out of his mind.” Fans cheered, and then broke into a “This is awesome!” chant.

Orton set up a running punt kick, but R-Truth charged into the ring and blocked Orton. Orton gave him an RKO. Cena gave Orton a low blow and then KO’d him with the belt. The ref came to and crawled over and counted the pin. Cole said the old Cena would have never taken a victory like that “which is what made his special.” Barrett called him soulless.

WINNER: Cena in 28:00 to retain the WWE World Title.

-After the match, Cena said, “I know you can’t see me, but can you hear me?” He called for his music to be cut. He said what he needs is competition. He told St. Louis that he is what a real world champion looks like. He dropped the belt and the credits appeared on the screen as the show ended.

(The first third of the match was rudimentary to a fault, but totally in character for their styles, especially at this point in their careers. It picked up as it got more chaotic. The crowd got more into it as it progressed. The ref bumps didn’t bother me in part because the expectations for Orton and Cena telling this story straight-up isn’t really there, so a lot of outside stuff and controversy was likely and, ultimately, worked.)

 

[Arcademan]

PWInsider.com is extremely saddened to report that former ECW World Champion Sabu, one of the most vibrant and groundbreaking professional wrestlers of his era, Sabu (real name Terry Brunk) has passed away.

We are working on additional details at this time.

Sabu had just worked his final match over Wrestlemania weekend in Las Vegas on 4/18, defeating Joey Janela. He appeared last weekend at the Tri-State Wrestling Alliance reunion show convention at the 2300 (ECW) Arena, which appears to have been his final public appearance.

EDIT: GutsDozer made a dedicated thread on Sabu.

 

[jro]

Can Hunter please just get Saints, Vacquer, Grace, and Page on the main roster? Maybe Hendry too I suppose. Cena at the top of the shows is just sucking all of the oxygen away all the time. At least re-energize the mid-card a bit unless they're happy with NXT being better half the time.

 

[Taiso]

Since we're shitting on the 'E:

I never want to see Seth Rollins on my TV again. I already watched this feud last year when it was CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre, It was perfect, short term and both guys came out of it looking better than when they started.

Seth Rollins fucking sucks. He hasn't mattered in years and it is time for this man to go the fuck away. He's a fucking parasite, glomming on to whatever the current hot thing is. Without a title, he's just 'crazy man with a song I wish they'd stop playing that dresses like Elton John'. Paul Heyman is being wasted on this faggetry. So is Bron Breaker, who was the biggest rising star in the company until he settled for being fag Rollins' attack dog, which makes no damn sense. I have a distinct feeling that this was supposed to be Brock Lesnar but the legal stuff is preventing his return. So now Bron is discount Lesnar. What an absolute disservice to everyone involved in this feud. Especially Punk, who is running out of time on his career. Punk should be making a push for one more championship run, not wasting time with this gay rerun of a feud we already saw last year.

Put a belt on McIntyre and let him have a run as a tweener leaning face. The man is legit and was saddled with a face run during the pandemic. He deserves better.

WWE fans at arenas are the fucking worst. They make me actively hate the product with their hijacking jackoffery.

Also, fuck Jacob Fatu. I'm already over it. He didn't need a title to feud with Solo's bloodline. It didn't make him look better and it buried L.A. Knight in the process.

I remember when people were saying that the Cena heel turn was the 'GrEaTeSt HeEl TuRn EvEr!!!!'

As if Zybysko, Shawn Michaels, Brett Hart and Hulk Hogan didn't all do it before him and vastly better.

 

[Arcademan]

AEW is one step closer to getting former TNT Champion Darby Allin back from his journey to the top of the world.

According to the online log of Allin's climb up Mount Everest, Allin and his team reached the summit earlier today. Allin, the only first-time climber in his crew, has been climbing the mountain since April, and now that he's reached the summit, the group will turn around and begin the arduous climb down the mountain. The former World Tag Team Champion was initially supposed to return in time for the Owen Hart Cup, but delays in the preparations for the climb led to him not entering the tournament, further postponing the conclusion to his ongoing storyline with AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. It is still not clear when Allin will return to AEW, nor is it known if the climb will have any adverse effects on his health or ring-readiness.

 

[wataru330]

Fuck Jacob Fatu?

Please fix your post, once the hangover subsides.