Tag: bayley

Date: April 7, 2024
Location: Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA 

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Show Recap —

KICK-OFF SHOW —

Michael Cole welcomed us to the pre-show. Bayley, Damage CTRL, Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins were shown arriving at the arena. They aired highlights from last night. Randy Orton, Kevin Owens and Logan Paul were also shown arriving. Orton is participating in his 19th WrestleMania.

Cole, Pat McAfee, Big E and CM Punk are the panellists once again. Punk held both of his newly won Slammy Awards — shades of Owen Hart. Punk thanked the fans.

(South Carolina just wrapped up their NCAA National Championship win over Iowa.)

They showed clips from Roman Reigns’ cringy press conference last night. He had “reporters” acknowledge him and kicked out one person who booed him for some reason. 

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Interview with Triple H

They aired part two of Megan Morant’s interview with Paul Levesque. She asked about CM Punk. He said they had zero conversations a few weeks before he actually returned. Punk spoke to Nick Khan and Khan asked if Hunter would speak to Punk. Triple H had no issue with it but he just wanted to know how Punk would fit. It still felt like a long shot when Leveque checked with the music department on the availability of ‘Cult of Personality.’

Levesque made it sound like they were still working on finalizing everything when Survivor Series started. They snuck Punk into the building once it was final. Levesque and Punk briefly said hello before Punk went out to the stage. Since that day, Hunter has had private conversations with people who wanted to air out their differences regarding Punk and it was all amicable. It’s been refreshing working with Punk.

Triple H spoke about how excited he was about the company and the future. He wanted to continue to re-invent the business. It wasn’t broken but he wanted it to be so much more.

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Byron Saxton interviewed Iyo Sky. He wondered if Bayley would know exactly how to beat her. Sky called that a stupid question and said they kicked her out of Damage CTRL for a reason.

They aired the final few minutes of Rey Mysterio & Andrade defeating Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar last night.

There was a WrestleMania numbers video. 

Saxton said he spoke to Cody Rhodes who said he was good to go tonight.

They aired the closing moments of Sami Zayn’s win over Gunther.

Jackie Redmond and Wade Barrett replaced Cole and McAfee on the panel. Kayla Braxton flat-out told us there would be plenty of interference and run-ins by the Bloodline tonight.

(As they did last night, fans outside are consistently chanting for Punk at the desk.) 

Peter Rosenberg found Drew McIntyre in the back. He said Chelsea Green stole his Slammy and wanted her arrested. McIntyre wanted people to really remember what the world was like four years ago (during Covid) and everything he did. He looked forward to lifting the title belt in front of Punk’s stupid face. (Punk had already left the desk so he couldn’t comment.)

They aired the final few minutes of Rhea Ripley’s win over Becky Lynch. 

Saxton interviewed Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins and B-Fab. They were all business and they were ready for tonight. Ford said they’ve chosen violence.

Cathy Kelley interviewed the Final Testament. Karrison Kross mocked their promo and said they were ready to take it to the extreme (he wore an ECW t-shirt).

Rosenberg interviewed Gabriel Iglesias. AJ Styles was shown arriving. 

They aired the final moments of last night’s main event. (I’m a little surprised they’re showing so much from last night.)

There was a video of fans in Philly rallying behind Cody Rhodes.

CM Punk was shown entering for commentary.

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WRESTLEMANIA XL NIGHT TWO —

Cole said nobody had seen Cody Rhodes all day because he’s been locked away in his bus. (On the pre-show, Saxton said he spoke to Rhodes and Rhodes was visited by medical staff.) 

There was an intro video once again with Meek Mill. It seems a bit warmer and sunnier than yesterday.

Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins were shown getting ready in the back.

The War and Treaty performed God Bless America. 

Stephanie McMahon entered (to a remixed theme). She was at WrestleMania 1 when she was 8 years old and felt privileged to be at every Mania since. She said this one was special because it was the first one in the Paul Levesque era. She asked the crowd if they were ready and they cheered.

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CM Punk is on commentary for the upcoming match. McIntyre entered to his music but was first brought out by the Ulster Scottish Pipe Band. Punk was unimpressed.

Seth Rollins was brought out to the stage by the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association. Punk called him a goof. The very colourful band marched down to the ring with Rollins as the crowd sang along. Rollins did look like a goof but this was a fun visual. 

Drew McIntyre defeated Seth Rollins to win the World Heavyweight Championship (10:33)

McIntyre immediately hit a Claymore Kick and got a nearfall 10 seconds into the match. McIntyre chop-blocked him and launched on the outside with an overhead suplex. He grabbed his wife’s cell phone and took a selfie (she sat in the front row).

McIntyre taunted Punk and set up Rollins for the same DDT that injured Punk but Rollins countered with a Pedigree. Rollins hit a curb stomp in the ring for two.

They traded blows until McIntyre hit a neckbreaker. McIntyre went for Claymore but Rollins caught him and hit a powerbomb and Pedigree. Rollins hit another stomp for a nearfall. Rollins went for a stomp off the top but McIntyre dodged it. They traded counters until McIntyre hit a Future Shock DDT for two. Punk admitted to wincing at that.

McIntyre did the “go to sleep” taunt and Punk said he was putting the crowd to sleep. McIntyre went for GTS but Rollins rolled him up for two. McIntyre hit another Claymore Kick for a nearfall.

McIntyre cleared the announce table but Rollins fought him off. Rollins cleared the other table and hit a running stomp, bouncing McIntyre’s head off the table. Rollins kept selling his knee every time he landed. Rollins tried to follow up in the ring but McIntyre once again hit a Claymore for a nearfall.

McIntyre hit one more Claymore Kick for the pinfall win.

This was really good. It was paced pretty much exactly like a Brock Lesnar main event.

McIntyre acted emotional upon winning. (His reaction felt a bit subdued for reasons we’re about to find out.) McIntyre and Rollins gave each other a knowing look. Rollins was crying as he mouthed something encouraging to McIntyre.

McIntyre let his wife (in the front row) hold the belt and he kissed her.

McIntyre taunted Punk on commentary. McIntyre was being a huge dick and did the crotch chop in Punk’s face. Punk swept out McIntyre’s leg and dropped him on the announce table. Punk ripped off his brace and attacked McIntyre with it.

— Damian Priest sprinted out to his music and the crowd exploded. Priest decked McIntyre with the briefcase and announced he was cashing in.

Damian Priest defeated Drew McIntyre to win the World Heavyweight Championship (0:09) 

Priest immediately hit a South of Heaven chokeslam for the pinfall win. The crowd popped big and Priest was pumped. Priest celebrated with his Judgment Day teammates on the stage. Punk was very pleased with himself.

(I said earlier that McIntyre took a selfie during the match. Apparently, he actually posted on Twitter/X that he was bored at work.) 

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Snoop Dogg joined commentary for the next match. Bubba Ray Dudley was the special referee.

Six-man Philadelphia Street Fight: Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits (w/B-Fab) defeated The Final Testament (w/Scarlett & Paul Ellering) (8:33)

Karrion Kross and AOP attacked Lashley with kendo sticks which got a Sandman reference on commentary. Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins tried to help but they were overwhelmed by kendo sticks too.

Kross tried a cover but B-Fab hit him with a kendo stick. Scarlett hit B-Fab with a trash can. Lashley gave Kross a flatliner while the Street Profits took AOP out of the ring. Ford hit a big-ass flip dive to take out AOP.

Lashley gave Kross a spinebuster on a chair. Lashley applied the Hurt Lock but Scarlett hit him with a kendo stick. B-Fab knocked her down with a pump kick and put her through a table with a Russian leg sweep.

Kross hit Lashley with a Saito Suplex for two. Kross wasn’t happy with referee Bubba Ray and shoved him. Bubba put on his thick-rimmed glasses and Kross turned around into a Lashley spear.

Lashley and Ford held down Kross so Dawkins could hit a D-Von Dudley headbutt to the nuts. Bubba called for them to get the tables. They did but it broke too early so they grabbed another.

Ford put Kross through the table with a frog splash and Lashley made the cover for the pinfall win.

This felt like an Attitude Era hardcore match meant to kill time between the important matches. Of course, they kill enough time on these shows now with packages and commercials. Speaking of which…

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There was a Bloodline/Rhodes video package.

Kayla Braxton interviewed Paul Heyman. She asked what Bloodline rules entailed. He mocked her and said it meant whatever they wanted it to mean. The match would only end when one man walked out the winner and the other man went home to his wife Brandi.

There were commercials for WWE 2K24 and Slim Jam. LA Knight arrived in the Slim Jim car. There was an LA Knight/AJ Styles video package. 

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AJ Styles has new music. 

LA Knight defeated AJ Styles (12:28)

We didn’t get to hear much of Styles’ music because he raced to the ring to go after Knight but Knight easily got the better of him. Styles went after Knight’s leg but Knight came back with a Russian leg sweep, stomps, running knee in the corner and tornado DDT for two. Styles dropped him face-first onto the turnbuckle. He followed with a German suplex and facebuster for two. Styles went to the top but took too long and Knight tripped him.

Knight bit Styles’ face so Styles returned the favour by raking Knight’s eyes. Knight leaped back up and hit a super release German suplex, which looked awesome. (McAfee asked them to confirm the name of the move and Cole admitted he learned a lot of move names by calling the video game.) Styles applied a calf crusher but Knight got a rope break.

Styles dropped Knight’s knee pad and kicked his leg into the ring post. He seemed to set up for a figure four in the ring post but Knight pulled him into the post.

Knight removed the black floor mats but it wasn’t concrete underneath. Instead, it was the boards they put over ice or grass when they convert a venue to basketball or a concert. Anyway, Knight tried a powerbomb but Styles countered with a backbody drop onto the boards.

Knight beat a ten count and Styles went for a springboard 450 but Knight got his knees up. Styles hit a Pelé Kick but Knight blocked a Styles Clash. Knight knocked Styles off the top and hit a BFT for the pinfall win.

This match was fine, maybe even good, but the crowd seemed bored other than being able to yell “Yeah.”

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They aired clips from the Hall of Fame and introduced this year’s class onto the stage. Paul Heyman got a separate entrance and he entered to the ECW theme.

A bunch of videos aired including a video package for the next match. It’s been about 15 minutes since the LA Knight segment ended.

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Logan Paul entered first, in part because he entered on a pickup truck with a Prime bottle “cannon” attached. He entered with someone in a Prime bottle suit. The announcers speculated that it could be KSI.

As Owens entered Gorilla position, he was met by Sami Zayn. Zayn told him it was his turn tonight. Owens drove down in a golf cart.

Orton’s music hit before Owens hit the ring, so Owens backed up the cart and invited Orton to join. Orton stood on the back of the cart as Owens drove down. Orton motioned to Owens to slow down but he didn’t. They both made it safely to the ring.

(I forgot to mention it earlier but Punk blew a kiss to McIntyre’s wife earlier. I thought of it here after Owens waved at someone in the crowd.) 

Triple Threat Match: Logan Paul defeated Kevin Owens and Randy Orton to retain the United States Championship (17:39)

Paul tried pitting Owens and Orton against each other but it didn’t work. They teamed up on Paul and beat him up for a good three minutes until they both went for a cover simultaneously. Owens seemingly reasoned with Orton but Orton went for an RKO. Owens blocked it and was annoyed. Orton tried reasoning with Owens. They agreed to start fighting so they traded fists until Paul knocked them down with a double Buckshot lariat.

The crowd chanted “Gatorade” at Paul, which was funny. Owens tried a diving senton but Paul got his knees up. Paul hit a diving senton and transitioned perfectly into a splash on Orton for two. That was cool. Paul and Orton traded uppercuts and the announcers put over Paul who got the better of it. The crowd booed. Orton poked him in the eyes. Orton clotheslined Owens and hit a powerslam. Paul tried a springboard move but Orton grabbed him and hit a powerslam.

Orton hit Paul and Owens with a double draping DDT. Owens superkicked both guys. Owens hit Orton with a Codebreaker while falling on Paul with a senton. (Cole mentioned that Owens beat Chris Jericho at WrestleMania 33.) Owens gave Paul a package powerslam and moonsault for two. (Paul slipped as Owens set up his first move but Owens managed to adjust in time.)

Orton blocked a pop-up powerbomb and hit an RKO for a nearfall. Paul punched Orton with the brass knux but Orton kicked out. Paul knocked out Owens with the knux too. Paul tried another punch with the knux but Orton countered into an RKO.

Orton grabbed the knux but gave them to the referee. Orton went for a punt but the Prime bottle mascot saved Paul. The Prime bottle revealed himself to be IShowSpeed. (He’s a Youtuber. I had to frantically Google this.) He barked at Orton so Orton booted him. Orton barked at him (which was hilarious) and gave him an RKO onto the announce desk.

Owens gave Paul a pop-up powerbomb and stunned Orton for a nearfall. Owens tried a pop-up powerbomb but Orton countered into an RKO. Paul chucked Orton from the ring and gave Owens a frog splash for the pinfall win. Paul retains.

This was really fun.

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Bayley had an Egyptian-themed entrance and was carried out by four dudes. Graves noted there was Rosicrucian Park (an Egyptian museum) in the Bay Area where Bayley grew up. 

Bayley defeated Iyo Sky to win the WWE Women’s Championship (14:23)

Bayley hit a suicide dive early in the match but sold her leg upon landing. Sky targetted the leg and smashed it against the ring post. Sky applied a leg lock on the apron as Cole spoke about Bayley’s past leg injury. Sky worked her over but Bayley chucked Sky into the timekeeper’s area. Sky tried a dive off the barricade but Bayley countered into a spinebuster. (They noted George Kittle was on his feet watching, presumably cheering on Bayley.)

Sky fought back and hit a moonsault outside the ring. Bayley came back with a sunset flip powerbomb into the bottom turnbuckle for two. (Parts of the crowd sang the Bayley song throughout much of the match.)

Sky hit a German suplex, rolled through and hit another German for two. Bayley got her knees up on a moonsault attempt but that just hurt Bayley’s knee. Bayley fought through it and went for a flying elbow drop but Sky dodged it and applied a crossface.

Bayley escaped and hit a back elbow but Sky caught her in the crossface again. Bayley tried to get a rope break so Sky caught her in an STF. Bayley fought out and hit Bayley-to-belly for a nearfall.

They traded strikes until Sky hit a backbreaker and moonsault for a nearfall. Sky hit consecutive moonsaults but Bayley dodged a third one. Bayley tried a Roseplant but Sky countered. Bayley came back and hit a clothesline, flying elbow drop and Roseplant for the pinfall win.

I thought this was very good.

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Michael Che, War and Treaty, T-Pain, George Kittle (who was booed again), Vanessa Hudgens and Lilly Singh were shown at ringside.

The Eagles cheerleaders were in the ring with Snoop Dogg who announced an attendance of 72,755.

The main event is up next.

******* 

Rhodes entered first, wearing a weird-looking mask. He handed it off to Brandi who entered on the stage. She stayed back as Rhodes entered. Rhodes seemed pretty emotional upon entering.

An orchestra of young people sang Roman Reigns to the ring. 

Bloodline Rules Match: Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman) to win the Universal Championship (33:26)

The crowd was on its feet as the match began. There were some boos for Rhodes during his entrance but there were loud chants for him as it started. They stood face-to-face with Reigns looking very confident.

Rhodes hit the Goldust uppercut early on. Rhodes dodged a charge and Reigns went shoulder-first into the ring post. Rhodes grabbed a table but Reigns cut him off with a drive-by dropkick. Reigns neatly placed the table back under the ring. Rhodes chucked him into the steel steps.

Reigns was the first to use a weapon, attacking Rhodes with a kendo stick. Reigns tried a David Ortiz swing with the kendo stick but Rhodes ducked and hit a bulldog. Rhodes applied a figure four but Reigns raked his eyes. Reigns worked over Rhodes and said, “I’m gonna miss whoopin’ your ass.”

They fought into the crowd and fought on top of a table. Reigns tried to suplex Rhodes off the table but Rhodes suplexed him on the table. Back in the ring, Rhodes went for Disaster Kick but Reigns countered with a powerbomb. Reigns hit a vertical suplex but Rhodes kicked out at one. Reigns told Rhodes, “This is my company, you little bitch.”

Reigns hit a fisherman’s suplex for two. Reigns hit repeated clotheslines in the corner but Rhodes came back with superkicks. They knocked each other down with clotheslines. They traded right hands and Rhodes got the better of it. Rhodes hit a powerslam and Disaster Kick for two.

Rhodes went for a Cody Cutter but Reigns caught him and hit a Cody Cutter for two. Reigns laughed and said, “That move sucks.” Rhodes dodged a Superman punch, hit jabs and a Bionic elbow.

Rhodes cleared the announce desk but Reigns hit a low blow and powerbombed Rhodes through the table. Reigns followed with a Superman punch in the ring for a nearfall. Rhodes blocked a spear and hit a Cody Cutter for two.

Reigns tried a Rock Bottom but Rhodes blocked it and hit a spear for two. (It’s been 21 minutes with no outside interference.)

— Rhodes hit a Cross Rhodes but Jimmy Uso entered and superkicked Rhodes. Reigns hit a Superman punch.

Jey Uso entered to his music and attacked Jimmy. He speared him off the stage through some tables. Rhodes used the distraction and applied a schoolboy for two and Reigns hit a spear for a nearfall. Rhodes speared Reigns through the barricade.

Rhodes hit Reigns with consecutive Cross Rhodes but Solo Sikoa caught him with a Samoan Spike. Sikoa placed Reigns into a cover but Rhodes kicked out. Sikoa hammered away at Rhodes and demanded that Reigns finish it. He held up Rhodes and Reigns hit a spear for two.

John Cena entered. Cena took out Sikoa and gave Reigns an AA. The crowd went crazy. Cena put Sikoa through the announce table with an AA.

The Rock entered to his music and Cena knew what was coming. Cena entered the ring as Rock walked down. Rock and Cena faced off as the crowd chanted “holy sh*t.” Cena took a swing but Rock ducked and dropped him with a Rock Bottom.

The Shield’s music hit. Rollins tried to enter in his Shield gear but Reigns saw him and easily laid him out with a Superman punch.

The Undertaker’s dong went off and he appeared in the ring behind the Rock. Undertaker chokeslammed Rock. The lights went out and Taker disappeared.

When the lights came back, only Rhodes and Reigns (and Rollins) were visible. Reigns hit Rollins with a chair (the way Rollins hit him with a chair when he turned on the Shield). That distraction allowed Rhodes to hit Reigns with consecutive Cross Rhodes.

Rhodes hit one more Cross Rhodes for the pinfall win. Rhodes is the champion.

Brandi Rhodes entered to celebrate with her husband.

After some replays, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Jey Uso, John Cena, LA Knight, Randy Orton and Brandi Rhodes celebrated with Cody. Jey and Sami hoisted Rhodes on their shoulders. CM Punk and Michelle entered too and celebrated. Rhodes hugged his mom. More members of the Rhodes family entered as Rhodes gave the title belt to his mom.

Rhodes grabbed a microphone. The crowd chanted for him. Rhodes said he was surrounded by greatest in the ring and greatness in the stadium. Rhodes called out Bruce Prichard and Triple H because this couldn’t happen without them. Prichard and Triple H entered.

Triple H, the booker of the show, embraced Rhodes. They had a moment before Zayn and Orton held Rhodes up on their shoulders.

Rhodes hugged Cole and embraced the other announcers.

Rhodes shook hands with Rollins. Triple H embraced him one more time.

Everyone left allowing Rhodes to celebrate alone in the ring as fireworks went off.

Cole spoke emotionally about how much this business can get you.

Rhodes embraced Nick Khan in the front row. 

*******

[Rhodes won as he should have and they made this feel like a big deal. However, this WrestleMania was really presented as the Triple H show. We should be grateful he’s in charge. They outright told you that you should be thankful he’s in charge. Rhodes attributed his win, in part, to Triple H. Even though we’re supposed to think Rhodes overcame the storyline odds, it was really thanks to Paul Levesque. Levesque’s was all over both nights. It’s his show now and he wants you to know it.]