During a match between Rhea Ripley and Michin, to which Michin lost, Ripley held the Prism Lock as her finishing move as she stared daggers into Jade Cargill, who arrived later in the fight dressed like Nicki Minaj in one of her music videos. Classy. Anyway, the win made B-Fab angry, so she attacked Rhea. The girls going after Ripley separately momentarily cost them, but as a unit, oh, that worked swimmingly. Luckily, Rhea had an ally in Iyo Sky.
I was grinning from ear to ear when Randy Orton made himself and his family a promise that he will leave WrestleMania with the Undisputed Championship. None of this is happening for the benefit of the fans, rather he’s doing it for his own soul. The thing is we’re entertained by that, but the audience shouldn’t forget that their hustle isn’t really about you.
The next moments were a surprise to me, Pat McAfee delivered a low-blow to Cody Rhodes for jumping Orton, which allowed The Viper to inflict punishment with a chair. McAfee answered Orton’s call to spit some hard-hitting facts about the direction the company is going in, the one leading it, Cody, is failling. So, naturally, Randy is meant to save it from ruin. And quite frankly, I think you all know that I agree with the statement because its true. For some time now, people have been wondering who Orton was talking to, and we have our response. Before making their exit, Randy whispered something into Rhodes’ ear, and I’m curious as to what he said.
For weeks now, Tama Tonga has been questioning the intentions behind Solo Sikoa’s obssession with the Wyatt Sicks’ lantern, saying that they’re nothing without it. Tama simply wants for the MFTs to return to their initial goal of capturing gold rather than wasting time on petty antics. I suspect that’s why Tama lost, but I don’t think he cared. The second that Sikoa showed up with that lantern wanting to “help”, Tama knew he was somewhat done for. Especially after that victorious Sister Abigail. Following the match, Tama decided to return the lantern to Uncle Howdy, much to Solo’s dismay. Someone had to do it. This was becoming tiresome.
As the evening continued, in commemoration of his first WrestleMania match, Trick Williams invited Lil Yachty to join him in Vegas. Williams bad-mouthed Sami Zayn with all kinds of names: Gingerbread, Ginger Ale, ginger tea, ginger beer, ginger root, ginger snap. I can’t lie, I laughed when he said “Ginger Ale”. After all that, Sami made an appearence, Carmelo Hayes followed close behind with his grievances over losing his title to Zayn. He demanded a rematch, and he got it.
Aleister Black vs. Matt Cardona
Cardona had to be creative and resourceful in his attempt to beat Black with one hand because of what Randy Orton did to it. Matt struggled to put Aleister into position, and Black took advantage with a knee to the face. Whatever Black was planning on doing, Matt amazingly managed to turn it into a neckbreaker. The early flurries were decreasing as time went on as Aleister kicked Matt in the head.
Despite the agonized limb, Cardona semi-succeeded with his underarm powerbomb, but Aleister remained in the match. Due to Cardona’s resilience, Aleister decided to focus his attacks on the injured wrist with strategic strikes. Numerous back-and-forth ensued, yet Aleister got the best of Cardona with a sudden Black Mass to end the fight.
Winner: Aleister Black
While The Miz and Kit Wilson strangely and suddenly want Tag Team gold together, despite Danhausen’s curse, next week, Drew McIntyre vowed to expose Jacob Fatu for who he really is. A “nepo criminal”.
The most important bit of the Tag Team between Lyra Valkyria and Bayley versus Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair was how the Irresistible Forces mind-bended the proceedings to take place and launch an assault when the bell rang, regardless of Flair and Bliss obtaining victory. Everyone was laid out like they didn’t matter… cause in that moment, they did not.
It took a while to collect my thoughts on the match where Damian Priest and R-Truth were defending their Tag Team Championships against Miz and Wilson…. I have nothing to say because what the hell?? This entire fight gave me an aneurysm. Rhodes affirming that he can finally hear the voices in his head redeemed whatever that nonsense was…
Sami Zayn (c) vs. Carmelo Hayes – US Championship match
As the match raged on, the audience were being extremely rude when I heard them chanting: “Sami sucks!” How inventive. Right off the second rope, Hayes delivered a clothesline to Zayn’s throat. Melo was able to avoid Sami’s attempt in the corner by swinging him around and kicking him in the back of the head. Another springboard from Hayes barely got the second count. Things got a little worse when Melo twisted his leg after that suicide dive. His silent scream was noticeable.
Melo was looking for the First 48, and Sami denied him, but Zayn nearly fell victim to an abrupt roll up. Instead of a Helluva Kick, Carmelo dug deep to deliver a Super Kick as the crowd cheered him on, wanting him to beat Sami for that “injustice” last Friday. Hayes’ frog splash wasn’t fully effective due to the pain in his leg, he wasn’t able to properly cover Sami. The current champ turned things around with a crucifux pin to almost retain.
Off the top, Sami moved out of harm’s way as Melo’s bad leg collided with the mat. The referee had to create some distance, so he could check on Hayes, however, Zayn saw an opening and took it with a triumphant Helluva Kick. That was enough to make me happy, but Williams and Lil Yachty had to establish themselves further prior to the curtains going down.
Winner: Sami Zayn
TOP PHOTO: Orton and McAfee walking out. Courtesy of WWE
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