The fact that even Nick Aldis referred to The Rock as “the Final Boss” had me in tears. It felt like I left the wrestling world to enter the video game one, in complete whiplash and without permission. Never again. Never say that again. The reason for that was that Aldis informed Cody Rhodes that he won’t be part of the 6-man Tag Team match in our main event because The Rock pulled him out, I suspect. Rhodes was now forced to meet in the ring with the Rock.
Jimmy Uso vs. Drew McIntyre
I hate comparisons. They truly bring out the worst in some people, especially those who feel the need to commit such an action. Jimmy constantly being contrasted with Jey may have gotten under his skin as he initiated the first punch, or rather chop to McIntyre’s chest after those comments have been made for the past several weeks, now there erupting thoroughly.
Jimmy was doing fine for the most part of the beginning, but Drew quickly turned it around in his favor with a belly-to-belly suplex away from the corner just as Uso was coming off it. The audience were cheering for Jimmy as he was thrown into the barricades. Jimmy retook initiative with a step-up enziguri and a suicide dive, unfortunately, that was thwarted by Drew’s Alabama Slam on the steel stairs. Ouch…
Jimmy remained in the game regardless of the full force of his opponent. He kept his nerve in the toe-to-toe with McIntyre with a Super Kick out of nowhere followed by a spear that led to a near fall. I don’t think that speak was sufficient in impact to put Drew down, hence that Glasgow Kiss headbutt. The need he felt to borate Jimmy was unnecessary. That cost him as Jimmy used his momentum to roll McIntyre up for the three count.
Naturally, Drew was bitter and attacked Jimmy.
Winner: Jimmy Uso
What happened to Tama Tonga last week, according to Solo Sikoa, was an accident. When he wanted to deliver the Samoan Spike to Rhodes, the champ ducked out of the way in time, resulting in Tonga getting his ass spiked. Backstage, Sikoa remined Tonga and Jacob Fatu that it wasn’t unintentional. But if it was, Solo wouldn’t be standing right now. Tama and Jacob look unsure of Solo’s presence.
The Miz & Carmelo Hayes vs. R-Truth & LA Knight – Tag Team match
LA Knight was surprised to be R-Truth’s partner, but not as much as Wade Barrett as you can hear him losing his breath talking about this matchup. Nevertheless, this was happening. When things settled, Hayes and R-Truth started this battle. It was confusion for a few seconds because Truth felt like acting like a referee… Anyway, LA Knight managed to wobble Hayes for a little bit. This whole match has been a mess because Truth has been in a state of bafflement.
However, Truth clogged Carmelo with a suplex stunner combination. LA Knight and Miz finally brawl it out in a sense of frenzy. Knight was beating the hell out of both opponents when he felt like it. All that wiggle wiggle nonsense prevented Knight from seeing the tag made between Miz and Hayes, so when Melo came in, the Megastar was nearly pinned down. Luckily, Truth rattled his brains out by paying homage to John Cena with the Five Knuckle Shuffle.
Truth had Melo in the SFT, but Miz broke it up, so LA Knight broke him. Just as things were spreading outside the ring, things get even crazier with the sudden arrival of Shinsuke Nakamura as he attacked Knight from behind the official’s back. Regrettably, Miz and Carmelo win after they combined the First 48 and the Skull Crashing Finally.
Winners: The Miz & Carmelo Hayes
Tiffany Stratton vs. Candice LeRae
After choosing Stratton as her WrestleMania opponent, Charlotte Flair made an appearance during this match. Making her grand entrance, as usual, catching people off guard and shocking the life out of their bodies. LeRae was doing a decent job trying to take out Tiffy, but the champ managed to counter everything the best way she can. That Moonsault to the outside looked painful and miscalculated by Stratton, which is unfortunate.
She almost got the win on Candice by demonstrating her athleticism in front of Charlotte, but I think the Queen’s presence is what weighted on Tiffy’s mind, which rendered her slightly distracted. LeRae caught her on the top of the ring, stopping whatever Stratton wanted to do. She even moved out of the way from Tiffy’s Swanton.
Stratton won by performing a second attempt at the Moonsault. It was thwarted in the first place due to Nia Jax’s interference. She dropped Stratton from behind, looking for the Annihilator, but Trish Stratus showed up to assist. Stratus’ efforts were valiant, but Nia’s Annihilator came with a huge but weirdly done typhoon. Flair didn’t hesitate to be cocky about it.
Winner: Tiffany Stratton
Well… we were suppose to have a singles match between Naomi and Liv Morgan, but Raquel Rodriguez and Morgan assaulted Miss Glow and her Tag Team partner Bianca Belair in the ring. They were told to leave the building by a very angry Nick Aldis, sadly, they didn’t take him too seriously on their way out. Aldis’ plate was stacked even further with the arrival of Chelsea Green and Piper Niven.
It’s that time. The Rock is here. And he just announced that WrestleMania 42 will be coming to New Orleans, Louisiana! Bur first, we have to get through to 41. The Rock called Rhodes out, finally… His offer to Cody to become “The Rock’s Champion” sounded shady to me… “Open doors to places you never knew existed” type of shady. What the hell does being Rock’s Champion mean? Needless authority over others? — The Rock suggested to Rhodes to think about it and meet him at the Elimination Chamber next week.
What left me absolutely stunned beyond belief was that The Rock doesn’t want Rhodes’ title, he wants his soul……………. The silence that followed was extremely loud. This is what being his Champion means. Yup, he’s a Soul-Eater… like the anime. Only more gross and graphic.
DIY (c) vs. Pretty Deadly – Tag Team Championship match
While Pretty Deadly’s music was still playing, they took the initiative to lunge after the current Champions, trying to gain the upper hand. Ciampa and Gargano were laid out early on with the shinning of the disco ball above their heads. The official brawl started between Tommaso and Elton. That knee to the face of Prince was spiteful. Following that, Kit Wilson caught Johnny on the jaw with that high kick that knocked him off the apron.
A collision in the middle of the ring between Ciampa and Prince left them momentarily flattened. Kit came in and bulldozed through Gargano and Ciampa with a thunderous double clothesline. Pretty Deadly’s teamwork nearly ended the match in their favor. They managed to plant Ciampa high on his neck as they were looking to close this fight… however, it came to a premature conclusion due to the Street Profits wanting to prove a point. I’m not mad at all, actually.
Winners: Disqualification
This past Monday, Sami Zayn eagerly wanting a match to be set with him and Kevin Owens on March 1, but Adam Pearce said no. That it’s unsanctioned. It might be, could be, regardless of what the fans want. Owens did warn Zayn that he should have taken the punishment he already delivered, but did he have to do it in a stalker-like way? He visited Sami’s home and filmed the interior without the family knowing. You could see Sami, his wife and son in the living room… Just wow… Nevertheless, Kevin warned Sami even further that all this is his fault.
Something a bit more lighthearted it terms of news, LFG, Legends & Future Greats, episode two will premiere on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, displaying the training of up and coming Superstars.
Damian Priest & Braun Strowman vs. Tama Tonga & Jacob Fatu – Tag Team match
As The Bloodline were making their way to the ring, Solo Sikoa was literally in the middle of talking when Jacob Fatu interrupted him. Ha! The look on Sikoa’s face was priceless. Fatu simply wanted to inform Braun that they did this dance before, so for him to want to do it again is playing stupid. Even though, both he and Priest have been doing nicely in their beatdown of Solo.
The moment that Fatu came in, Strowman delivered a big crossbody and a boot to the face of the Samoan Werewolf. Braun tossed Solo outside just as Damian body splashed him to the mat. Later on, Strowman went running after Fatu on the other side only to have a chair barely scrap him from Tama Tonga. Strowman loomed over him, cornering him helplessly until Fatu came swooping in, sending them both into the timekeeper’s area.
Back in-ring, Damian had Solo reeling, Tama knew that, so he tried to distract him a little bit. Fatu added on to that, and Sikoa planted the Punisher… for a near fall. Some tussling resulted in Priest being on the receiving end of Solo’s fury, almost enduring the pain of a Samoan Spike. Luckily, some well-placed shuffling had Jacob inadvertently Super Kick Sikoa in the face. The thing is, Fatu wasn’t phased by his actions…
Braun came in with the bullet train and rammed Tama and Jacob over the commentary desk to allow Priest to perform a successful South of Heaven on Solo.
Winners: Damian Priest & Braun Strowman
TOP PHOTO: Cody Rhodes and The Rock talking. Courtesy of WWE
