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John Cena vs. Rusev for the US Title will start hour three of the show.
Rusev came out to the Russian National anthem and the soldiers we have been talking about for a while now here on the site. Nicolai Volkoff did not sing it. The soldiers followed Lana out, carrying the Russian flag. They fired of a bunch of guns. Rusev manned one of them in a tank. He then got on the tank and waved his flag. Then he walked to the ring. For those wondering, Lana asked for forgiveness earlier and said if he let her back, she would never show weakness again. So he did. Hey, she's hot, you would too. Admit it. He riled up the crowd telling them they were weak Americans.
Then we got a US President-America is great package to prepare us for our hero to come out. It worked as the crowd was chanting USA and then Cena's music hit and the mixed reaction started. Time for the intros. Cena is working at firing up the crowd. Rusev stopped the intro as Cena was introduced first. So he got introduced and got a lot of boos, but some cheers. I cheered for him. Then Cena was up and he seemed to get even more boos then Rusev!
Rusev was in control early, getting a nearfall early after a throw. The fans are already doing the deuling chants as to whether Cena should go or suck. Rusev was in impressive control early, even doing the Wanz Roll. Rusev got the flag and waved it. Lawler said America love it or leave it. What about freedom of speech King? Anyway, the story will be the US against evil Russia, if you haven't guessed yet.
Cena started to come back and I think we got out first "vintage" out of Cole. Rusev took the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena when for the AA but Rusev was all like, "Jack that shuffle doesn't hurt" and powered out. Cena went for the STF, no way. He came into Rusev, who turned it into a Sidewalk Slam. Rusev kept working him over but Cena fought back and hit the legdrop to the back of the neck when Rusev was bent over at the waste. Two count only. The crowd started cheering for Lana. Rusev hit a nasty kick to the face of Cena. Rusev got a two count off of a kick after missing a stomp. Rusev charged the corner but ran into a boot, or rather sneaker. Cena came off of the second rope with a jumping DDT. Two count only. They two men then traded punches in the ring. Ruse got the better of it and hit a big knee to the head, then a wheelbarrow slam. Two count only. Rusev went to stomp Cena but the prone Superman grabbed the ankle and immediatly put on the STF. Lana threw a shoe in the ring, and Rusev made the ring to break it. Cena came into Rusev and he tossed him. Rusev went to the top rope and hit a sick diving headbutt. Two count only and some people booed. Rusev is f'n good and People know it. A loud Rusev chant broke out. Rusev went for the Accolade but Cena fought out and hit a springboard stunner attempt that kind of "snapped Rusev's neck" for a two count. Rusev hit a kick and then set Cena up for the Accolade and locked it in. A LOT of fans popped. The shot on Cena's ref face looked like he was legit passing out, until he didn't. Instead he powered up and broke it. Rusev ran in and Cena locked on the STF which looked about one tenth as painful as the Accolade did a minute earlier. Rusev got to the ropes and Cena went to do it again when Lana got on the ropes. Cena went over to her, Rusev ran in and bumped her off. Cena hit the AA and pinned Rusev. They sold it like it was such a big deal. The fans didn't seem to agree. Afterward Lana was selling being hurt on the floor. She was crying while Cena was yelling at her. She was helped to the back.
I totally expected the finish given Vince has booked it America vs. Russia, but I didn't like it. And neither did a good portion of the crowd. Cena did not need to be the one to end the undefeated streak and the crowd was very reserved after the match. Now, if this leads to a feud where Rusev wins, fine. I guess. If it doesn't Rusev will be the last super talented guy that will lose his shine by being fed to Cena. I hope it's the former. The company needs that.
As for the match, it was very good. Cena did his usual work and Rusev is really, really good. He is a guy Vince should see as being a building block for going forward. I hope he does.
They threw it to the panel who showed us clips from the pre-show matches. The crowd apparently to show their lack of love for the finish of the previous match, went into a loud NXT chant.
Stephanie and Triple H were in the ring to announce that they have set a Levi's Stadium record of 76,976 people. She then talked about the first WrestleMania, as a babyface, starting small and now being huge. She talked about the evolution of WWE and realized that this would not be possible without....her and HHH. Yes, way to sucker them in. Some people chanted we want Vince. H then said not only did he beat Sting tonight, he feels like he beat anyone that ever bet against him and Steph. He feels so good, it feels like he beat 76,976 of you, and millions more watching around the world on the WWE Network. The fact is, he owned Sting, just like they own all of the wrestlers and divas, and just like they own you/us. Like he says, The Authority always wins.
And then.....IF YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKIN'! And out he came, The Great One! Rock took his time getting to the ring. He migged for the fans as H and Steph waited.
Then he got in the ring and gave them his WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU look. He was about to speak when they started chanting that this is awesome. Then they chanted The Rock's name. Finally Steph said, "We get it, you're happy to see him, can you be quiet now?" Rock still did it his way and waited, and preened. And waited for another round.
He said you see, you don't own them. And you damn sure don't own the Rock. You're running your mouth but what you don't realize is that the Rock is an East Bay boy. The Rock was born in the East Bay. That is where they are for those not sure. The fans popped. The way the Rock sees it there are two choices. You can go back and dress up like Terminator again, or we can create a WrestleMania moment right here, right now. One of the greatest rivalries of all time. H then said we had a hell of a rivalry. I remember kicking your ass for most of it so I have nothing to prove to you.
Just like The Rock left his heart in San Francisco, you have clearly left your balls in Stamford, CT. That got Triple H to take his jacket off. Steph told him calm down. Rock is feeing his ego and he knows that without the McMahons, there would be no Rock. Rock stared her down. She mentioned Peter Maivia. Rocky Johnson. Dwayne Johnson. They would be no one without Vince Sr. Vince Jr. And her. The crowd chanted for Shano Mac.
Rock said that the truth is she wouldn't be in power if it wasn't for Vince McMahon's Johnson. She called him crass as always and slapped him. She said what are you going to do, hit me? This is my ring, my stadium, my people, get out. Get out now. Rock looked at her then backed up to the ropes. She mocked him and said get to steppin'. She mocked him and said see ya East Bay Boy. See ya Dwayne. Hasta La Vista. Rock walked around, thought about and while he did, the crowd chanted for Ronda Rousey. And there she was, in the Rock's glare. She hopped the ring. They knuck bashed and made their way to the ring. The crowd was loving it. Chanting Holy S***. Then Ronda's gonna kill you. Steph did an awkward chuckle. Rock said he would never hit a woman. But he has a very good friend that would be happy too. Steph said Rock, it's a nice little surprise and all but her and Ronda are friends. Her and her friends were at ringside for her match at SummerSlam. Tell him Ronda. Tell him! Steph then started getting nervous. Ronda may be, and is, the most dangerous unarmed woman on the planet. In the world of MMA, I would never mess would Ronda Rousey. I would be foolish. But this is the squared circle, so get the hell out of my ring. Ronda took the mic and said any ring I step in is mine, if you want me to leave, how about you make me!
Steph said she told her to get the hell out of my ring, NOW! Rock jumped in and said to Steph I have to have to tell you what that look means, and it isn't good. She would lose her fallopian tubes. H said he has it with this whole thing, that is the last thing you will say about my wife. Rock agreed and said yep, it was the last thing I will say. He started pounding H and as she got near Ronda, she took him down. Then let Steph to mouth off and go to hit her. Ronda stopped that stuff and let Steph leave without dying. Rock said, that is what is called being owned. That was also the biggest WrestleMania moment of the night as the Rock and Ronda laying the smack down on your candy asses. Steph left selling her arm as Rock and Ronda took cheers in the ring. Great segment!
Click to page five for more thoughts from tonight's show.
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