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They run a great video piece on Edge's feud with Randy Orton. Edge's promo, which was far and away the best part of Raw a week ago, was even better on second viewing. Randy is here soon.
Andrade & Garza vs. Ricochet & Cedric Alexander.
They ABSOLUTELY watched AEW last week as the hard camera is now facing the ring entrance. It appears the empty chairs are all gone too, replaced by red digital signs. Garza and Andrade attacked Ricochet early and the match was all Zelina's Angels (TM Richard Trionfo) cheating to maintain control. The Street Profits came to the announcing area as they went to commercials. When we returned, Andrade was working over Ricochet. I wonder what Rey Mysterio's Wrestlemania role will be given his most likely opponents are in another program now. I guess Rey can make a cameo looking through the Performance Center window next to Braun?
Ricochet is worked over for a long time as Garza and Andrade tag in and out. When we return from the next commercial, Cedric is making a comeback against Andrade. Alexander looked good in the ring. It really is a shame they have no real role for him. An intense Cedric charges but is sent into the buckles. Zelina is doing her best to make noise as are the Street Profits. The show absolutely feels more alive this week. Garza hit a cool inverted slingshot suplex for a two count. Ricochet saves Alexander from being pinned. Ricochet takes out Garza. Andrade killed Alexander with a knee strike to the head but Alexander kicked up at the last second. Alexander keeps kicking out. Andrade finally scores the win with an elbow but it was obvious the referee expected Alexander to kick out based on the count.
The match was weird. You'd think they'd make it a far more one-sided bout to spotlight the Mania challengers, but it was more of a back and forth bout, I guess to fill time.
The challengers challenged the Street Profits to the ring. They jumped them but the Profits ran them from the ring. The Profits are wrestling next.
Street Profits vs. Shane Thorne and Brendan Vink
Pretty standard bout showcasing the Tag Champions. Vick and Thorne got a few hope spots in but this was exactly as it should have gone with The Profits going over.
They show R-Truth winning the 24/7 title for the 100,000,000 time. If they get creative, they could do all sort of silly pre-taped content.
They push Shayna Baszler will be here next.
Triple H is heading to NXT this Wednesday. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa will have to answer to him for wrecking's dad house while he was away.
They show Gronk's terrible dancing and recap the Mania lineup.
Charlie Caruso does a sit-down interview with Shayna Baszler in the ring. The lights are down to showcase them. Caruso wants to know how Baszler intends ton conduct herself as champ if he she wins. Baszler just stared at her and noted Charly looked nervous. Baszler asked her if she's nervous and afraid Becky is going to bite. She wants the Raw title because she loves to destroy and it will destroy Becky. She has promised everyone who she is and its not complicated. Out of nowhere, someone strikes Baszler with a chair from behind. Out of the darkness steps Becky, who cracks her with another across the back and walks off, satisfied. Good angle.
Aleister Black is coming to fight someone next. His opponent is Leon Ruff Black sat down in front of him. Ruff implored him to get up and questioned the referee. The ref said, "That's not my opponent. That's your opponent. Let's go." That was funny. Ruff tried to attack but Black quickly blocked and nailed him with Black Mass.
Leon Ruff goes bye bye.
Smart way to showcase Black as a beast.
They announced Seth Rollins was out next but when we returned to the show, it was Kevin Owens. He called out Seth. Rollins then cut an awesome promo, probably one of the best money promos he has ever cut. Rollins said that Owens challenged him to face him here at Wrestlemania because it was at the PC and he had the home field advantage. Rollins pointed out that the PC didn't exist, and when he came to WWE, he had to train in a warehouse and be told that everything he accomplished before meant nothing. He said Owens will never understand the sacrifice that Rollins made. He said that the PC, NXT, the women's evolution, Owens, Gargano, Ciampa and more all exist off his back. He then questions Owens challenging him for Mania, pointing out everything he's done at Mania and said he's had so many accomplishments at Mania, he's forgotten some. He then pointed out Owens Mania track record ws "failure after failure" and that last year, he wasnt even on the card. He left Owens standing there as he walked out. Great promo.
They then aired Asuka vs. Charlotte Flair from Wrestlemania 34 in New Orleans.
Charly Caruso interviewed Charlotte Flair. She said re-living that match was inspiring. She said Rhea Ripley must be excited at being the first woman to defend the NXT Women's Championship but Charlotte rolled out all of her Wrestlemania accomplishments. She said Ripley can watch her legacy matches and learn a thing or two. She walked off. Solid promo.
Our main event segment is Randy Orton coming out to accept the Last Man Standing match against Edge, but before he does that, we get a monolouge. He's done things that are misunderstood. They came from a place of love but they are being seen and are being taken as an act of violence. Orton said he had to apologize for telling Edge's wife Beth that Edge was a junkie for the Raw of the crowd. He said he's a junkie for his own ego instead. He said Adam Copeland is a junkie for Edge. Orton said he never had to earn his opportunity, it was handed to him because of who he was and what his last name meant. He said that didn't guarantee him anything. One year after going to the main roster, he won the IC title and then became the youngest World Champion. He said Mick Foley didn't hand him anything. He took the torch from Foley. They showed lots of old clips. He said nothing was handed to him, because he has the one thing that matters most, grit. Grit doesn't mean sitting around for nine years waiting around saying what if? He said grit is longevity in a business that doesn't have anyway. Orton said he looked around the WWE locker room and he doesn't see anyone close to what he's accomplished, including Edge. He said Edge is the ultimate opportunist and would have done the same thing Orton would have done. He said that did and said everything the last few weeks is because he loves Edge and his daughters. Edge wants a Last Standing Match. He told Edge that he's going to write the last chapter and end the story Edge is trying to write. He accepts.
If you missed the show, the promos are worth checking out. WWE changed up their production and look of the show tonight, thankfully. The in-ring wrestling in the PC was secondary to the Mania promos and the vintage material showcased tonight but what needed to sell Wrestlemania was very well done. It's just a shame no one will be there live to see it.
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