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Welcome to my Wrestlemania Backlash blog!
First, if you haven't had the chance to see it, the Rob Van Dam: Icons documentary is excellent.
The Kickoff Show featured a Sheamus Open Challenge with Ricochet challenging him. This was easily the best Ricochet has been given a chance to look in some time as he and Sheamus really took the fight to each other. You can really argue that Sheamus has been one of the MVPs of the year and this was no exception in terms of performance. Lots of near falls here for Ricochet to give you a reason to believe he was about to win. Sheamus got the win with the Brogue Kick and man, this was one of the more entertaining Kickoff matches in some time.
The post-match angle with Ricochet jumping Sheamus and putting on his robe and hat showed that perhaps, maybe, can we hope, that WWE will finally give Ricochet something of substance going forward?
We kick off the PPV proper with the Raw Women's Championship. Flair had a cool Queen of Hearts Alice in Wonderland style robe. The story of the early moments were that Asuka and Rhea Ripley were trying to get their hands on Flair but didn't want to let the other get the win. Flair used that to her advantage, attacking Asuka on the floor. Flair and Rhea went at it with Flair getting her to lose her cool, allowing Flair to stomp away at her. It was all Flair until Asuka returned, grabbing Charlotte's leg. That allowed Rhea to dropkick Charlotte off the apron. The momentum quickly shifted back to Flair.
Flair worked over Asuka, who finally had enough and showed some awesome fire. This built into a pretty damn entertaining back and forth match. Flair gained control and hit a moonsault to the floor on both, although it appeared she sailed in between them. They then built to a Tower of Doom spot. Lots of great exchanges here. Flair escaping a double suplex and then chop blocking both after she landed on her feet was a nice spot. She nailed a double Natural Selection and tried to cover both at the same time - that actually plays so much into her character of being the Queen and thinking she's the best.
Very good finish here with Asuka KOing Rhea with a kick. She charged Flair, who was on the apron but ate a big boot. The shock of the move sent Flair to the floor. Asuka fell into the ring, where Rhea smashed her with Riptide for the pin. YES! This was a major win that Ripley needed to continue to legitimize her. Now, WWE can head to Flair vs. Rhea for Extreme Rules or Summerslam. Rhea taunted her after, so that's the direction.
By the way, this match was easily the best call Adnan Virk has had for the company yet in my opinion.
John Morrison went to get the Lumberjacks on Miz's side tonight. Miz wasn't so sure he'd pull that off.
Next up is the Smackdown Tag Team Title bout. As Richard covered on the Kickoff show, Dolph Ziggler and Bobby Roode attacked Dominik Mysterio and beat him down, so the mystery was whether he'd be good to go. He's not. Rey was told he'd need a new partner. Dominik apologized to his dad but Rey told him they'll have another day and he needs another partner.
Well, Rey's partner is apparently invisible as he's going it alone and took the fight right to the champs. He got some early offense in but was cut off by a hard Bobby Roode lariat. Rey was worked over for a long time building the sympathy. I almost wonder if they will do the deal where Dominik can't take watching his dad take the abuse and run out to fight one-armed. Rey kept kicking out despite being hit with some big moves, including the Famouser. Mysterio is almost counted out but rolls back in at the last second.
Rey finally began fighting his way back. Dominik came down to the ring but Rey told him he was hurt and questioned what he was doing. Rey was beaten but returned with a bulldog off the ropes. Younger Mysterio made the tag but was quickly snapped over with a spinebuster courtesy Roode. Dom was doubleteamed but kicked out, showing his fighting spirit. Roode screamed at Dom that he didn't belong and should stay down but Dom fired up and shocked Dolph with a superkick as Ziggler was tuning up the band.
Rey got the hot tag but Roode cut him off with a backbreaker. They've given them some time to actually work here and everyone has told a solid story. Roode was nailed with a 619. Rey took out Ziggler as Dom nailed a frog splash for the "Do You Believe in Miracles?" win. They told a good story here from bell to bell. Dom has a long way to go, but this was a nice moment.
Morrison went to the Lumberjacks Dressing Room (seriously, that's what it said) and when he opened the door, it was a bunch of ZOMBIES to promote the new Bautista zombie movie on Netflix. SERIOUSLY!
We went to Jimmy and Jey Uso. Jimmy was complaining they didn't have their own locker room. Wait, the ZOMBIES have one but not the Usos? Who's their manager? Roman showed up and Uso shut down all that noise.
Morrison tried to warn Miz about the ZOMBIES but he didn't listen. They walked off and the ZOMBIES shuffled out past them, including one dressed as Elvis.
More on Page 2!
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