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Welcome to my night two WrestleMania XL blog. Meek Mill had a new song for tonight.
War and Treaty did an awesome rendition of God Bless America. And then we got our first surprise of the evening as out came Stephanie McMahon! Yes! Much deserved!
She took the mic and said it’s a good thing it’s a little warmer tonight. She talked about how she has been at every WrestleMania and every one of them but this one is the most special because it’s the first one of the Paul Levesque era. Take that Vince! Love it.
She said that nobody understands this business than Triple H. She then asked ARE YOU READY? They didn’t respond well enough so she asked again and they exploded. She then welcomed us to WRESTLEMANIA! That was a great intro.
We are opening with Seth Rollins defending his World Heavyweight Title against Drew McIntyre.
CM Punk is joining Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Pat McAfee on the call.
Drew had a band of bagpipers and two Scottish Warriors put up swords for him to come out under. Then, they had a whole lot more of them and Drew walked under them as well. He came to the ring with a purpose. We are opening hot!
Cole told us that it’s much warmer tonight, 61!
Seth then came out to a Mummers Band playing his song. For those who don’t know, the Mummers have a parade every New Year’s Day. It’s a local legend. Seth came out wearing his own Mummers outfit. The Mummers paraded around the ring after Seth got in.
Samantha Irvin is doing the intros again. As I said last night, she’s awesome.
Drew was introduced first and definitely has some fans in the crowd. But, Rollins has more, as you would expect.
They showed a guy with a People’s Champ sweatshirt singing Rollins’ song. You have to love wrestling fans.
Drew opened with a Claymore and got a two. He went for another but Seth rolled out. Drew chased and took out Seth’s leg. He did a belly to belly on the floor.
He did a selfie with a ringside fan. They were on the floor when Drew started barking at Punk, which allowed Rollins to get the upper hand. He quickly hit a Stomp for a two. Seth is selling after everything he does or what is done to him. Seth went for Pedigree but got backdropped.
Seth has kinesis tape on his back. It looks like suspenders.
They are throwing haymakers and headbutts. Them going fast makes sense since Drew should smell blood and Seth knows he is working hurt.
Drew is up first and going for the Claymore but Seth caught him and hit a Powerbomb, then a Pedigree, then a Stomp but Drew kicked out at two. Seth is selling but tells the ref it won’t quit. Some fans are chanting it’s awesome. It’s all action.
Drew got a two with a Supershock DDT. Graves sold that Punk winced for it because of his own injury. The fans are vocal with their awesome chants. It is.
Drew went over to mock Punk and did the motion of the GTS at Punk. He went to do it but Seth rolled through for a two. Drew nailed a Claymore coming off the ropes but only got a two. This is great.
Drew came over to the ringside area and cleared the announce table. Punk said doubt is creeping into Drew because he needs to come out and used furniture. Rollins fought and didn’t get powerbombed through the table. Instead he ran off the Spanish announce table and did a Stomp on the US announce table. He took Drew into the ring but got nailed with another Claymore out of nowhere. Two count only.
Seth fought to his feet and yelled at Drew. One Claymore later, we have a new champ.
Great match. Drew was awesome and Seth fought like a storyline warrior. What a way to start the show.
Drew got the belt and sold it like he was crying. Rollins looked at him from the floor and cried. That’s awesome. He looked to say something like you’re the man. His eye looks to have a mouse on it.
Punk said Drew beat a compromised champion but the fans popped for him. Drew is so good at what he does that the Philly fans, even though he’s a heel, gave him respect.
Again, amazing way to start the show.
After the match Drew cleared the other announcers while Punk stayed there and said congratulations. Drew talked smack on Punk and told him if he comes back, he will end his career (I think). Drew put the Title in Punk’s face. Punk said what’s it like to win the Title and have the crowd chant someone else’s name. Drew mocked him. Punk had enough. He tripped Drew and ripped off the arm brace. He beat Drew with it. You all know what happened next.
Damien Priest came out with the case. He waffled Drew with it. He cashed in. South Of Heaven. We have a new World Champion. Punk loves it. He is clapping big time.
With Drew’s contract status, I knew there was a good chance this would happen. I am not the biggest fan of MITB most of the time but this was done perfectly. Drew has been dogging Punk for months so he had a receipt coming. He just received it. Still, I hope Drew stays in WWE. He would be wasted in AEW.
Time for the Street fight.
Samantha introduced Snoop Dogg. Cole and Pat spent time with him this afternoon. Cure the weed jokes. Snoop is going to be on commentary.
We have a special guest ref, BUBBA RAY DUDLEY. That is a perfect choice. Bubba has a ref shirt on.
Snoop said Bubba’s been in the gym. Ouch. Bubba got love from the crowd.
An Elite member just sent me this.
Dave: The table is set for Drew to win. Seth has a match on night one so they can explain his loss away. The question is do you put the Title on Drew if he hasn't signed an extension? I would. If he signs a new deal he can stay the champ and head home to Scotland a hero. If he doesn't, they could have Priest cash in to take the belt.
I had literally forgotten I said that in the Tip Sheet. It's been a BUSY week!
Lashley and The Street Profits are wearing green. They know whose stadium they are in.
Snoop is probably making too many jokes for a match where guys are pounding the snot out of each other. The Final Testament is in charge early. Lashley took a stiff bump and I think that got through to Snoop that this is pretty violent.
AOP hit The Super Destroyer and had it won when B Fab came in with a stick. Scarlett tossed her. AOP went for another one but Lashley came in and broke it up. He then tossed Kross. Dawkins took out the AOP on the floor and then Montez came out of nowhere and wiped them out. Lashley then went to work on Kross.
Bobby put on the Hurt Lock but Scarlett hit Bobby with a stick. B Fab came in and put herself and Scarlett through a table. Kross got a two. He thought he had a three. Bubba disagreed. Kross pushed him and said he needed glasses. So Bubba pulled out his Dudley glasses. Pop. Bubba set up Dawkins to do the Wassap. Bubba then set up GET THE TABLES and the fans gladly yelled it out and chanted ECW.
They put Kross on a table but it broke first. These things happen. Profits went out and got another while Bobby was working over Kross. Snoop said Whoop That Trick when Ford used the cane on Kross. Montez then went up and wiped out Kross, through the table, and the faces won. The fans loved it and so did I. Like Paul Heyman said at the HOF, ECW will never die. Shoot.
Please click to Page 2 for more thoughts on tonight’s show!
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