The pre-go-home show can sometimes be even more important than the ‘go-home’ episode—the final RAW/SMACKDOWN (WWE TV PROGRAMMING) before the PLE. The ‘go-home’ episode is seen as the ‘climax’ before the Saturday/Sunday show, and it is meant to elevate programs or raise the stakes on booked matches. Tonight, live from the Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, there were plans to rectify a couple spots on the Mania card.
First on deck would be the women’s tag team gauntlet match that is meant to produce a number one contender for Liv and Raquel’s tag titles at Mania. However, all eyes were on Cody Rhodes, as his segment was without John Cena. This put the spotlight solely on Cody for the first time in a month, and after Cena dropped those one-liners on RAW, fans wondered if Cody would respond to those claims directly.
Cena Sucks…The Momentum Out Of Every Fire Promo
After we finally received a segment worthy of the Cody-Cena program, we ended up right where we started: Cody was forced to carry double the weight of a program absent Cena. Cody began by acknowledging that Seattle was ‘not on the Cena farewell tour’ and opting, instead, to make his last pre-Mania appearance on next Friday’s ‘go-home’ episode of SmackDown deriving from Las Vegas—the location for WrestleMania 41’s two-night event.
The set and setting were awesome as Cody cut a promo with the various iterations of the WWE world title representing different decades. He drew parallels from the ‘Ruthless Aggression era’ belt infused with Latino Heat to the Cena ‘spinner belt’ that Cody gave a “Wheel of Fortune” spin.
Cody then dug into the central theme of this feud—the future champions currently working the developmental system to those not even born yet and the old guard attempting to gatekeep the legacy of that title. Cena is trying to completely tear down the legacy of the title so that anything after can no longer claim a connection to a lineage that includes Bruno Sammartino, Ric Flair, and Bret Hart, to name a few.
Cody did not elevate the feud much, but that is hard to do ‘one-handed,’ however he did cut an impassioned promo with some flashy backdrop. He said it would be unfair to rebut Cena’s words from RAW, but that is exactly how promos work, so the excuse was weak. Yet, the fact that Cody acknowledges the necessity to respond to Cena’s words suggests that we may be in store for some more podcast-worthy pipe-bomb mic-drops on next week’s ‘go-home’ episode.
Later, it was revealed that Cody-Cena would get top billing on night two. Most assumed that this match would get the Sunday main event, but it was made official after leaving a list of casualties that included Jey Uso’s storyline in its wake.
Another Rey Of Sunshine
After the debut of Rey Fenix last week on SmackDown, the leader of Legado Del Fantasma, Santos Escobar, was very complimentary of the WWE upstart. The commentary from the heel faction leader may have been intended to light a spark under one of his faction members, and it worked. Alberto Carrillo took the bait and Escobar vowed to get the match booked for this week.
The match started out with competitive sequences from both superstars, but upon returning from a commercial break, it turned into the Rey Fenix show. A crossbody from the top and a springboard headbutt off the middle rope were just some of the highlights that led to his patented corkscrew flip onto Carrillo waiting outside the ring. Fenix played his biggest hits at the end of the match, and it was enough to remain undefeated.
For his effort, Carrillo was bitched out by Escobar, and that is when Andrade entered the shot to give the young superstar a pep talk. Carrillo blew off Andrade’s words as the former NXT champion just smiled and laughed. Unfortunately, the winner of the match was not given any sort of elevation, especially this close to Mania, but at least Andrade is back in the mix.
Women’s Tag Team Title #1 Contender’s Gauntlet Match
Lyra Valkryia & Bayley vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark vs. B-Fab & Michin vs. Alba Fyre & Piper Niven vs. Natalya & Maxxine Dupri
The intercontinental champion Lyra Valkyria and Bayley team started off this match against Baszler and Carter, and if either team hoped to challenge for the titles at Mania, they would have to run the ‘full gauntlet.’ Valkyria and Bayley faced off against each other this past Monday on RAW in a match that saw Valkyria retain the title. Despite some initial animosity from Bayley, she quickly changed her attitude after realizing she would have to depend on the champ for this opportunity.
Valkyria was able to get the pinfall victory against the first team, and then Bayley took the pinfall against the team of Natalya and Dupri. The team of Bayley and Valkyria ran the entire gauntlet until they faced the final team of Alba Fyre and Piper Niven (The Green Regime—a name based on their loyalty to U.S. champ Chelsea Green).
Niven and Fyre enjoyed most of the offense by benefiting from their place in the gauntlet. Valkyria was able to rest and build up a hot tag run that shutdown both heels in the match once Bayley was able to rally for the tag. Frye took the ‘hot tag’ too far by attempting a fisherman’s suplex on Piper, which she was able to reverse.
However, Lyra was able to get a power bomb off on Piper after a middle turnbuckle mishap on the heel’s part. Bayley was tagged in and dropped the elbow drop for what seemed like the finish, but Piper kicked out after a one count—showcasing the freshness of the heel team. Alba and Piper delivered a Swanton combo on Bayley, but it was not enough to keep Valkyria from making the save.
In the end, a set of near-falls set into motion the final sequence where Bayley landed the ‘Rose Plant’ and Lyra landed the high-risk maneuver that put Fyra away for the three-count. After the match, champions Liv and Raquel stepped between the ropes, and we got a face-off between them and their Mania challengers Bayley and Valkyria.
What’s Going On With Randy Orton?
We learned last week that Kevin Owens would be out indefinitely after suffering a neck injury that could cost him his career. While we at FightsATW wish Owens the best, this turn of events has created an interesting scenario where Randy Orton, who has reached a new level of popularity since leaning into the face role, is without a dance partner for Mania. Last week’s segment ended with Orton delivering an RKO to GM Nic Alids.
This week, SmackDown started with Aldis admitting he made ‘promises’ not to retaliate. When Orton came out, they appeared to squash things, but then Orton made it clear that his peace was conditional and based on whether Aldis could secure him an opponent for Mania.
That is where the interesting part ended as Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga came out to steal the spotlight from Randy. It was smart of Solo to move on Orton and reap the heat from one of the most popular talents currently on his most popular run. LA Knight would end up coming out to make the save for Randy, and then he cut a promo that led to the main event booking for the evening.
LA Knight(c) & Randy Orton vs. Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga
It was more entertaining than you might have considered, but then shame on you for doubting anything Orton these days. The match flowed well and told a simple story for fans to get behind. Knight was able to get the pinfall victory in the match over Tama, but it was only possible after Orton battled Solo out and into the crowd.
With the match concluded and Orton out of the picture, it appeared as though the real plan was underway as Jacob Fatu entered the frame from under the ropes. Fatu was able to get the jump on his Mania opponent, and this entire play could have been a ploy to soften up the U.S. champ ahead of Mania.
Fatu hit one devastating popup moonsault after another with Knight’s belt placed by his side. If this entire main event was merely a play, then it is interesting that Solo was forced to take the hit that provided ‘The Samoan Werewolf’ his opening. Who is calling the shots amongst the three men formerly known as The Bloodline?
Other Tidbits/In-Ring Action
- Matches for WrestleMania Night 1 and 2 were announced tonight. You can check back on FightsATW for a complete list early in WrestleMania week.
- But one interesting moment was when they announced the title match between champ Tiffany Stratton and Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair. Barret, on commentary, had a throwaway line where he referred to the challenger as the ‘sometimes unprofessional’ Charlotte Flair. This was clearly a reference to Flair going ‘off-script’ last week by claiming Tiffy’s beau—WWE superstar Ludwig Kaiser. The company has not said anything official, but reports suggest that both women were blamed equally for the impromptu promos. Yet, the very scripted announcements might suggest that WWE is willing to use this storyline to get Flair genuine heat leading into their night two showdown.
- Priest and McIntyre elevated their rivalry by reinstituting Drew’s dastardly feelings towards jewelry. The match was booked after weeks of heat based on a story that harks on ‘beef’ from over a year ago when Priest cashed in on McIntyre minutes after he won the heavyweight title. McIntyre went on to feud with Punk, while Priest’s title run left something to be desired. Tonight, Drew revealed that his eye patch was based on a fake injury used to ‘entice Priest’ into a match. The segment began the way it ended, with Drew beating down Priest. At the very end of the segment, Drew drops his Mania opponent with a double-arm DDT onto the steel steps. Priest was left with a look on his face that suggested he was seeing stars from a different star system. That is when Drew ripped off Priest’s cross-chain—this guy has no chill for men’s jewelry.
Chelsea Green vs. Zelina Vega—Women’s U.S. Title
Green was already thrown off her game before the match started because her ‘She-cret Service’ competed earlier in the night and felt ‘too banged up’ to be ringside for Green. The champ sold her insecurities very well, and it would cost her the match. Zelina was getting beat down on the outside before Green began berating commentary. The momentary distraction cost her the count-out loss to Vega. This will likely lead to a rematch with the U.S. title on the line. It might not happen at Mania as it was not announced, and we are getting the SmackDown tag title match between Street Profits and Motor City Machineguns on SmackDown next Friday.
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