Today's News

WrestleMania report:

So, I may have forgotten to change my clocks yesterday, and may have completely missed the kick off, including the battle royal, which may have sucked, but despite being predictable, and despite issues with my Network stream early on, I think it was OK this year.


Results...

Pre - Cesaro & Tyson Kidd bt Kofi Kingston & Big E., Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso and Fernando & Diego, to retain the Tag Team Championships.

Pre - Big Show won the 30 man Andre The Giant Battle Royal.

1. Daniel Bryan bt Bad News Barrett, Dolph Ziggler, Stardust, R-Truth, Dean Ambrose and Luke Harper to win the Intercontinental Championship.
2. Randy Orton bt Seth Rollins.
3. Triple H bt Sting.
4. AJ Lee & Paige bt Brie Bella & Nikki Bella.
5. John Cena bt Rusev to win the United States Championship.
6. The Undertaker bt Bray Wyatt.
7. Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns ended in a no contest.
8. Seth Rollins bt Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.

Notes, and my take on the show...

Can't really comment much on the pre show matches, as I missed them, the tag bout was well received on social media, and in the battle royal the tag contenders, including defending winner Cesaro, joined the match, with the exception of Jey Uso. Bo Dallas made his return, and Hideo Itami made his first appearance on the main roster.

As predicted the ladder match opener stole the show. Orton vs Rollins was almost unwatchable for me, with the stream issues, but I was surprised with Orton getting the win. Triple H vs Sting was the longest match of the night, and that is not counting their ten minute each entrances. Full of run ins from DX, then the NWO, and finally Shawn Michaels, which started off fun, but eventually began to feel more like a legends nostalgia tour than the epic first WWE match for Sting, WWE fans have waited so long for. HHH got the win despite using the sledgehammer, the fall counted by Charles Robinson, who Sting had requested to officiate personally. Following the match Sting and Hunter shook hands in the ring. The Diva's did great, really competitive encounter, shortest match of the night of course, the only one to last less than ten minutes, but plenty for fans of Diva's wrestling to enjoy, and to look forward to, as WWE promise to use the ladies more often going forward. The fifth match left me feeling completely dis-engaged before it even started, highly patriotic entrances for Rusev and John Cena, no doubt raised the heart beats of their national fans, but not being from either Russia or the USA, I felt detached from the match, which despite an impressive early performance from Rusev, went the way of the rest of the card, and had the easily predicted result, Cena won. Hate to say it but Taker looked like he really struggled during his match vs Bray Wyatt, who was also hurt, he only removed a cast from a damaged ankle when he limped to the ring for his match, but I made myself enjoy the match anyway, as who knows how many more times we will see the dead man lace them up. The main event started off with a fierce flurry, Lesnar was cut to the face, and Reigns ate an F5 in the opening minutes, then went into the familiar Lesnar dominating performance, with Reigns being thrown around the ring at the champions will. Eventually, the shock WWE say no one saw coming, but really we all did, happened, Seth Rollins came out to cash in his case, pinned his former Shield partner Roman Reigns, and won the gold, to earn his first WWE World title reign. For me this was the only result WWE could go for. The fans made it extremely loud, and very clear, that they did not want Reigns to win the match, and WWE did not want to be seen to change the result on the night, as fans would believe they had strong armed WWE into doing what they wanted, for the second year in a row. Playing their ace gave them an out, and I think, while as with the rest of the card, was predictable, especially after Rollins lost his earlier match, was probably the right move.

The event broke records for WWE and the venue, for attendance and earning revenues. The Rock met his favourite NXT star Kevin Owens for the first time, and UFC star Chael Sonnen did attend the show.

Not everything went well, WWE could not get Arnold Schwarzenegger to do the voice over for Triple H's entrance, at any point this week, and ended up getting him to do it at the Hall Of Fame ceremony, production were sweating, as they had very little time to rehearse the intro, as a result.

I am not going to be as controversial as I was last year, the show had it's moments, both good and bad, the mid show 25 minute promo with HHH, Steph, Rock, and Ronda Rousey was far too long, and the pay off lacked impact, but I think overall WWE can be proud of their efforts this year. 8/10.

WrestleMania 32:

Lita and Trish Stratus, who are in talks to host a WWE Network show, have expressed an interest in a match vs The Bella Twins at next years super show. The Undertaker is featured in a trailer for next years event, and after his match last night, Sting has seemingly changed his mind, he now says he is open to working more matches for WWE, WWE have not commented on their future plans for him.

WWE vs Steve Austin:

WWE and Steve Austin have fallen out. The issue is regarding use of his podcast on the Network. WWE have taken a swipe at Steve, by having Chris Jericho's podcast featured on the Network next week, killing the exclusivity deal they reportedly offered the Rattlesnake.

ROH star quits:

Tommaso Ciampo has announced he is tired of being overlooked, and is leaving Ring Of Honor.

GFW:

Jeff Jarrett has confirmed the first 3 TV tapings for Global Force Wrestling. The dates in July, August and October, will be held in the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Raw tease:

• What's in store for the Seth Rollins era?
• What's next for Roman Reigns?
• Will there be repercussions for Ronda Rousey and how will Stephanie McMahon respond?
• Who will challenge the new champions?
• Are Nikki Bella's days as Divas Champion numbered?

Sheamus will also return to TV.

TNA land Canadian TV deal:

TNA have signed a multi year deal with the Fight Network in Canada.

WWE Network:

WWE now have 1.3 million subscribers. They have announced a series of new shows, featuring movie and TV stars, which are set for a debut in the coming weeks. Seth Green and Jerry Springer will be popping up on your Network feed soon.