On the eve of the most redundant PPV of the year, Let's see how we got here. This is
Raw
The Ronda Segment
I don't know if Ronda Rousey can wrestle yet, but she sure can't act, can she? At least everyone else in this feud is really good at their jobs.
Nia and Asuka
Looking at Nia's matches with Asuka now and comparing them to their title bout in NXT shows just how much Nia has grown as a performer. She is legit very good now. And also... I think she's a face now? That was a face turn, right? With the valiant effort not to tap, and then crying because of Alexa's mean girl act.
The Bar vs. The Revival
One minute the Revival are being pushed, the next they're being jobbed out. It's confusing as hell. So... does this mean the Good Brothers are challenging at Mania?
Fastlane is Redundant: Cena
Look, Cena is probably facing Taker at Mania. You know it. I know it. He's not going over on Sunday. He's not breaking the world title record at Fastlane. Not gonna happen. And... Goldust? Really? Look, I love Dustin, but did anyone think for a second he's going over?
The Slowest of Burns
So is Sasha a heel? Is Bayley? Why are WWE taking a simple story that works (evil Sasha thinks she's better than Bayley) and making it complicated? On other hand, I kinda don't care. Because however they get there, we're finally getting those two going at it at Mania, and they're magic together.
Braun Breaks Stuff
And by "stuff," I mean "Elias." This was fine. But it never surprised.
The Hardy Compound
Finally. Finally. Finallllyyyy. They're letting the weirdness happen. They should have escalated earlier, to make this the climax of weird. But fine. This is always where we were going. The WWE tried to do their own Final Deletion with Bray twice (With New Day and Randy), and neither worked. So now their doing Ultimate Deletion, and it will hopefully be ridiculous and gloriously weird.
Miz, Finn, Seth
This will be a very fun Mania match. It was a reasonably fun handicap match. Miz is great on the mic. Finn is great in the ring. Seth is great at everything. Here for it.
Brockless Segment
That whole bit with the use of "Bitch" wasn't super comfortable when Roman did it, but the Heyman version of the bit? That was gross, Paul. That was terrible. Which... I guess... is the point? Roman's turn to being an actual cheerable face continues apace. Brock is the worst.
Smackdown
Charlotte and Ruby talk
These two are great. They really are. At talking, at wrestling. Super great. I just wish I had any semblance of doubt about the identity of the winner. Charlotte goes over. Asuka challenges her. Nia gets Alexa. This would have been clear for ages, if it weren't for the redundancy that is Fastlane.
Jinder vs. Randy
Happened. I yawned.
Becky vs. Carmella
Nice to see they still remember Carmella works there and has the money in the bank contract. This was a good match. Carmella is another one whose come leaps and bounds since NXT.
Dolph vs. AJ
So... Dolph is definitely a heel, right? That's good. Because as good a worker as he is, he is intensely unlikable.
Fastlane -Cena
Wait... did they just have the Fastlane main event? Also, why do this finish? If before I didn't know how Sami and Kevin will shake out on the PPV, now I'm certain this was a swerve and Sami tries to lay down for Kevin. And they both still lose, because not even WWE is going to throw away what will be a red hot AJ vs Shinsuke match at Mania. More on this in the PPV preview at the end.
Mixed Match Challenge
This continues to be a super fun half an hour every week. Everyone here was great. There were antics. It was fun. The right team went over.
205 Live
Andrews vs. Gulak
This was great. The cw title tournament continues to be a showcase for this show and specifically for Drew Gulak's new "I will hurt you bad," persona. Free of Enzo, he's really shining. He had to go over here, and he did.
Ali vs. Murphy
Once again, perfect booking here. This was a great match. Ali was the underdog again, but showed a willingness to do whatever it takes. It all leads to a really great and utterly unpredictable semi final match. Now, I think Cedric's going over Strong in the other semi, and this is beautiful as he has strong built in storylines with both Ali and Drew.
I have been so pleased with 205 since the tournament started. The question is, what will they do after it's done?
NXT
AOP vs. TM61
So... remember how I predicted TM61 win here? That sure didn't happen, huh? What did happen was a very good match in which everyone got a chance to shine. I am now predicting AOP wins the tournament. I'm fickle like that.
Tomasso is the best heel
Nothing to say here. This was great.
Black vs. Dain
This was terrific. Aleister Black is the future. Dain is also great, but Black's offense is simply flawless.
NXT fallout 1
Black WILL get Almas in Takeover. He either wins and carries the title until NXT Takeover Brooklyn, or loses and debuts in the main roster immediately.
NXT fallout 2
NXT finally gets a midcard title. This is almost as long overdue as the women of the main roster and NXT getting a tag title.
Fastlane Preview
Becky Lynch and Naomi vs. Natalya and Carmella
This will be fun. I... think the heels go over? I dunno.
Shinsuke vs. Rusev
I assume Shinsuke goes over here. Both are great, so hopefully this will be very good.
Charlotte Flair vs. Ruby Riott
Charlotte retains in what will hopefully be an excellent match. Possible Asuka interference. Possible Riott squad interference. Possible attempted cash in by Carmella. But, really? This ends with Charlotte with the title, because Charlotte vs. Asuka is the money match for Mania. Which is why Fastlane is redundant.
Usos vs. New Day
Usos have to go over here, I think. If anyone is going over. The question is, will the Bludgeon Bros attack during the match to set up a three way at Mania, or will they attack after to set up a match with the Usos at Mania. I think it'll be the former, and it'll be a bummer, because until that time, this will be great. These teams have so much chemistry it's practically alchemy.
Roode vs. Orton
I don't care about Orton. I don't care about Jinder. I barely care about Roode when he's stuck in a storyline with them. Hopefully Roode goes over. Jinder will probably be involved. Poor Bobby.
AJ Styles vs. John Cena vs. Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn vs. Baron Corbin vs. Dolph Ziggler
Much like the women's title match, the problem here is that the only good booking decision is Styles going over. Styles vs. Nakamura is the money match. This match will get WWE network subscriptions from people who hate WWE. It has to happen, and it has to happen while they're both red hot. Neither is getting any younger. The only question is, will Taker interfere and cost Cena the win. I say yes.
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