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The Austin Aries vs. Neville match was really good given what they had to work with. I hated that it was on the pre-show, as I have said before, but they didn't let that stop them from busting their butts. Strong match that saw Neville retain. That was the right finish as they are just getting started in the feud.
When Big Show got eliminated in the Andre Battle Royal, I said OK Braun can win now. Then, Braun got tossed and it was more wide open. In the moment I was like WTF??? Then when Gronk got involved it all made perfect sense. Mojo got a nice win and WWE will get the mainstream coverage that they love. And frankly, in 2017 having Gronk appear more than makes up for Shaquille O'Neal skipping the show.
Next up is the Intercontinental Title match. Wow, Dean Ambrose is on the pre-show. I guess Alexa Bliss’ gain is his loss. Title matches deserve better than this but what can you do?
Corbin was in control early when they took a USA Network break. Good thing I am on the Network. Corbin got a near fall with a choke, into a slam, as opposed to a chokeslam. He kept control most of the way early on. Dean got control and went to for a pescado but missed. Corbin rushed but his the steps. Dean went up to the top and hit an elbow from the top to the floor. Back in the ring, they started brawling again. Dean got a two and then went back on the attack but ran into a Corbin boot. Corbin hit the Deep Six and got a two. Corbin took off his elbow pad and nailed Ambrose with right hands. Ambrose got up and asked for more, then nailed him with a clothesline. Ambrose went for Dirty Deeds but Corbin drove him back first into the mat. Corbin got cocky and went for End Of Days but Dean countered with Dirty Deeds and got the win. It was fine for what it was but they were hurt by not being on the big show.
Just as they are about to go live, I heard from Mike Johnson and it's raining!
We are live with Tinashe singing America The Beautiful. She did a good job. And when she finished we had the jets do a flyover. The fans popped.
We are now getting a video of the greatness of WrestleMania.
The New Day opened the show as our hosts. They came out to the to the ring with a Carnival buggy, in keeping with the Amusement Park theme. The crowd popped for them and they greeted the crowd. They did their spiel. Welcome to Mania folks.
Even though the first match is from Smackdown, the Raw announce team handled the open. Looks like the rain stopped.
We are opening with Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles. Wow.
Shane came out first, to a nice pop. AJ came out next, to a great pop. The ramp down to the ring is cool. It is a monitor so it's different for each act. It's also REALLY steep. Walking up that sucker after a hard match won't be fun.
Looks like there is a breeze because AJ's hair is blowing. Shane is wearing a baseball jersey. JBL is saying he is ripped but we can't tell. He has long pants on too. Shane did a leapfrog early and AJ caught him in a snap mare and then mocked him. The crowd is very vocal for AJ, which of course meant it was time for Shane to go on the offense. Shane is wrestling catch as catch can. Really. Shane then mocked AJ and it got a lot of boos. Back in the ring Sugar Ray McMahon is throwing punches as we hear you don't want to throw hands with him. He is the baddest AARP member on the planet!
AJ then tossed him to the floor and then did a baseball slide, knocking Shane over the announce table at ringside. AJ then went to work on him. The crowd was behind him and we kept it up. AJ got a two after about five minutes. But since Shane doesn't know fear, as JBL told us, Shane came back and threw bombs and kicks. He crotched AJ from the top and started throwing those big punches of his. Yes, he is dominating. Yes, it is stupid that he is. He even got a near fall.
Damaged AJ managed to get Shane up and drop him back first over his knee. But he couldn't make the cover due to the incredible beating he took. He went for the Styles Clash but Shane powered right out of it. AJ somehow got the Calf Crusher but of course Shane reversed it into an Armbar. The crowd is really quiet, which I guess is better than booing. Shane got some nearfalls but then they did a double cloethesline spot. The fans start to rise as chant for AJ, as if to say COME ON VINCE, WTF?
Out of nowhere, MMA MASTER Shane locked on a choke! Of course he did. Somehow, AJ got a Styles Clash. Did he get the pin? God no. Man, it's not Takeover anymore is it?
They made it to their feet. AJ would throw a punch. Shane Tyson two or 100. Of course. Then in the corner, AJ accidentally kicked the ref in the head. He hit Shane with a Pele kick. AJ realized the ref was down. Fans chanted use the table. AJ gots trashcans instead. See, he needs plunder to beat the baddest man on the planet. He threw Shane in the corner and put the can in front of him. He went for Coast To Coast but OF COURSE Shane got up and hit him in the face with the can. This is so wrong, so wrong.
With the ref still down, Shane put AJ in the corner and put the other can in front of him. His turn for the Coast To Coast. Of F'n course he hits it and drives the can into AJ's face. The fans are chanting for Shane for the spot. AJ kicked out at 2.
Shane said fine, I can kill you in many ways. He went and prepared an announce table for AJ's Deletion. He put AJ on the table and flew, literally, he can fly like a bird now, he is that great. No seriously, he went to the top and came flying down with the elbow but AJ moved and Shane crashed and burn. He may be hurt enough to sell a little. Nope he made it back into the ring before the ten count. What do I know.
AJ set up for the forearm but Shane kind of caught him in a DDT but it was sloppy as hell. Shane went to the top and did a Shooting Star Press, but AJ moved. I should have been impressed by I laughed out loud. The fans are now chanting This Is Awesome. AJ went up and hit the Phenomenal Forearm and got the pin.
If AJ hadn't been the guy that carried the brand all year and wasn't the guy that will do it again next year, maybe I would have been into it too. But watching AJ have to sell like a mofo for a part time, older non-wrestler? I am sorry, I just couldn't get past the logic that it defied to get into the spectacle.
KO vs. Chris Jericho is next.
Please click to Page 2 for more thoughts from tonight’s show!
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