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Well, this has been an interesting day, eh?
No matter what gets announced in the coming days, the McMahon family-owned era of WWE appears to be coming to an end in its current form. We are in unprecedented times.
From high above SoFi Stadium, welcome to my blog for Wrestlemania 39 Night Two in Los Angeles, CA.
Before we dive in, I'd like to dedicate this to three distinct people - over the last year, I lost some pretty important people in my life, almost as soon as I returned from Dallas for last year's Mania. Chief among them was my mom, who lost a hard battle with COPD on April 18th. Since that day, I've felt I've been living in another realm and completely unable to find my way back home again, so to everyone with an ailing parent or to someone who has lost someone, I wish you the best, because it's a struggle I deal with daily.
Just a month after my mom passed, we all lost one of pro wrestling's best friends, Blackjack Brown, who did so much for so many and was one of the truly great people in my life - as well as lot of other people's lives. It was a sucker punch I've yet to truly recover from, especially so soon after losing my mom, because BJ always made me laugh, and I sorely needed to laugh after losing her. Every time the phone rings in the middle of the night, even now, my first thought is that he's calling - and I truly miss him and his friendship. To say I feel his loss every day is one of the biggest understatements I could ever make - and between him and Mom being gone, I've felt very old for the first time in my life.
Last year at Mania, one of those I always saw and traveled with was photographer Bob Mulrenin, a fellow New Yorker right down to his blunt take no sh** attitude. Last year, he started not feeling so great, so night two, he gave up his spot in the photographer bank and sat up in the press room. He returned home to Brooklyn and was almost immediately diagnosed with cancer. A true tough guy, he refused to give up on what he wanted to do in life and still traveled all over and did what he wanted while fighting it, but by the time everything was discovered, it was already too late and he was terminal. Bob gave no sh** and fought and lived his life, but sadly, was gone six months later.
These were all three people who were important to me and I'd like to dedicate this blog to them - and to everyone dealing with loss who's just trying to get through their day and do the best they can. I feel you and I'm with you.
So, all that said, let's hope tonight is fun, because we could all use some fun in our lives. Here we go!
We are opening with Omos vs. Brock Lesnar. Brock doesn't get paid by the minute and if he's on early, my gut is that this isn't going long and he'll be back home in Minnesota before the show is over!
The early portion of the bout saw Omos manhandling Brock. Brock was slammed and sold he was dazed. Omos locked in the dreaded bearhug. Brock tried to fight back but was taken down and chokeslammed. They are trying to get over Omos' strength. Brock avoided a shot and it was time for the German suplex calvacade. Brock went to lift him for the F5 but his back gave out friom the earlier beating. He persevered and drilled the F5 and that was it.
This was short and sweet and as good as it had any right to be.
Brock Air is all fueled up and ready to leave LA!
The Fatal Four Way Women's Showcase match is second. This is Shotzi's Mania debut. Good stuff from the go. I like that Liv and Raquel had matching gear. Shotzi got a big dive and thankfully didn't try to kill herself. Green nailed a nice dive in her Mania debut. They noted that as of this match, Natalya has made more Mania matches than any other woman in the history of the company. Raquel powerbombed her own partner over the top to wipe out the field of competition on the floor - that was pretty damn cool. Green and Sonya cleared the ring but Natalya and Shotzi battled through and took over. Nattie locke a double sharpshooter on them but Liv nailed a missile dropkick to break it up. Shotzi and Liv battled back and forth. Liv nailed Oblivion but Shayna (limping and missing a boot, so it may be she hurt her ankle) interfered and Rousey tagged in. Ronda cinched in the armbar and that was it. It was OK.
Bobby Lashley was introduced and came out in street clothes, carrying the Andre the Giant Memorial trophy. It would really suck if that's his only role tonight.
Next up is the match I've been personally waiting for tonight. GUNTHER vs. Sheamus vs. Drew McIntyre for the WWE Intercontinental Championship! In the words of Clubber Lang, I predict pain for this match. All three of these men just beat the living hell out of each other with hard chops and stiff blows. This was absolutely awesome right from the start. Drew and GUNTHER gave me visions of Flair vs. Steamboat with the hard chops. Sheamus and Drew caught GUNTHER agains the ropes and took turns chopping and beating him. His chest was bruised to death. Sheamus then turned on Drew and pummeled him forevever and ever, getting a massive roar and standing ovation here in SoFi. This was nuts in the best way possible. It was like Fit Finley and William Regal had a baby.
GUNTHER hit Sheamus and sent him sailing with a back suplex. He powerbomed Drew for a close two count. Sheamus hit White Noise off the ropes and then a Celtic Cross. LA WAS LOSING THEIR MIND but GUNTHER kicked out at the last second. Sheamus continued to work him over but when he had the match one, Drew pulled him out of the ring. They brawled on the floor. Drew nailed a BIG tope con hilo. Drew went for the Claymore but when he charged, he was killed with a Brogue Kick. This match is awesome! CLOSE near fall.
They kept beating the hell out of each other. Sheamus had Drew beaten but GUNTHER came off the top and destroyed them both. GUNTHER whipped out some powerbombs and pinned Drew clean. This was easily the best Wrestlemania match Sheamus or McIntyre ever had and yet another feather in the cap of GUNTHER. As someone who grew up on Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat, Greg Valentine and Tito Santana, it's great to see the WWE Intercontinental Championship resurrected as the "worker" title that promises great matches.
This was my favorite thing thus far on the show.
More thoughts on Page 2!
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