Posted on 4/19/125 by Bob Magee
– Joe Tessitore welcomed everyone into the show as shots of
Las Vegas aired. Cody Rhodes, the Motor City Machine Guns,
The Street Profits, Solo Sikoa, and Tama Tonga were shown
backstage. LA Knight appeared out of nowhere and slammed
Tonga’s arm into a car door.
– Seth Rollins’s music hit and Rollins walked out for the
first segment.
The Seth Rollins segment
… Because all I wanted for my birthday was watching Seth
Rollins cosplay as CM Punk with a promo that didn’t quite
hit as hard as everyone hoped it would. Don’t get me wrong.
Rollins was good here and his efforts were appreciated, but
I simply can’t buy into these “the most important triple
threat in the history of wrestling” superlatives. Maybe you
can, and if you can, that’s great. I’m jealous. I’d love for
this match and this story to grip my attention – and I’ve
even tried to play along at various spots in its development
– but I can’t get there. I hope they have something
bombastic planned for how it all plays out Saturday night.
Until then, this just felt like a rehashing of things we’ve
all heard Rollins say multiple times already. The AEW
reference got him a few cheap gasps from the live crowd, but
anyone who’s been paying attention to Rollins both on and
off TV has heard all of this before. On to tomorrow.
Rollins stood in the middle of the ring holding a microphone
as the crowd sang his song. Rollins welcomed everyone to
“Friday Night Rollins,” which doesn’t quite work as well as
“Monday Night Rollins,” but so it goes. “CM Punk!” chants
began and Rollins sat cross-legged in the middle of the
ring, a la Punk. “OTC!” chants broke out. Rollins took the
SmackDown cube off the microphone and said he wanted to
start by talking about Punk.
Rollins said the reason Punk came back to wrestling was
because everyone chanted his name for 10 years. Rollins said
when Punk came back to the ring, “it wasn’t a WWE ring.”
Rollins asked if Punk came back because everyone chanted his
name or if someone else “wrote a big, fat check.” Rollins
noted how Punk burned that bridge and came back to WWE and
asked again if it was because the fans chanted Punk’s name.
Rollins said no because Punk came back to WWE because WWE
wrote him a “big, fat check,” and the crowd chanted “Big fat
check!” Rollins said, “Tell me when I’m telling lies.”
Rollins called Punk a liar, a fraud and a coward. Rollins
said say what you will about Roman Reigns, but Reigns
doesn’t even pretend to care about the fans whereas Punk
claims to care about the fans. Rollins said Reigns only
cares about Reigns and Reigns is in the Reigns business. The
crowd did the sing-songy “Roman, Roman Reigns!” bit. Rollins
said Reigns knows nothing about sacrifice while Rollins
knows everything about sacrifice. Rollins said the story
between he, Reigns and Punk started 12 years ago and it
started with Paul Heyman.
Rollins said Heyman brought Reigns, Rollins and Dean Ambrose
into WWE to be a Shield for CM Punk. Rollins said every
single night, he sacrificed everything he had in the ring to
be that shield. Rollins said he didn’t get credit for that
because everyone in the back wanted all the cameras on
Reigns. Rollins said everyone said Reigns would be the next
cash cow for WWE, he would be the “next John Cena.” Rollins
said Punk took his ball and went home and Rollins heard some
Punk chants while Rollins was making every show and
sacrificing everything he had every night.
Rollins said it all came to a head last year at
WrestleMania, when his knee was shredded and his stepdad was
dying of cancer. Still, Rollins said he made it to Mania
last year to be a shield to make sure Roman Reigns lost.
“Thank you Seth!” chants broke out and the crowd sang
Rollins’s song. Rollins said the story started 12 years ago
and it will end tomorrow night “in the most important triple
threat match in the history of this industry.” Rollins
promised everybody he will lay everything on the line to
make sure the business moves forward in the right direction.
Rollins ended by saying, “That’s not a prediction; that’s a
spoiler.”
**********
– Rey Fenix received a televised entrance for the Andre The
Giant Memorial Battle Royal. A video package on Andre then
aired. When the show came back to the ring, Nakamura
received a televised entrance as well.
Carmelo Hayes won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
[15:30]
There really isn’t much to say about this because you can
take every single Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal
ever, say whatever there is to say about that, cut, paste,
and use it right here. I was pleasantly surprised to see
Melo and Andrade work as the final two left because I loved
that best-of-seven series they had (save for whatever the
ending to it was supposed to be). Melo going over makes
sense, though I’d really love to see the creative minds come
up with something meaningful for Andrade to do after Mania.
Considering the Gable/Fenix stuff … does this mean Fenix
plays a role in Americano’s match vs. Mysterio this weekend?
We shall see.
Carlito and R-Truth had a fun bit where Truth took a bite
out of Carlito’s apple. Truth then eliminated Carlito and
threw his apple at him. The Miz then eliminated Truth as a
means to help Melo. Karrion Kross attacked Miz and Melo
stepped in to break it up. Los Garza went to work on Fenix,
but that led to Fenix eliminating both Berto and Angel.
Santos Escobar looked angry about the whole thing. Grayson
Waller and Austin Theory eliminated both members of Pretty
Deadly.
Kaiser eliminated Tyler Bate with a shotgun dropkick to
Bate’s midsection. As a result, Pete Dunne went to work on
Kaiser. Santos Escobar proposed working with Fenix to
eliminate Andrade, but instead, Fenix eliminated Escobar.
The Creed Brothers eliminated Tozawa and Otis then
clotheslined the Creed Brothers over the top to dispose of
them. Otis was then eliminated. Otis attacked the Creeds
outside of the ring. Andrade threw Waller to the floor.
Andrade did the same to Theory. Andrade and Chad Gable had a
moment and all the luchadores in the match attacked Gable
and Fenix eliminated him.
Fenix and Kross exchanged chops and Dragon Lee eliminated
Kross, which got some boos, considering how it’s Kross’s
hometown (and people seem to like that guy these days). Lee
ran into a knee from Nakamura and Nakamura eliminated Lee.
Kaiser and Dunne fought on the apron and both safely
returned to the ring before Dunne eliminated Kaiser. Miz and
Melo were on the apron and Dunne did the finger spot on
Melo. Miz saved Melo, but Dunne eliminated Miz.
The final five were Fenix, Dunne, Melo, Nakamura and
Andrade. Melo eliminated Dunne and the final four stared at
each other. They then brawled. Nakamura fired up, but missed
a running knee. From there, Andrade dropkicked Nakamura off
the top rope and out of the match. Melo and Andrade fought
on the middle rope and Fenix tried to eliminate both of them
to no avail. Melo then attacked Fenix. Fenix ran at Melo,
but Melo placed Fenix on the apron. Fenix walked the ropes,
but El Grande Americano appeared out of nowhere and
eliminated Fenix.
The final two were Andrade and Melo. Tessitore referenced
their seven-match series. Melo and Andrade countered each
other’s moves and landed some clotheslines on each other.
Andrade hit his spinning back elbow and both guys were down
at about the 15 minute mark. Andrade set up for Three
Amigos, but Melo blocked it and hit a cutter. The two
battled on the second rope and Melo got the best of it,
sending Andrade over the top for the win. The Miz came back
to ringside to celebrate with Melo.
**********
– Wade Barrett interviewed Charlotte and asked why she
thinks things got so ugly between her and Stratton.
Charlotte took her time to respond and said she doesn’t love
it and both she and Tiffy have chips on their shoulders.
Now, though, people are invested in the Charlotte/Tiffy
match and what matters most to Charlotte is that people now
want to see Tiffy and Charlotte go at it. Charlotte said at
the end of the day, that’s what the business is about. This
was all they showed and I’m not sure if that means we’ll see
more later or they just edited the hell out of the sit-down.
– Tama Tonga has been taken to a “local medical facility”
after Knight’s attack in the parking lot earlier.
– Rhea Ripley was shown walking backstage and with about 10
minutes before the top of the hour, the show went to a
commercial break, which I thought was not the plan? You
stiffed us on 10 minutes, WWE. Keep your promises.
The Rhea Ripley/IYO SKY/Bianca Belair/Naomi/Jade Cargill
segment
This was fun. Naomi is doing fantastic work as this unhinged
friend scorned. I maintain that she plays a role in helping
Belair win the title this weekend and then aligns with a
heel Bianca Belair (first defense for Belair being … of
course … Jade Cargill). Ripley is such a star, it’s great to
watch her become more and more comfortable in that role.
SKY, meanwhile, has played her role in this program
perfectly along the way. I could be in the minority, but
even if we all agree that this doesn’t need to be a triple
threat and the money match was actually Ripley/Belair, SKY
has made the most of her part. As she just sort of stood
around while everyone brawled here, I couldn’t help but
chuckle. I liked this segment a bit. Fast-moving. Wavering
in and out of intensity. This was good.
Ripley took in a bunch of cheers once in the ring. She said
this will be her sixth WrestleMania and each time, she’s
walked into some sort of championship match. That said, this
year’s is probably the most important to her, she argued.
Ripley noted how she lost her women’s title before Mania and
let Bianca Belair get the best of her. Ripley said she could
make excuses and complain, but there’s no point in talking
about the past. Ripley said she will do what she has to do
to get back what she wants – that Women’s World
Championship. Ripley said she will walk out of Mania a
three-time champ. IYO SKY’s music hit and SKY made her
entrance.
SKY went to talk and Bianca Belair’s music hit. Belair made
her entrance. Belair entered the ring and started talking,
but the crowd booed her. Belair asked SKY and Ripley if they
really thought she wouldn’t show up. The boos got louder.
Belair said tonight might be her last time on SmackDown for
a while because at Mania, she will walk out as champion.
Naomi’s music hit and Naomi stepped into the entranceway.
Naomi confronted Belair about not talking to her. Naomi said
she’s been calling and texting Belair, but she’s heard
nothing in return. Naomi asked if their friendship means so
little to Belair. Naomi said she wanted to handle things in
private, but … and then Belair and Naomi talked over each
other.
Naomi entered the ring and Belair said they weren’t going to
do this right now. Naomi said tomorrow, she will finish what
she started with Jade Cargill. On cue, Cargill’s music hit
and Cargill walked to the ring with purpose. Cargill entered
the ring and yelled at Belair off-mic. Naomi rolled out of
the ring. Ripley stepped in and said it wasn’t about
Cargill, but Naomi returned to the ring and everyone except
SKY brawled. SKY just sort of stood there while the crowd
chanted “IYO!” SKY then went to the top and landed an Over
The Moonsault onto everyone in the floor to end the segment.
**********
– Rey Fenix was shown backstage and Chad Gable walked up and
made fun of him for losing the battle royal. Dragon Lee
walked in and told Gabe to shut up. Rey Mysterio showed up
and told Gable Americano will learn some real lucha libre at
WrestleMania. Mysterio challenged Gable and the Creeds to a
six-man tag later in the show.
The Street Profits and Motor City Machine Guns fought to a
no contest [8:35]
What a stupid finish. The Profits, #DIY, MCMG … they all
deserve better. Not only did they not make it on to the
actual Mania card, but they were straddled with this waste
of time. The action was good while it lasted, and I actually
thought the pace was picking up nicely as the teams were
finally starting to get the crowd behind them, but it was
all for nothing. If there was ever a scenario for a
justified multi-person tag match for the biggest PPV, it was
the SmackDown tag division. Instead, nobody gets anything.
It’s a shame.
MCMG jumpstarted the match as the Profits were posing during
their entrance. When the match officially started, Shelley
and Sabin worked a series of double-team moves on Ford until
Ford powered out of everything and clotheslined Shelley and
Sabin separately. Dawkins tagged in and landed his spinning
splash on Sabin before tagging in Ford, who hit the assisted
Blockbuster on Sabin, but Shelley broke up the pin attempt.
Shelley went to fly, but Dawkins punched Shelley in the
teeth. The show then went to a commercial break.
The show returned and Shelley tagged in Sabin, who fired up
and took out both Profits, complete with a running apron
kick to Dawkins. Sabin then hit a missile dropkick onto
Ford. Shelley tagged in and worked a pair of double-team
moves, including a dropkick Flatliner combo. Dawkins tagged
in and threw Sabin, who was the legal man, for a two-count.
Ford quickly tagged in and went to the top, but MCMG worked
him over with a series of tandem moves again. Shelley went
to the top, but Dawkins broke things up. Ford then hit a
super-kick on Sabin and landed a dive on everyone over a
ring post. #DIY then showed up and interfered, ending the
match. Gargano and Ciampa got hold of the tag titles, stole
them, and walked to the back.
**********
– Nick Aldis ran into Chelsea Green and the Secret Hervice.
Green’s ladies served Aldis with papers, which addressed
last week’s count-out loss. Aldis made a Green vs. Vega
match for later with the Hervice barred from ringside.
– Ciampa and Gargano were shown trying to leave the arena
with the tag titles, but Aldis stepped in and stopped them.
The Profits showed up. Everybody shouted at each other.
Aldis took the titles away from Ciampa and Gargano and Aldis
made the match for SmackDown next week – a TLC match for the
tag titles between the three teams.
The Randy Orton segment
Good fire from Orton. Short and sweet, which isn’t common
for Randy Orton segments in the year 2025. The open
challenge is probably the best way to go, but I was still
holding out hope for an Aldis vs. Orton showdown. Either
way, who you got? Rusev? Black? Mariah May? The speculation
should be fun over the next 48 hours.
Orton reminded everyone that he doesn’t have an opponent for
WrestleMania 41. Orton said he’s been around town all week
and there is an excitement about WrestleMania everywhere.
Orton referenced his dad being in the first Mania and said
there’s no way in hell he will sit out this year’s Mania.
Orton noted how this would be the 20th time he would compete
at a WrestleMania. Orton said he will show up on Sunday,
boots tied, baby oil on his skin, and he will be ready to
deliver for the WWE Universe. He said he’ll do it for the
fans, himself and the boys in the back.
Orton said if anyone wants to test their meddle, he dares
them to step up. Orton said if anyone on the strip owns a
pair of wrestling boots, he challenges them to step up.
Orton said whomever it will be will fall victim to the three
most dangerous letters in wrestling: R.K.O. Orton’s music
hit to end the segment.
**********
– Footage from the McIntyre/Priest brawl at the Mania
kickoff show aired.
– Byron Saxton interviewed Priest and Priest cut Saxton off,
saying he wanted to send a message to McIntyre. Priest said
McIntyre is not a victim – not yet. Priest said Drew isn’t
ready for their fight this weekend. Priest said he will beat
Drew so bad, “he will wish he was future-endeavored again.”
Priest said he will bury McIntyre on Sunday.
Zelina Vega defeated Chelsea Green in a non-title match
[3:34]
I’m glad they made this a one-on-one match instead of what
had earlier been advertised as a six-woman tag and the
pinfall victory caught me by surprise. So, all of that was
good. The thing that bugs me is that this must mean Green
won’t be featured on Mania at all (there have been rumors of
a segment featuring her, but …). Chelsea Green deserves a
WrestleMania moment. We can all agree on that, right? There
would be lots of options for a mystery/impromptu opponent.
Why not set aside some time for her? She’s earned it.
Anyway, I suspect this means we’ll get Vega vs. Green for
the women’s U.S. title sooner than later. This match was
sort of meaningless outside of the fun the Vega and Green
had with the count out situation from last week.
Green ran at Vega to jumpstart the match and kept up her
offense in the early part of the match. Vega eventually
kicked Green in the face, but Green came right back and
landed a series of strikes on Vega before saluting the
crowd. The action spilled outside and and Green sent Vega
into the crowd barrier. Green instantly scolded the referee
for counting her out, which was funny. Green ran at Vega and
Vega backdropped Green into the timekeeper’s area. The women
nearly missed the 10 count again and rolled into the ring at
the same time to break it.
The two traded blows and the crowd cheered Green, booed
Vega. Eventually, Vega fired up and took control, setting up
for the 619, but Vega instead ran into a kick from Green,
which earned Green a two-count. Green placed Vega on the top
rope, but Vega fought back and hit a super Code Red from the
top rope for a surprising win. Turns out, it was a non-title
match, so … .
**********
– LA Knight made his entrance and started his promo by
saying, “Let me talk to ya!” Knight said what happened last
week was inspiration. This was why he attacked Tonga
earlier. He now plans to take out Solo Sikoa so he can’t
interfere at Mania this weekend in his match against Jacob
Fatu. Knight said he walked into WWE and turned the world
upside down. Knight said Fatu hasn’t seen anything like him
and his U.S. title is the title of titles. Knight said
someday, somewhere, Fatu will be a champion in WWE, but at
Mania, Fatu will eat a BFT courtesy of LA Knight. Sikoa’s
music then hit for the next match.
LA Knight defeated Solo Sikoa via DQ [6:55]
I was a little disappointed this ended up being nothing more
than a conduit to set up a tag match. Weirdly, I was kind
of/sort of into the idea that Knight would take out Sikoa
and Tonga before Mania so he could be assured there will be
no interference for his bout against Fatu if only because it
added a tiny wrinkle to Knight and Fatu’s story. Either way,
this was all right for what it was. Knight and Sikoa aren’t
lighting the world on fire with their in-ring work, so this
served its purpose.
Knight jumpstarted the match and attacked Sikoa as he made
his entrance. Sikoa fought back and ran Knight into the ring
steps. The show then went to a commercial break. The show
returned and Sikoa was working over Knight on the outside of
the ring, complete with a suplex onto the apron. Back inside
the ring, Sikoa lifted Knight, but Knight countered with a
neck-breaker. Knight ran the ropes and Sikoa hit a knee to
Knight’s midsection. Sikoa followed that up with a headbutt
to Knight’s midsection.
Knight came off the middle rope, but Knight got the knees up
to telegraph Sikoa. Knight fired up and landed a DDT. Knight
went to the second rope, but Jacob Fatu showed up out of
nowhere and attacked Knight. Braun Strowman’s music hit and
Strowman hit the ring with a double cross-body on Sikoa and
Fatu. Knight and Strowman cleared the ring. Nick Aldis
walked out and made a tag team match on the spot – Knight
and Strowman vs. Fatu and Sikoa.
**********
LA Knight & Braun Strowman defeated Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu
[7:50]
So much of this felt like it was lost to the picture-in-
picture break – on top of that, the whole idea of a tag
match here between these people felt useless in terms of
heating anything up – but this got Strowman on the SmackDown
before WrestleMania, at least. I continue to wonder if
pairing Sikoa with Cody coming out of last year’s Mania was
nothing more than a test to see how effective Cody can be in
making a star out of nowhere. Considering how Sikoa isn’t on
this year’s Mania card … perhaps the answer to that question
isn’t all that flattering for either Cody or Solo. Either
way, here we are. I just thank the wrestling gods that Kevin
Owens wasn’t replaced with Solo Sikoa when it comes to what
Randy Orton is doing this weekend … I hope?
The match started during a picture-in-picture and Fatu was
working over Strowman as the show returned from break. Sikoa
tagged in and kicked Strowman before he went into a head-
lock. Fatu tagged in and kicked Strowman in the head and
went to a modified chin-lock until Strowman lifted Faty and
slammed Fatu. Knight received the hot tag and Sikoa tagged
in as well. Knight went to the middle rope and hit his pop-
up elbow from the top. Fatu broke up a pin attempt.
Strowman threw Fatu to the outside and went for the Strowman
Express, but Fatu threw Strowman over the commentary table.
Back inside the ring, Knight hit a BFT on Sikoa and got the
win for his team.
**********
– A clip of the Wade Barrett/Tiffany Stratton sit-down
interview aried. Barrett asked Stratton how and why her
interview with Charlotte went off the rails. Stratton said
she felt bullied and during the split-screen interview
earlier this year, she wondered if she was up for the
challenge. Tiffy said she gave Charlotte a taste of her own
medicine and Charlotte doesn’t have to life Tiffy, but she
has to respect her. Barrett asked Tiffy what will happen if
Tiffy Time ends at Mania. Tiffy said that won’t happen and
she’s aware it’s going to be a fight and she’s going to
stand up to Charlotte, a bully. Tiffy said she will walk out
of Mania as champion.
Rey Fenix, Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee defeated Brutus Creed,
Julius Creed & Chad Gable [10:11]
Oh, no. Mysterio went down before the mid-match break and we
didn’t see him again. Not on the apron. Not involved in the
action. Not anything. Then, to see how Fenix and Lee went
directly to him on the outside of the ring after the match
ended … let’s hope Mysterio still get his Mania spot (if
not, it better be El Generico who steps in for him, but I
digress). The match had some good action and innovation in a
very basic WWE way, and as such, it was fine for what it
was. I just hope Mysterio walked away from it feeling OK.
Fenix and Brutus started the match. They traded offense and
Fenix hit a leaping elbow until he tagged in Dragon Lee, who
dropkicked Brutus. Julius tagged in shortly thereafter. Lee
worked over Julius and sent him to the outside, where Lee
landed a dive. Back inside the ring, Lee hit a cross-body on
Julius, but Chad Gable broke up the pin attempt. Rey
Mysterio entered the ring and chased Gable around the ring.
American Made ran over everyone and the three heels hit
flying headbutts from the top rope on Lee at the same time.
The show went to a commercial break after that.
Back from the break, Dragon Lee was taking punishment from
American Made, complete with a Brutus Ball. Lee was perched
on the top, but all three heels ended up hanging by their
legs on the top rope. Lee hit a double stomp on all three of
them. Fenix received the hot tag from Lee and hit a spinning
kick on Julius. Fenix’s run was cut off via a Julius knee to
the stomach. Julius followed that up with a belly to belly
suplex. Julius ran into a super-kick from Fenix and things
broke down as Fenix took out all of American Made.
Fenix went to the top and walked the top rope to kick Gable
in the head. Lee landed Operation Dragon on Julius. Fenix
followed that up with a Meteora from the top for the
victory. Almost immediately after the bell rang, Fenix and
Lee checked on Mysterio, who had been out of the match for a
while and seemingly had a trainer checking on him.
**********
The Cody Rhodes/John Cena segment
The tension here was fabulous, even if that tension came
from the fans and not necessarily from the wrestlers. It was
clear that Cody (and/or the WWE writers) were prepared for
crowds to turn on Cody and this was the first time during
the build to Mania that it was so pronounced. Because of all
this, Cody had some good rounds left in the chamber to fire
and he landed those parting shots as good as he ever has or
ever could. This was a nice go-home segment for the
weekend’s biggest match. They left nothing on the table. My
only problem: Wait … what’s up with The Rock?
Cody made his entrance first and received a mixed reaction
from the fans. When it appeared Cody was going to talk,
Cena’s music hit and the crowd kind of/sort of erupted. Loud
“John Cena sucks!” chants broke out in tune with Cena’s
music. Cena did the pouty face entrance thing. The crowd was
up for all of it. “Let’s go Cena/Cena sucks!” chants broke
out and the crowd was hotter than they had been all night.
Cody went to speak and Cena said, “Shut your mouth, kid.”
Cena said it will be his 20th Mania and 12th title match.
Cena said Sunday will be the last time he ever competes in a
WrestleMania ring. Cena said nobody has ever had the courage
to end a career the way he is ending his career. Cena said
what he is doing is so unprecedented, people don’t believe
it. Cena said there is no such thing as a wrestling
retirement because wrestlers are all scared, insecure
losers. Cena said the second wrestlers get away from
wrestling, they’re left with themselves and they come
crawling back a shell of themselves. As such, Cena said he
doesn’t need a single, damn one of the fans.
Cena said the only reason he wants Cody’s title is that he
wants to take it away from Cody and all the fans forever.
Cena said he didn’t tell Cody, “Good job, champ” at last
year’s Mania and he will lose at this year’s Mania because
Cody cares too much about the fans. Cena said he was out
there to share one more thing before their match – when he
won the Elimination Chamber, he knew it’d be impossible to
beat Cody at Mania. In one moment, Cena said, Cody changed
that with what he said to The Rock. Cena said he realized at
Chamber that Cody doesn’t stand a chance. Cena said he will
prove to the fans that they don’t matter.
Cena constantly used “them” and said Cody could accomplish
anything he wants in life if he didn’t listen to “them,” but
Cody is too weak too do that. Cena asked Cody if he’s going
to “do what he thinks is right,” or does he win. Cena called
Cody scared, insecure and naive. Cena said on Sunday, he
will make Cody “someday who finally realizes that to become
a winner, you have to sever ties with all the losers in your
life.” Cena said Cody will realize he’s not the captain or
quarterback; instead, he’s a kid in a man’s world who
doesn’t have the balls of the last real champion.
Cody started to talk and the fans drowned him out with boos.
Cody tried again and they booed louder. Cena said, “This is
what you fight for?” Cody started up again and the crowd got
louder. Cody asked Cena if he knew the guy who usually hands
Cena a microphone. Cody said it’s a different WWE and Cena
is overrated, overbearing and out of touch and out of time
and Cena’s face is melting wax. Cody said Cena is “paler
than Sting at Starrcade 97” and wow. Cody said it’s 2025 and
Cena “still can’t wrestle.” The crowd loved all of this.
“You can’t wrestle!” chants broke out. The crowd went into
the sing-songy Cody Rhodes chant. Cena called the crowd
idiots. Cena said the fans are just like Cody – they don’t
know what they want. Cena said on Sunday, he won’t have to
wrestle and hit (patted?) Cody on the head. Cena lifted
Cody, but Cody worked out of it and landed a CrossRhodes on
Cena. Cody held up his title, again to mixed reactions from
the live crowd, and pointed at the Mania sign. Cody’s music
hit and Cody walked to the back. The show ended as the
commentary crew ran down the Mania card and then Cody held
his title in the air by the LED screens in the entranceway.