Fatal 5-Way Intercontinental Championship Number 1 Contenders Match: Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus VS Karrion Kross VS LA Knight VS Xavier Woods
After a video package showcasing what went down on Monday Night Raw, The Usos arrived at the building and Paul Heyman hugged Jey Uso. Jey asked where the Tribal Chief was before the Right Hand Man told Kayla Braxton that he would reveal why he attacked Sami Zayn, in the middle of the ring, later on, tonight. The first match of the show saw Drew McIntyre, Sheamus, Karrion Kross, LA Knight and Xavier Woods fight for an opportunity at the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. This was a solid match where everyone involved got to showcase what they bring to the table. LA Knight and Karrion Kross worked together for most of the contest whilst Xavier Woods got to run wild for a few minutes in the middle part of the match. In the end, the main focus was on Drew McIntyre and Sheamus’ relationship. After Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick onto Woods and McIntyre delivered the Claymore to Knight, both men got the pinfall victory at the same time. Both Sheamus and Drew McIntyre were arguing over who won in the ring whilst the Ring General Gunther watched on.
Grade: B-
Legado del Fantasma VS The Judgment Day, Braun Strowman and Ricochet VS The Viking Raiders, Charlotte Flair VS Shotzi
Paul Heyman made it clear that when the Bloodline are all aligned, they are unstoppable. He then said that Cody Rhodes will acknowledge Roman Reigns after he loses to the Tribal Chief at WrestleMania. Drew McIntyre and Sheamus were then arguing backstage about who won and this had to be broken up Butch and Ridge Holland (the Brawling Brutes). We then got an announcement that Rey Mysterio will be the first person inducted into the 2023 WWE Hall of Fame. Rey Mysterio then came out, but before he could say anything, Dominik Mysterio’s music hit. Dominik was furious that Rey Mysterio was being treated this way before Legado del Fantasma came down to even the odds. This led into a six-man tag team match between Legado and the Judgment Day. I like both of these teams and I thought it had some good moments. Legado del Fantasma are great heels, but the way they wrestle is perfectly suited to be cheered and some of the moves that Joaquin Wilde and Cruz del Toro pull out are amazing. In the end, though, carnage ensued outside of the ring (including Rhea Ripley powerbombing Zelina Vega) and this allowed Dominik to hit a baseball slide onto his Dad. Rey was angry at this and this cost Legado the victory as Dominik was able to steal one. After the match, Dom asked Rey to get into the ring so they could have a heart-to-heart. Dom made a comment about Eddie Guerrero before the segment ended with Rey Mysterio getting one over on his son.
Grade: B-
Charlotte Flair was waiting in Adam Pearce’s office and when Pearce came in, Flair told him that she wanted a match tonight. Pearce said he would make that happen. It was then time for another tag team match as Braun Strowman and Ricochet took on the Viking Raiders. This was alright, but I just can’t enjoy the tag team of Braun Strowman and Ricochet no matter what. In the end, the Viking Raiders picked up the win after Ivar hit his Splash onto Ricochet. I’m glad the Raiders won as it hasn’t happened for a while.
Grade: C
Imperium spoke to Adam Pearce in his office and Gunther made it clear that he only agreed to face one person, not two. Pearce agreed and said that Drew McIntyre will face Sheamus next week and the winner will face Gunther for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania. They’re both going to win that match somehow. Charlotte Flair then made her way down to the ring for singles action. Her opponent was Shotzi and even though I do like Shotzi, her matches are just too slow. Rhea Ripley came down to watch at ringside before an ad break, but this didn’t do much and Flair picked up the victory after Shotzi tapped in the Figure-8. After the match, both women cut a promo on why they’re going to win at WrestleMania. I thought Charlotte’s promo was good, but the match wasn’t.
Grade: C-
The Usos end the show
Jimmy and Jey Uso made their way down to the ring and Jey Uso revealed that the reason why he attacked Sami Zayn on Monday was because he had no other choice. He had to protect his brother from getting the wrath of it all. They then mentioned Cody Rhodes so the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble winner came out before Sami Zayn attacked Jey Uso from behind. The Usos then brawled with Zayn and Rhodes and the segment ended with the babyfaces standing tall in the ring. I thought Jey Uso’s promo was really good, both in what he said and how he performed it. However, the brawl to end the show looked a bit clumsy.
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