Miz TV, Becky Lynch VS Iyo Sky
The Miz started this week’s special edition of WrestleMania Raw as he welcomed Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus down to the ring as they were going to be his guests on Miz TV. He questioned why Becky Lynch thought now was the time to get back up before he questioned Lita and Trish on why they’ve decided to return now. Damage CTRL quickly came out after the second question and Bayley said once upon a time, this would be a dream match for all three members of the group. Becky Lynch then snapped back and said that you’ve brought up Dakota, a former 2-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion and you’ve also brought up Iyo Sky, one of the greatest NXT Women’s Champions of all time and all they’ve done is be your lackey. I don’t necessarily agree with the Dakota Kai part, but I definitely agree with the statement about Iyo. We then got a match between Becky Lynch and Iyo Sky and it was good. Both women are immensely talented and I particularly liked how Lynch allowed Iyo to hit all of her amazing high-flying offense. In the end, Becky Lynch was able to pick up the victory with the Manhandle Slam. Even though this would’ve been a huge win for Iyo, I’m hopeful that this means Damage CTRL will pick up the win on Saturday.
Grade: B-
Seth “Freakin” Rollins VS Mustafa Ali, The Weigh-in
We got a video package showcasing Asuka’s WWE career, from being NXT Women’s Champion to being undefeated for 914 days. The video package also had different superstars talking about Asuka and I thought this was great. Cathy Kelley then tried to interview Seth “Freakin” Rollins about what happened last week before Mustafa Ali interrupted him and said he needs to start thinking more positive-Ali. Seth Rollins then remembered about their little feud from last October and he said that he will gift Ali with what he wanted back then, a match with the Visionary tonight. This match happened next, but not before the WWE Universe serenaded Rollins with his song for about 3 minutes. The singing that took place was actually longer than the match as even though Ali did well to start with, he got stuck in the tree of woe position which led to Seth hitting a reverse Stomp which looked absolutely mental. Seth then hit a proper Stomp to get the win. It’s a shame that Ali was beaten this quickly as these two could’ve had a great match. However, I’d much rather see this from Ali than him not be on the show at all. After the match, Seth “Freakin” Rollins cut a promo saying that if he loses to Logan Paul at WrestleMania, he’ll be the joke, not Paul. I’m really looking forward to their match this weekend.
Grade: C
Baron Corbin asked Adam Pearce backstage about having a match with Rick Boogs before Chelsea Green came up to him and demanded that she participates in this weekend’s women’s WrestleMania showcase match. Pearce said to Green that she doesn’t have a partner before Sonya Deville walked in. Adam Pearce decided that he was going to allow the two to team up and they would have a match against Candice LeRae and Mia Yim tonight in the final women’s showcase qualifier. They left as Baron Corbin looked even sadder in the background. Even though I liked Chelsea and Sonya saying this was the first good thing Adam Pearce has ever done, my favourite part was definitely Pearce saying that Deville and Green should call themselves “the Complaint Department”. That might be the greatest idea for a tag team name ever! Omos then walked down to the ring with a brand-new theme song as he was ready to do the weigh-in before his big match with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. Omos weighed in at 410 pounds which I’m pretty sure is actually less than what the ring announcers have been saying recently before Brock Lesnar came out and charged straight at the Nigerian Giant. However, this didn’t work out too well for the Beast Incarnate as when he went to pick up the scales, Omos booted him right in the face sending Lesnar to the outside. I literally haven’t enjoyed anything from this feud meaning it will either end with a brilliant match or it’ll continue to BackLash. I hope it’s the first one!
Grade: C-
The Street Profits, Braun Strowman and Ricochet VS Alpha Academy and the Viking Raiders, Candice LeRae and “Michin” Mia Yim VS Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville
We got a video package highlighting all of Charlotte Flair’s accomplishments. Even though this wasn’t as good as Asuka’s, it was still pretty good. Rhea Ripley was then interviewed backstage by Byron Saxton and the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble winner says it’s Legacy VS Destiny at WrestleMania. Why wasn’t that said sooner, that would’ve been quite a useful marketing line? We then got a video of Finn Balor saying Edge would regret his decision before his face went half human, half Demon. It was then confirmed that it’s going to be Edge VS “Demon” Finn Balor at the Showcase of the Immortals. The Street Profits, Braun Strowman and Ricochet then teamed up to take on Alpha Academy and the Viking Raiders in an 8-man tag team match. In this match, there were 5 big men, two small high flyers and one “short” master technician. I thought it was alright, it was a decent appetiser for this weekend’s showcase match and the ending was really cool as Ricochet dived on Erik before Montez Ford delivered the Frog Splash to get the win. Does this mean the Street Profits aren’t winning in LA? Also, Maxxine Dupri was watching on a screen backstage.
Grade: C+
Cody Rhodes was then interviewed by Cathy Kelley and Rhodes brought up the question that why would Roman Reigns and Mr. Heyman send Solo Sikoa to face him before WrestleMania. Cody said the reason why they’ve done this is because Roman Reigns knows he can’t beat the American Nightmare at WrestleMania. We then got the story of Bianca Belair and again this was good as it showed Belair’s run from NXT to now. However, this doesn’t improve the feud at all. We then got a promo from earlier on in the day featuring Austin Theory. Theory stood in the middle of the ring in an empty arena and he talked about how he performs the same way no matter what. Whether it’s in front of nobody or 90,000 fans, he’s always on his A game. The United States Champion then said that the difference between the two men is whilst Cena is doing everything for the crowd, Austin Theory does everything for himself. I thought this was great. Theory’s delivery was great, the words he was saying were great and the empty arena just made this feud feel more unique which only makes it more important. Bravo to whoever came up with this idea. It was then time to find out which team would take the last spot in the women’s WrestleMania showcase match as Candice LeRae and “Michin” Mia Yim teamed up to take on “the Complaint Departments” Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville. This was another short match that saw Sonya Deville and Chelsea Green use their heel tactics to get ahead. As Chelsea pretended to be injured, Sonya struck Mia Yim with a right hand before Green picked up the victory with the “Unprettier”. I’m actually pretty happy that Chelsea and Sonya are going to be in the match at WrestleMania as they’ve both deserved it.
Grade: C
Damian Priest VS Rey Mysterio, Gunther VS Dolph Ziggler
Paul Heyman talked straight at the camera and told Cody Rhodes that Roman Reigns isn’t stupid and that’s why he’s sent Solo tonight. The Wiseman also said that Cody wasn’t ready to fill in the footsteps of his father and he isn’t ready to beat Roman Reigns. Dominik Mysterio then cut an in-ring promo where he trash-talked his Dad and said he’s coming to take the Mysterio name for himself this weekend. Rey Mysterio then made his way down to the ring as he was about to go one-on-one with Dominik’s stable mate Damian Priest. Damian Priest has been on fire recently and it is a shame that he’s the only member of the Judgment Day who’s not in a match on WrestleMania weekend. Either way, he was in control a bit this match, but Rey used his quickness to nail Priest with a 619. Mysterio then went to the top rope only to be attacked by his son causing the DQ. Dominik and Priest then beat up Rey in the middle of the ring before Legado del Fantasma’s music hit and they came down to make the save. If Santos takes out Priest on the outside at Mania, I’ll be pretty happy.
Grade: C+
Johnny Gargano was excited for his super busy LA weekend whilst the Good Brothers were happy to be in the match. They then left to find the weight room as Rick Boogs looked at the list and became super happy as he’s in the match. The same can also be said about Elias who said he’s a shoo-in to win the thing. Ezekiel’s older brother then turned around to find Dexter Lumis staring at him and when he turned back around, Bronson Reed was eerily smiling at him. Elias then turned around again and came face-to-face with Bronson Reed. I like things like this. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn then said that WrestleMania being in LA is really special for both men as it’s where they got their first big break. KO and Sami then claimed that their match with the Usos this weekend is the “biggest tag team match ever”. Bold claim. Gunther then made his way down to the ring for a match with Dolph Ziggler. This match didn’t go on for very long and that’s mainly because the Intercontinental Champion decimated the former 3-time World Champion (including NXT). Gunther then hit Ziggler with a ridiculous chop before he picked up the win with both a Powerbomb and the Last Symphony. The Ring General then grabbed a microphone and called out both Sheamus and Drew McIntyre saying this is the fate that awaits them at WrestleMania. Gunther needed a dominant win to showcase his brilliance and Dolph is a great seller so this was fine for what it was.
Grade: C+
Cody Rhodes VS Solo Sikoa
The Main Event of WrestleMania Raw saw the “undefeated” Cody Rhodes take on the “undefeated” Solo Sikoa. This match felt special before it even started due to Paul Heyman accompanying Solo to the ring and I thought that was a really nice touch. The match itself saw Cody Rhodes hit multiple Cody Cutter’s and it looked like he was going to get the victory when he hit the Cross Rhodes. However, Solo Sikoa showed his ring awareness by putting his foot on the ropes. The Usos’ music then hit and Jimmy and Jey’s distraction allowed Sikoa to hit the Spinning Solo for a really good near fall. Sami Zayn’s music then hit as KO and Sami brawled with Jimmy and Jey on the stage. Meanwhile, back in the ring, Cody delivered yet another Cody Cutter before he picked up a “shocking” victory with a second Cross Rhodes. Going into this show, I did not expect Solo Sikoa to lose, but that shows just how much WWE likes Cody right now.