CM Punk and the Undertaker certainly have the most momentum leading into Mania, but they may very well be the only thing that many fans shell out $60-$70 for. Punk wants to dismantle the legend and his promos have been filled with nothing but unmitigated hate for the “streak.” Sound a lot like Internet fans, eh?
Punk says he’s the one, in “Twenty and One.”
Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler w/ Big E. Langston and AJ Lee: These two can undoubtably put on a great much-luckily, the commercial break made sure no one had to suffer through it. Ziggler took advantage of Langston’s interference, but Jericho ultimately turned the match around, submitting Ziggler with the Walls of Jericho. After the match, Langston attacked Jericho with his (ridiculous) finisher, and Fandango came back to work over the prone Jericho. Fandango finished it of with a rather impressive top-rope leg drop.
Mark Henry vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso: Anyone familiar with the recent happenings of these competitors should be relieved. Henry showed no signs of the apparent injury he suffered at a recent house show. The Usos gave a strong performance, getting a number of double team moves in in Henry. It was reported that Jimmy Uso was arrested again a few weeks ago, but this match did not show any signs of being the team’s last. Henry still got the win with The World’s Strongest Slam
United States Champion Antonio Cesaro vs. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio w/Ricardo Rodriguez: In the spirit of “real” pro wrestling, these two may be two of the WWE’s most inherently gifted talents. Two new school talents with old school roots led to numerous counters and reversals, until Jack Swagger interfered with Rodriguez, leading to Del Rio being counted out. A great way for neither man to look bad.
WWE Tag Team Champions Daniel Bryan and Kane vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neill: Hell No has done virtually nothing for months, while PTP has done even less. With one team rising through the (non-existent) ranks and the other gearing up for Wrestlemania, what was this match about? Bryan losing in 18 seconds, Bryan and Kane’s previous relationship with AJ, and anything else not related to PTP. Why was here? Because the tag belts really should be seen right? Hell No won this one without breaking a sweat.
Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett vs. The Miz: Useless promo is followed by a useless match, as these two only last week fought for Barrett’s Intercontinental belt. Thankfully, Philadelphia did not sit quietly, reminding both men that “[they] suck!” Miz made Barrett tap to the Figure Four,
The Shield vs. The Great Khali, Justin Gabriel and Zack Ryder: You want to talk about an “injustice?” The Shield won in quick fashion, triple-power bombing Khali after the match, but get chased by Orton, Sheamus and Big Show.
Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow vs. Brodus and Tensai: Rhodes and Sandow spent a few moments getting tossed around, until the Bellas and the Funkodactyls mixed it up on the outside, distracting Tensai and allowing Rhodes Scholars to double team Brodus for the win.
Ryback vs. Heath Slater, Drew MacIntyre and Jinder Mahal: Smash match as Ryback won via Shellshock.
WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn vs. AJ Lee: When was the last time there was a Divas match on Raw? Does anyone remember that Kaitlyn is the champion? Will someone finally have a seizure to Kaitlyn’s theme? No to the last one, she’s got a new theme. AJ gets a good heel victory, sending Kaitlyn into the barricade for the count out.
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