Although this didn’t quite feel like a pre-Wrestlemania RAW, it’s wasn’t exactly horrible. Simply put, away from the ongoing Daniel Bryan/Triple H feud, there wasn’t much excitement to be had.
For that reason, the WWE has been forced to get extra adventurous this week. While the Occupy RAW movement was cool, The Undertaker/Brock Lesnar feud has zero steam, while the tease of Bray Wyatt and John Cena hasn’t been built up enough.
The news of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal is cool as well, but make no mistake, there’s a reason. A 30-man over-the-top Battle Royal will eat up a nice chunk of time and help fill a card that isn’t quite full yet. The fact that as of now, the winner of Royal gets nothing doesn’t add anything to the spectacle. If anything, it’s a cool event, but in the end, it’s a waste of time.
While the top of the Wrestlemania card looks good, the rest of the card is as barren as a fat camp trampoline.
Unlike Bray Wyatt, WWE Creative dos not have time on its side.
Matches:
John Cena w/Hulk Hogan vs. Erick Rowan w/Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper: Rowan showed some strength with a Fallaway Slam and a Running Powerslam on Cena early on. Just when it appeared Rowan had the advantage, Cena stole a while with a Rollup. After the match, Wyatt did not respond to Cena’s challenge for a match at Wrestlemania.
Ryback and Curtis Axel vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Jimmy and Jey Uso: The Uso’s made quick work of Rybaxel with their signature offense and finished off Axel with the top rope Splash.
Jack Swagger w/Antonio Cesaro and Zeb Colter vs. Big E. Langston: After Cesaro refused to interfere in the match, Langston won with a Rollup. After the match, Cesaro laughed, while Swagger stewed.
Goldust and Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and United States Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose: The Rhodes Brothers looked great, using signature offense and high-flying moves to gain an advantage. Reigns got his team back into the match with his trademark jumping Yakuza Kick on the outside onto the ring apron on Goldust. After Goldie managed to tag in Cody, the younger Rhodes brother went on a tear and hit the Muscle Buster on Rollins, but couldn’t get the pin. After Reigns speared Goldust out of the ring, Rollins countered the CrossRoads into a Turnbuckle Powerbomb, followed by his signature Jumping Stomp for the win.
Nikki and Brie Bella vs. Tamina Snuka and WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee: Highlight of the match was when Snuka nailed a beautiful Superkick on Brie. After a series of counters, Nikki countered Lee’s Spider Submission into her RackBuster for the win.
Memphis Street Fight: Christian vs. Sheamus: Christian lit up Sheamus with a Singapore Cane, but Sheamus wouldn’t give up. Soon enough, the Great White got to use the cane himself and followed it up with the White noise. Unable to get the pin, he continued the onslaught with his signature Chest Pounds and Running Powerslam. After an Irish Curse Backbreaker on the outside, Sheamus threw a slew of chair and a Bass Drum into the ring. Quick to fight back, Chroistian hit Sheamus with a few chairs and landed a nice Frog Splash- but he couldn’t get the pin either. With the Bass Drum in hand, Christian ran towards Sheamus, but got a Brogue Kick, to the head, through the drum, for his troubles.
Daniel Bryan and Big Show vs. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and Batista: An action packed 15-minute match that saw Bryan beat Orton with his running Double Knee, but it wasn’t an easy road. Bryan sold offense from both Batista and Orton, while even Show took a pounding. It was anything but a breathtaking main event, but it was one that shows Bryan can beat Orton with his finisher.
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