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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)
Arcademan:
4 -- JOHN CENA vs. BRAY WYATT (w/Luke Harper and Erick Rowan)
The bell sounded and Bray knelt down before Cena to give Cena a chance to finish him right now. "Get up!" Cena said instead. Bray got tired of waiting, so he charged Cena, but Cena ran him into the ringpost. Bray then took control and taunted Cena while being on the offensive for a sustained period.
Suddenly, Cena got a look in his eyes and charged out of the corner with a big clothesline to Bray. Cena held himself on the top turnbuckle and got a monster look in his eyes. He jumped Bray with an attack, prompting Bray to laugh at this playful aggression from Cena. Cena almost got himself DQ'ed, then Harper and Rowan hit the ring apron. Bray told them to back down as Bray smiled in the corner and the crowd chanted, "Cena Sucks."
Cena delivered a running boot to Bray's face, then continued to hold his angry facial expression and body language. Cena pounded on Bray as ref John Cone asked Cena what's wrong with him. Suddenly, Cena knelt down and tried to collect himself, processing what he was turning into. Bray smiled and lifted up Cena, who responded with a dropkick. Cena then audibly called for a sleeper spot, shot Bray off to the ropes, and Bray responded with a sleeper.
Cena broke free at 9:00 and dropped Bray with shoulder tackles, then he stood up and smiled, turning back into regular John Cena. Cena smiled at the boos that followed and went for the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Bray responded with his crab pose that freaked out Cena. Great "counter" from Bray. Bray then suplexed Cena after Rowan provided a distraction. Suddenly, the floor section broke into choreographed swaying to the Wyatts's theme music.
At 10:45, Cena sprung on Bray with a swinging DDT for a two count. Cena then climbed to the top rope and went for a guillotine leg drop, but Bray stood up and caught Cena for a sit-down powerbomb resulting in a two count. Bray went back to taunting Cena, who suddenly responded with a sit-out slam into the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena wanted the AA, but Bray slipped out and nailed an odd-looking gutbuster across his knee for a two count. "Ugly, but effective," JBL said.
At 13:00, Cena and Bray moved to the ring apron, where Bray delivered half of a DDT onto the edge of the ring. Suddenly, the crowd broke into singing, "He's got the whole world in his hands," because it was written on the back of Bray's jacket, which he discarded on the way back into the ring. In the ring, Cena blocked a top-rope move, then he twisted his body to splash the henchmen on the floor. But, that move allowed Bray to attack from behind as Cena recovered from the attack.
On the outside, Bray placed Cena on the ring steps and tried to smash him with the other half of the ring steps, but Cena popped up and blocked. Cena went back to being the monster and lifted
the ring steps in the air. He wanted to end Bray with the steps, but couldn't do it, so he tossed the steps aside. Back in the ring, Bray ran over Cena with a big body smash, then he held Cena in his hands and sang, "He's got the whole world in his hands." Bray then got up and tried a running senton, but Cena moved. Cena then dropped Bray with an AA, but Bray kicked out just before three.
Reset at 18:00. Bray threw Cena down on the floor in front of Arnold Skaaland's widow on the front row. Suddenly, Cena sprung onto Harper with a big spear through the gimmicked guardrail in front of the timekeeper's area. Bray freaked out in the ring, then beat up Cena ringside before checking on Harper. Back in the ring, Harper hung upside down in the corner to pop the crowd, then he stalked Cena for Sister Abigail, but Cena countered into the STF. Bray reached the bottom rope for a break, though.
At 20:00, Bray caught Cena out of nowhere with Sister Abigail, but Cena kicked out just in time. The match then moved to the floor, where Bray started re-arranging the ringside area. Bray brought a chair into the ring, then he tossed the chair to Cena and challenged him to use it. Bray told Cena to be the monster and finish him. Cena pulled himself up, got a crazy look in his eyes, and smashed Rowan off the ring apron with the chair. Bray tried to catch Cena with Sister Abigail, but Cena flipped into an AA. Cena pinned Bray for the pin and the win.
Post-match: Cole said Cena stayed true to himself and the Cenation tonight. Cena then left the ring to hug a boy on the second row sporting Cena gear. As the Wyatts helped Bray away from the ringside area, Cena posed in the ring as Cole continued to hype Cena staying true to himself.
WINNER: Cena at 22:25. That epitomized a roller-coaster match. Good at times, not so good at other times, mainly when Cena was asked to act and step out of his comfort zone. But, Bray had a big-match performance in defeat and it sets up for the next chapter with the Wyatts becoming more ruthless and angry after Cena beat Bray. (**3/4)
Arcademan:
5 -- THE UNDERTAKER vs. BROCK LESNAR (w/Paul Heyman) -- Undertaker's Undefeated Streak at WrestleMania on the line
Taker and Lesnar felt each other out early on. A big early spot was Lesnar clotheslining Taker over the top rope and Taker landing on his feet, stunning Lesnar. Taker and Lesnar went to early chokeslam and F5 teases, but easily avoided the finishers. Meanwhile, the crowd was a bit subdued, a combination of patiently watching the match play out and worn out from a roller-coaster WrestleMania thus far.
Lesnar built sustained offense targeting the knee, then they moved to the floor, where Lesnar sent Taker into the guardrail. Back in the ring, Lesnar put the knees to Taker, putting him on the mat. Heyman cackled to himself as Cole dejectedly said Taker looks almost mortal here. He said it's almost a mis-match thus far. Lesnar lit up Taker with rights and lefts to the mid-section, then to the face. Suddenly, Taker responded with a DDT off the ropes to buy some time.
Reset at 12:00. Taker with Snake Eyes into a big boot, then he dropped a leg for a two count. Taker followed with a big chokeslam, then he covered Lesnar for another nearfall. Taker tried to follow with a Tombstone, but Lesnar countered into an F5. Taker kicked out and the crowd didn't buy the nearfall this early in the sequence. The crowd then came to life with an "Undertaker" chant as Heyman told Lesnar to finish Taker.
At 15:00, Taker suddenly reached up and put Lesnar in the Hell's Gate submission. Lesnar fought, then offered a feat of strength suddenly lifting Taker into the air for a powerbomb to break free. Lesnar was again slow to follow up, allowing Taker to apply his submission again. Lesnar teased tapping, but again powered to his feet for a powerbomb to break the hold.
At 18:00, the two men were slow to reach other, then Lesnar sprung on Taker with the kimura lock. Lesnar held onto the hold, but didn't wrench it like he did to Triple H to "break his arm." Taker then reversed into a kimura lock of his own. Lesnar cried out in pain, then reached the ropes for a break. Lesnar was the aggressor coming out of the ropes, delivering punishment to Taker's mid-section.
Taker came back with an Old-School walk-the-ropes teaser, but Lesnar pulled Taker off the rope into an F5. Lesnar covered Taker, but Taker kicked out again. Heyman freaked out ringside, then told Lesnar that this is his legacy. "He's taking this away from you!" he shouted to Lesnar. Lesnar followed up on Taker with right hands, but suddenly found himself in Last Ride position. Taker couldn't get Lesnar all the way up in the air, so he simply dropped him to the mat to complete the powerbomb.
Taker followed up with the Tombstone Piledriver. Taker folded Lesnar's arms, but Lesnar kicked out at two. Taker sat up, stared down at Heyman, and pulled himself to his feet for a throat-slash. Taker wanted a second Tombstone, but Lesnar reversed into a Tombstone of his own. Lesnar then transitioned into a third F5. Lesnar covered and, yes, a three count was rendered as Taker kicked out.
The crowd sat stunned and shocked as the unthinkable 21-1 record flashed on the screen. Lesnar sat stunned, too, and Heyman freaked out as it sunk in, too. WWE showed people with their mouths wide open in disbelief since no one thought Taker's Streak would ever end, especially not after the weak build-up of Lesnar for this match. No music played as WWE let the sound of a stunned crowd be the soundtrack.
Lesnar gathered himself in the corner, smiled, then left the ring to his music playing. Lesnar and Heyman hit the stage to heel boos, then left to the back. Back in the ring, Taker gathered himself and sold gathering his thoughts. "21-1" remained on the videoboard over Taker's shoulder as JBL said he thought he would never see this happen. Taker tried to collect himself one more time as the announcers were shown standing up and applauding from ringside. Lawler said it's like the wind has been taken out of his sails. Taker seemed to tear up as he finally reached his feet. Taker stood in the ring and looked down at the ground, then looked around the Superdome. Taker then left the ring to the ring steps as Lawler said he's about to take a walk that he never thought he would have to talk.
WWE cut to a wide shot of Taker walking up the entrance ramp. Cole said it's a sad day in WWE, but they will celebrate what Taker has done at WrestleMania. Taker's music played and Cole gave a big speech about Taker's contributions to WWE and going down swinging at WrestleMania. "Congratulations to Brock Lesnar, but ultimate respect to The Undertaker," Cole said. Lawler said he thinks it was the end of an era. Taker stopped on the entrance stage, kept walking, and disappeared into the fog.
WINNER: Lesnar at 25:12 to end The Streak. The story of this match was Taker looked old and worn down, which seemed to set up for Taker to make the annual comeback to prove he's still immortal, but Lesnar suddenly won. Not what I expected to analyze tonight. I suppose it sets up Lesnar back on-track to get in the WWE Title picture (sticking around with a feud vs. Daniel Bryan after this?), but how does it affect a possible Taker vs. Cena WM match? Or, was this it for Taker? Lots to process here. (**1/2)
Arcademan:
6 -- VICKIE GUERRERO INVITATIONAL -- 14-Divas match for the Divas Title
All of the challengers were in the ring after the announcers reset following The Undertaker's Streak ending. A.J. Lee then got a ring entrance to defend the Divas Title. The announcers tried to engage in the match, but sold as if they couldn't concentrate because their thoughts were on Taker's Streak ending. The crowd had a similar response. There were a handful of multiple-Divas spots during the match, which worked to take out competitors and allow A.J. to put Naomi in a submission for the victory to retain her title.
WINNER: A.J. via submission at 6:48 to retain the Divas Title.
The Championship Match between Orton, Batista and Bryan is the last match of the night.
Arcademan:
7 -- WWE World Hvt. champion RANDY ORTON vs. 2014 Royal Rumble winner BATISTA vs. DANIEL BRYAN -- three-way WWE World Hvt. Title match
Once the bell sounded, Bryan ran across the ring to dropkick Orton. Batista watched, then tried a powerbomb, but Bryan countered with a huracanrana that sent Batista stumbling across the ring and through the ropes to the floor. But, the heels went after Bryan's injured shoulder moments later to momentarily neutralize him. Jerry Lawler went for the early dejection that he has the same feeling about Bryan's chances as Undertaker earlier tonight.
Orton and Batista battled ringside without a count applied, reminding everyone that there's no count-out or DQ in a WWE three-way match. The match moved into the ring for Bryan and Batista to battle while Orton hung out ringside. Orton then re-entered the ring and Bryan ran across the ring with flying dropkicks to both Orton and Batista back and forth. Bryan caught Orton in the Yes! Lock moments later when Stephanie McMahon and Triple H suddenly showed up ringside. Hunter, appearing to be sporting a neckbrace, yanked the ref out of the ring to prevent a decision from being rendered. Check that, it was a towel wrapped around Hunter's neck like a neckbrace.
After the distraction, Batista dropped Bryan, then gave him a Batistabomb. Crooked ref Scott Armstrong then showed up and counted one, two, kick-out. This woke up the crowd, which had to be taken way down to get back up. Bryan then side-stepped a charging Batista and kicked ref Armstrong in the face. Cole said it's No DQ. Ringside, Hunter and Steph helped up Armstrong, then Bryan came flying through the ropes to take out Hunter, Steph, and Scott.
Reset at 11:00. Hunter went under the ring and retrieved a sledgehammer. But, Bryan kicked it away from Hunter. Bryan then picked up the Sledgehammer and jabbed Hunter with it. Bryan then rolled up Batista, the original ref entered to count, but Orton broke up the pin.
Ringside, Orton and Bryan battled as the crowd tried to rally behind Bryan. Batista then helped Orton take out Bryan. Meanwhile, refs helped Hunter and Steph away from ringside to boos. Back to ringside, Orton smashed Bryan with the ring steps. Batista and Orton shared a moment, then looked down at Bryan and decided to end him. Batista and Orton cleared the multiple announce tables ringside, then Batista smashed Bryan with a TV monitor.
At 14:00, Batista put Bryan on a table as the crowd chanted for C.M. Punk. Batista then positioned Bryan for a Batistabomb and Orton readied for an RKO, which led to a combo RKOBomb through the Spanish announce table. That hurt Orton as much as it hurt Bryan, while Batista stood tall on the English table. The ringside medic came down to ringside to check on both Bryan and Orton, who had a gash on his lower back. Batista made no effort to make a pin here as more medics spilled out to check on Bryan. Batista then picked up Orton and clotheslined him as medics continued to check on Bryan.
The crowd sat hushed, contemplating whether this was the end of Bryan's title shot. As Orton and Batista returned to the ring, the crowd picked up a "Daniel Bryan" chant. The crowd watched Bryan be wheeled away from ringside while Orton dropped Batista with a DDT off the ring apron to the floor. Suddenly, Bryan ripped off the neckbrace and fell off the stretcher. "Yes!" chants from the crowd. Bryan vowed to keep fighting, but Orton grabbed Bryan and sent him into the ring steps.
Back in the ring, Orton thought things over as the crowd chanted for Bryan. Orton taunted the crowd, then called for the RKO. Cole dejectedly said this is it, but Bryan blocked the RKO and wrestled Orton to the ground for the Yes! Lock. Orton fought the hold, then Batista came out of nowhere to break up the submission. So, Bryan put Batista in the Yes! Lock. This time, Orton broke it up. Orton threw Bryan across the ring, then went after Batista. But, Batista blocked an RKO. Batista tried to spear Batista, but Orton moved and Bryan took the spear. Orton then snapped on Batista with an RKO, but Batista kicked out just before three.
At 22:00, Orton stalked Batista for his next move. It was a Punt. Orton measured Batista, but Bryan came out of nowhere with a flying knee. Batista chucked Bryan out of the ring, then he covered Orton, but Orton kicked out just before three. Batista, frustrated, went for a Batistabomb, and he connected. But, Bryan came out of nowhere with a flying knee to Batista. He then put Batista in the Yes! Lock. Batista fought the hold, but had to tap out. Bryan is the new WWE World Hvt. champion and the crowd went nuts.
Post-match: The crowd exploded in excitement as Bryan's win redeemed WrestleMania following The Streak ending. Bryan took both top title belts and celebrated on the announce table as Cole called this an incredible performance defeating Hunter, Batista, and Orton on the same night. Confetti fell and fireworks shot off, then family members joined Bryan in the ring. Make that a lot of confetti. Bryan soaked in the moment and stood tall in the corner with both title belts as the crowd continued to celebrate. Bryan eventually knelt down in the ring with both title belts laid out before him. "Only at WrestleMania," Lawler declared. Bryan then got up with possession of both title belts and continued the "Yes!" celebration as WM30 signed off at 9:56 p.m.
WINNER: Bryan at 23:20 to capture the WWE World Hvt. Title. That was a very good WWE Main Event style main event with tons of ups and downs taking the crowd through the entire six-month journey in one match before paying off Bryan's journey with the ultimate victory. Bryan vs. Brock Lesnar as a potential feud coming out of this could be huge. Before that, though, Orton is in-line for a title shot since (a) he didn't lose the match and (b) he would have his title re-match clause. (***1/2)
Arcademan:
Ultimate Warrior: One-Third Of WrestleMania VI Competitors Now Dead
The death of the Ultimate Warrior was just the latest grim reminder that professional wrestlers continue to drop dead from something other than old age at an alarming rate.
The pinnacle of the Warrior's career was WrestleMania VI on April 1, 1990, at SkyDome in Toronto. Warrior defeated Hulk Hogan in the main event to win the championship. Warrior is the 12th wrestler who competed at WrestleMania VI to have died -- one-third of the card's working roster. The oldest was just 63.
As a point of reference, of the 44 starting players from that year's Super Bowl between the 49ers and Broncos, only one has died: Denver defensive end Ron Holmes, who was 48 when he passed away in 2011 from diabetes and coronary issues.
Reasons for wrestlers' dying early -- grueling travel schedules, painkiller abuse, steroid use -- have been well-documented. The passing of the Warrior at age 54 from what is suspected to be a heart attack just days after his induction to WWE's Hall of Fame only underscores the issue.
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