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The Official Wrestling Thread (now with more news and stuff)

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Arcademan:
WrestleMania XXXI results will be posted Sunday starting at 7:30 pm EDT here. Thank you.

Arcademan:
Pre-show results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's report),

A -- WWE tag champions OAKLAND RAIDERS (TYSON KIDD & CESARO w/Natalya) vs. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (THE USOS w/Naomi) vs. LOS MATADORES (DIEGO & FERNANDO w/El Torito) vs. NEW DAY (KOFI KINGSTON & BIG E. w/Xavier Woods) -- four-team match for the WWE Tag Titles

The Usos started things off and Jey Uso sold a shoulder injury. The trainer escorted Jey away from ringside, leaving Jimmy by himself. Kidd & Cesaro then combined for a Big Swing/dropkick on Kofi for a two count. Of note, interesting sightlines facing the hard camera. Instead of that long, panoramic stadium look, it was more like a rectangular box with "WRESTLEMANIA" text backdrop.

Jimmy Uso tagged in and cleaned house by himself. Uso set up four opponents in each corner. Butt splash Rikishi-style to one corner, then a second, a third, and all four corners. Chaos with all teams in the ring. Kingston scored a close nearfall on Cesaro, then they set up a Tower of Doom spot. Instead, Cesaro just suplexed Big E. clear over the top rope into the ring. The ref lost control of the match trying to figure out who was legal. Meanwhile, Kidd used Natalya to take out Los Matadores. Torito suddenly entered the ring and flew onto Xavier on the outside. Natalya then put Torito in the Sharpshooter, tapping out Torito on the floor. Suddenly, Naomi was in the ring and she flew over the top rope with Uso to splash people on the floor. It came down to Natalya and Naomi on the floor, leading to Natalya delivering Rear View to Natalya. Complete chaos.

Back in the ring, Big E. hit the Big Ending on un Matador, but other teams broke up the pin. The ref tried to figure out who was legal as Big E. and un Matador remained in the ring. Other teams re-entered the ring, then Cesaro delivered a big uppercut to un Matador. More chaos as the crowd sat quietly with too much happening. They set up another Tower of Doom spot, bringing fans to their feet as bodies crashed to the mat. Uso hit a top-rope splash on Big E., but Cesaro tagged in Usos's foot in mid-air. So, Cesaro discarded Uso and pinned Big E. for the win.

WINNERS: Cesaro & Kidd at 9:58 to retain the Tag Titles. Hard work aise, this was a giant clustermess. Goodness. WWE tried to get in the Natalya-Naomi feud, Natalya-Torito deal, Uso injury angle, and four teams battling for the Tag Titles with no sense of order in ten over-booked minutes. Just too much for a pre-show match. (**1/2)

B -- ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL

Curtis Axel parted the Red Sea to get his moment ripping his shirt going wild with Axel-Mania. So, the entire roster dumped Axel over the top rope for the first elimination. NXT star Hideo Itami was in there battling Cesaro, who was not advertised after being in the Tag Title match, while Show worked on Titus O'Neil in the corner. Adam Rose and Fandango then spilled to the outside as JBL hyped Show never winning a battle royal. Show targeted Itami, then Miz and Damien Sandow teamed up to fight Alex Riley, who was also not advertised. They eliminated Riley, and Miz took the credit.

Zack Ryder was then eliminated by a returning Bo Dallas, now with a goatee. Bo was so excited that he ran out of the ring, then ran back in, and was eliminated by Itami. "Itami" chant from the crowd. Itami kicked Kidd around, then found himself face-to-nipple with Show. Itami went after Show with kicks, but Show punched Itami off the ring apron to the floor to boos from the crowd.

Los Matadores were eliminated, then Cesaro slammed Sin Cara onto Los Matadores. Henry then press-slammed Kidd over the top rope onto the eliminated trio. The Ascension then dumped Henry over the top rope, ending Lawler's pick. "Let's Go Mizdow" chants as the ring continued to clear out via Ryback eliminating The Ascension. Ryback then chucked Darren Young over the top rope. Heath Slater air-guitared in Ryback's face, so Ryback tossed him next. Ryback then tossed Titus O'Neil.

New Day ganged up on Big Show, but Show kind of skinned the cat going over the top rope. So, Kofi and Xavier double-dropkicked Show. No elimination with Show holding onto the top rope, then Show grabbed Big E. and eliminated him. He followed with eliminations on Xavier and Kofi Kingston. Quite the babyface move valiantly surviving three guys trying to eliminate him. Show then tossed Erick Rowan after catching his breath.

Ryback tossed Goldust as the match came down to seven or eight wrestlers. Ryback wanted to Shell-Shock Big Show, but Kane smashed him in the face before choke-slamming Miz and Sandow. Kane tried to eliminate 2014 winner Cesaro, but he hung on. And he eliminated Kane with power offense. Show then chucked Uso over the top rope.

The Final Five was Show, Cesaro, Miz, Sandow, and Ryback. Cesaro offered a big Feat of Strength on Show, but he couldn't hold him and Show tossed Cesaro over the top rope to the floor. So, it's Show, Ryback, Miz, and Sandow in the Final Four. Ryback wanted the Meathook Clothesline on show, but Show intercepted and chucked him over the top rope to the floor.

Show turned around to stand opposite Miz and Sandow as the crowd came to life cheering for Sandow. Miz pointed to himself, saying he's got this. Miz talked strategy, then walked toward Show, figured out it was Big Show, and stopped. Cole freaked out about something on commentary while all three guys stood in the ring setting up the finish. Miz talked strategy with Sandow again, but Sandow shook his head "no" on Miz's instructions. Miz berated Sandow, who remained standing still. Miz pushed Sandow one too many times, so Sandow grabbed Miz and chucked him over the top rope to a big pop.

Ringside, Miz freaked out while Sandow yelled that he's not taking this anymore. But, Sandow turned his back on Big Show. JBL predicted Big Show about to win, but Show did not take advantage of Sandow being distracted by eliminating Miz, just sitting in the corner. Show and Sandow eventually came face-to-face as the last two standing. Show tossed Sandow, but Sandow skinned the cat back into the ring. Sandow punched Show over and over, but could not get him over the top rope. Show then shoulder-blocked Sandow to the mat to boos.

Show smiled, stalked Sandow, and got low-bridged over the top rope. Show held on, though. Sandow tried to bite Show's fingers, but Show blocked and absorbed right hands from Sandow. Sandow ran at Show, but Show grabbed him by the throat. Sandow then found himself on the ring apron trying to drag Show over the top rope to the floor. But, Show lifted Sandow in the air and tossed him down to the mat, getting the win.

Post-match, Show left the ring to pick up the giant Andre the Giant trophy. Show then patted the Andre figurine on the head and posed like Andre.

WINNER: Show at 18:05. That was a good battle royal. They cleared people out early on, spotlighted key wrestlers, got in Sandow's big moment ending his alliance with Miz, and gave Show his gold watch winning the battle royal. The booking almost babyfaced Show (although the crowd sure did not want him to win) with Show trying to get his first battle royal win, overcoming stacked odds during the match, and showing endurance getting the win. (***1/2)

Arcademan:
Results courtesy of PWTorch.com (direct link to Caldwell's real-time report)

1 -- IC champion BAD NEWS BARRETT vs. DANIEL BRYAN vs. LUKE HARPER vs. R-TRUTH vs. DOLPH ZIGGLER vs. DEAN AMBROSE vs. STARDUST -- seven-man Intercontinental Title ladder match

Chaos early on with wrestlers flying out of the ring. Dean eventually climbed a ladder and splashed everyone except for R-Truth, who entered the ring and tried to conquer his fear of heights, but Barrett cut him off before he could climb. Bryan then entered the ring and landed corner dropkicks on Stardust and Barrett, but Harper smashed him with a ladder. Bryan shook it off moments later and smashed Harper as he hung upside down on a ladder. Stardust then took control, drawing "Cody" chants taunting him. Suddenly, Stardust left the ring and grabbed his own ladder, which was covered in glitter. Barrett proceeded to smash and break the ladder.

Back in the ring, Ambrose and Harper had a ladder war that turned into a fist fight. They were cleared from the ring, then Stardust tried to climb a giant ladder, but Barrett cut him and delivered a superplex from the top of the ladder. Barrett sold great tipping over onto his stomach after executing the move. Suddenly, Bryan, Ziggler, and Ambrose battled on top of the ladder. Ambrose tipped them over, then clotheslined Harper. But, Harper grabbed Ambrose and chucked him over the top rope with a powerbomb through a collapsable ladder down at ringside. The ringside doctor checked on Ambrose as Ziggler returned to the ring. Ziggler climbed on Harper's back as Harper climbed the ladder, then Harper bodyslammed both of them down to the mat below. Reset with bodies everywhere.

Ziggler was the first man up and got his hands on the IC Title belt, but Barrett cut him off. Bullhammers around the horn, but Bryan prevented Barrett from grabbing the ladder. Bryan got his hands on the belt, but Barrett and Ziggler desperately pulled him down. Barrett, frustrated, tossed the ladder out of the way, then turned around and took a running knee from Bryan.

Bryan reset the ladder and started climbing, but Ziggler ran back into the ring to battle Bryan. Big right hand strikes back and forth. Headbutt to Ziggler. Another one. Double headbutt battle, then Bryan got the final headbutt, knocking Ziggler down to the mat. Bryan was left alone on the ladder and he unhooked it for the win. Big crowd reaction and celebration. Cole said they begin Mania the way they ended last year.

WINNER: Bryan at 13:47 to become new IC champion. Good ladder match. WWE protected Bryan not involved in dangerous spots and they kept the focus on a few stories and feuds to build to the finish book-ending the last two WrestleManias. Simple, effective booking and relatively safe match that did not make viewers cringe throughout. Now perhaps WWE can re-focus on the Smackdown brand with Bryan and the IC Title as center of the show. (***1/2)

Arcademan:
2 -- RANDY ORTON vs. SETH ROLLINS (w/Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury)

 After a brief feeling-out process, Orton landed a dropkick, then teased the RKO, but Seth slid out of the ring to avoid. Back in the ring, Seth blocked corner punches and went for a Bucklebomb, but Orton rebounded off the turnbuckles and clotheslined Seth hard to the mat. J&J felt uncomfortable with how the match was going, so they got involved. Orton wasn't going to let them stay involved, though, so he delivered a trademark Double DDT from the ring apron ... onto the floor. "Those are human beings!" JBL shouted on commentary. Seth used the distraction to take control, though, back in the ring.

 Seth got cocky in control of the match, allowing Orton to come back with a corner clothesline into a trademark snap powerslam. Orton then lit up Seth with corner uppercuts, nearly getting himself DQ'ed by the referee. No matter, as Orton gripped Seth for a t-bone suplex, which sent Seth sliding to the ring apron. Orton wanted a second-rope DDT, but Seth blocked and kicked Orton in the head down to the floor where J&J were recovering. Seth measured Orton, then delivered an Asai Moonsault, rocking Orton.

 Back in the ring at 8:00, Seth wanted a top-rope move, but Orton crotched him just in time. Orton then wanted Papa Orton's superplex, but Seth blocked, only to take a back body drop. Orton followed with a cross-body splash from the top rope, bringing out something new from the toolbox. Orton covered for a two count, then wanted the RKO, firing up the crowd. Orton set up for the RKO in Seth's face, but Seth blocked with a roll-up for a two count into a kick to the face. Seth then flipped over Orton, but landed right in an RKO. Seth kicked out just before three, though, surprising the crowd.

 Orton set up for The Punt to try to finish Seth, but J&J hit the ring, took RKOs from Orton, and Seth surprised Orton with a Curb Stomp. But, Orton kicked out of the pin. Lawler said they're kicking out of finishers because it's WrestleMania. After a replay of the sequence, Seth approached Orton for his next move. Seth wanted a big corkscrew splash from the top rope, but Orton rolled out of the way and tried an RKO, but Seth blocked. Seth then ran toward Orton for a Curb Stomp, but he ended up running into the air, where Orton intercepted him with a mid-air RKO, popping and wowing the crowd. Orton emphatically covered Seth for the win. Amazing visual on a slow-motion replay.

 WINNER: Orton at 13:15. Very good singles match. The finish makes a lot of sense if Seth is cashing in MITB tonight or tomorrow on Raw. Hypothetically, Orton gets the win here, Seth gets the title, and Orton has a claim to a title shot, setting up the next stage of the feud post-Mania. (***1/2)

Arcademan:
3 -- STING vs. TRIPLE H -- The Monday Night War

 After all the elaborate introductions, it was time for the bell and a big staredown. Hunter paused to look around the stadium while Sting kept his eyes locked on Hunter. Lock-up and it's on. Sting ran over Hunter with a shoulder tackle, then he pounded his chest and howled at Hunter. Howls for the crowd. Hunter delivered a shoulder tackle, but Sting came back with a hip toss and big dropkick, stunning Hunter. Loud "You Still Got It" chant from the crowd.

 Reset and another mid-ring lock-up. Sting drove Hunter to the corner, but Hunter landed a blow to the face. Hunter followed with more offense, then landed a kneelift, but Sting no-sold. Howl. Pound the chest. Hunter was stunned. Sting dropped Hunter and teased the Scorpion Deathlock, but Hunter slithered out of the ring to get a breather. Hunter continued to sell being surprised by Sting matching and bettering him early on.

 Hunter returned to the ring at 4:40 as Sting continued to lock eyes. Another lock-up. Hunter drove Sting to the corner, but Sting reversed a whip and sent Hunter flying over the top rope to the floor. Cole said it might be too early to say this, but Sting has been pretty dominant. Sting followed to the outside, but made a mistake going for the Stinger Splash, as Hunter moved and Sting crashed into the guardrail. Hunter then chucked Sting into the ring steps.

 Back in the ring, Hunter worked over Sting as the crowd continued to buzz about the match thus far. Hunter stood up and smiled as JBL continued the narrative of WCW being below WWE. Hunter then whipped Sting into the corner turnbuckle and Sting fell down at Hunter's feet. Hunter crotch-chopped the crowd, then dropped a knee for a two count. Hunter followed with a reverse chinlock as the camera focused on a giant welt running down the back of Hunter's left leg. Sting powered out of the hold, then managed to get Hunter in the Scorpion Deathlock.

 Suddenly, DX's music played. Out came Billy Gunn, Road Dogg, and Sean Waltman. Sting cleared them from the ring, but Triple H got up and teased the Pedigree, only to have Sting back body drop him over the top rope to the floor. Sting recovered, climbed to the top turnbuckle, and big-splashed all four men down on the floor. Sting stood to his feet as the crowd saluted him.

 Sting rolled Hunter back into the ring, but Gunn went after him. Sting then turned around and took a Pedigree from Hunter. Hunter covered, but Sting kicked out of the Pedigree, wowing the crowd. "Let's Go Sting" chant as Hunter slid out of the ring and retrieved a sledgehammer. Suddenly, the NWO theme music played. Out came Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall in NWO t-shirts. Are they all going to take out Sting? DX flipped out ringside as Hogan, Hall, and Nash slowly made their way down to ringside. JBL played Dusty Rhodes wondering what side the NWO is on.

 Suddenly, NWO and DX came to blows on the entrance ramp. Hogan and Nash stood tall, then Sting grabbed Hunter from behind and delivered a Scorpion Death Drop. Sting covered, but Hunter kicked out. Another big crowd reaction. Sting then put Hunter in the Scorpion Deathlock as the NWO watched ringside. Hunter tried to crawl toward the sledgehammer, but Hogan pulled it away. JBL yelled about Hogan making his name here. Suddenly, Waltman posted Hogan, so Nash took out Waltman. A big brawl broke out ringside. Meanwhile, Sting still had Hunter in the Scorpion. The focus went back to the move as Sting sat down on Hunter's back. But, Hunter powered to his stomach and reached the bottom rope for a break.

 Sting went for the Scorpion Deathlock again, but Shawn Michaels was suddenly in the ring sporting a DX t-shirt. Michaels superkicked Sting for the real WCW vs. WWE dream match that never happened, then stood over Sting as the crowd booed. HBK crotch-chopped the crowd, then Hunter draped an arm over Sting, who rolled a shoulder to escape the pin. The crowd roared again. Michaels could not believe it was not the finish.

 Another situation broke out ringside with Hunter receiving the sledgehammer from DX. Hunter stalked Sting, but Hall pulled out the baseball bat and handed it to Sting, who sold being stunned by the NWO helping him. Sting and Hunter circled each other with weapons in-hand, then Sting jabbed Hunter in the gut with his bat. That giant bruise on Hunter's leg is turning colors. Sting suddenly broke Hunter's sledgehammer in half, sending Hunter begging off. Sting delivered right hands and kicks in the corner. Big strikes, big slows. Big moment. Sting pounded his chest, then went for the Stinger Splash and connected. Hunter slumped down to the mat, then Sting stalked him for another one. But, Hunter bashed him with the head of the sledgehammer. Hunter covered, and it was good for the pin and the win.

 WINNER: Hunter at 18:36.

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