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Arcademan:
(9) ALEXA BLISS vs. NAOMI vs. MICKEI JAMES vs. BECKY LYNCH vs. NATALYA vs. CARMELLA (w/James Ellsworth) WWE Smackdown Women's Title match

 Alexa came out first. Naomi made a grand entrance with the whole arena staging going neon. After some early chaos, it came down to Bliss vs. Carmella. Alexa yelled a lot. Natalya re-entered and charged at her. Bliss gave Natalya a DDT and made the cover. Carmella broke it up. When Ellsworth got involved, Becky suplexed him out of the ring. Natalya went at Lynch. Naomi kicked Becky in the chest and setoff ora sunset flip, which turned into a powerbomb and a two count. Natalya went for a sharpshooter on Naomi, but Carmella interfered. Natalya went for a double sharpshooter on both Naomi and Carmella. Mickie scored a near fall on Becky a minute later, Carmella broke it up. Naomi then hit the Rear View on Bliss, then landed a dive onto a crowd at ringside. Naomi threw Bliss into the ring, then springboarded at her. Bliss just nailed her with a strike to the face out of mid-air. Naomi applied a submission hold mid-ring and Bliss tapped out.

 WINNER: Naomi to capture the WWE Smackdown Women's Championship.

 -Jim Ross walked to the ring to his music to announce this match as a special guest announcer. He hugged Cole and shook JBL's hand. JBL said, It's so good to see you. Cole said it's an absolute treat. He said it's been a rough couple of weeks for him, but he wants him to do what he does best. Let's raise some hell and have some fun, said Ross.

Arcademan:
10) UNDERTAKER vs. ROMAN REIGNS

Ross noted that it was a No Holds Barred match and would not be for the faint of heart. Taker jumped out to the quick start and tossed Reigns to ringside. You're in my yard, Taker said while looking down at Reigns. Roman walked around the ring and climbed on the apron. Taker met him, and Reigns clotheslined him over the top rope. Reigns threw punches at Taker, then clotheslined him over the top rope, but Taker landed on his feet.

 Taker pulled Reigns to ringside and ran Reigns into the ring steps. A Roman sucks chant started and faded quickly. Cole noted that this was the first ever one-on-one match between the two. He said their only in-ring confrontation occurred when Reigns eliminated Taker from the Royal Rumble match. They fought at ringside again. Taker headbutted Reigns and picked him up on his shoulder, but Reigns slipped off and shoved Taker into the ring post and then delivered a Drive By, which Ross called a toxic kick.

 Back inside the ring, Taker and Reigns traded punches. JBL said Reigns appeared to be relishing the moment. Taker no-sold a Reigns kick and then punched him. Taker connected with a running clothesline in the corner and then followed up with Snake Eyes, a big boot, and a leg drop for a two count. Taker signaled for the chokeslam, but Reigns rolled to ringside.

 Taker followed. Reigns went for another Drive By, but Taker caught him with a punch. Taker cleared off the Ross broadcast table and JBL jokingly welcomed Ross back. A short time later, Taker chokeslammed Reigns onto the German broadcast table, but it didn't break.

 Taker tore apart the Spanish broadcast table. Taker stood on the table as Reigns crawled onto the Ross table. Taker made the throat slashing gesture only to have Reigns spear him through the table. Cool spot. Ross noted that the referee has the authority to stop the match if Taker can? defend himself. Reigns entered the ring and the fans booed. Taker suddenly sat up in his typical style at ringside. When Taker tried to enter the ring, Reigns greeted him with knees and kicks.

 Reigns threw clotheslines at Taker in the corner. Reigns stood over Taker on the ropes and punched him, then told him that it's his yard. Taker responded with a Last Ride for a two count. Taker went to ringside and grabbed a chair. He slid it inside the ring and Reigns grabbed it, but Taker blasted him with a kick to the head. Taker slammed the chair over the back of Reigns. Roman rolled to ringside. The fans booed. The broadcast team said it was sound strategy.

 Back inside the ring, Reigns hit Taker with two Superman punches. He went for a third, but Taker grabbed him by the throat and chokeslammed him onto a chair for a two count. JBL said it seemed like it was just a matter of time before Taker put Reigns away. Taker scooped up Reigns and put him down with a Tombstone piledriver. Taker covered Reigns with his arms over his chest and stuck his tongue out. Reigns kicked out. Taker sold it with a look of surprise.

 Taker went for another Tombstone at 14:50. They tried to do the reversal spot and failed twice (Adam Cole feels a lot better right now as he had the same issue in his match with Marty Scurll last night). Reigns punched Taker and got a two count. Reigns backed into the corner, let out the war cry, and spared Taker at 16:00. Taker reached up and applied the Hell's Gate submission hold. Reigns reached the rope with his foot while Ross pointed out that the submission had to happen in the ring.

 Reigns ended up taking the chair and worked over Taker with it. Taker used the ropes to pull himself up as the fans chanted his name. Reigns waited in the corner and speared Taker once he was on his feet and covered him for a good near fall that the fans reacted to. Cole said Reigns is beginning to understand why Taker is the phenom. Ross said that's the heart of Taker, JBL said it's the soul.

 Taker pulled himself up again. Reigns jawed at him from the corner and looked upset. Roman Reigns is going to have to put the phenom down, JBL said. Reigns let out a war cry and spared Taker again for another two count. The fans roared and chanted Yes! when Taker kicked out at 20:20. A loud Undertaker chant followed while Reigns showed frustration over not being able to put Taker away.

 Reigns went to the corner again and this time hit Taker with a Superman Punch. Reigns looked down at Taker and shook his head. Taker sat up, but then fell over. He tried to sit up, but his body would not allow it, Ross said. JBL questioned whether Taker's body was quitting on him, then said he wasn't counting him out.

 Reigns continued to talk at Taker and swatted his hand away when he tried to use him to stand up. Taker said something to Reigns about not having the balls. Reigns threw punches at Taker, then ran the ropes repeatedly, speared Taker, and pinned him clean.

 Roman Reigns pinned Undertaker in 23:00.

 Reigns left the ring without a major celebration. He stopped halfway up the stage and looked back at the ring, then raised his hands and pyro shot off on the stage and all around the stadium. The broadcast team said Reigns is the big dog and it is his yard.

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

KICKOFF SHOW

(A)  ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL

It came down to Mojo Rawley and Baron Corbin arrogantly double-teaming Matt when the lights went out. When they came back on, Bray appeared in the ring and helped Matt win. Matt and Bray hugged. During the match, they showed John Cena sitting in the front row with a beer reacting like a fan.

WINNER: Matt Hardy.

(B) CEDRIC ALEXANDER vs. MUSTAFA ALI ? Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Final

Drake Maverick was shown at ringside. When the bell rang, Nigel said, ?Drink it in, boys, this is a moment you will never forget.? They squared off, smiled, acknowledged it?s WrestleMania and they were ready to put on a great effort. Nice smooth athleticism beginning. They cut to an early break. After Cedric knocked Ali off the top rope, they went to split screen and showed an ad for the Ronda Rousey match later.

Back in the ring, Ali landed his 054 for a near fall, but Cedric put his foot on the bottom rope. Ali reacted with disbelief, then stomped away at Cedric. Cedric landed two spinning elbows. Ali stood. Cedric told him to stop and said it?s enough, but hit a third back elbow. Then he hit the Lumbar Check for the clean win. Cedric moved in and cradle?s

WINNER: Cedric to capture the Cruiserweight Title.

WOMEN?S BATTLE ROYAL

Paige and Beth Phoenix did guest commentary with Michael Cole and Corey Graves. The women surrounded and eliminated Carmella early and eliminated her first. It came down to Sasha and Bayley. Sasha got that look in her eyes that said their friendship was more important than anything they?ve disagreed about. She moved in with a smile. Bayley promptly threw her over the top rope and eliminated her. She celebrated like she won, but instead Naomi re-entered the ring ? having not been officially eliminated earlier ? and gave a hip attack to Bayley and then tossed her out. Naomi celebrated with her Cervix Trophy.

WINNER: Naomi.

(1) THE MIZ vs. SETH ROLLINS vs. FINN BALOR

They all came out with new ring jackets and ring gear. Balor had rainbow colored accents on his black boots and trunks. Rollins had blue contact lenses. Miz had red gear with gold accents. Miz sent Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas to the back. Cole said fatherhood has changed him. This was a good match to start the main part of the show. Cole said this was a pick ?em match with three equal wrestlers. Seth hit some dives on both sides of the ring rapid-fire five minutes in. They showed Sean in the crowd. Miz put Balor in a figure-four, prompting Cole to mention that odd pairing of Miz as Ric Flair?s protege years ago. The hold was broken up by a big Seth splash. Balor landed a Pel? kick, which Cole called an ?overhead kick,? leading to a near fall. Miz launched Seth out of air toward the mat with a variation of the Skull Crushing Finale. He made the cover, but Balor leaped off the top rope with a Coup de Grace and broke it up. Balor lived afterward. A ?Let?s Go Balor? chant started. Balor hit Miz with a sling blade and a running dropkick. Balor leaped off the top rope and hit the Coup de Grave, but Seth gave him the Stomp as he went for the cover. Seth then stomped the mat and moved for another Stomp on Miz, driving his face into the mat for the three count.

WINNER: Seth Rollins in 16:00 to capture the Intercontinental Title. (***1/2)

Good match, exactly what you?d expect from these three in an opening match high-energy but not exhausting match. The only surprise is they didn?t do anything with Miz and whether he really has become a good sportsman because fatherhood changed him.

(2) CHARLOTTE vs. ASUKA ? WWE Smackdown Women?s Title match

Back and forth healthy methodical pace early, with Asuka on offense at first and then Charlotte taking over. Charlotte went for a top rope moonsault, but Asuka spread her legs and caught her in a leg triangle. Graves called it a Venus Flytrap. Charlotte shifted into a Boston Crab. They leveraged each other in near falls. The crowd applauded as the match was about to shift into second gear. Asuka suplexed Charlotte off the ring apron onto the floor. Both were down and slow to get up. (I bet Phillips almost reflexively threw to a commercial break.)

Charlotte gave Asuka a Spanish Fly off the top rope. Both were slow to recover. Asuka caught Charlotte in a twisting torquing submission. Charlotte escaped and set up a figure-four, but Asuka kicked out and the match hit third gear. Asuka kicked. Charlotte chopped. Asuka went for an Asuka lock. Charlotte resisted. Charlotte speared Asuka for a two count at 12:00. Charlotte then put Asuka into the Figure-Eight. She couldn?t put weight on her right arm and bridged on two legs and one arm. Asuka rather quickly tapped out.

WINNER: Charlotte in 13:00. (***)

Wow. Surprising finish in that it wasn?t much of an end to the streak in terms of Asuka having a chance to really showcase her signature spots before losing. It almost felt like a downgrade in Vince McMahon?s faith in her not that she lost, but how she lost.

-After the match Asuka asked for a mic. She said, ?Charlotte! Was! Ready! For Asuka!? She congratulated her and hugged her.

(3) RANDY ORTON vs. BOBBY ROODE vs. JINDER MAHAL (w/Samil Singh) vs. RUSEV (w/Aiden English)

They went to a parade of announce teams from around the world. Big pop for Rusev and a ?Rusev Day? chant as he came out. English introduced him. Jinder blocked a Rusev dive through the ropes early. Everybody got spots in early. At 6:00 Orton gave an RKO to English as he interfered. Then he gave Rusev an RKO. The crowd booed. He then gave an RKO to Jinder. Roode broke up the in attempt (well, not really, since Roode piled on top of Orton who was still covering Jinder whose shoulders were still down).R Roode tossed Rusev out of the ring, then blocked an RKO attempt by Orton and hit a sudden Glorious DDT. Jinder broke up the pin (and Orton actually lifted his shoulder). Rusev entered with a Machka Kick on Roode and then Jinder. He looked around as the crowd loudly chanted ?Rusev Day!? He stomped on Jinder and then went for the Accolade. Samil distracted Rusev. Jinder then gave him his Khalas Kick for the win.

WINNER: Jinder Mahal in 9:00 to capture the U.S. Title. (**1/2)
 
This wasn?t designed to be a show-stealer. Some matches have to be kept short to keep the show from running way too long, and this was a good choice. I suppose in a way this title change frees up everyone else to be part of a Superstar Shake-up and switch brands without affecting the title. It also puts a belt on Smackdown on a heel to even things out with the other two major titles on babyfaces, no matter which way A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura goes later ? barring a turn.

Arcademan:
(4) RONDA ROUSEY & KURT ANGLE vs. TRIPLE H & STEPHANIE MCMAHON

Triple H and Stephanie came out on three wheel motorcycles. That likely means no Biker Taker tonight. The announcers just gushed about the ring entrance and talked up the career of Triple H like their jobs depended on it. Then Angle came out to his music. Finally Rousey in a kilt and a Roddy Piper jacket. She was wearing her Facil Expression #2 ? her smile. (Cole said only two people have transitioned from ?starting in UFC? to WWE ? Ken Shamrock and now Ronda Rousey. Shamrock was a pro wrestler before UFC existed, so if you include him, then you include Brock Lesnar, unless he?s talking strictly WWE and UFC as brands.)

A loud ?Ronda Rousey? chant broke out early. Steph and Hunter entered the ring to boos. Stephanie pie-faced Rousey pre-match. She ran up behind Rousey and yanked her down by her hair. The ref separated them and then the bell rang. Angle began against Triple H. Cole said Hunter and Steph told the referee before the match, ?Remember who signs your paychecks.? (I half-expected Cole to say, ?They usually only tell us that.?) Stephanie pulled the top rope down so Angle tumbled over the top rope and crashed at ringside. Hunter then whipped Angle into the ringside steps. Hunter walked over and trash-talked Rousey. (Foreshadowing that Rousey taps out Hunter to end the match?)

Hunter was calling spots pretty loud as he carried Angle through the early minutes one laborious move at a time. Hunter charged at Angle, but Angle ducked and Hunter almost hit Stephanie. They froze in place. When Angle reached for a tag to Ronda, Stephanie ran over and yanked her off the ring apron. Cole said: ?It is completely manipulation of rules tonight by Triple H and Stephanie.? (That phrase doesn?t sound accidental or impromptu.) Steph smiled. Angle locked a Pedigree attempt and threw Hunter into the corner and Hunter bumped to the floor. Steph called out, ?Hunter! Hunter!? Angle crawled over milked it but tagged in Rousey. Rousey yanked Steph into the ring  by her hair, flipping her over the top rope. She had a great intense look. She ducked a clothesline and then clotheslined Steph, flipping over herself afterward. Then she one-arm slammed her. Rousey punched away at Steph in the corner. The crowd ate it up. Intense heat. Fans were standing. She whipped Steph across the ring by her hair.

Rousey grounded Steph and set up an armbar. Stephanie blocked it by holding her hands together and pulling back. Take notes, MMA students. ?Ronda might get pinned!? said Graves. Steph raked Ronda?s eyes, then crawled over for a tag. Hunter hadn?t returned to the ring apron yet. Steph turned and kicked Rousey and then DDT?d her for a two count. Coach said he was surprised at how good Rousey has looked, but Stephanie has surprised her too. Stephanie applied a standing surfboard. Rousey cried out in pain and then stood and poured out, but Steph yanked her down hard by her hair.

Steph charged, but Rousey grabbed her by her throat. She got her intense look, then lifted Stephanie on her shoulders and gave her a spinning Samoan drop for a two count. Hunter yanked the ref out as he was about to try for a third slap. Rousey yelled at Hunter and said she?s going to go back to beating up his wife. Hunter yanked Rousey out of the ring by her leg. Angle ran over and attacked Hunter. He set up a back suplex on the announce table. Hunter blocked it and threw Angle onto the next table.

Rousey re-entered the ring and looked ready to fight. Hunter stood up and looked around. Rousey looked ready to fight him. The ref told him he had to leave. Rousey said she wanted him. Hunter pushed the referee into the corner as if to signal that he signs the checks. Hunter turned around and smiled and said, sure, if that?s what you want. Rousey punched away at Hunter?s face and body rapid-fire.

Ronda then lifted Hunter for a Samoan slam, but Steph saved him and yanked him down, then slapped Rousey. Rousey turned and stared at her. Steph bailed out and ran. Rousey chased after her and caught her. (She?d have never caught Braun Strowman.) Rousey lifted Steph, but Steph slipped free and shoved Rousey into the ringpost face-first. Angle came up behind Hunter and gave him two belly-to-belly suplexes. Hunter came back with a knee to the face, but Angle then went into his unreleased German suplex sequence ? three in a row. Hunter tried for a Pedigree, but Angle went for an Anklelock. Hunter blocked it and again went for a Pedigree. Angle catapulted Hunter into the top turnbuckle and then hit an Angle Slam for a near fall that popped the crowd.

Stephanie entered the ring and yelled at Angle, saying this whole thing is his fault. She tried to kick him, but he grabbed her leg and held it. The ref told Angle to let go. The crowd chanted ?Yes!? Angle put her in the Anklelock. Hunter made the save and gave Angle a Pedigree. Rousey broke up the pin. Hunter stood and stared down Rousey. Fan chanted ?This is awesome!? Cole said fans were chanting it for Rousey. Hunter then set up a Pedigree, but instead set up a powerbomb. Rousey countered with a a huracanrana and applied her armbar with a leg scissors. Steph made the save and put Rousey in a rear naked choke. ?Rousey could fade here!? Cole said.

Rousey stood and flailed to escape and eventually flipped out and put an armbar on Stephanie. Angle put Hunter in an ankle lock to stop him from breaking it up. It looked like a possible finish, but Hunter escaped and flung Angle into Rousey and he clotheslined her. Oops.

Cole called it an incredible match. Hunter shoved Angle into the corner ringpost shoulder-first. Stephanie got up and checked for a plan with Hunter. They set up stereo Pedigrees. Angle backdropped Hunter out of the ring. Rousey then broke free and went for her armbar. Stephanie blocked it and yelled, ?Please, no! No! No!? Then she made her tap. They cut to Dana White in the front row applauding the win. Cole said he was very impressed with Rousey ?as she embarks on her career here in WWE.? Angle hugged her.

WINNER: Rousey & Angle when Rousey tapped out Stephanie.

Arcademan:
(5) THE USOS vs. THE NEW DAY (Kofi Kingston & Big E w/Xavier Woods) vs. THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS

The New Day came out to a virtual giant stack of pancakes on both sides of the entrance stage. Phillips stressed that New Day were inspired to bring pancakes to the ring because of the lumberjack match way back (it wasn?t based on a century-long stereotype, in other words!). They were joined by seven little people wearing pancake body suits. New Day tossed real pancakes to the crowd on their way to the ring. Byron: ?This is a parade of pancakes!?

The Bludgeon Brothers came out and immediately took it to the Usos and New Day at ringside. They threw Xavier into the ringpost and then threw Kofi into the ring. When the Usos dove at Erick Rowan at ringside a few minutes in, Rowan caught them. They still managed to slam him. Back in the ring, Big E lifted Luke Harper for a slam, then tagged in Kofi. Harper ducked and then slammed Kofi in a slightly botched spot as he didn?t get any lift.

The Usos set up a double suplex of Harper, but Down broke it up. Kofi kicked Rowan over the top rope. Kofi charged at Harper, but got head butted. Rowan then powerbombed Kofi. That set up a double powerbomb off the top rope for the win.

WINNERS: The Bludgeon Brothers in 5:00 to capture the Smackdown Tag Team Titles.

That worked fine. It put over the Bludgeon Brothers strong and didn?t overstay its welcome. This isn?t the show for a tag team classic.

-John Cena came out to his entrance music. ?It?s about to get interesting,? he said. ?Welcome to WrestleMania? Then suddenly Jo Jo introduced him for an unnamed match. Cole said he just heard Cena say, ?He is here.? He said he must be talking about Undertaker.

A referee ran out and told Cena something. Cena didn?t seem to like what he heard. He looked dejected again. Fans chanted ?Un-der-taker!? Cena left the ring and slapped fans? hands. The lights went out. The crowd popped. Then Elias strummed his guitar and walked onto the stage. (Psych!)

Elias asked if they were expecting someone else. He said that somebody else doesn?t have his unmatched charisma and athleticism, nor does he have the unlimited talent he carries in his soul. Fans chanted ?You suck!? at him. He said if they thought it?d be another walk in the park, ?not with me.? Cena left and sat back at ringside, but eventually had enough of Elias?s lyrics and attacked him. Elias bailed out after his diving shoulder tackles, side slam, fist drop, and Attitude Adjustment. Elias rolled out of the ring. Cena looked discouraged as fans began chanting ?Un-der-taker!? again. Cole asked if that counts as a WrestleMania Moment for Cena. Coach said this isn?t the night Cena wanted to have. ?I?ve never seen him more not into something than he is right now,? Coach said. (He didn?t watch his Summerslam match against Baron Corbin last year, then.)

Cena?s music stopped halfway up the ramp. He stopped. The lights went out. The crowd cheered. And then inside the ring was the Undertaker ?Dead Man? hat and robe. Then lightning struck and the lights went dark again. Then when they came back on, the ring was empty again. Cena looked a little wide-eyed. The lights went out yet again. Then came the ?Dong!? and a huge pop. Pyro began blasting and the anticipation built. Undertaker?s music played. And then he appeared on the stage ? as the Dead Man, not Biker Taker. Long hair. Cena?s jaw dropped. ?The Dead Man has risen!? said Cole, starting to get hoarse. Cole called Taker the ?most prolific? WWE performer in history. Graves said he knew all along he?d answer. Coach said everyone is in disbelief. ?This is surreal,? said Graves. He added the old adage, ?Be careful what you wish for because you just might get it.? Cena kneeled in a corner of the ring. Coach said Cena brought Taker back, nobody else. Taker stared a hole in Cena. Cena hyperventilated a bit.

(6) JOHN CENA vs. THE UNDERTAKER

Taker took it to Cena as soon as the bell rang wit punches and a flying clothesline. Then he walked the top rope and came off with a forearm to Cena?s back. Cole said Taker is focused and in a zone. A fan held up an ?RIP Cena? sign. Graves said Cena just be regretting callout The Dead Man. Coach said surely Cena got under the skin of Undertaker. Taker gave Cena snake eyes. He gave Cena a big boot, which showed a lot of light (blame Cena). Taker legdropped him. Cena back suplexed Taker. The crowd booed. Cena began his You Can?t See Me routine, but Taker sat up. Taker then gave Cena a chokeslam. Taker lowered his straps and signaled for a chokeslam. Then he picked up Cena and gave him a Tombstone for the three count. Cole said Taker didn?t just beat Cena, he routed Cena.

WINNER: Undertaker in 3:00.

That was crowd pleasing. The psychology, now in retrospect, makes sense. Have Cena be a jerk about it and lower expectations so when fans get Undertaker and the match lasts just three minutes and Taker wins decisively, fans feel they got more than was actually promised and the right guy lost decisively. Not the classic once hoped for, but taking into consideration Taker?s physical condition at his age, that was a special bonus chapter of his career, but to be judged differently than the rest.

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