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In light of Sunday night’s pay-per-view, I decided I would do this week’s recaps in succession, but all in one post. Here it goes.
Fastlane – Columbus, OH – Sunday, March 11, 2018
Pre-Show
The last pay-per-view before WrestleMania kicks off with action on the pre-show between Breezango and Tye Dillinger teaming up to face Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, and Mojo Rawley. Tye pulls out the win for his team.
Main Card
Shinsuke vs. Rusev Day
The buzz over Rusev is very big right now, and it is very obvious that he is well over with the WWE universe. It is hard to see how this match will benefit Nakamura. After a very physical match, and regular chants of, “Nakamura, Rusev Day,” from the crowd, Shinsuke hits Rusev with a Kinshasa and the match is over.
US Championship Match – Bobby Roode v. Randy Orton
Otherwise known as, “Battle of the best entrance songs.” The title that has alluded Randy Orton in all his time at WWE finally has come up in the cards for him. This match left nothing to be desired. Two seasoned competitors with amazing moves, but what we all wait for, the RKO out of nowhere as Bobby leaps off the 2nd rope give us a new US Champion in Randy Orton. He becomes a Grand Slam Champion.
After the match, Jinder Mahal enters and attacks Orton. Roode takes out Jinder, but then turns his attention to Randy, giving him a Glorious DDT. Roode walks out, obviously broken over losing the US Title.
Rousey Recap
Video and pictures scroll over the screen with running commentary, documenting the saga of Rowdy Ronda Rousey’s time at the WWE so far and how we got the mixed tag team match with her and Kurt Angle versus Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. It appears that this recap may be all we see of Rousey or the other competitors before WrestleMania.
Backstage
Sami Zayn attemps to convince Kevin Owens that he still plans on helping KO win the Six-Pack Challenge at any cost, even taking a pin for him. But Kevin won’t let his guard down that easily, he still remembers what happened earlier at Smackdown Live.
Becky and Naomi, Carmella and Natalya
The tag match set up for Fastlane this past week after Carmella lost to Becky Lynch at Smackdown Live. Though Carmella has very impressive moves and holds the Money in the Bank contract, the crowd had very little reaction to her, and was firmly behind Becky Lynch. In the end, Carmella and Nattie get the W off a distraction.
AWWWW-Tag Team Titles!
The New Day face off against the Usos in a very exciting match. There haven’t been this evenly of matched tag teams in a while, not only in ability, but also in crowd reaction. Prior to the match, The New Day were part of commercial for the Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Awards, and showed us their audition tape to host it. Back to the match. Kofi Kingston and Jimmy Uso did a very good job of repeating each other’s moves. The match was exciting and very physical. But nothing prepared The New Day or The Usos for the entrance of The Bludgeon Brothers. Their music drops, the bell rings, and The Bludgeon Brother become the winners. Not of the titles, but definitely of the match.
Backstage
Renee interviews AJ Styles and Shinsuke comes out saying that he hopes AJ wins – for a moment. AJ quickly cuts him off, but agrees with him. They want the dream match as much a we do.
Smackdown Women’s Championship – Charlotte Flair v. Ruby Riott
This match was very exciting and really showcased Ruby Riott’s strengths against a fierce competitor in Charlotte Flair. After a crazy backwards flip into the ropes, Charlotte is able to get Riott into the Figure 8 submission, causing Ruby to tap out and Charlotte retains.
When Charlotte gets the belt back in her hand, Asuka’s mucis drops. The Empress of Tomorrow says nothing, just walks in and points to the WrestleMania sign. It seems her decision has been made, and we just got another dream match.
Six-Pack Challenge
Before any action even begins, Shane McMahon enters to sit ringside for the match and we get Sami Zayn’s music cutting in while Kevin Owens is making his entrance, starting up the heat between them. The match begins with John Cena delivering four AA’s to all the other competitors until it leaves just him and AJ Styles in the ring. They go at it for a while, until the other four come back into the ring, take out John Cena, and then begin their one-on-one challenges with AJ Styles. After some fighting inside and outside the ring, John Cena puts AJ Styles through the announce table, and it appears AJ is out of this match. Seemingly out of nowhere, Kevin Owens delivers a Frog Splash from the top rope and is about to pin Dolph Ziggler. During the three-count, Shane interferes by pulling the referee from the ring. The next pin comes from Sami on Kevin, but again, Shane interferes. Cena enters again, delivering an AA to Ziggler and then KO gives a Pop-up Power Bomb to Cena. As Kevin turns, AJ Styles hits a Phenomenal Forearm, and is able to pin Kevin for a three count and retain.
AJ Style will face Shinsuke Nakamura at WrestleMania. But, without interference from Shane McMahon, could we have seen a different match-up? Also, what happens to John Cena and his WrestleMania plans?
Monday Night Raw – Detroit, MI – March 12, 2018
The Angle on Angle
Kurt enters the ring and gives us a rundown of the guaranteed matches coming from the Raw brand that we are set to see at WrestleMania. This includes the mixed tag match and Brock Lesnar versus Roman Reigns for the Universal Title. And as we’ve been hearing for a few weeks now, Brock of course is not at Raw tonight. Roman Reigns comes out to explain to us where his anger really lies – with Vince McMahon. Roman marches to the back demanding an explanation from Vince. Vince calmly suggests they talk in his office.
When we return from the commercial, Renee is outside Vince’s office, waiting for a word. Roman exits a second later, saying nothing. Mr. McMahon then exits, explaining that he told Roman the immortal words of The Rock, “know your role, and shut your mouth.” After giving a little rundown of Brock’s contractual stipulations, he guarantees that Brock will be at Raw next week and lets us know that Roman is temporarily suspended.
Bosses don’t Hug
Sasha Banks is set to face Sonya Deville of Absolution. As she enters the ring, Bayley isn’t far behind her, but is walking slowly, and very unenthusiastically, building up the Bayley and Sasha feud. Sasha delivers a Backstabber into the Bank Statement, causing Sonya to tap out. Bayley walks out alone after the win, leaving Sasha to fend for herself against the members of Absolution.
Celebrity HOF
This year’s celebrity Hall of Fame inductee is Kid Rock.
Miz TV
Miz TV’s guests tonight are Seth Rollins and Finn Balor, there to discuss their upcoming match for the Intercontinental Title at WrestleMania. In true Miz fashion, he truly is out there to pit each competitor against the other. In the end, the two turn on the Miz and then Rollins takes Balor out, showing that there will be no alliances in the end.
Tag-Team Action
Sheamus and Cesaro face off against the Miztourage. But the two-on-two doesn’t last long. After Sheamus and Cesaro call out the entire tag team roster on Twitter, they all want a piece of The Bar. Soon, the ring is full of every tag team on the Raw roster: The Revival, Gallows and Anderson, Titus Worldwide, Rhyno and Heath Slater. When it’s all over, and The Bar has been sufficiently beaten, they find Kurt backstage, who sets up a Tag Team Battle Royal with the last team standing becoming the #1 contenders for the Raw Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania.
Hustle, Loyalty, Reset
After the loss at Fastlane, we are all curious as to what John Cena will propose as his new road to WrestleMania. Cena points out that he tried, and he failed to secure his spot, and so this year, he will go as a fan, because, again, the match we all want to see cannot be. But why can’t it be? So he does it, again. He calls out the Undertaker for a match at WrestleMania. And nothing happens. His mic does not get cut, no one comes out to stop him. It appears that the only thing stopping this match from happening is the Undertaker. Will he answer the call?
Singing the Blues
In short order, we get a very brief take with Elias, who plays a few notes on his guitar before blaming the WWE Universe for what happened to him the the Symphony of Destruction match. He walks out without another word.
Backstage
Braun Strowman infroms the WWE Universe that he will be carving his own path of destruction to get to WrestleMania. We have been waiting for this, what could it possibly be?
Rollins v. Balor
To keep the action going as we moved closer to WrestleMania, Balor and Rollins set up to show the Miz what he’s up against. After a superplex off the top rope, Balor reverses a lift from Seth Rollins, pinning him for three for the win.
Moolah
A recap of the life and legacy of the Fabulous Moolah, it is annouced that at WrestleMania, we will have the first ever Fabulous Moolah Memorial Woman’s Battle Royal.
Asuka and Alexa and Nia
Now that we know Asuka is going to be facing Charlotte at WrestleMania, that does leave the door open for who will be facing Alexa Bliss. Asuka is in the ring with Charlie, about to be interviewed, when Alexa and Mickie enter. Alexa points out that not only is Asuka’s English horrible, but that she doesn’t want to face Alexa because she knows she won’t win. Asuka then takes the mic, telling Alexa that she chose Charlotte because, “to be the woman you have to beat the woman.” Alexa tries to call out Nia Jax to the ring, but she doesn’t show, leaving the match against Asuka to Mickie James.
Backstage
After Mickie loses, Alexa finds Nia backstage. Nia explains that Kurt changed the match and told her not to go out. Some words are exchanged, but it appears these two are the best of friends again.
Enhanced
Nia faces an enhancement talent, pinning her rather quickly. But as she is celebrating her win, the screen cuts backstage to an impending interview with Alexa. What she and Mickie don’t realize is that the boom mic and camera in front of them are on the whole time and being broadcast in the ring. Alexa tells Mickie how she uses Nia, tearing her down because she “looks different” than the other girls. Nia freaks out, tearing through the dressing room, but Mickie and Alexa get away before Nia gets there. This is turning into one good feud setup.
Hardy Compound Match
A quick recap is done of the Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt feud, that will lead us the “ultimate deletion” next week at the Hardy Compound.
Tag Team Battle Royal
All the tag teams have filled the ring, and Sheamus and Cesaro sit ringside awaiting the winner. But just before we begin, Braun Strowman’s “RARRRRRR” echoes out into the arena. Braun Strowman enters the fight-alone. In the end, he easily fights through the others in the ring, leaving him the last man standing and your #1 contender for the Raw Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania.
Smackdown Live – Indianapolis, IN – March 13, 2018
Phenomenal
AJ Styles recaps his Fastlane odds and his road to the WWE and WrestleMania. He points out that he and his WrestleMania opponent had similar paths, except for the fact that AJ is the champ and Shinsuke is not. Shinsuke enters and explains to AJ that his plans are indeed to become champion. A staredown ensues, but it is cut very short when Rusev’s music drops.
AJ Styles v. Rusev Day
AJ and Rusev put on a great physical match up, trading kicks (Machka or Pele) and punches throughout. In the end, Aiden English interferes on a Calf Crusher, and starts in on AJ himself. Shinsuke comes to AJ’s aide, taking out English.
Backstage
Backstage, AJ points out to Nakamura that he didn’t need any help. Shinsuke tells AJ that he doesn’t have to ask for it, he’ll still get his protection all the way up to WrestleMania. Obviously, Shinsuke wants the champ in top shape for their match.
Bludgeon Brother Fallout
Big E in an interview with Dasha points out that Kofi and Xavier are injured, but he will compete alone against the Bludgeon Brothers. Jimmy Uso enters, letting Big E know that he will not be alone.
Backstage
Sami Zayn is stopped by Renee to address what happened at Fastlane with Shane and Kevin. Sami blames his obsession with KO as the reason he lost the match.
Flair and Asuka – Face to Face
In this dream match, we prepare to either see a streak broken and a retained title or a new champion and a continuing historic streak. Asuka is better on the mic work tonight. The Queen versus The Empress.
Grand Slam
Randy Orton sits ringside as Bobby Roode faces Jinder Mahal. Jinder walks out, always with some words for the champion. In the end, Randy would come in with an RKO to Mahal.
Backstage
KO doesn’t believe he is to blame at all for what happened, he puts all his blame on Shane McMahon. Is it safe to say that KO and Sami Zayn are through? We didn’t even get a festival.
Naomi v. Carmella
Ms. MITB extends her win streak with a solid move off the middle rope, impact of Naomi’s back and head to the mat, and the three count for the win.
Here Comes the Money
Shane has got some explaining to do. He points out that because of his feud with KO, which has spanned since KO attacked Vince in the ring, he has had it out for him. And then, when Sami interfered in their match, he has had it out for Sami too. Shane announces he will leave his post as SD Live commissioner for a while, but before he does, he makes a match for WrestleMania between Owens and Zayn. Both Zayn and Owens enter the ring, not too happy about this match, but very happy to see Shane leaving. They decide to give him a going away present, which included a Helluva kick, a few Pop-up Power Bombs (one in the ring, one on a steel structure), and some ring-post-it is while his head was in a chair. The show ends with Shane having his neck set in a brace by medical personnel. Are we leaving room for another three-way match? What will Daniel Bryan think of these events when he returns next week?
On the road to WrestleMania, so much can still happen.
