WWE: The New Era

ElliotM · April 2, 2018

<p><div style="width: 750px; margin: auto; color: #121212; background-color: #ffffff;"><img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/sPtS6cq.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/sPtS6cq.png"></a></p><p>

<div style="width:650px;padding:15px 50px 15px 50px;font: 15px Roboto Slab;background-image:url(<a href="https://i.imgur.com/T5nq53X.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/T5nq53X.png</a>);background-repeat:repeat-y;text-align:justify;"><div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;text-align:center;">WWE Raw: April 2nd, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia</div></p><p>

<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">Kurt Angle reveals surprise stipulation for the Intercontinental Championship bout at WrestleMania</div></p><p>

A tweet from Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle earlier in the week left the WWE Universe wondering what announcement he had in mind regarding the Intercontinental Championship bout at WrestleMania. Well, it certainly didn't disappoint. The Hall of Famer opened up Raw with the groundbreaking announcement that for the first time in 32 years, the Steel Cage would return to The Show of Shows. In order to avoid the involvement of outside interference that has plagued the Intercontinental Championship picture for the past couple of months, Angle confirmed that The Miz and Finn Bálor would indeed collide within the four steel walls.</p><p> </p><p>

This didn't sit well with The A-Lister, who made his way to the ring with his Miztourage cohorts to confront the Raw General Manager on his decision. Threatening to take this matter to Stephanie McMahon, The Miz declared how absurd this decision was, but Kurt Angle cared little for Miz's complaints. Refusing to go back on his word, Kurt Angle told The Miz that he would have to compete inside the Steel Cage or risk being stripped of the Intercontinental Championship. And to top it all off, Angle had some news for Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas, revealing that they would be in action tonight on Raw against Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, and that match would be up next! The Miztourage were furious, but the Raw General Manager's decision is final.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;">The Miztourage def. Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson</div></p><p>

Accompanied by the number one contender to the Intercontinental Championship, Finn Bálor, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson headed to the ring for this unscheduled bout with Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas of The Miztourage. Just six days away from The Show of Shows, both teams were looking to earn their group leader some momentum. But it wasn't without the assistance of The Miz himself that Axel and Dallas were able to secure the victory as with the official momentarily distracted by Bo Dallas, The A-Lister struck Gallows in the head with the Intercontinental Championship, allowing The Axe Man to cover him for the win.</p><p> </p><p>

The Miz and his Miztourage retreated to the stage as Finn Bálor and Karl Anderson checked on their fallen comrade. But this had just proven Kurt Angle's point, and at WrestleMania, there'll be no way in for any outside interference to sway the result of the title bout. And as well as having no way in, there'll be no way out for The Miz and Finn Bálor as they fight for the gold in New Orleans.</p><p> </p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/gigqxKx.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/gigqxKx.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;">Asuka def. Bayley</div></p><p>

The Raw Women's Champion, Sasha Banks was not able to end Asuka's winning streak last week on Raw. However, Bayley wanted to try her hand at accomplishing what her former best friend could not, and took on The Empress of Tomorrow this week in Atlanta. The 2018 Women's Royal Rumble winner was not willing to give up her unprecedented streak this close to The Show of Shows and was able to overcome The Huggable One with an Asuka Lock, forcing Bayley into submission.</p><p> </p><p>

Six days remain until Asuka and Bayley join Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks in a Fatal 4-Way bout for the Raw Women's Championship, and as it stands, Asuka is looking unstoppable as always. Later in the night, The Boss clashes with Little Miss Bliss in another small preview of things to come in New Orleans.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">Triple H and Stephanie McMahon issue the final warning to Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey as things get physical</div></p><p>

Big changes are coming to the red brand according to Stephanie McMahon and Triple H. That's after they defeat Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania, of course. The Authority declare that Raw will undergo a complete overhaul to right all the wrongs that Kurt Angle has allowed to happen, guaranteeing victory on The Grandest Stage of Them All. The Game went on to declare that Kurt Angle's services will no longer be required once he loses at WrestleMania, and therefore a new figurehead will be needed. But according to The Billionaire Baroness, only a McMahon can truly run Raw to the best of its capabilities, and that is why <i>she</i> will take full control of Monday nights. The WWE Universe were not exactly rallying for Stephanie McMahon upon her announcement, and even less impressed were Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey who entered the arena to a standing ovation to confront their WrestleMania rivals.</p><p> </p><p>

The Olympic Gold Medalist declared that Raw had been running smoothly under his watch until Stephanie McMahon began sticking her nose in where it didn't belong. Commissioner or not, Angle laid the blame on The Queen of Queens for any controversy the red brand had seen. And as Stephanie got in the former World Champion's face, The Rowdy One stepped up and came nose-to-nose with her nemesis, telling her to back down before she puts her down. Before everything could start a downward spiral into chaos, Triple H stepped in and pulled his wife away, declaring that they were going to be the bigger people and rise above this, saving it until WrestleMania. The power couple turn to leave the ring with the WWE Universe disappointed in their cowardliness, but when they least expected it, Kurt Angle and Ronda Rousey were blindsided by The Authority!</p><p> </p><p>

Triple H delivered a clubbing blow to Kurt Angle while Stephanie McMahon kicked Rousey in the gut. The situation broke down as The Game delivered a Pedigree to the Raw General Manager, and even more shocking to everyone in attendance, Stephanie McMahon hit her own Pedigree on her "Rowdy" adversary, driving her face-first into the canvas. The damage had been done and the power couple were standing tall over their WrestleMania rivals, smug expressions plastered across their faces. These four individuals will collide at The Show of Shows, not only for power, but for pride.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;">Kassius Ohno def. Elias, Apollo & Jason Jordan</div></p><p>

A small preview of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal saw four Raw superstars compete in Fatal 4-Way action. While there may be almost ten times the amount of competitors in the real deal, this was a perfect opportunity for one of these competitors to gain some much-needed momentum. Apollo impressed the WWE Universe when he flew from the top rope with a moonsault which took out The Sinister Songsmith on the outside. Meanwhile, Kassius Ohno struck with a KO Elbow to Jason Jordan, knocking him out cold and allowing him to secure the victory.</p><p> </p><p>

The Knockout Artist scored a huge victory heading into the battle for the prestigious trophy in just six days and could have potentially given us a preview of how things qill look when the last man is left standing in New Orleans. Can Kassius Ohno be the man to walk out with the victory on The Grandest Stage of Them All?</p><p> </p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/Q2gKJ5N.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/Q2gKJ5N.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;">Raw Women's Champion Sasha Banks def. Alexa Bliss</div></p><p>

After The Empress of Tomorrow was victorious over Bayley earlier in the night, it was the turn of Alexa Bliss and the Raw Women's Champion, Sasha Banks to show what they are capable of ahead of the four-superstar clash at WrestleMania. The former Champion came close to knocking off The Boss after hitting her Twisted Bliss, but somehow Banks was able to kick out and eventually was able to lock in the Bank Statement and force Little Miss Bliss to submit.</p><p> </p><p>

The Raw Women's Champion celebrated her victory, despite the WWE Universe not taking too kindly to her attitude as of late. But her win was somewhat tainted by the fact that her former best friend, Bayley rushed the ring and tackled The Boss to the canvas, engaging in a fist-flying brawl. As the two competitors regained their upright stance, Sasha Banks took the opportunity to drive the Raw Women's Championship into the skull of her old ally, laying her out with a smirk. But wiping the smirk off her face was Asuka,who emerged and dropped the Champion with a roundhouse kick before lifting the title from the canvas and raising it above her head, giving a nod to the WrestleMania sign above. Without question, The Empress of Tomorrow has all the momentum she needs, but will WrestleMania be the ultimate demise of her unbelievable winning streak?</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">Absolution attack Mickie James from behind during an interview</div></p><p>

The former Women's Champion, Mickie James has many favourite WrestleMania moments, most of all her unforgettable clash with WWE Hall of Famer, Trish Stratus at WrestleMania 22. But while Mickie was enjoying an interview with Charly Caruso about her 'Mania memories, she was brutally attacked from behind by the three members of Absolution! Paige, Mandy Rose and Sonya Deville laid out the former Women's Champion and left her in a heap before The Raven-Haired Renegade commandeered the microphone and declared that they would not be ignored.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;">Braun Strowman def. Rhyno</div></p><p>

As the night draws closer when The Monster Among Men will finally do battle with The Deadman, Braun Strowman took on The Man Beast, Rhyno in singles action. Despite Rhyno's history of being a destructive war machine, even he was unable to topple the monstrous Strowman and fell victim to a Running Powerslam as his ally, Heath Slater looked on. But to top it all off, he secured the pinfall with a method synonymous with The Undertaker, crossing Rhyno's arms across his chest and giving a demonic glare into the WWE Universe as the three count was called.</p><p> </p><p>

In a clear sign of disrespect to The Phenom, Braun Strowman defeated his opponent and raised his hands into the air in celebration. The One Man Band slid into the ring to check on his fallen partner, only to be grabbed by The Monster Among Men and driven into the canvas by another move fresh out of The Deadman's playbook - The Last Ride. Strowman stood over the carnage he had caused with a sadistic grin, until the iconic bell tolled and the lights shut out, leaving the arena in pure darkness. When they returned, Braun Strowman was stood face-to-face with his WrestleMania adversary, engaging in a stare down for the ages.</p><p> </p><p>

Moments pass without so much as a breath, until Rhyno gets unintentionally mixed up in the confrontation and is grabbed by the throat, then driven into the canvas with a Chokeslam from The Undertaker. The moment of distraction gave Braun Strowman an opening to attack, and he did just that, clubbing The Phenom and dropping him to the canvas. The Man Mountain then raised The Undertaker to his feet and onto his shoulder before driving him down into the canvas with a thunderous Running Powerslam. The tables had turned on The Deadman as Strowman left the ring knowing he had just taken down a legend just days before their clash at The Show of Shows.</p><p> </p><p>

As Braun Strowman reached the stage he turned around with a grin, only to witness The Undertaker sit up seemingly unharmed. The Phenom got to his feet and glared out at his rival before sliding his finger across his throat in a sinister warning to the big man. This battle of the titans will not be for the weak of heart, and New Orleans may be subject to an all-out war.</p><p> </p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/gigqxKx.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/gigqxKx.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;">"Woken" Matt Hardy def. Goldust</div></p><p>

The Great War is finally OVAH! The Woken One had defeated his arch-nemesis, Bray Wyatt in a battle like no other at The Hardy Compound last week, leaving many speechless at what they had witnessed. But moving onto bigger and better things, Matt Hardy now had a new target for "deletion", and it was the competitors of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. With a victory over Goldust thanks to a Twist of Fate, The Woken One then declared his entry into what he called "The Royal Battle of the Mythical Giant, André", adding his name to the already star-studded cast of WWE superstars.</p><p> </p><p>

The André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal continues to grow, but will "Woken" Matt Hardy's addition mean that the other competitors are now to be considered OBSOLETE?</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">Finn Bálor issues a sinister warning to his WrestleMania adversary</div></p><p>

With the Intercontinental Championship Match now a Steel Cage encounter, Finn Bálor had a revelation for The Miz. The A-Lister will not be locked inside the structure with a man, he will be locked inside with a Demon. The former Universal Champion issues a sinister warning to his WrestleMania rival and confirmed that The Demon King would return to the earth realm at The Show of Shows to confront The Miz for his Intercontinental Championship. The Miz will be held accountable for his actions after he started a war he could not finish. Finn Bálor gives the final warning that at WrestleMania, The Miz will be introduced to his worst nightmare as he enters the Demon's lair.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#cb1516;">John Cena, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins def. Samoa Joe & Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar</div></p><p>

The Grandest Stage of Them All has played host to many a grudge match, but perhaps none as physical as John Cena versus Samoa Joe is set to be. Allying themselves with Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and the Raw Tag Team Champions, The Bar for six-man tag team action, the rivalry took on an extra level of physicality. The rival teams in the Tag title picture came to blows in this blockbuster main event and as things began to break down, The Cenation Leader and The Destroyer took their fight around the arena, much like last week. Although this time the conflict tumbled towards the stage and the pair used everything but the kitchen sink to beat the other until the 16-time World Champion hoisted Joe onto his shoulders and drove him through the announce table with an Attitude Adjustment, much to the shock of Michael Cole, Corey Graves and Jonathan Coachman. Meanwhile, inside the ring, Seth Rollins took out The Celtic Warrior with a flying knee, and The Big Dog drove his shoulder into Cesaro's midsection with a crippling Spear to secure the victory for his team.</p><p> </p><p>

While many may think that John Cena has become somewhat of a pushover, this proved otherwise. The Cenation Leader is very much still capable of intensity and stood over his fallen foe who lay in the wreckage of wood and wires. The former Shield brothers united inside the ring to send The Bar into retreat and land themselves in a fine position heading into their Raw Tag Team Championship Match in just six days in New Orleans.</p><p> </p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/bZpIdhN.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/bZpIdhN.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">The final confrontation between Brock Lesnar and Shinsuke Nakamura brings an explosive end to Raw</div></p><p>

Violence has been the focus of this volatile Universal Championship rivalry, with both men getting their hands on the other in physical brawls. In retaliation to Brock Lesnar's heinous assault two weeks ago which put Shinsuke Nakamura in a hospital bed, The Rockstar got his own back last week, returning to the red brand to call out The Beast and brawling back-and-forth until the Raw locker room had to intervene and separate the two. This week was different, as Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle had already taken the necessary precautions to ensure that it didn't happen again, employing ten security members to split the ring in two as Lesnar and Nakamura took part in their final confrontation.</p><p> </p><p>

The two bitter enemies stood either side of the ring, separated by a sea of black shirts, keeping them apart to avoid any physical contact. Of course, the Universal Champion as not alone and his advocate, Paul Heyman did a vast majority of the talking, reminding Nakamura that his days are numbered. Not only as number one contender, but as a WWE superstar, because The Beast is going to end his career. The Artist responded in kind, stating that Brock Lesnar will finally get what he deserves and he <i>will</i> be leaving New Orleans as the <i>new</i> Universal Champion.</p><p> </p><p>

Although security separated the two WrestleMania rivals, Paul Heyman was somehow allowed to break the line and enter into Nakamura's half, stunning the WWE Universe as he slapped The King of Strong Style across the face. The enraged Nakamura lunged towards Paul Heyman, but the advocate quickly hid behind the security team who apprehended the number one contender before he could even lay a finger on Paul Heyman. But Nakamura's restraint meant Brock Lesnar had an open opportunity, and he took it, striking with brutal force and getting in what shots he could before the security turned their attention to him instead.</p><p> </p><p>

The members of this special security team were no match for Lesnar's brute strength and found themselves tossed around the ring like children, flying left and right with German suplexes galore, taking them to Suplex City where Paul Heyman promises Shinsuke Nakamura will pay a visit come WrestleMania. But as The Beast returned his attention back to his challenger, he was met by a jaw-jacking Kinshasa! The Universal Champion crumbled to the canvas and The King of Strong Style mounted him, delivering repetitive right hands to the head of his adversary before the security team were finally able to regroup and separate the two. Paul Heyman reluctantly reeled his client back and beckoned him out of the ring where he advised him to save it for WrestleMania.</p><p> </p><p>

But Shinsuke Nakamura begged for more as he screamed for Lesnar to bring it on. The Beast and his advocate reversed up the ramp with rage filling Lesnar's face by the second. Shinsuke Nakamura had claimed the upper hand on his WrestleMania opponent, and the battle lines were indeed drawn. This is about more than just the Universal Championship, and come this Sunday, it's anyone's guess who will leave in one piece, let alone as the Universal Champion of the red brand!</div></p><p>

<div style="width:800px;margin-bottom:-3px;"><img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/WhLG0kC.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/WhLG0kC.png"></div></div></a></p><p> </p><p>

ElliotM · April 2, 2018

<p><div style="width: 750px; margin: auto; color: #121212; background-color: #ffffff;"><img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/vNdB6Dc.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/vNdB6Dc.png"></a></p><p>

<div style="width:650px;padding:15px 50px 15px 50px;font: 15px Roboto Slab;background-image:url(<a href="https://i.imgur.com/T5nq53X.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/T5nq53X.png</a>);background-repeat:repeat-y;text-align:justify;"><div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;text-align:center;">WWE WrestleMania: April 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/vnhzxYL.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/vnhzxYL.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Shinsuke Nakamura</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/FDY7xiP.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/FDY7xiP.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/RPESJei.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/RPESJei.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/AKLSOsB.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/AKLSOsB.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/XazBT6I.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/XazBT6I.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/sZhke1t.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/sZhke1t.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Finn Bálor (Steel Cage Match)</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/yfGc2bk.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/yfGc2bk.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/8n5O2dT.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/8n5O2dT.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/d3BwcqJ.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/d3BwcqJ.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/I6ncaQN.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/I6ncaQN.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Raw Women's Champion Sasha Banks vs. Asuka vs. Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/ErrsIMM.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/ErrsIMM.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">John Cena vs. Samoa Joe</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/kzqDaTZ.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/kzqDaTZ.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">United States Champion Bobby Roode issues an Open Challenge</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/BaJcrry.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/BaJcrry.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander (Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals)</div></p><p>

<img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/adAjbuR.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/adAjbuR.png"></a></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal</div></p><p>

<b>Competitors:</b> Elias, Baron Corbin, Jinder Mahal, Titus O'Neil, Apollo, Kassius Ohno, Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Zack Ryder, Rusev, Aiden English, Tye Dillinger, Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, Jason Jordan, Curt Hawkins, Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, R-Truth, Harper, Rowan & "Woken" Matt Hardy</div></p><p>

<div style="width:800px;margin-bottom:-3px;"><img src="<a href="https://i.imgur.com/gHpLREY.png" rel="external nofollow">https://i.imgur.com/gHpLREY.png"></div></div></a></p><p> </p><p>

ElliotM · April 5, 2018

<div style="width:650px;padding:15px 50px 15px 50px;font: 15px Roboto Slab;background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/T5nq53X.png);background-repeat:repeat-y;text-align:justify;"><div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#103ab6;text-align:center;">WWE SmackDown LIVE: April 3, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee</div>

<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn interrupt The Usos' WrestleMania address</div>

Their unexpected attack on the SmackDown Tag Team Champions and their challengers last week landed Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn in a blockbuster Triple Threat bout on The Grandest Stage of Them All with the aforementioned teams. In response to this, The Usos opened this episode of the blue brand and expressed their pride for finally securing their spot on The Show of Shows after years and years of hard work. The reigning Champions declared that they would not blow this opportunity to perform at WrestleMania and vowed to leave New Orleans with their titles still intact, but Jimmy and Jey had a few things to say to their attackers. Before delivering a verbal dressing down to Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, the Samoan twins declared their respect for The New Day, but the focus of their speech was the best friends with a vicious attitude, for which they have <i>zero</i> respect.

The Usos made it clear that Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn would regret the day they crossed them, and promised that they would be given a first class ticket straight to the Uso Penitentiary at WrestleMania where they can continue to hide behind Daniel Bryan. Moments later, the men in question emerged and denied the claim, stating that they have no need to hide behind anybody and will undoubtedly leave New Orleans as the <i>new</i> SmackDown Tag Team Champions. But to prove that they have no intentions of hiding, they laid out a challenge to The Usos for a tag team bout tonight. The Usos accepted and the main event was confirmed - a small preview of WrestleMania as these two teams collide in non-title action!

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#103ab6;">United States Champion Bobby Roode def. Jinder Mahal</div>

Sparking the old rivalry, Bobby Roode took on his arch-nemesis, Jinder Mahal ahead of his Glorious Open Challenge at The Show of Shows. The Modern Day Maharajah had guaranteed victory in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal over the last few weeks, but he ultimately suffered a loss to same man who denied him the United States Championship. The Glorious One delivered the Glorious DDT to secure his win over the former WWE Champion.

After the bell had rung, Bobby Roode took to the microphone to remind everyone that the countdown is truly on, urging all superstars to step up and raise their game as one lucky individual will receive the "glorious opportunity" at the United States Championship on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Who will be the one to rise to the occasion in New Orleans?

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#103ab6;">Sarah Logan def. Natalya</div>

The unprovoked attacks continued last week when The Riott Squad assaulted Naomi, rendering her with minor injuries which prevented her appearing on this week's edition of SmackDown LIVE. Sarah Logan competed against another victim of their attacks, Natalya in an effort for The Queen of Harts to get some revenge, but when Liv Morgan worked as a distraction, Logan was able to deliver the Kentucky Knee to put the former Women's Champion away.

With these pack-like ambushes seemingly being their MO as of late, The Riott Squad took to the ring and pummelled Natalya in front of the WWE Universe with Ruby Riott delivering the Riott Kick and laying The Queen of Harts out in the center of the ring. The Riott Squad look dominant heading into WrestleMania, but where do they stand in regards to The Show of Shows?

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#103ab6;">Baron Corbin, Rusev & Mojo Rawley def. Zack Ryder, Tye Dillinger, Sin Cara</div>

With the prestigious trophy by ringside, these six participants of the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal competed in tag team action for a burst of momentum heading into this Sunday's spectacular brawl. Despite the clear speed advantage, the high-flying Sin Cara was caught by Rusev with a sickening superkick to the back of the skull which laid out the luchadore and gave The Bulgarian Brute and his allies the victory.

With victory in their grasp, the three bigger men celebrated, but quickly became aware that it would be every man for themselves at WrestleMania. However, before they could come to blows, a much more sinister reality dawned over the superstars involved - The Bludgeon Brothers arrived. Baron Corbin, Mojo Rawley and Rusev abandoned the ringside area as Harper and Rowan slowly trudged past them without even acknowledging their presence. Dropping their mallets, the devstating duo entered the ring and decimated the trio of Zack Ryder, Tye Dillinger and Sin Cara, tossing the luchadore and Dillinger over the ropes in true Battle Royal fashion before driving Zack Ryder into the canvas with The Reckoning. Making a statement that was received loud and clear by all watching, The Bludgeon Brothers stood tall and put the entire cast of the fifth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on notice.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#103ab6;">Carmella def. Becky Lynch</div>

Miss Money in the Bank competed in what could potentially be a future Championship bout last week as she took on The Queen, Charlotte Flair. Unfortunately, Princess Mella came up short and the SmackDown Women's Champion rained supreme. This week was different, however, as with WrestleMania just five days away, tensions seemed to be rising between the two good friends, Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair who would do battle for the blue brand's female prize. When the match tumbled to the outside, Carmella used her wit to shove The Irish Lasskicker into The Queen who was sat at ringside on commentary, leading to a trading of words between the Champion and challenger. As Lynch rolled back into the ring, she found herself rolled into a small package and a quick victory for Carmella left the number one contender in shock.

The Princess of Staten Island quickly fled the scene as Becky looked on in disbelief, looking back at Charlotte Flair at ringside. The SmackDown Women's Champion didn't seem too pleased with the result, but raised her SmackDown Women's Championship above her head to give clear warning to Becky Lynch that friends or not, she is going to fight for her gold.

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<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">Breezango and The Ascension declare themselves for the André the Giant Battle Royal in an episode of The Fashion Files</div>

In a special pre-WrestleMania episode of The Fashion Files, Breezango and their unlikely allies, The Ascension declared their entry into the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at The Show of Shows. Vowing to be the best dressed competitors to enter the bout, Fandango and Tyler Breeze confirm their intention to win the match, but begin playfully arguing over who will get the final victory. The Ascension soon join the discussion and explain that it will be them who will win, but also begin arguing amongst themselves as to who will be the last man standing.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#103ab6;">Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn def. SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos via disqualification</div>

Created earlier in the night from a confrontation between the SmackDown Tag Team Champions and one of their two challenging teams at WrestleMania, this main event exploded into action that had the WWE Universe on their feet. The challengers were eager to get an upper hand over The Usos this close to their title opportunity, and came close when Sami Zayn connected with a Helluva Kick on Jimmy Uso, but luckily his brother was there to save the day. As Kevin Owens gained control of the bout and looked to deliver a powerbomb to Jey Uso on the ring apron on the outside - which would have undoubtedly rendered Jey unfit to compete at The Show of Shows - The New Day arrived and attacked The Prizefighter from behind, sending the match into chaos as the official called for a disqualification.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn retreated to the ring where they suddenly found themselves surrounded by their WrestleMania adversaries and were subject to a beating in retaliation from their own attack last week. Sami Zayn was driven into the canvas with a Midnight Hour by Kofi Kingston and Big E, while Kevin Owens felt the wrath of an Uso Splash from Jimmy, sending the assailants packing to the back. Five days before the explosive Triple Threat bout, The Usos and The New Day stood united on SmackDown LIVE against a common foe, but come April 8 - may the best team win.

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<div style="font:18px Roboto;font-weight:bold;">WWE Championship confrontation ends in chaos as Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon come to blows</div>

The WWE Champion, AJ Styles will defend his title against not one but <i>two</i> challengers at WrestleMania - Randy Orton and Dolph Ziggler. With just five days remaining until The Show of Shows, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan hosted a confrontation of sorts for the Triple Threat competitors to have one final encounter before their main event match in New Orleans. The Showoff was the first to step forward, again reminding everyone that he is the "true contender" after beating three other superstars to earn the spot, declaring that Randy Orton shouldn't even be in the match in the first place. The Viper was happy to respond, putting Ziggler in his place and stating that whether he's against one, two, three or more opponents, it will only take on RKO to get the one-two-three.

Of course, The Phenomenal One had something to say about that and informed Orton that he knows how devastating his RKO can be, but according to AJ Styles, there will be no RKO. The WWE Champion made it crystal clear that he intends on leaving New Orleans <i>still</i> the WWE Champion after fighting too long and too hard to get to the top where he is today. A three way stare down ensued and the tension rose before suddenly, SmackDown LIVE General Manager, Daniel Bryan stepped in with something to say. The Yes Man expressed his excitement for the WWE Championship bout on The Grandest Stage of Them All, but had a home truth for everyone involved - he will be gunning for the WWE Championship as soon as WrestleMania is over! This set off the WWE Universe into chants of "Yes!" heard around the world, but his claim was immediately shut down by Shane McMahon who claimed that once again, Daniel Bryan had made this all about him when in fact it wasn't.

The two business-partners-turned-enemies butted heads as Daniel Bryan squared up to Shane-O-Mac ahead of their own WrestleMania encounter this coming Sunday. And Shane McMahon once again poked the bear, asking Daniel Bryan if he can still compete and claiming that deep down in Bryan's heart, he thinks he knows that the magic is dead. That is something which we will have to wait and see, but one thing is for sure - he's still as dangerous and aggressive as ever. The former World Champion decided enough was enough and delivered a stiff forearm to the face of The Prodigal Son, sending this closing segment into pure carnage. The WWE Champion made an attempt to break up the scuffle between Commissioner and General Manager, only to be superkick from nowhere by Dolph Ziggler! The Showoff screamed at the top of his lungs that WrestleMania would be his night, but his claim was cut short by Randy Orton who struck with an RKO. The Viper got to his feet and looked up to the sign looming above, but turned around into a Phenomenal Forearm from AJ Styles, flooring the challenger with a big impact.

As The Phenomenal One regained his composure and picked up his WWE Championship, Daniel Bryan had got Shane McMahon right where he wanted him, measuring him for the signature Running Knee, but Shane-O-Mac had the wherewithal to dive through the ropes and out of harms way, causing The Yes Man to collide with AJ Styles! The General Manager of SmackDown LIVE got to his feet and looked out at his bitter rival before looking down to the canvas at the WWE Championship laying beside The Phenomenal One. And with a raise of his fingers into the air, Bryan had the entire WWE Universe chanting in unison one word - "YES!".</div>

Jeremy Weimer · April 5, 2018

Daniel Bryan vs AJ for the title? Yes please.

Hollywood · April 5, 2018

WWE 205 Live: April 3, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee

205 Live has arrived to the final stop on the Road to WrestleMania! Before Hideo Itami and Cedric Alexander do battle down in New Orleans to crown a new WWE Cruiserweight champion, they must team up alongside Mustafa Ali to take on the Lucha House Party! Will egos collide between the two WrestleMania opponents? Or will cooler heads prevail to allow them to secure yet another win ahead of the Grandest Stage of Them All?

Marcel Barthel def. Raul Mendoza

The impending debut of the German hard-hitter had been advertised for nearly two months now and it was finally time for Barthel to make his mark on the Cruiserweight division. Raul Mendoza, another new superstar to 205 Live, tried to stop Barthel’s road to glory at the first hurdle but the former wXw Unified champion had an answer for everything thrown his way and brutally beatdown Raul before ending the bout with a devastating Landungsbrücken to earn his first victory on 205 Live.

Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, and TJP announce their participation in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Even though they failed to secure a spot on the WrestleMania card through the WWE Cruiserweight Championship Tournament, the road to New Orleans wasn’t over for some of the 205 Live competitors. Drew Gulak and Tony Nese, together, declared that they will work together to eliminate the other competitors to make sure the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy comes to 205 Live. For Daivari, winning the battle royal means more money in his pockets. As for TJP, a win at the Biggest Party in the WWE Calendar would mean that the “Dabbing Dynamo” finally gets out of his recent slump.

Tyler Bate & Mark Andrews def. Drew Gulak & Tony Nese

The aforementioned road to WrestleMania for Gulak and Nese hit a big pothole tonight against the U.K.’s Tyler Bate and Mark Andrews. Bate, ahead of his NXT TakeOver match this weekend, flew around the ring in what is surely a message to NXT’s Velveteen Dream. Meanwhile, the team of Gulak and Nese imploded after Gulak threw Nese over the top rope and to the floor, a contradictory message from their earlier Battle Royal declaration. After some bickering from Tony and Drew, Andrews was able to capitalize by planting Gulak into the mat with a Stundog Millionaire to earn a big victory! He wasn’t done there with both Tony and Drew, as Andrews declared his own entry in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - promising to eliminate both Gulak and Nese!

Gentleman Jack Gallagher, Akira Tozawa, and The Lucha House Party announce their participation in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

The field for the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal continues to grow with the addition of Gentleman Jack Gallagher, Akira Tozawa, Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado! Gallagher is looking to prove his worth in the Cruiserweight division, whereas Tozawa wants to win to fire Drake Maverick. For the Lucha House Party, this is the opportunity to bring Lucha to the Big Easy!

Kalisto, Gran Metalik, and Lince Dorado def. Cedric Alexander, Hideo Itami, and Mustafa Ali

With WrestleMania only a few days away, Cedric Alexander and Hideo Itami had to team up ahead of their huge WWE Cruiserweight Championship match. Last week, Mustafa Ali’s dreams of having his Mania moment were crushed thanks to a Go 2 Sleep from Itami, but he tried to let bygones be bygones while teaming up with the Japanese Warrior tonight. Their opponents, the Lucha House Party, definitely had the amicable relationship that the unlikely trio didn’t have.

After being outshone by both Alexander and Ali, Hideo Itami tagged himself in and refused the help from his two partners - preferring to take on the masked marvels on his own accord. This proved to be the downfall of his team, as the animosity grew between Hideo and his WrestleMania challenger. When Itami needed to tag out, Alexander hopped off the apron, leaving Itami with no choice but to try to tag in Mustafa Ali to no avail, as the Chicagoan looked up at the WrestleMania sign and hopped off the ring apron himself! Prone to an attack, Kalisto planted Hideo with the Salida del Sol for the victory.

With this animosity built between the two WrestleMania rivals, who will claim the WWE Cruiserweight Championship this Sunday at WrestleMania? Is it the Age of Alexander? Or is it time for Hideo Itami’s Ascension to the Throne?

Hollywood · April 5, 2018

WWE WrestleMania: April 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana

Universal Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Champion AJ Styles vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Finn Bálor (Steel Cage Match)

Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Champion Sasha Banks vs. Asuka vs. Bayley vs. Alexa Bliss

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Champion Bobby Roode issues an Open Challenge

Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander (Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals)

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Competitors: Elias, Baron Corbin, Jinder Mahal, Titus O'Neil, Apollo, Kassius Ohno, Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno, Zack Ryder, Rusev, Aiden English, Tye Dillinger, Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin, Jason Jordan, Curt Hawkins, Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, R-Truth, Harper, Rowan, "Woken" Matt Hardy, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, Mojo Rawley, Sin Cara, Fandango, Tyler Breeze, Konnor, Viktor, Drew Gulak, Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, TJP, Mark Andrews, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, Akira Tozawa, Kalisto, Gran Metalik & Lince Dorado

Hollywood · April 5, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. ???

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win?

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania?

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge?

2Sweet · April 5, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. ???

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win? "Woken" Matt Hardy

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? Six

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? NXT guy?

unwound · April 5, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. ???

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win? Elias

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? Six

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Chris Jericho

CobheadJake · April 5, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. ???

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win? Elias

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? 6

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Alistair Black

ElectricX · April 6, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. Drew McIntyre

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win? Rusev

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? 7

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Drew McIntyre

michgcs · April 6, 2018

Love the graphics, guys. Great job on the whole thing!

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. ???

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win? Rusev

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? Counting the Cruiserweight title, 8

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Neville?

Rogue · April 6, 2018

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. ???

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win? - Baron Corbin

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? With the CW title, 7.

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Bobby Lashley

Jeremy Weimer · April 6, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. ???

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - who will win? Rusev

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? 4

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Drew McIntyre

Everything Ken · April 6, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

WWE Universal Championship - Brock Lesnar © vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

WWE Championship - AJ Styles © vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Randy Orton

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

Intercontinental Championship - The Miz © vs. Finn Balor

Raw Tag Team Championship - The Bar © vs. Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins

Smackdown Tag Team Championship - The Usos © vs. The New Day vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn

Smackdown Women's Championship - Charlotte Flair © vs. Becky Lynch

Raw Women's Championship - Sasha Banks © vs. Asuka vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley Was really temped to put Sasha on this

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

United States Championship - Bobby Roode © vs. Andrade Almas

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - Elias

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? 7 with CW title

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Andrade Almas

Hollywood · April 7, 2018

WWE NXT: April 4, 2018 in Orlando, Florida

Before heading down to New Orleans, the Superstars of NXT return to Full Sail University for another exciting night of action. Ahead of the huge NXT Tag Team Championship match this Saturday, Adam Cole of the Undisputed ERA, Eric Young of SAnitY, and Buddy Murphy of The Mighty will do battle to give their respective teams the momentum heading into NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. This and much more tonight from WWE’s black-and-yellow brand!

Dakota Kai def. Deonna

While she was ready for this match last week before it being called off thanks to a brutal brawl between Andrade “Cien” Almas and Aleister Black, Dakota Kai was still ready to showcase her talents inside the squared circle. Deonna wasn’t able to muster up much momentum against the leader of #TeamKICK and eventually fell to the Double Foot Stomp that allowed the Kiwi to secure the pinfall.

Heavy Machinery def. Riddick Moss & Tino Sabbatelli

After some choice words regarding Heavy Machinery’s diet and workout techniques, Riddick Moss and Tino Sabbatelli were looking to teach Heavy Machinery first hand what perfection looks like. Otis Dozovic and Tucker Knight were happy with who they are and brought their own brand of perfection to the ring against the rich jocks of NXT. In the end, it was Heavy Machinery who picked up the win.

NXT TakeOver: New Orleans comes to you live this Saturday, April 7th, 2018, only on the WWE Network. You do not want to miss the huge NXT Championship match between Andrade “Cien” Almas and Aleister Black. Plus, witness the debut of the international sensation Ricochet - live only on the WWE Network!

Buddy Murphy def. Adam Cole & Eric Young

After becoming the newest member of The Mighty alongside Shane Thorne and Nick Miller, Buddy Murphy went into battle for his team against The Undisputed ERA’s Adam Cole and SAnitY’s Eric Young and emerged victorious. This vicious triple threat match between stable members who will not be competing this Saturday brought to light the animosity between all three teams. After Young threw Cole out of the ring, Murphy capitalized on the opportunity and planted Young into the mat with Murphy’s Law to get the win and bring all the momentum to The Mighty ahead of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans this Saturday night!

Hollywood · April 8, 2018

WWE NXT TAKEOVER: April 7, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana

One night before the biggest WrestleMania in history, NXT takes over New Orleans with another exciting night of action featuring the very best on the WWE NXT roster. Rivalries will come to a head, championships will be on the line, and careers could very well be ended. This is NXT TakeOver: New Orleans!

Velveteen Dream def. Tyler Bate

In what was quickly a bitter end to their recent Twitter feud, Velveteen Dream had the number of the first-ever WWE United Kingdom Champion and proved why he took home a lot of hardward in the 2017 NXT Year-End Awards.

Dream rode into New Orleans with all the pomp and circumstance in the world with a body draped in Bourbon Street beads and wrestling gear that painted Tyler Bate’s head on a voodoo doll - a true sign that the Velveteen Dream experience had taken over The Big Easy. Bate, on the other hand, was all business as he marched to the ring and was ready to bring a fight to the Dream.

While they are roughly the same age, Tyler Bate had years of knowledge over the Dream and it showed at the sound of the bell. Bate and Dream exchanged the momentum from the get go and the mind games from Velveteen eventually got the upperhand for the cocky one. Bate fought valiantly against the cocky youngster, but in the end it was Dream who emerged victorious with a Purple Rainmaker that cleared over half of the squared circle!

Ricochet def. Fabian Aichner

In one of the most anticipated matches of WrestleMania Weekend, the highflying dynamo Ricochet officially made his NXT debut on the grand stage of NXT TakeOver: New Orleans.

Fabian Aichner looked to play the spoiler on the former IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Tag Team Champion’s crowning night, but the speed and agility from “The One and Only” was too much to handle. After dismantling Aichner with a crazy springboard Shooting Star Press from inside the ring to the outside, Ricochet put the exclamation point on his debut with an awe-inspiring 630° senton to earn his first victory under the WWE umbrella!

After the match, however, wasn’t as fun for The Future of Flight. Crazed that he wasn’t deemed worthy enough to have his debut at TakeOver, EC3 ran out from the crowd and beat down Ricochet from behind! EC3 planted Ricochet to the mat with the One Percenter. EC3 is here in NXT and he is ready to show the world why he is THE Top One Percent of the NXT roster.

Speaking of some of the hottest free agents in the world, former WWN Champion Keith Lee was sitting ringside to enjoy his first NXT TakeOver event. What does this mean for Lee? Will the WWE Universe soon be forced to Bask In His Glory?

Peyton Royce def. NXT Women's Champion Ember Moon

The NXT Women’s division has become truly Iconic. With Billie Kay by her side, Peyton Royce finally accomplished a lifelong dream by being the woman to dethrone Ember Moon to ascend to one of the thrones of NXT.

With a show-stealing performance from Cane Hill and Halestorm’s Lzzy Hale acting as her entrance war cry, Ember Moon was not going to go down without a fight against one-half of the Iconic Duo. Royce and Moon traded signature moves throughout the bout, with Moon at one point nearly securing the win with an Eclipse if it weren’t for Billie Kay placing Royce’s foot on the bottom rope.

After the ejection of Billie Kay from ringside, a distracted Ember Moon ran right into a big kick to the jaw from the challenger. That kick sealed the fate of the Champion, who was planted into the mat with the Venus Fly Trap that guaranteed a new NXT Women’s Champion!

NXT Tag Team Champions The Undisputed ERA def. SAnitY & The Mighty

Even with the odds stacked against them, The Undisputed ERA managed to escape New Orleans with the NXT Tag Team Championships still in tow.

Flanked by fellow stable members, all three tag teams brought the fight from the opening bell all with one goal in mind: walking out of TakeOver with the NXT Tag Team Championships. The no disqualifications rule of the match came into play nearly immediately as Adam Cole, Eric Young, and Buddy Murphy helped their respective teams in times of need. As the action spilled to the outside with everybody fighting amongst each other, The Mighty’s Buddy Murphy took to the air with a huge Tope Con Hilo that took everybody down!

A short time later, Alexander Wolfe had Kyle O’Reilly down in the ring with a chair wrapped around his knee as Killian Dain was perched up on the top rope ready to pounce and potentially end Kyle’s career. In a moment of desperation, Bobby Fish crawled into the ring and pulled O’Reilly out of harm’s way and then let Wolfe put him in the danger zone. No matter whose leg was going to be crushed, Dain pounced and splashed down from the top rope to eviscerate the ERA member’s leg.

Fish’s act of courage allowed for the greatest trick of deception thanks to the arrival of Roderick Strong, who came down to the ring and smacked every member of SAnitY and The Mighty with a steel chair in an attack that echoed around the Smoothie King Center. With everybody taken out at the hands of The Messiah of the Backbreaker (who has seemingly joined forces with the Undisputed ERA), Kyle O’Reilly crawled over the downed body of Killian Dain to successfully retain the NXT Tag Team Championships!

Much like Keith Lee earlier in the night, former wXw World Champion WALTER sat ringside for this exciting night of NXT action. Does this mean that one of the hottest free agents on the wrestling scene has a future here in NXT?

NXT Champion Andrade "Cien" Almas def. Aleister Black

In one of the hardest-hitting NXT Championship Matches in recent memory, Andrade “Cien” Almas forced the championship aspirations of Aleister Black to fade to black in a bout where champion and challenger beat each other black and blue over the course of 20 minutes in a battle that saw each Superstar empty the entirety of their proverbial bag of tricks.

For Black, that was the blistering kicks and strikes — to say nothing of his otherworldly presence — he uses to clear the way for his ironclad Black Mass kick to the face. Standing opposite the same man he defeated in his NXT televised debut one year prior, Black picked up where he left off, raining punishment down upon the champion at every possible opportunity. All that El Ídolo could do was try to dodge Black Mass by hook or by crook, as Black’s multifaceted offense made him tough for the champion to pin down.

This is not to say Almas was helpless in the contest — his targeting of Black’s arm to set up the Hammerlock DDT was expert — but it’s no secret that Almas’ business manager Zelina Vega has been the cornerstone upon which his reinvention and title reign were built. Her presence paid dividends in Almas’ matches against the likes of Drew McIntyre and Johnny Gargano in prior months, and it did so again in New Orleans. Vega interfered no less than four times in the title match: administering a pair of hurricanranas to Black that stopped him in his tracks, placing Almas’ foot on the ropes after the challenger landed Black Mass, and tying Black’s ankle up on the ropes — a maneuver that allowed the champion to place his opponent in the Tree of Woe and execute a massive double-stomp.

Unfortunately for Black, the constant distractions and interference from Vega cost him the NXT Championship thanks to Vega’s final game plan. After soaring off the top rope with a crossbody, Vega missed a ducking Black and landed in the arms of Almas, who turned around and let Vega absorb the absolute worst of a beautiful Black Mass kick. With Vega firmly out, the Champion dropped her to the mat, spat water in Black’s face, and capitalized with not one, but two Hammerlock DDTs to put away the fierce challenger. Almas was still champion thanks to his business manager, who really took one for the team tonight.

Johnny Gargano def. Tommaso Ciampa in a I Quit Match

In a I Quit Match that proved to be absolutely destructive, Johnny Gargano managed to secure his NXT career by finally defeating Tommaso Ciampa, the teammate and friend who betrayed him 10 months ago, once and for all by forcing the bearded betrayer to say two of the least respected words in wrestling: “I Quit!”.

Gargano’s long-brewing, emotional and ultimately epic payback doubled as his last-ditch effort to keep his childhood dream alive and compete in WWE, though in the beginning he seemed to particularly relish the idea of whaling on Ciampa as much as humanly possible. Ten months of waiting erupted in a wild-eyed fury from Gargano; his fanciest move in the early goings was a slingshot spear and a suicide dive, the rest were just fists and kicks that sent The Blackheart reeling. At one point, he fastballed Ciampa over the commentary table, leaving Mauro Ranallo and Percy Watson scrambling for cover while the NXT Universe chimed in with a “Mamma Mia!” chant.

Ciampa, on the other hand, decided to embrace the ferocity that has come to define him over the last year or so. He exposed the concrete floor of the Smoothie King Center, nearly snapped the cover of the commentary table in two by dropping Gargano onto it, and nearly stomped his former partner into unconsciousness with a series of boots to the back of the head. In one of the match’s many symbolic moments, Ciampa stole the crutches from a fan with a knee brace and began to swing them wildly at Gargano in an effort to land the finishing blow.

Johnny Wrestling ducked the crutches with surprising efficiency given how badly he’d been victimized at that point. He ended up turning Ciampa’s own ruthlessness against him by powerbombing The Sicilian Psychopath onto the exposed patch of concrete with a vile splat. (The NXT Universe chimed in once again, this time with a “You deserve it” chant.) Gargano also began to embrace the match’s lawlessness by exposing a turnbuckle, and it seemed, as the battle wore on, as though he might sacrifice his humanity in his pursuit of regaining his career.

Ciampa remained one step ahead of him on that front. When a rope break could not stop the Gargano Escape, he gouged Johnny’s eyes instead. During a punch-off that ensued after the two found themselves attached to each other thanks to the tape on Ciampa’s wrist, Johnny began to roll and Ciampa answered with a Pat McAfee boot to the nether regions.

Ciampa did employ some of his own maneuvers as well, particularly the powerbomb-lungblower combo that ended up causing more harm than good when he hit it off the top rope — the impact aggravated his surgically repaired knee so much that he had to remove the brace entirely. Of course, he turned that to his advantage as well, attempting to knee Gargano in the face with it.

Johnny Wrestling was ready, whacking Ciampa with the discarded brace to stop him cold and snapping the fallen crutch in two. Gargano stalked toward his cowering partner with punishment on his mind, though the sight of Ciampa cowering and teary-eyed, his face swelling tighter by the second, seemed to sap Gargano of his ruthlessness. Johnny paused his attack and sat down next to his former partner, much in the same way they had done after their then-friendly contest during 2016’s Cruiserweight Classic.

Quick as a flash, Ciampa swung the brace in Johnny’s direction and Gargano dodged it, wrapping his old partner first in the Gargano Escape and then a furious STF with the brace stretched across Ciampa’s face. Tommaso struggled to hold on and ultimately had two choices: risk permanent injury by passing out, or speak the dreaded two words and admit that his former best friend was the better man tonight…

and with better judgement, Ciampa opened his cold hard mouth and uttered the two words to bring an end to the absolute destruction caused by the beating hearts of both men. In the end, it was the Rebel Heart who emerged victorious and secured his right to remain on the NXT roster. But as the night was coming to a close (after the NXT trademarks rolled) and Mrs. Wrestling Candice LeRae joined Johnny in the ring to celebrate, Tommaso Ciampa rolled back into the ring with an item in hand as he came face to face with the winner. That item? A signature blue #DIY t-shirt. With no words exchanged between the two, Ciampa looked down at the shirt and then back up to Gargano, and with a bit of hesitation, he gave the t-shirt to Johnny Wrestling accompanied by a nod in what we can only assume as a sign of respect from the Blackheart to the Rebel Heart.

ElliotM · April 9, 2018

mattu29 · April 9, 2018

WRESTLEMANIA 34 PREDICTION KEY

Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon

Braun Strowman vs. The Undertaker

Daniel Bryan vs. Shane McMahon

John Cena vs. Samoa Joe

WWE Cruiserweight Championship - Hideo Itami vs. Cedric Alexander

André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal - Elias

Bonus Questions

How many championships will change hands at WrestleMania? 5 with CW title

Who will answer Bobby Roode's US Championship Open Challenge? Lashley, wanna go with someone no ones gone with

ElliotM · April 15, 2018

<div style="width:650px;padding:15px 50px 15px 50px;font: 15px Roboto Slab;background-image:url(https://i.imgur.com/T5nq53X.png);background-repeat:repeat-y;text-align:justify;"><div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;text-align:center;">WWE WrestleMania: April 8, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana</div>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Absolution & The Riott Squad def. Naomi, Mickie James, Natalya, Lana, Alicia Fox & Dana Brooke (Kickoff Match)</div>

Announced just moments before WrestleMania was set to begin, this 12-Woman Tag Team Match acted as an outlet for revenge as six rather angry superstars looked to get their own back on the relentless teams of Absolution and The Riott Squad for their heinous attacks in weeks prior. Uniting as a supergroup, Paige and Ruby Riott led their alliances into battle and were on the receiving end of a beating - well-deserved some might say - from Naomi and Mickie James' team of disgruntled women.

Naomi led the assault, taking down members of The Riott Squad with her Rear View and tagging in the former Women's Champion, Mickie James to get her own hands on the attackers. But the two groups with vicious intent battled back with Sonya Deville and Sarah Logan using their brute force to take down Natalya and Alicia Fox respectively. As the action broke down, a slight misstep by Lana landed her in some deep water as she was dropped by a Jumping Roundhouse Kick from the sinister Sonya Deville, allowing The Raven-Haired Renegade, Paige to crawl in and secure the victory for the six-woman powerhouse group.

Weeks of attacks had actually paid off for Absolution and The Riott Squad as they found themselves victorious in the opening bout of the WrestleMania Kickoff show. If they were unstoppable before as two trios, imagine what they are capable of as a combined force. The women's locker room certainly felt how dominant they can be first-hand, and the six superstars stood victorious in New Orleans, most definitely making a name for themselves on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Cedric Alexander def. Hideo Itami (Cruiserweight Championship Tournament Finals) (Kickoff Match)</div>

Since January, 205 Live has been without a champion. Tonight, on the Grandest Stage of Them All, two of the most premier competitors of the Cruiserweight roster duke it out to crown a new champion for the new era of 205 Live. With 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick sitting at ringside, Hideo Itami and Cedric Alexander were ready to make their mark on the SuperDome in a veritable battle on Bourbon street.

As soon as the bell rung, Hideo and Cedric flung at one another with incredible force in what was a fight to the finish. Hideo unleashed a flurry of strikes that would make any other competitor crumble to the mat, but the fighting spirit that engulfed Alexander’s body was just too strong to go down. Alexander fought back and unleashed a brutal attack on the Japanese Wrestling Machine that included multiple splashes and dives around ringside.

Itami wasn’t ready to bow down just yet, as he fought back with intensity that could only be matched by Alexander. Itami and Alexander beat each other up in the good name of Cruiserweight wrestling as the WWE Universe that filed into the SuperDome were going absolutely bananas. While both men had their eyes on the prize known as the Cruiserweight Championship, only one man was able to walk out of WrestleMania as champion. That man was Cedric Alexander, who after a backbreaking Lumbar Check pinned Itami in the middle of the ring to crown himself the new king of 205 Live.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Elias wins the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (Kickoff Match)</div>

The fifth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal took place inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where the match was first debuted at the historic WrestleMania 30. Superstars arrived in their droves, hoping to secure a victory and claim the golden trophy as their own in front of a jam-packed crowd in New Orleans. two former winners of the annual brawl emerged as Baron Corbin and Mojo Rawley joined the fray, but a third also added their name to the star-studded list at the very last minute as the World's Largest Athlete, the Big Show made his return to action to enter the match he won back in 2015. The seven-foot monster quickly stamped his authority, tossing victims over the ropes left, right and center. The giant disposed of Ariya Daivari, Tony Nese and Lince Dorado in the opening moments before clotheslining Curt Hawkins over and out to his doom. Meanwhile, another force of dominance was taking its own control of the multi-man mashup as The Bludgeon Brothers eliminated Fandango and Tyler Breeze, shortly followed by Konnor and Viktor of The Ascension. Drew Gulak was sent parading over the ropes by fellow cruiserweight, Gran Metalik while on the opposite side of the ring, last year's winner, Mojo Rawley dumped his former tag team partner, Zack Ryder down to the arena floor.

The battle raged on as "Woken" Matt Hardy focused his onslaught on the opposition, delivering a Twist of Fate to Aiden English and DELETING him from the bout. Shortly after, there became a clear division of divisions as the remaining six cruiserweights - TJP, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, Mark Andrews, Akira Tozawa, Kalisto and Gran Metalik - stood back-to-back in the center of the ring as the rest of the competitors surrounded them. The 205 Live superstars held their own against the rest of the roster for a moment before all being dumped over the ropes by their adversaries sending the cruiserweights flying sky-high down to the arena floor. Stemming from the ongoing rivalry between Intercontinental Champion, The Miz and Finn Bálor who will collide later in the night inside a Steel Cage, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson clashed with Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas of The Miztourage. Axel and Dallas were unceremoniously dumped over the ropes by their Bálor Club rivals, but Gallows and Anderson joined them shortly after thanks to a sneak attack from The Revival. Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson continued to be dominant as they pulled down the ropes to send Heath Slater and Rhyno crashing and burning out of the bout. But their streak of eliminations came to an abrupt end as Kassius Ohno emerged from seemingly nowhere and went into a KO frenzy, delivering stiff elbows to both Revival members, sending them over and out.

On the opposite side of the ring, former André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal winner, Baron Corbin sent R-Truth over the ropes, coming closer to a historic second victory. But hot on his heels was the Big Show who threw the luchadore, Sin Cara into the air into a group of superstars on the outside. The two former winners came face-to-face in the center of the ring in a clash of the titans of some sort, only to be attacked by the remaining competitors. However, the hope of eliminating these two dominant superstars was quickly dashed as Big Show sent Apollo and Titus O'Neil over and out, while The Lone Wolf claimed another elimination of his own by booting he iconic, Goldust out of the match. Before The World's Largest Athlete and The Lone Wolf could come to blows though, they were confronted by The Bludgeon Brothers in an epic standoff. The four behemoths traded blows, but it was the dominant Harper and Rowan who gained the advantage and shockingly dumped Big Show and Baron Corbin over the ropes, eliminating them and ending their hopes of a second victory in the prestigious bout. As the monsters looked down at their victims, Jason Jordan tried his hand at taking the dominant duo down, only to be sent to join Big Show and Baron Corbin on the outside. The Bludgeon Brothers turn their attention back to the competitors in the ring and go on the warpath, tossing out Chad Gable, Shelton Benjamin and Tye Dillinger.

However, their reign of terror was brought to an end when the rest of the participants united to take down Harper and Rowan, finally ending their streak of dominance and sending them over to the floor of the Superdome. Six men remained, but one had been suspiciously under the radar for most of the bout - The Sinister Songsmith, Elias. He struck at the opportune moment to dump Kassius Ohno over and out, while on the opposite side of the ring, The Modern Day Maharajah finally got his revenge from one year ago, tossing Mojo Rawley out of the bout. Just four superstars remained, fighting for the right to hold the André the Giant Memorial trophy. With the WWE Universe undoubtedly behind the "Rusev Day" movement, The Bulgarian Brute screamed "Matchka" and sent his former ally, Jinder Mahal over the ropes with a sharp superkick, leaving three superstars in the ring. Rusev charged towards The Sinister Songsmith in the hopes of another elimination, but Elias pulled down the ropes and used Rusev's own momentum to eliminate him from the contest. And then there were two.

Elias stood across the ring from The Woken One who led a chant of "DELETE" with the New Orleans crowd, a deafening sound of The Woken Warriors rallying behind their saviour. But as Matt Hardy looked to secure his victory in the Royal Battle of the Giant André, Elias grabbed his guitar from the corner of the ring and smashed it over the skull of his Woken adversary before hoisting him over the ropes to claim the biggest victory of his career and claim the golden trophy as the fifth annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal victor.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos def. The New Day & Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn</div>

For eight long years, The Usos had been omitted from the main WrestleMania show. This year, Jimmy and Jey secured their dream of performing on The Grandest Stage of Them All, as SmackDown Tag Team Champions nonetheless. However, now they had finally reached The Show of Shows, they had the task of retaining their titles against two formidable teams - The New Day and the sinister combination of best friends, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. Opening up The Showcase of the Immortals in New Orleans, these three teams threw absolutely everything they had into this Triple Threat bout to walk out as SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Things became instantly chaotic as Owens and Zayn utilised the no disqualifications ruling that is standard in Triple Threat matches, and took a pair of steel chairs to their opponents to gain the upper hand just moments in.

With the ball in their court, the dastardly duo isolated Kofi Kingston and delivered a Helluva Kick followed by a Pop-up Powerbomb, hoping to secure the victory. Luckily, The Usos returned to action moments before the three count and saved their title reign for a bit longer. Jimmy and Jey went toe-to-toe with Owens and Zayn in a hard-hitting brawl which led to The Prizefighter and his best friend, falling to the outside and receiving a dose of air Uso, the Tag Team Champions soaring through the sky in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. As the bout returned to the ring, The New Day reinserted themselves and joined forces with their long-time rivals, The Usos to take down Sami Zayn with a Midnight Hour, followed by an Uso Splash. But when it came to who should get the pin, the alliance quickly became short-lived.

The Usos and The New Day traded blows and went back-and-forth until Kevin Owens returned to hit a superkick on an unsuspecting Big E, taking him out of the ring. KO also disposed of Jey Uso by sending him crashing over the ropes and to the floor before being sent over himself by a double clothesline from Jimmy Uso and Kofi Kingston. Jimmy and Kofi united once more to fly through the ropes with a pair of suicide dives, only to end up clashing with their respective partners as Owens slid back into the ring to assist his fallen comrade. Kofi Kingston looked to take the titles home for The New Day as he climbed the turnbuckle and flew through the air with a cross body, taking down Sami Zayn as the former Universal Champion jumped out of harms way.

Owens then struck with a superkick and followed it up with a shocking Package Piledriver which many believed would signal the end of the match and The Usos title reign, but out of nowhere, Jimmy Uso flew from the top and delivered an Uso Splash to Kevin Owens, not only breaking up the pinfall, but securing his own and cementing the legacy of The Usos by retaining the SmackDown Tag Team Championships on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Asuka def. Raw Women's Champion Sasha Banks, Bayley & Alexa Bliss</div>

Who's ready for Asuka? Well according to The Empress of Tomorrow herself, nobody is. And it's hard to argue with it when the Japanese sensation is as dominant as she is. Heading into her first WrestleMania with a winning streak of 914 days, the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble winner hoped to continue her reign of terror by adding the Raw Women's Championship to her resume. However, Bayley and Alexa Bliss were also on the hunt for the gold in New Orleans as Sasha Banks defended her title in this Fatal 4-Way bout. The Boss quickly evacuated the ring as soon as the opening bell rang, leaving Asuka to be double teamed by The Huggable One and Little Miss Bliss, clearly seeing The Empress of Tomorrow as a threat they needed to take care of sooner rather than later.

After dumping the undefeated superstar out of the ring, the two former Women's Champions clashed as The Boss watched on from the sidelines, seeking the opportune moment to strike. Bayley dropped Bliss with a dropkick and became a victim of Sasha Banks' sneak attack, clubbing her former best friend from behind and going for a quick victory. Asuka emerged from the outside the break up the pin attempt and quickly went on the warpath, dropped The Boss with a roundhouse kick and then turning her attention to Alexa Bliss. The Empress of Tomorrow threw the former Women's Champion through the ropes and then laid her hands on Bayley, only to be taken by surprise and sent down to the canvas with a Bayley-to-Belly that almost brought Asuka's impressive streak to a grinding halt. That is if it wasn't for Sasha saving the match and her title reign at the very last second.

The former best friends engaged in an all-out brawl until the Raw Women's Champion was able to drop Bayley with a Bank Statement and lock it in, hoping for a submission victory. Flying from the air, Alexa Bliss delivered her Twisted Bliss to both Banks and Bayley, attempting to secure the victory by hooking the leg of The Boss, but luckily for Sasha, Asuka was there to break it up again. With the WWE Universe now on the edge of their seats wondering whether Asuka will indeed continue her streak, she applied the Asuka Lock to Little Miss Bliss. Bayley grabbed The Empress of Tomorrow to separate the pair, but also fell victim to an Asuka Lock as the 2018 Royal Rumble winner nce again tried to bring the match to an end. It was The Boss who broke up this attempt, but ultimately suffered the same fate as her other adversaries, and with Bayley and Bliss out of the equation thanks to Asuka, Sasha Banks had no alternative but to submit.

The Empress of Tomorrow had not only extended her streak once more, but had become Raw Women's Champion in the process. With Asuka being so dominant in the past three years, is it possible to assume that perhaps she may never be beaten? Nobody is ready for Asuka, and that statement most definitely still stands.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Samoa Joe def. John Cena</div>

When John Cena made his return to Raw, he probably didn't expect to be brutally assaulted by former NXT Champion, Samoa Joe with an intent on using The Cenation Leader to catapult himself into the spotlight. By his own admission, The Destroyer targeted John Cena for one reason only, and that was to prove that he should have been the one to reach the top and have the spotlight that Cena has claimed for so many years. And it came down to this clash at The Show of Shows to find out who the better man truly is. Never one to back down from a fight, the 16-time World Champion rose to the occasion and brought his best to try and defeat the evil Samoa Joe and teach him a lesson in respect. But it didn't quite turn out that way for Big Match John, as he suffered another heinous beating at the hands of his former friend.

Samoa Joe pulled no punches against his adversary and gave a dominant showing against the veteran, but not without a fight as Cena battled back and sent Joe crashing to the outside where they brawled and ended up throwing The Destroyer into the steel steps. With a newfound aggression on Cena's face, he dragged his rival back to the ring and attempted to put an end to Joe's destruction with a (much-needed) Attitude Adjustment, only for Joe to slip off and apply the Coquina Clutch. The Cenation Leader struggled to break the hold, but managed to find reprieve in the bottom rope which forced Samoa Joe to break the hold. The 16-time World Champion was reeling, on his last legs when Joe lifted him to the top rope in an attempt to deliver the dangerously devastating Muscle Buster. However, John Cena avoided the attack, slipping off the shoulders of his adversary and instead driving Joe into the canvas with an Attitude Adjustment!

Somehow, someway, Samoa Joe kicked out of the former World Champion's go-to finish, leaving Cena in a state of shock, wondering what he had to do to put his nemesis away. As he measured Joe up for a second Attitude Adjustment, he was dropped with an impressive exploder suplex instead, followed by a sickening senton that crushed the abdomen of John Cena. As both men's tanks seemed to be running on empty, The Destroyer appeared to close in on a victory as he measured his rival to apply yet another Coquina Clutch, but instead he found himself hoisted up for an Attitude Adjustment. But before Cena could deliver the patented move, Joe raked the eyes of his rival and slid away before shoving Cena into steel ring post shoulder-first. Joe used the opportunity to quickly lift The Cenation Leader onto the top rope and then proceed to deliver the devstating Muscle Buster to secure a career-making victory over John Cena on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Drew McIntyre def. United States Champion Bobby Roode in the Glorious Open Challenge</div>

For weeks now, Bobby Roode has sought a worthy challenger for his United States Championship and made an unprecedented decision to issue an open challenge at The Show of Shows to see which superstar would rise to the occasion and face him in New Orleans. That challenge was answered by none other than former NXT Champion - and former rival of Roode's - Drew McIntyre! Recovering from an injury sustained back in November at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, The Sinister Scotsman made his anticipated return on The Grandest Stage of Them All, leaving both his adversary and the WWE Universe in a state of shock.

With the former NXT Champion now looking to add another title to his resume, the match began and a rivalry was rekindled as these two traded blows to the delight of the New Orleans crowd. The Glorious One knew that his open challenge would be answered by someone who felt confident enough to defeat him, but he could never have expected it to be The Chosen One. McIntyre gained control of the match and grounded the United States Champion with a Celtic Kiss, using his own head as a weapon and showing that he was willing to do whatever it took to have his WrestleMania moment and secure a win.

Bobby Roode realised that he had to up his game to take down the very man who defeated him for the NXT Championship back in August of last year, and history looked to be repeating itself. Determined not to suffer the same fate as before, Roode pulled no punches and even tried to defeat his Scottish adversary with a handful of tights, but to no avail. Looking to close the curtain on this impromptu title match, Roode aimed to deliver his Glorious DDT, but instead found himself spun out and dropped to the canvas with McIntyre's own version of the move, the Scot Drop. The WWE Universe rallied in excitement as McIntyre backed into the corner and measured The Glorious One before delivering a jaw-jacking Claymore and securing a WrestleMania-sized victory in his main roster return! The United States Championship is now another prize on the every-growing list of Drew McIntyre's accomplishments.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey def. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon</div>

The debut of Ronda Rousey was highly anticipated, some would even say the biggest signing in recent memory. But some people just don't want to see others succeed, and that's exactly how Stephanie McMahon and Triple H felt about the former UFC competitor. Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle went behind Stephanie's back to contact Ronda Rousey and confirm her participation in the first-ever Women's Royal Rumble Match, and then signing her to a contract on Monday Night Raw. Safe to say, The Authority were not best pleased and made sure the Hall of Famer was aware, The Game physically assaulting him for disobeying a direct order. But Kurt Angle has never been one to be walked over, and Ronda Rousey certainly isn't either.

The dream team of Angle and Rousey set foot inside the squared circle - Angle for the first time in 12 years, Rousey for the first time ever - and came face-to-face with the power couple on The Grandest Stage of Them All. Although The Rowdy One was eager to get her hands on The Billionaire Baroness, Triple H refused to let his wife step into the ring with Ronda and instead opted to kick the match off himself with his old rival, Kurt Angle. In a throwback for any fans of the Attitude Era, The Game and The Olympic Gold Medalist clashed in a hard-hitting brawl as their tag team partners looked on from the apron. Angle looked as though he hadn't missed a step as he showed off his technical ability that he is famous for, keeping The Cerebral Assassin grounded with his mat wrestling skills.

It didn't take long before Triple H battled back, however, and regained control of the match with a signature spinebuster. With The Game back on top, he looked to drive his adversary into the canvas with a Pedigree, only for the Raw General Manager to send him over his head and down to the canvas before reaching for the tag. The Rowdy One joined the fray and immediately rushed her rival, dragging The Queen of Queens over the ropes and into the match with vicious intent, dropping her with a hard clothesline. Triple H tried to intervene, only to be German suplexed by the Olympic Gold Medalist, allowing Rousey to finally get her hands on the McMahon who had aimed to make her life in WWE hell. Stephanie tried her hardest to escape, and succeeded at first, raking the eyes of her nemesis and dropping her with a DDT to the surprise of the WWE Universe.

But as Stephanie prematurely celebrated, Ronda Rousey regained her stance with a sinister expression on her face before driving The Billionaire Baroness into the canvas with a uranage. The moment everyone had been waiting for finally came as The Rowdy One applied a bone-breaking armbar and wrenched away at the left arm of Stephanie McMahon. Triple H rushed to break up the submission, only to be taken down by Kurt Angle and trapped in the Ankle Lock. The Game and his wife clutched each other's hands in the hopes of escaping, but ultimately had no choice but to submit and give Angle and Rousey the victory. The Authority had been beaten, and now Ronda Rousey was free to enjoy her time as a WWE superstar.

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<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">SmackDown Women's Champion Charlotte Flair def. Becky Lynch; Carmella cashes-in and becomes the new SmackDown Women's Champion</div>

The Queen has reigned atop her throne for 145 days, and as she clashed with her close friend, Becky Lynch in a battle for the gold, it seemed as though her reign would continue. Charlotte Flair and The Irish Lasskicker stood face-to-face before the opening bell and shared a moment of respect, shaking hands and preparing to perform in front of the New Orleans crowd on The Grandest Stage of Them All. The two superstars locked horns and engaged in a back-and-forth struggle which neither individual seemed to gain the upper hand in. The SmackDown Women's Champion soon became the controller of the bout as she grounded the number one contender using her technical ability that runs in her bloodline as the daughter of 2-time WWE Hall of Famer, Ric Flair.

As the battle raged on, Becky Lynch gained some offence and came close to dethroning her good friend after hitting a Bexploder on The Queen and hooking the leg, but it wasn't enough to keep Charlotte down for the three and the match continued. The inaugural SmackDown Women's Champion attempted to apply her patented Dis-Arm-Her on the reigning Champion, but before she could properly apply the hold, The Queen was able to roll out of the predicament and somehow transform it into a Figure-Four Leglock, which of course became a crippling Figure-Eight Leglock and left Becky Lynch with no alternative but to tap out and give up on her Championship dreams at WrestleMania. But the night was far from over for The Queen and her SmackDown Women's Championship, which Charlotte Flair quickly discovered.

Embracing her fallen friend after a gruelling hard-fought match, the pair were taken by surprise by a blindside attack from the reigning Miss Money in the Bank, Carmella! Princess 'Mella shockingly clubbed The Queen in the back of her skull, sending her crashing into Becky Lynch and sending her tumbling out of the ring. Capitalising on the chaos, Carmella thrust her briefcase into the chest of the official and made her intentions clear - she was cashing in. The Princess of Staten Island awaited the ring bell, and mere moments after it had rang, she delivered a sharp superkick to the jaw, knocking the SmackDown Women's Champion out cold, and following the exhausting bout with The Irish Lasskicker just moments before, Charlotte was unable to retaliate and a new Champion was crowned in New Orleans.

Miss Money in the Bank is now Miss SmackDown Women's Champion, capitalising on the most opportune moment and on The Grandest Stage of Them All nonetheless. The era of \carmella has begun in the biggest way possible and the Princess now has her crown.

<hr>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins def. Raw Tag Team Champions The Bar</div>

Heading into this Raw Tag Team Championships Match, Sheamus and Cesaro had all the confidence in the world having declared themselves the greatest tag team in history on more than a few occasions. But that claim may be forced to take a backseat after this past Sunday as Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins brought the fight to The Bar in classic Shield fashion - and they didn't do it alone. As The Celtic Warrior and his Swiss comrade awaited their challengers, they were horrified to witness the return of The Lunatic Fringe, Dean Ambrose who accompanied his former Shield brothers to the ring for a full-scale reunion in New Orleans. Perhaps Sheamus and Cesaro would regret their verbal jabs at The Kingslayer after this one was over.

With their brother by their side, The Big Dog and Seth Rollins did battle with their recent rivals in the hopes of claiming the Raw Tag Team Championships as their own, and their hunt for the titles was a roaring success. Despite the best efforts of the reigning champs, even they could not combat the chemistry of two men who alongside Dean Ambrose, decimated the WWE roster for the better part of two years during their reign of terror. The Lunatic Fringe was unwillingly involved in the bout despite still being confined to a sling for his recovering shoulder as Sheamus would drive his boot into the face of the former World Champion with a Brogue Kick on the outside. This altercation would later cost The Bar as Ambrose sought his revenge, but in the meantime, the Raw Tag Team Champions took control of the bout.

The Kingslayer managed to battle back and gain control, dropping The Swiss Superman with a superkick to the gut and measuring him for the devastating Blackout, but in an incredible feat of upper body strength, Cesaro sent Seth Rollins up into the sky by countering the Blackout attempt and catching him on the way back down with a Very European Uppercut! Things seemed to be over for the former Shield pairing until The Big Dog was at hand to break the pinfall up at the very last second. Sheamus tried to keep the former World Champion at bay, but even The Celtic Warrior couldn't restrain the intensity of Roman Reigns and he delivered a thunderous Spear to Sheamus, driving him into the canvas. Cesaro aimed to deliver a Neutraliser to The Big Dog only to be distracted by The Lunatic Fringe from the outside which allowed Reigns to throw Cesaro over his head and follow it up with another Spear which put the nail in the coffin for The Bar.

For the first time since 2013, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins secured the Tag Team Championship and stood tall alongside their ally, Dean Ambrose at WrestleMania in a moment to behold as The Shield reunited at The Showcase of the Immortals in front of the entire world, having conquered their rivals in an epic clash. Are The Shield truly back on track? If they are, the Raw locker room is in some serious danger.

<hr>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">WWE Champion AJ Styles def. Dolph Ziggler & Randy Orton</div>

The WWE Championship had been shrouded in its fair share of controversy over the past month with Dolph Ziggler becoming the number one contender, only to be joined by Randy Orton who secured his own spot as number one contender thanks to a clash of interests between the SmackDown LIVE Commissioner and General Manager. Born from the chaos that ensued was this Triple Threat Match that put AJ Styles' reign as WWE Champion in jeopardy, not even having to be pinned to lose the gold. But the show must go on for The Phenomenal One and it did, in a much more successful way than statistics might have originally suggested. The two contenders came to blows early in the match and allowed Styles to take a breather after the opening moments of the match. The battle was on and the WWE's most prestigious prize was on the line.

The Viper saw an opening for a quick finish, delivering a vintage RKO-outta-nowhere to The Showoff when he least expected it and hooking the leg, but AJ Styles refused to give up the title that easily and broke up the pin attempt with an astounding springboard 450 splash. However, the athleticism of the WWE Champion almost became his downfall as e took to the skies again later in the match for a Phenomenal Forearm, only to be swatted out of the air by a superkick from Ziggler, flooring AJ Styles and coming close to securing the win. If it wasn't for Randy Orton, we may have seen a new WWE Champion at that point, but unfortunately for The #Heel, it was not to be. Orton came closer to claiming his 14th World Championship as he went for another RKO on his blonde adversary, but somehow The Showoff was able to send The Viper packing and over the ropes to the floor.

With the WWE Champion in his sights, Dolph Ziggler closed in only to receive a flurry of hits from AJ Styles as The Phenomenal One pulled a comeback from deep within and dropped Ziggler with an ushigoroshi before mounting an offence to <i>hopefully</i> retain his title. The WWE Champion applied the necessary holds to deliver a Styles Clash to one of his two challengers, but Randy Orton returned to the bout and stopped him from delivering the signature move, instead dropping Styles with a spine-jarring backbreaker. It was then that The Viper seemed to enter "that place" and stalked his prey, hoping to strike with another RKO on Dolph Ziggler, but instead he was met with yet another evasive effort and ended up receiving a superkick to the jaw that sent the former World Champion tumbling through the middle rope. And then came his opportunity - Ziggler took it and rushed the WWE Champion, leaping into the air to deliver the Famouser, only to be caught and hung upside down before being planted in the center of the ring with a Styles Clash! One, two, three and it was all said and done.

The Phenomenal One had somehow overcome the odds and retained his WWE Championship at The Show of Shows, despite many considering his chances to be slim. At least for tonight, AJ Styles remains to be The Champ That Runs the Camp, and he couldn't have chosen a better time to pull through. Truly <i>phenomenal</i>.

<hr>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">The Undertaker def. Braun Strowman</div>

Braun Strowman's path of destruction has captivated the WWE Universe ever since he arrived on the red brand following the brand split. Since then, The Monster Among Men has decimated opponents and left pure carnage in his wake. One such victim of his diabolical domination was The Big Red Machine, Kane who engaged in a heated rivalry with the big man and it ultimately resulted in The Demon being shelved by his barbaric adversary. Of course, everyone knows that you don't usually get one Brother of Destruction without the other, and once again rising from the depths below, The Undertaker emerged to avenge his fallen brethren and punish Braun Strowman for his transgressions.

Many believed The Deadman to be retired following his defeat to Roman Reigns at last year's Showcase of the Immortals, but family ties brought the iconic Phenom back to life and this titanic clash ensued. Making his bone-chilling entrance into the Superdome - the same place the legendary Streak came to an abrupt end at the hands of Brock Lesnar - The Undertaker arrived to confront The Monster Among Men and took part in an intense staredown as the WWE Universe made their voices heard, chanting repeatedly for their beloved Deadman. Showing no signs of intimidation, Strowman made the first move and flattened the legendary Phenom with a clothesline, mounting his opponent and driving down right hands into his skull, surprising everyone with his aggression.

The Monster Among Men has always been a force to be reckoned with, and even The Deadman struggled to combat his aggressive offence. Looking to finish things early, Braun Strowman hoisted his adversary into the air and drove him into the canvas with a Running Powerslam that sent shock waves through New Orleans. But as he hooked the leg, he was stunned to have The Undertaker kick out at two. The big man may have become accustomed to destroying his opponents, but it was going to take a lot more to keep one of the most resilient WWE superstars in history down for the count. Strowman went to the well again for a second Running Powerslam, connecting with impact and going for another cover, only for the supernatural being to once again escape before the count of three. It quickly became clear to Strowman that this was no ordinary battle.

Looking to finally finish off his extraordinary adversary, The Monster Among Men once again raised The Phenom onto his shoulder, but before he could deliver a third powerslam, The Undertaker escaped and unleashed a flurry of shots, sending the big man reeling into the ropes. The Deadman even took Strowman back to school with his vintage Old School manoeuvre, and looked to put an end to Strowman's reign of terror with a Tombstone Piledriver, but perhaps even The Undertaker didn't have the power to hoist up such a large athlete and collapsed backwards, the tables turning and Strowman now having his opponent on his shoulder. a third Running Powerslam connected and the end seemed to be in sight as The Monster Among Men looked out into the WWE Universe with a sadistic grin.

But that's when his moment of ego may have cost him as The Deadman sprung back to life and pulled Braun Strowman in to lock in the devastating Hell's Gate submission. Strowman bellowed in agony as The Undertaker wrenched away, cutting off the air supply by the second. An eternity seemed to pass as Braun Strowman struggled to escape the hellish submission hold and after many attempts to break the clutches of The Last Outlaw, he ultimately had no choice but to submit for what could possibly be the first time in his entire career. The Undertaker had successfully avenged his brother, Kane and vanquished the monstrous Strowman on The Grandest Stage of Them All, not only achieving his goal, but reminding everyone that The Deadman is still very much <i>alive</i>.

<hr>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Finn Bálor def. Intercontinental Champion The Miz (Steel Cage Match)</div>

April 2, 1986. WrestleMania II. The last time the Steel Cage lowered over the squared circle at The Show of Shows. A environment that contained two titans of WWE, Hulk Hogan and King Kong Bundy as they clashed over the WWE Championship. This year, as a result of the constant outside interference that has plagued this rivalry, Kurt Angle issued the announcement that The Miz would defend his Intercontinental Championship inside the structure against Finn Bálor, thirty-two years after it last graced The Grandest Stage of Them All. Much to The Miz's chagrin, however. But the stage had been set and The A-Lister entered the four steel walls and awaited the arrival of his challenger, but not just any challenger, as he was greeted by a special WrestleMania appearance of The Demon King!

For the first time in a long time, The Demon King returned from the depths of Finn Bálor's conscience to confront the Intercontinental Champion, and it's safe to say that The Miz was less than happy with having to be contained within the Steel Cage with such a dangerous individual. As both men stood face-to-face with their accomplices all absent from ringside, the bell rang and the battle got underway. It became obvious fairly quickly that the cage wasn't only going to be used as a barrier, but also as a weapon. Bálor wasted no time putting it to work and throwing The Miz face-first into the steel mesh, damaging his Hollywood features with no remorse. The Demon King opened up a relentless beating on the Intercontinental Champion, showing a much more aggressive side to Finn Bálor as the match went on. But it wasn't long before the Steel Cage came into play as its primary use, The Miztourage arriving at ringside.

Thanks to the walls of steel, Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas were unable to gain access to the ring and help their leader. But this didn't stop them trying to acquire the key from the ringside official and break in through the door. Before they could progress with their plan, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson arrived and engaged in a brawl with their rivals outside of the steel confines, once again rendering this bout one-on-one. The Miz utilised the distraction to plant Finn Bálor with a Skull-Crushing Finale and attempted to escape the Steel Cage by scaling the wall. However, Finn Bálor was quick enough to get to his feet and drag The A-Lister back down to earth with a crushing back suplex, laying both superstars out. Clambering for the upper hand, they traded blows on the mat in exhaustion, the bout taking its toll on both individuals.

In the closing moments, The Miz delivered a crushing DDT to The Demon King and looked to escape once more, scaling the wall in the corner and trying to reach the top, only for Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to be stood awaiting him at the bottom. Quickly hitting the rewind button, Miz retreated back into the ring where he was joined on the top by The Demon King and he sent Miz crashing to the canvas from above, leaving him vulnerable in the center of the ring. Finn Bálor ascended the cage wall and sat atop the steel with uncertainty in his eyes. On one side, he could descend the wall and claim victory, becoming the new Intercontinental Champion on The Grandest Stage of Them All. On the other side, he could deliver one final killing blow to his arch-rival and get a measure of revenge that he may never get the opportunity to take again. Bálor chose the latter.

In a true WrestleMania moment, The Demon King descended from the cage wall with an horrifying Coup de Grâce that all but drove his boots through the chest of his A-List opponent. Hooking the leg, Finn Bálor secured the victory and picked up one of the biggest victories of his career, overcoming The Miz and ending his eight reign with the gold at The Show of Shows in front of a jam-packed New Orleans crowd in his WrestleMania debut. It couldn't be sweeter, and in fact, you might say that this monumental win could be considered to be "Too Sweet!".

<hr>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Daniel Bryan def. Shane McMahon</div>

Four years ago inside the very same arena, Daniel Bryan captivated the entire world with the culmination of his Cinderella story when he defeated Triple H, Randy Orton and Batista in the same night to capture the WWE Championship in arguably the most feel-good moment in WrestleMania history. Four years on from the game-changing moment, and Daniel Bryan is once again cleared to compete, albeit under controversial circumstances. The ongoing professional-turned-personal rivalry between The Yes Man and his superior, Shane McMahon have boiled over to the point of physicality, and that led to this 'Mania matchup between these two SmackDown LIVE figureheads. But while the rivalry had clearly been at the forefront of this match, it couldn't be taken away from the WWE Universe that they were ecstatic to be witnessing Daniel Bryan's in-ring return.

With chants of "Welcome back" resonating through the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, Daniel Bryan squared off against The Prodigal Son in what was sure to be - in the words of Hall of Famer, Jim Ross - a slobber knocker! The former World Champion wasted little time getting this one started by slapping Shane across the face in an ultimate sign of disrespect. Shane-O-Mac retaliated in kind with a closed fist that dropped the SmackDown LIVE General Manager, repeatedly delivering right hands that sent Bryan down to the canvas. Shane made an attempt to deliver a clothesline to his colleague-turned-rival, only to be sent over the ropes and onto the apron. As Shane hung on for dear life, he was introduced to the educated feet of Daniel Bryan who sent him down to the arena floor with a roundhouse kick. And in a heart-in-your-mouth moment, Bryan struck with a suicide dive, sending both men crashing into the announce tables.

Daniel Bryan certainly hadn't lost a step as he laid into his nemesis, mounting the announce table to deliver hard forearms to Shane's face over and over again. But the son of Mr. McMahon was able to respond by pulling Bryan's feet from under him and sending him face-first into the announce table. Showing that he too can throw caution to the wind, Shane laid The Yes Man out on the Spanish announce table and ascended the ropes inside the ring. The voice of the WWE Universe said it all as Shane leapt from the ropes and drove an elbow through the heart of his adversary, crashing through the announce table in vintage fashion. Officials rushed to ringside to check on the pair, who both agreed that they were willing to continue. The bout returned to the ring where Shane attempted to pick up the victory, only for Bryan to show his resilience was still a factor, kicking out at two.

Wondering what he had to do to put the former World Champion away, Shane ascended the ropes once more and aimed to deliver a stunning Shooting Star Press, but Daniel Bryan had the wherewithal to move and cause Shane-O-Mac to crash and burn. And this was the moment that led to Shane's downfall as the Daniel Bryan we all know and love in the ring made a fully-fledged return. Delivering a series of ten kicks to Shane's chest and a final one to the back of the head, Daniel Bryan's return was in full swing. He climbed the turnbuckle and delivered a signature diving headbutt from the top, right into the heart of The Prodigal Son. And then came the moment everyone had been waiting for as he backed into the corner and lead a chorus of "Yes" chants as he measured McMahon for the running knee. And moments later, it connected! But instead of covering his adversary for the win, Bryan rolled him over and applied the Yes Lock, forcing Shane McMahon to submit and serve Daniel Bryan his return victory in front of the WWE Universe.

Yet another monumental moment for Daniel Bryan in the Superdome as he claims victory over Shane McMahon in his first match in more than two years. The Yes Man enjoyed an emotional celebration with the WWE Universe, but it was put on hold as Shane McMahon struggled to his feet and confronted the SmackDown LIVE General Manager. You could have cut the tension with a knife, but it was diffused when Shane-O-Mac put their differences aside and embraced Daniel Bryan in an emotional moment, the pair burying the hatchet and sharing the moment of Bryan's in-ring return. You might not agree with Shane McMahon's decisions all the time, but you can't deny his sportsmanship, raising the hand of Daniel Bryan in celebration for a WrestleMania moment we will all remember for years to come.

<hr>

<div style="font:24px Roboto;font-weight:bold;color:#522b83;">Shinsuke Nakamura def. Universal Champion Brock Lesnar</div>

It was a historic night at the Royal Rumble when Shinsuke Nakamura defeated 29 other men to win the Royal Rumble Match and earn himself a main event title match at WrestleMania. But nobody expected The Rockstar to jump ship from blue to red and challenge The Beast for his Universal Championship. Doing so was a bold move considering nobody else had been able to topple the monstrous Brock Lesnar for almost a year. Shinsuke Nakamura aimed to be the man that could do the impossible as he went head-to-head with The Beast on The Grandest Stage of Them All. But his journey to the title was far from easy, suffering several setbacks thanks to a brutal assault at the hands of his adversary just one week after revealing his intent to challenge for the Universal Championship. But fighting through the injuries, The King of Strong Style made his way to New Orleans and aims to claim his throne on The Show of Shows.

With Paul Heyman in tow, Brock Lesnar returned to the Superdome where he ended the Streak of The Undertaker just four years prior, looking to put an end to Shinsuke Nakamura in much the same fashion. But with The Artist set on slaying The Beast, it would be easier said than done. The physicality was clear from the start as Lesnar drove Nakamura into the corner and repeatedly buried his shoulder into Nakamura's sternum over and over in a scene difficult to watch for some. Brock Lesnar's aggression had been a focal point of the rivalry leading up to this bout so it was expected that it would show its face. The King of Strong Style tried everything he could to escape the predicament, eventually slipping away to deliver a spinning heel kick to the Universal Champion and sending him to the outside. Going high-risk, Nakamura ascended the turnbuckle and flew through the air, taking Brock Lesnar down with a crossbody as Paul Heyman looked on in horror.

The tables turned on The Beast as Nakamura became the aggressor, throwing his adversary over the announce table into the team of Corey Graves, Michael Cole and Jonathan Coachman. Utilising his surroundings, The Artist climbed atop the table and delivered a hard kick to the face of his opponent, causing Lesnar to stumble over the chairs and back towards the apron. Continuing to pull out all the stop, Nakamura threw himself from the table and delivered a missile dropkick, sending the WWE Universe into a craze. The fight returned to the ring where Shinsuke attempted to secure the victory, only for Lesnar to power out at the count of one, proving that it would take a lot more than that to silence The Beast. The Rockstar measured his adversary for the jaw-jacking Kinshasa, but instead he found himself flung into the air and driven back down with a vicious F-5 which many believed could have been the end of the number one contender, but he surprised everyone by kicking out of the move that finished off The Undertaker just four years ago.

The kickout only angered The Beast and he proceeded to toss his challenger around the ring with one German suplex after another, the future looking bleak for Shinsuke Nakamura. Brock Lesnar initiated the closing moments of this bout when he pummelled Nakamura with right hands, opening up the forehead of the 2018 Royal Rumble winner and turning this match into a bloodbath. Seemingly on his way onto the victim list of Brock Lesnar, Nakamura struggled to pull himself to his feet as The Beast once again raised him onto his shoulders and went for an F-5, but in a tide-turning moment, Nakamura landed on his feet and delivered a big roundhouse kick to the Universal Champion, sending him stumbling back into the ropes. The King of Strong Style wasted no time and struck with a stiff Kinshasa, taking The Beast off his feet! But before Nakamura could even capitalise, Lesnar was already starting to stir... so Nakamura went back to the well and delivered a second Kinshasa! And it didn't end there, as Lesnar once again starts to move around the canvas, using the ropes to climb to his feet, and as Nakamura went for a third Kinshasa, he was hoisted up onto Lesnar's shoulders! But once again avoiding the F-5, Nakamura landed on his feet, backed into the corner and delivered the third and final Kinshasa, securing the victory and conquering The Beast to become the <i>new</i> Universal Champion!

Shinsuke Nakamura had done the unthinkable and dethroned Brock Lesnar after a year long reign of terror. The King of Strong Style proved his worth, defeating the most dangerous man in the WWE and claiming the Universal Champion as his own on The Grandest Stage of Them All, cementing his legacy as one of the greats. Looking on in pure shock, Paul Heyman didn't know where to put his hands as he held them over his mouth in utter disbelief. Brock Lesnar rolled out of the ring and left Shinsuke Nakamura to have his moment of glory with the New Orleans crowd, sending the Superdome into a frenzy. Shinsuke Nakamura won the Royal Rumble Match, jumped the border to Monday Night Raw and conquered The Beast all in the space of just a few months. He truly earned his place on this night as The King of Strong Style, and the new WWE Universal Champion!</div>

2Sweet · April 15, 2018

Interesting WrestleMania. I liked it. I was surprised by the win of The Undertaker as I thought Braun would go over.

I'm even more excited to see how Raw and Smackdown turns out and the Superstar Shakeup (if you plan on doing one). Good pay-per-view!

ElectricX · April 16, 2018

That was a great PPV.

unwound · April 16, 2018

Fantastic Mania, enjoyed reading that!

Hollywood · April 18, 2018

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Everything Ken · April 18, 2018

Great Mania

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