2021 Wrestlemania Write Up
Apr 5, 2021 14:51:48 GMT -5
KC Royals GM (Kevin) and White Sox GM (alligatorchris) like this
Post by D Backs GM (Tyler) on Apr 5, 2021 14:51:48 GMT -5
We are BACK with the once per year wrestling coverage you would expect from a dynasty league.
A programming note first: This year's Mania (and all other surrounding events) are available on peacocktv.com here in the united states. 5 bucks a month for peacock and wrestling? Cmon man.
This year WWE have decided to "bless" us with a 7 night extravaganza of wrestling. Tonight through next Tuesday there will be 4 network TV shows (2 Raw and 2 Smackdown), A 2 night NXT pay per view, A hall of fame ceremony, and two night of Mania. Needless to say, I will not be covering EVERYTHING in here, since there might be a 250,000,000 character limit, but I will hit the Mania week top 10 things you should watch and if you want a write up on anyone in particular just let me know. I will also say that I do not even watch WWE anymore. Just the big PPVs. I watch AEW because it is only 2 hours a week instead of like 10. I am still qualified for this though... probably.
Without further delay, your top ten things to watch with wrestling for Mania week:
COVID kept Devlin away from the USA during the initial COVID surge and travel restrictions, so NXT crowned an interim champion in Escobar. Since then Devlin has been defending his title in the UK and Escobar in America. This is going to reunify the title. That's all the storyline you need when you have two NXT cruiserweights and a ladder match. Flippy shit will happen. A definite classic for those who like the crazy stunts and high flyers.
The pick: Devlin, but both will look amazing
This is a weird one. You are either into it or you arent. I'm not SUPER into it, but also I get that its something. Since Bray Wyatt turned into the fiend he has been pretty unstoppable. That is until Randy Orton literally lit him on fire and murdered him at TLC in their inferno match. (seriously - ) Since then the hypnotized/demonized/whatever Alexa bliss has been shooting fireballs and doing all kinds of weird stuff to Orton. It isn't a coherently told story, but anytime you are murdering and shooting fireballs at people AND get to look at Alexa Bliss you gotta give that a thumbs up. Also I suppose these are two good wrestlers as well.
The pick: The Fiend! If he can come back from being set ablaze and murdered, surely a singles match should be no sweat.
Mostly a curiosity pick here. Yes, that Bad Bunny who won a grammy this year is also in pro wrestling. I dont know his music and since we are mostly old shits I doubt many here do either. But its still always fun and weird to see what they do with a celeb. We are still in the gimmick portion of the countdown for those with a "passive interest" in actual wrestling. It won't be a 5 star classic, but it should be fun and schmozzy with interference and likely other weird celebrities showing up. Who knows? Either way it is clear that BB really loves wrestling and is enjoying being involved.
The pick: Bad Bunny. The celebs get to celebrate so other celebs will want to do it next time.
The last of the "non-wrestling fans" picks here. Shane is well known for jumping off of really tall things and doing insane stunts. Strowman is to a lesser degree known for it as well as being a giant of a human being. Like, really fucking big. 100% Shane goes coast to coast off the top of the steel cage. Oh yeah, he is 51 years old. This will end badly eventually. Hopefully not this weekend, but if it does, at least he will go out entertaining us all. Enjoy the best of the past Shane matches
The pick: Shane does insane things. Braun weathers the storm. Strowman wins.
Ok so now we get to the juicy matches. Belair is the winner of the Royal Rumble this year and is a crazy good athlete. While Banks is probably the best all around women's wrestler alive. Belair has a long long braid of hair that she uses to whip people on occasion: . Sasha is well established and is part of the "Four Horsewomen" who really brought the womens division to the next level (Her, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Becky Lynch). Worth noting that Belair debuted at the Rumble and won the whole thing. She is a star in the making and gave a GREAT post match speech. Emotional. I hope she wins and gets her moment.
The pick: Bianca wins and Becky Lynch returns (from pregnancy) to kick the shit out of her and get a massive pop.
The same things that were said about Bianca can be said about Rhea. She is a monster. She has a great look, great moves, and is just a killer character. Askua has always had phenomenal matches but been slightly mistreated due to her limited ability to cut a promo in English. It really won't matter who is on the other end though because Ripley is that unstoppable. Its worth tuning in at number 5 here for her alone.
The pick: Ripley, plain and simple.
This is the match for the purists out there. Also for the theme song connoisseurs. Banger of an intro there. Walter is the UK champion and leader of Imperium. An Austrian stable with a bunch of ass kickers. Ciampa is most famous for his feud with Gargano being one of the best of the last 5 years. Dude can wrestle anyone anytime and have a classic. He was such a good heel he inspired this reaction: a mix of "you suck" and "fuck you ciampa". He is awesome. Also be on the look out for the Walter chops: . This is going to be a hell of a match.
The pick: Walter retains in the best match of the week.
These two have been part of the Undisputed Era (a faction dominating NXT for years) and O'Reilly was finally the one to turn and now faces the leader Adam Cole (Baybay!) Two smaller guys who are outstanding at storytelling and wrestling in general. This one is sure to be a classic and probably the most likely match to bring you to tears if you're into that sort of thing. Adam Cole is the A+++ blue chipper of NXT and could realistically be the top of any company and be successful if he was a foot taller. For now, we will have to settle for him beating the shit out of his old friend/foe Kyle O'Reilly. Oh, and this is unsanctioned. Which means no DQ and they will definitely go hardcore and beat the living hell out of each other.
The pick: O'Reilly in a classic. Cole can afford the loss and still be at the top, Kyle needs a win to make him a star.
Here is the ultimate respect pick. KO and Sami have been fighting each other for so long and to such a high level that I have already written about this match... 2 times. Hell, their feud has its own wiki page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Owens_and_Sami_Zayn. It matters not who is the good guy (KO) or the bad guy (Sami), for 15 years these two have been friends, enemies, dance partners. This will definitely be one for the ages as it is the first time they have ever tied it up in a straight up singles match at wrestlemania. This year Sami plays the victim-ska-dancing-weirdo who acts like the whole world is against him and KO is the straight up ass kicker who just wants to shut up and fight. I honestly do not know or care what Logan Paul has to do with any of this but I think it is something about a documentary promotion. Still not enough to distract.
The pick: Sami Zayn via shenanagans
Well well well. There are dream matches and then there are literal impossible matches. This is the latter. Rewind 2 years ago and this years main eventers were here:
Edge: Retired - broken neck
Daniel Bryan: Retired - concussions
Roman Reigns: Out indefinitely - leukemia
None of those were fake injuries. All three of these guys were essentially done. All cut down in their prime only to return and be even bigger stars. Edge won the rumble this year and Bryan earned his shot between then and Mania, hence the triple threat. The interesting thing here is who the good and bad guys are. Once upon a time the crowd literally protested Daniel Bryan into the best mania moment in a decade . Once upon a time Roman was the most exciting talent in the industry with the Shield, then the most hated in the industry when he was forced into the main event while cutting promos like these: (ouch). Edge once gave maybe the saddest speech ever in a ring: while crying and making everyone believe that it wasn't fake (it wasnt). This was the day after a PPV which he fought, so it was shocking and sad even at the time. Discussing ending up in a wheelchair and reflecting on his whole career during the last time he will ever be in a ring (or so he thought) was insanity.
Needless to say, this match is completely miraculous for even happening. For getting these three in the ring together is a treat and they will most definitely put on a fantastic show.
To set the storyline stage: Roman is a fucker of a bad guy now with Hayman in his corner. He has been on a tear doing things like beating the shit out of his own cousin until he submitted that he was a lesser man on tv (or something). Edge is the ultimate badass again. A good guy but also the rated R superstar who isn't all smiles and joy. Daniel Bryan is ever the underdog who is trying to get back to where he once was, as the top wrestler alive. Yes, there are "in show" storylines to this one too but they don't really matter as much as the true life ones. Watch this match. Enjoy this match. Because it was not possible that it would ever happen.
The pick: Daniel Bryan. The little engine that could climbs to the top of the mountain in front of fans for the first time in over a year chanting Yes Yes Yes!
A programming note first: This year's Mania (and all other surrounding events) are available on peacocktv.com here in the united states. 5 bucks a month for peacock and wrestling? Cmon man.
This year WWE have decided to "bless" us with a 7 night extravaganza of wrestling. Tonight through next Tuesday there will be 4 network TV shows (2 Raw and 2 Smackdown), A 2 night NXT pay per view, A hall of fame ceremony, and two night of Mania. Needless to say, I will not be covering EVERYTHING in here, since there might be a 250,000,000 character limit, but I will hit the Mania week top 10 things you should watch and if you want a write up on anyone in particular just let me know. I will also say that I do not even watch WWE anymore. Just the big PPVs. I watch AEW because it is only 2 hours a week instead of like 10. I am still qualified for this though... probably.
Without further delay, your top ten things to watch with wrestling for Mania week:
10. Jordan Devlin (NXT Cruiserweight Champion) vs. Santos Escobar (Interim NXT Cruiserweight Champion) in a Title Unification Ladder Match
Thursday April 8th on Peacock (Night 2 of NXT)
COVID kept Devlin away from the USA during the initial COVID surge and travel restrictions, so NXT crowned an interim champion in Escobar. Since then Devlin has been defending his title in the UK and Escobar in America. This is going to reunify the title. That's all the storyline you need when you have two NXT cruiserweights and a ladder match. Flippy shit will happen. A definite classic for those who like the crazy stunts and high flyers.
The pick: Devlin, but both will look amazing
9. The Fiend (with Alexa Bliss) vs Randy Orton
Sunday April 11 on Peacock (Night 2 of Mania)
This is a weird one. You are either into it or you arent. I'm not SUPER into it, but also I get that its something. Since Bray Wyatt turned into the fiend he has been pretty unstoppable. That is until Randy Orton literally lit him on fire and murdered him at TLC in their inferno match. (seriously - ) Since then the hypnotized/demonized/whatever Alexa bliss has been shooting fireballs and doing all kinds of weird stuff to Orton. It isn't a coherently told story, but anytime you are murdering and shooting fireballs at people AND get to look at Alexa Bliss you gotta give that a thumbs up. Also I suppose these are two good wrestlers as well.
The pick: The Fiend! If he can come back from being set ablaze and murdered, surely a singles match should be no sweat.
8. Bad Bunny vs The Miz
Saturday April 10 on Peacock (Night 1 of Mania)
Mostly a curiosity pick here. Yes, that Bad Bunny who won a grammy this year is also in pro wrestling. I dont know his music and since we are mostly old shits I doubt many here do either. But its still always fun and weird to see what they do with a celeb. We are still in the gimmick portion of the countdown for those with a "passive interest" in actual wrestling. It won't be a 5 star classic, but it should be fun and schmozzy with interference and likely other weird celebrities showing up. Who knows? Either way it is clear that BB really loves wrestling and is enjoying being involved.
The pick: Bad Bunny. The celebs get to celebrate so other celebs will want to do it next time.
7. Strowman vs Shane-O-Mac in a Steel Cage Match
Saturday April 10 on Peacock (Night 1 of Mania)
The last of the "non-wrestling fans" picks here. Shane is well known for jumping off of really tall things and doing insane stunts. Strowman is to a lesser degree known for it as well as being a giant of a human being. Like, really fucking big. 100% Shane goes coast to coast off the top of the steel cage. Oh yeah, he is 51 years old. This will end badly eventually. Hopefully not this weekend, but if it does, at least he will go out entertaining us all. Enjoy the best of the past Shane matches
The pick: Shane does insane things. Braun weathers the storm. Strowman wins.
6. Sasha Banks vs Bianca Belair for the title
Saturday April 10 on Peacock (Night 1 of Mania)
Ok so now we get to the juicy matches. Belair is the winner of the Royal Rumble this year and is a crazy good athlete. While Banks is probably the best all around women's wrestler alive. Belair has a long long braid of hair that she uses to whip people on occasion: . Sasha is well established and is part of the "Four Horsewomen" who really brought the womens division to the next level (Her, Charlotte Flair, Bayley, and Becky Lynch). Worth noting that Belair debuted at the Rumble and won the whole thing. She is a star in the making and gave a GREAT post match speech. Emotional. I hope she wins and gets her moment.
The pick: Bianca wins and Becky Lynch returns (from pregnancy) to kick the shit out of her and get a massive pop.
5. Askua vs Rhea Ripley for the title (the other title)
Sunday April 11 on Peacock (Night 2 of Mania)
The same things that were said about Bianca can be said about Rhea. She is a monster. She has a great look, great moves, and is just a killer character. Askua has always had phenomenal matches but been slightly mistreated due to her limited ability to cut a promo in English. It really won't matter who is on the other end though because Ripley is that unstoppable. Its worth tuning in at number 5 here for her alone.
The pick: Ripley, plain and simple.
4. Walter (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa for the NXT UK title
Wednesday April 7 on Peacock (Night 1 of NXT)
This is the match for the purists out there. Also for the theme song connoisseurs. Banger of an intro there. Walter is the UK champion and leader of Imperium. An Austrian stable with a bunch of ass kickers. Ciampa is most famous for his feud with Gargano being one of the best of the last 5 years. Dude can wrestle anyone anytime and have a classic. He was such a good heel he inspired this reaction: a mix of "you suck" and "fuck you ciampa". He is awesome. Also be on the look out for the Walter chops: . This is going to be a hell of a match.
The pick: Walter retains in the best match of the week.
3. Adam Cole vs. Kyle O'Reilly in an unsanctioned match
Thursday April 8 on Peacock (Night 2 of NXT)
These two have been part of the Undisputed Era (a faction dominating NXT for years) and O'Reilly was finally the one to turn and now faces the leader Adam Cole (Baybay!) Two smaller guys who are outstanding at storytelling and wrestling in general. This one is sure to be a classic and probably the most likely match to bring you to tears if you're into that sort of thing. Adam Cole is the A+++ blue chipper of NXT and could realistically be the top of any company and be successful if he was a foot taller. For now, we will have to settle for him beating the shit out of his old friend/foe Kyle O'Reilly. Oh, and this is unsanctioned. Which means no DQ and they will definitely go hardcore and beat the living hell out of each other.
The pick: O'Reilly in a classic. Cole can afford the loss and still be at the top, Kyle needs a win to make him a star.
2. KO vs Sami Zayn (w/ Logan Paul)
Sunday April 11 on Peacock (Night 2 of Mania)
Here is the ultimate respect pick. KO and Sami have been fighting each other for so long and to such a high level that I have already written about this match... 2 times. Hell, their feud has its own wiki page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Owens_and_Sami_Zayn. It matters not who is the good guy (KO) or the bad guy (Sami), for 15 years these two have been friends, enemies, dance partners. This will definitely be one for the ages as it is the first time they have ever tied it up in a straight up singles match at wrestlemania. This year Sami plays the victim-ska-dancing-weirdo who acts like the whole world is against him and KO is the straight up ass kicker who just wants to shut up and fight. I honestly do not know or care what Logan Paul has to do with any of this but I think it is something about a documentary promotion. Still not enough to distract.
The pick: Sami Zayn via shenanagans
1. Roman vs Edge vs Daniel Bryan triple threat for the title.
Sunday April 11 on Peacock (Night 2 of Mania)
Well well well. There are dream matches and then there are literal impossible matches. This is the latter. Rewind 2 years ago and this years main eventers were here:
Edge: Retired - broken neck
Daniel Bryan: Retired - concussions
Roman Reigns: Out indefinitely - leukemia
None of those were fake injuries. All three of these guys were essentially done. All cut down in their prime only to return and be even bigger stars. Edge won the rumble this year and Bryan earned his shot between then and Mania, hence the triple threat. The interesting thing here is who the good and bad guys are. Once upon a time the crowd literally protested Daniel Bryan into the best mania moment in a decade . Once upon a time Roman was the most exciting talent in the industry with the Shield, then the most hated in the industry when he was forced into the main event while cutting promos like these: (ouch). Edge once gave maybe the saddest speech ever in a ring: while crying and making everyone believe that it wasn't fake (it wasnt). This was the day after a PPV which he fought, so it was shocking and sad even at the time. Discussing ending up in a wheelchair and reflecting on his whole career during the last time he will ever be in a ring (or so he thought) was insanity.
Needless to say, this match is completely miraculous for even happening. For getting these three in the ring together is a treat and they will most definitely put on a fantastic show.
To set the storyline stage: Roman is a fucker of a bad guy now with Hayman in his corner. He has been on a tear doing things like beating the shit out of his own cousin until he submitted that he was a lesser man on tv (or something). Edge is the ultimate badass again. A good guy but also the rated R superstar who isn't all smiles and joy. Daniel Bryan is ever the underdog who is trying to get back to where he once was, as the top wrestler alive. Yes, there are "in show" storylines to this one too but they don't really matter as much as the true life ones. Watch this match. Enjoy this match. Because it was not possible that it would ever happen.
The pick: Daniel Bryan. The little engine that could climbs to the top of the mountain in front of fans for the first time in over a year chanting Yes Yes Yes!
FAQS:
What about Taker?
No the undertaker is not wrestling this year.
Oh, well what about (legend X)?
There really aren't legends this year due to covid. No crowd = no pop = no legends wrestling.
Why didn't you write up all the matches?
There are a total of 26 matches across 4 nights plus four tv shows. I have a fantasy team to run into the ground here too ya know?
What if I actually want to get into wrestling again for more than one night? It used to be so fun?
Watch AEW. Seriously. Old school stories. Old school matches. 2 hours a week on Wednesdays and only 4 PPVs per year.
