Welcome to POST Wrestling’s coverage of WrestleMania 34 from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
We will have coverage all night and a post-show with Wai Ting and I later in the evening.
ANDRE THE GIANT MEMORIAL BATTLE ROYAL
Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, and Byron Saxton are calling the match.
Aiden English was eliminated early and the audience chanted “Rusev Day” in protest.
Curt Hawkins was thrown over and landed with a big thud on the floor. Goldust eliminated R-Truth and the audience was disappointed.
Primo was eliminated next.
Dolph Ziggler had several near-elimination spots.
Ryder went for a Broski boot to Ziggler and was cut off by a Mojo Rawley tackle and he was eliminated.
Benjamin teased a German to the floor and was knocked down and eliminated.
Kane eliminated Heath Slater and Rhyno together.
They cut to John Cena watching in the crowd and got the biggest pop of the match.
Ziggler superkicked Titus O’Neil and clotheslined him out.
Goldust went for Shattered Dreams and Ziggler back body dropped him to the floor.
Tye Dillinger and Matt Hardy had a face-off as the audience chanted “Ten” and “Delete”, this led to Dillinger’s elimination.
Ziggler jumped onto Kane’s back and was thrown out to the floor, Corbin came from behind and dumped out Kane.
It was down to Kane, Matt Hardy, and Mojo Rawley.
The lights went out and Bray Wyatt appeared inside the ring.
Hardy threw out Rawley and then back body dropped Corbin out and was declared the winner.
WINNER: MATT HARDY AT 16:34
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After the match, Hardy and Bray Wyatt hugged and formed an alliance. This was something necessary for Wyatt, whose act as a heel had died and hopefully, this is a shot in the arm that the character desperately needs.
CEDRIC ALEXANDER VS MUSTAFA ALI FOR THE CRUISERWEIGHT TITLE
Alexander connected with a tope con giro early in the match. Alexander attacked Ali’s back after they returned to the ring.
Ali landed a somersault facebuster and then was caught with a standing Spanish Fly by Alexander.
Moments later, Ali hit a Spanish Fly off the top and John Cena loved this. The reactions from the Cena are going to be a highlight of the show.
Ali went for the 0-5-4 and Alexander pulled out his leg and he dropped to the floor.
Ali returned to the ring and hit a reverse rana and tornado DDT. He climbed to the top and hit the 0-5-4 with Alexander getting his foot on the bottom rope. Ali went for another and missed.
Alexander recovered and hit the Lumbar Check for the win.
WINNER: CEDRIC ALEXANDER AT 12:18 TO BECOME CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION
This was a very good match. The audience was into all of the key spots and treated this as an important match. Both worked very hard. It was not at the level of Buddy Murphy and Kalisto from last week.
Michael Cole and Corey Graves are joined by Paige and Beth Phoenix to call the Women’s Battle Royal. Lilian Garcia is the guest ring announcer.
WRESTLEMANIA WOMEN’S BATTLE ROYAL
Bianca Belair, Peyton Royce, Kairi Sane, Kavita Devi, Taynara Conti, and Dakota Kai are among the NXT entrants in the match.
Becky Lynch, Bayley, and Sasha Banks received individual entrances.
All the women jumped Carmella as the match began. She was eliminated by Sonya Deville.
Mandy Rose and Deville tossed out Dana Brooke.
All the NXT women were standing with the others down and started a “NXT” chant.
Belair climbed to the top and landed a 450 splash.
Rose was eliminated by Dakota Kai. The NXT women eliminated Deville next.
Sane landed an elbow off the to Ruby Riott and then Sane was eliminated.
Liv Morgan was lifted and kicked Conti off the apron and she was out.
Kai was eliminated by Banks, then Becky Lynch was thrown out and there were a lot of boos for that one.
Riott eliminated Mickie James, followed by Sarah Logan eliminating Peyton Royce. Natalya and Liv Morgan were eliminated next. Sasha eliminated Riott and Bayley knocked Logan off the apron.
Banks and Bayley are the final two.
Bayley tosses Banks out, everyone thinks she has won, but Naomi is still in it.
Naomi hits the rear view and eliminates Bayley.
WINNER: NAOMI AT 9:49
The audience went nuts when they thought Bayley won and had the win snatched away when Naomi appeared. Bayley versus Banks was the only story going into the match and the audience was excited when they thought they were the final two.
That concludes the pre-show.
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THE MIZ VS SETH ROLLINS VS FINN BALOR FOR THE INTERCONTINENTAL TITLE
The Miz sent Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas to the back before he walked down the ramp.
Rollins came out in an Ice King outfit from Game of Thrones, including blue contacts.
Balor landed a tope con giro onto both at the start.
Rollins went for a springboard and knocked off balance by Miz. Miz then attacked Balor’s knee and applied the figure-four. The submission was broken up by Rollins landing a frog splash onto The Miz.
Balor hit a running dropkick to both Miz and Rollins on the floor that sent them into the barricade. Inside the ring, Rollins kicked out of 1916.
Rollins hit a superplex to Balor, went for the follow-up Falcon’s Arrow and was caught in an inside cradle for two, Miz hit a Skull Crushing Finale to Rollins for another near fall.
Miz and Balor were knocked down on the turnbuckle, Rollins attempted a springboard and was hit a Skull Crushing Finale off the top. Balor landed a coup de grace to the back and was alone with Miz. Balor hit the coupe de grace, Rollins returned with the stomp to Balor and hit another to Miz and pinned him.
WINNER: SETH ROLLINS AT 15:27 TO BECOME THE NEW INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPION
The audience was very energized throughout the match and reacted well to several near falls. A very good opening match to the main show. The Miz’s attempt for the most cumulative days as Intercontinental champion is stopped.
CHARLOTTE VS ASUKA FOR THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S TITLE
Charlotte had an incredible entrance, done in the same style as Triple H’s entrance in 2014 in the same stadium when Charlotte was under a mask as part of the presentation that year (with Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks).
Asuka sent Charlotte to the floor with a hip attack. Charlotte was holding her left arm in pain.
Charlotte went for a moonsault off the top and landed in a triangle by Asuka. Charlotte breaks free and applies a Boston Crab and she escaped. Asuka went back to attacking the arm and shoulder.
Asuka hit a vertical suplex to Charlotte off the apron to the floor.
Charlotte and Asuka went to the top and Charlotte hit a Spanish Fly, which Asuka kicked out of.
Asuka countered Natural Selection into a submission, Charlotte escaped, Asuka attempted the Asuka Lock and Charlotte rolled back and got a two-count. Charlotte hit a big spear for a near fall.
WINNER: CHARLOTTE AT 13:06 TO RETAIN THE SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S TITLE
This was a great match that felt like an important title match. They ended the streak, which ended the possibilities for some big matches down the road and that decision can be debated. Both women were great in this match and I thought this was one of Charlotte’s best performances since her main roster call-up.
Asuka said that “Charlotte is ready for Asuka” and congratulated her.
A referee relayed a message to John Cena in the crowd and he raced backstage.
RANDY ORTON VS BOBBY ROODE VS JINDER MAHAL VS RUSEV FOR THE UNITED STATES TITLE
The audience went insane when they heard Aiden English. English introduced Rusev and he came to an enormous reaction.
Rusev hit a somersault off the apron early and there is a big “Rusev Day” chant.
Orton landed a superplex onto Roode. Orton tossed Roode shoulder first into the post and to the floor.
Rusev missed a spinning heel kick to Orton. He proceeded to hit a draping DDT to Rusev and set up for the RKO. He landed ones to English, Rusev, and Mahal. Roode returned and blocked an RKO and landed the Glorious DDT, but Mahal broke the cover.
Rusev sent Sunil Singh to the floor with a boot and was hit with the Khallas and Mahal pinned Rusev.
WINNER: JINDER MAHAL AT 8:14 TO WIN THE U.S. TITLE
This was the easiest match on the card to book for an easy reaction and propel Rusev with a big win, and yet he not only loses but also takes the fall. It’s amazing.
RONDA ROUSEY AND KURT ANGLE VS TRIPLE H AND STEPHANIE McMAHON
The reaction during Ronda Rousey’s entrance was enormous, she is easily the most popular character so far on the card.
Stephanie yanked Rousey by the hair before the bell rang and Angle had to hold Rousey back.
Hunter sent Angle into the steps and Stephanie attacked Angle from behind, causing Rousey to try and go after Stephanie. Behind the referee’s back, Stephanie rubbed Angle’s eyes on the rope. The match is being structured around building to Rousey’s hot tag.
Angle crawled to his corner and Stephanie yanked Rousey off the apron to the floor.
Angle finally made the tag and the plaace exploded as Rousey attacked Stephanie.
Rousey with a suplex into a uranage and worked punches in the corner, which were only a million times better than Shane McMahon’s in her first match.
Rousey went for the armbar and everyone went crazy, Stephanie defended the submission and escaped before Rousey could fully apply it.
Rousey hit the kata guruma, a spinning Samoan drop, but Hunter pulled the referee to the floor and then yanked Rousey down as well.
Angle and Hunter fought on the announcer’s desk and Hunter tossed him down onto one of them.
Rousey was alone with Hunter in the ring, Hunter moves the referee away and they are going to go at it. Rousey attacks with punches and did a roll through and lifted Hunter up onto her shoulders, Stephanie was late but came to Hunter’s rescue and pulled him down.
Angle attacked Hunter with German suplexes, he avoided the Angle slam, he slingshot Hunter into the corner and hit the Angle slam and Hunter kicked out. Stephanie returned and stopped Angle from applying the ankle lock. He caught Stephanie’s kick, milked the reaction and applied the ankle lock, Hunter saved and hit the pedigree with Rousey returning to break the cover.
Rousey countered the pedigree with a huracanrana and applied an armbar onto Hunter. Stephanie applied a rear-naked choke Rousey, who threw Stephanie over and applied the armbar with an ankle lock applied to Hunter. Hunter sent Angle flying into Rousey to break both free.
Hunter was back body dropped to the floor by Angle and Rousey locked on the armbar for the immediate tap by Stephanie.
WINNER: RONDA ROUSEY AND KURT ANGLE AT 20:38
The camera cut to Dana White after the finish.
This match was laid out so well, Rousey looked tremendous in the match and everyone played their role so well. I thought this was a home run for Rousey’s debut.
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THE USOS VS KOFI KINGSTON & BIG E. VS THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS FOR THE SMACKDOWN TAG TITLES
The New Day came out with midgets dressed up as pancakes.
The Bludgeon Brothers took Xavier Woods and powerbombed him into the post.
The Usos attempted dives to the floor and were caught by Erick Rowan, they avoided chokeslams and suplexed Rowan.
Rowan powerbombed Kingston inside the ring, they followed with a super powerbomb to Kingston off the turnbuckle and Harper pinned him.
WINNERS: THE BLUDGEON BROTHERS AT 5:56 TO WIN THE SMACKDOWN TAG TITLES
This was nowhere near the level of a straight tag between The Usos and New Day, it was designed to get The Bludgeon Brothers over as monsters and win a match that they largely dominated. On a show this deep, they were not going to have a spot to steal the show and it wasn’t the objective of the match.
John Cena came out in his wrestling gear, he waits in the ring and then starts to leave, and the lights go out.
Elias appears and asks, “were you expecting someone else?” and asks Cena to leave. Cena goes back to his seat in the crowd. Cena returns and attacks Elias, he hits the five-knuckle shuffle and AA. There is another chant for The Undertaker, but Cena’s music plays as he walks up the ramp.
His music stops, and the lights go out and a spotlight shines on the ring with The Undertaker’s hat and jacket from last year’s show. A bolt hits the ring and hat and jacket disappear and The Undertaker’s music plays.
The Undertaker walks out to an enormous reaction.
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JOHN CENA VS THE UNDERTAKER
The place exploded when the bell rang.
The Undertaker attacks and goes for a chokeslam and Cena blocks and suplexes ‘Taker.
‘Taker sits up as Cena goes for the five-knuckle shuffle and Cena fell in fear. ‘Taker hit a chokeslam and called for the tombstone and hit it for the win.
WINNER: THE UNDERTAKER AT 2:48
‘Taker walked up the ramp, lifted his fist in the air and exited.
The match was never promised, and it was barely a match, more an exhibition with ‘Taker firing up, taking one bump and then the comeback and tombstone.
If nothing else, this probably tells you where ‘Taker is physically and was a way to make him a big part of the show without promoting something he couldn’t deliver on.
The Hall of Fame inductees were introduced by Lilian Garcia.
DANIEL BRYAN AND SHANE McMAHON VS KEVIN OWENS AND SAMI ZAYN
Bryan’s entrance featured clips from different crowds around the world chanting “Yes”. Bryan came out to an all-time memorable reaction, unbelievable live reception for his return.
Owens and Zayn jumped them from behind as they came through the crowd.
Zayn hit Bryan with a Helluva kick on the floor and Owens followed with a powerbomb onto the apron. Bryan is down, and the officials are checking on him.
Shane calls for the bell and is going to face them alone and attacked both with his “punches”.
Owens and Zayn beat down Shane, the crowd was subdued as Bryan remained down on the floor.
Shane fights back, puts Zayn in the tree of woe and lands a coast-to-coast dropkick. They regain control on Shane, attempt a cover and Bryan makes the save.
Shane suplexes Zayn, he fights his way to the rope and climbs towards Bryan and makes the tag.
Bryan fires up, hits a big lariat onto Zayn, a flying knee off the apron to Owens on the floor, and a missile dropkick to Zayn. Bryan hit a top rope huracanrana to Zayn. Owens grabbed Bryan’s foot from the floor, Zayn hit a Helluva kick and Bryan kicked out, no one bought it as a possible finish.
Bryan with slaps and kicks to Zayn, he landed the Busaiku knee and applied the Yes Lock with Zayn tapping out.
WINNERS: DANIEL BRYAN AND SHANE McMAHON AT 15:23
Bryan went and found Brie in the front row. Shane’s kids were also ringside.
ALEXA BLISS VS NIA JAX FOR THE RAW WOMEN’S TITLE
Bliss came down on a larger riser and was accompanied by Mickie James to the ring.
Jax took out James on the floor with a Samoan drop before the bell rang to start the match.
Jax tossed Bliss around, hit an Avalanche in the corner, and dropped her with a military press.
Bliss regrouped and attacked Jax with an eye poke and followed with kicks to the leg. Bliss took over, including hitting a Twisted Bliss off the top to the floor.
The audience was subdued at this point in the show.
Bliss grabs her by the hair, says she is ‘sorry’, and then laughs and hits a DDT. Jax got up, grabbed her by the throat and fought back. Bliss kicked her in the knee and nailed her with a punch.
Jax hit an Alabama Slam into the turnbuckle and then onto the canvas. Jax hit a Samoan drop off the second turnbuckle to win the match.
WINNER: NIA JAX AT 8:59 TO WIN THE RAW WOMEN’S TITLE
The audience was down for most of the match, but they reacted big to the finish and post-match.
There was a Backlash promo promoting that both Raw and SmackDown will be part of that show on May 6th (and all pay-per-views moving forward).
AJ STYLES VS SHINSUKE NAKAMURA FOR THE WWE TITLE
There was a tremendous video package on the two showcasing their careers with photos and footage from TNA, New Japan, and WCW.
Nakamura came out to the most incredible entrance with an electric guitar played by Nita Strauss, and a band of violinists and drummers. He felt like the biggest star walking out.
Styles drills Nakamura with a knee to the face early on.
Nakamura was controlling the match, Styles nailed him with a gut buster and took control. Styles went for the phenomenal forearm, Nakamura stopped him and hit the Landslide for a near fall.
Styles kicked out the knee of Nakamura. This led to Nakamura’s leg giving out a moment later and Styles applied the calf crusher, Nakamura escaped and applied a triangle, Styles escaped by dropping Nakamura.
Nakamura’s knee is injured, Styles lands the phenomenal forearm and Nakamura kicks out. Styles followed with a springboard 450 splash and landed on Nakamura’s knees. Nakamura lands a running knee with his injured left one, Styles kicks out and Nakamura favors the knee after the impact to the back of Styles’ neck.
Nakamura goes for the Kinshasa and Styles rolls and counters with the Styles Clash for the win.
WINNER: AJ STYLES AT 20:20 TO RETAIN THE WWE TITLE
Styles and Nakamura show mutual respect afterwards and hug inside the ring. Nakamura presents the title to Styles on one knee and then low blows Styles.
Nakamura kicks away at the face of Styles and sends him to the floor and hit a Kinshasa running down the ramp and left Styles for dead.
THE BAR VS BRAUN STROWMAN & MYSTERY PARTNER FOR THE RAW TAG TITLES
The Bar had a wacky entrance with all these characters with giant heads on them. Braun entered and chased them all away and sent the float they entered on off the ramp. It was so weird, and yet fit perfectly well.
Braun took the microphone to introduce his tag partner, he said he waited until now to tell them who his partner is, it isn’t one person in the back in the locker room and says it’s someone in the audience and asks who wants to be his partner. He goes into the crowd and finds a child named Nicholas.
The Bar knock down Braun and Sheamus lands a flying knee off the top. Strowman back body dropped Sheamus onto the post and to the floor. Strowman climbed over and tagged in Nicholas to a massive pop, but he quickly tagged Braun back in.
Stroman powerslammed Cesaro and pinned him.
WINNERS: BRAUN STROWMAN AND NICHOLAS AT 3:57 TO WIN THE RAW TAG TITLES
This was the most bizarre thing I’ve seen since the Clusterfuck Battle Royal on Friday, but the audience was genuinely into Nicholas as the partner and popped big for his tag in and their title win.
BROCK LESNAR VS ROMAN REIGNS FOR THE UNIVERSAL TITLE
Lesnar hits three German suplexes right away, Reigns is up and sends Lesnar to the floor after two superman punches. He landed a third one jumping off the steps.
Lesnar hit a belly-to-belly and Reigns came right down on his head. He went for another and sent Reigns face first into the announcer’s desk. He continues with the suplexes inside the ring. Lesnar was destroying him with the announcers comparing this to Lesnar vs. John Cena at SummerSlam 2014.
Reigns shoved Lesnar into the post and tackled him onto the announcer’s desk. Reigns hits another superman punch in the ring, he follows with two spears and Lesnar kicks out. He calls for one more and Lesnar leaps and knees Reigns in the face.
Lesnar hit the F-5 and Reigns kicked out, no where near the reaction that should have received. He hit a second one and Reigns kicked out again. Lesnar hit a third F-5 and Reigns kicked out a third time, the audience booed.
On the floor, Lesnar hit Reigns with an F-5 onto the announcer’s desk.
Reigns continues to kick out after a fifth F-5 and Lesnar takes off his gloves and busted open Reigns from the forehead.
Reigns fired up and hit a spear for a near fall.
Reigns ran the ropes into a sixth F-5 and Lesnar pinned Reigns.
WINNER: BROCK LESNAR AT 15:51 TO RETAIN THE UNIVERSAL TITLE
