Category: Live Shows & Podcasts

The final special event stop on the way to Slammiversary is Under Siege. With four championships on the line and all out faction warfare, was this show unmissable? Join Jez and Dan for The Main Event Podcast. We’ll break it all down and tell you whether to miss it or not!

Pre-Show: Mahabali Shera and Raj Singh vs. Heath and Rhino

The night’s action got underway on the Countdown to Under Siege pre-show with Mahabali Shera and Raj Singh taking on Heath and Rhino. As the match began, the crowd got behind Rhino and broke into E-C-Dub and Rhino’s Gonna Kill You chants. When Heath joined the match, he continued the work Rhino began, dominating Singh fairly easily. This turned around when Shera struck Heath from outside the ring before tagging in and leading a double team attack on Heath. Heath was eventually able to make the tag to Rhino, though, and the War Machine dominated Raj Singh once again, delivering a Gore and picking up the 1-2-3.

Jez’s Pick: N/A
Dan’s Pick: N/A
Winner: Heath and Rhino
Jez 0 – Dan 0

Pre-Show: Laredo Kid vs. Mike Bailey vs. Rich Swann

The next contest was a triple threat match with X-Division stars Laredo Kid, Mike Bailey and Rich Swann all competing. The action started fast with all three men competing before Bailey left the ring, followed closely by Swann and turntaking took place. ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey took control of the match from here, wearing down Swann with kicks and submissions. Laredo Kid tried to get involved again but Bailey fought him off, maintaining the grip he already had on Swann and turning his offensive move into a Leg Lock. Bailey continued his roll of momentum, keeping Kid out of the ring as much as possible and securing near falls on Swann. However, when Laredo Kid surprised Bailey with a Spanish Fly, Rich Swann was able to ground Kid, deliver a 450 Splash and collect the win.

Jez’s Pick: Rich Swann
Dan’s Pick: Rich Swann
Winner: Rich Swann
Jez 1 – Dan 1

Madison Rayne (with Tenille Dashwood) vs. Gisele Shaw (With Alisha Edwards)

The opening contest on the main pay-per-view saw Madison Rayne take on Gisele Shaw. The pair locked up to begin the match and exchanged strikes and Arm Drags before Rayne escaped the ring and took a time-out. When Rayne returned to the ring, she was attacked but a distraction technique allowed Dashwood to grab the leg of Shaw and turn the momentum of the match. Despite this, Shaw was able to fight back into the match and gain several nearfalls. Tenille Dashwood got involved again but this time, Alisha Edwards took her out of the equation and the match continued. After Rayne tried to roll up Shaw for the win, the ‘Quintessential Diva’ kicked out, nailed a huge Knee Strike and covered the veteran, Rayne, to pick up a huge victory.

Jez’s Pick: Madison Rayne
Dan’s Pick: Gisele Shaw
Winner: Gisele Shaw
Jez 1 – Dan 2

Steve Maclin vs. Chris Sabin

The personal rivalry between Steve Maclin and Chris Sabin took centre stage, next. The pair locked up and knocked each other down to start the match. At Sabin’s suggestion, they engaged in a test of strength and, unsurprisingly, Maclin got the better of the exchange and so Sabin instead looked to ground his larger opponent with fast wrestling moves. Maclin became irritated that Sabin was trying to wear down his formerly injured shoulder and so he took Sabin out of the ring and tossed him face first into the apron. Maclin did some targeting of his own, wearing down the lower back of Sabin. As before, Sabin used his speed and quickness to try and fight off Maclin but, each time, Maclin used his size and strength to put down the Motor City Machine Gun. Steve Maclin went for the win, pinning Sabin with the help of the ropes but the referee caught and admonished him. Sabin fired up and delivered a Clothesline from Hell, Michigan before following up with the Cradle Shock and pinning Maclin to pick himself up a hard fought win.

Jez’s Pick: Steve Maclin
Dan’s Pick: Chris Sabin
Winner: Chris Sabin
Jez 1 – Dan 3

AAA Reina de Reinas Championship – Taya Valkyrie (c) vs. Deonna Purrazzo

The first championship match of the night was for the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship with Taya Valkyrie defending against Deonna Purrazzo. The Virtuosa came out of the gates aggressively in pursuit of her AAA Championship, driving Valkyrie into the corner and pummelling her with strikes and kicks. Purrazzo followed this up with submissions and further strikes before the champion got back into the match with a sudden Pandemonium. Valkyrie’s brief flurry of offense was short-lived, though, as Purrazzo regained control and after viciously driving her opponent into the mat with her boot, Deonna hit the Queen’s Gambit, but only got a two count. Purrazzo locked in the Venus De Milo to try and put things away but Valkyrie got her foot on the rope. Frustrated, Purrazzo collected the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship belt from ringside but the referee prevented her from using it. Valkyrie took the opportunity to roll up Purrazzo and was able to pin her to retain the title. The Virtuosa continued her attack after the match but the beatdown was thwarted by Mia Yim, who made her return to IMPACT Wrestling and came face to face with Purrazzo in the middle of the ring.

Jez’s Pick: Taya Valkyrie
Dan’s Pick: Taya Valkyrie
Winner: Taya Valkyrie
Jez 2 – Dan 4

IMPACT X Division Championship – Ace Austin (c) vs. Trey Miguel

In the next contest, Ace Austin defended his X-Division Championship against the former champion, Trey Miguel. The two men sized each other up in the early portion of the match as Trey Miguel investigated how he would defeat the man that he had been unable to defeat one-on-one to this point. After leaving the ring to regroup, the X-Division Champion took control of the match and began to wear down his challenger. Miguel tried to take back control during an exchange on the ring apron but Ace maintained the momentum with a swift kick to the face. Later in the contest, Miguel countered the continued onslaught of Austin into a Dragon Sleeper but Ace drove his head into the mat to escape the submission. A Split-Legged Moonsault gave Miguel a nearfall but Ace Austin still refused to die. Miguel tried to stay on the champion but no matter what he he did, the couldn’t keep Austin down and, after delivering The Fold out of nowhere, Ace Austin was able to retain the IMPACT X-Division Championship and build momentum towards his appearance at New Japan’s Best of the Super Juniors.

Jez’s Pick: Ace Austin
Dan’s Pick: Ace Austin
Winner: Ace Austin
Jez 3 – Dan 5

Bullet Club (Jay White, Chris Bey, Doc Gallows, El Phantasmo, and Karl Anderson) vs. Honor No More (Eddie Edwards, Kenny King, Matt Taven, Mike Bennett, and Vincent)

In one of the night’s most anticipated matches, Honor No More clashed with Bullet Club in all out faction warfare. As the bell rang, the two groups launched into a brawl in the middle of the ring before the action spilled to ringside. When things calmed down, Karl Anderson and Eddie Edwards got the match officially underway before each team made frequent tags and tried to take the control of the match. No team was able to do this for the majority and the match remained a close fought, evenly matched affair throughout. After Jay White went for a finish, Bullet Club piled into the ring to break things up, leading to another all out brawl between the stables. After members of each team tried to take out the other with dives to the outside of the ring, Mike Bennett and Matt Taven caught Karl Anderson in the ring and after delivering the Proton Pack, they made the cover to pick up the upset win over the veteran Bullet Club.

Jez’s Pick: Bullet Club
Dan’s Pick: Bullet Club
Winner: Honor No More
Jez 3 – Dan 5

IMPACT Knockouts World Championship – Tasha Steelz (c) vs. Havok

The second Women’s Championship match of Under Siege saw Havok of Decay get a shot at the IMPACT Knockouts World Champion, Tasha Steelz. As the match got underway, Steelz tried to catch Havok off guard with quick strikes and retreats but it wasn’t long before the challenger caught the champion and began to punish her with hard tosses and slams into the turnbuckles. Steelz was unwilling to be walked over, though, and fought back, trying to ground her opponent and kick her while she was down. Steelz locked Havok in a Rings of Saturn type submission but Havok bit her way out of the manoeuvre and went back on the offensive. The Knockouts Champion slowed Havok once again with a Sleeper Hold but even this and a Bulldog (with shades of Stratusfaction) only netted a two count. Undeterred, however, Tasha Steelz refused to give in and after delivering her signature move, The Blackout, she was able to pin Havok and retain the IMPACT Knockouts World Championship.

Jez’s Pick: Tasha Steelz
Dan’s Pick: Tasha Steelz
Winner: Tasha Steelz
Jez 4 – Dan 6

IMPACT World Tag Team Championship – Violent By Design (Eric Young, Deaner, and/or Joe Doering) (c) vs. The Briscoes (Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe)

In the penultimate contest of the night, Eric Young and Deaner represented Violent By Design as they defended their IMPACT World Tag Team Championships against The Briscoes. VBD tried to get the jump on their challengers before the bell but this backfired and both Young and Deaner were left laying outside the ring. With the match underway, both teams worked well and employed frequent tags. After Mark Briscoe and Deaner opened up on each other’s chests with brutal chops, The Briscoes launched themselves over the ropes to try and gain an advantage. This is where the numbers started to catch up with the challengers, though and Joe Doering was a difference maker in shifting momentum back towards his team. Dem Boys did enough in the match to stay alive and eventually neutralised Doering sufficient to hit the Doomsday Device on Deener and pin him to become IMPACT World Tag Team Champions for the first time in their careers.

Jez’s Pick: The Briscoes
Dan’s Pick: Violent by Design
Winner: The Briscoes
Jez 5 – Dan 6

Moose Enters the IMPACT Zone

Before the main event, former IMPACT World Champion, Moose, made his way to the ring to reflect on his title reign. He said that he’d done a number of terrible things as IMPACT World Champion but that he had no regrets about them because they made him the greatest World Champion in all of professional wrestling. Moose went on to lament that he had been disrespected by IMPACT Wrestling. IMPACT had given Josh Alexander six and a half months to prepare for his championship rematch but they had only given him 5 days to prepare for his. Therefore, Moose would be hijacking the show and preventing the main event from taking place. The lights went out in the arena and the mysterious promo we had been seeing for months played once again before the lights came back up showing that Sami Callihan was in the ring. Sami hit Moose with a baseball bat before following up with Cactus Driver 97 and proclaiming that “The Death Machine is back!”

IMPACT World Championship – Josh Alexander (c) vs. Tomohiro Ishii

In the Under Siege main event, Josh Alexander looked to defend his IMPACT World Championship against the challenge of Japanese veteran, “The Stone Pitbull” Tomohiro Ishii. After the bell, the two technically sound men began the match in that style, locking up and grinding each other down to the mat. Ishii and Alexander then moved on to seeing how hard they could hit each other and delivered stiff chops and piercing shoulder blocks to each other. As the match progressed, Alexander took down the straps on his singlet and invited Ishii to deliver is best shots to the now exposed chest of the champion. After a misdirected chop hit Alexander in the throat, the Stone Pitbull started to build some momentum in the match but Alexander kept up the aggression and knocked down his challenger to provide himself some time to recover. With the crowd firmly behind Tomohiro Ishii, the challenger went for the kill but Josh Alexander caught him in the Anklelock. Ishii countered and rolled though into his own submission but Alexander reversed this move himself and placed Ishii back into the Anklelock until he was able to get to the bottom rope. Capitalising on his weakened opponent, Alexander got a nearfall after a Spinning Reverse Fireman’s Carry Slam and went for the C4 Spike. Ishii avoided oblivion and the pair tore into each other again. Ishii delivered an incredible Stalling Superplex and his trademark Basement Clothesline but each time he could still only get a two count. Josh Alexander absorbed the damage of another series of hard strikes and delivered a Powerbomb. He followed this up with the C4 Spike and brought an incredible matchup to a close with the 1-2-3.

Jez’s Pick: Josh Alexander
Dan’s Pick: Josh Alexander
Winner: Josh Alexander
Jez 6 – Dan 7

Final Rating

Dan awards 2.5 out of 5 Tomohiro Ishii Chops
Jez awards 2.5 out of 5 Tomohiro Ishii Chops

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This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.

The backlash is upon us, a WrestleMania Backlash. For the second year in a row, WWE have shoehorned the word WrestleMania into one more event as we see several rematches and follow up matches from last month’s extravaganza. Join Jez and Dan on The Main Event Podcast as we take you through the entire event.

Seth Freakin’ Rollins vs. “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes

The opening contest was the rematch between Seth Freakin’ Rollins and Cody Rhodes. At WrestleMania, Rhodes was a “surprise” opponent but on this occasion Rollins knew exactly who he was facing. Rollins began the match with his trademark confidence as the pair locked up and exchanged holds. Rollins avoided Rhodes’ drop down ‘Goldust’ style punch, suggesting that this time he had done his homework on The American Nightmare. As the match progressed, Cody’s offense was able to bed in and he was able to hit the drop down punch on his second attempt as well as a Disaster Kick. Rollins continued to act like he had the number of his opponent while at the same time not doing enough to put Rhodes away. After avoiding a trademark move himself, punching Rollins as he attempted to dive through the ropes, Rhodes hit the Cody Cutter but was only able to achieve a two count. Rollins went for the Pedigree but Cody fought out of it and set up one of his own however Seth escaped that as well. Seth started to build his own momentum and hit a Frogsplash but Cody was only kept down for a two count. Rollins caught Rhodes in a Superplex and was setting up to chain together a second but The Architect was instead caught in Cross Rhodes. Cody made the cover but Rollins got his leg on the bottom rope. Seth delivered a Pedigree but Rhodes kicked out of the pinfall attempt. After this, the end of the match came by surprise. Rhodes hit another Cross Rhodes and tried to chain together another but Seth escaped and rolled Cody up. Despite a handful of tights, Cody reversed the roll up and with his own fistful of lycra, Cody Rhodes was able to collect a three count and defeat Seth Freakin’ Rollins for the second time in a row.

Jez’s Pick: Cody Rhodes
Dan’s Pick: Cody Rhodes
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Jez 1 – Dan 1

Omos (with MVP) vs. Bobby Lashley

Next up, in a massive change of pace, was the rematch between Bobby Lashley and Omos. Lashley tried to strike fast on The Nigerian Giant and tried to overwhelm the big man with continual offense. This plan was working well until MVP climbed on to the apron and provided the opening Omos needed to go on his own physical offensive. MVP continued to jaw at Lashley throughout the match but this did not stop The All Mighty tying Omos up in the ropes and teeing off on him. Omos saved MVP from oblivion but this distraction allowed Lashley to regain the control once again. Lashley locked in the Hurt Lock but, unlike Lashley’s usual opponents, Omos was able to break out of it. Omos launched Lashley shoulder first into the ringpost but when he went in for the kill, the referee moved him away. With this distraction, MVP jabbed Lashley in the throat with his cane which Omos followed up with the Two Hand Chokeslam and picked up the 1-2-3.

Jez’s Pick: Omos
Dan’s Pick: Omos
Winner: Omos
Jez 2 – Dan 2

AJ Styles vs. Edge
Damien Priest is Banned from Ringside

The third WrestleMania rematch of the night came when AJ Styles went one-on-one with Edge one more time. Damien Priest was the difference in their first meeting but, on this occasion, Priest was barred from ringside. AJ Styles brought the frustration of the last month to the ring with him and launched into a ringside assault on the Hall of Famer to start the match. Styles looked to end the match quickly, setting up for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Edge kicked Styles in the injured shoulder and went to work exploiting the damage he and Priest set up weeks previously. AJ tried to fight back but each time he would get any offense in, Edge would return to the shoulder and ground the Phenomenal One again. When Styles was able to execute manoeuvres or lock in submissions, he was unable to capitalise because of the weakness in his arm. AJ used the ropes to help him set up for the Styles Clash and although he delivered the move, Edge kicked out at two. Styles, unable to springboard, went to the top rope to deliver the Phenomenal Forearm but as he climbed Damien Priest came to the ramp and caused a distraction followed by a black clad figure that pulled him down from the ropes. Edge locked in The Gallows, a tight sleeper hold, and AJ Styles passed out to award the match to Edge. After the match, this dark figure revealed themself, the newest member of Judgment Day: Rhea Ripley.

Jez’s Pick: AJ Styles
Dan’s Pick: AJ Styles
Winner: Edge
Jez 2 – Dan 2

SmackDown Women’s Championship “I Quit” Match: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey

In the first championship match of the night, Charlotte Flair defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ronda Rousey. As the bell rang, Rousey went on the offensive quickly but Charlotte used her experience to surprise her challenger with a deep German Suplex and take over the contest. Charlotte took the fight to Ronda at ringside and offered her her first opportunity to quit. Flair grabbed a Kendo Stick and looked to continue her beatdown but Rousey liberated her from her stick and chased the champion up the ramp. Ronda tee’d off on Charlotte with two Kendo Sticks but she refused to quit. As the match spilled into the crowd, it turned back in the champion’s favour and this momentum continued as the contest went back into the ring. Charlotte hit Natural Selection on a steel chair and also locked in the Figure 8 Leg Lock but, on each occasion, Rousey still refused to quit. It would be the chair that Charlotte introduced that would be the downfall of the champion as after Rousey used it to escape the Figure 8, she used the chair for extra leverage in an Armbar, forcing Charlotte to say the words, “I Quit.”

Jez’s Pick: Ronda Rousey
Dan’s Pick: Ronda Rousey
Winner: Ronda Rousey
Jez 3 – Dan 3

Happy Corbin vs. Madcap Moss

The first contest of the night that was not a rematch from WrestleMania saw Happy Corbin take on his former court jester, Madcap Moss. As the bell rang the pair locked up in the middle of the ring but Corbin soon resorted to a cheapshot that allowed him to take control. Corbin wore down his former employee fairly systematically as the match progressed. However, when Madcap turned up the intensity he was able to fire up and wrest control from Happy. Moss tossed Corbin into the ringpost and sent him back into the ring to deliver a Fallaway Slam. Despite Corbin mounting a small comeback and hitting Deep Six, Moss was able to surprise Happy with a Sunset Flip and collect a big victory.

Jez’s Pick: Happy Corbin
Dan’s Pick: Happy Corbin
Winner: Madcap Moss
Jez 3 – Dan 3

Six Man Tag Team Match: The Bloodline (Roman Reigns & The Usos) vs. RK-McBro (Randy Orton, Riddle & Drew McIntyre)

In the main event of WrestleMania Backlash, the team of the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, and the SmackDown Tag Team Champion, The Usos, took on the RAW Tag Team Champions, RK-Bro, and Drew McIntyre. The Bloodline vs. RK-McBro. Randy Orton and Jimmy Uso started the match but the babyface team made frequent tags and isolated Jimmy from his family. It wasn’t long though before Drew McIntyre thrust the Uso cousin into the corner and insisted that Roman Reigns make the tag and join the match. Reigns did indeed tag in but after doing a circle of the ring, he tagged back out to his right hand man, Jey Uso. From there, The Usos were able to reverse the early strategy and worked to isolate Riddle away from his partners using quick tags between the brothers. The Undisputed Champion did spend some time in the match but refused to square off with McIntyre and continued the destruction of the Original Bro. However, later in the match, Reigns tagged into the match and was not quick enough to prevent the tag to the Scottish Warrior. The two big men came to blows in the middle of the ring and Reigns got the best of the exchange. The Tribal Chief took the time to pose in the ring with his championship belts and received a surprise Claymore Kick from McIntyre for his trouble. Both men tagged out and Randy Orton went on a tear, delivering RKOs from every direction and securing a nearfall on Jimmy Uso. The Viper continued his tear at ringside and McIntyre joined the fun, trying to put Reigns through the announce table, but it would be Drew that would go through the announce table at the hands of a Urinagi from the Tribal Chief. Reigns followed this up with a Spear to Riddle in the middle of the ring to bring home a win for The Bloodline.

Jez’s Pick: The Bloodline
Dan’s Pick: RK-McBro
Winner:
Jez 4 – Dan 3

Final Rating

Dan awards 3.5 out of 5 Cloaked Rhea Ripleys
Jez awards 3 out of 5 Cloaked Rhea Ripleys

Search for The Main Event Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts from. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all of the new content coming from The Main Event Podcast!

This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.

Our first post WrestleMania show hits the airwaves with IMPACT Wrestling’s Rebellion pay-per-view. This event sees the long awaited match between Moose and Josh Alexander for the IMPACT World Championship. Tune in as Jez and Dan break it all down on The Main Event Podcast.

Pre-Show: Eddie Edwards vs. Chris Bey

As the Countdown to Rebellion got underway, it was announced that a match originally scheduled for the show could not take place because Jonathan Gresham had not been cleared to compete. Instead, Honor No More’s Eddie Edwards took on Bullet Club’s Chris Bey. As the match began, the two felt each other out and the crowd chose who they would get behind in the Ultimate Finesser. After Edwards backed out of a test of strength, he began to wear down Bey with a series of well executed Suplexes and throws. Bey fought back into the match using his signature quickness and took Edwards down with a dive to the outside of the ring. As the match moved closer to a conclusion, the pair turned up the physicality and exchanged stiff forearms but after Edwards hit the Die Hard Driver and picked up the win.

Jez’s Pick: Jonathan Gresham
Dan’s Pick: Eddie Edwards
Winner: Eddie Edwards
Jez 0 – Dan 1

Pre-Show: IMPACT Knockouts World Tag Team Championship – The Influence (Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood) (c) vs. The IInspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay)

The next contest was for the Impact Knockouts World Tag Team Championship with The Influence defending their championships against The IInspiration. The champions elected to come to the ring first and used this advantage to jump Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay before the match. Madison Rayne and Tenille Dashwood continued their dominant start by isolating Cassie Lee away from her partner. When McKay got the hot tag, she went to work on both women and soon gained herself a nearfall. As The IInspiration sought to put the match away with a double team manoeuvre, Dashwood held the leg of Lee on the top turnbuckle before sending her crashing down to the mat. Dashwood followed this up with The Spotlight but it wasn’t enough to put the challengers away. Likewise, The IInspiration were milliseconds from taking the victory after Lee avoided a shot to the face with the title belt but this too was only worth a two count. However, when Lee and McKay went for The Idolizer, Rayne speared Lee. The champions then hit The Collab and this time were able to get a three count for the win. 

Jez’s Pick: The IInspiration
Dan’s Pick: The IInspiration
Winner: The Influence
Jez 0 – Dan 1

Chris Sabin vs. Jay White vs. Steve Maclin

The opening contest on the main pay-per-view was the triple threat match between Chris Sabin, Jay White, Steve Maclin. As they were with his Bullet Club teammate earlier, the crowd were behind the Switchblade in this match but White was not interested in joining the match in the early going. Sabin and Maclin squared off as White circled the ring, only entering to break up pinfalls. However, White was caught by Steve Maclin who took his moment to begin an assault on Switchblade around the ring apron. Intervention by Sabin allowed White to avoid extra damage and the match returned to the ring and White gained a nearfall. As is common in triple threat matches, the three men engaged in brief one-on-one flurries but there were also good moments in which all three competitors fought at the same time. White gained a couple of nearfalls before taking to the top turnbuckle with Sabin. Sabin fought out and hung White from the turnbuckle before himself being hung on the opposite side of the ring. Steve Maclin delivered a Spear to the prone Jay White but was sent crashing out of the ring when Sabin evaded that same fate. Now alone with Sabin, White delivered a Half and Half Suplex and went for the Blade Runner but Sabin rolled up White for two. Sabin and White fought to hit their finishes and Sabin succeeded in nailing the Cradle Shock but from behind Maclin rolled Sabin into a Crucifix pin and stole the biggest victory of his career.

Jez’s Pick: Jay White
Dan’s Pick: Jay White
Winner: Steve Maclin
Jez 0 – Dan 1

AAA Reina de Reinas Championship – Deonna Purrazzo (c) vs. Taya Valkyrie

In her first match in IMPACT Wrestling in over a year, Taya Valkyrie took on Deonna Purrazzo next as Valkyrie sought the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship that she never lost in Purrazzo’s Champ Champ Challenge. The match began very traditionally with Valkyrie gaining the early advantage with pure wrestling skill and following up with Pandemonium. The challenger took a moment to take in the adulation of the crowd and the champ relished this distraction, dragging Valkyrie into the ringpost and shifting the momentum her way for the first time in the match. Purrazzo hit a flatliner and followed up with a Koji Clutch but Valkyrie escaped. The match spilled back to ringside and Purrazzo delivered a Russian Leg Sweep against the ring apron but she hurt herself with this move as much as she did her opponent. Back in the ring, Purrazzo tried for the Fujiwara Armbar but she could not fully lock it on and Taya reached the bottom rope to break the submission. It was at this point the match started to turn in Valkyrie’s favour as she countered an offensive move from the top rope by the Virtuosa and delivered a Sitout Powerbomb to the champion. Purrazzo continued to fight back but soon Valkyrie delivered the Road to Valhalla and pinned the Champ Champ to officially demote her to just Champ.

Jez’s Pick: Taya Valkyrie
Dan’s Pick: Deonna Purrazzo
Winner: Taya Valkyrie
Jez 1 – Dan 1

IMPACT X Division Championship – Trey Miguel (c) vs. Ace Austin vs. Mike Bailey

The X-Division Championship Triple Threat Match was up next with Trey Miguel defending against Ace Austin and ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey. Ace Austin tried to convince his opponents that the outcome of this match was inevitable but this quickly proved not to be the smartest of moves as both Miguel and Bailey physically showed him why he was wrong. Austin was sent out of the ring and the other two men turned up the speed and demonstrated their technical ability. When Ace Austin came back into the ring, he turned up the physicality and delivered hard chops and kicks to his opponents but no matter what he did, Austin frequently found himself on the receiving end of high flying manoeuvres at ringside. Mike Bailey took the advantage in the match, delivering double knees to a prone entanglement of Austin and Miguel and got a nearfall on Ace following Ultimo Weapon. Bailey fell victim to a huge Brainbuster and a Meteora but Miguel’s pinfall was broken up when Austin pulled the leg of the referee. Ace Austin struck quickly and delivered The Fold to Miguel, pinning him to become the NEW IMPACT X-Division Champion.

Jez’s Pick: Trey Miguel
Dan’s Pick: Trey Miguel
Winner: Ace Austin
Jez 1 – Dan 1

Jonah vs. Tomohiro Ishii

From the fastest competitors to the biggest, next, as the ‘Top Dog’ Jonah collided with the ‘Stone Pitbull’ Tomohiro Ishii. As the bell rang, the two men came face to face before launching into each other with hard forearms and deep chops. After Jonah took down Ishii for the first time, he began to wear down the Japanese veteran, eventually locking him in a Sleeper Hold. After Ishii escaped, the dominance of Jonah continued. The Stone Pitbull tried his hardest to fight back in phases and eventually was able to chop down the big Australian with strikes to the knee but a sudden move from Jonah was all it took to ground Ishii once again. Things started to turn in Ishii’s favour when he avoided Tsunami and hit his Basement Lariat but this only put Jonah down for two. Ishii followed it up with headbutts and defied all laws of physics, hitting his signature Brainbuster and was able to get the three count, pinning Jonah to pick up a huge victory.

Jez’s Pick: Tomohiro Ishii
Dan’s Pick: Jonah
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii
Jez 2 – Dan 1

Eight-Team Elimination Challenge for the IMPACT World Tag Team Championship – Violent By Design (Eric Young, Deaner, and/or Joe Doering) (c) vs. Major Players vs. Jordynne Grace & W. Morrisey vs. Johnny Swinger & Zicky Dice vs. Rich Swann & Willie Mack vs. Honor No More vs. Heath & Rhino

Up next at Rebellion was the Eight-Team Elimination Challenge for the Impact World Tag Team Championship with Violent By Design defending their titles against seven other tag teams. The two teams to start the match were the Major Players and the unique pairing of Jordynne Grace and W. Morrissey. Grace and Morrisey teamed well and delivered a number of double team manoeuvres but when Chelsea Green caused a distraction, Matt Cardona rolled up Jordynne Grace for the surprise 1-2-3. After the elimination, the brawl continued and Chelsea paid for her intervention – being Powerbombed through a table by W. Morrisey. 

The next team to enter was the Good Brothers and the Major Players were forced to abandon Green in the rubble and return to the match. Fortunately for Cardona, the match didn’t last long and the Major Players were eliminated after the Magic Killer. The next entry came from the shortlived team of Johnny Swinger and Zicky Dice – the second victims of the Magic Killer. Thanks for coming. Providing more of a challenge for Anderson and Gallows were Rich Swann and Willy Mack. The Good Brothers isolated Swann away from his partner and made frequent tags to make their way towards another elimination. Willie Mack eventually made the hot tag and even got a very close nearfall on Karl Anderson but after Gallows shoved him off the top rope, the pair hit another Magic Killer and advanced.

The next entry was Honor No More who misdirected the Good Brothers by sending Vincent and Kenny King down the ramp, setting up a blindside attack from the actual entrants, Matt Taven and Mike Bennett. The attack backfired for Bennett as he fell victim to the Gun Stun but Matt Taven pinned Karl Anderson as Maria held his foot under the ropes, eliminating one of the favourite teams to win in The Good Brothers. Next to join the match were Honor No More’s old enemies Heath and Rhino who went to work quickly on Mike Bennett. Maria once again got involved in the match and this shifted momentum back towards her boys, Bennett and Taven. However as the match broke down, Rhino surprised Matt Taven with a Gore and eliminated Honor No More in shocking fashion. 

The final team to enter was the defending IMPACT World Tag Team Champions, Violent By Design. Eric Young and Joe Doering were the chosen two for the champions and Young went right to work on former VBD member, Rhino. Rhino found himself isolated away from Heath and double teamed until Heath grabbed the tag and a nearfall with the Wake Up Call. The third member of VBD, Deener, drew Heath into the fist of Doering at ringside and the momentum once again shifted back towards the champions. Eric Young hit the Piledriver on Heath and pinned him to retain the IMPACT World Tag Team Championships.

Jez’s Pick: Major Players
Dan’s Pick: Violent By Design
Winner: Violent By Design
Jez 2 – Dan 2

IMPACT Knockouts World Championship – Tasha Steelz (c) vs. Rosemary

The championship action kept on coming as, next, Tasha Steelz defended her Knockouts World Championship against Decay’s Rosemary. Rosemary started aggressively as the bell rang, full throat screaming as she tossed the champion around the ring. Steelz took the damage for a time before baiting Havok into being ejected from ringside and taking control of the match. Steelz went on the offensive, punishing Rosemary with clubbing forearms to the chest on the ring apron. Steelz continued to wear down her opponent and although Rosemary was able to fight back in flurries, Steelz kept the momentum. When the champion collected her title belt, this distracted the referee and allowed Savannah Evans to take down Rosemary. This allowed Steelz to hit the Blackout but only got a two count. Evans tried to get involved again but Rosemary gave her a Green Mist for her troubles. Rosemary went for the kill, heading to the top rope but Steelz shocked her with a Cutter and followed it up with a Falcon Arrow to collect the 1-2-3 and another successful title defence.

Jez’s Pick: Tasha Steelz
Dan’s Pick: Rosemary
Winner: Tasha Steelz
Jez 3 – Dan 2

IMPACT World Championship – Moose (c) vs. Josh Alexander

In the main event, Moose defended the IMPACT World Championship in a long awaited contest against the challenger, Josh Alexander. As Alexander made his way to the ring, he was accompanied by his son in matching ring attire whereas Moose was resplendent in gold. As the match began, Alexander outmuscled the champion and ground him down to the mat with amateur wrestling manoeuvres. Moose escaped the ring and got into the face of Alexander’s family. This enraged Alexander but the rage provided an opening for Moose to surprise his challenger and take control of the match. The self proclaimed Wrestling God used the ringside area to wear down his challenger but Alexander seemed more willing to throw everything he had at Moose and regained control. Alexander delivered a succession of ten German Suplexes before releasing his grip on an exhausted Moose. The challenger didn’t capitalise on his work, though, and this once again allowed Moose back into the match. The action went back and forth again with each man giving the other the opportunity to deliver their best shot. Alexander delivered a C4 Spike but Moose got his foot on the bottom rope. From out of nowhere, Alexander surprised us all with a Styles Clash and followed it up with an Anklelock but once again Moose reached the ropes and this time pulled off a turnbuckle cover. It was into this exposed turnbuckle that Alexander was launched head first and Moose followed it up with a Spear. However, Alexander kicked out at 2. Moose went for another Spear but Alexander met it with a swift knee to the face. Josh Alexander followed this up with a second C4 Spike and pinned Moose to finally regain the IMPACT World Championship.

Jez’s Pick: Josh Alexander
Dan’s Pick: Moose
Winner: Josh Alexander
Jez 4 – Dan 2

Final Rating

Dan awards 3.5 out of 5 Cauliflower Ear Protectors
Jez awards 3 out of 5 Cauliflower Ear Protectors

Search for The Main Event Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts from. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all of the new content coming from The Main Event Podcast!

This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.

Singing America the Beautiful for night two of WrestleMania was Jessie James Decker, accompanied by some guy who thought he was better on the piano than he was…On the other side of another opening montage narrated by Mark Wahlberg, WrestleMania Sunday kicked off with a surprise appearance from Triple H. On the mic, Triple H said he came to say thank you, welcome us to WrestleMania and leave his boots in the ring.

RAW Tag Team Championship – RK-Bro (Randy Orton and Riddle) (c) vs. The Street Profits (Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford) vs. Alpha Academy (Chad Gable and Otis)

The opening contest was the RAW Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match with RK-Bro defending against Alpha Academy and the Street Profits. As the bell rang, Chad Gable shooshed Riddle and Montez Ford and received a stiff chop for his trouble. The match then broke down very quickly and all six competitors fought in and around the ring. Once the match got back in the ring, Alpha Academy isolated Riddle from tagging out of the match. They then decided that this would actually be a triple threat match and Angelo Dawkins joined the match and Gable tagged Otis, completely confusing who was legal and what the rules of this match were. The Street Profits took control of the match and got a nearfall but as Ford got ready to deliver a big splash, Riddle shocked him with an RKO from the top rope. Gable tried to shock Orton but he himself was caught in mid-air by an RKO from Orton. Randy made the cover to get the 1-2-3 and pick up the win for his team. After the match, RK-Bro and the Street Profits brought Gable Steveson into the ring to join them. Chad Gable tried to interrupt and received a Belly to Belly Suplex from Steveson for his interruption.

Jez’s Pick: RK-Bro
Dan’s Pick: RK-Bro
Winner: RK-Bro
Jez 7 – Dan 7

Bobby Lashley vs. Omos

The next match was quite literally the biggest match on the card, with the giant Omos taking on the All Mighty Bobby Lashley. After the bell, Omos very quickly took Lashley down to the mat with clubbing strikes but the All Mighty tried to get back into the contest with his strength. This worked to a point but Omos continued to overwhelm the former WWE Champion. Lashley refused to quit, though, and eventually fought his way back delivering a huge suplex to the colossus, delivered a Spear to the back of Omos and punctuated it with one to the front that allowed him to pick up the win.

Jez’s Pick: Lashley
Dan’s Pick: Lashley
Winner: Lashley
Jez 8 – Dan 8

Anything Goes Match – Johnny Knoxville vs. Sami Zayn

Up next on WrestleMania Sunday was the Anything Goes Match between Jackass star, Johnny Knoxville, and former Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn. Zayn started the match with a quick Helluva Kick but he was not content to collect a quick win and continued the attack around the ring. After Zayn became distracted by the Jackass crew at ringside, Knoxville got back into the match with a fire extinguisher and weapons were introduced to the match. After clapping the head of Zayn with trash can lids, Knoxville found himself on the wrong end of a Belly to Belly Suplex through a table. As Knoxville recovered, some dude from Jackass entered the ring and got his jackass out in a thong but Zayn soon dispatched him. From one Jackass to another, though, Wee Man entered the match and delivered the smallest body slam in the history of WrestleMania. Knoxville surprised Zayn by setting off the pyro from the turnbuckle and followed it up with a bowling ball and punt machine to the groin. Zayn’s special place received more punishment in the form of a tazer before Sami was thrown through a table covered in mouse traps. Knoxville then trapped Zayn in a giant mouse trap and picked himself up the win.

Jez’s Pick: Johnny Knoxville
Dan’s Pick: Johnny Knoxville
Winner: Johnny Knoxville
Jez 9 – Dan 9

Women’s Tag Team Championship – Queen Zelina and Carmella (c) vs. Sasha Banks and Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan vs. Natalya and Shayna Baszler

In the next match, the Women’s Tag Team Champions, Queen Zelina and Carmella defended against Sasha Banks/Naomi, Rhea Ripley/Liv Morgan and Natalya/Shayna Baszler. The rules were more clearly defined in this match but it still was not a Fatal Four Way tag team match with only two women in the ring at a time. This said, the referee did very little to prevent illegal women from entering the ring and the match quickly descended into a finishing move showcase and spotfest. With no team able to maintain their momentum for too long, the match came to an end when Naomi and Sasha Banks worked together to take down Carmella and become the Women’s Tag Team Champions.

Jez’s Pick: Carmella/Vega
Dan’s Pick: Carmella/Vega
Winner: Banks/Naomi
Jez 9 – Dan 9

Edge vs. AJ Styles

The next contest was the very personal affair between the Phenomenal AJ Styles and WWE Hall of Famer Edge. Edge played mind games in the early going and tried to frustrate Styles. Edge went for the Spear early but Styles avoided it and the match reset. Styles went for a Phoenix Splash but Edge got his knees up and control of the match shifted his way as he targeted the ribs of his opponent methodically. Despite this injury, as well as a potentially separated shoulder, Styles fought his way back and the two men wore each other down. Styles delivered a Suplex on the ring apron and both men were nearly counted out but just about beat the count. Styles hit the Phoenix Splash on his second attempt but only got a two count. Styles ducked a Spear and delivered the Styles Clash but once again could only get two. Styles set up for the Phenomenal Forearm but was distracted by Damien Priest who simply appeared at ringside. As Styles leaped towards Edge, he was taken down with a cutting Spear and Edge pinned AJ to pick up a huge WrestleMania victory.

Jez’s Pick: AJ Styles
Dan’s Pick: AJ Styles
Winner: Edge
Jez 9 – Dan 9

The New Day (King Woods and Kofi Kingston) vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland (with Butch)

The next match saw The New Day team of King Woods and Kofi Kingston take on the Fight Night crew of Sheamus and Ridge Holland. The fighting started before the bell but eventually began. With Butch flying around all over the place, Sheamus was able to Brogue Kick Woods behind the referee’s back and Holland was able to deliver Northern Grit and pick up the win.

Jez’s Pick: New Day
Dan’s Pick: New Day
Winner: Sheamus and Ridge Holland
Jez 9 – Dan 9

Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory

After two spectacular entrances, the next contest was between Mr. McMahon’s new chosen one, Austin Theory, and SmackDown commentator  Pat McAfee. McAfee started hot showing off his wrestling ability but took a little too long to capitalise and A-Town took over for a time. With the crowd fully behind McAfee, he beat down Austin Theory off the announce table and went for a Swanton Bomb but once again he took too long and Theory regained control. McAfee continued to show off his athleticism and was eventually able to surprise Theory with a roll-up to pick up a shock win.

Jez’s Pick: Austin Theory
Dan’s Pick: Pat McAfee
Winner: Pat McAfee
Jez 9 – Dan 10

After the match, McAfee celebrated and Mr. McMahon took off his suit jacket and a second match got underway between the Chairman and McAfee. McMahon took Pat down with repeated Clotheslines and bounced him off the top turnbuckle. Austin Theory dragged McAfee crotch first into the ringpost and McMahon followed it up by kicking a football into the head of the former punter before pinning him to pick up a win. The moment still wasn’t over here, as McMahon and Theory celebrated, Stone Cold Steve Austin came to the ring. Austin verbally dressed down McMahon before stunnering Theory. He offered Vince a beer but, obviously, Stunnered him as payment. Stone Cold invited McAfee in for a beer too but, of course, he caught a Stunner as well. Stone Cold hit the ropes and continued the celebration before strolling out of WrestleMania for the second night in a row.

Winner Takes All match to unify the WWE Championship and WWE Universal Championship – WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns (with Paul Heyman)

After all the excitement of a two night WrestleMania, it was finally time for the main event. In a winner take all match, the WWE Champion, Brock Lesnar, took on Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. Brock took off his gloves as the bell rang and immediately went to work on the Universal Champ and took him to Suplex City. Brock took the fight outside and was immediately distracted by Paul Heyman. Roman capitalised on this opportunity and Speared Lesnar through the barricade before hitting another Spear inside the ring and achieving a very close near fall. Reigns delivered a pair of Superman Punches and went for a third but Reigns was taken the German quarter of Suplex City. The Tribal Chief did rally back and hit the third Superman Punch but when he went for another Spear, Lesnar sidestepped and hit the F5, getting a nearfall of his own. Reigns speared Lesnar into the official, hit Lesnar with a low blow and nailed him between the eyes with the Universal Title. The referee stirred and Lesnar kicked out of the cover. Reigns went for another Spear but Lesnar countered into the Kimura but Roman reached the ropes. Brock went for the F5 but Reigns wriggled out and delivered yet another Spear and pinned Lesnar to finally get the win over the Beast Incarnate.

Jez’s Pick: Brock Lesnar
Dan’s Pick: Roman Reigns
Winner: Roman Reigns
Jez 9 – Dan 11

Final Rating

Dan awards 2.5 out of 5 Undisputed WWE Universal Championships
Jez awards 3 out of 5 Undisputed WWE Universal Championships

Search for The Main Event Podcast on Anchor, Spotify, Google Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts from. Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date with all of the new content coming from The Main Event Podcast!

This podcast is not affiliated with WWE, AEW, Impact Wrestling or any other promotion. All clips, soundbites and trademarks are used in accordance with UK fair use copyright law and remain property of their respective owners.