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We're almost there, folks.
WrestleMania 34 is less than a week away and you can feel the excitement in the air. The card is set and we're just waiting for the green light - Orlando pun intended. Tonight in Atlanta we'll see the go-home show for the red brand, featuring some high profile segments and big-time match-ups in order to get you hyped for the showcase of the immortals in New Orleans.
With that being said, let's get to it.
Mixed Tag Showdown
Jonathan Coachman started in the ring, and he appeared to be conducting the face-off between The Authority and The Olympians. All four individuals make their entrance. The crowd appears to be chanting for Ronda Rousey.
Coach asks questions from the WWE Universe, but The Game interrupts and wants to speak. HHH says the deafening reaction Ronda got will dwindle after Sunday because of Kurt Angle. He lists Angle's accomplishments but claims he's never been intelligent like one of the three 'I's suggests. Triple H says Kurt has set Ronda up for failure at WrestleMania and asks why he did it.
Ronda speaks before Kurt gets a chance, and asks why HHH would sign her with alternative motives. Stephanie apologises to Coach and says that Ronda doesn't quite understand how it works at the moment, Ronda says she understands the format, and she wants an answer to her question.
Steph believes that Kurt has derailed Rousey's career and cost her millions of dollars, which HHH agrees with. Stephanie asks who the hell she thinks she is, and Angle responds with 'she's Ronda freakin' Rousey'. He lists her accomplishments and insists that this Sunday she's going to make McMahon tap out. The Game believes that everything Ronda has achieved means nothing in a WWE ring.
Coach tries to take control, and the first question from the WWE Universe is - how important is it to win at WrestleMania, and how will it impact the future of WWE. Steph believes that it'll show whenever there's an uprising, the bosses will bite the head off of the snake. Poor Randy Orton.
Kurt is asked how he feels about teaming up with Ronda Rousey, and he says she's the baddest woman on the planet, and that she's going to prove it in New Orleans. Stephanie says this is all on her, and that in the record books her very first match in WWE is going to be a loss to her. Steph then says the world knows how she handles losses; I didn't think they'd bring that up.
Rousey asks if Steph is left or right handed, before saying that she wants Steph to still be able to write her cheques after she rips her arm off. Coach tries to conduct a professional face-off, very much in the style of MMA. HHH and Kurt shake hands, but Ronda refuses to shake Stephanie's hand. After some trash talk from Steph, they get face to face before Kurt gets in the middle of them.
HHH clocks Angle from behind before Ronda intervenes, and McMahon puts Rousey through a table before pointing at the WrestleMania sign. HHH and Steph walk away, leaving Rousey to look up in anger.
Bayley vs Sonya Deville
Following a WrestleMania promo, we see Bayley looking at the WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal trophy, which is ringside, for her match against Deville. This already feels like it's going to be a quick one, with both females trading blows early on. There are some stiff shots as Bayley gains control, before Deville switches it around in the corner.
Sonya is showing some good fire here after picking up an early near fall. The commentators are focusing more on the impending Battle Royal as opposed to the match, which kind of makes sense. They bring up the growing tension between Bayley and Banks, with Corey Graves suggesting that he wasn't shocked by the whole ordeal.
Deville continued to dominate throughout the commercial break, and Bayley's attempts at a revival are thwarted. The comeback is on now, however, as The Huggable One executes a successful crossbody.
A running knee to the face gets a close two. Bayley is described as 'the veteran' by Cole, before a distraction from Mandy Rose leads to another near fall from Deville. Bayley reverses and gets in a roll-up of her own, which scores the pinfall.
Bayley defeats Sonya Deville via pinfall
Sasha Banks comes down to assist Bayley by attacking Absolution. The two team up to get Deville out of the ring. Sasha tells Bayley to raise her hand for helping her, but Bayley is baffled and insists that she didn't need her.
Bayley attacks Banks, and the two start unloading on each other. Rose and Deville are back in the ring, and they dismantle the former best friends.
We cut to a graphic of tonight's Seth Rollins vs Finn Balor match. We're set to take an in-depth look at Asuka's undefeated streak next, despite the fact that she'll be taking part in a SmackDown Live match at WrestleMania.
The aforementioned video package for Asuka airs, and it's clear to see that they're pushing her to the moon. The commentators talk about the birth of Miz & Maryse's daughter, and Coach says that Miz no longer has to worry about not being able to make it to WrestleMania.
Finn Balor vs Seth Rollins
Finn Balor makes his way down to the ring, and following the break, 'The Architect' Seth Rollins. The Miz is on commentary to watch this bout, as many expected. He talks about how the Intercontinental Championship is the most prestigious belt in WWE, and he refers back to his WrestleMania 27 victory in Atlanta when he defeated John Cena to retain the WWE Championship.
The Miz continues to talk about his new baby girl, and while he's attempting to link it back to his heel persona, he's definitely coming across as a babyface - which isn't exactly a hard thing to do in this kind of situation. Balor and Rollins are going through the motions, swapping momentum in the early stages of this one. They're playing it safe, and we can hardly blame them given that WrestleMania is right around the corner.
Following the break, the intensity picks up as Rollins nails Balor with a series of chops before taking things to the outside - which is where Seth injured Finn back at SummerSlam 2016. The talk on commentary continues to focus on Monroe Mizanin, and when they talk about the match, Miz continues to talk like a babyface. He continues to say that he's a new man.
In the middle of the match, WWE does a double screen split, airing a promo of Shinsuke Nakamura vs AJ Styles for the WWE Championship. Back in the ring, Seth continues to beat down on Balor before nailing him with a big time knee on the apron. Miz's 'babyface' antics are really distracting, and it seems as if a sneak attack is imminent.
Balor and Rollins trade chops, as the Irishman picks up the pace. Cole and Miz get into an argument, forgetting their love affair from back in 2011 when Michael was a full-blown heel. Seth hits a suicide dive on Balor, and we head into yet another commercial break.
The crowd are really getting into this one, although we missed a good chunk of the last section due to the break. Seth hits Finn with a monstrous superkick which got him a close two count, and the crowd begin to crowd 'this is awesome'. Both men are on the top rope, and Rollins hits a massive superplex.
Finn nearly gets a roll-up win, but Rollins just managed to kick out. Seth goes for a frog splash but Finn gets his knees up in time, but Rollins is once again able to kick out.
Seth nearly hits a buckle bomb on the very same barricade which destroyed Balor's shoulder, but Finn reverses it. Balor went for the Coup de Grace, then Seth went for the curb stomp. Both missed, then after a series of roll-ups, Seth nails the curb stomp for the victory. Tremendous, tremendous match.
Seth Rollins defeats Finn Balor via pinfall
After recapping the opening segment, the commentators run down some of the matches on Sunday alongside some match graphics. It seems as if Cole confirmed that both battle royals and the Cruiserweight Championship match will be on the kick-off show.
We get a promo for Brock Lesnar vs Roman Reigns 2, which will probably be the main event on Sunday. Paul Heyman is on the phone and says he can see it now: 'the Brocktagon', hinting at Lesnar returning to the UFC.
Kurt Angle interferes and says that he's worried about the Mania main event not staying intact. Heyman ensures everything will be fine.
Braun's Mystery Man
Sheamus and Cesaro, aka The Bar, make their way down to the ring as Michael Cole hints at Braun Strowman's partner for WrestleMania being revealed. Cesaro says they don't care who Braun's tag team partner is, and Sheamus agrees. Sheamus says they need to be on the same page, meanwhile, the Swiss Superman says Braun will never be able to have a proper connection with a partner.
Strowman appears, to a large pop from the Atlanta faithful. 'If you're trying to say I don't play well with others, then you're right'. Apparently, management has made it clear he has to find a partner, and Braun says he's got one. Braun says his partner doesn't appreciate what Sheamus and Cesaro have been saying, and Cesaro tells Strowman to get his partner to come out and say it to their face.
Braun says his partner wants a match with either Cesaro or Sheamus, with the Celtic Warrior seemingly being the one to compete. Braun says he's a lot like him, just a little different. Braun goes to the back, and comes out as 'Brains' - who is, apparently, Braun's brother. It seems as if Braun will officially be challenging Sheamus and Cesaro on his own at WrestleMania.
The numbers game gets the best of Braun, before he fights out of it and gets to work on beating up The Bar. Cole reiterates that Braun needs a partner in order to get a shot at the Raw Tag Team Championships, but it looks as if it won't be revealed until Sunday.
Goldust vs Woken Matt Hardy
Goldust and Woken Matt Hardy cut promos in reference to the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania. Hardy says that Goldust doesn't need to wait until Mania, because he's scheduled for deletion tonight.
The two veterans receive jobber entrances, and their Battle of Bizarreness begins. After a series of back and forth near falls, Hardy hits the Twist of Fate and picks up the victory.
Matt Hardy defeats Goldust via pinfall
Mickie James and Alexa Bliss have a short backstage promo, and frankly, the tactics used in this feud are just a bit too much as they continue to focus on Nia Jax's weight.
Jax is then to have a sitdown interview with Renee Young later in the night to discuss the war with Bliss.
Taker no-shows again
John Cena says he hates to say this but he was wrong, and that we're out of time. He says he did everything he possibly could to get Taker to do something, but he failed.
He said he's still going to WrestleMania fired up, and says that so many fans have been asking him what his match will be. Cena claims he'll be going to Mania as a fan, and Cole suggests he enters one of the other matches on the card.
Cena says that because he lost his last five big matches, he doesn't deserve to just 'enter' one of those matches. He goes on to state that if it was him vs Taker, they wouldn't be taking anyone else's spot. Cena says one year ago today his life drastically changed, courtesy of becoming engaged to Nikki, and goes on to reveal that he's not hiding anything that's going on in his personal life.
The fans chant for Taker, but Cena claims he's still excited to go to WrestleMania as a fan. He runs down some stars who will shine on the card without him, such as Finn Balor, Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, AJ Styles and more. He's also proud that WrestleMania falls on the same day as Rusev Day. This is great from Cena, as he puts everyone over - especially the women competing on the card.
Cena takes a minute to apologise for The Undertaker situation, as he was unable to summon The Deadman. In Dallas, Detroit, Cleveland and Atlanta he tried and failed. Cena states that they never really actually tried in Atlanta, and insists that they give it one more shot. The fans half-heartedly seem to chant for Taker, and the noise begins to grow and grow.
Cena says Taker can ignore him all he wants, but the second he ignores the people, he's a dead man walking. Cena says that Taker left his balls at home in addition to his hat in the ring. The fans even start chanting for Cena. His music plays, as Big Match John leaves the ring and heads to the back. Michael Cole says he's disappointed, as he'd love to call Cena vs Undertaker.
The commentators run down the WrestleMania 34 card, complete with match graphics.
After the break, Angle pleads with Reigns not to ruin his opportunity at WrestleMania. Roman says that he's willing to hear Heyman out, but only because he respects Kurt. He seems to turn on Angle very quickly after getting wound up over the Brock/Paul situation.
Elias vs Heath Slater
Elias teases that he's got the greatest performance of a lifetime prepared for WrestleMania, before giving the fans in Atlanta a quick preview. Heath Slater interrupts The Drifter, as Rhyno wears a shirt saying 'I walk with Slater'. The two get off to a fast-paced start, as Elias goes to work on wearing Mr I Got Kids down.
Slater builds some momentum and looks to be gaining the upper hand, only for Elias to catch him with a boot before nailing his finisher for the win.
Elias defeats Heath Slater via pinfall
Braun is walking around backstage, before running into Curt Hawkins who is wearing a 'Pick Me Braun' shirt. Strowman asks what his win/loss record is, to which Hawkins says it's not great. Strowman responds by launching Curt through a wall, and says 'there's your big break'.
Nia Jax opens up
In an exclusive interview with Renee Young, Nia Jax reveals that Alexa's comments recently have hurt her, but they've also made her realise that she needs to embrace who she is. Nia is really driving home her face turn, and says that she's disappointed in herself.
She thought Alexa was her best friend, and says her remarks took a toll on her confidence. Jax took a look at herself in the mirror, and says she's strong and confident, but she loves who she is.
Jax says she's proud of who she is, and Alexa Bliss represents everyone who tries to keep her down. Nia speaks directly to Alexa: "Alexa, you're nothing but an insecure little girl. A pathetic fly. At WrestleMania, I'm gonna squash you like a bug."
We cut back to the arena, where Alexa Bliss and Mickie James make their entrance for a tag team match.
Alexa Bliss & Mickie James vs Dana Brooke & Asuka
Bliss and Brooke, two Cleveland girls, have a fun back and forth to kick off this match. The heels, as expected, take control as the fans eagerly chant 'We want Asuka'. Cole is trying to build the idea that this match could legitimately signal the end of Asuka's long, long unbeaten streak.
After a relatively standard tag match, Asuka gets the hot tag. The Empress of Tomorrow dominates from that point on, before sealing a submission win by tapping out Mickie James.
Asuka & Dana Brooke defeat Alexa Bliss & Mickie James via submission
After a post-match beatdown, Jax rushes down to the ring and chases off Bliss and James. She gets a hold of Alexa, but Mickie distracts her, and falls victim to Nia's overwhelming power. Alexa and Nia stare each other down to finish off the segment.
The Final Countdown
Kurt Angle stops Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar before they head down to the ring, but Paul ensures the Raw GM that he'll make sure he promotes the Universal Championship match and doesn't allow the segment to descend into chaos. After the break, Heyman and Lesnar make their entrance.
Several WWE Superstars have formed a 'human wall' on the ramp, in order to prevent any potential attack from Roman Reigns. Paul Heyman, Brock's advocate, introduces himself in the usual manner. Heyman criticises Kurt Angle, claiming that he has no control - as evidenced by his methods used to try and prevent Roman from coming down to confront Brock.
Heyman wants to reveal some truths: he says that prior to the last WrestleMania in New Orleans, he told the world that Brock Lesnar would break The Undertaker's streak. He says that everyone believes Roman Reigns' destiny is to dethrone Brock Lesnar and become Universal Champion, and he actually admits that you have to respect everything Reigns stands for.
Heyman states that this Sunday, at WrestleMania 34, Brock Lesnar will F5 Roman Reigns and pin him in the middle of the ring: one, two, three. He says that's not a prediction, that's a spoiler. Paul reveals that if by some freak circumstance, Brock Lesnar loses to Roman Reigns, neither of them will appear on Monday Night Raw ever again.
The Advocate goes on a tangent about how Brock will be saying hello to everyone from UFC, in addition to confirming the 'rumours' regarding the details of Lesnar's WWE deal. Paul says the truth is that against Brock Lesnar, Reigns isn't The Big Dog, and he's just going to be another notch on The Beast's title belt. He says that Roman is just Brock's bitch. Reigns' music plays, out he comes, and here we go.
Roman questions why the full-time Superstars on the ramp are out here protecting the part-time star Brock Lesnar. They form a gap, allowing Reigns through to The Beast Incarnate. Brock audibly tells Roman to 'think about it real hard' before getting into the ring. The Atlanta crowd actually chants 'let's go Roman', and into the ring he goes.
The two men circle each other, refusing to lose eye contact. Brock slides to the outside, retreating from Reigns with his Universal Championship. Lesnar then grabs a chair and heads back towards the ring, and the standoff commences once again. Brock hesitates when going to swing the chair, and Reigns nails the champion with three superman punches.
Roman gets in two more, leaving Brock laying on the canvas. Reigns raises the Universal title high as he stands over Lesnar's prone body, but as he's looking at the WrestleMania sign, Brock gets back to his feet and strikes with an F5. Lesnar walks away with the title - as the final image.
We've got SmackDown Live tomorrow night, and then, all roads lead to New Orleans. See you there.
What makes Sting special? His first AEW opponent opens up RIGHT HERE.
