WWE Raw Results - Spoilers ahead

Tonight's WWE RAW opens up with a look at Michael Cole's interview with Randy Orton that aired on SmackDown. Orton will challenge Seth Rollins for WrestleMania 31 tonight.

- We're live from Des Moines, Iowa with JBL, Michael Cole and Booker T as Seth Rollins' music hits. Lilian Garcia introduces Rollins, Kane, Big Show, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble in the ring. There's a light chant for Rollins because he's from Iowa. Rollins talks about Orton turning on them last week. He calls the fan "nobodies" and they boo. Rollins says he actually made it out of Iowa and did something with his life. He says Orton betrayed him last week. Rollins says he trusted Orton, vouched for him and treated him like family. Rollins say what Orton did to him was nothing like what he did to The Shield. What he did to The Shield was a sound business decision. A big "you sold out" chant starts. Rollins said what Orton did was in cold blood and was borderline sociopathic. Rollins says this would not have happened if Triple H and Stephanie McMahon didn't let Orton back in. He says it disgusts him. Big Show takes the mic and apologizes to Rollins. He says he feels personally responsible for what happened to Rollins and it breaks his heart. Show thinks of Rollins as the future and the best damn talent in WWE. Show says what Orton did was cruel. Show calls him a slimy, no-good snake in the grass. Show says he crushes snakes in the grass because he's The Giant. Kane also apologizes to Rollins. He says he wasn't as gullible as Big Show but he's sorry and will make Orton pay for what he did. Noble says he knows he's the secret weapon of The Authority. He says he cares about Rollins and what Orton did is inexcusable. Noble says Rollins is his boss and his friend. Noble says what Orton did to Rollins hurt him but it hurt Mercury even more. Mercury takes the mic and is too upset to speak. Show pats him on the back and they hug. Rollins says they're right, it did hurt, but Orton's ego is going to hurt the most when this is all finished. Rollins says Orton has went around for years thinking he can get away with what he wants without having consequences. Rollins says Orton has never messed with someone like him. Rollins accepts Orton's WrestleMania 31 challenge, only if Orton will face him in the ring on tonight's RAW. Orton's music hits and out he comes.

Orton speaks from the stage and say she's not the face of WWE, he's just a guy who made Rollins look like a little bitch last week. Orton accepts the challenge to face Rollins in the main event of RAW. Orton knows when he come to the ring the odds are against him but he has enough venom for all of The Authority. Orton says if he makes it to WrestleMania, he will end the future of WWE. Orton's music hits and they stare each other down.

- Still to come, a contract signing with Rusev and John Cena plus a controversial pre-recorded interview with Brock Lesnar.

- We see Paige and AJ Lee backstage heading to the ring. We go to commercial.

AJ Lee vs. Nikki Bella

Back from the break and out comes AJ Lee with Paige. WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella is out next with Brie Bella for a non-title match. As The Bellas head to the ring, we get a sidebar video with them talking about how they will win at WrestleMania because they're sisters. They're going to humiliate and embarrass the Divas at WrestleMania. They say, "Give Divas a chance? Give us a break." The bell starts and Nikki goes at it with AJ, taking her down first. Nikki takes control and hits AJ with shoulder thrusts in the corner. Nikki shows off and does push-ups in the middle of the ring. She gets up and runs into knees in the corner. AJ makes a comeback and rolls Nikki up for 2. AJ with another takedown and an armbar. Nikki comes back with a fireman's carry takedown and they trade holds again as they go to their feet. Nikki slams AJ for another 2 count as fans boo. AJ with a kick to the head out of nowhere for a 2 count. Nikki goes for a sideslam but AJ sends her flying with a scissors. Nikki ends up slamming AJ's arm over the top rope and we go to commercial with AJ down in pain. Back from the break and Nikki is in control. She drops AJ with an elbow and covers for a 2 count. Nikki drops AJ with an armbar and covers for another 2 count. Nikki gets frustrated now. She throws AJ arm first into the turnbuckles and AJ goes down. Nikki with another hold on the arm now. AJ fights to her feet and goes for the Black Widow but Nikki rams her back into the corner. Nikki runs into boots. AJ with a Thesz Press and strikes. AJ with a splash in the corner and a neckbreaker. AJ with a kick to the gut. AJ trips Nikki on her face and goes to the top. AJ with a crossbody from the top for 2. Nikki counters and drops AJ face first into her knee for a 2 count. AJ counters a move and rolls Nikki up for 1. AJ catches Nikki with a nice dropkick. Nikki pulls AJ out to the floor in front of Brie. Paige comes over and they have words. AJ and Nikki go back in the ring but Brie mushes Paige and slams her head first into the ring post. This leads to Nikki dropping a distracted AJ with a big forearm. Nikki picks up a knocked out AJ and hits her with the Rack Attack for the win.

Winner: Nikki Bella

- After the match, The Bella Twins pose together in the ring as we go to replays. Nikki stands over AJ with the title.

- Still to come, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose vs. Stardust, Luke Harper and Bad News Barrett. Also, a look at Roman Reigns and Mark Henry on SmackDown. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and they show a WrestleMania 31 commercial with LL Cool J. The announcers hype WrestleMania week programming airing on the WWE Network.

- We get a look back at Mark Henry and Roman Reigns talking in the ring on last Thursday's SmackDown. We see Reigns laying Henry out and putting him through the barrier with a spear.

- Renee Young is backstage with Kane and Big Show. She asks what their role will be for the Rollins vs. Orton main event. Show goes to talk but Kane interrupts and says he has decided that Show will be in Rollins' corner. They start arguing. Kane says as Director of Operations, he doesn't answer to Show. Rollins comes up and calms them down, saying this is what got them sent home by Stephanie McMahon last week. He asks how stupid can they both be. Show gets upset and Kane backs him down. Kane tells Rollins that Stephanie can address them how she wants but Rollins cannot. Kane says Rollins has been acting like an entitled spoiled brat ever since Kane helped him win Money In the Bank. Kane says it's time someone gave Rollins what he deserves. Kane says he won't be at ringside tonight and if Show doesn't want to, he doesn't have to go out either. Show just gets in Rollins' face and walks off. Kane follows.

Ryback vs. The Miz

We go to the ring and out comes Ryback to a pop. We go to commercial.

Back from the break and we see Ryback's win over The Miz on SmackDown. Ryback is getting a "feed me more" chant going as we see the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy at ringside. The Miz is out next with Damien Sandow, who gets cheered while Miz is booed. We see a sidebar from earlier with Miz says he will win the Andre Battle Royal because his personal assistant in the match will ensure he wins, or else he will be fired. Fans chant for Sandow as the match starts. Miz starts and unloads on Ryback in the corner. Ryback comes out and hits a huge slam. Miz rolls to the floor in front of Sandow. Ryback holds him and tells Sandow to punch Miz. Fans cheer for Sandow to do it. He clutches his fist like he wants to but Miz fights Ryback off. Miz tells Sandow to put his fist down and turns around to a shot from Ryback. Ryback brings him in the ring and hits a spinebuster. Ryback hits a Meathook clothesline and Shellshocked for the win.

Winner: Ryback

- After the match, Ryback gets another chant going and leaves as Sandow comes in and fans his jacket at him. Sandow helps Miz up but Miz drops him with a Skull Crushing Finale. The crowd boos big time. Miz's music hits and he leaves with Sandow recovering in the ring.

- We get a promo for Cena vs. Rusev at WrestleMania 31. Still to come, the Cena vs. Rusev contract signing.

- Back from the break and we get a return vignette for Sheamus.

- Michael Cole is in the ring with the setup for a contract signing. Cole introduces the challenger John Cena first and out he comes to a big poo. Cole has the contract on a table and tells Cena to sign it. Cena takes the contract and a mic. He says he's signed a lot of these but this contract is by far the most important because in just a few minutes, we will see what people call a Super Athlete, a hero of the Russian Federation. Fans boo. Cena says this man is the Champion of the United States, which means he represents the USA and Cena doesn't like that. Fans boo and Cena feels the same way. That's what makes this match important, he says. Cena says he could do like last week and beat Rusev around the ring but it does no good as long as Rusev is wearing the title. Cena is signing the contract to publicly say enough is enough. Cena says Rusev is allowed to live in the US and the US has given him opportunity but every chance he can get, he rips our country. Cena gets a USA chant going. Cena tells fans to let that chant will them with pride, excitement and love for the US. Cena says he's had the honor and privilege to stand on the front line with our troops but he's ashamed to look them in the eye and say Rusev is the man that brings our championship into battle. Cena says no more. He says this is not a contract, it's a Declaration of Independence and WrestleMania is our Revolution. Cena says the US is the greatest country because we will not quit, we will stand up and fight. He says you can only push us so far before we kick your ass. He drops the mic. Fans boo as WWE United States Champion Rusev is out next in a suit and Lana is nowhere to be seen. However, there is another man in a suit behind him. Cole tells Rusev it's his turn to sign the contract. Fans start chanting "we want Lana" as the man in the suit grabs a mic. Cena says apparently the fans want the one who has the balls. The man speaks and says he's Rusev's attorney. He says Rusev won't be signing the contract and won't be competing against John Cena at WrestleMania. Fans boo and Cena gets upset. The lawyer says Rusev did not agree to this match or any other. The lawyer shows us video from last week as fans chant for Lana. We see video of Lana accepting the challenge for Rusev while Cena had him in the STF. We come back and the lawyer says there's no evidence of Rusev agreeing to a match so the contract is null & void. The lawyer goes on and Rusev wants to read a prepared statement and then he will sign the contract. Rusev takes a piece of paper out and grabs a mic. He rants on Cena and America but is given the "what?" treatment by the crowd. Rusev says the country worships failures and our parents are failures. Cena gets upset and ready to fight. Rusev goes on with his promo but Cena is getting upset. They come face to face over the table. Rusev calls America a stupid little country that will die. They stare each other down as fans chant USA. Rusev signs the contract and immediately flips the table to distract Cena so he can get out of the ring. Rusev laughs and retreats up the ramp with his lawyer. Cena holds up the contract and says Rusev's ass is his. Rusev has the Russian flag drop down over Cena and fan boo. Rusev's music hits as Cena looks on and Rusev holds the title up.

- Still to come, the six-man match and Rollins vs. Orton. Back to commercial.

The New Day vs. Cesaro and Tyson Kidd

Kofi Kingston and Big E are in the ring for The New Day. WWE Tag Team Champions Cesaro and Tyson Kidd are out with Natalya for a non-title match. Los Matadores and El Torito are out to watch the match from ringside. It's back and forth until Cesaro knocks Big E off the apron and hits the Cesaro Swing on Kofi. Cesaro is distracted and Kofi nails him. Kofi goes for a 2 count but Kidd makes the save with a dropkick to the face. Kofi ends up hitting Trouble In Paradise but Cesaro and Kidd get the win after a shot from behind.

Winners: Cesaro and Tyson Kidd

- After the match, Los Matadores and The New Day fight at ringside. Matadores roll Xavier Woods into Cesaro and he nails a Neutralizer. El Torito springboards in and nails Cesaro. Cesaro grabs him but gets thrown out to Los Matadores. It ends with Los Matadores celebrating to their music.

- We get a look at how The Undertaker accepted Bray Wyatt's challenge last week. Still to come, we will hear from Wyatt.

- Also still to come, Brock Lesnar speaks. Back to commercial.

- Back the break and there's a a backstage segment with Seth Rollins, Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble. Noble and Rollins argue and before he's fired, Noble quits. Mercury ends up walking out after him and it appears they're both gone.

- We go to the pre-recorded interview with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. It starts with a look back at The Streak ending last year. Lesnar doesn't care about the people who were disappointed that The Streak ended. He laughs and said he loved people crying and being upset. Lesnar says regarding his contract with WWE, he will be champion if he stays and he will be WWE champion if he goes. He says Roman Reigns won't stand in the way of that. Lesnar says he's going to kick Reigns' ass and it will be unlike any other ass beating he's received. Lesnar says there won't be any happy feel-good moment because he's going to "f up" Roman Reigns... the end. Lesnar gets up from his stool and walks away from the camera.

Big Show vs. Erick Rowan

We go to the ring and out comes Big Show. Back to commercial.

Back from the break and Show attacks Erick Rowan while he's on the apron, before the match even begins. Show unloads and destroys Rowan. Show nails a knockout punch and goes to the second rope. Show nails a big elbow drop and leaves the ring as the referee calls for trainers to come check on Rowan. We go to replays.

- Cole leads us to the video for Larry Zbyszko's 2015 Hall of Fame induction.

- Still to come, Orton vs. Rollins. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and Kane is in the ring with the rest of the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal participants. Kane brought them to teach a lesson but Mark Henry interrupts. Henry puts his name into the hat and a big brawl breaks out. We see Curtis Axel leaning up against the trophy on the outside. Henry and Kane start tossing people out of the ring. Kane and Henry start brawling. Henry tries to dump Kane but Axel runs in from behind and Kane gets dumped. Henry knocks Axel back and then tosses him over the top. Henry's music hits as he's the last man standing. Henry goes out to the floor and looks at the trophy.

- Still to come, Orton vs. Rollins. Back to break.

- Back from the break and Paul Heyman is introduced. He praises Brock Lesnar as the best in WWE and MMA. He talks about how Lesnar is not a fan of rules, he's not a pacifist. He's coming to WrestleMania 31 to make war with Roman Reigns. Heyman says we're stuck with Lesnar as WWE World Heavyweight Champion and there's not a damn thing... the mic goes out. It comes back on and Heyman wonders what they will do to stop Lesnar. Heyman says no one can stop Lesnar. Heyman says Reigns was a standout but wonders what will happen to Reigns when Lesnar bitch slaps him at WrestleMania. Heyman says Lesnar will give Reigns a "prison beating." Heyman says over and over that Reigns can't beat Lesnar. Heyman says Reigns' father should have told him this a long time ago. Reigns' music hits and out he comes though the crowd. Reigns says he has a lot of respect for Heyman, he really does. He says Heyman might be the best talker in the business. Reigns says his issues aren't with Heyman, they're with his client. Reigns turns and faces the camera so he can talk to Lesnar now. There are some boos as the camera zooms in on Reigns. He says he would say this in Lesnar's face if he was here right now. Reigns is expecting a fight and hoping for a war. Reigns says he may be carried out of WrestleMania but he will have the title on his shoulder. Reigns says he's going to beat Lesnar's ass at WrestleMania because he can, he will and he believes it. Reigns drops the mic and his music hits as Heyman has made his exit. Reigns looks up at the WrestleMania 31 sign.

- We get a look back at the segments with The Authority tonight. Still to come, Orton vs. Rollins and the six-man match. Back to commercial.

- Back from the break and Renee Young catches up with Paul Heyman backstage. Heyman says Roman Reigns will be able to say what he wants to Brock Lesnar's face in the ring next week on RAW.

Stardust, Luke Harper and Bad News Barrett vs. Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose

Back from the break and WWE Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett waits in the ring without his belt. Stardust and Luke Harper are with him. Daniel Bryan is out next followed by Dolph Ziggler and then Dean Ambrose. Before the match starts, R-Truth's music hits and he makes his way out. Stardust starts the match off with Ambrose as everyone has their eye on Truth. They lock up and Ambrose drops Stardust with a shoulder. Ambrose with another takedown. We see R-Truth has the Intercontinental Title belt clipped to the back of his shirt. He's making sure the other Superstars can't see it. Truth sits down for commentary as Bryan tags in and works over Stardust. Bryan with a surfboard submission on Stardust. Bryan with a 2 count. Bryan with kicks in the corner now. Ziggler tags in and Stardust gets clotheslined to the floor after Ziggler and Bryan have words. Harper comes in but also gets sent to the floor. We go to commercial with all three babyfaces in the ring. Back from the break and Ambrose drops Harper with a tornado DDT. Ziggler and Stardust tag in at the same time. Ziggler unloads and hits a neckbreaker. Ziggler with an elbow drop and a pin attempt. Ziggler with a huge DDT on Stardust for another 2 count. Ziggler fights Harper off but Stardust nails a Disaster Kick and Ziggler falls to the floor. Barrett runs over and rams Ziggler into the apron. Barrett brings Ziggler in the ring for a 2 count. Barrett with big forearms to the back in the corner. Barrett runs and hits a big knee to the gut on Ziggler for another 2 count. Harper comes in and keeps control of Ziggler now. Harper with a big uppercut and a tag back to Barrett. Barrett with the big slam and another 2 count. Harper tags himself in and whips Barrett into the corner but Ziggler moves and Barrett gets hug up on the top rope. Harper also ends up on the floor with Barrett. Ziggler backdrops Stardust and crawls for a tag but Harper knocks his partners off the apron. Ziggler counters a Harper powerbomb and hits the Fame-asser for 2 as Stardust and Barrett break the pin. A big brawl breaks out now. Harper hits a big boot and a sitdown powerbomb on Ziggler for 2. We go back to commercial with everyone fighting around the ring. Back from the break and Barrett is in control of Ziggler on the mat. Ziggler fights out but Barrett goes for Wasteland. Ziggler counters with a DDT and they're both down. Ziggler tags in Bryan. He knocks the others off the apron and unloads on Barrett. Bryan ducks Barrett and dives out onto Harper. Ambrose tagged himself in and drops Barrett for a 2 count as Stardust broke the pin. Ambrose and Stardust go at it now. Ambrose unloads and hits the slingshot clothesline. Harper comes in with a big boot on Ambrose. Ziggler accidentally superkicks Bryan off the apron. Ziggler kicks Harper net. Barrett grab Ziggler and throws him out onto Bryan and the others. Ambrose ducks a Bullhammer elbow and hits Dirty Deeds for the win.

Winners: Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and Dean Ambrose

- After the match, Harper nails Ambrose from behind and takes him out of the ring. Harper tosses Ambrose over the announce table. Harper sees the belt on Truth's back and stalks him. Stardust ends up attacking and running off with the title. Ambrose catches him in the crowd and beats him down. The belt was dropped at ringside and Truth picks it up. He goes to leave but Harper stops him. Truth tosses the belt in the ring. Ambrose jumps off the barrier and takes out Harper. Bryan picks up the belt in the ring and Ziggler grabs it. They have words before trading lefts and rights in the middle of the ring. Stardust comes in but misses. Ziggler drops him. Bryan takes out Harper with a knee. Barrett hits a Bullhammer on Ziggler and then Bryan. Barrett then runs over and hits a Bullhammer on Ambrose. Fans boo as Barrett stands tall and holds his title. Barrett leaves the ring with the belt and confronts Truth at ringside. Barrett hits a Bullhammer on him also. Barrett goes to the stage and climbs one of the ladders to pose with the title.

- The announcers plug the WWE Network.

- We go backstage to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon. Seth Rollins comes in and whines about being all alone and everything that's happened tonight. He asks what they're going to do to fix this. Stephanie says he's a big boy and has made his own bed, now he has to lay in it. Rollins gets upset and blames Stephanie for sending Big Show and Kane home last week. Triple H asks who the hell Rollins thinks he's talking to. Rollins asks if Triple H decided to quit playing hide & seek with Sting. Triple H gets in his face. Rollins dares him to mess up the future of the company. Stephanie tells Rollins to man up, if he can. Triple H tells Rollins to run along before his situation goes from bad to worse and he does.

- Still to come, Bray Wyatt.

- Back from the break and Bray Wyatt is backstage with an urn full of the ashes from the rocking chair that was burned by The Undertaker last week. Wyatt cuts a promo on The Undertaker and says his fate is sealed. Wyatt says WrestleMania will be Taker's final resting place but it will also be Wyatt's coronation. Wyatt says he will destroy Taker and take his rightful place among the Gods. Wyatt says after WrestleMania, no one is safe. He calls himself the new face of fear and laughs.

- Still to come, Rollins vs. Orton. Back to commercial.

Randy Orton vs. Seth Rollins

Back from the break and Randy Orton is out first followed by Seth Rollins. Rollins speaks from the stage and reveals that he's played Orton like a fool the whole night. Triple H's music hits and out he comes with The Authority, all of them. Fans chant for Sting. They head to the ring as Orton grabs a steel chair to prepare for battle. The lights go out as they surround Orton and we hear the crows. The lights come on and Sting is standing tall with Orton. They unload on The Authority and clear the ring. The Stooges take a Stinger splash in the corner. Noble takes a Scorpion Death Drop. Mercury takes a RKO. Triple H, Rollins, Kane and the others look on from the floor as Sting and Orton are on fire in the ring. Sting's music hits as he and Orton look on. The Authority hits the ramp as Sting beats on his chest in the ring beside Orton. RAW goes off the air with Triple H yelling back at Sting.

Wasn't there a promo at the end by Sting and Orton?

The promo was a network exclusive. Here it is if anyone wants to read it.

The network exclusive logo appeared. Cole stood in the ring and introduced Orton and Sting as his "guests at this time." Cole labeled Sting and Orton fighting together as a "goose bump moment." Orton said he doesn't need anyone to have his back, but he has to admit "that was pretty damn cool." Orton walked over and shook Orton's hand.

Cole asked Sting to tell him about that moment. "I've been waiting 14 years to get inside this ring right here," Sting said (in his own voice). He said it feels good and he meant what he said when he told Triple H that somebody had to take him down. "And that's exactly what I'm going to do at WrestleMania," he concluded. Sting's music played as he and mugged for the crowd. JBL and Booker narrated highlights from the final angle on Raw, and Cole had already rejoined them...

SOURCE prowrestling.net

How awesome has Rollins become?

Wish all the Orton Venom stuff would foreshadow Finn Balor.

He calls himself the new face of fear and laughs.

The face of fear & laughs. Like a scary clown?

That Raw was awful. So many things wrong with it.

Only 4 matches.
The Rusev/Cena segment was embarrassing and the commentary was even worse.
The Reigns/Heyman "interaction" was underwhelming.
The main event of Wrestlemania was probably the fourth or fifth most important part of Raw.
I am consistently underwhelmed by Sting, for me he is TNA not WCW, he doesn't have the aura I feel others see.
The Intercontinental Title match build up just makes me sad that so much talent is being badly utilised.
The Curtis Axel elimination...why not save that for Wrestlemania? I can't believe WWE genuinely think having Kane and Mark Henry as the last two was a good idea.
Wyatt's promo was fine, but he does just say the same things, he's trying his best, but the feud is so flat because of the lack of interaction. I'm not even sure if WWE knows if Undertaker is actually coming back for Wrestlemania. This is the laziest build up they've had to an Undertaker match for a number of years and I thought both the Punk and Lesnar build ups were poor.

Not sure you can call it a streak match anymore.

Unless its a brand new match I did not see coming

Am I the only one that feels that the gravitas that WrestleMania has has been dumbed down by them removing the Number and not refering to it as WrestleMania 31? That, and the poor build up is making it feel like just another PPV. I wouldnt be surprised at this point if it was just the same RAW set recycled, like every PPV recently.

Samo wrote:Am I the only one that feels that the gravitas that WrestleMania has has been dumbed down by them removing the Number and not refering to it as WrestleMania 31?  That, and the poor build up is making it feel like just another PPV.  I wouldnt be surprised at this point if it was just the same RAW set recycled, like every PPV recently.

I do agree, I think it will definitely take away the sense of it being the pivot on which the wrestling year turns.

nadeem2099 wrote:The promo was a network exclusive. Here it is if anyone wants to read it.

Orton walked over and shook Orton's hand.


SOURCE prowrestling.net

Orton has always been a huge fan of himself

Samo wrote:Am I the only one that feels that the gravitas that WrestleMania has has been dumbed down by them removing the Number and not refering to it as WrestleMania 31?  That, and the poor build up is making it feel like just another PPV.  I wouldnt be surprised at this point if it was just the same RAW set recycled, like every PPV recently.

Personally, I'm quite surprised that WWE has taken the number out of this. They regularly try to align the brand with the Superbowl and I think using the Roman numerals too enhances that hook. But, what I'd mostly be thinking is that I'm trying to sell the Network and I think it helps the consumer to know there are 30 of these things they can already go and watch right now for their 9.99.

I really hoped that this year's WrestleMania would be the shot in the arm that WWE needed to get back on track. While I don't think they've been as bad as some might say, the promotion has been largely uninspiring. And as Samo says, I've no real excitement about WrestleMania compared to any other WWE PPV.

At least last year the DB story was compelling. Because of how the main event came around there was something organic and must-see about it. Whereas this year everything feels so flat. There's been no big swerve or crash or excitement in the coming together of the card.

Will I watch it? Yes. But I won't be staying up and watching it live. And maybe that is something that WWE doesn't care about, afterall they are still getting my 9.99. But if I'm a wrestling fan and I'm treating this like an event that I'm only going to be watching because I have the Network, I really wonder if that translates to more casual fans just not bothering at all.

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

nadeem2099 wrote:The promo was a network exclusive. Here it is if anyone wants to read it.

Orton walked over and shook Orton's hand.


SOURCE prowrestling.net

Orton has always been a huge fan of himself

Maybe Cowboy Bob was there.

I hope he shook the good arm

I didn't even notice they have taken the number out of WrestleMania, not sure if its a big deal or not, I don't think they pushed the number that much years ago, it was always "WrestleMania"

That being said, I couldn't be less interested in WrestleMania with or without the numbers, I can't buy into it at all this year, there is far to many things that I think hinder the company and in turn hinder this event.

The 3 biggest matches on the card have at least one guy not doing enough (or any) TV, I fully understand the concept of a special attraction but for me WrestleMania season should be set apart from the rest of the year.

The Undertaker hasn't even bothered turning up as of yet, he likely will next week IMO but thats not nearly enough, as a viewer it tells me he doesn't really give a monkey's about Bray Wyatt, Lesnar due to his contract dates is basically picking and choosing when he turns up, he does this all year, he's the World Champion heading into WrestleMania, I want to see more of him, I want him to show that WrestleMania means more than any other PPV build-up, HHH/Sting is the other star attraction match and this is yet another one where One man has barely even been seen, this does nothing for me, particularly when we already have one complete no show and one part timer in the other two maequee matches.

The most over guy on the roster doesn't even have a proper fued, he hasn't got a storyline at all, he's lumbered into a multiman ladder match for the jobber to the real stars Title

Orton/Rollins should be a fantastic match but the storyline has absolutely sucked, I don't see the need for the WWE to drag out this Orton face turn, particularly with how he actually returned at the old No Way Out (forget its new name) PPV - I think the whole idiots guide for a face turn really hurt this feud and its lost a lot of steam, they'll salvage it though due to them being two of the 3 best workers in the company

Dolph Ziggler - again like Bryan albeit to a lesser extent, a hugely popular face has absolutely no storyline going into Mania, the hero of Survivor Series, the guy who got rid of the Authority and months later hes stuck in a meaningless match where winning it does more harm to your prospects

Cena/Rusev - not really sure what more these two can bring to the table against each other, you get the feeling that Cena needs a comprehensive win with the way this story has panned out so far and if that happens you fear for Rusev, I think given who isn't in a big storyline this year, Cena could be used far better than this.

WrestleMania 27 had a terrible build up apart from Rock's inclusion into it, it was a one trick pony and the show itself mirrored it, this will bomb too IMO, not impressed at all.

In relation to Taker back at Wrestlemania XX we didn't see him at all and got his big entrance at Mania, I think that's what they are going for again this year. Plus it puts mistique into his return as we don't know what he'll be like following the loss last year. It is Bray calling him out which I feel adds to the match

Lesnar I agree with, not enjoyed his run as champion (except the match against Cena and Rollins), his absense is also hurting Reigns who I feel has been developing very nicely since the rumble. Sting/Hunter is a match that is gradually sucking me in but only because Sting looks in better shape than he has in years.

TThe most over guy on the roster doesn't even have a proper fued, he hasn't got a storyline at all, he's lumbered into a multiman ladder match for the jobber to the real stars Title

Yeah Dean Ambrose has been hard done by... oh you meant Bryan? I'm glad he's not been pigeon holed into the main event. Plus its giving the IC title some attention in a storyline that has actually made me laugh and it could well steal the show... and Ziggler is in it (although he should be further up the card)

...unless Orton vs Rollins does! I reckon that the match could be an absolute classic, Orton is a top quality worker and obviously Rollins is. Could see a 5 star classic if its given time that is. Hopefully we will see a cash in later in the night as well as this has never been done at mania

Cena/Rusev is a match that I have worries about, if Cena wins then the "Cena buries talent" voices get movement. If not then where does Rusev go next?

To compare this to WM27 is a massive disservice. 27 was awful. This years will not bomb as long as they get the match order correct

Well the question needs to be asked then.

What is the correct card order for WM not to flop harder Adam with his 50p an hour hooker.

Now that is a great question!

Personally I'd be looking at: (cleansers used to prevent crowd being dead by giving them some downtime)

IC Ladder Match
Tag Titles (cleanser)
Divas Tag
US Title
Orton vs Rollins
??? (feel they would need something here...)
Bray vs Taker
Hall of Fame thing (cleanser)
Sting vs Hunter
Andre the Giant Battle Royal (cleanser)
World Title
Rollins Cash in

Gives the crowd the big flashy match early on, then the tag titles to reset. Divas given a chance post the tag titles to build crowd before US Title and then Orton vs Rollins to steal the show.
This is where I feel they could do with another match to just reset again before Bray vs Taker (or something with Hogan?), this is followed by the hall of fame thingy that they usually do in order to once again reset before Sting vs Hunter. Battle Royal between the two co-main events before the World Title finishes off the show. Personally I feel its more important for WWE to make sure that Reigns vs Lesnar gets a reaction from the crowd, even if it isn't 100% the reaction that they are wanting. If the crowd is dead then it will hurt Reigns more than any boos will. We then finish with the cash in with the new top heel in the business walking away from WM as champ as only 2 heels (? correct me if im wrong - Hunter at 2000 and Miz at XVII) have

I don't think there's much WWE can do to make this card not flop now. I think to some extent WWE are going to suffer from how good Wrestlemania 30 was because this year was always going to struggle to compare, but even then their booking for this show has been really below par. 

The IC Title match will likely go first to get the crowd going, it'll likely be a very entertaining match, it's essentially a Money in the Bank match so it definitely will and it has a lot of the most talented guys in it. The problem is, that will likely be the peak of the show.

Cena/Rusev isn't going to be a fantastic match, it'll be okay I'm guessing. Rusev losing will mean he has to recover quickly, or he'll find himself floundering down the card. A Rusev win means he has nowhere to go other than possibly the world title or a feud with somebody like Brock Lesnar or Triple H, he'll have to lose at some point.

I don't think Orton/Rollins will be a classic at all, I think it'll be good, I think they'll do all the right things, but I think it'll be sterile. The feud has really not worked for me, the motivations and actions of both characters has been plain stupid and it's harmed the feud. 

Wyatt/Undertaker is likely to be poor, Undertaker hit his peak with his matches with Shawn Michaels, the Wrestlemania 27 match with Triple H was okay, the Hell in a Cell fantastic, the CM Punk match was the best match of the night but wasn't as good as 25, 26 or 28 and last year, whilst a spectacle, was actually a terrible match. I have no confidence in Bray Wyatt to get a good match here, he's had one good singles match in his career, against Daniel Bryan, other than that, in the ring he's been woeful.

Sting/Triple H will likely peak with the stand off at the beginning. I'm not sure if Triple H is good enough at this stage of his career to get the best out of Sting who hasn't had a good match in a number of years. He's quite slow and not really in great shape. I'm expecting a lot of rest holds and a sloppy match.

The main event will likely be the worst match Brock Lesnar has had since his return, I really hope I'm proved wrong but Lesnar isn't a man who can carry a match and Reigns definitely isn't. Reigns showed he is good against Daniel Bryan, but see Bray Wyatt above that isn't hard, and a lot of his strengths in that match were his strength on Bryan, something he won't be able to do to Lesnar. I really hope I'm wrong, but I feel like this match will likely only be the rotten cherry on top of the cake made of crap.

Wyatt has had one good singles match.... lost interest after that statement! He's regularly had good matches (as far as storyline telling goes). For evidence see matches with Ambrose, Dean.

Outside of Hunter vs Bryan and Bryan vs Orton vs Batista WM30 was actually quite average

I find it quite funny, because I think the card looks very good.

IC Title - Fun feud, title matters, cracking participants.

Tag Titles - Bit unfortunate that the Usos have had an injury problem. I can see the crowd will be up for Cesaro, whilst at the very least they will have good action and nice clashes in styles.

Battle Royal - I'm not a big fan but its something that will help the crowd calm down a bit

Orton v Rollins - Should be a good match and I think both are over

Divas - Slow everyone down again and an AJ pop

US Title - Thought their first match was good yet did enough to let things carry on. Should be momentous either result

Bray v Taker - Entrances will slow things down but its a big deal

Hall of Fame to slow things up

Sting v Hunter - More big entrances and then a huge match that should be very intriguing and if done right may work very well. I wouldn't be surprised if the two have worked together a bit beforehand to make it better.

World Title - I like the two bruisers battle. The crowd will be the problem.

Gregers wrote:Wyatt has had one good singles match.... lost interest after that statement! He's regularly had good matches (as far as storyline telling goes). For evidence see matches with Ambrose, Dean.

Outside of Hunter vs Bryan and Bryan vs Orton vs Batista WM30 was actually quite average

I honestly just have no idea how you can genuinely say Bray Wyatt has had good matches, I thought the feud with Dean was total garbage and left both looking much worse. Their matches were really poor and the feud as a whole was a total waste of both their talents. 

I don't agree at all, I thought the Andre the Giant Battle Royal wasn't a great match but Cesaro winning was a fantastic moment. The Shield match was booked perfectly and did a lot of good things. The Undertaker/Lesnar match wasn't a great match but as a spectacle there is pretty much none in wrestling comparable. The Wyatt/Cena match was okay, without the benefit of hindsight it seemed a good idea for Cena to pick up the win at Wrestlemania and it did a few good things. 

Then there was the opening segment as well with Rock, Hogan and Austin which was a really great moment.

Total garbage? Definitely not, fun little feud really.

Different opinions but Andre was meh, bray should always g
Have won, lesnar vs taker was awful (except the shock finish), shield were wasted in a throwaway match,

Gregers wrote:In relation to Taker back at Wrestlemania XX we didn't see him at all and got his big entrance at Mania, I think that's what they are going for again this year. Plus it puts mistique into his return as we don't know what he'll be like following the loss last year. It is Bray calling him out which I feel adds to the match

Lesnar I agree with, not enjoyed his run as champion (except the match against Cena and Rollins), his absense is also hurting Reigns who I feel has been developing very nicely since the rumble. Sting/Hunter is a match that is gradually sucking me in but only because Sting looks in better shape than he has in years.

TThe most over guy on the roster doesn't even have a proper fued, he hasn't got a storyline at all, he's lumbered into a multiman ladder match for the jobber to the real stars Title

Yeah Dean Ambrose has been hard done by... oh you meant Bryan? I'm glad he's not been pigeon holed into the main event. Plus its giving the IC title some attention in a storyline that has actually made me laugh and it could well steal the show... and Ziggler is in it (although he should be further up the card)

...unless Orton vs Rollins does! I reckon that the match could be an absolute classic, Orton is a top quality worker and obviously Rollins is. Could see a 5 star classic if its given time that is. Hopefully we will see a cash in later in the night as well as this has never been done at mania

Cena/Rusev is a match that I have worries about, if Cena wins then the "Cena buries talent" voices get movement. If not then where does Rusev go next?

To compare this to WM27 is a massive disservice. 27 was awful. This years will not bomb as long as they get the match order correct

The difference between now and WM20 is an Undertaker match in 2004 wasn't held in the same regard as it is now -the Streak back then was barely mentioned, plus Taker was a regular on screen back then so taking a few months off to comeback as the Deadman made perfect sense, it doesn't now, mistique? Thats debatable, one mans trash is another ones treasure though, for me it has hindered it, do you think if he was facing Cena/Orton or Sting he'd be a no show? No chance.

No idea how you can say Sting looks in better shape than he has in years, we've barley seen him.and he's still hiding under that T-Shirt

Yes I meant Bryan, no idea why you labeled it pigeon holed with regards to the World Title Match,  I'd say he should be in at least you don't pigeon hole your most over face, you utilise them to the best of your abilities, he should be in a marquee match, that there is no doubt, I'd probably agree that his return was too quick to trust that he'd have been firing on all cylinders for WrestleMania and it was probably a conservative but wise decision to leave him out that match but between the Rumble and Fastlane (I looked the name up yanno) his ring rust almost evaporated, he hasn't missed a beat and the WWE missed a trick putting him in a nice wee "fun" match

I think Orton/Rollins are destined to have the best match of thr night but it wont be a 5 star classic mainly because I doubt it'll be given the time to be and secondly because ultimately there is nothing at stake, what we'll have is two top performers going at in a in a straight one on one with nothing on the line, thats never the basis for 5 star classics, Wrestling is at irs best when the fans buy into a consequence,  there is none in this and while visually it will stimulate the purists, inevitably it'll get lost in the razzmatazz chuffle of the so called marquee matches.

I dont think we can say I'm giving it a diservice comparing it to WM27 just yet, the proof will be in the pudding if its a diservice but for me the lack of any real interest in the matches is similar to WM27 - This had Edge vs Rumble winner and JBL wanabe Del Rio, Cody Rhodes vs Rey Mysterio, Punk vs Orton, Taker/HHH and the whole Rock returns schtick, that had some good matches and decent pairings but it blows because no-one really cared because it was a one trick pony.

That show was filled with wrong guys in wrong positions in wrong matches - the Similarities for me are blatantly obvious

It cannot be worse than 27. Because this title match will have value for the title, whereas 27 was a 4 hour set up for WrestleMania 28

In hindsight it was but it had Punk/Orton - later on that same year Punk would be the most interesting thing in Pro Wrestling - It had Taker/HHH, it had Mysterio/Rhodes and Edge vs Rumble winner Del Rio

And thats the point, on paper it had enough matches to be decent but it wasn't, it was a one trick pony from the off - for me thats what this years is lining up to be, on paper it has enough matches that could make it decent but they have in no way what so ever done enough to make a lot of people care about these matches - I've said many times I'd rather see a 4/5 star storyline with a 3 star match than a 3 star storyline with a 4/5 star match

I won’t be buying Mania, I couldn’t be less interested. For me there isn’t a single marquee match on the card. Sting does absolutely nothing for me, his look back in the day with the facepaint and long hair was cool, now he just looks like the fifth member of Kiss. It’s all so predictable too, I mean who actually thinks Triple H is going to win?

Wyatt v Taker I won’t even waste time talking about. The only ‘cool’ moment we’re likely to see is Wyatt doing his spider walk thing towards Taker until he does his sit up thing and grabs Wyatt by the throat. I called it.

Lesnar v Reigns will surprise a few people I think. Lesnar could wrestle a ring post and make it look legitimate. Originally I thought it would be Lesnar v Goldberg II but word coming out is that Lesnar has agreed a new contract, so if that is the case hopefully the crowd won’t dump all over it. Thing is, Reigns has to win this. The WWE Champ should be on TV every week and although some people don’t like it – the booking of Reigns is as believable and strong as you can get for someone to be a threat to Lesnar. Reigns/Wyatt, Reigns/Rollins, Reigns/Sheamus. All decent title fueds post Mania.

Or how about this –

Keep the title on Lesnar.

Lesnar won the strap on August 17th 2014 at Summerslam.
The longest reigning champion in modern era held the title for 434 days.
August 17th 2014 + 433 days = October 25th 2015.
What’s happening on October 25th 2015? – Hell in a Cell PPV.
If the stars align, a certain CM Punk returns to WWE and faces Lesnar in the Cell to stop him beating his record title reign.

Aaaaaaaaaand then I woke up.

Is it wrong that the most thing I look forward to on raw these days is a JBL making a comment about something sport related. This week Rooney getting knocked out Beardsley

I fed up of JBL. For a while I thought he was the best at the desk because he would put over the talent, now all he seems to do is Poopie all over people, make obscure references and argue with Cole. The whole announce team needs a massive overhaul.

JBL is awesome. 

WWE should never ever ever of lost JR mind.

Totally agree with Samo. The commentary can make a 4 star PPV a 5 star. I'd love it if for Wrestlemania to give it that big occasion feel they put Vince and JR on commentary. I'd probably buy the PPV then.

JR can sell ice to the eskimos. So many huge moments in the past were made by JR putting them over, something no one else on the desk can. Michael Cole used to be good back in the day and could be again, but he would need to drop the stupid Poopie and stop being forced to plug crap.

It also annoys me to no end that the commentary is so poor and they have Joey Styles on the payroll. He's definitely top 5 play by play ever.

I like Cole when its a big match. When they ask him to be a commentator again. Its the week by week Poopie i hate. JBL can bring it when he needs too. Booker I just like as I feel he is genuine

I don't actually think the show has been harmed by the WWE Champion not being there, I don't think it has made the title more or less valuable, I don't think it being missing has made the show worse, it's been much worse at times with the world champion being there every week. What I think it has done has made the world championship defences so much bigger and more exciting because there has only been a few times since last year's Wrestlemania where you could genuinely say the world title might change hands.

The days of JR being relevant are over. He might be better than the current commentators but thats saying nothing. I would rather have Hero commentate. HERO!

JR has lost touch with the product unless its about chipotle BBQ sauce

He watches all of it, so no I dont think thats at all true. Nor particularly relevant to commentary in many respects

Watched the "Wrestling moves done in girls" video. It was a bit of a tangent, but while watching I did think to myself JR says a lot of stupid things.
"Good god almighty he's dead."

Jbl has gone from a grear commentator to an awful one over the past 12 months. Can't wait for Saxton to be given the ball to run with. Really rate him

Saxton Cole Booker 

That's the three I want for raw and ppvs

Saxton Cole Renee for the smackdown trio

I'd have Cole, JBL, Albert on Raw and Saxton, Booker, King on Smackdown

Saying that, I think Riley is working really well as the commentator who has the moral compass and gets involved. I'd be tempted to call him up to the main shows too, especially as Albert will be doing development work in DeMott's place

Cant we drop the three commentator thing? Dont understand why the third guy is necessary.

I don't think the commentators are a problem right now and chopping and changing them isn't likely to do much. The producers are a problem, it's well known that the commentators are on a very tight leash, to the extent that lines are being fed to them. They are told when and when not to speak and its done terribly. How anybody can honestly believe the commentary team does a good job on Raw is baffling.

Indeed. JR has recently said in an interview that the producers are entirely to blame. However, JBL doesnt need to be as raucous as he is at putting people down and Booker does come across as just himself