WWE TV - 4/14 - 4/20/2025 - Can't Find A Better Mania

[hammerva]

So you book a really bad finish for Street Profits vs MCMG only to set up a TLC match NEXT WEEK?    I know you have to fill 3 hours but come on you can't put this on Wrestlemania?

Oh now it looks like Rey was hurt on the Dragon Lee elimination or when the Creed Brothers got their hands on him.  Wonder if they will move a match now

Man Cody cooked Cena so bad tonight then it is making even more obvious that Cena is winning the title on Sunday.  

Edited April 19, 2025 by hammerva

[Eivion]

Skipped the Rollins opening.

The Andre battle royal was fun. Glad Melo won.

The women's segment felt a bit unnecessary though I guess they wanted to tie Bianca back into the Naomi/Jade feud. Was nice to see Io standing tall again. Wouldn't be shocked if Io loses though I still think the best ending for Mania would be her walking out as champ to build to a rematch with Rhea later. 

Street Profits vs. MCMG were hitting a nice stride just as the bs ending occurred. They fucked up doing this here instead of last week so we could have the TLC match at Wrestlemania. I know they want to sell Smackdown, but it felt like bs given the work all involved have been putting in the months prior to this, especially when compared to War Raiders vs. New Day making the show.

Zelina/Chelsea was fun. They are going to have a hard time finding a face to dethrone Chelsea and be over when it eventually happens. Anyone big enough is too busy with the main belts.

Knight/Solo was decent while it lasted. The tag match was a bit better.

LWO vs. American Made was good though it sucked seeing Rey injured before he could even be tagged in. Still not sure what happened though hopefully its not as serious as feared. Honestly it feels like doing this was a bad idea given the match on the next day. Could have easily slotted in Cruz or Wilde.

That final segment with Cody and Cena was brutal in a mostly good way though they have made a it a bit too obvious Cena is walking out as champ unless they go the Wrestlemania 17 route.

Sadly not as good a go home show as Raw or NXT though still decent.

Edited April 19, 2025 by Eivion

[Cliff Hanger]

Tyler Bate's first match in nearly a year and they don't mention his extended injury or do much of anything at all with him.

[The Natural]

Stupid not having Street Profits vs. DIY vs. MCMG on WrestleMania when you have two nights and it's more deserving than War Raiders vs. New Day. Just cut out the time wasted between matches. Chelsea Green should be in action as well. Ditto Sami Zayn and Alexa Bliss.

Hope Rey Mysterio is ok. Be horrid luck injured the day before his WrestleMania match.

Edited April 19, 2025 by The Natural

[Eivion]

3 hours ago, Cliff Hanger said:

Tyler Bate's first match in nearly a year and they don't mention his extended injury or do much of anything at all with him.

Uh, Bate returned at the London show from a few weeks ago where he teamed with Dunne against New Day. They mentioned the injury and his time away healing. Unfortunately, they still haven't done much with him, but being so close to WM can be looked at as somewhat of an excuse.

[Ryback Hates Bullies]

I don't mean any disrespect, but I imagine Tyler Bate is pretty happy to have had a job with WWE for 8.5 years.

I feel kind of bad for the Street Profits, who are stuck in a tag-division few people care about - I hope they swap them over with The New Day so they can be on RAW soon.

[Cliff Hanger]

4 hours ago, Eivion said:

Uh, Bate returned at the London show from a few weeks ago where he teamed with Dunne against New Day. They mentioned the injury and his time away healing. Unfortunately, they still haven't done much with him, but being so close to WM can be looked at as somewhat of an excuse.

Shit, did i never watch the rest of that episode? Damn, I need to be more careful.

[hammerva]

The tag team decision really kind of proves what Triple H feels about critics.   I mean on Tuesday or Wednesday Nick Khan made the first of a few questionable comments with the "we don't hire and then bench them" comments.   Then Cam'ron of all people basically exposed it the next day interviewing the Street Profits talking about how the tag champions not being on WM was stupid.  Profits being as diplomatic as possible but you can tell they were bothered.   Then when they have the opportunity to fix that they basically say fuck it and do it next week.

I didn't watch the Hall of Fame but from looking at social media, it seems the wrestlers were not having this at 11 PM.  Tons of pictures of people fighting like hell not to start snoring in their deep sleep.   I don't know if any NXT people were there but man they must be in torture right now.   Booker T is going to have to on some Tony Khan shit to deal with working Takeover tomorrow

Edited April 19, 2025 by hammerva

[stuntmanc]

Io not winning would honestly be close to Wyatt/Goldberg levels of terrible booking to me.  You've had her on TV playing second fiddle to Rhea/Bianca the whole time, her losing would just prove that disrespect correct in the grand scheme.  Outside of that, the only other result I'm really pulling for is Cena over Cody

 

[hammerva]

They are booking Cena vs Cody as if Cody being in this match is beneath him and he deserves better.   It is painfully obvious that Cody's arrogance is going to cost him whether it is not seeing the bullshit that is going to happen or Cena actually looking a lot better than he has in the last 2 years.

[Curt McGirt]

1 hour ago, hammerva said:

Booker T is going to have to on some Tony Khan shit to deal with working Takeover tomorrow

My, the possibilities...

[Dragon]

Did TKO acquire AAA? If it's WWE acquiring AAA instead, then it's a subsidiary or brand or even subbrand maybe of WWE and not as equal as WWE or UFC. I will have to dig for more and in legal news.

The only constant in life is change. Even death will be done away with and taxes.