Dolfan Watches Every Wrestlemania On Lockdown

[Nineteen]

21 minutes ago, Eivion said:

 

This is inaccurate. Generally they haven't really referenced Sonya being a lesbian on tv. She also wasn't pining for Mandy. She just though Otis was below Mandy's level.

There was one moment where Sonya gave Mandy a little loving touch after a match that felt like it was gonna lead to something but never did.  Or at least I don't think it did, I was watching pretty infrequently and just happened to catch that episode.

[BobbyWhioux]

IIRC Graves actually did the classic/proper heel broadcaster schtick of disparaging babyface Bayley only to immediately start boosting and defending heel Bayley and praising her attitude shift, etc

[DreamBroken]

3 hours ago, Nineteen said:

There was one moment where Sonya gave Mandy a little loving touch after a match that felt like it was gonna lead to something but never did.  Or at least I don't think it did, I was watching pretty infrequently and just happened to catch that episode.

It did not. It was covered on Total Divas that they had pitched a lesbian storyline, were given the green light, but then it was canned with no explanation ever given.

[Eivion]

6 hours ago, Nineteen said:

There was one moment where Sonya gave Mandy a little loving touch after a match that felt like it was gonna lead to something but never did.  Or at least I don't think it did, I was watching pretty infrequently and just happened to catch that episode.

As already mentioned it led nowhere. It also started before they brought the Mandy/Otis stuff from NXT to Smackdown as an actual storyline. 

3 hours ago, DreamBroken said:

It did not. It was covered on Total Divas that they had pitched a lesbian storyline, were given the green light, but then it was canned with no explanation ever given.

I believe what canceled it was the dumb way they brought back Liv as one of the people Lana cheated on Rusev with. Mandy & Sonya were understandably annoyed when they saw that angle.

[Dolfan in NYC]

When Edge returned at the Royal Rumble in 2020, people (outside of those of us plugged into the Wrestling Bubble) genuinely freaked out.  Dude's neck was supposedly a column of ash and he was never, ever supposed to take a bump ever again. (This explained his sudden retirement with the title after a win at WrestleMania 27.)  But, he found a new surgeon and his neck fully healed, so...  

Well, the cynic in me says, he needed more money and/or he has a death wish that will see him carried out of the ring and end up like his hero, Dynamite Kid.  The optimist in me says he had more to give in the ring and knew this was the best way he could entertain people.  I'm guessing the truth is a mix of all of that.  

Of course, once he was in the Rumble, he started reliving all of his old glory and the old Edge was there like he never left.  This, of course, included betraying Randy Orton. Randy, who is noted for his even temper and overwhelming ability to just let things go, responded by bashing Edge's head in the next night on Raw.  He then told Edge's kids he loved them.  And later he gave Beth Phoenix (Edge's real life wife), a constructive critique of her NXT commentary:

This leads to a last man standing match at Mania.  

Now, what I remember more than anything else are two things: 1) this match was long as hell, and 2) a small, vocal contingent who were 'outraged' that there was a spot where Edge got hung up in a weight machine.  That second one is a prime example of being way too into the wrestling bubble, because no one else remembers what it was they said that was a "tribute" or even "reference" to.  But, honestly, the second one can be handwaved away, the first one though...  

Edge comes out to all his pyro, which as I've already said is just weird.  He looks pumped and ready to kick ass, and then Randy Orton dressed as a cameraman RKO's him. lol  

This is unfortunately the last thing in the match that is actually interesting. The match goes through what I assume is most of the Performance Center with various set pieces and Randy and Edge beating on each other with various items they find that in no way should ever be in any place of business.  Like, who puts cyclone fencing over a conference table?  Seriously. 

I'm a little upset they didn't go into the dining hall and destroy a vending machine or two.  But that would pretty much happen the next month in the Money in the Bank cinematic match. Which makes me think, this match would have worked a lot better as a cinematic match.  Because they're going for epic street fight, and it just doesn't have that kind of energy.  It's just the Family Guy Peter vs. the Giant Chicken without the comedy.  Or the blood. 

God this match is long.  

No one talks about what a psychotic hoarder Vince McMahon is.  Supposedly he's got every set piece for every PPV in storage somewhere.  That includes all of the bespoke PPV sets like the giant swinging sickles from that one Backlash.  You can see a few things from the past in the storage area as they go through it.  And it's not a good sign that I'm watching for things in the facility and not the match itself.  Because fuck this match is long.  

I know it ends on top of a semi, and I'm well past my normal 45 minute ride time.  In fact, I look down and I'm past 60 and they haven't even gotten to the truck yet.  I mean, I know Edge gets to do whatever he wants (so does Randy probably), but someone really needed to step in and say, guys, this is way... WAY too much.  I think to myself, okay, I'll do a cool down period when they're actually on top of the trailer.  

When they finally get up there, I am so done with this match, I am just bored out of my skull.  This is supposed to be the end of a friendship, the end of a brotherhood, but it's just not.  It's tedious.  BTW, I get actually pissed because towards the end one of them actually tumbles off the trailer, so they have to waste two more minutes getting back UP there. And fuck man.  

Edge is crying as he hits a con-chair-to on Orton and Randy mercifully stays down this time.  Edge is weeping and triumphant.  

I'm weeping because my legs hurt after these two wanked off for 36 minutes (according to wiki).   

36 minutes that felt like 36 trillion eons.   Yes, this match was worse than I remembered.  

OF COURSE they'd continue to feud after this, because nothing matters. And of course Edge got an injury that would put him out another 9 months.   Fuck it, I'm just going to say it.  

Edge should have stayed retired.   

...

Speaking of retiring... yeah, we're getting close to the end here.  Two more rides left.  

End of Day 125. 

 

[Robert S]

51 minutes ago, Dolfan in NYC said:

(...)

Now, what I remember more than anything else are two things: 1) this match was long as hell, and 2) a small, vocal contingent who were 'outraged' that there was a spot where Edge got hung up in a weight machine.  That second one is a prime example of being way too into the wrestling bubble, because no one else remembers what it was they said that was a "tribute" or even "reference" to.  But, honestly, the second one can be handwaved away, the first one though...  

(...)

Don't forget that Mania aired only a week after the Benoit Vice episode premiered (and trusting Wikipedia, was taped a day or two after the first airing of that episode).

[Curt McGirt]

1 hour ago, Dolfan in NYC said:

It's just the Family Guy Peter vs. the Giant Chicken without the comedy.  Or the blood. 

I'm thinking you should have watched it in 2X speed. With the Benny Hill music playing in the background.

[Spontaneous]

I recall hearing this was edited down. Woof. I had high hopes when they began going through the performance center. Maybe they'd crash through some mythology gags. Instead it was just them grunting and falling down and then standing back up. Definitely not the greatest wrestling match ever. 

[Log]

WWE likes to manufacture legends.  I'd say, other than HHH, Edge is their most manufactured "legend".  As in, he's a guy who's referred as one, but just doesn't have the resume or popularity to back it up.

[odessasteps]

What records did Big Show have that they will now erase from history? 

[DreamBroken]

3 hours ago, Spontaneous said:

 Definitely not the greatest wrestling match ever. 

Correct, that was a couple months later

[mattdangerously]

1 hour ago, Log said:

WWE likes to manufacture legends.  I'd say, other than HHH, Edge is their most manufactured "legend".  As in, he's a guy who's referred as one, but just doesn't have the resume or popularity to back it up.

It's been said that in his prime, Ric Flair could carry a broomstick to a 5 star match. With Edge, it's the opposite--the broomstick would be the one carrying him. Every great match Edge ever had required copious amounts of ladders, chairs, and other plunder to be memorable. 

[Spontaneous]

He's also one of the few Ruthless Aggression era guys left standing so that helps. 

I did enjoy Edge vs Undertaker at Wrestlemania 24. I do agree though, most of his big matches are weapons matches. I wonder if they'll make the Roman match a no DQ match...

[Nineteen]

Given all that it's kind of weird they didn't build up Edge as kind of a hardcore legend, especially after the 'mania match with Foley.  Even all that aside, he did some great character work and made the World Heavyweight Championship feel more important than a lot of other people who held it did.  I think his resume of matches is.... fine... with a few gems in there (I loved the 'mania match with Undertaker too) but he did really connect with the fans.

Could have done without La Familia though.....

[BobbyWhioux]

2 hours ago, odessasteps said:

What records did Big Show have that they will now erase from history? 

Most Turns?

[John from Cincinnati]

3 hours ago, odessasteps said:

What records did Big Show have that they will now erase from history? 

Sixth most cumulative Royal Rumble minutes? 

[Spontaneous]

Is Dolfan including McIntrye vs Big Show in this review? Because WWE won't anymore. 

[For Great Justice]

3 hours ago, mattdangerously said:

It's been said that in his prime, Ric Flair could carry a broomstick to a 5 star match. With Edge, it's the opposite--the broomstick would be the one carrying him. Every great match Edge ever had required copious amounts of ladders, chairs, and other plunder to be memorable. 

I can get with the general sentiment, but off the top of my head, No Mercy 2002 tag with Mysterio/Benoit/Angle was a five star banger. 

[mattdangerously]

2 hours ago, For Great Justice said:

I can get with the general sentiment, but off the top of my head, No Mercy 2002 tag with Mysterio/Benoit/Angle was a five star banger. 

I'm pretty sure anyone posting on this board could have had a great match in 2002 with Angle, Benoit, and Mysterio.

[J.H.]

I seem to recall Edge and LancecStorm having a pretty damn fine IC title match 

James

[Matt D]

4 minutes ago, J.H. said:

I seem to recall Edge and LancecStorm having a pretty damn fine IC title match 

James

You don’t make a statement like that lightly.

[Gordi the former AEW fan]

4 hours ago, For Great Justice said:

I can get with the general sentiment, but off the top of my head, No Mercy 2002 tag with Mysterio/Benoit/Angle was a five star banger. 

I think you could make a pretty convincing argument for that match as the peak of the "SmackDown Six" era/style. I remember loving it at the time and I am sure in a vacuum it is still great for what it was. However, it sure has influenced a lot of shitty self-indulgent wresting in its aftermath. It's kind of like how Pearl Jam were a legit great band but they have inspired a lot of truly dire third-rate imitators. Not Jeff/Stone/Mike/Eddie/Matt's fault, nor Edge/Rey/Redacted/Angle's fault at all but hard to shake when thinking about it/them these days, at least for me. 

Edited February 26, 2021 by El Gran Gordi

[thee Reverend Axl Future]

I agree that as a "legend", Edge comes off as manufactured. A lot of folks on this board (not necessarily (or at all?) the ones on this thread) were all over those E&C show on the Network, and that's kinda his appeal: an indy (as indies were back then) guy whom you could identify with, who paid his dues made good (like Sean Waltman and the Hardys) who appeared to be happy to be wrestling (unlike XPac) and who stuck around (unlike the Hardys). Christian has always been the more over one on DVDVR but in my eyes Edge and Christian together was much more than either separately. Edge has been in some very fun and a few influential matches (and skits), even if you think he was over-pushed or carried. Some people have had none (hello Dolph!). Since his return it is certainly much more popular to bag on him. I could think of plenty more channel-changers in any of the Eras he was in in the WWE, but "legend"? No.

kazoos over 36 minute WM wankfests,

RAF

[DangerMark]

3 hours ago, El Gran Gordi said:

It's kind of like how [SOMEONE] were a legit great [THING] but they have inspired a lot of truly dire third-rate imitators.

This is about half of the Circle of Art, followed by [SOMEONE ELSE] starting off as a third rate imitator, but then finding their own style and then becoming a legit great [THING WHICH IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT]

[Dolfan in NYC]

DAY 126

Alright, after "the greatest match in pro wrestling history", and boy are those quotes doing a lot of heavy lifting there, we need a filler match to bring the crowd back up.  Well, we now have 4 guys making their WrestleMania debuts. 

Andrade "Cien" Almas had proven himself more than capable in NXT, briefly holding the NXT Championship.  He would go through the Vince McMahon patented "I can't pronounce that shit" machine, so he just became Andrade. He was originally slated to defend his US Championship at this point against Rey Mysterio, who may or may not have had COVID, I don't think it was ever made clear.  However, Rey did quarantine so he was off Mania.  So, they put Andrade and his manager Zelina Vega into a tag team with a very recent NXT call up, Angel Garza. 

Andrade went through another change and became Am Injured, so even though he and Garza had won the right to fight for the Raw Tag Titles at WrestleMania, Garza needed a new partner.  Well, a new kid had just debuted on NXT TV, 22 year old Austin Theory -- who I personally had just seen the previous summer wrestling as EVOLVE (rip) Champion (a delightful match against Roddy Strong) -- so I'm sure Vince got one look at him and said, "you'll do."  

They're here to face the Street Profits. It would be unfair to call them the 2020 version of Men on a Mission, but... I'll just say you can see the clear line from MoM to Cryme Time to the New Day to Montez & Angelo.  Seems to be a pattern with WWE.... *thought emoji*  

Anyway, HHH is not on this show, so I decide the Profits entrance is as good as any to do one last sprint to.  So I dutifully sprint as they dance their way to the ring, solo cups and Raw tag titles in hand.  I should note that Tez is shouting WrestleMania as loud as he can, which again, just draws attention to the huge weirdness of everything.  I'm sure he was told to amp it up to 11 despite there being no crowd, but it's just weird.  

The fact that he continues doing it as the match starts is enough to annoy both Garza and Theory. Once the heels take control, Garza even starts shouting "it's WrestleMania!!!" back at Ford, which makes me like him even more.  Theory basically says nothing in the whole match and is just there to bump around and fly high.  Because, frankly, that's what he's good at, and almost no one watching this knows who he is.  

It's a quick affair, as Theory takes the Profits' finisher as SP retains.  Zelina Vega and Angel attack Dawkins after the match to set up what appears to be the point of this whole thing...  introducing the newest callup from NXT:   Bianca Bel Air.  

Bel Air dispatches Vega, and the Profits deal with Garza & Theory and they all celebrate after.   Bel Air would go on to have quite the year and is, at the moment of this writing, still choosing between Asuka & Sasha Banks as the prize of winning the 2021 Royal Rumble.  So, good for her.  

The other team is so cursed, it's scary.  Andrade became a feuding partner with Garza for months after this. Eventually losing his US Championship to Apollo Crews. Getting turned on by Garza, and attacked by the Fiend.  He's hurt and hasn't been seen since the fall. Garza has been demoted to "creep who hangs out backstage giving women flowers."  Austin Theory was named in the sexual assault allegations wave that swept pro wrestling last summer and was taken off TV for months and sent back to NXT.  He's currently a member of The Way, Johnny Gargano's heel squad, where he plays an absolute idiot. 

And Vega....  well, she was let go allegedly after her OnlyFans site was discovered by management.  My understanding of her release though was because WWE felt that she owed them a cut of not only her OF, but her very profitable Twitch stream, where she played video games and talked about life, etc. She had also made it very clear she supported a union for pro wrestlers, another big no no in WWE. Her case is an extremely interesting one because it has ramifications for a lot of people in the industry.  But as of now, she is a free agent.  

Cursed team.