The Pandemic Project · Keep Your Distance · RAW · November 9, 2020 ·

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MARCH 12, 2020 -- DETROIT, MI WWE announced Thursday that this week's episode of "SmackDown Live" will not take place in Detroit as planned and will not have a live audience. "Friday Night SmackDown" on March 13 will air live as regularly scheduled and emanate from WWE's training facility in Orlando, Florida with only essential personnel in attendance," WWE said in a statement. "The event was originally scheduled in Detroit, Michigan". "We are putting contingnency plans in place in the event that upcoming WWE shows are cancelled by government officials, civil authorities and/or local venues," the statement continued. "We are monitoring the situation closely and as always we will take the necessary precautions to protect the health and wellness of our fans, performers and employees." - VARIETY'S JOE OTTERSON​ ╳╳╳​ Do you remember where you were on that fateful day in March 2020, when the world stood still? It seemed to have spread like wildfire. From Wuhan, China in December where this virus first originated, to the United States of America merely weeks later. Within three months, this infection was revealed to have spread to 110 countries worldwide. The World Health Organization declared it to be a "pandemic", yet the Trump Administration continued to dig their heels. It felt like End Times; like something inspired from Naughty Dog's 'The Last of Us'. Life continued to go on, day by day. It felt like borrowed time, as sports and entertainment continued as though nothing was wrong. But everything was wrong. In a shocking announced on March 11, 2020, the National Basketball Association declared the suspension of its season for at least 30 days after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for Coronavirus. Not even hours later, the National Hockey League similarly followed suit. Perhaps it was overly ambitious, or simply ignorant on the part of the WWE to be convinced of their own ability to present Friday Night SmackDown live to a sell-out crowd in Detroit on March 13, 2020. Merely five days after WWE Elimination Chamber, a night in Philadelphia which spoke nothing about a virus encompassing the event. Four days prior, Monday Night RAW emanated from the Nation's Capitol in Washington, DC - and again, there was no indication that anything was amiss. Yet interestingly, one night prior to the announcement from FOX 2 Detroit, WWE NXT tellingly would present Fan Appreciation Night from the WWE Performance Center facility in Orlando, Florida. It was a sign of things to come, albeit coincidental. After all, Full Sail University was booked that Wednesday evening. Unintentionally, it was a trial for what would become the new norm. “While we remain committed to hosting WrestleMania at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, April 5, we are putting contingency plans in place in the event that it is cancelled by government officials, civil authorities and/or local venues," WWE said. "The health and safety of our fans, performers and employees are our top priorities and we are monitoring the situation closely with our partners and government officials in Tampa Bay." Things changed hour-by-hour, abruptly and suddenly. The Mayor of Tampa Bay, the home of this year's WrestleMania 36 spectacular from Raymond James Stadium, is convinced that there is still time to consider a decision regarding 'the Showcase of the Immortals'. As though this pandemic is anything like a fever or a cold. Much like President Trump, the WWE are dragging their heels, too stubborn to admit that WrestleMania is in jeopardy of actually happening as advertised. Yet, who is to say that this will be a long-term, documented series of events? Who is to say that this will be a new permanence? Maybe with the correct conditions, we will be able to go back to the way things were. Where colds, sicknesses and flus come and go without any provocation. Who is to say that we are unable to see our friends and loved ones again for a while, so long as we obide by the newly introduced restrictions set by governmental authorities around the world? Across the board, the WWE have called all bets off for the next few weeks. All events have been moved to the WWE Performance Center, restricted to closed-set essential personnel, for the foreseeable. What will become of WrestleMania? What ramifications are there to be had for the landscape of this business? One thing is for certain. Without fans, without audiences - this becomes an entirely different game. Sports entertainment is one that has always thrived on the enthusiasm of the viewing people. With every spectator's cheer or boo, it serves as motivation and inspiration to each and every Superstar competing within the squared-circle. They do it to entertain us fans, they do it to make us feel emotion whether good, or bad. What becomes of sports entertainment when that is cast aside and 14,853 people from a mere few days ago in Philly's Wells Fargo Center, are eliminated from the equation. When a multibillion franchise such as the WWE is reduced to producing shows based in warehouses such as the WWEPC, like some common indy? Without those fans, creative liberty can run wild. Without those fans, technical innovation can be roam free. Without those fans, great care must be taken; but great pride must be undergone. The bottom line is, these talents are sacrificing our lives. As the world dots up like stars, with authorities worldwide enforcing stay-at-home orders to citizens, civilians and pedestrians, the WWE is truly the last show in town. The talent are doing this not only for the money, but the drive and the passion of the performing arts that this business is built upon. Welcome to the new decade, the new era that was never to be expected in a million years. Welcome to the New Normal, where anything can happen and anything goes. Welcome to the Pandemic Project: Keep Your Distance.

 

[DTP]

Add image

SCHEDULE

 

[King Kota]

oh this is gonna be good so much you can do creative wise.

 

[DTP]

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Elimination Chamber 2020 - March 8, 2020 Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania​

​ ▭▭▭​ Elimination Chamber Kickoff Show - March 8, 2020 - The Elimination Chamber Kickoff Show panel was hosted by Charly Caruso, joined by Jonathan Coachman, David Otunga and Peter Rosenburg. 0) The Viking Raiders (Erik and Ivar) def. Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins in 4:50. Erik and Ivar took care of the brash best friends in swift fashion. Together, 'the Modern Day Vikings' put Ryder away with the Viking Experience.​ ▭▭▭​

​ ​ 1) Daniel Bryan def. Drew Gulak in 14:20. After the invitation bestowed to Drew two nights ago on Friday Night SmackDown, the two technical wizards jostled for position in a ground-based affair. Bryan grew frustrated at times by Gulak's gifted proficience and brought the physicality, but ultimately the Gu-Lock would go reversed into the Yes Lock that spelled the end for "the Militant Mat-Mite". Following the match, Bryan would give Gulak the props he deserved for an impressive outing. 2) Andrade (with Zelina Vega) (c) def. Humberto Carrillo in 12:20 to retain the WWE United States Championship. Two months following the Hammerlock DDT on the exposed concrete that sidelined the newcomer, Humberto got a taste of revenge by serving a similar fate to the United States Champion just over one month ago. "El Idolo" brought the aggression, but the challenger remained game and strived to knock the champ off his perch. It was a battle that could have gone either way, including the interference of Andrade's business associate Zelina Vega. In the end, it boiled down to a sequence of pinning attempts that led to Andrade using the ropes to retain the title. 3) John Morrison and The Miz (c) def. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey Uso), The New Day (Big E and Kofi Kingston), Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, Heavy Machinery (Otis and Tucker) & Lucha House Party (Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado) in 32:55 in a Tag Team Elimination Chamber match to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship. Fresh off their ill-deserved Tag Turmoil victory on SmackDown this past week, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode took pleasure in waiting the longest for their arrival into the Chamber match. The Usos and the New Day drew the shortest straws and would revisit their multi-year rivalry in the opening minutes, until the Lucha House Party entered the fray. Gran Metalik and Lince Dorado would bring the match into a high-altitude affair, when the SmackDown Tag Team Champions would enter the bout. Dorado stunned Philadelphia with a Shooting Star Press from the highest peak of the Chamber's structure, in which he used the structure as a pull-up bar! Heavy Machinery came after the luchadors, with Otis having his sights set on Dolph Ziggler. After "the Show Off" pried Otis's love interest Mandy Rose away from him after a miscommunication on Valentine's Day, Otis would charge Ziggler as soon as he and Roode exited their pod. Otis took out his anger on Dolph, but would find himself smashing through the plexiglass and crashing to the outside of the Chamber, after Ziggler dodged the Otis-sized bullet! The match would come down to the Usos and the champs, with "the A-Lister" and "the Shaman of Sexy" stealing the victory by piling on top of Jimmy Uso with their feet on the ropes. 'The Dirt Sheet' co-stars continued to reign on top of the SmackDown Tag Team division. 4) Aleister Black def. AJ Styles (with The O.C.) in 23:15 in a No-Disqualification match. The frustration was inset in "the Phenomenal One", less than two weeks removed from the Tuwaiq Mountain Trophy Gauntlet at Super ShowDown. AJ Styles was cleaning house of the competition, when confronted by one last hurdle - the return of The Undertaker. "The Phenom" would leave Saudi Arabia as the victor after decimating all three members of the O.C. Aleister Black also sought for revenge for the Gauntlet loss six days prior on Monday Night RAW. Having endured Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows in singles matches, AJ had the O.C.'s outside interference to defeat him with ease. Under No-Disqualification rules, "the Anti-Hero" brought the pain to AJ with a kendo stick and a steel chair, yet the presence of the Best Tag Team in the World would find Black in position for the Phenomenal Forearm. The lights would go out and return with the Undertaker emerging from the shadows. Delivering a mighty Chokeslam to Styles, "the Deadman" would disappear into the dark. Aleister Black would then seize the moment with the Black Mass. 5) The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) (c) def. Seth Rollins and Murphy (with AOP) in 18:30 to retain the RAW Tag Team Championship. History was made last week on RAW, where in the Last Chance match for Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins, they would finally win the gold that had eluded them from Seth Rollins, and his most loyal disciple Murphy. It came with the help of Kevin Owens, whose disdain for "the Monday Night Messiah" and his cult-like following had been developing for months. The former RAW Tag Team Champions looked to regain their titles, using all the help they could get from Akam and Rezar. In the midst of things Kevin Owens daudled out to ringside with a big bag of popcorn. Making himself comfortable with a front row seat, KO drew the ire of Rollins. AOP soon found themselves in combat with the Viking Raiders, and when all was said and done, Montez would hit the Frog Splash on Murphy to capitalize on retaining the gold. Rollins was beside himself with the loss and voiced his disappointment in Murphy. In spite of this, Seth would blame Kevin Owens for the loss. After taking out his rage verbally on the relaxed Owens, one last Stunner would add salt to Seth's wounds! 6) The Artist Collective (Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro) def. Braun Strowman (c) in 8:30 in a three-on-one Handicap match, with Sami Zayn becoming the new WWE Intercontinental Champion. Weeks of running from "the Monster Among Men" had caught up with Sami Zayn. "The Great Liberator" had outsmarted the Intercontinental Champion in a contract signing nine days ago on SmackDown, with Zayn having Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro added to the match. In spite of the numbers advantage, Braun Strowman powered through "the Artist" and "the Swiss Cyborg". Coming close to getting his hands on Sami, Cesaro and Nakamura would restrain and set Strowman up for a happenstance Helluva Kick in the corner! Far from single-handedly, Sami Zayn achieved his first WWE championship victory with help from his Artist Collective teammates. Sami celebrated as though he did it all alone, but what price would Sami have to pay once the giant came back for revenge? 7) Shayna Baszler def. WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Asuka, Liv Morgan, Natalya, Ruby Riott & Sarah Logan in 21:00 in a Women's Elimination Chamber match to earn the opportunity to challenge for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania. Becky Lynch watched on from a backstage monitor with a close eye on the competition. About to find out who her challenger would be in four weeks at WrestleMania, the Riott Squad showed that they could not possibly be more distant from a reunion before the match. Harsh words went exchanged between Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan, when Riott started with Natalya. Sarah Logan entered third, but Shayna Baszler's arrival would change the landscape of the match completely. Weeks after her shocking debut on Monday Night RAW, where she barbarically bloodied the face of Becky Lynch with a bite, "the Cage Fighter" sauntered into the Chamber and choked Logan, Riott and Natalya out in the span of two minutes, each with the Kirifuda Clutch! An expert in MMA, Shayna Baszler cockily awaited her next foe, when Liv resiliently hoped to slow down Shayna. Unfortunately, the brutalist would slam her skull against the Chamber pod from a powerbomb position, before choking her out with the Kirifuda Clutch as well. One-half of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions remained, and a buzz in the air in Philadelphia would see Asuka enter to positive fanfare. "The Empress of Tomorrow" fought valiantly in a dream match of sorts, only to be choked out much like the other four women! Shayna Baszler had dominated the entire field, the first person in Elimination Chamber history to single-handedly eliminate all opposition. With WrestleMania now set in her sights, "the Queen of Spades" saw the RAW Women's Championship in her future. How would "The Man" respond?​ ▭▭▭​

 

[DTP]

Monday Night RAW #1398 - March 9, 2020
Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C.
Presented by

LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS FROM WRESTLEMANIA

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WWE Main Event #389 - March 12, 2020
- Ricochet def. Eric Young with the Recoil. (5:28)
- Shelton Benjamin def. Mike Kanellis (with Maria Kanellis) with the Paydirt. (5:12)

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A video package aired, recapping the outcome of last night's WWE Elimination Chamber match. Shayna Baszler dominated the field, resulting in her becoming the number one contender to Becky Lynch's RAW Women's Championship.

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The opening video package aired, bringing us to the Nation's Capitol in Washington, DC for Monday Night RAW. In the fallout of Elimination Chamber, Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler with the announcement that Edge would make his return to RAW for the first time in three months - and AJ Styles would be meeting Kevin Owens!

Outside in the parking lot of the Capitol One Arena, cameras were on standby awaiting the arrival of "the Rated R Superstar" - if he should show up tonight.

"The Man" addresses "The Cage Fighter"
The RAW Women's Champion kicked off Monday Night RAW with plenty on her mind regarding her new top challenger. Becky Lynch reminisced about Shayna Baszler chomping down on her neck three weeks ago. She made a statement, with the blood of "the Man" dripping from her mouth. Becky recapped 'the Cage Fighter's rampant path of destruction with a video package, illustrating how much damage Baszler was capable of. But Becky asserted she was not afraid, and she had known all about Shayna. She knew the type of NXT Women's Champion she had been, and how no matter what, all she could think about was when Becky humiliated the MMA fighter's b*tch-buddy Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania two years ago. Lynch remembered Baszler refusing to shake her hand that night, which truly told her all she needed to know. "The Queen of Spades" came waltzing out to the aisleway, but stood still with her sights set on the RAW Women's Champion.

Shayna Baszler mouthed off to Becky Lynch, as "The Man" implored her to step into the ring. Abruptly, Shayna was ambushed from behind by the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, Asuka! Not finished after their exchange last night, "the Empress of Tomorrow" faced off with Shayna with a distance between them.

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Rey Mysterio set off down the hallway to the ring backstage. He had been taken out of action by Angel Garza last month with a hammerlock DDT on the exposed concrete, but tonight, he had a shot at payback up next!

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1) Rey Mysterio def. Angel Garza (with Zelina Vega) (8:57) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Angel Garza tried to put up a fight and was effective in slowing Rey Mysterio down. Zelina Vega provided the distraction on a handful of occasions, but "the Legendary Luchador" evaded the Wingclipper and scored the victory with the 619 and the springboard splash.

Rey Mysterio was able to get one over on Angel Garza and took to celebrating after the bell, when Zelina Vega got in the face of the veteran luchador. Vega shoved Rey, when Garza recovered and jumped Rey from behind! Mysterio tried to make a comeback just to receive the Wingclipper, when Humberto Carrillo hit the ring. Chasing his cousin Angel from the ring, Garza and Zelina regrouped as Humberto helped the Legend to his feet.

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Charly Caruso was standing by backstage with Kevin Owens, who continued to eat the bag of popcorn. When asked about last night, Kevin talked frankly about just doing what felt right: and that was knocking Seth Rollins down a peg or two. Owens acknowledged "the Monday Night Messiah" being a martyr for himself of late, so he took matters into his own hands to remind him that this is not Monday Night Rollins - this was the Kevin Owens Show. Kevin began to talk about tonight's main event with AJ Styles, when suddenly AOP confronted him. Owens threw his popcorn at Akam and Rezar's way and began to slug against the two behemoths. With the assistance of Murphy, the disciples of Seth Rollins put the boots to Owens! With the match against AJ Styles tonight, Rollins laughed at the sight of a maimed KO.

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A graphic aired, advertising "Stone Cold" Steve Austin as appearing live next week on 3:16 Day in Pittsburgh, on Monday Night RAW.

Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler discussed the unfolding of events that led to Charlotte Flair choosing to challenge Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women's Championship at WrestleMania. A video package aired showing clips of Rhea Ripley walking the football field in an empty Raymond James Stadium. With the WrestleMania graphic on the gigantic screen in the stadium, Ripley spoke about coming from Adelaide, Australia to compete on "the Grandest Stage of Them All". This was the culmination of her journey, and it would be everything she dreamed about. When addressing Charlotte Flair, the NXT Women's Champion said she planned to beat "the Queen", and she wanted to be nothing like the challenger.

"The Queen" runs her mouth
Coming straight after the video package of the champion Charlotte Flair walked to the ring in high heels with an incredulous look on her face. Climbing into the ring, the black-dressed beauty sarcastically called Rhea Ripley the "next big thing". What a journey it had been for the small child from the Land Down Under, to make it to the big leagues and have the opportunity to stand across the ring from "the Queen" Charlotte. She considered herself royalty for a reason, because there was no competitor man or woman that was like her. Rhea said she wanted to be nothing like Flair, which was flattering to Charlotte - because she was out of Ripley's league. The 2020 Royal Rumble winner considered Rhea the new shiny toy from NXT, and how she had worked her ass off to make it to the NXT Women's Championship. With that said, Charlotte urged Ripley to understand the importance of the fact that if it wasn't for her, Ripley would remain defending her title like the big fish in a small pond she was.

To beat the best, you had to beat the best, and Charlotte claimed she was that best: and at WrestleMania in three weeks, "the Queen" vowed to ruin Rhea Ripley's hopes and dreams for good. To the surprise of many, Rhea Ripley made her way out to the ring! The NXT Women's Champion was red hot as she climbed into the ring, but as Charlotte explained how Monday Night RAW was her kingdom, Ripley slapped the taste out of Charlotte's mouth! Leaving without a word said, Charlotte enjoyed the poise of the champion!

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An advertisement aired, promoting AJ Styles as appearing tomorrow night on WWE Backstage with co-hosts Renee Young and Booker T, only on FS1.

Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler discussed the WWE Championship match at WrestleMania, showing a replay of the tenacity of the challenger. While Brock Lesnar had never been challenged to such an extent before, last week Drew McIntyre not only struck with a Claymore Kick in the ring; but twice more on the rampway. In surprising "the Beast Incarnate", McIntyre was proving not to be afraid of the WWE Champion!

2) Drew McIntyre def. Erick Rowan (3:15)
- With his pet tarantula caged atop the steel steps, Erick Rowan looked to derail the 2020 Royal Rumble winner's momentum heading into WrestleMania. "The Scottish Warrior's" popularity was unparalleled, as he overcame the overbearing strikes of Rowan with the Claymore Kick in swift fashion.

With guns ablazing, Drew McIntyre was heading into WrestleMania not to be denied. "The Scottish Warrior" stood proudly in victory, when Paul Heyman's voice was heard. Coming out to the stage, the Advocate for "the Beast Incarnate" spoke bombastically of how proud he was. Drew McIntyre was every bit a warrior as he had let on, and he had proven that last week. Stunning Brock Lesnar with not one, not two, but three Claymore Kicks, Drew was not like most men Brock Lesnar had challenged. Heyman warned however, that Lesnar was not taking Drew lightly. As dominant and destructive as Drew was, destroying anything in his path, Brock wanted it to be known that now, Drew was the one with the target on his back! Finally McIntyre took to the mic from the ring. Wishing Heyman would shut up for a change, he knew Brock Lesnar's confidence was rocked after last week - but why couldn't he come tell him this himself?

"The Scottish Warrior" said he was counting down the days, hours and minutes until their confrontation at WrestleMania. But when he brings the fight to the WWE Champion, he expects 'the Beast Incarnate' to want to come out and play - not run and hide, and wait out the countdown to "the Grandaddy of Them All!" Heyman warned McIntyre that Brock Lesnar would be here on Monday Night RAW next week, and there would be hell to pay. Drew welcomed the challenge, reiterating that he was not afraid of Brock Lesnar: and at WrestleMania, he would kick his teeth down his throat one more time!

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Backstage, the Viking Raiders were geared up and ready to go. Erik and Ivar spoke about Akam and Rezar as two big bad dudes about to find out what it was like to feel the Viking Experience. The Street Profits arrived to thank them for their help last night, Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins pleased to still stand here as RAW Tag Team Champions. Erik told them it was no problem, but teased that as far as favors go, they might have to ask for one of their own soon enough - and challenge them for their titles. The champs played it cool, assuring them to bring the noise anytime anyplace. The Viking Raiders were glad, leaving to meet AOP - up next.

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A vignette aired, showing Aleister Black sat at the dinner table in a dark, decrepid mansion. Drinking from a chalice, he spoke about the fight of a man like AJ Styles. A man with friends, "the Phenomenal One" discovered the hard way that Aleister was not as alone as he thought, last night at Elimination Chamber. In spite of that, Black took pity on AJ for feeling so cheated. Aleister wanted to right that wrong, telling AJ to name his date - he was willing to give him another chance to knock on his door, so long as AJ didn't invite his friends, Aleister wouldn't invite his.

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An advertisement aired for Friday Night SmackDown, scheduled to see Paige confront the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley; plus, the return of Jeff Hardy after eleven months out following knee surgery.

3) AOP def. The Viking Raiders (6:27)
- As AOP and the Viking Raiders prepared for war, Seth Rollins made his arrival, electing to join commentary and run Kevin Owens' name through the mud.
- AOP were overwhelmed by Erik and Ivar's proficiency as a unit, until Akam and Rezar took control sending Erik into the baricade. AOP isolated him from Ivar until the tag was made. The Viking Raiders fired back, but Murphy hit the ring. Off the distraction, AOP chopped Ivar down with the Last Chapter for the win.

Seth Rollins cackled from the announce position at AOP's win over the Viking Raiders, made possible by his disciple Murphy. "The Monday Night Messiah" was having a great night, having taken Kevin Owens out earlier tonight and now, looked to gather the troops to give Erik and Ivar a similar beating. The four began putting the boots to the Viking Raiders, when the Street Profits came racing to the ring! The RAW Tag Team Champions duked it out with Murphy, Akam and Rezar, when Seth evacuated the ring and ordered his men fall back! Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins helped Erik and Ivar to their feet, daring Rollins' army to come back and fight.

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The O.C. were not in great spirits, after Aleister Black beat AJ Styles in the No-Disqualification match at last night's Elimination Chamber. "The Phenomenal One" led Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson down the hall, looking to surely address the Undertaker - up next.

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A graphic aired, celebrating the WWE YouTube channel for reaching 40-billion views.

The O.C. give a deadline to "The Deadman"
Twenty-four hours after The O.C. were vanquished a second time in three weeks by the Undertaker, AJ Styles led his men Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson out to the ring to talk. With his match tonight against Kevin Owens in a state of purgatory, "the Phenomenal One" thanked Seth Rollins for granting him the opportunity to find peace of mind and not have to worry about the Kevin Owens problem. Instead, AJ wanted to discuss "the Deadman's" obsession with the O.C. It was two weeks ago in Saudi Arabia where the Undertaker first took it upon himself to use his ego to take the Tuwaiq Cup and steal the win in the gauntlet match. He used all the supernatural powers he could to pry that trophy out of the rightful winner's hands - and that rightful winner was AJ Styles. Last night, the Undertaker again crept out of the shadows. This time he cost him his match against Aleister Black. Enough was enough! Styles complained about "the Deadman" only showing up for work whenever it suited him.

It was unsurprising to the O.C. why the old man only ever popped up when he wanted: and that's to collect a payday, and to collect his gigantic ego. The crowd booed as AJ spoke on how Undertaker had enjoyed thirty years of infamy as a WWE Superstar. He'd been "the Phenom" for so long, and he'd hung on for too long. He believed he should have retired ten years ago, and he wasn't sure why he kept coming back - but maybe it was because of his wife, Michelle McCool. AJ revealed to the world that the Undertaker and the former WWE Women's Champion were married, and that McCool was the most conniving person he'd ever had the misfortune of meeting! Styles continued to run down "the Deadman", exposing his legacy and claiming him to be an egotist - one that didn't know how to quit, but would when they met next. His body was tired and broken, he had already lost his pride, dignity and mystique. If anybody was going to finish the job, it was going to be him.

AJ Styles threw out the challenge, giving a deadline for the end of the night. Pronouncing his foe a coward, "the Phenomenal One" further goaded the Undertaker into showing himself and saying yes. He didn't want some haggered old fool named Mark Calaway answering his challenge. He wanted the same Undertaker that meant half-a-damn, until he lost the WrestleMania Streak all of those years ago. He dared Undertaker to accept his challenge, because at WrestleMania, AJ Styles vowed to be the one to finally do the business a favor: and kill the Undertaker in this very ring!

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Randy Orton stood patiently in a dark room backstage. Biding time and awaiting the arrival of his absentee rival Edge, "the Apex Predator" was approached by Charly Caruso. The broadcast journalist wanted to get Randy's thoughts on "the Rated R Superstar's" big return tonight after three months away, and what was going through his mind following the RKO he handed Beth Phoenix last week. Randy would not even make eye contact with Charly, simply walking away.

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4) Riddick Moss (c) def. Cedric Alexander to retain the WWE 24/7 Championship (3:55)
- Much like Ricochet last week, Riddick Moss tried to make short work of Cedric Alexander. Mojo Rawley came out looking for retribution when R-Truth dashed out for a fight with Mojo. Alexander's Lumbar Check went reversed into a neckbreaker, granting Moss another title retention.

The newcomer was successful once again in retaining the WWE 24/7 Championship, albeit with assistance from distractions at ringside. Riddick Moss was on track to becoming the longest-reigning 24/7 Champion in the title's short history, but suddenly Mojo Rawley hit the ring causing Moss to flee. R-Truth hammered away at Moss at ringside, when Riddick was finally able to flee over the barricade. The rookie had a long way to respecting the lineage of the 24/7 gold.

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Asuka threw some shadow-punches in the backstage area, when Kairi Sane approached her partner. The Kabuki Warriors spoke in Japanese about Shayna Baszler, with Sane expressing her disdain for "the Queen of Spades". "The Empress of Tomorrow" declared Shayna would face her wrath tonight, because nobody was ready for Asuka. Kairi screamed to Asuka that Shayna was going down tonight.

Elsewhere, Shayna Baszler waltzed the hall with the towel around her neck. "The Queen of Spades" was twenty-four hours off of her Elimination Chamber domination against Asuka among five others - but tonight, the singles match many had waited for was moments away.

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The parking lot area remained desolate and empty, as Charly Caruso reported that there was still not a single sign of "the Rated R Superstar" Edge.

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5) WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Asuka def. Shayna Baszler by disqualification (9:15) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- "The Queen of Spades" and "The Empress of Tomorrow" went to war in a gripping match that saw plenty of mat-based holds and submission attempts attempted. The Asuka Lock was attempted twice yet both times Shayna would make the ropes. A knee strike was the difference-maker, and the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion would be massacred. Asuka fought back, but Shayna grabbed the Kirifuda Clutch - and hung Asuka from the top rope with it applied, forcing the referee to call for the bell!

The violence of "the Queen of Spades" was proving too much for even the WWE Women's Tag Team Champion, as Asuka tried to fight for dear life. Gasping for air, Shayna Baszler finally relinquished the hold. Asuka fell to the canvas, out on her knees. Suddenly, Shayna applied the Kirifuda Clutch a second time! The referee rushed in to drag Shayna off, when finally Kairi Sane came to her Kabuki Warriors partner's aid. "The Pirate Princess" struck with rights and lefts, but Shayna would take her out with a catching powerbomb. The Kirifuda Clutch was now applied on Kairi, when Becky Lynch came storming out to the ring! The RAW Women's Champion was held back by producers and backstage staff, all not wanting "the Man" to meet Baszler, who wished for her to bring it. Held back at ringside, Baszler ran her mouth - counting down the days until WrestleMania.

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A video package aired, showing footage of Triple H accepting the award for Lifetime Achievement at the Arnold Classic, with kind words mentioned by Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Outside the trainer's office, Charly Caruso was standing by with Chris the trainer. She wanted to get a medical update on the condition of Kevin Owens after the attack from Seth Rollins and his disiciples earlier tonight. The trainer simply said that KO was banged up pretty badly, and his main event match with AJ Styles was in jeopardy.

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"R" stands for "Revenge"
Returning to the ring, MVP had taken to the ring to try and win himself over in the hearts of the Washington, DC crowd. Instead met with loud boos, Montel Vontavious Porter could not understand the hostility, but understand why a bunch of idiots in the Nation's Capitol would detest a guy like him considering they supported the Washington Wizards! As someone transitioning from the role of an in-ring competitor to something of a brainiac, he wanted to build a stable and needed a strong and solid foundation. Since he came back at the Royal Rumble in January, he'd been scouting the very best the WWE had to offer - but of all the people around, the guy for the job in his mind was Edge. After all, the two of them went way back - to the good old days, over ten years ago! And now, they were both back in the ring after such lengthy sabbaticals.

MVP spoke about Edge lacking in focus since returning to the squared-circle, but if he was in "the Franchise Playa's" stable - Edge would be a champion again in no time. As Montel Vontavious Porter argued with the people, a black SUV was shown pulling to the arena. Out stepped Edge , who wasted no time stepping out of the vehicle and making a dash for the arena. A caged animal unleashed, "the Rated R Superstar" arrived in front of the people, storming the ring and snatching the microphone. Demanding Randy Orton grow a set and show himself, MVP tried to calm him down. Once again claiming Edge was focusing on the wrong things that got him down, he again tried selling Edge on becoming the foundation of MVP's enterprise faction. MVP made the mistake of asking how his wife was doing, bringing Edge to strike with the Spear! Full of hate, Edge paced the ring when finally Randy Orton stepped out to the stage. Edge spotted him immediately and came straight after him - Orton leaving immediately!

"The Rated R Superstar" chased "the Viper" to the backstage area, where in the Gorilla Position behind the curtain, Edge grabbed WWE producer Jamie Noble by the collar and demanding to know where his arch rival had disappeared to. Noble professed not having a clue, and Edge groaned in frustration. With Orton AWOL, Edge spotted MVP slowly recovering in the ring on the monitor. Deciding to return to the ring, Edge slipped inside and struck an unsuspecting MVP with a second Spear! Leaving the ring, he wished to send a message to Orton now - grabbing two steel chairs and slipping inside, Edge rested MVP's head on one chair and stood tall over him with another. Much like Randy had done two months ago, Edge struck with a brutal One-Man Conchairto! It was a sign of things to come in Orton's future, come WrestleMania.

​

A replay showed the brutal beating that Edge had unleashed in MVP, frustrated that he was again unable to get his hands on Randy Orton.

Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler recapped everything that Randy Orton had done to Edge and his family in recent months, dating back to the night after the Royal Rumble. Orton stabbed Edge in the heart with a One-Man Conchairto; he'd wiped out Matt Hardy, and last week he'd given "the Rated R Superstar's" own wife Beth Phoenix an RKO.

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​

Angel Garza and Zelina Vega continued to regroup in the locker room after Humberto Carrillo made the save for Rey Mysterio earlier tonight. Angel said how much he despised his younger cousin. Not only was he less talented, he was less charismatic and far less attractive. Garza called Humberto jealous, when Zelina tried to focus Angel when it came to the task of taking the legendary Rey Mysterio out for good. Andrade swaggered into the scene, the WWE United States Champion dressed to the nines asking his familia if they were ready to go out and hit the town. Zelina was unimpressed, asking him where his head was. "El Idolo" spoke truthfully - he retained the gold last night at Elimination Chamber, beating Humberto Carrillo. He'd also already beaten Rey, to win the title months ago. But if it pleased Zelina and Angel, Andrade proposed they team up for a tag team match next week to really show them who ran Monday nights.

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​

The announcers ran down the line-up for WrestleMania in less than four weeks, live from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay on April 5, 2020.

• WWE Championship – Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) (c) vs Drew McIntyre
• WWE Universal Championship – Goldberg (c) vs Roman Reigns
• John Cena vs Bray Wyatt
• RAW Women's Championship – Becky Lynch (c) vs Shayna Baszler
• NXT Women's Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) vs Charlotte Flair

A video package aired providing a brief history on the dominance of Brock Lesnar. Paul Heyman narrated, as "the Beast Incarnate" dominated the likes of Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Ric Flair, Steve Austin, John Cena and the Undertaker. The Advocate said nobody had dominated for this long, and noted Brock as the undisputed, reigning, defending WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World. The video then turned to show Drew McIntyre's journey to the top of the card at WrestleMania. From "the Chosen One" to "the Scottish Warrior", McIntyre claimed he would kick Lesnar in the face, knock him on his ass, and become the WWE Champion for the first time in his life.

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​

Time was up for "the Phenom", as AJ Styles headed for the ring. Accompanied by The O.C., "the Phenomenal One" was supposed to meet Kevin Owens tonight, though KO was apparently too hurt to meet him! Would the Undertaker respond to The O.C.'s deadline? We would find out - up next!

Outside the trainer's office, Charly Caruso was standing by with Chris the trainer. She wanted to get a medical update on the condition of Kevin Owens after the attack from Seth Rollins and his disiciples earlier tonight. The trainer simply said that KO was banged up pretty badly, and his main event match with AJ Styles was in jeopardy.

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​

Will The O.C. get their answer?
Time was ticking, as the O.C. made their way down the rampway for the second time tonight. To loud boos, AJ Styles was joined by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson as the trio climbed into the ring. "The Phenomenal One" heard chants for the Undertaker, and AJ said he was looking forward to hearing from him too. Styles reminded everybody of how he gave "the Phenom" until the end of the night to go ahead and admit he was too afraid to go one-on-one with AJ Styles at WrestleMania. AJ repeated how he was going to do what Michelle McCool wanted somebody to do to her husband, and kill him for real at WrestleMania. He noted that Undertaker doesn't know when to quit when he should, because he's too selfish - but if he was smart, even he'd know to avoid "the Phenomenal One" in less than four weeks. AJ Styles called out for the Undertaker - but instead of "the Phenom", the O.C. were met by Kevin Owens - a taped-up shoulder and all!

6) AJ Styles (with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson) def. Kevin Owens (17:29) [THROUGH TWO BREAKS]
- Against the better judgment of the trainer, Kevin Owens combatted AJ Styles after the attack from Seth Rollins and his disciples earlier tonight. A hard-fought battle saw Owens fight with all his might. The O.C.'s cheap tactics came into play early, leading to them getting ejected from ringside. Owens rallied back despite "the Phenomenal One's" work on the shoulder, when Owens used a referee bump to his advantage. The apron powerbomb saw Owens make a comeback when Seth Rollins, Murphy and AOP arrived at ringside. With no referee in sight, the faction circled the ring. KO tried to fight them all off only to be outnumbered. Rollins hit the Stomp, when AJ opportunistically got the win with the springboard 450 splash!

Seth Rollins applauded AJ Styles on a successful victory, as himself, Murphy and AOP backed away up the aisleway. Just revenge for costing "the Monday Night Messiah" and Murphy the RAW Tag Team Championship last night at Elimination Chamber, Kevin Owens was down and hurting. Meanwhile, AJ Styles stood tall on top of the world. Talking trash once again, suddenly the lights went out. When they returned, with a gong, the Undertaker stood face-to-face with "the Phenomenal One" in the ring! Time stood still, as "the Phenom" slowly turned and pointed to the screen - showing a graphic reading "At WrestleMania, you will Rest In Peace". Styles had his answer!

︾︾︾​

 

[DTP]

NXT #395: Fan Appreciation Night - March 11, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS FROM NXT TAKEOVER: TAMPA BAY

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- Mia Yim def. Santana Garrett with Seoul Food. (5:31)
- Isaiah Scott def. Raúl Mendoza with the House Call. (6:27)

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​

A video package aired, recapping last week's events from NXT. Two Steel-Cage matches saw seeing Dakota Kai weasel away from Tegan Nox with help from Raquel González; Johnny Gargano was interviewed by Mauro Ranallo; and Roderick Strong cheated Velveteen Dream with help from the Undisputed Era. Dream would get his own back against Adam Cole, and end the night raising the NXT Championship high atop the cage.

We were not live from Full Sail University tonight - but the WWE Performance Center! Mauro Ranallo stood atop the Perch inside the WWEPC, as he welcomed us to a very special edition of WWE NXT. It was Fan Appreciation Night, hosting two NXT Championship matches!

The opening video package aired, bringing us to the WWE Performance Center, where a crowd of over a thousand stood in attendance from the WWE's state-of-the-art training facility. Mauro was joined by Nigel McGuinness on commentary, on a night where both Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa would be in the same house; plus, the BroserWeights would defend their newly won NXT Tag Team Championship against Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly.

1) Keith Lee (c) def. Cameron Grimes to retain the NXT North American Championship (10:47) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- "The Carolina Caveman" had been in hot pursuit of the new NXT North American Champion for weeks, and tonight was his chance to try take it. Grimes struck fast and hard, but the impressive size, power and agility would see "Limitless" Keith Lee claim victory with the Big Bang Catastrophe to retain the gold.

The NXT North American Championship had been successfully defended, but Keith Lee would not have long to celebrate. Damian Priest struck from behind with repeated shots to the leg with his baton! Lee went down like a tonne of bricks, when Dominik Dijakovic rushed to the ring to his previous rival's aid. Dijakovic and Priest brawled it out, before Priest was able to escape from the ring. Dijakovic confiscated the baton and tossed it Priest's way up the rampway, as Keith Lee came to his feet. A show of respect was shared between the two giants that had met at NXT TakeOver: Portland several weeks ago - as Dijakovic made eyes at "the Archer of Infamy".

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Mauro Ranallo and Nigel McGuinness discussed NXT Fan Appreciation Night, and talked about the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match at NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay. They recapped Robert Stone accompanying Chelsea Green to qualifying last week, defeating Shotzi Blackheart. Up next, Kacy Catanzaro had a huge opportunity against Dakota Kai!

​

A graphic aired, noting that tonight's NXT was broadcasting live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

Feeling scorched earth ever since his #DIY soulmate Johnny Gargano turned on him back at NXT TakeOver: Portland, Tommaso Ciampa walked with purpose when arriving at the WWE Performance Center earlier today. "The Blackheart" was approached for comment by Alicia Taylor. who asked what his business was. Knowing Gargano would be here tonight, Ciampa told Alicia simply that he was going to force Gargano to eat his own heart in front of the world!

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2) Dakota Kai (with Raquel González) def. Kacy Catanzaro (with Kayden Carter) to qualify into the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match at NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay (7:00) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- After cheating longtime rival Tegan Nox out of victory in the Steel Cage last week, Dakota Kai set their sights on the Women's Ladder match. Kacy Catanzaro had back-up from her frequent tag partner Kayden Carter to match Raquel González. Despite the athleticism of the youngster, Kai qualified with the GTK.

Dakota Kai was brash in her victory over Kacy Catanzaro, the second woman qualified into the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match at NXT TakeOver - joining Chelsea Green. Kayden Carter slipped into the ring to check on her partner after the bell, when Dakota set Raquez González on her! Carter tried putting up a fight, only to be thrown from the ring with an astonishing military press slam!

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It was the night for action in the Undisputed Era camp. It was back at NXT TakeOver: Portland three weeks ago where Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne of the BroserWeights dethroned Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly, becoming NXT Tag Team Champions. Roderick Strong talked the challengers up in the dressing room, as Fish and O'Reilly would get their rematch tonight!

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Earlier today, a pre-taped interviewed aired with Tyler Breeze hanging out at the WWE Performance Center. When asked about being back in the WWEPC in which he became a WWE Superstar out of, "Prince Pretty" was proud of all of the black-and-yellow brand's accomplishments - when interrupted by Austin Theory.Now Theory was the one with the iPhone in hand, introducing himself to Breeze with obnoxious intentions. Austin forgot who Tyler even was, bringing up how much of a star he had been - having come up through EVOLVE to make it here. Austin planned to blast through NXT and continued running his mouth, when Tyler suddenly snapped a picture of Austin on his phone! Breeze said he'd taken it as a reminder of the nobody Breeze would beat next week on NXT. Theory snarled in abandon.

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3) Kushida def. Tony Nese (6:22)
- Ahead of the ten-man elimination tag team match on 205 Live this Friday, Team NXT battled a 205 Original in singles competition. It was fast-paced, mat-based action with Nese turning things aerial, but Kushida reversed a superplex into a cross-armbreaker off the top rope, forcing Nese into submission.

Kushida got the victory headed into Friday's huge match, which would see the NXT Cruiserweights consisting of Kushida himself, Isaiah "Swerve" Scott, Tyler Breeze, Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan battle the 205 Live Originals - Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, The Brian Kendrick, Gentleman Jack Gallagher and Mike Kanellis.

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The NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley had delivered a harsh slap to the face of Charlotte Flair last night on Monday Night RAW. Up next, she was planning on addressing the 2020 Royal Rumble winner in front of the WWE Performance Center crowd.

​

Coming after the altercation with Damian Priest, following the NXT North American Championship match Keith Lee sat down in a chair nursing the back of his leg. Dominic Dijakovic approached his on-again, off-again rival telling him not to get things twisted: he did what he did for himself, not for "the Limitless One". Keith wouldn't put it any other way, but told Dominic that he wished he would pick his own fights. Dijakovic smiled, telling Keith they were destined to fight forever - however for right now, his business was with "the Archer of Infamy" who he is challenging to a match next week. Cordially, the champ wished him luck.

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"The Queen" makes NXT her palace once more
The NXT Women's Champion made a resounding impression on "the Queen" of Monday Night RAW last night, slapping Charlotte Flair down to the mat before leaving without any further explanation. With WrestleMania weeks away, Rhea Ripley addressed Charlotte in the ring to discuss what Flair had to say about her last night. While acknowledging the fact that because she had the NXT Women's Championship in her hand, it made her the new shiny toy, she was not to be underestimated. Rhea said while this journey of a young kid coming from Adelaide, Australia getting to live her dream as a full-fledged WWE Superstars at "the Showcase of the Immortals" was absolutely true, she was not making it her personality. When she told Charlotte that she wanted to be nothing like her, she meant that she didn't want to be anything that Flair embodied. She didn't want to be Flair, not only for what she represented, but for how she presented herself.

Rhea talked about Charlotte regarding herself as "Wrestling Royalty", but as impressive as winning the 2020 Royal Rumble match was - there had to be reasons why Flair chose to challenge her over Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship; or Bayley for the SmackDown Women's Championship. Ripley stated Charlotte saw her as the easy target, believing WrestleMania to be another field day for her to come one step closer to following in her father's footsteps: becoming a sixteen-time Women's Champion someday. Ripley repeated that she would not be beaten, and she would not be denied this moment she had dreamed of for her entire life! This was her home, her palace, and now that she was the champ, Charlotte would need to try everything in her power to take the title away from her. Charlotte Flair returned to her roots on NXT, with no notice given to the NXT Universe. The WWE Performance Center were stunned, but still chanted "go back to RAW" at the challenger.

Flair smiled, basking in the reception before questioning if that was any way to speak to the next NXT Women's Champion. Flair told Rhea that she was making quite the impression. Impressed, Flair enjoyed the slap she received last night on RAW...but that wasn't to say she wasn't going to humble, humiliate and drown the fastest rising star in NXT. Flair struck first, the fight on inside the WWEPC! Ripley fired back, but Charlotte struck with a chop block with the champ's back turned. Kicking at the leg, Flair looked to apply the Figure-8 Leglock but Ripley fought off. Charlotte's back-up plan came into effect by slamming Rhea's legs against the ring post - soon applying the Figure-4 Leglock around the ring post! Producers scrambled to break Charlotte away, as Rhea rived in pain for relief!

​

A replay aired, recapping the brutality of the 2020 Royal Rumble winner on show moments ago. Charlotte Flair liked the slap received last night on Monday Night RAW so much, that she assaulted the NXT Women's Champion in front of the NXT Universe - locking Rhea Ripley in the Figure-4 Leglock against the ring post!

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4) Tegan Nox def. Mercedes Martinez to qualify into the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match at NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay (5:02)
- As tensions flared surrounding the NXT Women's Championship, these two women vyed for the chance to join Chelsea Green and Dakota Kai in the Ladder match at NXT TakeOver. Mercedes Martinez targeted the braced leg of Nox, but "the Girl With the Shiniest Wizard" scored the win with a bridging pin!

Three women had qualified for the Ladder match at NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay, with Tegan Nox now joining her arch rival Dakota Kai alongside Chelsea Green, of the Robert Stone Brand. Tegan was overjoyed at the victory sensing the opportunities, when Mercedes Martinez uncharacteristically ambushed Nox from behind! Bitter and enraged, Mercedes sent Nox out to the ringside floor where she hung Nox up in a tree of woe against the ringside guardrail! Mercedes grabbed a Singapore cane and bashed it across her knee repeatedly, finally being ordered away by the official. Something had gotten into Martinez!

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A video package aired, highlighting the reign of domination in which WALTER had brought to NXT UK. Since becoming NXT United Kingdom Champion one year ago, "The Ring General" had been unmatched and unbeaten. With Imperium by his side however, a beating from Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner two weeks ago had awoken something within Finn Bálor. "The Prince" said last week he'd told WALTER that they'd be seeing each other sooner than later - and that much will be true. Finn presented a plane ticket to England, telling WALTER that he could expect to see him tomorrow on the WWE Network...on NXT UK!

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An advertisement aired, promoting all of the merchandise available on WWEShop.com.

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An Undisputed Reign Called into Question
With his teammates in the Undisputed Era out to recapture the NXT Tag Team Championships in mere moments, Adam Cole pranced out to the ring to a mixed ovation from the WWE Performance Center faithful. The NXT Champion proudly showcased the gold on his shoulder as he took to the mic to speak on how great it felt to be the champion the Universe needed. Where great men such as Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Samoa Joe, Drew McIntyre and Johnny Gargano had held this very title - none of them were anywhere close to being on the same level as he was. Adam Cole recapped how he had been the NXT Champion since June 1, 2019: and next week would mark the date that made Adam Cole bay-bay the longest-reigning champion in NXT history! The fans booed more as Adam Cole gloated and basked in his own excellence, talking about the men he had beaten: from Johnny Gargano to Tommaso Ciampa, Finn Bálor to Dominic Dijakovic.

Nobody came close, and nobody was in contention to his NXT Championship. Velveteen Dream begged to differ: his voice softly speaking about the gradiosity of Adam Cole and his Undisputed chipmunks. The Dream regarded Cole as undeniable, but refuted the fact he was untouchable, speaking soundly of last week when he took the fight to the NXT Champion. Adam joked that Dream wasn't victorious in his Steel Cage match - that was Roderick Strong. Cole told Velveteen to get in at the back of the line, because if the Dream was in contention - this title was a joke! The Dream told Adam the joke around NXT was him and his boyfriends running around like they owned this house. If Cole wasn't going to answer his challenge, Dream was simply going to have to keep poking and prodding until the NXT Champion was man enough to change his mind. Cole mouthed off, telling Dream he wouldn't accept his challenge in a million years: he wasn't worthy! Dream walked away, getting under the champion's skin.

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Backstage, the BroserWeights formed an unlikely combination. Matt Riddle grinned from ear to ear, Pete Dunne sulking. Both with the NXT Tag Team Championships, up next the winners of the 2020 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic would defend their gold against the former champions, Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly. The Undisputed Era walked with Roderick Strong behind them, poised and ready for the rematch from NXT TakeOver: Portland.

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Footage aired from moments ago during the commercial break, showing Raúl Mendoza in the middle of a fight with a mysterious figure wearing a ski-mask in the WWE Performance Center parking lot! Mendoza fought with all the might he had, when snatched by a second masked assailant. Tossed into the back of a black SUV, Mendoza had been kidnapped - but by whom?

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5) The BroserWeights (c) def. Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly (with Roderick Strong) to retain the NXT Tag Team Championship (16:36) [THROUGH TWO BREAKS]
s- The odd couple dethroned Undisputed Era at NXT TakeOver: Portland, but the BroserWeights had tough work coming their way. Grizzled Young Veterans involved themselves after comments made last week, but Zack Gibson and James Drake would be taken out by a big back body drop from Pete Dunne to Fish. Strong interfered just to be taken out by Velveteen Dream, when a double knee strike to O'Reilly allowed the champs to retain the gold!

All parties involved in this chart-busting match for the NXT Tag Team Championships were dismayed by the outcome. Roderick Strong clutched his jaw after the attack launched by Velveteen Dream, who had to have Adam Cole and the NXT Championship playing on his mind. Grizzled Young Veterans retreated up the rampway meanwhile, scowling all the while at the BroserWeights who celebrated inside the ring. After beating Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly a second time in a month, Matt Riddle and Pete Dunne welcomed the challenge of James Drake and Zack Gibson!

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Tommaso Ciampa walked slowly, having vowed to force Johnny Gargano to eat his own heart before the NXT faithful in WWE Performance Center. "The Blackheart" was coming to the ring to order out his former friend - up next.

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Coming after her heinous ambush on Tegan Nox, after losing out on the opportunity to qualify for the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match at NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay, Mercedes Martinez was seen pacing back and forth. In the corridor of the WWE Performance Center, she stopped upon being approached by Raquel González. The two colossals stared one another down, when Dakota Kai walked up smiling. Handing her money and shaking hands with Martinez, Kai told Mercedes there was more where that came from: if next time she made sure Nox couldn't walk again. Mercedes smiled, a gun for hire!

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#DIY destroy the WWE Performance Center
It was on February 16 at NXT TakeOver: Portland where Tommaso Ciampa was screwed out of the NXT Championship against Adam Cole, thanks to the betrayal of his thought-to-be good friend Johnny Gargano. Tommaso Ciampa made his way to the ring to address Gargano, making it short and sweet. They all knew why he was here: to demand Gargano show himself. "The Blackheart" waited patiently, when Johnny Gargano appeared on the big screen. Situated in a backstage office, Johnny told Tommaso that this is what they were going to do. It was going to be done his way, because his way was the right way. After all they had been through together, Gargano was coming to him from this office because these walls are where it all began for the two of them. It was in the WWE Performance Center where their bond developed and grew - where the two of them were offered their first NXT contracts. And where #DIY was born.

Tommaso Ciampa visibly had had enough of Johnny Gargano's speech and took off on a hunt for him, as Gargano reeled off how the entire world had seemingly forgotten it was "the Blackheart" who had stabbed him in the heart. It was Ciampa who maimed him and did despicable acts to him, but was all of that to go forgotten simply because they had reunited? Gargano said old wounds never healed, when Ciampa burst into the office that Gargano sat in! The two #DIY partners brawled immediately, going back and forth wasting no time. It became a brawl that encompassed the WWE Performance Center, as Ciampa sent Gargano crashing through a drywall into the trainer's room. The two battled with Gargano using a low blow to his advantage. Into the gym room, the two tussled over weights as weapons - culminating with Gargano smashing a full-length mirror, having tossed a weight in Ciampa's way!

Tommaso Ciampa battled "Johnny Wrestling" into the arena, the NXT Universe loud for "the Blackheart" as they brawled through the sea of people in attendance. Johnny Gargano used a low blow to begin his escape, climbing to the top of the perch overlooking the WWEPC. Ciampa followed suit, with Gargano gaining an opening and having Ciampa cling to the edge of the perch over the announce position. Ciampa fought back, but it was a trap designed for the Gargano Escape to go locked in - until Ciampa brawled to freedom. Gargano teased dumping his old best friend off the Perch, but Ciampa would surprise him with an Air Raid Crash: both men exploding through the announce table some ten feet below! The WWE Performance Center chanted "NXT!" while there was no sign of life from the two rivals.

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[DTP]

NXT UK #84 - March 12, 2020
Coventry Skydome in Coventry, England
LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS FROM NXT TAKEOVER: TAMPA BAY

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The opening video package aired, bringing us to Coventry Skydome for another exciting edition of WWE NXT UK. Nigel McGuinness stood ringside with his new broadcast colleague and play-by-play announcer Andy Shepherd, who was the former ring announcer for NXT UK! They talked about seeing Noam Dar battle Ligero tonight; plus, Pretty Deadly and Dani Luna would be in competition.

Finn Bálor wants "The Ring General"
He had warned of his presence last night on NXT, and Coventry Skydome were treated by the unexpected arrival of "the Prince". Finn Bálor had returned across the pond to respond to a beating received from the hands of Imperium's underlings last month in Full Sail University. Bálor received a hero's welcome home to the United Kingdom, as he got down to business. Everybody wanted to know Finn's next move, but he had waited long enough to announce what that was going to be. He made it known he wasn't here to move the needle, to rock the boat or boost the ratings. Simply put, Finn was here to call out and challenge the NXT United Kingdom Champion - WALTER! The champion wasted no time in responding to the call, as WALTER marched down the aisle to confront Finn Bálor. The NXT United Kingdom Champion stared a hole through Finn from ringside, as Bálor removed his leather jacket and challenged him to fight, just the two of them!

Predictably, "the Ring General's" minions would arrive, Imperium walking out to join their leader. Alexander Wolfe had a microphone in hand, welcoming Bálor to NXT UK: Imperium's domain. Wolfe proposed he, Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner give Bálor the greeting he deseved, WALTER watched as his men hit the ring just for "the Prince" to evade an ambush! Wolfe attempted the German suplex, but Finn struck with the Sling Blade! WALTER entered with a clothesline attempt, but Bálor was able to escape to ringside. What would WALTER's response be?

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Two weeks removed from the heinous I Quit match for the NXT Women's Championship, Piper Niven was interviewed by Josiah Williams regarding her reaction to Kay Lee Ray forcing Toni Storm to surrender with a super kick into a steel chair, wrapped around her neck. She spoke about her and Toni being like sisters, and sometimes sisters fought. She came out during the I Quit match to try and talk some sense into the former champ, before she got herself crippled. She could have interfered in the match, but Toni would have never spoken to her again. And when she comforted her sister, she looked up to Kay Lee Ray and saw how evil she truly was. Piper proposed maybe she needed to do something about her.

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A video package aired, highlighting Tyler Bate.

☗☗☗​

1) Noam Dar def. Ligero (6:10)
- "The Scottish Supernova" had become jaded since becoming a permanent member of the NXT UK brand. Against Ligero tonight, "the Prestigious Mexican Sensation" worked hard athletically to take Dar off his game, but an abrupt Nova Roller would give the Scotsman the win.

Noam Dar celebrated his win after the match, racking up the victories with another win tonight against Ligero.

☗☗☗
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NXT General Manager Johnny Saint and his assistant Sid Scala chatted in the backstage corridor when Alexander Wolfe appeared. Aggravated after the altercation with Finn Bálor, Wolfe wanted a match with "the Prince" in which the GM accepted! Wolfe left, when NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin walked through. Greeting the British Legend cordially, Saint and Scala complimented "the Irish Ace" on doing the NXT UK brand proud. Saint then informed Devlin of his first defense of the title - in two weeks time against Travis Banks. Devlin scoffed, thanking Saint, though it was clear Devlin was threatened by the task of "the Kiwi Buzzsaw".

​

Dave Mastiff, Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster were seen hanging out at the UK Performance Center when they were confronted by Gallus. The trio of Joe and Mark Coffey along with Wolfgang confronted the trio, talking trash about the jokes that stood before them. Mastiff, Andrews and Webster acted pally with the three hard-nosed bruisers, when Gallus issued the challenge to a six-man tag team match next week. The banter led to the challenge accepted.

☗☗☗​

2) Pretty Deadly def. Dan Moloney and Dereiss Gordon (6:05)
- The two prettyboys were primed for some NXT UK gold, being number one contenders to the NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus. They threw their shirts in the faces of Dan Moloney and Dereiss Gordon and made relatively short work of them, scoring the win with the Deadly Pretty on Moloney.

Oliver Howley and Sam Stoker of Pretty Deadly posed in triumph after their win against Dan Moloney and Dereiss Gordon. They had to be keeping an eye on the outcome of next week's six-man tag team match between the NXT UK Tag Team Champions Gallus, and the trio of Dave Mastiff, Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster.

☗☗☗​

An advertisement aired, promoting all of the merchandise available on WWEShop.com.

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Josiah Williams was standing by with Travis Banks, after the announcement from NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint that he would challenge Jordan Devlin in two weeks. "The Kiwi Buzzsaw" made it known that he had no problems with "the Irish Ace", who made it a testament of how good he was when he captured the NXT Cruiserweight Championship at Worlds Collide in January. But Banks wasn't going to let this opportunity slip: vowing to become the first Kiwi to win an NXT title.

☗☗☗
​

3) Dani Luna vs Amale ended in a no contest (2:00)
- The young, alternative powerhouse from Croydon had to have seen what the NXT Women's Champion Kay Lee Ray did to Toni Storm a few weeks ago in their I Quit match. Up against Amale, Dani Luna showed her power until Kay Lee Ray inexplicably hit the ring and attacked both women!

The NXT UK Universe groaned as the NXT UK Women's Champion stood tall after taking care of both Dani Luna, as well as Amale. Kay Lee Ray joked that nobody wanted to see a match like that after they had seen what this division was capable of a few weeks ago. KLR said now she had successfully gotten rid of Toni Storm, she was here to let every girl in NXT UK know that this division belonged to her. Suddenly, Dani Luna showed fight in standing up for herself only to be laid out moments after with the Gory Bomb. The champ repeated her point, a statement to the entire division.

☗☗☗​

A vignette aired, highlighting the unbeaten record of NXT UK newcomer Aoife Valkyrie. Hailing from Northern Ireland, Aoife had beaten Amale and Isla Dawn in recent weeks, and explained that every feather she wore stood for a battle she won to become who she was.

​

4) Finn Bálor def. Alexander Wolfe (8:25) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Approved by Johnny Saint after Alexander Wolfe demanded it, "the Prince" got the chance to get even from the beating received by Imperium on NXT across the pond, just shy of a month ago. With WALTER on his mind, Finn Bálor worked hard when Imperium came down the aisle to spectate. Much like earlier, Finn took out Marcel Barthel and Fabian Aichner, when the referee ejected the group from ringside. Finn struck with the basement dropkick, the Coup de Grâce and the 1916 for a decisive win.
"The Prince" had taken care of Alexander Wolfe in the main event of NXT UK tonight, but after the challenge had been issued by Finn Bálor earlier tonight, he had still yet to hear from "the Ring General" himself. Finn would not have long to wait, as WALTER marched out and posed with his arms folded behind his back. The NXT United Kingdom Champion watched Finn from the aisle, with Bálor here refusing to be denied!

☗☗☗​

 

[DTP]

Friday Night SmackDown #1073 - March 13, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
Sponsored by

LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS FROM WRESTLEMANIA

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205 Live #170 - March 13, 2020
- Team NXT (Isaiah Scott, Tyler Breeze, Danny Burch, Oney Lorcan and Kushida) def. Team 205 Originals (Tony Nese, Ariya Daivari, Brian Kendrick, Jack Gallagher and Mike Kanellis) in an elimination ten-man tag team match. Kushida and Isaiah Scott were the sole survivors for Team NXT, as Kushida last eliminated Jack Gallagher with the cross-armbreaker. (20:22)

▆▆▆​

Friday Night SmackDown went on the air live, not from the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit - but the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. WWE executive Triple H stood on the perch inside the arena, welcoming the fans to the show from the state-of-the-art training facility. Clips aired of the WWEPC, as "The Game" told how the facility was built to create the future of the WWE. From Roman Reigns to Sasha Banks, Baron Corbin to Asuka, Bayley to Bray Wyatt - many WWE Superstar made their start in the Performance Center. "The Cerebral Assassin" declared that tonight, the men and women are here to do what they do best and entertain the people watching from home. Declaring tonight to be a show unlike anything any fan has ever seen before, tonight, HHH said, the Superstars would return to the Performance Center - but not to train.

The camera panned to show the entirety of the WWE Performance Center. With nothing but empty seats in the audience, a lightshow paved the way for Michael Cole's introduction to Friday Night SmackDown. A unique show scheduled, tonight would mark the return of John Cena; SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross; and a sit-down in-ring interview with Roman Reigns.

At ringside joining the "Voice of the WWE", Michael Cole was joined by "The Game" Triple H. Poking fun at Cole, HHH promised to give Friday Night SmackDown's play-by-play commentary a shot in the arm tonight with his presence.

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An unexpected audience with "The King"
Silence fell over the WWE Performance Center, as King Corbin came out in his crown and robe. Demanding the respect of his subjects, he heard no response from the empty chairs in attendance. Climbing into the ring, Corbin took the microphone and spoke about how finally the King was receiving the dignity he deserved. Sanctuary from all of the peasants that didn't deserve to be in the same building as him - let alone the same room. Finally, King Corbin could think and speak clearly without being interrupted. Corbin was about to continue, when interrupted by an audible guitar strum. It was none other than Elias, who appeared atop the perch overlooking the WWE Performance Center! Greeting the rows of empty seats, "the Drifter" introduced himself and questioned who wanted to Walk With Elias. Corbin was less than impressed, having expected better things from Triple H's state-of-the-art facility than to allow housing to the homeless.

Elias compared King Corbin to a jester, but spoke about how the difference between the two of them was that Elias was actually entertaining. The musician brandished his acoustic guitar in hand, as he addressed the King as though he were actual royalty. Noting that he had a song dedicated to Baron, he would begin playing - all the while insulting him! Comparing him to paint drying, Corbin finally lost his patience and told Elias whether there were people in the house or at home watching, Elias was finally going to get a royal beating tonight courtesy of "Wrestling Royalty!"

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In the backstage corridor of the WWEPC, the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley and her best friend Sasha Banks walked the hall. Heading for the arena to meet Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross, we would be joined by the Boss 'n' Hug Connection - next!

​

Michael Cole welcomed us back to Friday Night SmackDown from the empty WWE Performance Center, when he asked Triple H what he thought he was doing. Triple H was revealed to be the man operating the camera at ringside, exclaiming that they were operating with a short staff tonight!

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The SmackDown Women's Champion wants an explanation
Having waited the past week for an appearance from the former three-time Women's Champion Paige, the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley and her best friend Sasha Banks walked down the rampway to confront Michael Cole and Triple H on commentary. Talking trash about former General Manager of SmackDown Live, Bayley questioned the whereabouts of "the Anti-Diva". Asking Cole and "The Game" if Paige had run with her tail between her legs, "The Boss" accused her of being afraid of the both of them. HHH sided with the angry women, accusing Cole of holding back sensitive information! Cole informed them that Paige had travel issues, prompting the champ and Banks to mock Cole - as did Triple H.

Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross made their arrival, walking down the rampway with "The Goddess" suggesting Bayley take a hint from the dead crowd and shut her mouth! Bliss told Bayley and Sasha Banks that this was the reason she had a talk show - "A Moment of Bliss" - and Bayley and Sasha did not. Banks took offense asking who invited the Odd Couple to the Performance Center, prompting the Scotswoman to implore "The Boss" to not say a single ill-word about her or her best friend. Cross called Sasha as fake as her and Bayley's friendship, and believed Nikki and Alexa were the best of friends that WWE had to offer. Banks argued back and forth with her, when Alexa finally harped up - suggesting they get it on right away!

1) SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley and Sasha Banks def. Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross (10:37) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- In a match about who the better best friend tag team duo was, Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross showed their chemistry against Bayley and Sasha Banks. Bliss was on a roll when "the Goddess" was struck with the SmackDown Women's Championship courtesy of Banks - allowing Bayley to take the win.

- The SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley played emotional after her emphatic victory against Alexa Bliss. Seeing Sasha Banks with a twinkle in her eye, she hugged "The Boss" who proudly handed her the SmackDown Women's Championship. Nikki Cross chased them from the ring, but Bayley and Banks had proven why they made such good friends again tonight.

▆▆▆​

A replay aired, taking us back to two weeks ago on Friday Night SmackDown. Days after winning the WWE Universal Championship from "The Fiend" at Super ShowDown, Goldberg took to the ring and was met with a challenge - by Roman Reigns. At WrestleMania they would meet in a dream match - "Spear vs Spear" - but up next, Michael Cole would interview "the Big Dog" in the ring.

​

Friday Night SmackDown on FOX was sponsored tonight by Progressive - the first-round choice for auto insurance.

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"The Big Dog" chats to Michael Cole
Michael Cole sat in a chair in the ring, as he discussed the confrontation from two weeks ago in Boston between Goldberg and Roman Reigns. With the WWE Universal Championship match announced for WrestleMania, Cole welcomed out Roman Reigns to speak his mind. It felt bizarre watching "the Big Dog" walk to the ring with no fanfare, as he joined Cole inside with a handshake. Welcoming him to the show, Michael asked what Roman made of the "Bizarroworld" atmosphere in the Performance Center tonight. Reigns admitted this week had been like nothing he had ever known, but he was here in-person tonight - unlike a certain WWE Universal Champion. Cole discussed Goldberg's victory over The Fiend at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia, and how Reigns had wasted little time jumping in and looking for a challenge. Roman confessed to having seen Bill Goldberg coming from a mile off. He witnessed his rise through the ranks in WCW when he was growing up on the football field.

Roman saw this unstoppable monster who made a career playing defensive tackle in the NFL, and saw himself wanting to pursue similar. Little did he know years later, he would challenge him to a match on "The Grandest Stage of Them All". Cole called it a dream match, "Spear vs Spear", and questioned if Reigns respected the champ. Controversially, Reigns answered admitting once upon a time, but after seeing the real Bill Goldberg in all his glory inside a WWE ring in 2020 - that respect waded. He didn't feel starry-eyed, instead seeing another mountain to be conquered. When Reigns told Goldberg it was he who was next in Boston, Roman actually meant that he would be the last - because once the dust settled on April 5, there would be a new WWE Universal Champion. Cole brought up Goldberg appearing next week, and the two making it official with the contract signing. In parting, Roman declared at WrestleMania he would show he was not part-time, and not just one move: he would beat Bill Goldberg.

▆▆▆​

Kayla Braxton was standing by backstage with the trio of Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura and the new WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn. Over the moon with the biggest victory of his career last Sunday at Elimination Chamber, Sami had beaten "the Monster Among Men" fairly and squarely! Nobody could discount him as being unworthy any longer, after he beat Braun Strowman out of town all by himself. Kayla brought up the assist from Nakamura and Cesaro, but the threesome's attention was diverted.

Racing after somebody, Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura all caught up with Daniel Bryan. Asking him where he was headed, the new WWE Intercontinental Champion gloated in how he had offered Bryan a chance to join the Artist Collective - but he had passed them up. Just for "the Yes Man" himself, Sami offered Bryan one last chance to join them - having all the talent in the world. Bryan smirked telling Sami as much as he wanted to, he couldn't respect a man who hid behind real talents like "the Swiss Cyborg" or "the King of Strong Style". Sami was mad, asking Daniel what made him so high and mighty. Telling Daniel his chance to become an Artist was over, Zayn instead offered Bryan to face Cesaro in the ring tonight! Bryan smiled at the three of them, telling them that very three-lettered word.

​

A graphic aired, showing that Friday Night SmackDown was emanating tonight live from the WWE Performance Center, in Orlando, Florida.

▆▆▆​

A replay aired from WWE Backstage this past Tuesday on FS1, where Renee Young and Booker T reported the news that former NFL tight-end for the New England Patriots, Rob Gronkowski was in negotiations with the WWE.

Mojo Rawley made his way out to the stage inside the empty arena. "The Hype Man" was dressed to the nines, as he jumped up and down energetically. Welcomed by Michael Cole and Triple H in attendance, Mojo took great pleasure in roughing up the veteran broadcast journalist! Even "The Game" got in on it, as Cole asked about a certain speculation that had been buzzing around the sports media world all week long. Mojo confirmed what many had been talking about and announced that next week they would all get the inside scoop and nothing but - because his good friend Rob Gronkowski would be here live next week on Friday Night SmackDown to discuss his future! Mojo once again roughed Cole up in excitement, with HHH telling Cole to lighten up and Get Hype!

▆▆▆​

​

-) John Morrison and The Miz (c) def. The Usos, The New Day, Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode, Heavy Machinery & The Lucha House Party in a Tag Team Elimination Chamber match to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship (32:55) [ELIMINATION CHAMBER 2020 - MAR 8, 2020] [THROUGH TWO BREAKS]
- A replay of the match from this past Sunday at WWE Elimination Chamber aired in its entirety. Otis suffered another devastating setback in his quest for revenge on Dolph Ziggler for stealing the heart of Mandy Rose when he was sent through the Chamber pod and structure. Meanwhile, John Morrison and The Miz stole it overcoming the Usos to walk out SmackDown Tag Team Champions.

▆▆▆​

'The Dirt Sheet' live from the WWE Performance Center
Returning live to Orlando, Florida, the reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions basked in their own aura from the ring. Having watched the Tag Team Elimination Chamber match from seats in the ring, John Morrison and The Miz considered that to be the television premiere of a lifetime. Introducing themselves, "The A-Lister" ran down each of 'The Marine' movies, calling them criticially acclaimed. In a moment of playful competitivity, "the Friday Night Delight" implied there was a reason his movies all went straight to DVD. In jest of the duo's banter, Miz and Morrison took satisfaction in bragging about being the A-List tag team on the block that nobody could ever beat in the ring because they were Awesome! Morrison encouraged the people watching from their parents' basements; their Papa's television set or their Momma's iPad to all be jealous. The two began to chant their own theme tune in obnoxious fashion, as Triple H on commentary joked they sounded so much better without crowd noise.

▆▆▆​

Daniel Bryan was backstage heading to the ring for his match with Cesaro, when he came across his opponent from Elimination Chamber - Drew Gulak. Gulak was dismissive of Bryan, who wanted to thank him for the match last Sunday. Drew refused to acknowledge him, although Bryan mentioned how Gulak had found a reversal to everything thrown his way. Bryan admitted that he had holes in his game but was willing to learn. Gulak bit his lip and turned his back to Bryan, who feebly hoped that Drew could find it in himself to at least watch his match with Cesaro tonight - any feedback would be appreciated. Bryan set off for singles action with "the Swiss Cyborg" - up next.

​

An advertisement aired, promoting WrestleMania - live on pay-per-view from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida on Sunday, April 5.

2) Daniel Bryan def. Cesaro (with Shinsuke Nakamura) (7:25)
- The new WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn would prove loud and obnoxious, joining Michael Cole and Triple H on commentary.
- A technical battle between two of WWE's finest all-rounders, Daniel Bryan took the fight to "the Swiss Cyborg", who manipulated with help from Shinsuke Nakamura. Bryan proved resilient, when Sami Zayn jumped atop the announce table. The Neutralizer was reversed into a bridge - granting Bryan the win.

With the victory taken from Cesaro, Daniel Bryan barely had time to even have his hand raised, as Shinsuke Nakamura hit the ring with a wheel kick knocking "the Submission Specialist" down! "The King of Strong Style" cornered Bryan with strikes when Daniel kicked back - thwarted when Sami Zayn ambushed Bryan from behind!

Cesaro joined in the fray, striking with a Neutralizer for the lone Bryan...until finally, Drew Gulak hit the ring. Preparing to engage with "the Swiss Cyborg", Gulak went in on a collegiate tackle on Cesaro but Zayn and Nakamura jumped in. Shinsuke struck with the Kinshasa, but Bryan would return once more! Delivering a suicide dive to Nakamura through the ropes, the Artist Collective ran for the hills by this new combination of Bryan and Gulak.

▆▆▆​

An advertisement aired, promoting 3:16 Day on Monday Night RAW. Live this Monday night from the WWE Performance Center, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin would be live and in-person!

​

Michael Cole welcomed us back to Friday Night SmackDown from the WWEPC, when the camera panned to reveal his broadcast partner for the evening, Triple H wiping his forehead of sweat! Cole questioned what "The Game" was doing, when the executive pretended to color Cole's grey hairs in black with his pen. HHH was having a lot of fun at the expense of his partner!

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King Corbin made his way to the ring for action against Elias, climbing into the ring and disrobing of his royal gown. "Wrestling Royalty" himself removed his crown and ordered his opponent to come out, sick and tired of "The Drifter's" antics of late. Elias came out with a strum of guitar, but stepped out solemnly with his guitar in hand. Confessing how he would be unable to perform tonight, playing the song for Baron earlier tonight had caused him to break a string on his guitar. But he had a little help from a friend, who was also a musician. That man had elected to step up and face Corbin for him - and that man was "the Charismatic Enigma" Jeff Hardy hopping out to the stage, Jeff high-fived Elias before heading to the ring. The King was beside himself!

3) Jeff Hardy (with Elias) def. King Corbin (3:48)
- Elias had replaced himself with the returning Jeff Hardy, in "the Rainbow-Haired Warrior's" first match back from a torn ACL injury, in nearly eleven months. King Corbin didn't know what hit him, as Jeff went through the motions in putting him away. Deep Six allowed Corbin to fight back, but in constantly calling out Elias and cursing his name, it left him open for the Twist of Hate followed by the Swanton Bomb!

In his in-ring return to the ring, Jeff Hardy had beaten King Corbin in a surprise encounter. Elias watched on gladly from the stands of the WWE Performance Center, as "the Charismatic Enigma" celebrated in the ring. The King would not let Elias get away with this!

▆▆▆​

John Cena had arrived to Friday Night SmackDown, seen chatting to essential members of WWE's personnel in attendance backstage. With his match with Bray Wyatt scheduled for WrestleMania in less than four weeks, Cena would speak out on his opponent up next!

​

From the perch inside of the WWE Performance Center, Triple H returned. Overlooking the arena on Friday Night SmackDown, the WWE executive said how he hoped the WWE Universe had enjoyed tonight's show, a first of its' kind in sports entertainment history. "The Game" wished that the fans could be there with them, but for now he hoped that the WWE Superstars accomplished their jobs of entertaining the people, and putting smiles on their faces. Tonight, HHH said that the WWE had proven why the words "Then", "Now" and "Forever" applied to them like no other.

▆▆▆​

John Cena enters the House of Fun
Michael Cole was standing in the ring, talking about a match that had been made official for WrestleMania. A rematch of their encounter in 2014, he would be joined momentarily by a former sixteen-time World Champion -John Cena! "The Franchise Player" had returned to the WWE, coming out and addressing the fans on his way down to the ring. Acknowledging the bizarre atmosphere surrounding the building tonight, Cena joked that he had not known anything like this since Michael had attempted stand-up comedy. Cena said maybe it was because he was weeks away from meeting "The Fiend" at WrestleMania, or maybe because he was standing in an empty building whilst simultaneously being seen by millions of people live on FOX - but tonight was without a doubt the strangest night he could ever remember! Cena said it felt as though he was stuck in the Firefly Funhouse with Bray Wyatt.

Michael brought up the bizarre meeting the two had several weeks ago, pulling up a replay. Cena was prepared to say that WrestleMania didn't need him this year, when "The Fiend" appeared right behind him. When asked for his thoughts back live, Cena declared he knew exactly where Bray was coming from. Wyatt had had a bitterness for him ever since he beat his ass badly back at WrestleMania XXX - but recently there had been a change greater than anybody had ever seen before. To understand theory and Bray Wyatt was an impossible feat, but one thing John believed for certain was that with his loss in 2014, Bray had become lazy and complacent. When Cena beat him, he became dishevelled and lost the will. In his mind, Bray was not the man deserving of the WWE Universe's energy - and that they should not support somebody like Wyatt; instead, they should support guys such as Drew McIntyre, Matt Riddle, Tommaso Ciampa or Velveteen Dream.

Bray Wyatt's laughter cut John Cena off, as the camera panned to the ringside area. From behind the barricade, Wyatt stood in his burgundy sweater. Cracking up over John's trash talk, he mocked him for his fine speech. Hopping the wall, Bray joined Cena in the ring and told him that his guess was not such a bad one. He thought about the events of WrestleMania XXX all the time, even six years on. The voices wouldn't stop, and no matter how much he tried, they just wouldn't go away. Finally he started to listen, and did him a world of good. It had turned his broken world into a funhouse, and he couldn't wait to share this with John - just as he had the rest of the world! Wyatt told Cena that he'd broken him, but he was about to find himself again yet. WrestleMania would be a slaughter, but Cena just didn't know it yet. Wyatt glared Cena in the eyes, before speaking the words: "Let Me In". The camera cut, flashing an image of "The Fiend" - a sign of things to come at WrestleMania.

▆▆▆​

 

[DTP]

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Report: Rob Gronkowski Signs With WWE, Will Appear at 'WrestleMania'
Mar 11, 2020

Rob Gronkowski is making a comeback, just not to the NFL.

Gronk has signed with WWE, The Wrap's Tony Maglio reports, and will appear on the March 20 edition of SmackDown Live. The current plan is for Gronkowski to begin a feud building toward an appearance at WrestleMania 36 on April 5 and a match that will occur after WrestleMania, according to Maglio.

- SPORTS ILLUSTRATED'S BEN PICKMAN​

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MARCH 16, 2020 OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: CORONAVIRUS CANCELLATIONS, ROB GRONKOWSKI, MORE
Mar 13, 2020

- The spreading of the coronavirus has the entire sports, entertainment, travel and tourism economies in at least short-term jeopardy, along with the far more serious aspects of a rapidly-spreading disease that will seemingly greatly affect all of our lives in some form. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recommended but did not issue an order for a ban on all mass gatherings for the next 30 days. That would apply to WrestleMania. At press time, the WWE has not made a statement regarding WrestleMania or events scheduled going forward. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said on 3/12 that they have several weeks until WrestleMania and didn’t need to make a decision just yet. They said that if WWE doesn’t cancel the show on their own, they will reconvene and address the issue next week.

- WWE has moved the 3/13 Smackdown tapings in Detroit at the Little Caesar Arena to the Performance Center in Orlando. Fans will not be allowed at the show, with the only people there the talent and people essential to the broadcast of the show. Nothing has been said regarding the planned 3/16 Raw for Pittsburgh.

- It looks like the Walter vs Finn Balor match at NXT Takeover on 4/4 is off, if the show even happens. One of the travel ramifications is that if a non-U.S. citizen or resident has been to EU's Schengen area in the past 14 days, they can’t come to the U.S. regardless of the airport they are flying into. So anyone who was in Germany last week, which includes Walter and Alexander Wolfe, wouldn’t be allowed in, unless somehow they find a way around those regulations.

- Rob Gronkowski, the former New England Patriots tight end who is considered one of the greatest NFL players in history, has apparently inked a deal with WWE. The story was first released on WWE Backstage on 3/10 that Gronkowski, 30, who is best friends with WWE wrestler Mojo Rawley, is in talks with the company and could be appearing on the 3/20 Smackdown show in New Orleans. As to be expected with FOX and Gronk being a football analyst there, Rawley has been moved to the SmackDown brand.

- It was announced via WWE's official podcast 'After the Bell' that Davey Boy Smith will officially be inducted into the 2020 Hall of Fame. The family had been heavily pushing him for years. He joins nWo's Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Syxx; John Bradshaw Layfield and the Bella Twins.

- Snickers will be the presenting sponsor at WrestleMania. WWE and Mars, Inc., announced an expansion of their longstanding partnership. Snickers will have new WWE themed commercials airing on 3/23 and 3/27 during Raw and SmackDown. It’s the fifth consecutive year they are the presenting sponsor for WrestleMania.

- Nia Jax has been medically cleared to return after reconstructive surgery on both knees. It's just a question of when they want to start her back and where. Right now she's earmarked for Raw.

- It’s expected The Revival is done, and they aren't going to do a comedy gimmick mimicking tag teams of the past, intended to bury them. With the injuries both had, it was speculated their deals would be up in April however the company is now saying Scott Dawson's contract expires in April whereas Dash Wilder's comes up in mid-June.

TV Ratings:
RAW - 2.16 million viewers (0.69 in 18-49)
NXT - 0.69 million viewers (0.21 in 18-49)
SmackDown - 2.5 million viewers (0.7 in 18-49)

TV Attendance:
Elimination Chamber (Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA) - 14,853
RAW (Capitol One Arena in Washington, D.C.) - 8,700
NXT (WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL) - 285
SmackDown (WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL) - 0

Elimination Chamber WON Ratings:
Viking Raiders vs Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins - *¼
Daniel Bryan vs Drew Gulak - ****
Andrade vs Humberto Carrillo - ***¾
Tag Team Elimination Chamber match - ****
Aleister Black vs AJ Styles - ***½
Street Profits vs Seth Rollins and Murphy - ***
Sami Zayn, Shinsuke Nakamura and Cesaro vs Braun Strowman - *¾
Women's Elimination Chamber match - **¼

- WRESTLING OBSERVER NEWSLETTER'S DAVE MELTZER​

 

[DTP]

Monday Night RAW #1399 - March 16, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
Presented by

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS FROM WRESTLEMANIA

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WWE Main Event #390 - March 19, 2020
- Shelton Benjamin def. Zack Ryder with the Paydirt. (6:18)
- Ricochet def. Akira Tozawa with the 630 Senton. (7:49)

︾︾︾​

The opening video package aired, bringing us to the bizarre scene inside the WWE's state-of-the-art training facility - the WWE Performance Center. The arena was set, with Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler standing in the center of the ring. They welcomed us to Monday Night RAW on 3:16 Day - where tonight, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin makes his return for a big celebration. The WWE Champion Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman were also in Orlando, coming after being embarrassed by three Claymore Kicks two weeks ago by Drew McIntyre!

The three announcers talked about the return shown last week by an emotionally-charged "Rated R Superstar" Edge. Showing a video package of the WWE Hall of Famer sending a message to Randy Orton with a one-man Conchairto delivered to MVP, the announcers would introduce the Canadian to the arena.

Rated R Grit
Through the smoke came Edge in a leather jacket and jeans, "the Rated R Superstar" still not in a great mood following what Randy Orton did to his wife Beth Phoenix two weeks ago. Climbing into the ring, he spoke over the microphone about the strange few months he and his wife had shared. It was all Randy Orton's responsibility, and he should have known that this prophecy would come true. The WWE Hall of Famer knew when "Cowboy" Bob Orton introduced him to his son that their careers would intertwine, how twenty-one years of them first meeting would lead to their journeys crossing paths and conflicting with one another. Edge reminisced about their history, about their WWE Intercontinental Championship matches in 2004; their Rated-RKO tag team in 2006; their wars in 2010. When comparing he and Orton, the one thing that "the Rated R Superstar" and "the Viper" had in common was the fact they both didn't like a lot of the same people, and both owed credit to one man for believing in them - Mick Foley.

Edge said he took a lesson from Mick Foley in which Randy Orton didn't, and that was grit. That grit had allowed him to fight back and make a comeback after nine years separated from his passion and pride in life: life inside of the squared-circle. In contrast, "the Rated R Superstar" proclaimed Orton an entitled brat, how he was a third-generation WWE Superstar that was raised with wrestling on his blood. Orton was one of the best to ever grace a WWE ring - but he had had everything handed to him! And yet, Edge came from nothing but hopes and dreams. It bothered Randy and he knew it, that Edge had to work for everything in his career, and how he had still managed to accomplish each and every goal and accolade he had set out to do. That was in part to his mother, who broke her back helping him. Because of that, Edge believed "the Apex Predator" to be jealous.

Peeling back the curtain, Edge revealed that two weeks ago when Beth Phoenix made her return to Monday Night RAW, it was for her to retire him again. She didn't think it was fair that Edge had to say those words again on his own - but Randy didn't let finish. Years ago, Edge pulled Randy Orton out of a hole, and now Orton had done the same for him. He wasn't angry that Orton interrupted Beth two weeksa go - instead, he was grateful. Because now, with WrestleMania around the corner, Edge's purpose is to dismantle "the Apex Predator" - and he wanted to do it in a No Holds Barred match! Edge said Orton wouldn't write this story, that it would not be a story of tragedy; instead a story of redemption. At WrestleMania, Randy Orton will not leave standing.

︾︾︾​

A video package aired, taking us back to Monday Night RAW on September 28, 1998. With the WWE Championship vacated by Mr. McMahon, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin disrupted a ceremony by the Chairman by crashing into the arena driving a Zamboni. Austin raised hell on the boss before being arrested. Tonight, "the Texas Rattlesnake" returns to celebrate 3:16 Day!

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Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler welcomed us back to Monday Night RAW, reviewing the emotional speech delivered by Edge, challenging Randy Orton to a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania. They hoped to hear from "the Apex Predator" tonight.

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1) Bobby Lashley def. No Way Jose (0:47)
- With Lana still absent shooting a movie in Hollywood, her husband Bobby Lashley came to fight No Way Jose. The Dominican tried to knock Lashley off his feet with the ¡Toma! but Lashley would not budge. Not one but two Spears would give the former WWE Intercontinental Champion dominant victory.

"The Destroyer" had made short work of No Way Jose, but Bobby Lashley was not yet finished. Powering Jose up atop his shoulder, Lashley struck with the Dominator before flexing in the middle of the ring. Tom Phillips climbed into the ring looking for comments from Lashley, asking what his plans were. Lashley explained he would continue dominating the competition. Nobody on Monday Night RAW could match his size, nobody in WWE could match his strength - and when it came to intensity, there wasn't a soul walking the planet that could take him down. Phillips asked for an update on his wife Lana, asking how filming was going. Lashley refused to answer any questions about her, saying he was focusing on himself. Lashley left as Jose remained unconscious on the canvas.

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Two weeks on from being left laying from not two, but three Claymore Kicks courtesy of the 2020 Royal Rumble winner, the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar walked with Paul Heyman in the backstage area. The Advocate for "the Beast Incarnate" looked concerned as to what was going through the champ's mind, as he would speak on "the Scottish Warrior" tonight.

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A graphic aired, promoting the television premiere of the 2020 Royal Rumble match - to be shown in its' entirety, up next!

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Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler talked about the words spoken by Edge at the start of RAW tonight, challenging Randy Orton to a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania in three weeks. They were joined on video call from Randy Orton, who sat in his car with a frown on his face. "The Apex Predator" talked about having the time to compose himself and think about what "the Rated R Superstar" had said and done over the past week. Whether it was destroying MVP to send a message, or giving a long spiel about "grit", he knew and understood exactly the kind of mindset Edge was in. But he was not MVP, and the entire time he spewed lies about jealousy and coming from nothing, and having "grit", it riled him up. Randy took himself off to the store to blow off some steam and think - and as he scanned the shelves, he came to the realization that he could do whatever he wanted. Orton vowed to make Edge wish he never came out of retirement, accepting his match for WrestleMania!

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-) Drew McIntyre def. Roman Reigns, Edge, Randy Orton, Seth Rollins, Samoa Joe, Kevin Owens, Aleister Black, Dolph Ziggler, Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, King Corbin, Matt Riddle, AJ Styles, The Miz, Ricochet, Brock Lesnar, Braun Strowman, Keith Lee, MVP, Shinsuke Nakamura, Shelton Benjamin, Cesaro, Kofi Kingston, Big E, Rey Mysterio, John Morrison, Robert Roode, Erick Rowan & Elias to win the 2020 Royal Rumble match (1:00:50) [JAN 27, 2020 - ROYAL RUMBLE 2020] [THROUGH SEVEN BREAKS]
- With the WWE Championship match set in stone for "the Grandest Stage of Them All", the 2020 Royal Rumble match was shown in its entirety to show how Drew McIntyre earned the right to challenge Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship.
- Brock Lesnar dominated his way through the Royal Rumble match from the #1 entry, eliminating thirteen men - including NXT's Keith Lee. McIntyre shocked the WWE Universe with his elimination of "the Beast Incarnate" at entry #16, and the field opened up to any possible WWE Superstar.
- That is until the return of "the Rated R Superstar" Edge at #21, making his in-ring return for the first time since WrestleMania in 2011!
- Seth Rollins would come to battle at #30, flanked with his disciples Murphy and AOP but the faction would find themselves in the heat of battle with Kevin Owens and Samoa Joe. In spite of this, "the Monday Night Messiah" would eliminate both men with the help of his followers.
- The match boiled down to four men - Edge, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre. After a brief reunion of Rated-RKO between "the Rated R Superstar" and "the Apex Predator, Edge would outsmart his once-tag team partner by blocking an RKO and eliminating Orton. Edge was eliminated by Roman Reigns, when Drew McIntyre prevailed with a Claymore Kick to "the Big Dog" - throwing him out.

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The Fearless Scotsman meets The Beast
Back live on Monday Night RAW, Paul Heyman stood in the center of the ring at the WWE Performance Center with the WWE Champion Brock Lesnar . Microphone in hand, the Advocate spoke on behalf of "the Beast Incarnate", wishing to tell the tale of Daedalas and Icarus. While Daedalas fashioned two pairs of wings out of wax and feathers for he and his son, he warned his son not to fly too close to the sun. So what Icarus did was feel froggy, and he decided to disobey his father. Overcome with the giddiness, Icarus soared into the sky and came too close. So near to the sun, the heat melted the wax that held his feathers together. His wings crumbled like slowflakes - and no matter how much Icarus flapped his wings, he was left to flap with his bare arms. He fell to the sea below, and he drowned. Heyman compared the legend to "the Scottish Warrior", who would surely meet a similar fate come WrestleMania.

The WWE Champion appeared more confident than he did two weeks ago, as Paul Heyman admitted that Drew McIntyre showed no fear when he eliminated Brock Lesnar from the 2020 Royal Rumble match. There was no fear shown when he challenged Brock Lesnar to the match at WrestleMania - but what he did two weeks ago was not fearlessness, but sheer naivete on the part of the Scotsman. Paul claimed Lesnar would strike down on Drew come WrestleMania, because nobody did WrestleMania like "the Beast!" Heyman told the WWE Universe to ask the likes of Kurt Angle, Goldberg, Roman Reigns and even the Undertaker - who had all felt the wrath of "the Beast" at "the Grandaddy of Them All". Finally Drew McIntyre made his way out to the stage. With a cunning smile, the challenger explained how there wasn't a single word spoken by Paul Heyman that was a lie.

He built a convincing case, but noted how tough it was to track a monster like Brock Lesnar down...but now he had a shot to get in the ring with him, and beat him like no mortal man had ever done to be crowned the first Scottish-born WWE Champion. Drew stressed the importance of this match, how he had chased it for fifteen long years. To become the WWE Champion in the main event of WrestleMania was his lifelong goal - and so it should be. But why wait until then? McIntyre brought up leaving Lesnar laying from three Claymore Kicks two weeks ago, but now there was no crowd there. There was nobody to keep them apart now! Drew came bounding down to ringside, but Paul Heyman pleaded him to not get in the ring. McIntyre exchanged words atop the steel steps, when Brock snatched the mic and told Drew that his dreams would die at WrestleMania - and that was no prediction, but a spoiler! As McIntyre entered the ring, Lesnar took his merry time leaving with a knowing smirk on his face.

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A video package aired, taking us back to Monday Night RAW on October 5, 1998. Having been hospitalized with a broken leg after a plot backfired on him courtesy of the Brothers of Destruction, Mr. McMahon was greeted in the hospital by none other than Dr. Austin - "Stone Cold" Steve Austin assaulting the Chairman with the use of a bedpan!

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Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler talked about the dramatic scenes before the commercial break between Brock Lesnar and Drew McIntyre. That's when Tom Phillips delivered some breaking news: that after conferring with government officials in Tampa Bay, the decision had been made for the first time ever to deliver WrestleMania in all of its' glory: for the first time ever from the empty arena in the WWE Performance Center!

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2) Sarah Logan vs Liv Morgan - ended in a double count-out (3:34)
- The former Riott Squad members had collided in the Elimination Chamber match, with Liv Morgan and Sarah Logan showing hostilities. Morgan fought tenaciously with "the Gritty Southern Belle". The action spilled to ringside, when a suplex from Logan connected on the rampway. The two were counted out!

Sarah Logan favored her back as Liv Morgan was down on the WWE Performance Center rampway. The aggressive Southerner was not finished dispensing punishment on her former partner, when Ruby Riott came out looking to stop any further brutality! The Riott Squad looked to be coming together again, as Ruby stared down Logan; protecting Morgan - but Riott drastically clotheslined Morgan to the ground! Riott laughed with Sarah, as Logan held poor Liv by the arms for a series of drilling blows from Ruby. Smash talk spoken to a devastated Liv, Riott claimed she would never be anything in "their" WWE!

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AJ Styles and the O.C. stood hanging out beside a training ring in the backstage area of the WWE Performance Center, when joined by Byron Saxton. He asked about the harsh words that "the Phenomenal One" had to say about the Undertaker last week, and the staredown he had with him. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson joked neurotically about how it didn't matter what hijinks "the Deadman" could muster up - nobody was afraid of him anymore. Everybody knew Undertaker was a fraud and a softie. AJ told Byron he had a whole lot more to say about it tonight, but he was going to say it in the ring.

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A video package aired, recapping Charlotte Flair's sinister attack on the leg of the NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley last week on NXT. Tomorrow night, "the Queen" would make another appearance on NXT from the WWE Performance Center!

The Phenom - A Fraud?
The O.C. made their way out to the ring in Orlando, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson accompanying their leader "the Phenomenal" AJ Styles. Standing in the ring, the trio oozed confidence as AJ talked about how he had finally gotten through to the Undertaker. Finally, after all this time they would have their day in the sun at WrestleMania, but he still wasn't convinced that they had the Undertaker's complete and total attention. The Best Tag Team in the World agreed with AJ, with Gallows joking that "the Deadman" probably doesn't even understand the sincerity of AJ's remarks. Anderson teased pushing and prodding AJ to tell some more hardships of truth about "the Phenom", bringing AJ to finally agree. Styles claimed that at WrestleMania he would meet a living Legend, but he would not be the same man that had gone 20-0 at "the Grandest Stage of Them All" - instead, it would be against a shell of his former self.

AJ reminisced about beining mesmerised by the thought of ever sharing a ring with "the Deadman". The same man that had been regarded as one of the greatest to ever lace up a pair of boots was sadly the same man that had fallen so far from that same mantle. It was pure arrogance and egotism that had brought Undertaker to this point. He was not the same larger-than-life character who was known to be "the Best Pure Striker" in the business; nor the former multiple-time WWE Champion and World Champion the world knew him to be. All that came to AJ's mind was the guy that stunk the joint up in Saudi Arabia against Goldberg; the same man that used backstage politics to cling to his position as the judge, jury and executioner of all those that walked the halls of the WWE locker room. At WrestleMania, he will kill the Legend that started nearly thirty years ago - and when it came to next week, he could not wait to stare Undertaker in the face and sign the contract, and say these words to his face!

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Seth Rollins was backstage with his disciples, Murphy and AOP. With a smile, "the Monday Night Messiah" spoke about the defeat Kevin Owens suffered last week on Monday Night RAW. The truth was, he was sick and tired of the constant charades of KO - and he wanted to end this. Seth brought up KO-Mania, and how Owens liked to consider every week the Kevin Owens Show - but at WrestleMania, it would be the night for the Church of Rollins. When he saw Kev there, he vowed that the Church of Rollins would burn the KO Show down. The faction were suddenly confronted by the War Raiders and the RAW Tag Team Champions the Street Profits! Rollins, Murphy, Akam and Rezar exchanged words with the two teams, when Rollins ordered silence. Backing his disciples away, Rollins presented himself to Montez Ford, Erik, Angelo Dawkins and Ivar with arms wide open. Seth wished for them to do their worst, when Ivar growled that next week the only thing burning would be the Church of Rollins.

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A video package aired, taking us back to WrestleMania XIV. On March 29, 1998 the Austin Era was born when "Stone Cold" Steve Austin dethroned Shawn Michaels to capture his first WWE Championship, with "Iron" Mike Tyson being the man to count the three. What was "the Texas Rattlesnake" capable of tonight, on 3:16 Day?

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3) Shayna Baszler def. WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane (5:11)
- Not cleared for competition after the beating from Shayna Baszler last week, Kairi Sane's tag team partner Asuka joined commentary.
- Coming after the merciless assault on her tag team partner last week, Kairi Sane looked to stand up for Asuka against "the Cage Fighter". "The Pirate Princess" fought resiliently, but Shayna Baszler tortured Kairi. She showed resilience, but the Insane Elbow missed. The Kirifuda Clutch would force Kairi to tap!

Asuka was beside herself on commentary, squealing in Japanese and English about the path that Shayna Baszler was on! "The Queen of Spades" refused to relinquish the Kirifuda Clutch on Kairi Sane, much like last week, when the video screen showed a tractor-trailer truck pull up in the parking lot of the WWE Performance Center. Black and with her face airbrushed all over it, out stepped Becky Lynch with the RAW Women's Championship in hand! "The Man" wasted no time storming into the WWEPC, where Shayna grinned patiently.

"The Man" arrived in the empty building, screaming at "the Cage Fighter" to go ahead and bring what she had! Baszler looked ready to fight, but instead of confronting Becky head-on, the woman to challenge for the RAW Women's Championship at WrestleMania would instead roll out of the ring! Becky nodded in acceptance, telling Shayna without a mic that she might be a b*tch, but she was the b*tch that was going to make Shayna her b*tch at WrestleMania! Baszler was cocky in leaving, but Becky was ready to go.

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Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler talked about how heated the meeting between Becky Lynch and Shayna Baszler would be at WrestleMania in less than three weeks - but this Friday on SmackDown was sure to be an unforgettable night. Not only was Rob Gronkowski set to make his first appearance on FOX to announce his future plans; but Roman Reigns and WWE Universal Champion Goldberg would share the same ring as they signed the contract for "the Grandest Stage of Them All".

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Backstage, Rey Mysterio walked with Humberto Carrillo by his side. After coming to "the Legendary Luchador's" aid last week from Angel Garza, the match had been signed for tag team action - Mysterio and Carrillo set to meet Garza and WWE United States Champion Andrade, up next!

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4) Rey Mysterio and Humberto Carrillo def. WWE United States Champion Andrade and Angel Garza (with Zelina Vega) (6:11) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Humberto Carrillo aided Rey Mysterio from an attack by Angel Garza last week, and reluctantly the tranquilo WWE United States Champion Andrade was dragged into it by Zelina Vega. Andrade and Zelina dictated the pace in isolating Humberto from Rey, when "the Legendary Luchador" made the hot tag and cleaned house. A double-619 executed, Rey Dropped the Dime on Angel when "El Idolo" cut him off. Rey would reverse a powerbomb into a Destroyer, and a roll-up would see Rey pin the champion!

Rey Mysterio celebrated his win triumphantly, when Zelina Vega climbed into the ring. Vega scowled at Rey and began to insult "the Legendary Luchador", suddenly slapping him! Distracted, it provided the WWE United States Champion Andrade time to strike with a big boot to the face. Andrade began to put the beating on Rey when once again Humberto Carrillo tried coming to the veteran's aid. Instead, Humberto was taken out handily by his cousin Angel Garza! Andrade and Angel had their hands raised by Zelina, who then instructed Andrade to take Rey Mysterio out of the equation. Dumping him to the ringside floor, Angel raised the concrete and Andrade prepared to plant him with the Hammerlock DDT - but out ran Rey's son Dominik Mysterio wielding a steel chair! Andrade and Angel hopped the barricade, as Dominik stood up for his father!

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Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawlerstood in awe at Dominik Mysterio's rescue of his father Rey Mysterio, before talking about what a show next Monday night was shaping up to be. Scheduled for next week on RAW, the Undertaker and AJ Styles would sign the contract for their match at WrestleMania; Randy Orton would be present in the WWE Performance Center live; and the RAW Tag Team Champions the Street Profits would meet AOP in a match with championship implications!

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One last video package aired, taking us back to Monday Night RAW on March 22, 1999. With his first of three iconic WrestleMania battles with The Rock mere days away, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin invaded a speech delivered by the Corporation. Driving a beer truck, "the Texas Rattlesnake" gave Mr. McMahon's faction a beer bath they would never, ever forget!

Steve Austin was seen watching the video back by the television monitor. Soon, "Stone Cold" came marching toward the arena. On 3:16 Day, "the Texas Rattlesnake" would grace the WWE Universe with his presence - live on RAW, up next!

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Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton and Jerry Lawler discussed WrestleMania and how it was coming together to look like one of the biggest WrestleManias in its thirty-six year history. They ran down the line-up for "the Grandaddy of Them All" - twenty days away from tonight, live from the WWE Performance Center!

• WWE Championship – Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) (c) vs Drew McIntyre
• WWE Universal Championship – Goldberg (c) vs John Cena
• The Undertaker vs AJ Styles
• No Holds Barred – Edge vs Randy Orton
• John Cena vs Bray Wyatt
• RAW Women's Championship – Becky Lynch (c) vs Shayna Baszler
• Seth Rollins vs Kevin Owens
• NXT Women's Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) vs Charlotte Flair

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3:16 meets 24/7!?
The glass shattered, bringing out "the Texas Rattlesnake". Pacing down to the ring, Steve Austin glanced around at the hundreds of empty seats in the WWE Performance Center before taking to each of the four turnbuckles to pose - to nobody in attendance. "Stone Cold" appeared incredulous as he immediately caught two cans of beer and cracked them open; swilling the both of them and taking the microphone. Steve admitted to blowing himself up on his entrance, before taking out a cue card. Declaring March 16th a national holiday, Austin asked the WWE Universe to give him a "hell yeah". There was no reaction, and the empty chairs illustrated that fact. Austin demanded a "hell yeah" a second time, and this time Byron Saxton gave him one with great enthusiasm!

"Stone Cold" glanced at the RAW announce team at the top of the rampway, irked but appreciative of Byron's support. Steve began to run down aspects of 3:16 Day that needed to be remembered - the ability to greet people with the one-finger salute; the speed limit only being a suggestion; your boss working for you; four-letter words always being acceptable; the power to whoop anybody's ass and get away with it; and happy hour lasting for 24-hours! "The Texas Rattlesnake" declared it official, and that was the bottom line 'cause "Stone Cold" said so - when Riddick Moss unexpectedly walked out. The WWE 24/7 Champion grinned from ear to ear, apologizing to the WWE Hall of Famer for the rude interruption. Riddick walked down to the ring about how he had grown up a huge fan of his work. He revolutionized this business, and more importantly - he had influenced the man standing before him. Riddick told Steve he didn't expect him to know him, but he wanted him to remember him.

Riddick said since he had made his debut on Monday Night RAW one month ago, he had cleaned house of the competition! He had beaten everybody in his way, and thanks to the drive instilled in him by "the Texas Rattlesnake's" influence growing up, Riddick stood in the ring as the longest-reigning WWE 24/7 Champion of all-time! Steve was baffled, but grilled Riddick with questions and responded with "What!?" each and every time. Moss claimed he knew this was an initiation, and Steve suddenly laughed and told Riddick he was too smart for ol' "Stone Cold!" Austin shook Riddick's hand and told him he had a heck of a physique, and a heck of a future ahead of him before stating this called for a celebration. Asking if Moss liked beer, the champ confessed he did not - but because he was a fan of Steve's growing up, he would indulge tonight. Steve Austin shrugged and caught four beers, passing two to Riddick Moss as his theme music played.

"The Texas Rattlesnake" downed two more beers, whereas the WWE 24/7 Champion put one beer can down and politely sipped the other. "Stone Cold" stared a hole through Riddick and ordered him to pick up the second can and swill those beers - and with reluctance, the sheepish Moss decided to comply. Austin's frown turned to a smile, as the two men clinked their cans and downed their beers - but Austin would drop Riddick Moss with the Stone Cold Stunner! Austin continued to drink beer, soon dropping to the canvas and pretending to swim in it. A second Stunner caught the groggy, tipsy Riddick Moss - when Becky Lynch made her way down to the ring! The RAW Women's Champion was back with her title and a beer cooler in hand. "The Man" would meet "the Rattlesnake" face to face in the ring, with Becky clinking cans with Austin. It had been a 3:16 Day that Moss would never forget, as Becky shared the ring with Steve Austin!

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[DTP]

NXT #396 - March 18, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
LESS THAN THREE WEEKS FROM NXT TAKEOVER: TAMPA BAY

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A video package aired, recapping events from NXT: Fan Appreciation Night last week. Charlotte Flair would brutalize the leg of NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley mere weeks from WrestleMania; Keith Lee would retain the NXT North American Championship against Cameron Grimes when Damian Priest and Dominik Dijakovic both made their presence felt; and Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano would wind up destroying the WWE Performance Center together, with neither man left standing!

The opening video package aired, cutting to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Hosted by Mauro Ranallo, "the Bipolar Rock 'n' Roller" alone in welcoming the NXT Universe watching from home to the most bizarre edition of WWE NXT in history. One week removed from Fan Appreciation Night, Ranallo ran down what the fans watching around the world from the comfort of their couches could look to enjoy - as Adam Cole would celebrate his reign as the longest-running NXT Champion in history. NXT Tag Team Champion Matt Riddle would meet Bobby Fish; and Charlotte Flair would appear live in-person!

1) Tyler Breeze def. Austin Theory (9:28) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Following their backstage meeting last week, two self-admirers collided in an evenly-contested battle. Theory appeared to best "the Supermodel" at every turn, but his arrogance took over. Recording a video of himself using Breeze's iPhone, Theory was caught with a Beauty Shot to take the win!

Tyler Breeze had his hand raised, having been underestimated by the egotistical newcomer, Austin Theory! Theory rolled out of the ring in a daze, as "the Supermodel" retrieved his iPhone from the corner of the ring and began to take a video of himself - standing tall over Theory.

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The NXT General Manager carried out paperwork in his office at the WWE Performance Center backstage. With real-life events having launched the WWE into disarray while on the Road to WrestleMania, William Regal had been hard at work - but had a groundbreaking announcement to make, up next!

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The NXT General Manager William Regal welcomed us to a highly unconventional edition of NXT. Unlike last week at Fan Appreciation Night, there was only a handful of essential crew members here to work for the NXT Universe tonight - as the Superstars of NXT risked their lives in the name of competing for their fans and followers. The Englishman soon delivered some bad news, noting that with the announcement made last night on Monday Night RAW that WrestleMania would no longer be held from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, this meant that NXT TakeOver would no longer be taking place in Tampa. With great misfortune, Regal announced the cancellation of NXT TakeOver on April 4. Instead, however, Regal declared that the matches would still in fact take place - on NXT only on the USA Network, starting April 1!

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A video package aired, taking a deep-dive into the history of #DIY. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa had each hustled, worked and bled on the independent circuit for years, until one fateful day in the year 2015. Both hungry, looking to make an impact, they were paired up during their WWE tryout five years ago. Both were confused why they were often paired together, whether sharing a rental car or competing against each other in their tryout match together. Both were told they were not good enough to become WWE Superstars, but in this shortcoming their friendship began. In 2016, the WWE Cruiserweight Classic tourrnament took place, and while Gargano was in, Ciampa was not. Tommaso would be added after a conversation with Triple H, meeting Gargano in a first round match. In the end, it was Johnny who progressed to the second round. In interviews with each man, "Johnny Wrestling" believed he was the better wrestler out of the pair.

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Mauro Ranallo narrated what happened last week, where a replay showed Tegan Nox defeating Mercedes Martinez to qualify for the Women's Ladder match in three weeks - but by disqualification. Later it was revealed that Mercedes had been hired by Nox's former tag team partner and arch rival Dakota Kai to remove her from the equation.

Dennis Arnell was backstage at the WWE Performance Center with Tegan Nox. He asked her for her thoughts on the continued lengths that Dakota Kai was taking in her rivalry with her. Nox groaned, about to talk about how sick and tired she was of having Dakota try to take her out of the picture - when Mercedes Martinez jumped Nox from behind! Nox fired back in a continuation of their Women's Ladder Qualifying match from last week, when Martinez would drop her with a big clothesline knocking her down hard. "The Latina Sensation" sent Tegan face-first into a shutter door, soon raising it and driving it down into the ribcage of Nox! Martinez walked away, presumably to collect payment from Dakota Kai.

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2) Candice LeRae def. Mia Yim to qualify into the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match (4:30)
- With Chelsea Green, Dakota Kai and Tegan Nox qualified for the Ladder match in three weeks, Candice LeRae and Mia Yim met with a handshake to be the fourth woman to enter the field. Mia looked for Seoul Food but Candice hung to the ropes - and with her hand grasping it, she would steal the match.

Candice LeRae rolled out of the ring in disbelief at her own actions, her hand raised. Mia Yim was left in frustration with the loss, arguing over it with the referee. LeRae would show remorse for winning the manner in which she did - but nonetheless, she was heading to the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match.

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A graphic aired, with Mauro Ranallo promoting that up next we would see the next part of the deep-dive into the history of #DIY: this time exploring their run as a tag team in NXT.

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A video package aired, featuring interviews from Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa. Exploring their history, following the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, both men were stunned to find themselves work as a tag team in NXT heading to NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn 2. The biggest match of their careers, #DIY was born when they challenged the Revival unsuccessfully for the NXT Tag Team Championships. Johnny spoke about how inseparable the two became following this, by becoming champs they became the best of friends. Not only was Ciampa roommates with Gargano and Candice LeRae, but Ciampa was a part of Gargano's wedding to LeRae. With everything in motion, the rematch was signed for NXT TakeOver: Toronto, where this time #DIY would finally win the gold from Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder.

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3) Damian Priest def. Dominik Dijakovic (5:49)
- Dominic Dijakovic came to his on-and-off again rival Keith Lee's aid last week, when Damian Priest struck with the baton. This week, a clash of the titans saw Dijakovic look to score a landmark win against "the Archer of Infamy". Priest tried using his baton when Keith Lee equalized and confiscated it - but it only served as a distraction for Dijakovic to receive Reckoning, giving Priest the three.

The NXT North American Champion Keith Lee raced into the ring to see Damian Priest off, but "the Archer of Infamy" simply smiled back at "the Limitless One", knowingly. Dominik Dijakovic was helped to his feet by the champ, but did not want any part of Lee - instead drilling him with Time to Fly! Dijakovic was stunned in the aftermath, but frustration had set in - and his differences with Keith Lee were seemingly neverending.

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Following her actions in taking out and injuring the NXT Women's Champion Rhea Ripley last week on NXT, Charlotte Flair walked the halls in her high heel shoes. Full of confidence, "the Queen" was heading to the ring to speak out on her WrestleMania opponent - up next!

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"The EST of NXT" will not stand down to "The Queen"
Charlotte Flair made her way out to the ring, the 2020 Women's Royal Rumble match winner twirling on the rampway. Motioning that the NXT Women's Championship would soon be coming to her waist again, "the Queen" climbed into the ring and graced the microphone. Charlotte told the NXT Universe watching from home that before anything else could be assumed, she wanted to set the record clear that she showed no remorse for her actions last week on NXT. The truth was that Rhea Ripley got exactly what she knew was coming - she was a big girl. The little girl from Adelaide had waited her entire life not only to make it to the WWE, but to make it to WrestleMania...and in her actions last week, Charlotte had shown how what they do for a living is not always for everybody. Flair expressed her disappointment in Rhea for not bothering to show up tonight, and how last she heard, Ripley was actually hospitalized after the Figure-4 Leglock around the ring post last week.

"The Queen" believed that she should be the NXT Women's Champion defacto, and how even if Rhea Ripley was 100% - she surely did not deserve to be champion after the humiliation she suffered last week. In a way, it was all so funny. After watching Rhea talk and brag in her little video eight days ago on RAW, about her journey from Australia as a little girl to Raymond James Stadium - not only would they not be going to Tampa Bay after all, but Rhea would not even be heading to "the Grandest Stage of Them All". Charlotte continued to talk about her track record in high-pressure situations, and how she was a ten-time Women's Champion in the WWE since storming down the doors via NXT in 2013. Where Ripley was concerned, when it came down to sinking or swimming - Rhea could do nothing but drown!

To "the Queen's" surprise, Bianca Belair graced the WWE Performance Center! For the first time since Charlotte Flair had beaten her last month, "the EST of NXT" climbed into the ring and told her how nobody wanted to hear her talk. This was NXT and not Monday Night RAW, and Bianca questioned if that meant Charlotte was colorblind. Flair reminded Bianca of how she was to leave WrestleMania as the NXT Women's Champion...whether Rhea showed up or not. Bianca knew loud and clear, but told Charlotte she had stolen from her too. If Rhea wasn't recovered in time for WrestleMania, Belair nominated to take her place. Flair however, made fun of Bianca, ordering her to the back of the line. She proved in their last meeting she was not good enough to be in the same ring as her - but as a betting woman, she was giving her a chance with a match next week on NXT. If she won, she got her WrestleMania shot. But if she lost, then Charlotte would take the night off at "the Grandest Stage of Them All!"

✕✕✕​

With Roderick Strong behind him, Bobby Fish sprepared for singles competition against the new NXT Tag Team Champion Matt Riddle. It came on the same night that Cole would be celebrating being the longest-reigning NXT Champion in history, but up next, Fish would fight Riddle!

​

A video package aired, continuing the documentary covering the history of #DIY. Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa each talked about capturing the NXT Tag Team Championship gold, and how they took the titles everywhere with them. The two toured Japan and Australia together with their friendship finding them growing closer and closer together. Where it went wrong came when Ciampa's injuries caught up with him. Gargano regarded Ciampa's needs as changing, all while AOP emerged as contenders to their titles. #DIY battled AOP where Akam and Rezar captured the titles at NXT TakeOver: San Antonio. The friendship suffered a "championship hangover" following the loss, and Ciampa even confessed how "Johnny Wrestling's" star was shining that night in Toronto, where they won the titles. Gargano theorized Ciampa developing resentment for him following the reaction at Toronto.

✕✕✕​

4) Bobby Fish (with Roderick Strong) def. NXT Tag Team Champion Matt Riddle (6:28) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- With the BroserWeights victorious over Bobby Fish and Kyle O'Reilly last week, Bobby Fish had a shot at redemption. He and Matt Riddle were both without their tag partner, and without Pete Dunne, "the King of Bros" had his leg worked over. Riddle fought hard, but the distraction from Strong led to Riddle knocking him off the apron with a knee strike! Fish caught him with the Fish Hook, forcing Riddle to tap out.

The Undisputed Era was all but eliminated from the race to the NXT Tag Team Championships, though Bobby Fish's victory was in part thanks to Roderick Strong's presence. Strong was not yet finished with Matt Riddle however, mounting him with lefts and rights in the ring. Fish re-applied the Fish Hook on the foot of the NXT Tag Team Champion - but Pete Dunne was not in the WWE Performance Center tonight! With the chips down, Velveteen Dream would be the man to answer the call. Hitting the ring and striking Strong with a steel chair, Dream lit Fish up with a series of punches before striking with the Dream Valley Driver! Velveteen helped Riddle to his feet, all the while Adam Cole watched in dissatisfaction from his own private dressing room.

✕✕✕
​

Tyler Breeze drank a bottle of water backstage at the WWE Performance Center, content with his win over Austin Theory tonight - when Austin Theory came from behind, hammering "the Supermodel" in the back of the head! Furious at the loss, the newcomer grabbed the bottle of water and doused Breeze in it. Verbally trash-talking Tyler for not being good enough to beat him, Theory tossed Breeze into one of the training rings present in the WWEPC. With the Ataxia, Theory covered and counted his own three count before posing over Breeze's body with his iPhone - taking a selfie for Tyler to remember!

​

Cameras caught up to Candice LeRae as she walked the backstage halls of the WWE Performance Center, barging into the trainer's room to find the physician checking on Mia Yim. Candice was apologetic toward "the Blasian Baddie", wanting to make it known how she never intended to cheat her out of the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match. Yim did not want to even talk to LeRae, icing her shoulder and giving her the cold shoulder simultaneously. Candice vowed to not let it happen again - offering her a rematch next week on NXT! Mia looked at Candice like she was crazy, but accepted. LeRae put her spot in the Ladder match at stake to show she was serious.

✕✕✕​

5) Cameron Grimes def. Leon Ruff (3:15)
- Despite not walking out of last week as the NXT North American Champion, Cameron Grimes was not about to let the loss to Keith Lee get him down. In singles competition against Leon Ruff, the WWE Performance Center prospect would get in some offense just to fall to the Cave-In.

Cameron Grimes was obnoxious in celebrating his victory in the empty WWEPC. "The Carolina Caveman" ran his mouth after the bell, hollering about how good he was and that nobody would ever be better than his truly. Interestingly, Kushida would make his way out to the rampway, much to the annoyance of Grimes. "The Japanese Sensation" climbed into the ring and raised his index finger, perhaps implying that he disagreed with Grimes' verdict. Cameron left the ring frustrated, while "the Time Splitter" would help Ruff back to his feet.

✕✕✕​

Dominik Dijakovic was backstage stewing in the loss suffered earlier tonight against Damian Priest. NXT North American Champion Keith Lee caught up with him, staring Dijakovic down fiercely. Understanding at what ticked him off, Dominik made it known he wasn't that easy to be figured out. What happened tonight was not how things were supposed to go - this was his night, and he was holding Lee responsible for costing him. Dijakovic blamed Keith for taking dinner off of his family's table, soon bringing up how Keith Lee had gotten lucky at NXT TakeOver: Portland. Dijakovic demanded a rematch at the NXT North American Championship. Stoically, "the Limitless One" told Dijakovic that he never backed down from a fight.

​

A video package aired, continuing the Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa story. At NXT TakeOver: Chicago, both men remarked at #DIY receiving their last shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships. Their first main event against AOP in the Ladder match, Johnny believed this was the night that changed their lives forever. The challengers risked everything to recapture the titles, only to come up short. In defeat, the two received a standing ovation when Ciampa drove Gargano face-first into the stage. Ciampa assaulted Gargano to the shock of the NXT Universe, when he would drive "Johnny Wrestling" off the announce table through two tables with the Air Raid Crash. Ciampa watched, sat from the edge of the table, witnessing Gargano being taken away on a stretcher.

✕✕✕​

6) Io Shirai def. Kayden Carter to qualify into the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match (1:22)
- Kayden Carter came to the ring tonight vying for an opportunity to enter the Ladder match in three weeks, only to be met with the surprise return of Io Shirai. In her first appearance since suffering an injury in January, "the Genius of the Sky" made short work of Carter, qualifying with the Moonsault.

Io Shirai would join Chelsea Green, Dakota Kai, Tegan Nox and either Candice LeRae or Mia Yim in the Women's Number One Contender's Ladder match on NXT in three weeks, and "the Genius of the Sky" appeared thrilled to be back on "the Black and Gold Brand!"

✕✕✕​

Mauro Ranallo continued to narrate the groundbreaking announcement made earlier tonight by NXT General Manager William Regal, discussing that NXT TakeOver: Tampa Bay had been cancelled. In its' place, the matches would instead take place on NXT in the weeks to come; starting from April 1! "The Voice of NXT" ran down what was coming up next week.

• Number One Contender's match - Charlotte Flair vs Bianca Belair
• Women's Number One Contender's Ladder Qualifying match - Mia Yim vs Candice LeRae
• Triple H moderates a confrontation between Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa​

✕✕✕​

The NXT Champion Adam Cole walked the backstage area of the WWE Performance Center. In a tuxedo and flanked by the similarly-dressed members of Undisputed Era, Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish; the UE were on top of the world, as Cole prepared to celebrate being the longest-reigning NXT Champion in history - up next!

​

An Undisputed Celebration Tarnished
The NXT Championship sat in the center of the ring inside the WWE Performance Center, sat within a glass case atop a yellow velveting. The Undisputed Era soon made their grandiose entrance, with Bobby Fish and Roderick Strong having recovered following their ambush of NXT Tag Team Champion Matt Riddle earlier tonight. Adam Cole soon joined his friends, all three dressed in tuxedos for the celebration of a lifetime. Climbing into the ring, Roddy proudly took to the microphone and talked about gathering today to bare witness living proof of greatness in "the Black and Gold Brand". Calling him the collector of five-star classics, and the God among mortal men in NXT, Strong told the world how he could not be prouder than to call Adam Cole his best friend. Bobby Fish joined in with some touching words, speaking about knowing the man to his left for years and years. Nobody had worked harder than the man to his left, to stand in the ring today as the longest reigning NXT Champion: than Adam Cole.

The Undisputed Era clapped and applauded Adam Cole as he took the microphone and pointed to the NXT Championship within the glass casing. Asking the NXT Universe at home how beautiful the gold was, Adam reminded everybody of how he captured it on June 1, 2019, and how the past 291 days had been one hell of an emotional journey. Full of trials and tribulations, Adam reeled off the names of men he had beaten: from Johnny Gargano to Tommaso Ciampa, from Daniel Bryan to Seth Rollins - there was nobody that Adam could not beat, and he had proven that time after time after time again! Cole told the world that tomorrow would mark the day he overtakes Finn Bálor as the longest reigning NXT Champion in history at 292 days, and how he was going to sit back, relax and enjoy it with his feet up exactly like he deserved. Cole claimed there was not a damn soul deserving of a shot at the NXT Championship...when suddenly, the lights went out.

The lights returned, and the NXT Championship had vanished from the glass casing inside the ring. The Undisputed Era took immediate note, furious at the gold's whereabouts! Adam Cole claimed it wasn't funny, and demanded Roderick Strong and Bobby Fish help him find it. The arrival of the NXT Tag Team Champion Matt Riddle irritated the UE, as "the King of Bros" laughed and joked about how they really got one over on him last week. Unluckily for them, what came around went around. Riddle introduced the rightful number one contender to "the Big One", Velveteen Dream! Walking out with flamboyance and presence, Dream looked provocative in a fully-gold ensemble...but Velveteen was dripping in gold, with the NXT Championship around his waist! Cole was furious and demanded the title back, but Dream vowed to not even offer him the gold back until he granted him a shot at the NXT Championship around his waist right now. Cole was prepared to blow a gasket, as Dream and Riddle left with the title!

✕✕✕​

A video package aired, recapping the aftermath of Tommaso Ciampa's betrayal of Johnny Gargano following NXT TakeOver: Chicago. "The Blackheart" took nine months out as Johnny Gargano scratched and clawed, haunted by the past. "Johnny Wrestling" strived to challenge for the NXT Championship against Andrade, but it was all thanks to Ciampa that he was not only unsuccessful; but he lost his career as an NXT Superstar. Gargano would torture Ciampa to the point of accepting a match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, where the #DIY members would meet in an Unsanctioned match. With Gargano's career at stake, 322 days of pent-up rage would see the two tear each other a part. Crutches came into play when Gargano unleashed hell on Ciampa. Gargano had the chance of using the crutch on his former best friend, but instead he would evade Tommaso's use of a knee brace to lock in an STF. With the brace wrapped around Ciampa's neck, Gargano could be reinstated as an NXT Superstar!

✕✕✕​

Mauro Ranallo advertised the final part of the history of #DIY documentary - coming up next.

​

An advertisement aired, promoting all of the merchandise available on WWEShop.com.

#DIY's Last Stand
A video package aired, showing Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano discussing the aftermath of their Unsanctioned bout at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Ciampa would capture the NXT Championship from Aleister Black thanks to the unintended help of Johnny Gargano. "The Blackheart" would escape again, though Ciampa would be forced to relinquish the NXT Championship due to neck injury. His entire career derailed, Gargano would meet Adam Cole at NXT TakeOver: New York - in a match for the vacant NXT Championship, originally set to be Gargano against Ciampa. They went to war in an instant classic, but with his back against the wall down a fall, Gargano's career-long goal of becoming NXT Champion was achieved in two straight falls against all odds. Gargano would celebrate, when joined by Ciampa in a neck brace. #DIY reunited beside Candice LeRae, the two best friends seemingly harmonized to end the blood feud.

Tommaso Ciampa revealed that he was prepared to leave it all behind them, finally proud that "Goldie" was in the right hands of his once-best friend. Then, Ciampa went away to have neck surgery. Under the knife, "the Blackheart" watched in rehabilitation as Johnny Gargano would lose the NXT Championship to Adam Cole in his first title defense at NXT TakeOver XXV. "Johnny Wrestling" spoke about Ciampa coming back to Full Sail University, and hearing the NXT Universe chant "Daddy's Home". In reuniting at Worlds Collide 2020, #DIY reunited to defeat Moustache Mountain, and Ciampa believed himself to be back at the center of "the Black and Gold Brand". In recapturing the NXT Championship he had never lost, Ciampa set out to reclaim it at NXT TakeOver: Portland - but Gargano would get even on Ciampa, three years after the betrayal in Chicago. Johnny stabbed Ciampa in the black heart by striking him with "Goldie" straight between the eyes, allowing Cole to retain the title.

From breaking the heart of every member of the NXT Universe, Johnny Gargano explained that his intention was to support his best friend. Gargano said he saw the same look that Tommaso Ciampa had on his face three years ago in Chicago. "The Blackheart" said when Gargano won the NXT Championship in New York, he'd let him have his moment. Gargano called Ciampa a snake - and he was smarter than anyone to see it. Ciampa believed this rivalry had gone far beyond the NXT Championship, and believed it was a war that only one man could come out of on top. Ciampa claimed the war at the WWE Performance Center last week to be "just business", although "Johnny Wrestling" believed Ciampa to have intended it this way all along. As both men laid in the remains of the announce table after the Air Raid Crash through the announce table last week, Ciampa believed that they might well fight forever - and it might well only end when one man dies. Gargano begged to differ, believing that this would be #DIY's Last Stand.

✕✕✕​

 

[DTP]

NXT UK #85 - March 19, 2020
Coventry Skydome in Coventry, England
LESS THAN SIX WEEKS FROM NXT UK TAKEOVER: DUBLIN

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A video package aired, recapping the arrival of Finn Bálor to NXT UK last week. Coventry Skydome was rocked to its very core, as "the Prince" would make a challenge to the NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER only to have Imperium sicced on him. Bálor would evade them, and Alexander Wolfe would go to NXT General Manager Johnny Saint looking to make Finn pay. Despite Imperium's onslaught, it was Finn who conquered Wolfe - and now, with "the Ring General's" complete and undivided attention, Bálor was out to hunt the champion!

The opening video package aired, bringing us to Coventry Skydome for another rousing week of NXT UK from the Coventry Skydome. Nigel McGuinness stood ringside alongside his new broadcast colleague Andy Shepherd, as they talked about what was coming up in the hour: Gallus set for six-man tag team action against Dave Mastiff, Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster; Kassius Ohno set for action, as well as Ridge Holland!

☗☗☗​

1) Kay Lee Ray (c) def. Dani Luna to retain the NXT UK Women's Championship (2:55)
- Following the confident NXT UK Women's Champion's domination in Dani Luna's match against Amale last week, "The Inevitable" Dani Luna used her power as an advantage, rolling Kay Lee Ray up for a close fall. The champ scored a missile dropkick when the challenger caught her in a deadlift suplex, but KLR was able to capitalize on Dani's inexperience, scoring the Gory Bomb to retain the title.

The NXT UK Women's Champion had claimed another victim in her reign, though Kay Lee Ray had determined enough was not enough. Dani Luna had the boots brought to her, when KLR planted the unsuccessful challenger with a second Gory Bomb. Raising the title high, Kay Lee Ray was confronted by none other than Piper Niven! Out for revenge after Toni Storm's loss in the I Quit match two months ago, Niven ran KLR from the ring. Piper grabbed the NXT UK Women's Championship: her sights firmly set on the gold.

☗☗☗​

"The Prince" makes a bold impression
In an exclusive video taken from WWE.com, last week footage aired of Finn Bálor preparing to leave the Coventry Skydome. With comments made about putting WALTER's NXT United Kingdom Championship on notice, "the Prince" would find all eyes on him. NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint, Sid Scala, Ashton Smith, Eddie Dennis, Trent Seven and Saxon Huxley were merely some of the faces seen staring at him. Soon, he came face to face with Tyler Bate. The first-ever NXT United Kingdom Champion stared straight through Finn, not intimidated in the least.

Earlier today, Tyler Bate was seen tracking down NXT UK Johnny Saint and Sid Scala in their office. Asking for a favor, he talked about Finn Bálor walking around like he owned the place. Bate said he would love to knock "the Prince" down a peg sooner than later, but Scala informed Bate there would be opportunities to have that happen - but first, the Assistant to the GM informed him that in two weeks there would be another opportunity. One to be named the number one contender to the NXT United Kingdom Championship at NXT UK TakeOver: Dublin, "the World of Sport Legend" declared it would be determined in a 20-man Battle Royal! Bate walked away pleased with the possibility.

​

An advertisement aired, promoting all of the NXT UK merchandise available on WWEShop.com.

A vignette aired, showing the recent comments made by the ambitious newcomer Aoife Valkyrie. Cutting to Nina Samuels snobbily ordering her make-up artist time to speak, she talked about her chance to take full advantage of the ever-growing NXT UK Women's division. She talked about this new girl stealing her spotlight, and declared that next week she would show Ms. Valkyrie who the true "Leading Lady" of NXT UK was. She said the only name on anybody's lips would be "Nina Samuels".

☗☗☗​

2) Ridge Holland def. Joseph Conners (7:19)
- The Yorkshireman was prepared for his toughest test to date, as Ridge Holland took on Joseph Conners. Conners put up a strong showing against the former Rugby Super League player, but after a tough, hard-hitting test, Holland would impressively put Conners away with Northern Grit!

With another victory under his belt, Ridge Holland was roaring into the 20-man Number One Contender's Battle Royal in two weeks. Joseph Conners had been devastated despite having some luck against the former Hull Rovers player, while Holland celebrated in dominance. Lead pipe in hand and hat on his head - Holland was yet to be defeated.

☗☗☗​

Cameras cut back urgently, as Mark Andrews was seen laying on the ground in agony. Dave Mastiff and Flash Morgan Webster were by his side, as Andrews rived in pain with his leg. Gallus arrived at the scene of the crime prompting Mastiff and Webster to question if they were responsible. Wolfgang, Mark and Joe Coffey insisted they had nothing to do with it but warned them they'd better have a back-up tonight in the ring!

​

An advertisement aired, promoting WrestleMania as emanating from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Under three weeks away, we were 17 days away from "the Grandest Stage of Them All!"

☗☗☗​

A vignette aired, showing the physical prowess of "the Moscow Madman" known as Ilja Dragunov. One of the hardest hitters in NXT UK, Ilja regarded himself as "Invincible" because he didn't go into fights with a chance - he went IN. With red eyes, the Russian mauler declared that he was "Unbesiegbar" - set for action next week.

☗☗☗​

3) Kassius Ohno def. Kenny Williams via stoppage (6:58)
- "The Wrestling Genius" continued to tear up the competition, but found himself in a technical encounter with "the Lucky Yin". Kassius Ohno was a crafty veteran, working the arm of Kenny Williams when the youngster turned it around. The rolling elbow and Kassius Clutch forced the bell to be called.

With reluctance, the mean-spirited Kassius Ohno hesitated in relinquishing the Kassius Clutch on Kenny Williams. With confidence, "the Wrestling Genius" raised his own hand with the referee's hand - who was going to put Ohno in his place, with the NXT Superstar surely being a threat heading into the 20-man Battle Royal.

☗☗☗​

Josiah Williams was backstage standing by with the fast rising newcomer to NXT UK, A-Kid. When asked to rate his time in WWE so far, A-Kid was interrupted before he had a chance to answer. "The Spanish Sensation" was joined by Noam Dar, who complained about not wanting to do another interview. With sarcasm, "the Scottish Supernova" overshadowed A-Kid and granted Josiah forty seconds for any questions. A-Kid told Noam off in Spanish, when Dar responded in fluent French. Noam explained the difference between the two of them - while A-Kid was just "a kid", Noam Dar was A-Legend! Dar told A-Kid to try his best next week, because they were booked for a match. Dar departed, telling "El Daftie" he'd see him next week.

​

A video package aired, recapping Jordan Devlin capturing the NXT Cruiserweight Championship back in January at NXT Worlds Collide 2020. Overcoming Angel Garza, Travis Banks and Isaiah "Swerve" Scott in a Fatal 4-Way match, nobody in San Antonio, Texas had seen "the Irish Ace" coming. In comments, Jordan Devlin bragged about taking NXT UK to being a global brand, and bringing the title back to the United Kingdom with him. Last week, Sid Scala declared that Devlin would make his first defense on UK soil against Travis Banks. In comments from "the Kiwi Buzzsaw", Travis spoke about Devlin never pinning him to win the title, and that beating him would be poetic given their history. It was back at NXT UK Takeover: Blackpool when Devlin took Banks out of action. Their rematch weeks later ended in a double count-out prompting a Falls Count Anywhere match seeing Banks victorious. Next week, Banks was not to be denied, vowing to become the first Kiwi NXT Cruiserweight Champion!

☗☗☗​

4) Gallus def. Dave Mastiff, Flash Morgan Webster and Trent Seven (9:27)
- Following a row at the UK Performance Center last week, the six-man tag team match was signed for tonight. When Mark Andrews was found injured with a knee injury earlier today however, Trent Seven decided to step up to fight. Flash Morgan Webster was the man in peril when Dave Mastiff made the tag, all the while Seven and Joe Coffey brawled on the floor. Webster was caught with the NXT UK Tag Team Champions - allowing All the Best for the Bells by Mark Coffey and Wolfgang to give Gallus the win.

Gallus showed their dominance, despite not being prepared for the arrival of Trent Seven. Seven would hit the ring after the match, clearing Mark Coffey and Wolfgang from the fallen body of Flash Morgan Webster. Seven would stare the trio down, as the NXT Tag Team Champions and Mark Coffey regathered on the aisleway. With the 20-man Battle Royal coming up in two weeks, Gallus were out to make a big impression - the shot at NXT United Kingdom Champion WALTER on the line!

☗☗☗​

 

[DTP]

Friday Night SmackDown #1074 - March 20, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
Sponsored by

LESS THAN THREE WEEKS FROM WRESTLEMANIA​

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WWE 205 Live #171 - March 20, 2020
- Danny Burch def. Joaquin Wilde with the Crossface. (8:03)
- Isaiah Scott def. Oney Lorcan with the Swerve Stomp. (9:54)

▆▆▆​

The opening video package aired, bringing us to inside the WWE Performance Center. Friday Night SmackDown was on the air on FOX, with Michael Cole welcoming us to the show standing in the center of the ring. With less than three weeks until WrestleMania, tonight would see Roman Reigns and the WWE Universal Champion Goldberg sign the contract to make it official for their match at WrestleMania. Drew Gulak would meet Cesaro one-on-one. Plus, Paige would appear live tonight via Skype!

Gronk's in Charge
Firstly, Michael Cole brought it upon himself to talk about the news broken last week on Friday Night SmackDown - how it was official that Rob Gronkowski would be joining "the WWE Family" to be the official Host of WrestleMania! Cole reported that "Gronk" had news, and welcomed out Mojo Rawley. Dressed in a maroon suit, "the Hype Man" jolted down to the ring and roughed Cole up - exactly like he had done last week. Mojo was excited, and how couldn't anybody? His man had come to hang out and join them at "the Grandaddy of Them All" - and it was going to be Hype! Welcoming out his good friend for his Friday Night SmackDown debut, Mojo formally rolled out the welcome carpet for Rob Gronkowski himself! The newly-named Host of WrestleMania walked with presence down to the ring, cordially shaking Cole's hand before breaking out into a spontaneous jumping spree with his best friend Mojo!

"Gronk" was already having the time of his life, as he took the microphone and was pleased to announce his joining "the WWE Family". The former New England Patriot revealed he had been a longtime fan of the WWE, ever since his buddy Mojo Rawley was training in FCW. As "the Hype Man" promised to have his back because things ran differently in the WWE than the NFL - Rob Gronkowski declared that he had some huge news. As Host of WrestleMania, he had been granted the power of authority by WWE's Board of Directors. With that said, "Gronk" looked at his plans for WrestleMania laid out...and it all looked like way too much for one night. WrestleMania was too big for one night, which was why for the first time ever...it would take place across two nights! The official theme song for WrestleMania, "Blinding Light" by The Weeknd blasted over the WWE Performance Center, as confetti began to fall from the rafters. Abruptly, King Corbin would interrupt the party uninvited!

Crashing the blockbuster announcement, the King waltzed slowly down the rampway to the ring where he congratulated Rob Gronkowski on becoming the Host of WrestleMania. Corbin made note of how Mojo Rawley alluded to how differently things operated in the WWE, telling "Gronk" that this wasn't the NFL anymore. The grid-iron was a long way away, and in the WWE all bowed down and showed respect to the man standing before them: King Corbin! Corbin ordered Gronkowski to his knees to kiss his feet, but "Gronk" told him he didn't bow down to anybody. Mojo told Corbin he was only the King of the men's room, and told him Gronkowski was the real royalty to arrive in WWE. Rawley told Corbin he'd teach him a lesson in respect tonight in this ring! Corbin claimed "the Hype Man" was nothing but a peasant, telling him he was on - but when Mojo went down for the count, Gronk would be forced to kiss his feet!

▆▆▆​

Daniel Bryan psyched his new training mentor Drew Gulak up in the backstage area. Warming up for competition, Gulak was set to take on Cesaro of the Artist Collective - up next!

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Echoing the words of the Host of WrestleMania Rob Gronkowski moments ago, Michael Cole remarked that for the first time in thirty-six years, WrestleMania would be taking place across both nights! Emanating from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, this year's extravaganza would take place on April 4 and 5!

▆▆▆​

1) Drew Gulak def. Cesaro by disqualification (4:22)
- Following the altercation between the Artist Collective and Daniel Bryan last week, WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn joined commentary for this match. Zayn denounced Gulak repeatedly as a "nobody", and took offense at Bryan not joining the Artist Collective.
- "The Militant Mat Mite" took on "the Swiss Cyborg" in a physical encounter between the two world-class all-rounders. Cesaro underestimated Gulak until his Big Swing was reversed into the Gu-Lock. A big upset was about to take place, when Shinsuke Nakamura hit the ring to cause the disqualification!

Shinsuke Nakamura drove his knees into the cranium of Drew Gulak, who tried to fight it only to be hurled into the air for a European uppercut from Cesaro! The WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn remarked in joy at his Artist Collective's precision on commentary, when Daniel Bryan rushed down to the ring with a missile dropkick for "the Swiss Cyborg!" Bryan ducked the Kinshasa and struck Shin with the dropkick in the corner. With Nakamura and Cesaro bailing to the floor, Bryan helped Gulak to his feet.

▆▆▆​

An advertisement aired, promoting the next three Sundays, where ESPN would be airing past WrestleManias in their entirety. It would begin with WrestleMania XXX this Sunday from 7/6 CT!

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2) Daniel Bryan (with Drew Gulak) def. Shinsuke Nakamura (with Cesaro) (5:28)
- WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn remained on commentary following the previous match between Drew Gulak and Cesaro.
- In impromptu action, "the King of Strong Style" met "the Submission Specialist" with Gulak and Cesaro acting as their cornermen. Shinsuke Nakamura punished Daniel Bryan after the break, but Bryan fought back! The Kinshasa went missed, when Bryan caught him in a crucifix pin to get the win.

Drew Gulak jumped for joy as Daniel Bryan had his hand raised, but Cesaro would clamber into the ring with a charging European uppercut in the corner. The Neutralizer followed, when Gulak hit the ring. Drew unloaded on "the Swiss Cyborg" in the corner - but Shinsuke Nakamura would come back with the Kinshasa! The WWE Intercontinental Champion watched obnoxiously, Sami Zayn marching from commentary and joining his Artist Collective in the ring. "The Great Liberator" stood tall, when Braun Strowman's music erupted. Making his first appearance since Elimination Chamber, "the Monster Among Men" looked for his title back, as Sami ran for the hills! Braun delivered the running powerslam to Nakamura, before staring a hole through Zayn from afar.

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Backstage, Heavy Machinery were seen. Otis sat on the edge of a training ring feeling sorry for himself, as Tucker voiced his concern for his best buddy. Wanting to try and cheer Otis up, all "the Dozer" wanted was the heart of his sweet peach, Mandy Rose. Tucker cursed Dolph Ziggler for being so cunning, before thinking up a great idea. Otis wondered what Tucky had cooking up, when Tucker urged Otis to follow him!

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Friday Night SmackDown on FOX was sponsored tonight by Progressive - the first-round choice for auto insurance.

Paige lays down the law
Michael Cole stood in the middle of the ring, as he began to talk about how last week they were scheduled to be joined in-person by a former multiple-time champion in Paige - however real-life events prevented her from appearing. This week however, she was to appear on Friday Night SmackDown via Skype - but before Cole had the chance to welcome "the Anti-Diva", out walked the SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley! With Sasha Banks beside her, the champ could not believe how Paige could lie to the whole world. Not only was she a liar for failing to show up last week, but she was a coward for daring to do it over Skype. Bayley got in the ring and reminded Sasha of how this whole thing was ridiculous. Since becoming SmackDown Women's Champion in October, Bayley had beaten everybody in her way! "The Boss" agreed that Bayley was unbeatable, bringing up their win last week against Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross.

The women contested the decision of last week's match with Michael Cole, when Paige would appear via Skype from Los Angeles! "The Anti-Diva" was unhappy to see Bayley or Sasha Banks, but told them she would make it worth their while. Bayley pondered how, soon questioning if Paige herself wanted a shot at the SmackDown Women's Championship. Sasha then piped up, reminding Bayley she couldn't - she was retired! While true, Paige claimed she had the next best thing for the champ. With permission from FOX, Paige had the chance to give Bayley the luxury of competing in a first-of-its-kind match. With the SmackDown Women's Championship up for grabs, she would defend the title against not one, not two, not three, not four - but five other women! It would be a six-pack challenge match with elimination rules - and elimination could occur by pinfall, submission or being thrown over the top rope! Bayley was furious and demanded to know her opponents - but Paige told her she'd have to wait and see.

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A replay aired, recapping what went down last week when John Cena arrived at the WWE Performance Center. In speaking about Bray Wyatt's challenge from the week prior, the twisted tenant of the Firefly Funhouse would respond. With the match made for WrestleMania, Wyatt warned John that it would be a slaughter at "the Greatest Spectacle in Sports Entertainment". Up next, a look back at their match at WrestleMania XXX!

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Daniel Bryan had a notebook in hand backstage, as Drew Gulak provided feedback to what he saw in his match moments ago with Shinsuke Nakamura. Bryan responded positively to the lecture, when the Artist Collective arrived. A showdown ensued as the WWE Intercontinental Champion could not believe the audacity of Bryan for joining with a "nobody" like Drew Gulak. Gulak was ready for a fight, but Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura would protect "the Great Liberator". Zayn believed Bryan was reducing himself to a joke by this new pairing, when suddenly Braun Strowman entered the scene! "The Monster Among Men" growled that he wanted his title back, but "the King of Strong Style" and "the Swiss Cyborg" protected Sami well. Bryan and Gulak restrained the giant, when Sami came up with a solution: next week, a six-man tag team match pitting Strowman, Bryan and Gulak against the Artist Collective. If their team won, they'd get a title shot - but if Sami, Shinsuke and Cesaro won - Braun could kiss his title chances goodbye!

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-) John Cena def. Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper and Erick Rowan) (22:25) [WRESTLEMANIA XXX - APR 6, 2014] [THROUGH 2 BREAKS]
- In a replay from the match that Bray Wyatt believed started his downward spiral toward debuting "the Fiend", the Mercedes-Benz SuperDome in New Orleans provided a unique atmosphere. Singing "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands", John Cena was baffled by the support for the Wyatt Family leader.
- Nothing would keep Bray Wyatt down, as "the Eater of Worlds" resiliently came back from each of John Cena's attacks. With Luke Harper and Erick Rowan's help, Wyatt maintained control until Cena took them out.
- Bray Wyatt's aim was to corrupt John Cena into violence. He encouraged him to use the steel steps, yet Cena refused. Removing Harper and Rowan from the equation, Wyatt had Cena conflicted, to use a steel chair. He knelt, daring John to use it. Instead Cena struck Rowan with it! Sister Abigail was reversed into the Attitude Adjustment, and Cena came out on top!

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A graphic aired, promoting next week's edition of Friday Night SmackDown on FOX - where Bray Wyatt would be back with a brand new edition of the Firefly Fun House, with less than two weeks until WrestleMania.

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3) Mojo Rawley def. King Corbin (3:26)
- As his best buddy Mojo Rawley looked to stick up for him, the Host of WrestleMania Rob Gronkowski would join commentary to further discuss his admiration for the WWE. Per the stipulation made earlier tonight, "Gronk" would have to kiss Corbin's feet if Mojo could not beat him!
- King Corbin was appalled by "the Hype Man's" insubordination, but Mojo Rawley brought the fight with all his heart. Corbin slowed the pace with Deep Six, talking trash to Rob Gronkowski. Elias arrived, playing another insulting song about Corbin. Mojo dropped him with the Killer Instinct for a huge upset!

The distraction from "the Drifter" worked, granting Mojo Rawley the win! Rob Gronkowski jumped for joy at the announce table at ringside, soon roughing up Michael Cole with delight. King Corbin sat up in devastation, as Elias smiled with his guitar in hand at ringside. Eye contact made, the King rolled out and immediately confronted a pleased Elias face-to-face. With "Gronk" no longer compelled to kiss Corbin's feet per the stipulation, the New England Patriot believed there was some hostilities between the two - and as Host of WrestleMania, he was giving them a match at "the Grandaddy of Them All!" Corbin and Elias trash-talked, when Elias shoved Corbin - who would trip over Mojo knelt behind him!

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Kayla Braxton was backstage with Alexa Bliss and Nikki Cross. "The Goddess" reminded Kayla of how the loss to Bayley and Sasha Banks last week occurred; how the SmackDown Women's Champion used her title to get the victory. If a rematch happened, the outcome would be very different. The Scotswoman affirmed the result would differ because Bayley and Sasha were not the friends that the two of them were. Nikki claimed that there was no two friends greater than they were in the entirety of the WWE, and their bond was living proof! Bayley and Sasha Banks soon arrived, the SmackDown Women's Champion being held back by "the Legit Boss". Banks told Alexa and Nikki if they were the best friends, they'd have fought harder last week. Bayley told Alexa she was a sore loser, but Alexa reminded Bayley of when she beat her in her hometown three years ago to become the champ! Alexa bet that could happen again, challenging her to a singles match next week. Agitated, Bayley accepted!

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Michael Cole welcomed the WWE Universe back to Friday Night SmackDown on FOX, where just signed for next week would see the New Day challenge career rivals the Usos in a championship opportunity match - where the winning team would go on to challenge for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania!

The Dirt Sheet Crashed
In response to the announcement by Michael Cole, the SmackDown Tag Team Champions John Morrison and The Miz were sat in the middle of the ring in protest! Miz was furious to hear Cole try to usurp them as they prepared to deliver the Dirt Sheet: but in all honesty, how they didn't even feel like hosting it. "The Friday Night Delight" spoke about Cole ruining it for the entire WWE Universe, before questioning if anybody had even seen their performance at Elimination Chamber. They defeated not only the Usos and the New Day - but they had beaten each team that SmackDown had to offer! Suddenly, Miz and Morrison appeared in the crowd dressed as The New Day. Complete with a unicorn outfit, Miz and Morrison also imitated the Usos in full hood-wear! They mimed an argument between the New Day and the Usos, when Heavy Machinery arrived! Noting how Miz and Morrison may have walked out of the Tag Team Elimination Chamber match victorious, they never beat Heavy Machinery.

John Morrison and The Miz argued this point, when Tucker claimed that that was not how he nor Otis remembered things. A replay aired, showing how Otis charged at Dolph Ziggler outside the ring. "The Show Off" would move, and "the Dozer" would crash through the Chamber pod and fall out of the structure to the floor! Back in the WWE Performance Center, Otis concurred with Tucky that Miz and Morrison weren't winners: they were sorry, sad dum-dum losers! The SmackDown Tag Team Champions took great offense to this accusation, with Miz claiming Otis nor Tucker were worthy of sharing the ring with them - let alone holding the gold. Morrison then suggested they prove that right now with a tag team match! Tucker questioned if the titles would be on the line - and "the Shaman of Sexy" allowed it! Miz was fuming at his partner's confidence, as Otis and Tucker hit the ring to get it on!

4) John Morrison and The Miz (c) def. Heavy Machinery to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship (7:31) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Tucker planned to cheer Otis up by leaving tonight as SmackDown Tag Team Champions. Heavy Machinery bested the champions initially, when the veteran instincts of John Morrison and The Miz allowed them to work over Tucker. He was about to tag Otis, when Dolph Ziggler strolled out!
- "The Show Off" lounged in a chair at ringside through the commercial break, as the SmackDown Tag Team Champions continued to work on Tucker until he finally made the tag to Otis. He ran wild and delivered the Caterpillar to Miz when Ziggler ran his mouth on the microphone. Insulting Otis, the Skull Crushing Finale allowed the champs to retain the titles!

"The Show Off" had once again gotten under the skin of Otis, as Dolph Ziggler rolled on the ringside floor in hysterics at Heavy Machinery making buffoons of themselves again! John Morrison and The Miz celebrated with the SmackDown Tag Team Championships as Tucker helped console his buddy. Otis sat in despondence in the ring, when Dolph told Otis he had a present for him. Diverting attention to the big screen, Otis was mortified to see photos of Mandy Rose - and Dolph Ziggler - together! Raging mad with anger, Tucky tried to keep him calm. Instead, Otis let out a roar and let loose on the Miz and Morrison! Ziggler watched in horror as Otis sent Morrison out to the floor, before tackling him through the barricade. Ziggler hopped the barricade the other side, as a furious Otis regained his composure. Heavy Machinery were not through with Ziggler - especially Otis!

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Backstage, a splitscreen showed the WWE Universal Champion Goldberg and Roman Reigns each walking the hall. With their battle coming up at WrestleMania in less than three weeks, the two gladiators would share the ring and sign the contract to make it official - up next!

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Michael Cole repeated what had been learned by the Host of WrestleMania Rob Gronkowski earlier tonight - that for the first time ever, WrestleMania was "Too Big for One Night". On April 4 and 5, WrestleMania would take place live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida! He ran down the updated line-up as of tonight.

• WWE Universal Championship – Goldberg (c) vs Roman Reigns
• WWE Championship – Brock Lesnar (c) vs Drew McIntyre
• John Cena vs Bray Wyatt
• The Undertaker vs AJ Styles
• No Holds Barred – Edge vs Randy Orton
• RAW Women's Championship – Becky Lynch (c) vs Shayna Baszler
• NXT Women's Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) vs Charlotte Flair
• Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins
• Elias vs King Corbin
• SmackDown Women's Championship – Elimination 6-Pack Challenge – Bayley (c) vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA

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An Intense Contract Signing
Michael Cole stood in the ring prepared to make it official. It was a challenge accepted two weeks ago on Friday Night SmackDown for WrestleMania - the WWE Universal Championship at stake when Goldberg defended against Roman Reigns - the match pitting Spear against Spear. Cole spoke about the words the challenger told him last week, but right now the time had arrived for the two gladiators to sign the contract. He introduced Goldberg to the ring first, and the WWE Universal Champion came stomping out. With the glitz and glamor of white sparks flying, the WWE Hall of Famer climbed into the ring and immediately picked up his office chair and sent it hurdling to the ringside floor! Pacing back and forth, the table separated he and Michael Cole, as "the Voice of SmackDown" understood how pent-up the champ could get. Goldberg told Michael that while he respected Roman Reigns, he felt the words that had come out of his mouth the past few months were childish and stupid.

Goldberg spoke about how everybody called Roman "the Big Dog" because of his victories against Brock Lesnar, Bray Wyatt and The Undertaker. But how big could Roman be, when Goldberg had beaten those same men too! As happy as he was to see Roman accept his challenge for WrestleMania - with all due respect, Goldberg declared that Reigns was next! Roman Reigns then came stomping out to the stage, climbing into the ring and showing no fear either as he picked up his office chair and tossed it outside the ring! "The Big Dog" had had enough talking and signed the contract, ignoring Cole's question for response. Goldberg smirked as Roman looked up to stare him in the soul. The two exchanged words, as Goldberg pointed at the gold over his shoulder. Also signing the contract, Goldberg would clear the table with his hands. Roman picked the table up and flipped it aside as Goldberg dropped his belt. Cole braced for collision, as these two fierce men went face-to-face. They could not wait for WrestleMania!

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[DTP]

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WrestleMania - Too Big For Just One Night​

3/18/20
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STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- WrestleMania, for the first time ever, will be held as a two-night event streaming on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7pm ET on WWE Network and available on pay-per-view.

The two-night pop culture extravaganza will be hosted by three-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski. Tune in to SmackDown this Friday at 8 pm ET on FOX to see what Gronk has in store for WrestleMania.

As previously announced, only essential personnel will be on the closed set during the production of WrestleMania.

- WWE Corporate​

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Jushin Liger to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame

March 16, 2020
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BREAKING: @liger_NJPW is the latest inductee in the @WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2020, as first reported by Tokyo Sports! #WWEHOF

- WWE on Twitter​

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MARCH 23, 2020 OBSERVER NEWSLETTER: SWEEPING CHANGES DUE TO THE CORONA VIRUS, MORE.

March 20, 2020​

- Following days of back-and-forth hourly decisions and changes made, the final decision was made for this year's WrestleMania in a press release WWE sent out on 3/18:

“In coordination with local partners and government officials, WrestleMania and all related events in Tampa Bay will not take place. However, WrestleMania will still stream live on Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and be available on pay-per-view. Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWEs training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania.”
There was talk last week of delaying the show until 6/7 and while that may be earlier than everything is contained and there is no guarantee that date would be viable, delaying the show until you can have a large gathering seemed like the obvious solution.

At this point you really have to question Vince McMahon with the idea of giving up revenue of $20 million or more and allowing fans to see the biggest event of the year live. Many have. We’re told that with so much uncertainty, and the fact there would be no for sure timetable, he made the call that he did. It was a shocking call because it removes the fans and the spectacle from the show, which is really what WrestleMania is about.

- Lio Rush was the first wrestler to go public, telling Forbes that he didn’t want to wrestle until the situation is cleared up. He explained that due to how the situation flared up, and with the little amount of time it flared up, he didn't think it was smart to perform and did not feel comfortable coming into contact with wrestlers, production staff, and travelling across the country.

- While they continued to advertise the 3/22 show at Madison Square Garden on the 3/16 Raw, with MSG shut down due to the virus, the show has been canceled. This past week, WWE shows in Toronto, ONT, Youngstown, OH and Pittsburgh were never announced as being canceled until the decision was first made by local governments or the buildings. It seems WWE is not going to acknowledge shows being off until local authorities make it clear that they are not going to be allowed to do these events. Similarly, due to rules placed by the cities, the NXT shows on 3/13 in Venice, FL and 3/14 in Daytona didn't take place.

- As reported by Fightful, The Revival have been taken off all bookings. Because both have already earned more than their contractual downside over the course of the contract, they are no longer being paid, in this case Scott Dawson through early April and Wilder through mid-June. Both have asked for releases multiple times. Notably, Dash Wilder, whose real name is Dan Wheeler, has applied for a trademark of the name Cash Wheeler.

- With the cancelation of the 3/23 Raw TV shoot in Fort Worth, TX, the WWE sent word that Fort Worth will now host a SmackDown TV shoot on the rescheduled date of 7/31.

TV Ratings:
RAW - 2.32 million viewers
NXT - 0.58 million viewers
SmackDown - 2.47 million viewers

- Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer​

 

[DTP]

Monday Night RAW #1400 - March 23, 2020
WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida
Presented by

WRESTLEMANIA: ONE WEEK FROM SATURDAY!

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WWE Main Event #391 - March 26, 2020
- WWE Women's Tag Team Champion Asuka def. Kacy Catanzaro with the Asuka Lock. (3:29)
- Ricochet and Cedric Alexander def. Brendan Vink and Shane Thorne with the 630 Senton from Ricochet to Vink. (6:18)

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A video package aired, narrated by Paul Heyman. Speaking from a place of knowing the Advocate like no one else had for the past eighteen years, Heyman spoke of the dominance that Brock Lesnar had brought sports entertainment. Nobody had decimated the WWE in a fashion like "the Beast Incarnate", and in listing Lesnar's most legendary victims, he claimed that Drew McIntyre would merely be the latest. Lesnar had destroyed everybody in his path, from The Rock, Hulk Hogan, The Undertaker and Ric Flair - all the way to Triple H, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. Heyman claimed "the Scottish Warrior" had better fight for his life come WrestleMania, but no matter what, Drew McIntyre's legacy in generations to come would be as a trivia note: "who did Brock Lesnar defeat at WrestleMania 2020?"

"The Scottish Warrior" Believes
Monday Night RAW kicked off from the WWE Performance Center, where Drew McIntyre was already stood in street clothes in the center of the ring. A microphone in hand, "the Scottish Warrior" talked about having enjoyed that video package so much, it gave him chills. It gave his goosebumps goosebumps, much like the sensation that came over him when he won the 2020 Men's Royal Rumble match. That night, January 26, 2020, it all came together for him. He accomplished one of his lifelong goals when he overcame twenty-nine other WWE Superstars to earn the opportunity ahead of him. And in one week from Saturday, he would fulfil another one. Win, loss or draw, there was no turning back for him. But that's the thing - if Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman even remotely believed that it didn't matter on the match's outcome, they both had another thing coming. This was about more than a dream that he had, and more than a destiny.

He brought up being starstruck when he signed with WWE in 2007. Bright-eyed and mesmerized, he first navigated the sports entertainment landscape. A part of him remained starstruck when Vince McMahon introduced him to be "the Future" of the company - "the Chosen One", he called him. McIntyre said he wasn't yet, but he got there. That starstruck little boy was long gone, replaced by not a man - but a warrior. McIntyre talked about "the Chosen One" being he, and Brock had asked and received that threat when Drew arrived at #16 and eliminated him from the Royal Rumble. "The Beast" asked and received that threat when Drew demolished him with three Claymore Kicks a few weeks ago. Much would be the same in under two weeks. McIntyre stated he wasn't doing this for his own benefit, but to prove a point. He believed anybody could accomplish anything, and dedicated WrestleMania to everybody who believed anything was possible. At WrestleMania, he vowed not to be a footnote - but Brock would receive his.

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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton welcomed us to the landmark 1,400th edition of Monday Night RAW from the WWE Performance Center! Talking about the remarks made by both Paul Heyman and Drew McIntyre, they spoke of what was coming up tonight - as AJ Styles and the Undertaker were under the same roof to sign the contract for their WrestleMania match. We would hear from Randy Orton, in response from Edge's challenge last week. Plus, Rey Mysterio would meet Andrade in singles competition; and the RAW Tag Team Champions the Street Profits would meet AOP! Coming up next, Phillips and Saxton hyped a look back on one of Brock Lesnar's most destructive displays - facing Daniel Bryan in Champion vs Champion, from the 2018 Survivor Series!

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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton recapped the Friday Night SmackDown debut of SuperBowl Champion Rob Gronkowski last week. Showing a recap of his introduction as the Host of WrestleMania, and his face-off with King Corbin, Phillips remarked that for the first time ever, WrestleMania was "Too Big for One Night!" With more details coming soon on what matches would take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 4 and 5 respectively, the two set the scene for the 2018 Survivor Series battle between Brock Lesnar and Daniel Bryan.

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-) RAW's Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) def. SmackDown's Daniel Bryan in a Champion vs Champion match (18:50) [SURVIVOR SERIES 2018 - NOV 18, 2018] [THROUGH TWO BREAKS]
- For the first time on television history, the main event of the 2018 Survivor Series was broadcast in its' entirety. Brock Lesnar reigned as WWE Universal Champion heading into the show of brand supremacy, whereas Daniel Bryan had recently dethroned AJ Styles just five days prior.
- Daniel Bryan taunted Brock Lesnar earlier, only to receive a rapid succession of German suplexes. With Bryan's well-documented history of neck injuries, Lesnar toyed with him until Bryan revealed he was playing possum. Using leg kicks, Brock could not capitalize on an F-5.
- Strategically "the Planet's Champion" focused on submissions to dissect "the Beast Incarnate", but turned to using a low blow and a referee bump to take control by any means necessary. Unfortunately, Brock Lesnar would dominate with the F-5 to conquer Daniel Bryan!

︾︾︾​

Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton talked about the challenge made by Edge last week, for a No Holds Barred match come WrestleMania against Randy Orton. They recapped footage from "the Rated R Superstar's" legendary monologue about grit, before showing "the Apex Predator's" response via video call. Backstage, Randy Orton was shown composing himself ahead of heading to the arena.

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Monday Night RAW tonight was sponsored by CarMax: the way it should be.

1) Rey Mysterio def. WWE United States Champion Andrade (with Zelina Vega) (14:23) [THROUGH TWO BREAKS]
- "The Legendary Luchador" pinned the WWE United States Champion last week, so "El Idolo" challenged Rey Mysterio to a singles match. Rey seized the opportunity knocking Andrade off his guard, but the constant interference from Zelina Vega would see her ejected from ringside.
- Andrade capitalized and punished Rey Mysterio. Rey made a comeback when Angel Garza hit the ring for the distraction, but Humberto Carrillo met and fought his cousin! Inside, Andrade's powerbomb was reversed into a hurricanrana for the 619, and Dropping the Dime saw him beat the champ again!

Humberto Carrillo watched on proudly after making his cousin Angel Garza run for the hills to the top of the rampway, as Rey Mysterio had his hand raised inside the ring. "The Legendary Luchador" had twice pinned the WWE United States Champion Andrade, who slammed his fist against the canvas in frustration. Rey would then meet and embrace Humberto after the match.

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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton recapped 3:16 Day that took place last week on Monday Night RAW. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin returned to the WWE to celebrate the big day with a beer bash when WWE 24/7 Champion Riddick Moss interrupted. Unfortunately for him, the newcomer would wind up swilling in beer after suffering the brunt of the Stunner.

Footage aired taken earlier today. Riddick Moss was enjoying a morning run through his neighborhood wearing an Austin 3:16 shirt. The WWE 24/7 Champion was training hard while enjoying the Florida suburbs in the morning, when R-Truth came darting from out of nowhere with a roll-up attempt on the champ! Moss and Truth exchanged blows in the middle of the road, when Moss would shove the challenger away - a car almost colliding with R-Truth! It bought Moss valuable time to run away. Truth apologized to the driver, but cursed Moss for his quickness.

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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton talked about Friday Night SmackDown this coming week.

• A brand new edition of the Firefly Fun House with Bray Wyatt.
• The Artist Collective's WWE Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura vs Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan and Drew Gulak, with championship implications for "the Monster Among Men".
• The Usos vs The New Day with the winners going to WrestleMania to challenge John Morrison and The Miz for the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
• SmackDown Women's Champion Bayley vs Alexa Bliss.

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2) Bobby Lashley def. Leon Ruff (0:41)
- After defeating No Way Jose in under a minute last week, Bobby Lashley was in singles competition again - this time dismantling Leon Ruff. Ruff didn't stand a chance, as Lashley brutalized him before the bell and would put him down with not one but two Spears for the three count.

The dominance of Bobby Lashley was once again on display, as he had his arm raised in victory after the match. The music of Aleister Black suddenly hit, and out stalked "the Anti-Hero" - rising up from the coffin on the stage. Black would make a theatrical entrance to the ring inside the WWE Performance Center, where he glared a hole through a perturbed Lashley! Bobby didn't know what to make of it, when Black struck with a flinch-worthy Black Mass to poor Leon Ruff. Lashley backed away, unsure what to make of this interaction.

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Much like last week, "The Man" had arrived at Monday Night RAW in her trailer truck! Becky Lynch came driving through the parking lot of the WWE Performance Center, before climbing out and jumping down. In confident spirits headed into WrestleMania against Shayna Baszler, we would hear from the RAW Women's Champion - up next!

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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton recapped clips from the past couple of weeks between AJ Styles and The Undertaker, and how they had made it to tonight. After "the Deadman" defeated AJ to win the Tuwaiq Mountain Trophy Gauntlet at Super ShowDown, "the Phenomenal One" and the O.C. had enjoyed slandering the WWE Legend's name. First bringing up his wife Michelle McCool, Styles assassinated Undertaker's mystique and character, referring to him as "washed up". With the match scheduled for WrestleMania, tonight AJ anticipated the ability to confront "the Phenom" man to man!

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"The Man" is Manhandled
The RAW Women's Champion came walking down the rampway to the ring, where Becky Lynch looked around and smiled at her surroundings. With not a fan in the WWE Performance Center, "The Man" gave a shout-out to the essential personnel present tonight, before telling the WWE Universe how much they were missed. Becky was here tonight to further talk about Shayna Baszler, wishing to talk more about her path of destruction. It was no mistake that "the Cage Fighter" was a force to be reckoned with, as Becky listed her accolades: a former FCF Women's Bantamweight Grand Prix Champion, and a former two-time NXT Women's Champion - with which she held for a record-setting 549 days in total. As a mixed martial-artist, "the Queen of Spades" had a win-loss record of 15-11 - but the truth was, none of that impressed her. Becky talked about caring about only what happened in "The Man's" world, and in this world, all Becky cared about was what she saw.

What she had seen was Shayna Baszler at her most brutal: decimating the entire field in the Elimination Chamber match, and not twenty-four hours later defeating Asuka. Better yet, Lynch watched as Baszler annihilated Kairi Sane last week - both members of the WWE Women's Tag Team Champions! But Becky knew that this all came down to intimidation tactics by the gutless challenger. With no mistake to be made, Becky brought up the bites that busted her open one month ago, an impression to be made: but that impression was about to come straight back and bite her on the arse! Becky explained why Shayna never shook her hand at last year's WrestleMania, knowing that "the Cage Fighter's" loyalty was with Ronda Rousey, and their little Four Horsewomen faction. Lynch knew that she was a b*tch - but she was the b*tch that ran the RAW women's division! Come WrestleMania, "The Man" vowed to find a way to defeat Shayna Baszler.

The RAW Women's Champion raised her title high in the air before taking a leave from the ring. Becky Lynch was prepared for WrestleMania, as she backed up the rampway and again raised the gold high. What "The Man" did not see coming however, was the arrival of Shayna Baszler! "The Queen of Spades" locked the Kirifuda Clutch on Becky at the top of the rampway, with the champ desperately trying to escape. Despite her struggle, Baszler would ground and grapevine the legs, forcing Becky to go to sleep in the lethal submission hold! WWE Producers rushed out to separate "the Cage Fighter" from Lynch. WrestleMania looked to be a physical affair bound to happen!

︾︾︾​

An advertisement aired, promoting WWE NXT this Wednesday night. After all that had transpired between them over the past month, they had been summoned to attend a meeting in the middle of Full Sail University - in the presence of the Creator of NXT: Triple H!

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Rey Mysterio and Humberto Carrillo were in the locker room at the WWE Performance Center, where the two high-fived as Rey thanked Humberto for his help. Carrillo called him one of his idols before "the Legendary Luchador" was approached by his son Dominik. Humberto left as the father and son embraced with a hug; Dominik complimenting his old man on the win. Rey was modest, but Dominik lit a fire in his old man. Reminding him of the disrespect that "El Idolo" had shown, how he'd beaten him on a WWE Live event four months ago for that title. Dominik proposed that it was about time Rey choose to pursue that title one more time, but Mysterio would look Dominik in the eyes and tell him that although he'd beaten Andrade twice in two consecutive weeks: he wasn't championship material anymore. Rey left, with Dominik left disappointed.

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3) Natalya def. Sarah Logan (4:28)
- Natalya aided Liv Morgan from Ruby Riott and Sarah Logan's attack last week, and Logan wanted revenge. Natalya used technical prowess to take Logan down but "the Gritty Southern Belle" used power to battle her. Logan's missile dropkick went caught into the Sharpshooter; forcing Logan to tap out!

"The Anvilette" celebrated her win against Sarah Logan, when Ruby Riott unexpectedly came from behind and dropped the veteran with the Riott Kick! Riott continued to hammer on the defenseless Natalya, when her Riott Squad cohort reluctantly joined in. That's when Liv Morgan raced to the ring, ducking Riott and back body dropping her over the top rope to the floor! "The Gritty Southern Belle" backed off on her own accord, leaving Natalya and Morgan to unite in the ring.

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A video package aired, recapping the bad blood between Edge and Randy Orton. It started with "the Rated R Superstar's" shocking return at the Royal Rumble, when "the Apex Predator" bitterly sent the WWE Hall of Famer back into retirement. Edge's return came after Orton had RKO'd his wife Beth Phoenix, and last week in a passionate speech about the grit he possessed, Edge challenged Orton to a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania.

Randy Orton made his way out to the ring inside the WWE Performance Center. After appearing via video call to accept the No Holds Barred challenge last week, tonight "the Apex Predator" walked with an all-knowing smirk to the ring live and in living color. Up next, "the Viper" would address his rival Edge!

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A graphic aired, thanking The Weeknd for contributing "Blinding Lights" to be the official theme song of this year's WrestleMania - available now on Apple and Spotify.

The grit shared by "the Apex Predator"
Randy Orton stood in the center of the ring, looking directly into the lens of the camera. With a message of his own to deliver to Edge, he spoke of thinking about something that pushed the boundaries of his curiosity two weeks ago. As he witnessed "the Rated R Superstar" crush MVP's skull between two steel chairs with the one-man Conchairto, he got thinking about the ego of his mentor. Over the past several months, Orton admitted that he had done some despicable things. They were done out of love, but they were treated like an act of violence. "The Viper" unexpectedly apologized to Edge for lying to his wife Beth Phoenix three weeks ago. When he called Edge a junkie, he was stood corrected by the WWE Hall of Famer's chair shots to an innocent bystander like MVP: Edge was not a junkie for the roar of the crowd, but a junkie for his own ego!

"The Apex Predator" claimed Adam Copeland was a junkie for the persona of Edge. Last week, as Edge stood in the ring and talked about Randy not having to pay his dues to enter this industry, and not having to scratch and claw like he had for opportunities - he was right, but being handed an opportunity did not guarantee a Hall of Fame career. One year after debuting he captured the WWE Intercontinental Championship, and one year after that he became the youngest ever World Heavyweight Champion - but they were not handed to him. Edge claimed that Mick Foley deserved credit for what "the Viper" had become - but Foley did not hand him anything. While "the Hardcore Legend" handed the torch to Edge on a silver platter, Foley threw Orton through thumbtacks and barbwire - so Orton had to spit in his face and beat him to take that torch. Yet from being the third-generation prospect to becoming the most dangerous three letters in the WWE; it all came from something Edge claimed he didn't possess - grit!

Randy Orton believed that grit wasn't sitting on his couch for nine years, but longevity: being the one constant in the dressing rooms for the better part of eighteen years. "The Viper" looked around the locker room and didn't see anybody who had accomplished anything close to what he had - and that made him think he possessed more grit than anybody, especially Edge. Orton pondered what "the Rated R Superstar" would have done with the same opportunities, how the WWE Hall of Famer was "the Ultimate Opportunist". While Randy was "a spoiled brat", would Edge have said no if Triple H had offered him a spot in Evolution? Orton claimed everything he had said and done over the last few months, he had done because he loved him. He loved Edge, his family and his daughters, and was trying to send him home for them. Yet now Edge wanted a No Holds Barred match at WrestleMania. While Orton would allow Edge to write his story, "the Viper" declared he would write the last chapter and end it.

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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton discussed the sinister words spoken by Randy Orton about Edge, before providing a medical update on the condition of Becky Lynch. After being choked out by Shayna Baszler's Kirifuda Clutch, "The Man" was conscious and highly motivated for her RAW Women's Championship defense against "the Cage Fighter" at WrestleMania: one week from Saturday!

4) RAW Tag Team Champions The Street Profits def. AOP (with Murphy) by disqualification (6:39) [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- Following last week's altercation between the Street Profits and the Viking Raiders with the Church of Rollins, Seth Rollins joined commentary to spectate as AOP battled the Street Profits. "The Monday Night Messiah" spoke derogative remarks about Kevin Owens, who he had taken out two weeks ago.
- Murphy provided Akam and Rezar the early assist , and the RAW Tag Team Champions found themselves at the expense of the two militants. The Viking Raiders finally came down to equalize the "Best Kept Secret". As the Last Chapter connected, Rollins was attacked on commentary by Kevin Owens! KO battled Rollins at the top of the stage, as Montez caught Rezar with an inside cradle!

As Kevin Owens returned to unleash a fury of haymakers on Seth Rollins, the Street Profits' upset victory against AOP saw Akam hit the ring to attack the RAW Tag Team Champions. Murphy helped out, when the Viking Raiders entered the ring and went at it with the Church of Rollins members! All hell broke loose, when Erik, Ivar, Akam, Rezar, Angelo Dawkins and Murphy found themselves outside the ring. Montez Ford soared over the top rope with a magnificent topé - as this war would continue.

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Charly Caruso was standing by backstage with the WWE United States Champion Andrade, Angel Garza and Zelina Vega. As Charly narrated how Rey Mysterio had beaten "El Idolo" a second week in a row, Andrade cursed "the Legendary Luchador's" name. Talking about how for so long, so many talented young luchadores had dedicated themselves in idolizing somebody as pathetic as Rey Mysterio. Andrade was sick of Rey's name, calling him a nobody and citing the amount of times he had beaten him. Zelina claimed Andrade was the most decorated champion in the WWE and reminded Charly of Andrade beating Rey in December to become WWE United States Champion. Andrade demanded a rematch with Rey, willing to put the title up for grabs at WrestleMania. There, Andrade vowed to cement his own legacy - and his son Dominik could watch as it happened. The trio departed, when Angel Garza would return with a seductive eye on Charly. Flustered, Caruso smiled back at "the Loverboy".

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Bobby Lashley was backstage on a cell phone conversation with his wife, Lana. Furiously, Lashley was frustrated with the fact that he was again having to take care of everything while she got to live this imaginary Hollywood lifestyle on his dime. Bobby claimed he was taking care of business in WWE and did not have time, but would be made to listen as Lana tongue-lashed down the phone at him. Suddenly, Aleister Black appeared once again before "the Dominator". Lashley finally hung up on Lana, before pointing the finger at Aleister and asking if he wanted to be dominated. If so, he could meet him in the ring at WrestleMania. Black told Lashley he should have come to his door - but since he wasn't knocking, Aleister had decided to knock on his. Black told Lashley he would see him at "the Grandaddy of Them All".
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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton talked about the bolstered line-up for WrestleMania, which this year was "Too Big for One Night!" They ran down the contract signing between AJ Styles and The Undertaker still to come, before introducing another match replay. Taking us back to WrestleMania 34, "The Queen" Charlotte Flair would battle Asuka for the SmackDown Women's Championship.

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-) Charlotte Flair def. Asuka to win the SmackDown Women's Championship (13:05) [WRESTLEMANIA 34 - APR 8, 2018] [THROUGH THE BREAK]
- In another match shown in its entirety, we went back to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome where "the Queen" met "the Empress of Tomorrow" for the SmackDown Women's Championship. A tense battle pitting the 2018 Women's Royal Rumble winner against Charlotte Flair.
- Charlotte Flair's SmackDown Women's Championship was at stake against Asuka's unbeaten streak since joining the RAW brand a year prior. A fierce battle saw Flair would make Asuka submit for the first time in her career - ending her undefeated streak at 914 days!

Returning to the present, backstage at the WWE Performance Center Charly Caruso stood by with Charlotte Flair. Noting "the Queen's" confrontation with Bianca Belair last week, the challenger to the NXT Women's Championship brushed off "the EST of NXT" as not being on her level. She vowed to prove that by beating this Wednesday night. Meanwhile, she found it incredibly disappointing that Rhea Ripley was nowhere to be seen. For somebody who had cried her whole life for this opportunity to go to "the Showcase of the Immortals", that young girl from Adelaide, Australia was a coward with a bad leg - and last week proved it. Charlotte expected more from Rhea, but she let her down. And since Ripley wasn't going to make it to WrestleMania, that was fine. Unlike Becky Lynch, Flair's ego was in check. She didn't need WrestleMania - WrestleMania needed Charlotte Flair. Unfortunately for "the Grandaddy of Them All", "the Queen" deserved better than a WrestleMania in the cruddy WWEPC!

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A graphic aired, promoting the main event. With their match coming up in one week from Saturday at WrestleMania, up next The Undertaker and AJ Styles would sign the contract in the same ring!

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Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton discussed WrestleMania, and how for the first time ever it would take place from the WWE Performance Center over the course of two nights: Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5. With more details to be released about which matches would take place on which night, they ran down the line-up match by match.

• WWE Championship – Brock Lesnar (c) vs Drew McIntyre
• WWE Universal Championship – Goldberg (c) vs Roman Reigns
• The Undertaker vs AJ Styles
• No Holds Barred – Edge vs Randy Orton
• John Cena vs Bray Wyatt
• RAW Women's Championship – Becky Lynch (c) vs Shayna Baszler
• Seth Rollins vs Kevin Owens
• NXT Women's Championship – Rhea Ripley (c) vs Charlotte Flair (?)
• SmackDown Women's Championship – Elimination Six Pack Challenge –Bayley (c) vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA vs TBA
• King Corbin vs Elias
• Aleister Black vs Bobby Lashley

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The camera cut to the parking lot of the WWE Performance Center, where the war raged on between Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins! The two would not let up on one another, as they battled back and forth with KO attempting to Powerbomb "the Monday Night Messiah" on the hood of a parked car! Seth was without his disciples for the first time in a long time, when Seth would use a low blow to escape Owens' clutches. A car rode up to the scene, where Rollins would jump head-first into the back seat! The car drove away with Owens in hot pursuit on foot - but who was driving the vehicle? Owens claimed he would see him at WrestleMania.

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Nobody Mentions The Undertaker's Wife
Returning inside the WWE Performance Center, The Undertaker came bounding down the rampway. In his ring gear, the thirty-year veteran of the WWE walked with his straps lowered. A beanie on his head and his hair long and braided, "the Phenom" wasted no time climbing into the ring and pacing around the ring. Grabbing a microphone, he called out for the soul of AJ Styles! Nobody mentioned his personal life, and he wasn't here to mess around. Undertaker demanded "the Phenomenal One" to show himself, because he didn't want to have to wait for WrestleMania to kick his ass. "The Deadman" continued to walk back and forth in the ring, claiming he had all night! Having been pushed to insurmountable limits by the golden tongue of AJ, Undertaker was not waiting for "the Grandest Stage of Them All" to get his hands on his opponent! Finally, The O.C. appeared - but on the video screen. From the comfort of the backstage area, AJ Styles with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson greeted Undertaker merrily.

"The Phenomenal One" told The Undertaker he hoped he wasn't expecting things to go his way. This was his house, the house that AJ Styles had built - and that meant things were going to go his way, and his way only. AJ told Undertaker that as he had been living a part-timer's dream, showing up once a year to steal the spotlight of those better and primer than him, Styles had been carving out his own legacy. He refused to let this measely old man hog his fortune and claim his WrestleMania Moment. Super ShowDown was one thing, but now "the Deadman" was old - it was just pathetic to the three of them. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows talked about the Undertaker not being the same guy he was: posting photos on Instagram and giving shoutouts on Twitter. Now, he and his wife Michelle McCool were on YouTube saving the tigers! AJ Styles joked that he did not hold it past "Big Money Michelle", but stated this was the problem he had with Undertaker: it wasn't who he was.

AJ Styles said that in one week from Saturday at WrestleMania, the two of them were going to have a fight. It would be no match, but a fight through and through! The only problem was, AJ didn't want boring, old, over-the-hill Mark Calaway - the same geezer that stunk out the stadium in Saudi Arabia with Goldberg last summer. He wanted the Undertaker...and if he had to put it all on the line and sacrifice everything to finally and mercifully bring an end to the stale, ancient and deceased thirty year career of "the Phenom"...he was willing to do it in a Buried Alive match. Anderson and Gallows supported AJ as he signed his contract, before telling his boys to go to the ring and deliver the contract for Undertaker to sign! Both were reluctant, but AJ forced the documents and assured them Undertaker was an old man and wouldn't do a thing. They agreed to do it, as Undertaker paced in the ring still. The O.C. sheepishly came out to ringside, trying to enter the ring just for "the Deadman" to fend them off!

The Undertaker was not playing around, as Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson tried to calm down the intensity of "the Phenom". Anderson slid the contract into the ring under the ropes before running, leaving Undertaker to sign the contract and slam it down. But suddenly, as Anderson and Gallows watched from the rampway - the lights went out! Returning, The Undertaker had teleported behind the O.C! Hammering both with uppercuts, "the Deadman" gave Anderson a big boot before sending Gallows into the steel steps. Picking them up, Undertaker nearly decapitated Gallows with the steps - as AJ Styles was shown watching on the video screen! Karl Anderson was cast into the ring, where Undertaker would finitely drop him with one last Tombstone Piledriver. Hands pinned to his chest, Undertaker glared a hole through the image of a discontent AJ Styles. WrestleMania would see one of these men Buried Alive!

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