Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ll have heard that WrestleMania weekend was host to a number of high quality matches – even if the event itself led to mixed feelings amongst fans. Sami Zayn vs. Shinsuke Nakamura. Will Ospreay vs. Zack Sabre Jr. Bayley vs. Asuka. – and that’s just three matches. But whilst they all were good matches that captivated the crowds, they were all missing one thing: clearly defined heels.
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A lot has been said of TNA’s ongoing woes – hell, it’s been the story of their existence. From their very first show in 2002, there’s always been a millstone around the company’s neck: financial issues, controversy about recent hires (or firings), question marks over the company’s televisual future. Last week, news crept out about how TNA were relocating… to a warehouse?!
The fabled Monday Night Wars changed a lot of things in wrestling. It led to the increased use of “hot-shots” – where a storyline that would have played out over the course of months is told in a matter of weeks. It led to the increase in pay-per-views across the board… and it also led to the assertion that “live matters”.
WrestleMania weekend was big for NXT in more ways than one. Friday night’s Takeover: Dallas show ended up blowing WrestleMania out of the water as far as critical acclaim, whilst Baron Corbin finally made his main roster debut courtesy of the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. Maybe Baron will stop being a moody so-and-so now he’s finally up there? Of course, there was more on Raw…
Whilst this weekend was undoubtedly headlined by WrestleMania – and with a WWE-record attendance in Dallas, how could it not – a lot of eyeballs were also directed towards the independent scene this weekend. Would they also make it big in Texas?
So, it’s been almost ten hours since WrestleMania came to it’s epic conclusion. Epic as in runtime, if nothing else. By the time we saw Roman Reigns win his third WWE title, the majority of the (legitimate) 93,000+ crowd in Dallas were left feeling drained, and wondering just what on earth they saw.
We’re barely 24 hours away from the start of the long weekend of wrestling, and thanks to WWE, NXT and the litany of independent promotions live-streaming shows, you’re spoiled for choice – but with all of this choice, it’s easy to get lost in the shuffle. So, what’s on each show that’s gotten me excited… and worried?
WrestleMania weekend kicks off for WWE on Friday night, with a NXT Takeover event that many feel will overshadow the big show itself. During last year’s WrestleMania festivities, NXT held a (non-televised) show that many felt should have received some coverage outside of Stephanie McMahon’s Periscope account.