By JP Abcede
A lot of wrestling action occurred the past two weeks, I do not know where to start. New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Sakura Genesis to open the month of April felt so long ago, while Manila Wrestling Federation snuck in a show called "Kasaysayan" right in the middle of WrestleMania weekend.
However, all of the attention was centered in New Orleans, Louisiana as everything gravtitated there for the "Super Bowl of sports entertainment" and then some.
Lesnar, Styles, Charlotte retain; other belts change hands at WrestleMania
The expected miraculous comeback of Roman Reigns did not happen as Brock Lesnar spammed suplexes and F5s to make sure the "Big Dog" would not be able to get up from the onslaught. Meanwhile, AJ Styles won against Nakamura Shinsuke as they revisited their rivalry going back to Japan.
One other reigning champion who ended the night on top is Charlotte Flair, who ended Asuka's WWE winning streak. However, Carmella successfully cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Charlotte two days later to become the top dog in the women's division of the SmackDown Live.
In the preshow, Cedric Alexander finally took hold of the WWE cruiserweight belt after winning against Mustafa Ali to culminate the 205 Live tournament.
Other titleholders were not as fortunate as The Bludgeon Brothers made short work of the Usos and New Day to become the new SD Live tag champs, while Braun Strowman and (not-so) random audience member Nicholas took the Raw tag titles from The Bar. Strowman and Nicholas has since relinquished the championship, the new kings to be crowned at the "Greatest Royal Rumble" in Saudi Arabia later this April after a series of qualifiers that are being and would be held this month.
Finally, The Miz's hunt to become the longest-reigning WWE intercontinental champion of all time hit a pit stop as he lost the strap to Seth Rollins in the triple threat match that also involved Finn Bálor. Nia Jax proved to be too much for Alex Bliss with the former crowning herself the Raw women's champ, and Jinder Mahal took home the WWE United States championship after overcoming Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, and Rusev.
Nevertheless, it was the in-ring debut of Ronda Rousey and the comeback of Daniel Bryan that stole the show as "Rowdy" and tag team partner Kurt Angle prevailed over the partnership of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, and the former "American Dragon", together with fellow SD Live authority figure Shane McMahon, made sure that Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens stay as free agents.
WrestleMania might be the biggest show, but TakeOver was the better show
Hands down. Every other time. We might have had the best Royal Rumble event in years in January, but TakeOver: Philadephia produced the first WWE five-star match from Dave Meltzer since 2011 when Adrade "Cien" Almas retained against Johnny Gargano.
Three months later, NXT's major event once again upended WWE's main draw as there was no piss break match in the lean five-bout card that received two five-star ratings from Meltzer. Adam Cole became the owner of two different NXT belts, beating five others in a ladder match for the inaugural NXT North American championship and then subbing in for injured Bobby Fish to help retain the NXT tag titles for The Undisputed Era, and at the same time, win this year's edition of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
In other title matches, Ember Moon dropped the NXT women's diadem to Shayna Baszler as the former made her main roster debut on Raw two nights later. Almas also lost the NXT championship to Aleister Black in an 18-and-a-half-minute affair.
In the main event, Gargano banished the ghost of Tommaso Ciampa in an unsanctioned fight, the former getting himself reinstated back to NXT with the win.
Other major promotions held events in NOLA
It was not only the WWE which was in The Big Easy, as other US-based major pro wrestling promotions were present in the city with their respective events.
Dalton Castle defeated "The Villain" Marty Scurll at the Supercard of Honor to remain Ring of Honor's main champion. The Briscoes and SoCal Uncensored also kept their respective reigns going after winning their matches.
Silas Young upended Kenny King for the ROH television title. Sakai Sumie also became the first Women of Honor champ after beating Kelly Klein in the final of their tournament.
Finally, IMPACT and Lucha Underground collaborated for a joint event during WrestleCon with the talent exchange program bleeding until IMPACT's next big event, which is called Redemption, as Austin Aries puts the IMPACT world championship on the line against brothers Pentagón, Jr and REY FENIX in a three-way bout.
A lot of wrestling action occurred the past two weeks, I do not know where to start. New Japan Pro-Wrestling's Sakura Genesis to open the month of April felt so long ago, while Manila Wrestling Federation snuck in a show called "Kasaysayan" right in the middle of WrestleMania weekend.
However, all of the attention was centered in New Orleans, Louisiana as everything gravtitated there for the "Super Bowl of sports entertainment" and then some.
Lesnar, Styles, Charlotte retain; other belts change hands at WrestleMania
The expected miraculous comeback of Roman Reigns did not happen as Brock Lesnar spammed suplexes and F5s to make sure the "Big Dog" would not be able to get up from the onslaught. Meanwhile, AJ Styles won against Nakamura Shinsuke as they revisited their rivalry going back to Japan.
One other reigning champion who ended the night on top is Charlotte Flair, who ended Asuka's WWE winning streak. However, Carmella successfully cashed in her Money in the Bank contract on Charlotte two days later to become the top dog in the women's division of the SmackDown Live.
In the preshow, Cedric Alexander finally took hold of the WWE cruiserweight belt after winning against Mustafa Ali to culminate the 205 Live tournament.
Other titleholders were not as fortunate as The Bludgeon Brothers made short work of the Usos and New Day to become the new SD Live tag champs, while Braun Strowman and (not-so) random audience member Nicholas took the Raw tag titles from The Bar. Strowman and Nicholas has since relinquished the championship, the new kings to be crowned at the "Greatest Royal Rumble" in Saudi Arabia later this April after a series of qualifiers that are being and would be held this month.
Finally, The Miz's hunt to become the longest-reigning WWE intercontinental champion of all time hit a pit stop as he lost the strap to Seth Rollins in the triple threat match that also involved Finn Bálor. Nia Jax proved to be too much for Alex Bliss with the former crowning herself the Raw women's champ, and Jinder Mahal took home the WWE United States championship after overcoming Randy Orton, Bobby Roode, and Rusev.
Nevertheless, it was the in-ring debut of Ronda Rousey and the comeback of Daniel Bryan that stole the show as "Rowdy" and tag team partner Kurt Angle prevailed over the partnership of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, and the former "American Dragon", together with fellow SD Live authority figure Shane McMahon, made sure that Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens stay as free agents.
WrestleMania might be the biggest show, but TakeOver was the better show
Hands down. Every other time. We might have had the best Royal Rumble event in years in January, but TakeOver: Philadephia produced the first WWE five-star match from Dave Meltzer since 2011 when Adrade "Cien" Almas retained against Johnny Gargano.
Three months later, NXT's major event once again upended WWE's main draw as there was no piss break match in the lean five-bout card that received two five-star ratings from Meltzer. Adam Cole became the owner of two different NXT belts, beating five others in a ladder match for the inaugural NXT North American championship and then subbing in for injured Bobby Fish to help retain the NXT tag titles for The Undisputed Era, and at the same time, win this year's edition of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
In other title matches, Ember Moon dropped the NXT women's diadem to Shayna Baszler as the former made her main roster debut on Raw two nights later. Almas also lost the NXT championship to Aleister Black in an 18-and-a-half-minute affair.
In the main event, Gargano banished the ghost of Tommaso Ciampa in an unsanctioned fight, the former getting himself reinstated back to NXT with the win.
Other major promotions held events in NOLA
It was not only the WWE which was in The Big Easy, as other US-based major pro wrestling promotions were present in the city with their respective events.
Dalton Castle defeated "The Villain" Marty Scurll at the Supercard of Honor to remain Ring of Honor's main champion. The Briscoes and SoCal Uncensored also kept their respective reigns going after winning their matches.
Silas Young upended Kenny King for the ROH television title. Sakai Sumie also became the first Women of Honor champ after beating Kelly Klein in the final of their tournament.
Finally, IMPACT and Lucha Underground collaborated for a joint event during WrestleCon with the talent exchange program bleeding until IMPACT's next big event, which is called Redemption, as Austin Aries puts the IMPACT world championship on the line against brothers Pentagón, Jr and REY FENIX in a three-way bout.
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