Main Card Matches
Intercontinental Championship Match
Triple Threat: The Miz (C) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor
Predicted order: 4th // Actual order: 4th
Predicted winner: Finn Balor // Actual winner: Seth Rollins
Rating: 6/10
This match was fine, but I was expecting a bit more considering the combined experience and talent of the three competitors. I was almost certain Finn Balor would get the win after struggling to establish himself as a top star, but WWE opted not to give him the title. I have no idea where his career goes from here. I also have no idea why Seth Rollins is now holding a secondary title when he is obviously a main eventer.
SmackDown Women’s Championship Match
Charlotte Flair (C) vs. Asuka
Predicted order: 7th // Actual order: 5th
Predicted winner: Asuka // Actual winner: Charlotte Flair
Rating: 8/10
This felt like a big time match between big time wrestlers (probably because it was…). Asuka and Charlotte were very evenly matched throughout, which was a slight change from how most of Asuka’s matches have gone. Charlotte hit some ridiculous moves, most memorably a Spanish Fly off the top rope, and eventually got Asuka to tap out. I hated that part. Not only did she lose, she gave up. It stopped all of her momentum. I also didn’t understand why this match was put in the second spot on the main card when it hypothetically could have main evented given Asuka’s streak. The one good thing is that WWE essentially doubled down on Charlotte being its top female star, staying consistent in that regard.
United States Championship Match
Fatal Four-Way: Randy Orton (C) vs. Bobby Roode vs. Jinder Mahal vs. Rusev
Predicted order: 6th // Actual order: 6th
Predicted winner: Rusev // Actual winner: Jinder Mahal
Rating: 5/10
Another average match. They all hit their signature moves at one point or another. The crowd was fully in support of Rusev, as expected, then Jinder Mahal pinned him after mild interference from whichever Singh brother is currently following him around. The last thing we need is another Jinder Mahal title run of any kind, but we get it anyway!
(Amazingly, at this point, I’ve predicted 5 of the 6 matches in correct order!)
Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey vs. Triple H & Stephanie McMahon
Predicted order: 13th // Actual order: 7th
Predicted winner: Triple H & Stephanie McMahon // Actual winner: Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey
Rating: 7/10
This match was much better than expected. We got the classic over-the-top Triple H entrance with motorcycles and an outrageous light show. We got the classic Ronda Rousey ‘I’m just happy to be here’ smile as she walked to the ring to face two people she hated. Other than those two nit picky details, everyone performed well. Kurt took a number of moves without dying and Ronda looked like a phenomenal athlete who wasn’t totally new to the business. Triple H and Stephanie did a great job of looking overmatched and Ronda won by submission over Stephanie. Given the star power, I thought this would happen much later, but it served its purpose in this spot to keep the momentum of the show going strong.
