Kayfabe Critics - WrestleMania 42 Preview

Welcome And WrestleMania Season

Michael Marcangelo 0:06

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another edition of K-Fave Critics. It's your boys, Hollywood Ray Shawn Buchanan. I am Michael Marcangelo, and it is WrestleMania season. WrestleMania 42 coming from you live from Las Vegas. We have a lot to go over before we get into the card. There's been a lot going around this for this WrestleMania, whether it's ticket sales, ticket prices, the overall build. How do you feel about the product going into WrestleMania 42?

Rayshawn Buchanan 0:39

I hate that it's a second world. I'm not going to be there. Last time I was there was at 40 in Philly. But even in Philly, the price was starting to jack up a little bit, but it was still manageable for myself and fans like me trying to say go. I get why they did it in Vegas again. Because once again, it was a great success last year, you know, for them. I kind of wish they had kept it domestically, you know, going forward, but I get why they had to expand to other markets. I mean, they could have TKO. Overall, I'm still pleased with the product. I did love what you sent me earlier, though, with you know my guy Jay and the Cameron. It's starting to feel late, late 90s in that regard. Where there's a lot of crossover going on with media outlets and you know blurring that line between reality and you know Kfabe. So I'm I'm here, I'm here, I'm here for it in that regard. Overall, I'm pleased with the product and I'm excited for WrestleMania as always.

Michael Marcangelo 1:29

Yeah, I think there are a lot of things to be excited about regarding the product and the stars that they're building. And if you just looked at the card and we'll get into it, like the matches on here, I I don't really see more than one match. I'm like, you know, I don't need to see that. My problem is that ticket sales right now are about 25,000 seats less per night than they were last year. And that is specifically because TKO decided to treat WWE the way they treat UFC and price regular fans out of out of the arena. I mean, we you and I went to Raw in Boston here a couple weeks back, and we were in the lows, like lower lower section. Three years ago, we sat there for Survivor Series. Like though the tickets that we paid for Raw were$110 more per seat than they were for Survivor Series. Right, right. And it was a good show, but it wasn't better than Survivor Series. No, right? No, so they've caused a lot of their own fucking problems. And they don't need to because I you know, I hate being like the typical internet wrestling guy and saying, like, you know, the company's screwing themselves, but in this instance they are because this card with normal prices, with Vince prices to get families in there, they'd have 70,000 would not be a problem. But they're gonna struggle to get 50.

Rayshawn Buchanan 2:55

My first WrestleMania was 33 in Orlando. I paid 250 for that ticket. I paid a little bit more for New Orleans, but that's because I got it closer to the date. 35, same thing around in the 200s I paid for. But we were up top, though, because of just how the scene was. But but Met Life was packed, the Superdome was packed, Orlando was absolutely packed, and once again, you know, so much so, you know, shout out I'm I don't even know if remember the guy's name, but shout out to the guy that helped me up when the Hardy's came back.

SPEAKER_03 3:27

He was a whoa brother.

Rayshawn Buchanan 3:31

But we we uh grown men just lost their minds that night. I just shut up. But yeah, it it's it's a shame. Because like I said, you know, you know, even in Dallas, like Dallas was higher, like for 38, I'm saying 38 higher. And then I wanted to go to LA, but LA didn't happen for different reasons. But it was just like, yeah, but no, it's it's a shame, like I said, that that's how how that's moved. I don't know how they get out of it because as long as they're making crazy money, like TKO's not gonna go away, unfortunately. I just feel like now they're adding a lot of unnecessary stuff really just for shits and giggles, and it's ridiculous, in my opinion.

Michael Marcangelo 4:07

Yeah, there's a chance that this WrestleMania will have 15 to 17,000 plus people per night and be the highest gated maintenance of all time. And that is a problem, not for the fans. I mean it's fifteen thousand dollars per night for for a second row seat.

SPEAKER_01 4:29

Like what are we doing?

Rayshawn Buchanan 4:32

Per night. Now, if if my thing is now and maybe and even this, even when I'm about to say it's still outrageous, but I can understand this like if you would say$2,500 for the floor, all right. Okay. Play for the floor makes to me makes sense. And then, you know, a little further back, maybe closer to around 15, 1250. Then as you go higher up, it should be nothing more than four to five hundred dollars. It kind of sat in like a lowest level in Orlando, it was Camber World Stadium. We were like in that mid-level there. Once again, we had a great view for where we were, like, you know, but I'm obviously I mean I'm tall, right? But it would we had a great view. The stage, man. So it was just like, how did y'all get away with putting seats up there when all you could see was really just the scoreboard or whatever the Titan Trump, but they would get away with it because it was just a one-night thing and people can, you know, maneuver some stuff. But yeah, but no, you you're you're you're right. They have absolutely put themselves in this predicament and they have made it worse for themselves. And it's unfortunate.

Michael Marcangelo 5:38

So as we're recording this on Thursday, April 16th, WrestleMania Saturday has a current 42,715 tickets distributed. Current setup is for 45,000. And WrestleMania Sunday has 43.3 with 45. Compare that to last year, when you were talking about 60. Right. I'd say this year's card's better. All around, I'd say it's better.

Rayshawn Buchanan 6:04

I mean, I think, you know, how later to last year, you think about Tina and Cody, and then you know, the woman's triple threat.

Michael Marcangelo 6:10

And then the men's triple threat.

Rayshawn Buchanan 6:13

I mean, there were definitely some great moments there, but like you say, yeah, collectively, yeah, it's better. I know there's one matchup, particularly I think we're both going to be equally excited for, but because to me, I don't know that the match I think of is night one and night two, but if it is night two, they should open, in my opinion, but we'll get to it.

Michael Marcangelo 6:30

So, night one, the opening match that will be taking place on ESPN night is Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and I show speed versus the Usos and LA Knight.

SPEAKER_01 6:43

How do we feel about this?

Rayshawn Buchanan 6:46

I think Speed's a really good athlete, so I'm not I'm not mad at it to say they were Logan Paul right being a fool there. I don't think about him, but Speed's very athletic. I think that he takes it seriously. I think he and he really likes the product, so I think he's going to do things that will surprise us that night. I think every money we did working with is it's you know relatively safe. So I don't see you know anything really going bad in that regard. I do think it's kind of wild that this is kind of where the Usos and everybody kind of got to at this point. Like you went from you know, made winning a few years ago to having a match against your brother at 40 to you winning the world title last year against Guth at the winning the Royal Rumble, and now you're essentially the pre-show. Ooh, I'm sure I like it.

Michael Marcangelo 7:30

Well, they're gonna open, so if you can't close it, you want to open it, right? And they're gonna open theoretically in front of more people.

Rayshawn Buchanan 7:35

Sure, but I I also feel like it feels like a pre-show match, though. It just does.

Michael Marcangelo 7:41

Either I think it's gonna be good. I'm with you. I think it's important for me to say. I look at Logan Paul's wrestler now. Yeah, he does all like there are very few people that come in and show the skill and just the attention for detail that he has in such a short amount of time. And I he's he's world championship material. Yeah, that he has to be.

Rayshawn Buchanan 8:04

Well, I so I knew he was the real deal when Shaker stamped him. He was yeah, he's had my reservations, but you know, he was like, no, he's gotten it. So when I when I heard that, I was like, oh, well, if if he if he believes that, then like he clearly has something. It's just a matter of are you is was he going to to walk into that. But yeah, he's been from WrestleMania 37 to now, has been phenomenal. Any spot they put him in, he's delivered, even when he got hurt. So yeah, I I think they haven't overexposed him, they haven't put him in anything that he wouldn't really succeed in. I'm not sure.

Michael Marcangelo 8:42

I mean, they threw him to the wolves pretty early there with the Roman Reigns in Saudi Arabia. But that was the night I was like, okay, you've been in here for like this is like your third or fourth match. Right. And you stole the show.

Rayshawn Buchanan 8:52

He just finds finds a way, and like I said, to open the match as some of the same 23 against Ricochet. Like have us at the Urban. He's like, oh, yeah, call call him a name, man. Yeah. I don't know if he can ever fully be a face. Mostly he could be a tweener, but yeah, he can never be a full face. Like he's just he's just too good at gaining gaining heat in that regard. And the crowd wants to hate him.

Michael Marcangelo 9:18

Are we gonna see a J Uso heel turn? That's what it looks like.

Rayshawn Buchanan 9:23

I think what we saw, uh it is what it is, because someone in the comments said at best, we don't need every hero turn to have a slow burn. Just let things happen sometimes. We also need we don't need big shows 25 turns in a year either. But you know, once again, he said himself or on on inside, he said himself I'm not clowning Michelle. He's you know one of my favorites of all time, but yeah, I'm hoping that's one or two hero turns that we see, you know, this that this weekend.

SPEAKER_01 9:50

So who wins? You gotta give it to the Vision. Vision has to win.

Michael Marcangelo 9:57

Yeah, so it's I just don't want I just don't want iShow speed to pin anybody.

Rayshawn Buchanan 10:04

But I don't I don't I don't I don't think that he got the pin on it. I don't think. I'm not sure. But no, I think Steve would just wait. Logan wasn't in that match.

Michael Marcangelo 10:12

At 38 he teamed with the Miz in at 38.

Rayshawn Buchanan 10:16

38, that's okay, that's what it was. Gotcha. Logan probably I was there, I thought it was 37, but yeah.

Michael Marcangelo 10:20

Because Logan got stunned by Kevin Owens.

Rayshawn Buchanan 10:23

Uh but yeah, so I'm I'm like, but yeah, he's I don't know. I think show show will definitely have some moments where you're like, oh, okay, like he's you know, he'll probably do some 450 flip, whatever. Like he'll he'll he'll have something there. And once again, Randy Oren has stamped him. Randy likes him. Randy likes him a lot. So I think that, you know, once again, when you have someone of that magnitude, that's saying that, hey, this kid's got it, like that holds a lot of weight. And we already know how Hunter feels about Randy. So if he's in his ear saying, hey, I think this kid has X, Y, Z, they're gonna give him a shot. Now he has to he has to live up to it. But you know, every celebrity they've hit, they've gotten on lately has hit. So from speed, I agree. Well, even Jelly Roll was awesome. Like, so I'm I'm I'm here for it. But you know, oh well, sorry, let me tell that back. Oh, when that wasn't here with Travis Scott, but everybody else was great.

Michael Marcangelo 11:17

Terrible. Yeah, uh the second match that will be featured on ESPN 2 or ESPN, whichever channel it's fucking on Saturday, sorry, is Jacob Fot 2 versus Drew McIntyre, an unsanctioned match. This should be a hell in a sell match. I understand that it's too early, but there's enough hatred there. I love Drew McIntyre. I think Fot 2 has to win this. I just think he needs a big win, and I don't think big losses matter for McIntyre anymore. I think he's reached that point.

Rayshawn Buchanan 11:48

Remember, he won at 40, and then like, you know, he has the and he has the beef with CM Punk, and then, you know, that that turned into the biggest like feud of the year, and Punk was hurt for most of that. Like it was it was crazy how much they, you know, how much chemistry they was able to build in between that time. I I I would say that he's definitely gotten to that point and that point while with Drew for sure. But yeah, like I said, I I I was I thought Far Two would be closer to the main event this year. Obviously, he got hurt, whatever, so you know things didn't happen that way. But I thought we were working towards him and Braun Breaker as the main event. Like, and I think that will happen at some point. Yeah. At them two, but I do think they'll be in the main event. I Far 2 has Jacob Fatto has has everything. The mobility, the promo skill. Like he has it. You know, he has the the the the regression to be champion, like he has it. So I'm all for it. Oh, really? Yeah, and they'll let us gonna be the next match. That's what I would do. Yeah, I would have had to hope that because like you saw for the banger. That that's gonna be a banger. That's gonna be a banger for sure. But I think you could build up, like you said, the hell in the cell, you could build it up. So maybe you guys for SummerSlam, you have it there in Minnesota.

Michael Marcangelo 13:01

I think it's gonna be one hell of a one hell of a show. The women's world championship, Stephanie Vicier versus Liv Morgan. I think they've done a phenomenal job building this match, and it's been very simple. Very simple. Liv Morgan has come out and said, I think I'm better than you. I don't think you deserve to be here. Stuff that what a line. Simple. Like this is simple storytelling, and I think someone just needs to tell Stephanie that it's a work and she doesn't need to almost kill Liv week week in and week out.

Rayshawn Buchanan 13:35

Like, don't don't let up. Don't let up. Don't let up. Like, you know, obviously you don't want to hurt anybody, but don't let up. Show that aggression, show that rage. Once again, someone talked about your appearance. Yes. That anger should be there. It was we'll get into that. Another anger that brought up a parent, you know, it went away from it, but we'll get into that later on. But it's like, no, that that was that was great. You know, I had a chance to meet Liv Morgan a few years ago on SmackDown. And, you know, I think it was right after she won the championship. I got you to talk to her for a brew second. I thought I was how'd it feel? She's like, it feels amazing. I said you deserve it. She won me over a day one. I guess Rhonda Rousey, but she won. She's one of the ones that's next up. And she's proven that ever since her working on Judgment Day has been incredible. Once again, she's continuing to put over whatever she used to put over. So yeah, I can't say a month ago I was like, oh my God, this is gonna be a great match. But between what's happened, they've built it the right way, like you said, they kept it simple. And they have fought me into believing this is gonna be a great match. So that asked word again, get what story can you tell me? So if you're telling me a great story, what they're attempting to do, I'm sold. Let's get it, let's go.

Michael Marcangelo 14:44

And I mean, Liv Morgan has only ever wanted to be a wrestler her entire life. Right. So, like those stories are the ones that you root for, and she plays such a good heel. You can tell that she cares. I love Stephanie.

SPEAKER_01 14:58

So I think Stephanie has to win this.

Rayshawn Buchanan 15:04

Do you feel this is like Rhea Charlotte from a few years ago, where Rhea wasn't necessarily ready to win it yet, but they knew that Rhea was going to be like Rhea was gonna be next, like she was gonna be the person? Because I feel like that's what could be a way that they like just to see their see the get the fans' reaction, right? And then say, okay, well, if they're resonating with with her, okay, now we we could put the title on her.

Michael Marcangelo 15:37

Right. Yeah, I mean but if she got her, yeah, but I I I just think that that like Rio was greener in the sense that Stephanie's been doing this for years outside of WWE. And I also think the the danger that you have with with Stephanie is that she's not like she's doing phenomenally on the mic for someone who works. You can't cut a promo that walks you into a building. Right. Ria Rhea could. Right.

Rayshawn Buchanan 16:10

I think you have to protect her this way. Gotcha. Well how she got you into the building is that she's been being lit.

Michael Marcangelo 16:18

Right. I mean, when she crashed her head into Rock's hands, I was like, I instantly was like, I wonder if she's gonna be cleared. Because that's the concussion. You just knew it.

Rayshawn Buchanan 16:30

Yeah. But the pictures, the self-izate circle after was hysterical. Hysterical. You know, like this is so good. I'm like, that was 100% real.

Michael Marcangelo 16:45

100%. So here's the caveat. If Roxanne or if Roxanne or Raquel cost Stephanie, that's fine. But Stephanie just can't lose clean one, two, three. But there has to be a reason that that just be distracted. I'll allow for that.

Rayshawn Buchanan 17:00

I mean, I feel like that makes sense given you know them being the heels. I mean, unless I mean, I was waiting for Raquel to turn anyway, so I don't know if that would be the moment there they do that. But you know, we'll we'll see. But I uh they don't have to do too many twists for that match. Like I said, I'm I'm sold, so I just want to see them go at it and beat the hell out of each other. And um, but yeah, I'm I'm with you. I I do think Stephanie should win, but I wouldn't be surprised if Liv got the victory there.

Michael Marcangelo 17:27

Yep. Women's Intercontinental Championship match, AJ Lee. Your favorite wrestler's favorite wrestler takes on the man, the greatest of all time. It's not just me saying it, everybody saying it. Sports Illustrated said it, Bluechain Report said it. Becky Lynch. By the way, I fucking love that she goes out there and literally, if if you haven't caught on to that yet, she's making fun of Trump. And that's so funny. The way that she does it, and she's a heel. I think it's great. I really wish they would have let AJ Lee loose on the microphone a little bit. I felt like her promos like leading up to this were just too, you know, scripted or in character. Like you I all when I think of AJ Lee, I think of that promo that she cut in the entire Divas division. And I'm like, she can do it, she has it in her. But this is this is the the chance for AJ Lee not to be. I think she's had great matches since she's been back, but she's been carried.

SPEAKER_01 18:26

And I think it's time for her to actually, you know, go out there because this could be a five-star match.

Rayshawn Buchanan 18:33

I love both of them, but I want AJ Lee to win this match. Shy away from that. The return's been great. She's been awesome. So I think that once again, Becky has done what she did with Shist and you know, with Liv Morgan and some others, like even with Sydney, I think she had a match with her that I think at No Mercy a couple years back. Becky puts over, she not only gets over, gets gets herself over, but she gets she gets the her opponent over, whether it's on the mic, whether it's in the ring. And yeah, you know, the finally the man is coming around to Vegas. And once again, it's gonna be great.

Michael Marcangelo 19:07

You know, like does it surprise you that there are still people out there that say that she's not a good worker?

Rayshawn Buchanan 19:12

I would ask, what are you watching? Right. Since the stuff that went down with Nia Jax. Completely sold by then. Then on I was like, like, you're you're at a real deal. The real deal. So so yeah. So uh no, but no, I I if you're I I would love to know what what what type of you know narcotics you're on. If you feel she's not, you know, once again, you don't have to think she's the best, but to say she's not good at what she does or great at what she does, or elite at what she does. Once again, you know, it's not just her singing it. Special trade said it, ESPN said it. Like Bluetooth report said it, the man has come around. And it's it's time.

Women’s Tag Chaos And Missing Stars

Michael Marcangelo 19:56

It's time, but it's time. I hope AJ wins. Yeah. And I think having her around is is good for the product. And there are a couple other matches I want to see her have. Women's tag team championship. Naya Jackson, Lash Legend take on Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss versus Bailey and Lyra Valkyria and the Bella twins. Or the Bellas. I don't think they call them the Bellas ones anymore. We haven't really seen Nikki and Bree recently ever since Nikki got I think injured, but Bree's back. I I love Lash Legend, but and I never thought I'd say this. I love Charlotte and Alexa Bliss together. Yeah, yeah. It shouldn't have worked, but it has. Of course. I'm never a guy that roots for Charlotte. This is just Cena 2.0, and I never denied that she's a great wrestler, but I was just over it. But like her and Bliss, I think that's just the magic of Alexa Bliss.

Rayshawn Buchanan 20:53

Well, you gotta remember, you know, before her becoming a mom and getting married, she she 2018, 2019, she was hit. She, you know, what do they call it? A five feet of fury. Like she she was she was 2018 was her year. You know, again, putting no banaia, putting up like she she did everything. Rhonda Ralse, like she she was on point that year. So it's it's not a shock. You know, I I do I do think some of the some of the lust that got lost when, you know, you know, with the Hawaii family thing. I didn't I didn't I didn't love the sister Albergill angle for her. I did. But there's no denying what she is in the ring. When she's on, she's as good as anybody from a character standpoint, from a wrestler standpoint, love what she's been able to do. I hope it just leads to a feud with them down the line. You know, I'd ironically, I actually I would actually like to see Alexa as the heel in that moment. Because we always see Charlotte as the heel. And as much as she's one, there's no one that puts over more than her, too. Once again, everybody is cast in on her.

Michael Marcangelo 22:00

Yeah. Okay. Before we jump to the next match though, we're we're talking a lot about Charlotte Flair.

SPEAKER_01 22:04

And her opponent from last year's WrestleMania, who beat her, Tiffany Stratton, is not on the card. Yeah, that's what I'm saying.

Rayshawn Buchanan 22:12

You know, you can't you can't disrespect the business like that. I mean that that's what that's what that's what that's the clearly the sign they're giving to her. Clearly. Because it's not a challenge.

Michael Marcangelo 22:22

How do you think she disrespected the business?

Rayshawn Buchanan 22:24

Because of what happened with the promo she cut on Charlotte when she brought up the divorce.

Michael Marcangelo 22:30

Oh, I think that was a work. Because they aired it on Unreal. So if it was really if it really crossed the line, if that was really something that that was not supposed to happen, that would not have been talked about. That was a work. Oh god. Well, I mean, that to me, I don't know what else it could be then because And also that was two and a half weeks before she then beat Charlotte at Mania.

Rayshawn Buchanan 22:55

I guess because with it being that close to the to the matchup, and it was already built, it was already, you know what I'm saying? Like it wasn't like, oh, like you were, it was already advertised that match was happening because she wanted where Rumble. She, you know what I'm saying? So she chose her. I think it was it was easier to stay in that in that mode. I mean, maybe they maybe they just can define something for this regard. I think that's I think that's wild because once again, or maybe she's hurt, we just don't know. I hope there's more. I mean, granted, you don't want someone to be injured, but I hope that it's injury-based and not just saying, like, well, hey, we couldn't find something for you because she's definitely wild. She's approved. And it's just like, you know, she she hopefully she's be better. He's back by summer slam.

SPEAKER_01 23:42

Uh do you think Nikki and Brie win this match? Not do you want them to?

Michael Marcangelo 23:48

Do you think they do?

Rayshawn Buchanan 23:49

I mean, for nostalgic purposes, it'd be cool, but I mean, I'm not I can't say I'm super invested in what they're doing. The only thing I look forward to is the intro. Now, anyways. Once again, that wasn't the case 10 years ago when she ran division, but like I don't, it was legit her and AJ Lee. That was it. Yeah. And then, you know, they ushered in a new era and then, you know, the rest was history, but like, I have not been moved at all when Nikki Bellett's return, or even Bree. But as much as I liked them in the past, haven't been moved. I've been more interested in what I heard about Nikki Bella off off the outside the ring. But I'm not, I'm not uh I'm not I have not been impressed since the return. She really could go. No, no, let me say that back. I really could go. She did enough, she did enough to to to hold a match. Breach of me was over the was the better wrestler, anyways, you know, in my opinion. But you kind of had to be, I'm a dog, you married a day or bride out in that eight. You bet you better learn something.

Michael Marcangelo 24:50

Next match that I think is is getting overlooked, and it's easy because it was just thrown together so quickly, but I think it could steal the show is Seth Rollins versus Gunther.

Rayshawn Buchanan 25:00

This is the match I was talking about at the beginning. I cannot wait.

Michael Marcangelo 25:04

It's got to be like Seth and Braun, right? It has to be. Obviously, maybe he's still hurt or he's gonna come back the Monday after Mania, but then you're like, how can Gunther not be on Mania? He retired Goldberg, Cena, and AJ in nine months, right? Like you have to. And when he came out and he put Rawls in the chokehold, you see him and Heyman shaking hands at the backstage and he says, This is personal for me, because what you're gonna owe me, and it's gonna be way more than just a you know a big favor, a big thank you. It's clearly setting up to Gunther Lesnar at SummerSlam to retire Brock, too. Well, but this match should steal the show.

Rayshawn Buchanan 25:46

Well, this is a match out. So I remember I just said about what opened, but I think Steph Rolls, when he's on, are still the best in the business now, anyways. Like, how does this not open the show on either night? I just I don't understand that. Like, I cannot wait for this match. I think like Seth Rawls never misses has definitely found his next and has been killing it and his new legend killer, you know, gimmick, like it's been great. I'm I'm here for it. And I I think you know, if we get them 15 to 20 minutes, is it's going to be a banger. You're saying about Breaker coming back Monday night. He should probably cost Seth the match. I'm cool with that too. Right. So I'd let him come out in the black hoodie, you know, run the ropes. You know, there's a 141 to 23 chance that, you know, he thinks you should come back on oh yeah, Sarah Paul Spear. Yeah, that'd be awesome.

Cody Vs Orton With McAfee Debate

Michael Marcangelo 26:48

I love the big pop-up math. Um, all right. So the undisputed WWE championship is going to close out night one. This match is one of the most talked-about matches on the card for all of the wrong reasons. Let me just tell you, this match between Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton is simple. They have been friends for 20 years. This is the teacher versus the student. Like you could tell this story very simply about Randy turned heel, all that shit's fine. When Cody gave Randy permission and said, I want, I want the legend killer, I want the viper, and then Randy turned heel and bloodied him. This is old school wrestling storytelling 101. Then you saw him on the phone, and I'm like, man, is he is he talking to The Rock? Like everyone, I think, was thinking the same thing. Like, is this the final boss of like really trying to fuck Cody one last time? Right. And then for Pat McAfee to be the guy. Now I like Pat. I think, and I like Pat and Pat likes the business. And his promos have been, I mean, listen, they've been real, that he's been correct, and they've been good. But he just is so unneeded in this storyline. I think it's ridiculous. So it's gonna be Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton. And if Cody Rhodes wins, we'll never see Pat McAfee again. Which tells me that Randy Orton's gonna win because they've been setting up Cody and Jelly Roll versus Randy Orton and Pat McAfee for like the last three weeks.

Rayshawn Buchanan 28:19

Yeah, but I'm with you. Not needed. Once again, I've enjoyed Pat as much as the next passing great NW's from day one. You know, I think I honestly I'm sure for him, if it all ended after he got stunned by Austin, I'm sure he'd have been fine after that. But like, you know, he's had a really good run and you know, he's he revitalized Michael Cole, as Michael Cole alluded to. But yeah, I it's it was not needed. Like you said, and we've we've been talking, we had talked about this though with Randy and Cody. We was like, it's there. Like, I don't know why they haven't tapped into this yet. Like this is in the back, like well, I know Randy was hurt for a while too, but I'm just like, is there? And after he came back at Survivor City, I thought I honestly thought I didn't think he was gonna go back to Rhodes and and Roman right away. I thought it was gonna do it for this pet this like last year. Because when he came back at Survivor City 23, because he was like, I was on the phone, made a call, and it was like someone that has a legacy, so we knew right then and there that it wasn't Ted DBASC. But to me, it'd be very hilarious. Could you imagine?

Michael Marcangelo 29:24

Money, money, money, money, but remember it's junior, not not senior.

Rayshawn Buchanan 29:32

But I'm saying, but did they should come down to this music? He used to come out to the music for that. You had a great chance to make him a special guest referee. It was perfect. Perfect. Perfect. You had it, it was there. You didn't need it. But they didn't it didn't need that either. Plus, clearly he needs a payday. That's what's gone on. Clearly. So I would have looked out. I would have looked out. I would say, okay, well, we can we can weave you into the story. Once again, they weave McCrew into the story, you can't weave Debbie Ause Jr. And that was the case. But you know, unfortunately, that's not gonna happen. But yeah, it I'm disappointed that that's the route they felt they had to go. But you know, here we are. I still think it's gonna be a really good match.

Michael Marcangelo 30:09

It should be a really good match. I think we're gonna see Jelly Roll, we're gonna see McAfee, you know, all that. You didn't need to have either of those two. This could have been 25-minute bar and burner. And yeah, I mean, I but I think all the all the shit that that goes into it doesn't matter once they're in the ring. And I think once they're in the ring, they're gonna they're gonna do what they need to do, and they're they're gonna be the main event of night one.

SPEAKER_01 30:34

Right, right.

Michael Marcangelo 30:36

Night Q, and this is the match I'm most excited for, the match that will open WrestleMania Sunday versus Brock Lesnar. Brock has made Oba instantly when he said step on my chest after he powerbombed him. And so for anyone out there that says, you know, Brock doesn't sell, doesn't put anybody over, like you're not watching closely enough because he makes people when he made Cody Rhodes in Detroit.

Rayshawn Buchanan 31:04

I told that story before, like, because you know, that was real, like after the match. I don't know if if it translated on TV, but crowd was nervous. But the crowd was legit nervous, like kids was like, okay, like is he like about to attack him? Is he gonna like and then he shook his hand and hugged him? He was like, Okay, adrenaline. I was like, okay, like, oh, it's it's cool, like, all right, like could you see a look at Cody's face? He was like, like, bet, cool. So yeah, yeah. Ice once again, this is what we thought the Armas match was gonna be, and times 10, but it's gonna deliver. And I'm excited to see how this goes. I don't know how long they'll give them.

Michael Marcangelo 31:53

10 to 15 is enough.

Rayshawn Buchanan 31:54

Yeah, well, it shouldn't be a squash match either way. That's not the story, but they should be beating you know the hell out of each other. To me, this should be, even though it's not a triple threat, this should be similar to Drew Seamus and uh Gunther. They got there at 20 at 39. Like, because that that was one of the matches of that that year. I can see that this being similar to that.

Michael Marcangelo 32:16

You have to make if Brock I think he is, because it's in it's in Minneapolis. Can Brock lose this? And can Oba afford to lose this?

Rayshawn Buchanan 32:28

We just thought about with Drew, right? Uh Drew, you know, can afford to lose. Oba's on the rise. I mean, unless they continue to build him through the chase. And because the chase is more important than you actually get into conquest. But I mean, I didn't think that Almas was gonna win, but you you believe that like we we now we believe that Oba can beat Brock now. Like that they have got us into that believing that he can he can get you know he can get Brock. You you you know I'm the one, the people know I'm the one, and I want to beat you from pilling to post. Like, spot on. That was such an African thing to say too. Beautiful pillar post. I was like, that is the most African thing you can say. I was like, I say, yeah, that's not a work.

Michael Marcangelo 33:15

I'm uh I'm gonna I'm gonna let you I'm gonna let you handle that.

Rayshawn Buchanan 33:18

Yeah. I know I was very entertained by that line. I thought that line was hilarious. I've heard that line before, but I just I didn't I never would have thought that I was gonna hand that in a wrestler from the rest of the I was like, okay, cool. So I was like, real one. So that's good. It wasn't like Apollo, Apollo becoming Nigerian all of a sudden. So who wins? I have a good feeling it's still gonna be Brock. It shouldn't be, but it's gonna be Brock.

Michael Marcangelo 33:49

It has to be.

Rayshawn Buchanan 33:51

I do. Well Brock, but there's no loss that affects Brock until like once again, until Well, he can't lose his last I mean he can't lose Mania and lose SummerSlam and have a SummerSlam be his last match.

SPEAKER_01 34:07

I'm not sure Brock cares about that though. No no, I don't think he doesn't give a shit.

Michael Marcangelo 34:13

It's a business for him.

Rayshawn Buchanan 34:14

But booking-wise, I think Yeah, yeah, but I mean my thing is do you have him do another match in between? Have three matches with Cody and 23 and every match was good. I think he's gonna be 49 this year. 49? Like, it's a joke. He he is he has not missed a step. He's not no again, Cena stopped because he just couldn't previously do it. He has not missed a step. Not miss a step.

Michael Marcangelo 34:44

Well, just I mean, but also he's been doing like 12 matches a year, or like yeah, seven matches a year since 2012. Like he he hasn't had a full-time schedule since 2004.

Rayshawn Buchanan 34:56

Right, but to be 49, he's always been country strong, right? Always, yep. I feel like we should see all the OVW people. So we should see him and Randy, you know, one more time. We should see, oh, I know he's in a different company now, but I'm like, Sean Benjamin should have been involved in his final run. You know, like that that all should have been there. And I I believe he does get inducted to the Hall of Fame, Kurt Engels should be the guy. Kurt Engels should be the one that inducts Brock Leslie.

Michael Marcangelo 35:27

I mean, obviously, he probably is gonna be playman, probably, but assuming Lesnar accepts the invite and gives a speech because I don't think he cares.

Rayshawn Buchanan 35:35

Well, the only one I've seen has really been a mark for himself was Jericho.

Michael Marcangelo 35:40

I don't think Lesnar's a mark for himself. I just don't think he cares. He doesn't think it's a real thing.

Rayshawn Buchanan 35:45

But I the only reason I'm in between on that, I but I'd say, I mean, granted, say the NFL career worked out. I bet you he would have came to die.

SPEAKER_01 35:52

Yeah, right.

Rayshawn Buchanan 35:53

Want to play it. So I know I I I think may maybe if Vince was still like in in charge, and Vince said, Hey, you know, we're you know, we're in your hometown. Or I mean, granted, we were I don't know, another time they're back in Minnesota, it's like, hey, you know, we want you to be the headliner next year. You know, we we want to honor you for what you've done for this business, 25 years, da-da-da. I think he would. I think him and Hunter's relationship is a different, obviously, because they were near peers at one point.

Michael Marcangelo 36:20

They literally created a belt for Hunter because he refused to put Brock over in 2002. Right. I think that I think it's gonna be a great match. I think it's gonna be I don't think it's gonna be technical ability, Matt, but I think it's gonna have one of those big fight feels. Listen, I think I want Oba to win, but I don't, I just don't from just putting like my Booker hat on, I don't I don't know how how you do it. But I the thing that I would love is that he German suplexed Cena 16 times. I would love for him to suplex Oba 17 times, and then Oba him hits him with the power bomb.

Rayshawn Buchanan 36:52

Right.

IC Ladder Match Wild Cards

Michael Marcangelo 36:53

Right, right. Lil Theoretically, this should be the guy that he that he retires to because he looks he looks like the next you know, the next big thing. The second match is gonna be on ESPN is the Intercontinental Championship ladder match. Champion Penta versus Javant Evans, Dragon League, JD McDonough, Rusif, and Ray Mysterio. It's gonna be hard for this match to suck. You know? Like, there should everyone in there is a good worker. I think Javon Evans is gonna do something wild in this match.

Rayshawn Buchanan 37:24

Yes, and I'm uh fun. It bothers me. I mean, you see that you know I'm a fan. I was yelling, you know, I'm bouncing like when he was like I don't want it to become gimmicky.

SPEAKER_01 37:40

I think he's gonna do it in the future. Like I told you, it's like Kofi. Right, but Kofi was Titan Champion a few times.

Michael Marcangelo 37:52

He's like the Jamaican Me Crazy Kofi.

Rayshawn Buchanan 37:55

He was getting that push at ECW earlier. Like he was getting that push. So I want you to be closer to Kofi and not Elijah Bird. That's the best way I can say it. Yeah. Because that talent was there, but it just never it never really, you know, got there. So I'm just like, I I need like I I need them to make that push. I actually thought it was gonna be him and we we talked about, we thought it was gonna be him and Kofi at Mania, potentially. And maybe that maybe that you get that gets pushed to or Summer Sland, maybe. I'm excited for the match. It'd be cool if they threw a wrench and everything and had him win. But I don't think that's gonna be the case. It should be very entertaining. It might be similar to what happened in 2016 when Zach Ryder won.

SPEAKER_01 38:37

So you're are you picking Javon? I'm set. I'm taking Rusev. Exactly. I think he has no business in this match. Right. He might win.

Rayshawn Buchanan 38:54

And have we ever seen him in the match? I'm still thinking of many as he's been here. So 31, no, 30 was against Cena in New Orleans for the US title. 71.

Michael Marcangelo 39:07

No, it was Cena Roosevelt. That's when him and that's when him and Lana had sex in the tank in Santa Clara.

Rayshawn Buchanan 39:13

32 get stunned by by Austin. And that he was out the company for a little bit too. So I don't I don't know. But I'm like, yeah, you're right. I I just I don't I don't I feel it kind of just threw him a bone if you're grabbing. Well, like we'll just put you in there. Now obviously they all get a bigger payday because it's you know WrestleMania, but it's just like I I don't know. I don't know.

Michael Marcangelo 39:31

I don't even know if that's true anymore based on how they pay people. I don't know.

Rayshawn Buchanan 39:34

No way, you're right. I forgot. We all we watched Maven, and Maven talks about that. It was like in his time, they got paid more for WrestleMania, but because of the salaries and guarantee salaries now, and like it's it's just like whatever you get is what you get. But at the same time, people want still want to be on a show because you know, more eyes of them be on the product that night. Oh, those nights, those two nights.

Michael Marcangelo 39:56

WWE Women's Championship, Jade Cargill versus Rhea Ripley. This is the match that I'm least looking forward to because I don't believe in Jade Cargill as a performer. She's got the look, she's she's good on the mic. I think she has everything you need, except she just can't, in my opinion, go. And I love Rhea Ripley. I want mommy on top. I threw that pick Rhea needs to win this match.

Rayshawn Buchanan 40:21

Well, she doesn't need to win them all.

Michael Marcangelo 40:23

I need her to win this match.

Rayshawn Buchanan 40:24

I'm actually disappointed that it wasn't Jade against Bianca because I wanted that real bad. Like I thought that was where that was all going with this, and Naomi, obviously, like I wanted that. And maybe we get it at some point. But I feel like if they didn't think that Jade has gotten better, they wouldn't have put her in this spot.

Michael Marcangelo 40:44

Well, Rhea can make make her look good.

Rayshawn Buchanan 40:46

I think Jay retains, and I I see my thing, I'm I'm big on, I want things to build. Like I want, I want like a longer feud. I'm I'm into that. So we grew up with that. Oh, just all these one-offs. Like, no, like have do like the best of three. Whereas like, you know, you have you know, Jay retained, you know, then you know Rhea wins or whatever, like setting up something up for Jay, you know, in the future. Rhea is more than me. But like I said, I expect this to deliver because of Rhea, but I hope that we see some improvement from Jay in the ring. Because like you said, everything else is there, and she's a little up to the beginning of her uh her song, A Storm is coming. So the storm is coming.

Michael Marcangelo 41:27

Listen, she's got everything, she's got all of it except the in-ring. And listen, I think that in nowadays, like that's the easiest part to get. Like, so she should she should be okay. It's very clear that they thought she was less green when they signed her from AEW. It was smart teaming her with Bianca in Trinity. Who knows? Does Bianca come and screw her over and cost her the match? Because it won't be Naomi.

US Title And Sami Heel Turn

Rayshawn Buchanan 41:56

I mean, that would be awesome. Because I was ready for that match. They had bought me into that. Like I was like, okay, we're gonna get that. Once again, I think Bianca's up there. She's top three. I know because of how she would have wanted to protect Jade, she also would have made a little like a million bucks. But yeah, that that would be an excellent twist to it. I think we see Bianca come back Monday night instead of coming back on Saturday. I mean on Sunday. So U.S.

Michael Marcangelo 42:24

championship match, uh, Sami Zayn versus Trick Williams. It feels like Sammy's turning heel. Yeah, it's kind of already happened. Well, yeah, I mean, the the we've turned on him. Now he just has to accept and actually be a heel.

Rayshawn Buchanan 42:37

He had a great runners that they face. Phenomenal run. Once again, 2023 Montreal, Libreation Chamber, dude was white hot, and they got him to the main event of WrestleMania. Like, white hot. Like that was in this perfect iteration, became the new Owen Hart, so to speak. It was just awesome. So he delivered and he deserved that push at the time. Everything. Everything whooped that shirt, baby. He's on another level. The crowd, like Mark Henry said, the crowd has chosen him. Yep. He is the guy. Once again, Roman said a long time ago. I'm not a good guy. I'm not a bad guy. I'm the guy. Jake Willows is the guy. And I know he's the guy because he's doing ESPN. He's on everything you can think of. Every media press one they have done, you have seen his face. So that less we know, they're putting the strap on his back and they're sending him to the moon. And I'm here for it. There is no way that Sammy should even have a shot in this match. Shake one was all the way, not in a spross match, obviously, but there's no way that Sammy Zayn shouldn't win this match at all.

Finn Balor Vs Dominik Decision

Michael Marcangelo 43:44

I agree with that. Sammy can't win this. Everything you said about him in the bloodline and that match with the Roman in Montreal, it was white hot, great, but it feels like they've been coasting on that since. Yeah. They've done nothing to build him into a compelling character. Character since then. Since Triple H is taken over writing, Sammy Zayn has been an afterthought. They get him on Mania, but for no reason, and then he just loses. Which I think that that that should continue. Finn Bal sorry, the demon. Finn Balor versus Dirty Dominic Mysterio. I love Dom. I l I fucking love Dom. He does everything right. He's turning into a more believable wrestler and heel.

SPEAKER_01 44:32

But obviously he has to lose, right? Or does Finn put him over?

Rayshawn Buchanan 44:40

I'm just used to Finn losing big matches now. Like I'm just, I don't. Like, I'm not. I know that he's a great talent. Once again, I think that it was the right decision years ago to make him the first universal champion. You know, still stand by that. It's almost like he's been punished ever since for like getting legit hurt. Right. Like the right choice is to put Dom over. The right choice. I don't have a great match, but Dom Noble series should be put over. Period. The work that Dom has put in. And once again, I'm coming a long way. From that turn that Clash of the Castle to now, amazing work. So I'm excited to see what they do. But yeah, Dom Dom should go over.

Punk Vs Roman Promo Highs And Lows

Michael Marcangelo 45:31

The main event of WrestleMania Night 2. The main event of WrestleMania. For world heavyweight champion CM Punk taking on the tribal chief, Roman Reigns. Listen, this feud and road to WrestleMania got off to such a great start the night after the Rumble when Roman picked CM Punk. He said, Yeah, I'm not going to pick you because well I mean I'm going to pick you because I've hate I hate you. I've always hated you. And at WrestleMania, you're going to have to acknowledge me. I was like, this is fucking great. Even though CM Punk's almost 50, as we saw two weeks ago, that pipe bomb he dropped into Houston. That promo, when he came out to Houston, Texas, they weren't booing him, but they were chanting for his opponent. And they're both kind of faces right now. And by the end of that 12 and a half minute promo, they were all chanting for CM Punk. The crowd went nuts. But the my favorite part, the part that actually still gives me goosebumps when I watch that promo back, is when he grabs the camera and he says, I want all these families to be at WrestleMania and see me standing on Roman Reigns' throat because my name is CM Punk. And I approved this message. I was like, that that will you could barely hear him. The crowd was shanting so loud. That should have been the go home promo. The promo this past week on Raw was off. Like, it's just so stupid to say, like, I envy you. They're both just basically glazing each other.

Rayshawn Buchanan 47:05

We remember in that granny, it's almost nine years ago, which is crazy how long ago that match was, but when we were going into No Mercy 2017, hey, if you want to be the big dog, you're gonna have to learn how to do a promo. Rome was come a long way from that moment. A long way. Long way. To the point where he can hold his own with damn near anybody in the ring. I mean, in in the in the ring as far as promoted goes. So if that is the case, that that that that is what happened. I don't know if that's true. But yeah, it became Yeah, like I'm envious of you because it is once again. That's that still could have been a part of it. But it was just like, yeah. I still feel like it was like, yeah, I'm envious that you know I didn't get in here because of my thought. Like you there's still another way you could have gone back and you know what I'm saying, and went back into that. But yeah, I didn't love that pride. And I didn't, you know, you show you sent it to me. I did not love that at all. Really didn't.

Michael Marcangelo 48:03

Punk's promo the week before was amazing, was great. My bloated cousin doesn't sit on the board of directors. I'm like, oh Jesus, everybody's catching fucking straight. Right. Yeah, you ate dog food for a creepy old man, and that same old man tried to cheat treat me like a dog, but I had FU money. Like, he was he's untouchable on the mic, he's solidified. And I think they fed him the ticket sales line for sure, but the way he delivered it was the best. He was just so good.

Rayshawn Buchanan 48:36

But I think Hunter said it, like, he does not need again, give him bullet points, but he's way past the point that he needs. Like, just give give him what you want him to touch on, and he'll just go from there.

Michael Marcangelo 48:48

Sorry, I think they approved that line. There's no way he said that without them knowing.

Rayshawn Buchanan 48:55

No way. If there's anyone that would say, I'm just gonna do whatever, it's it's him. It's been him. Regardless of what company he's been in. Like he's built that reputation of like I'm gonna say what needs to be said, I'm gonna say what's from the heart. If you enjoy it, cool. If not, then okay. But either way, I I said what I felt. And I love that.

SPEAKER_01 49:17

Always have. What do we think happens in this match and who do you want to win?

Rayshawn Buchanan 49:25

I mean, I'm I'm I am legit foot down the middle with this one, like more than any other match. Like I I just because I I I I love both, I love where both characters have become. I love 95% of the build to the match. Yeah. But I guess if you want to go off all the stuff that's been said and all the way that he bashed, you know, the family or whatever, you would think that rumor would go over. So I I'll go a rumor ends.

Michael Marcangelo 49:55

Listen, yeah, you're a long feud though. When Punk came back to AEW, I was pissed. I was happy that he was back, but I was pissed that he didn't come back to WWE. Yeah. He trashed, you know, the Saudi and the all these people. And I'm a I'm I I I am a I'm I'm a pro wrestling fan, but I'm a WWE guy. Right. So I that's just I always have and always will be. Then he came back to WWE and it changed my mind. Like he's that being said, I need Roman Reigns to win this match because on the Monday after WrestleMania, I need Roman Reigns to be in the in that ring celebrating his world championship and Oba's music to hit. And him to strut down that aisle and build towards SummerSlam.

Rayshawn Buchanan 50:36

I mean, I listen like no rejection here. That would be amazing. Like that would be great. But my thing is either that to me, or like I said, you build a longer program with CM Punk.

Michael Marcangelo 50:48

Once again, huh? If it's a longer program with Punk, then Punk can't lose it because he's there every week and Roman's gonna be you know off and on until August or July.

Rayshawn Buchanan 51:02

Well, no, but I the reason why I say it may not matter in that regard. They built a year on program with him and Drew, and he was hurt for half of that. Like you know what I'm saying?

Michael Marcangelo 51:11

Yeah, but he showed up, like he was at least on TV.

Best WrestleMania Ever Plus Final Gripes

Rayshawn Buchanan 51:15

I mean, it looked like Roman's in a new Street Fighter movie. I seen that that post, but that comes out in October, that's wrapped. He's doing anything else, you know, TV-wise, but it's like, you know, my thing is this is mania season, and actually some we'll we'll blink and some be here. So, you know, we'll we'll we'll see. We'll see how that goes.

Michael Marcangelo 51:34

Okay, before we go, one last thing. I'm not gonna do like top five or anything.

SPEAKER_01 51:40

What is the best WrestleMania of all time? I know what it used to be. I feel like it's 18.

Michael Marcangelo 51:52

I think it's 40 now.

Rayshawn Buchanan 51:56

I think it is. The ending of 40 was the best of all time, period. I mean that's the best ending of any WrestleMania, personally, but 18.

Michael Marcangelo 52:05

You got Rhea versus Becky, Gunther versus Sammy, six-pack tag team ladder match, Logan versus Randy versus Kevin Owens, E.O. Sky versus Bailey, Roman Reigns versus Cody Rhodes, the rock and Roman versus Cody and Seth, Seth versus Drew. Yep. It was awesome.

Rayshawn Buchanan 52:21

It was Damien Priest. Yeah. I think that's it. I just have to throw a shot at some fans one more time. For those of y'all that was clowning us, that was there on online about their crowd is not allowed. Listen, when night two was a lot warmer. Night one was it was wild out there. It was freezing night one. Freezing. I was like, this is crazy out here, and I was underdressed. And we a lot of us, a lot of us had been out all day, anyways, because we was at the Wells Fargo Center that day for the NXT event, send and deliver, where Chip Williams and Carmelo Hayes were the uh were the main event that night.

Michael Marcangelo 53:00

I know. Carmelo Hayes should be on the card. If Tiffany Stratton is healthy, she should be on the card. Right. I think WWE is gonna overinflate their attendance. I think they're gonna say that they have 60,000 each night, which is whatever. I hope that they actually get to 60,000, which would be great. I mean in two days.

Rayshawn Buchanan 53:16

I don't know. I'm gonna say that because I was there, I remember SummerSlam at Ford Field, and that stadium could hold close to 60, but like had about it held 80 at WrestleMania 23. It was about 55 that night. About 55, which that was that was a really good outing for that. It was about 55. It was about that same in Cleveland too. I got moved to the floor in Cleveland because they uh our seats for some reason were ended being blocked off, and it was like, I thought, well, what was it was the upgrade? He's oh yeah, buddy be on the floor. Like, like me, like by the ring. He was like, I was like, come on. And I and I I was really, I was like, Are you ribbing us? But he didn't know what that meant. Got to see the doll turn, you know, double turn there. Like that that was that was beautiful. That was that was peak cinema. But yeah, so but you know, it's uh I hope it's another good one. You know, TKO get it together. Once again, you got fans that want to be there, no family, even even some design doesn't have a big family. No one shouldn't be spending commas that plural commas thing to to get to WrestleMania. Once again, the flight to Vegas alone, I know it's probably crazy. Like my boy Van Van's probably gonna be. I know Van's old. He's a he has not missed WrestleMania. He's been to every WrestleMania since WrestleMania 17. Like Barnab, crazy. That was the first thing he's I haven't heard ever since. I was like, don't blame you.

Michael Marcangelo 54:48

I hope that they only get 44,000 people a night. Forced to learn from their mistakes. Lower the ticket prices, let families back in because this card should have 70,000 people per night looking up down on it. But listen, it's WrestleMania. I'm I'm gonna be captivated by it. I'm gonna suspend my disbelief for the four hours that it's on every night. We've got the Hall of Fame tomorrow night after SmackDown. So Hall of Fame is at midnight, so I'll just catch that Saturday morning. But yeah, for Hollywood Richard on Buchanan, this is Michael Markiangelo saying thank you to listen to the K Fame critics. Stay tuned for MTP next week. Let's be talking to Boston, Philadelphia Seminese pictures first on the playoffs. But until then, we'll talk to you later.