Chapter 38 WrestleMania
More thanks everyone this is now my second most viewed story of all time.
Mandy made her way to the ring. The sun was setting casting long shadows over MetLife stadium. This year felt different. Last year's WrestleMania she had been afterthought. Buried in the battle royal why she would have loved to on the card in a match besides Battle Royal her role with Adam and AJ was big. Sometimes you just had to be happy with what you were given. She tried to see if she could see Riley out in crowd but couldn't. He had sent her a text from his seat even with a picture showing his view of the ring. For Mania she mixed up the gear trying to make it look like a Greek Goddess. The final of the women got in the ring and the bell rang. Mandy and every other girl ran over to try and eliminate Nia Jax. The one time Divas champion was sent over to be a shocking early elimination.
From there Mandy found herself tied up working with Ember Moon and than Mickie James from Raw. Eventually she found her self wrestling Liv Morgan. This was what would lead to her elimination as Sara Logan would take out Mandy to save her friend only for Sonya to take out Liv while Sara was tied up. Mandy landed on the floor and smacked the apron playing she was upset. As she turned to to leave she finally saw Riley who giving her a thumbs up.
Later that Night
Mandy looked down at her dress double checking everything perfect. She and Adam's entr'acte was supposed to set up like they were walking the red carpet as a celebrity couple. She figured it was originally gong to to the Miz but he had suffered a back injury keeping him off Mania. Adam Cole wore a tux that would break away into his wrestling gear. Mandy held onto the "loaded" purse. Last thing she needed to do was mess up and forget something so important to the finish. By now the sun was down and the full size of the set could be seen. Even though the show was technically in New Jersey WWE was pushing it as a New York show. So as a result the set was meant to look like the New York City skyline.
Adam music started to play as he took her hand. "It time," He says taking a breath. For Adam this was life time work for one dream to finally come true. Mandy was happy for him. The started there walk. Mandy's dress was actually a long flowing gown but she wore flats since she had to get involved. It was gold and god she loved the way it looked she was tempted to see if she could get the designs made for real to add to her wardrobe.
Backstage there was a growing tension. Even before the Mania started word of a major article coming out online declaring "New Japan Claims Victory in New York and Steals WrestleMania Weekend," had gotten out. It would have been one if it had been a dirt sheet but rumor was it was Entertainment Weekly. Apparently one of their writers had found the idea of a wrestling company from Japan trying to go "toe to toe" with WWE interesting. And wound up being blown away by the show. The main event had been a tag title match with Young Bucks trying to regain the IWGP tag titles from the Killer Elite Squad of Lance Archer and Harry Smith. The match had called the best tag team match on American Soil in years which saw the Jackson win after spectacular Indy Taker on the much larger Archer.
That same night WWE put on a NXT TakerOver. While TakeOver was viewed as a very good show the New Japan Show was viewed as the better one. Adding in was the fact word why Madison Square Garden was not sold out the ticket sales had been better than expected. WrestleMania of course had sold simply on being WrestleMania. However that was now a feeling they had to take the weekend back by having the better show. The opening battle royals had gone well and the crusierweight title four way had been the best the division had seen since the CWC. A ladder match for the US title had been great. Thing started a down turn though. Braun Strowman vs. Bobby Lashley dragged. Than come a musical act the crowd crapped on. Finn Balor vs. Dolph Ziggler wound up getting cut short and didn't get the fan fully back into it.
Now a lot of pressure was landing on AJ and Adam. There match was supposed was viewed as one of the best on the card in the lead up. If it disappointed the crowd might be lost. Getting there cure Mandy and Adam walked out onto the stage. "ADAM COLE BAY BAY!" The crowd cheered that was a good sign. Adam and she soaked it in before heading to the ring as pyro went off. AJ's entrance was a take off on Rey Mysterio's old one as he was launched into the air from a trap door under the stage. Mandy was already out of the ring and felt a surge of electricity as Adam and AJ stood face to face trash talking before the bell rang.
The first part of the match saw the two even exchanging holds, strikes, slams, and even doing high flying moves. Finally Cold grew frustrated with his inability to gain an advantage and made a mistiming a splash in a corner allowing AJ to take over. Mandy watched as AJ hits a fireman's carry into a neck breaker before moving into the Muta Lock. Adam got the ropes. Mandy moved into position her first spot in the match was coming up. Adam rolled to floor and AJ dove out after him. The referee came out to check on Adam. As the referee was with Adam, Mandy smacked AJ in the back with the purse a thud could be heard and AJ dropped to the ground. That spots was key to get over the fact the bag was loaded. Boos could be heard as the fans were upset at Mandy.
Back in the ring Adam took over hitting a Cole-ateral and getting a two count. Adam started working over and mocking the crowd. Eventually he let AJ up and throwing some boxing style combos even doing an Ali Shuffle. Finally though he was to sloppy and missed allowing AJ to hit a pele. From there the match was back to being even. The pace picked up Mandy was amazed at how fast the two men could move. At a key point Adam got AJ down and hits a springboard 450 one of AJ's trademark moves. The crowd oohed. A cocky Adam rolled out of the ring dipped Mandy and kissed her. "Riley won't like that," Some smart ass yelled.
After another period with Adam in control he went for the Florida Key however Styles fought out of it and this his moonsault into an inverted DDT. AJ popped up and hit a last shot one of Adam's key moves. AJ hits a discus lariat and covered getting two. Adam landed near Mandy. "Trip the leg," he tells her. Sure enough they do a rope run and Mandy trips AJ's leg. He turns to her. Adam goes for to attack but at the last second AJ lands a hard elbow to Adam's jaw. AJ than gives a spin kick that knocks Adam down. AJ pulls him up for the Styles Clash but Adam blocks it into a back body drop. Adam goes for a suplex but AJ counters into a star maker suplex of his own.
Adam rolls to the floor and Mandy checks on him. AJ gets on the apron and ready to dive but at Adam pulls Mandy in front of him and AJ blocks. Adam uses this to trip AJ up and Styles smacks the apron face first. Adam draws the referee and Mandy nails AJ again with the bag. Adam gets AJ into the ring and covers him. Count of one count of one, AJ gets his boot on the rope. The crowd explodes at the false finish. Adam back in control and after another two minutes the go home signal is given. The referee is taken out when AJ ducks and Cole hits a clothes line.
AJ hits a super kick that stunned Adam. Mandy got back in with the bag and charged. AJ ducked and Adam took the shot to the face. Mandy was stunned. Another referee came out and forced Mandy out of the ring. AJ than hits the Forearm and gets the win. Mandy had to looked pissed but she was thrilled. The match had been great. AJ celebrated doing his pose as Adam rolled to the floor. Mandy helped him up and they headed to the back. "Was it good?" Adam asks. "It was great," she assures him.
Backstage
Adam was greeted by his various friends and congratulated. Mandy also got great feedback. Sonya hugged her. "I am so happy for you," her friend says. A round of applause broke out as AJ came through the curtain. Adam and AJ embraced. "Great work brother!" AJ says. He than comes up to Mandy. "Great work out there. I am proud of you," AJ tells Mandy. "So am I," a voice says behind them. Mandy turns around and sees Riley. Mandy runs up to him and they kiss. "What did you think?" She asks. "It was great. People are going to be talking about that for months," Riley says. "Thanks," Mandy says smiling. "And you look great in that dress," Riley tells her.
"I know you have a thing for long gowns," She says recalling the look he gave when he saw her in the dress for the hall of fame. "I have a thing for you in anything," Riley says. "I'm worried I am going to wake up and this was all a dream," Mandy says. Adam approaches them. "Hey man what did you think?" Adam asks Riley. "AJ really carried you well," Riley jokes. "Why I outta," Adam says putting up his hand up. "I am happy for you man," Riley says. "Thanks buddy," Adam says. BG walks up to them. "I am so damn proud of you two," He says. "Thanks Dogg," Adam says. "So it came off well?" Mandy asks. "Everything came off just how we wanted," BG assures her. On a monitor Mandy saw the hall of fame introductions were taking place.
Over to the side Ronda Rousey was waiting as was Stephanie McMahon. This was another huge risk. For months the plan had been for Ronda to challenge for one of the women's titles. But than Stephanie figured her vs. Ronda would be a bigger deal. So far the reaction has been underwhelming. Fans were sick of Stephanie on TV. All Mandy could do it would go well and keep the momentum just built. It didn't. Stephanie wound up over selling everything and having Nia Jax, Alicia Fox, and Sasha Banks attack Ronda with the ref unable to DQ due to a last second rule change by Stephanie killed momentum completely. When Stephanie pinned Ronda on a cheap spot where Nia held Ronda down was awful.
An extreme rules falls count anywhere match with Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins picked things back up. It was a brutal match even with the limits of PG both men made the most of the stipulation. When Seth hit a phoenix splash off the top off the set the crowd went crazy. "The King Slayer has finally slayed his former friend," Michael Cole yelled. After that Becky Lynch and Baszler had a strong match for Smackdown women's title that saw the Irish Lass kicker retain. Following that was the most emotional moment of the night as Daniel Bryan regained the WWE championship and celebrated post match with his wife and daughter in the ring.
Than came another mistake Kurt Angle teaming with Shane McMahon to take on Triple H and Randy Orton. Kurt and Hunter both looked awful and seemed to be lost at time there age having caught up them. Shane didn't fair much better leaving Randy to carry the match. The problem was Randy's slow deliprate style left the fans restless. Not helping was a call to have Shane turn heel and reunite the McMahon Family for the finish. Than came a legends segment and the return of Hulk Hogan. WWE had expected Hogan's first apperance to be a highlight they didn't count on a vocal portion of the crowd that would never forgive him for that tape. Both Riley and Mandy watched as the segment grew to one of the most awkward in many years.
By now Mandy had long changed out of her dress from the match and into what she would wear to the after party. "How do you think the show had been?" She asked Riley as the main event neared. He looked around wanting to see who was around. "Okay there have been some really great moments on this show. But the stuff that hasn't worked has been really bad. The main event needs to be strong," Riley says. The main event was Roman vs. Cena for the Universal Title Cena had won in the fall. The fact Roman main eventing another WrestleMania already was risky. Fans just weren't going to accept him. Not helping things was Vince wanted both me as total faces in an effort to make like Hogan and Warrior. By all accounts laying out the match was tough because Vince didn't want either to look to weak. He needed Roman strong because Roman was his guy but wanted Cena strong so his appearances remained special. It was a classic case of wanting your cake and eating it to.
Riley actually felt sorry for Cena and Roman. A show like Mania meant good wasn't good enough. The main event did not have to be the best match on the show. Savage vs. Steamboat and Michaels vs. Ramon in the first Ladder matched proved that. But the main event still needed to be worthy of the main event slot. Riley knew the kind of pressure Kenny Omega put on himself at events like Wrestle Kingdom and Dominon he figured it had to be the same for Cena and Roman. "I hope this goes well. I don't think anyone wants another pissed off Roman meltdown," Sonya says coming up to them. "You can say that again," Mandy says.
Finally the two men made there entrace. Riley checked his watch technically Mania had been on the air for nearly seven hours. That was another strike against the main event the fans were tired. To both men's credit they did all the could. The match was actually pretty good. Riley personally thought it was one of the better Cena matches he had ever seen and it was a stronger than usual outing from Roman. But it wasn't enough. It was good but not good enough. The fans didn't boo it but they didn't get into it. After Roman kicked out of the AA the fans turned on him once again. It wasn't as bad as it could have been but it was another time Roman the man booked as the top face was being booed.
When it ended with a spear and a Roman win it locked this Mania into position as one of the bad ones. It wouldn't be one of the worst one's not it wasn't that bad. But it wasn't show people would praise. Roman stormed through the curtain and blew off the guys that were waiting. He only barley acknowledged Vince and Hunter. "Don't forget everyone the post show party is at the hotel Vince to see you all there," Christina yells as some of the talent leaves. Her message was clear you better show up. Riley took Mandy's hand it was going to be a long night.