Wrestlemania Recap: Major Title Changes Hands; Betrayal in the Tag Match

Did Brock Lesnar get the revenge he was seeking against the Big Show?

Chris Jericho vs Edge (C) vs Antonio Cesaro vs Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Title Match
The four eventually paired off and Jericho and Cesaro found themselves battling inside the ring with many near falls. At one point, Edge jumped from the top rope onto Ziggler, who was on the floor. The unpredictable nature of the match lead many nearfalls and a simultaneous kickout by Jericho and Ziggler. Ziggler hit the Zig Zag on Cesaro, but the pinfall was broken up by Jericho, who hit the Codebreaker. Edge saved his title at the last moment and the four battled once again. Eventually, Jericho and Cesaro spilled out onto the floor and the Ultimate Opportunist took advantage, planting Ziggler with the Edgucution, retaining his title.

Winner: Edge

John Cena vs Shawn Michaels
World Heavyweight Championship #1 Contenders Match

This match-up determined the top contender for the belt at the next PPV and it did not disappoint. Cena and Michaels battled all over the ring, and even on the outside. Cena performed an Attitude Adjustment on the padding outside of the ring and rolled back into the ring to try and force a count-out on Michaels. But HBK beat the referees count and got back in the ring. Cena wore him down even more and went for another AA. But Michaels struggled out of it, pushed back Cena and landed the Sweet Chin Music. Cena kicked out, but HBK landed another super kick and stole the win.

Winner: Shawn Michaels

Wrestlemania Preview

Chris Jericho vs Edge (C) vs Antonio Cesaro vs Dolph Ziggler
Intercontinental Title Match

The Intercontinental Championship was owned by Dolph Ziggler, who was tired of fighting jobbers. He was finally defeated on Raw by Edge, but Edge’s celebration was short lived when Antonio Cesaro came to the ring. Cesaro declared he should have been given a title shot but Chris Jericho, who Cesaro had been feuding with, got involved as well. During a tag team match, Jericho walked out on his partner Edge, leaving some bad blood between the two.

Elimination Chamber: Taker Costs Triple H His Belt

Triple H didn’t make it out of the Chamber with his Championship. He isn’t looking for a rematch for the belt any time soon either.

Booker T vs The Miz
Booker T’s Job vs Miz’s Elimination Chamber Spot

The match started out with a pair of taunts. But when Booker T finished his Spin-A-Rooni, Miz attacked him and the match got underway. The two traded momentum, but the Miz got the better of Booker T in the end. When Booker went for the scissor kick, Miz avoided it, and in turn set up Booker for the Skull Crushing Finale and won the match, retiring Booker T and earning a spot in the Elimination Chamber.

Winner: The Miz

Shield and Chris Jericho vs Antonio Cesaro and Rhodes Scholars

Rollins and Rhodes started this six man tag match. Rhodes controlled early until Rollins was able to turn it around and tag in his partner Ambrose. The two got in some double team moves and Ambrose managed the pace. However, Sandow kicked Ambrose in the back as he was whipped near the Scholars’ corner. Rhodes tagged in Cesaro and the two beat on Ambrose. Cesaro then threw Ambrose out of the ring and as Jericho tried to help, the referee restrained him, allowing the Rhodes Scholars to beat up Ambrose a bit more.

Elimination Chamber Preview

Booker T vs The Miz
Booker T’s Job vs Miz’s Elimination Chamber Spot

The rivalry started when Miz tweeted about how washed up Booker T was as a wrestler. Booker challenged him to a match and won. Miz didn’t take kindly to getting beat, and the following week got his revenge on Booker by attacking him and then beating him in a tag match. The following week, Booker attacked Miz after he was talking trash on Booker, forwarding the feud even more. Then it was this past week that the stipulations were set: Miz, who earned the sixth spot in the Elimination Chamber, would put that on the line with Booker T, who would have to retire if he lost.

Swagger Wins Rumble; HHH, Punk Champions

The Royal Rumble turned out to be one for the ages, bringing intense action from start to finish.

Legends made their mark, new champions were crowned, and paths were paved for a couple of young stars. And in a weird turn of events, the Tag Team match ended in a disqualification, leaving its fate up in the air.

But the biggest surprise of the night came during the Rumble as the unlikely winner was Jack Swagger.

The Royal Rumble proved to be another thrilling main event. Edge and Kofi Kingston started the match for their respective brands with neither lasting very long in the Rumble.

The final six came down to late entrants Sheamus, Swagger,
Randy Orton, Wade Barrett, Big Show and Alberto Del Rio. Sheamus and
Barrett were taken out by Orton after lengthy battles with each. Swagger
hit a dropkick that knocked the Big Show out and he was left with Orton and Del Rio.

While Orton was distracted with Del Rio, Swagger dumped him out of the ring. It was then down to Swagger and Del Rio. After a few minutes of back and forth, Swagger hit a clothesline on Del Rio to eliminate him and win the Royal Rumble.

Royal Rumble 2013 Preview

Could the Rock win the Rumble?

Hardcore Championship: Mankind vs Rob Van Dam
Extreme Rules

Mankind couldn’t let go of the fact that the Hardcore Championship disappeared from circulation. That is why on the Smackdown prior to the Royal Rumble, Mankind walked to the squared-circle with a briefcase in hand. In that briefcase was the old tattered belt that he had hanging on his wall at home. Mankind offered a challenge to anyone in the back, legend or current star, to come out and pry it from his hands. Rob Van Dam answered the call. But before they were going to fight, Smackdown commissioner Roose told the two they would settle it at the Royal Rumble.

Diva Championship: Beth Phoenix vs Trish Stratus

Beth Phoenix, mad that she was forced to drop her belt, went on a tirade talking about how she was disrespected and was the greatest Diva Champion of all time. But she was interrupted by Trish Stratus, who was looking to backup her legacy by charging the ring and attacking Phoenix. Commissioner Real Deal broke up the cat fight, telling the two ladies they will fight for the belt at the Rumble.