The show opens with Johnny Ace addressing the WWE superstars and divas in a fine segment, showing off how his reign will go by setting up Santino vs Ziggler and Swagger for that championship, and Punk vs. Henry for the WWE championship. Punk sets himself up as the new Stone Cold.
First up on the actual show is The Rock, coming out to celebrate after his victory last night. He says it was an honor immediately after dismissing the STF. He also guarantees that this is only the beginning, though I expect he won't be back until next year's Road to Wrestlemania. This is a good promo, and he seems to have gotten some of his old energy back after the match last night, even if he stumbles over his words a few times. He goes onto say that he will be WWE Champion, which is an interesting idea. It's probably what he'll do at next year's Wrestlemania.
Next up is the triple threat match for the US Championship, between Santino, Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler. It starts strong, with Ziggler and Swagger teaming up on Santino and keeping control through the commercial break except for some brief moments where Santino gets control. Ziggler counters a Cobra for the near fall, which leads Swagger and Ziggler to start fighting each other. This allows Santino to hit Swagger with the Cobra for the win. American Perfection go to attack him, only for Brodus Clay to defend him. Santino dances with him, and I desperately want them to become a tag team.
Next is the somewhat anticlimactic introduction of Lord Tensai. They couldn't have had him come in for a storyline? His appearance doesn't have the same shock value as Brodus's return. Still, this is a good enough squash match. Oh yeah, he's squashing Alex Riley. It showcases his personality, refusing to pin and just tormenting Riley. It has the odd effect of getting the crowd to chant for Riley. That wasn't a very successful introduction.
They've been showing recaps of Cena saying that he needed to win. They're really stressing how Cena's lost everything, and I'm curious what's going to happen.
CM Punk vs Mark Henry is up next, and Punk is selling injuries received last night against Jericho. Henry is mostly in control here, though it is clear that it's because Punk is still recovering from last night. The Bryan “Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!” chant starts up again, for the third or fourth time tonight. If the WWE was trying to turn both Sheamus and Bryan last night, they may have succeeded. Punk counters a bear hug into a DDT for a near fall. Henry breaks the pin by tossing Punk away, which is my favorite way of breaking a pin. Punk keeps gaining control briefly, only to be stopped by some very good counters from Mark Henry. They come back from the break for another great example of one of Henry's counters.
This crowd is in revolt! They start chanting Daniel Bryan while Henry has Punk in a hold, though they start chanting for Punk before the hold is broken. Punk manages to knock Henry down and hit the Macho Elbow, injuring himself in the process. Punk goes for the bulldog, except Henry counters by throwing Punk out of the ring, leading to a countout and the victory for Henry, though he doesn't gain the title. And then the crowd starts chanting for Lesnar.
Laurinitis says that Punk will be defending the belt more often. Then Jericho comes out and dumps some Jack Daniels on Punk's face. He goes on to smash another bottle on Punk's head. This feud clearly isn't over, that much is clear.
After the break, there's a recap of the “match” between Sheamus and Daniel Bryan, leading to Sheamus entering to deafening boos. Before he gets to say anything, Alberto Del Rio enters to a more favorable reaction. That's... kind of shocking. And the crowd starts chanting “Si! Si! Si! Si!” Del Rio tries to talk, but can barely be heard over the Daniel Bryan chants. Sheamus starts talking, and gets boos again. Del Rio and Sheamus have a match Friday, but Del Rio's mic keeps cutting out. When he goes to switch mics, Sheamus surprises him with a Brogue Kick. That's... really a dick move. Only Orton can get away with doing something like that. They go backstage to Josh Matthews and Daniel Bryan. Matthews asks what he's feeling, and Bryan just stares him down.
More pictures from Wrestlemania, then Cody Rhodes comes out with a new entrance jacket. It looks good. He's facing Kofi Kingston. Rhodes is looking more serious than he has since he ditched the mask. Big Show comes out midway through the match to present an embarrassing Wrestlemania moment for Cody Rhodes. Kofi hits a Trouble in Paradise thanks to the distraction for the win.
It looks like Mark Henry is going to get a manager, which is good because he isn't the best talker. Then Eve comes out, clearly looking to get on Johnny Ace's good side.
The next match is The Miz against Zack Ryder. For those who don't know, The Miz is the one who beat Ryder last night to give Team Johnny the win. Miz starts out taunting Ryder, which Ryder takes advantage of and takes control for a while. Miz counters and gains control briefly, though Ryder retakes control, hitting the Broski Boot for a near fall. The Miz ends up hitting a Skullcrushing Finale for the win.
Cena comes out after the break, with the crowd back to booing him. He teases a heel turn, though he obviously doesn't follow through. He goes on to say that he isn't there to call out The Rock, to be interrupted by a “We want Lesnar” chant. He does invite the Rock to the ring so he can show his respect. He keeps getting interrupted by the crowd, though – with both the “We want Lesnar” and “Daniel Bryan” chants. And then, when Cena invites Rock out again, Brock Lesnar comes out and the crowd goes berserk. Lesnar offers Cena his hand, then hits him with an F5.
Overall, this was a good and very strange show. The crowd was hostile, but the matches were solid.
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