PREVIEW
THE HEADLINER
Roman Reigns pulled out a win when he officially clashed with the Monster Among Men at Fastlane and probably thought Braun Strowman was in his rear view. And with a date with the Dead Man looming at WrestleMania, he really needs to get focused. That's what Shawn Michaels showed up to tell him last week when the sound of a gong almost led to a loss against Jinder Mahal, of all people.
But shortly after the Big Dog told HBK what he could do with his veteran advice, Strowman re-emerged in vicious fashion. Braun blindsided Roman on the ramp and sent him caroming into the barricade, revealing that if Reigns thought they were done when he made way for the Undertaker, he was mistaken.
Strowman currently has nothing planned for the Showcase of the Immortals, and is looking to take his frustration about that out on Reigns. Can Roman not only survive, but do so in a way that will leave Braun unable/uninterested in continuing to punish him ahead of the battle of the yard with the Phenom at Mania?
THE TITLE SCENE
► For the second week in a row, Universal champion Goldberg isn't advertised for the show, but his challenger, Brock Lesnar, is. Will we get more than another promo from his advocate, Paul Heyman, this week?
► He still holds the United States title, and the belt will be on the line on April 2, but that's the least of Chris Jericho's concerns. Ever since betraying his former best compadre during the Festival of Friendship, Kevin Owens has been disrespecting Y2J, and claiming their connection was always a means to an end. Tonight, Jericho is busting out “The Highlight Reel” for a hard-hitting journalistic exposé where he promises to reveal the "real" KO. Does that mean more comedy, or upping the personal stakes in this long-running program?
► Bayley technically picked up a win last week, but the Women's champ can't be feeling great heading into Mania. That's because her most recent victory only came because the referee was tired of seeing Nia Jax kick her ass. And her bestie, Sasha Banks, is not only one of her opponents in Orlando, but seems to be playing mind games with the Hugster's self-confidence. At least her other challenger, Charlotte Flair, is tied up dealing with vengeful former protoge Dana Brooke, who snapped and attacked the Queen after her latest tirade about Brooke's incompetence.
► Tag titleholders Karl Anderson & Luke Gallows are funny guys - just check Southpaw Regional Wrestling. But they're not kayfabe smart, seeing as their plan to get the spotlight put on them was to not get a match at WrestleMania 33 by crashing the number one contenders match between Enzo Amore & Big Cass and Cesaro & Sheamus. The Good Brothers thought that would lead to General Manager Mick Foley declaring no challengers to their belts. Instead they got a Triple Threat.
► On 205 Live, Austin Aries won the Fatal 5Way elimination match to determine who would face Cruiserweight champion Neville at the Ultimate Thrill Ride. And so, the Greatest Man That Ever Lived will look to complete a meteoric rise on the main roster that started just a couple weeks ago when he moved from the announce table to the ring by beating the King at the biggest show of the year.
OTHER STUFF TO KEEP AN EYE ON:
► Foley's been hinting his time might be up, for storyline and real-life reasons, for a while. His angle with commissioner Stephanie McMahon came to a pretty logical conclusion a week ago, even if that involved a mauling at the hands of Steph's husband, Triple H (at least Mr. Socko got some work in first). He hasn't officially been fired yet, but it seems like a foregone conclusion. And then what happens to the matches he's booked, or the babyfaces he's stuck up for?
► Last Monday's main event also featured the return of Seth Rollins, and then an attack on his injured knee. Everyone will be watching to see if the Architect shows up, or if there's an update on his condition, as we try to figure out his status for Orlando.
► Rollins and Strowman aren't the only guys trying to figure out what, if anything, is planned for them on April 2. Big Show is in the Andre the Giant Memorial battle royal... unless Shaq changes his mind? Samoa Joe is cornering Owens and/or Triple H, I guess? Finn Balor is only working house shows until after Mania? A lot of questions with two weeks to go...
► It's not just the guys, either. Will Dana's new attitude, or Nia's continued dominance, help them land on the card in Orlando?