Sheamus def. Daniel Bryan to win the World Heavyweight Championship:
What I Liked:
So, we get an 18 second match between two really good workers in their form on a grand stage. Before the match, the crowd began to chant "Yes" which shocked me. Bryan is gaining so much popularity with the smart fans that he will continue to stay at the top as a heel for the foreseeable future. I really believe that this match needed to go longer, obviously, but Sheamus' Brogue Kick was perfect, and this match was placed perfectly in the card. I predicted this match to kick off the night, just had no idea it would be so quick. It really grabbed the crowd's attention in an instant. Also, AJ costing Bryan the match will make him get more heat by disrespecting her for the next few weeks. I feel they work well as a complex and different couple.
What I Disliked:
Yes, this match deserved so much more time, especially with how they have built up Sheamus and Bryan at the same time. They really could go for 20 minutes back and forth and tell a compelling story. They did not get the chance, and i felt overall it was not what everyone wanted to see. Bryan will have a chance to seek revenge, but does this make him lose credibility? I do not think so, due to how the crowd got behind him instantly. That sign will tell Vince that Bryan is a heel who really builds off of others' success. He will do this again.
Grade: C+
Team Johnny has a quick backstage segment. They basically get pumped up for the big match. Love Johnny in the white suit. He finally is his own character and not known as the brother of Road Warrior Animal.
Kane def. Randy Orton:
What I Liked:
This was the most underrated match of the night. Kane and Orton worked very well together on the big stage. Orton was extremely physical on a much more powerful opponent. I really enjoyed the calculated attempts of Kane to ground Orton, but he always seemed to come back and fight off with fists to the face and body. A solid combination of strikes, attacks, and submission progressed this match to the final conclusion. They were given enough time for both guys to look strong, especially Kane. He needed this win, given that his biggest victory in a single's match at Wrestlemania was for the ECW Championship against Chavo Guerrero. This gives him a great victory on the most important stage. Kane is a guy who can benefit from this and get another run at the top. Kane can be a top heel, and has a shot to fill spots of other veterans who are not going to be there on a weekly basis. Orton does not benefit from a win here, and his popularity is still very hot with the general crowd.
What I Disliked:
The only real problem I had was why are they fighting? There needed to be some sort of story to fill out the feud. This would have been a match of more importance given the history of the two guys. It is very simple to go into the vault and find a reason, but they did not invest enough interest in these two. Kane and Orton deserved a bigger spot on the card. Also, with the draft coming, does it make sense to have Orton stay on Smackdown? I do not know where he goes from here, possibly in a feud with Bryan? There are so many question marks on what else Orton does to evolve himself once again.
Grade: B
