WrestleMania week in Las Vegas has formally come to an end, and theres rather a lot to evaluate after the much-heralded “Raw after ‘Mania” closed with the apparent formation of a brand new major power in wrestling. Moreover, we’ve got a brand new WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, men’s Intercontinental Champion, and men’s United States Champion — though there wasn’t nearly as much shake-up in the ladies’s division. IYO SKY and Tiffany Stratton each retained their very own world titles against three of the division’s top stars, and even the ladies’s tag titles slingshotted back to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez on “Raw” after losing them to Lyra Valkyria and a returning Becky Lynch at WrestleMania. In reality, Lynch and Valkyria now have perhaps the clearest direction of anyone in the corporate after the previous turned on the latter on “Raw.”
With nearly every thing else, nonetheless, there’s still some clarity needed. Are feuds like Jade Cargill vs. Naomi and Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest really over? Who might be the following to challenge the brand new titleholders, in addition to those who managed to retain? And with the last splinter of the unique Bloodline finally snapped, how powerful could Paul Heyman’s recent faction grow to fill the void? “The Showcase of the Immortals is over” — where can we go from here?
Is Jacob Fatu able to run through the lads’s midcard?
“The Samoan Werewolf” finally has his first singles championship in WWE and from what we have seen from Jacob Fatu thus far, he’s ready to utterly run through the lads’s mid-card division, more so than he already has, on “WWE SmackDown.” In what’s prone to be a typical theme throughout this text, Fatu could easily face Knight once more at WWE Backlash next month. That is all as a consequence of Knight’s character and his cockiness, nonetheless, because technically, the rematch clause inside WWE doesn’t exist unless it’s convenient for the booking, so he can easily fight for one on Friday. Fatu has no reason to provide Knight a rematch, nonetheless, as he pinned “The Megastar” clean as a whistle in the midst of the ring after a pair of moonsaults, no interference or distraction from Solo Sikoa or the remainder of the Bloodline needed.
WWE didn’t paint themselves right into a corner with Fatu and the Bloodline as a consequence of that fact. Sikoa got here out with Fatu, which made perfect sense, but didn’t go right down to the ring with him. Fatu won the USA Championship all on his own. Sikoa didn’t interfere, so there is not any real reason, as of straight away, for Sikoa and Fatu to get right into a feud. There’s tension between the 2 backstage, but not enough that WWE has to decide on to act on it immediately. Sikoa can stand by while Fatu runs through everyone else who challenges him. WWE saw that the Sikoa experiment, for lack of a greater term, didn’t exactly take off, so just leaving it and letting Fatu do his own thing might be best for what the fans need to see.
Fatu must have a lengthy run with the US title and defeat guys like Andrade and the Miz before having meatier feuds (pun intended) with Braun Strowman, again, and even possibly Drew McIntyre or Damian Priest somewhere down the road. If WWE wants the mid-card belt to look more prestigious, putting Fatu in a significant feud after a number of solid, dominant defenses can absolutely do this.
Written by Daisy Ruth
Is Jade Cargill and Naomi’s feud truly over?
After months of underhanded assaults, personal attacks, and right hands, Naomi and Jade Cargill finally squared off in singles motion during Night 1 of WrestleMania 41. After trading blows in an intense brawl, Cargill left Vegas with what she wanted: a victory over her treacherous, former best friend, and a probability to maneuver on with a clean slate. Or, did she?
Cargill took to the WrestleMania post-show conference to tease fans with a possible continuation of her and Naomi’s feud post-Mania. There’s reason to imagine that the feud might be revisited, in some aspect, on “WWE SmackDown’s” upcoming episodes leading as much as WrestleMania Backlash, which is just three weeks away, but Cargill has been relatively tight-lipped about what an prolonged feud between her and Naomi may exactly seem like. Naomi has also maintained her silence regarding her loss and further programs with Cargill, but the final consensus here is that Naomi and Cargill aren’t done of their saga just yet.
So, where can we go from here?
Regardless of what Naomi and Cargill placed on, it should should be leaps and bounds more intense than their build-up to Mania, and that could be a high bar to clear. With a clean loss on her record, Naomi cannot afford to let her foot off the gas with regards to exacting punishment towards Cargill, lest she lose her credibility as a heel: an identity she has worked so hard to determine as a legitimate threat. Cargill cannot afford to get complacent, lest the feud fall flat and off prematurely. They could have had their WrestleMania moment, but I’d argue that their performance in Vegas was nothing greater than an out-lap. They were testing the waters then. Now, it is time for them to place things to high-gear for a flying lap towards Backlash. They need to essentially push into every corner — every nuance, every depth of their character — in an effort to make this feud value watching. If the 2 do it right and full-send things post-Mania, their inevitable match at Backlash will change into much more of a must-watch contest, especially on a card that is usually disregarded due to its relative non-impact on the greater WWE roster.
There’s also the Bianca Belair query. I’ll touch on her overall impact on the division once I provide my thoughts in regards to the fallout of Night 2’s Triple Threat for the WWE Women’s World Championship, but putting it simply: there is no such thing as a way Belair doesn’t get entangled on this feud moving forward. If her aggressiveness throughout the Triple Threat is anything to go by, we’re due for a more intense, tweener version of “The -EST” (if not a full heel turn). There is no such thing as a telling whose side she’s going to proceed to take following Naomi and Cargill’s match — if she takes a side in any respect. Could we be heading right into a Triple Threat between the WrestleMania 40 trio at Backlash?
Anything can occur in wrestling. That phrase has never rang more true.
Written by Angeline Phu
What’s next for Drew McIntyre after an up-and-down WrestleMania season?
It has been a weird few months for Drew McIntyre. The previous WWE Champion returned his focus to Roman Reigns and The Bloodline following his feud with CM Punk, teasing angles with each Reigns and (then) Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, but nothing ever got here of them, and the “Bloodline Hunter” character appeared to sputter to a halt following singles losses to each Jimmy and Jey Uso. After backstage controversy sprung up around his elimination from the 2025 men’s Royal Rumble match, there was reporting that McIntyre was set to win the Elimination Chamber, but he as an alternative ended up in a WrestleMania feud with Damian Priest, the person who cashed in Money within the Bank on McIntyre a yr earlier. It even searched for a moment like that match was in query when McIntyre got glass in his eye after Priest slammed him on a automotive windshield, but he ended up having the ability compete and got the win, avenging his ‘Mania 40 loss and ending this roller coaster of a run with, on the very least, his arm raised.
Despite his victory, the trail forward for “The Scottish Psychopath” stays unclear. With the World Heavyweight Championship (theoretically) on “Raw” and the WWE title within the hands of a heel John Cena — who’s already feuding with Randy Orton and, as he reminded us on “Raw,” only has limited dates for the rest of the yr — chasing a world title seems unlikely, and McIntyre is just too big a star to be sending against the likes of Jacob Fatu just yet. When it comes to “SmackDown” hierarchy, the one natural option for McIntyre’s next opponent is Rhodes; that storyline could be likely feature each strong wrestling and robust promos, and McIntyre could be a great nemesis to construct Cody back as much as Cena’s level. Nevertheless, we’ve got yet to see how Rhodes will reply to his WrestleMania loss to Cena — we do not even know if he’ll be on “SmackDown,” let alone show up ready to begin a brand new feud.
Priest’s immediate future is even harder to find out, because there aren’t many heels on “SmackDown” at his specific level, beyond McIntyre. He seems too highly-positioned to be fed to the likes of Fatu, but not high enough to be considered an imminent challenger for Cena. He could work with a younger heel like Solo Sikoa or Carmelo Hayes, and even an anti-hero like LA Knight, but any combination of those names ends in matches where each participants must win. To be honest, the most effective thing for Priest — and possibly for McIntyre too, if Rhodes is not available — is to proceed feuding with McIntyre, possibly getting his win back sooner or later. Speaking personally, I enjoyed their WrestleMania match enough that I would not mind seeing them go at it again.
Written by Miles Schneiderman
How long can Tiffy Time last?
Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair went to war over the WWE Women’s Championship on night considered one of WrestleMania and it was Stratton to depart Las Vegas along with her gold still in tow. If there’s any match that could possibly be run again on Backlash next month, nonetheless, it’s this one, with Flair’s character, despite Stratton beating her clean on “The Grandest Stage of Them All.” In spite of everything these two women have been through, especially with the private attacks throughout the now infamous “SmackDown” promo segment, Flair is not prone to take this loss well. It is also not unlike WWE to take this feel-good moment of Stratton defeating her dream opponent during her WrestleMania debut and switch it on its head only a month later and put the championship on Flair.
However, it might definitely be argued that Stratton and Flair won’t face one another again. While WWE hasn’t alluded to a post-Mania draft, Flair could thoroughly head over to “WWE Raw” and check out her luck facing Women’s World Champion IYO SKY and getting in the combo with Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripely, as well. Prone to moving into personal territory, Flair now has reason to maneuver brands and no fan would really think twice about it.
Stratton was excited for the potential of recent feuds on the post-show press conference on Saturday and rattled off a number of names. She mentioned each Belair and Ripley, in addition to Jade Cargill. Naomi would even be a wonderful feud for Stratton, despite her loss to Cargill on night one, as her recent heel character quickly gained steam with fans and plenty of desired to see her get the win over Cargill.
There’s also all the time Nia Jax waiting within the wings to try to take the championship off Stratton once more. The “SmackDown” women’s roster is varied, but there aren’t many heels working on the blue brand straight away outside of Jax and Naomi. Stratton is one champion who may benefit from a post-WrestleMania roster shakeup, that’s, if she and Flair are kept aside from each other and Flair doesn’t take the title at Backlash.
Written by Daisy Ruth
Who can stop John Cena from ruining wrestling?
So despite Cody Rhodes’ insistence within the weeks leading as much as WrestleMania 41, world title number 17 did in truth occur for John Cena in Sunday’s major event. In a match and result that divided opinion, Cena took the WWE Championship with a low blow and a belt shot after help from, not The Rock because the story had led some to expect, but Travis Scott. It was a bitter end for Rhodes’ title reign, one yr on from dethroning Roman Reigns to finish his own historic run, and leaves questions over when and where he’ll re-emerge and apply himself. He denied to comment on the loss on the WrestleMania post-show and wasn’t seen on Monday’s “WWE Raw,” so it is vitally possible he might be taking a while to re-evaluate after doing every thing the correct way and it still not being enough. Nevertheless, he’s being advertised for this week’s “SmackDown.”
Cena was on “Raw” to flaunt his record-breaking WWE Championship, mentioning that he only had 27 dates – stressing that’s appearances, not matches – until he finishes his profession within the ring; should nobody dethrone him, that might also accomplish his goal of being the last lineal Undisputed WWE Champion. But he was met with someone he and Rhodes know thoroughly in Randy Orton, catching the “Biggest of All Time” with an RKO out of nowhere before lifting the title to make his intent clear. Orton and Cena are storied rivals but this might be a flip of their usual dynamic, with Cena the heel and Orton the face this time around, and comes as Orton himself looks so as to add to his 14 world titles. There’s also the query of how Rhodes will react as his friend pursues his title.
For months Orton spent defending Rhodes and his title reign against insurmountable odds with The Bloodline and Kevin Owens, and it is smart that he would want the identical in return should Rhodes get entangled on this feud. That dynamic alone adds the potential for a triple threat and/or a divide between the babyfaces as they go against Cena, with this title feud perhaps serving because the catalyst for either of them to show.
Written by Max Everett
Who might be next to step as much as IYO SKY?
While IYO SKY walked into WrestleMania as WWE Women’s World Champion, no person expected her to walk out with the gold still in hand, despite her undefeated streak in Triple Threat championship matches. SKY was each the third wheel in her own title feud increase to WrestleMania and the perceived underdog, especially up against Ripley’s general booking and Belair’s undefeated WrestleMania streak. So, when SKY pinned Belair to secure the victory, break Belair’s WrestleMania undefeated streak, and proceed her reign in Vegas, her upset victory absolutely modified the sport — it broke the firmament on which WWE’s women’s division stands on. Now, with all precedent and all expectations out of the window, where can we go from here? Where do SKY, Belair, and Ripley go from here?
Belair, first off, needs a while away from the title scene — not because she’s exhausted her contention probabilities, but because there are more pressing issues in her life than one other probability at gold. Her two former friends (because I do not see Belair being friendly with either of them), Naomi and Jade Cargill, are tearing one another apart over on “WWE SmackDown,” and there ‘s just no way that Belair doesn’t tie up her loose ends with each of them. There’s enough of their three-way feud to hold them to Backlash, and maybe to SummerSlam, in the event that they pace things appropriately. Either way, Belair’s focus must be on Naomi and Cargill.
I do know Ripley appeared on the “WWE Raw” after WrestleMania to save lots of SKY from a post-match beatdown, and I do know she and SKY had a moment with the title, but come on. There is no such thing as a way Ripley’s getting her hands on that title any time soon. As of WrestleMania 41, Ripley has did not defeat SKY for the title thrice: twice on “Raw,” and once on “The Grandest Stage of them All.” I am unable to imagine she’d achieve success in reclaiming the title after three failed attempts. There is no such thing as a way that this program goes on for longer than Backlash, if it doesn’t end on considered one of the three episodes of “Raw” before it. As for what Ripley does after losing to SKY…that is anyone’s guess. Perhaps some time without work or a move to “SmackDown” can provide “Mami” a much-needed refresh.
Now, for SKY. After Ripley, SKY has the chance to tackle some very recent opponents. There are such a lot of women who’re able to contending for SKY’s title on the red brand, and so many “NXT” women that could be called up, as NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer was on “WWE Raw.” The sky is the limit (pun intended) for the brand new WWE Women’s World Champion. Where does SKY go from here? Same place she’s all the time been: at the highest.
Written by Angeline Phu
Will Dirty Dom’s win finally break up the Judgment Day?
Dominik Mysterio is now Intercontinental Champion after rising to the chance with a frog splash to put waste to fellow Judgment Day member Finn Balor and capture the gold. By some means, through a way, over recent weeks, Mysterio has been slowly emerging as a babyface. His evolution into a great guy was seemingly complete due to the Las Vegas crowd on Sunday after he won the title and ran back to the ring to have a good time a second time, in addition to with the fans who were watching the post-show behind the panel outside of the world. Fans were even singing for “Dirty Dom,” who said he was planning to have a good time his victory with some chicken nuggets and a burger.
But, where does he go from here? This one appears to be easy, with the top of the Judgment Day hopefully near. That must be the rationale why Mysterio got the pin on Balor, to solidify their split for good over the approaching weeks, likely with a one-on-one match at Backlash. Mysterio and Balor are prone to face off in St. Louis and hopefully Mysterio retains the championship, because Balor doesn’t need it at this stage of his profession. Then, Balor and JD McDonagh, now that McDonagh returned on the “Raw” after ‘Mania, can easily slide right into the tag team picture once more.
On “Raw” on Monday, Mysterio had his first successful defense over Penta and Balor was ringside. Nevertheless, as the top of the Judgment Day looms, Balor didn’t look too comfortable to be pulled into a gaggle hug to have a good time with the remainder of the faction. It was McDonagh to assist Mysterio to victory, surprisingly, but he could possibly be easily swayed to side with Balor if the split moves forward.
Mysterio, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez can go off as their very own trio, possibly taking Carlito with them. Morgan and Mysterio are still a cute act together, and so they’ve been doing a ton of media appearance alongside one another, including a significant appearance on First We Feast’s “Hot Ones Versus.” Keeping them together remains to be a great idea since there is not any real reason to interrupt them up and so they have not been interacting in anything of real substance on WWE programming for the time being, anyway. At this point, Mysterio seemingly doesn’t need a complete stable behind him, especially a heel faction, and he can stand on his own with the championship for quite awhile now that fans are getting increasingly behind him.
Written by Daisy Ruth
How dangerous can the alliance between Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman truly change into?
We got a have a look at what was to come back after WrestleMania 41 for the participants of Saturday’s major event on Monday’s “WWE Raw,” and it added one other one more name to the combo after Paul Heyman and Seth Rollins’ shocking alignment over the weekend.
With Heyman turning on each CM Punk and Roman Reigns handy the victory to Rollins, it was clear going into Monday that the “Visionary” was the newest “Paul Heyman Guy” as they’d address the matter to shut “Raw.” It didn’t take too long for Punk to take the bait, coming right down to the ring with blind rage only to be stopped by Rollins; Reigns then got here right down to the ring to do what Punk couldn’t, delivering a spear to Rollins and a Superman Punch to Heyman before organising a spear on his former “Clever Man.” Nevertheless, as he ran for the move he was torn out of the air by the spear of Bron Breakker, marking his first motion since losing the Intercontinental title over the weekend and cementing an alliance with Heyman and Rollins.
It appeared as if Rollins and Breakker had written Punk and Reigns off for differing spells, with Breakker spearing Reigns through the barricade and dragging him back into the ring. Rollins then made Reigns watch as he stomped Punk’s head in, before following up with a stomp to the “Tribal Chief” to complete things off. Things are clearly removed from over between Reigns, Punk, Rollins, Breakker, and Heyman, so it’s just an issue of when each of Reigns and Punk return to choose things up. But with Rollins’ win, in his words, making him the undisputed top guy in WWE, there may be also a probability that he targets gold – especially with Reigns’ cousin Jey Uso the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, celebrating together with his brother Jimmy and Sami Zayn during Monday’s show.
Rollins claimed that the longer term now runs through him, and that might imply it isn’t just his old skeletons he’s trying to bury. Breakker is clearly here to assist him do this — and he may not be the just one. It seems extremely likely that the brand new faction forming around Heyman is simply going to grow … but how big, and with whom? There are any variety of candidates — Rusev just got here back, Jeff Cobb is supposedly entering the fold, the likes of Ilja Dragunov and Bronson Reed will hopefully be able to return soon, and there is any variety of “WWE NXT” talent ripe for a call-up, most notably former NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom. Whoever the particular names find yourself being, it feels extraordinarily likely that Heyman and Rollins are constructing a brand new Dangerous Alliance, and that is bad news for everybody else on “Raw.”
Written by Max Everett
