Super Showdown Recap

A few pre-show notes:  

• It Was 101 Degrees At Ringside which is 38 C

• Saudi officials refused to grant WWE permission to stage a match between Natalya and Alexa Bliss on the card.

  Main Card

• Seth Rollins retaining was expected and so was a potential Brock Lesnar cash-in. Heyman accidentally dropped the briefcase, which distracted Lesnar. Fortunately, Rollins took advantage was able to fight him off while eventually landing the Stomp with Brock’s head onto the briefcase. I enjoyed the post-match antics more than the match, but it’s still so disappointing that a Beast even requires a briefcase.

• Finn Balor vs Andrade was easily the Best Match of the Show

• Shane McMahon defeating Roman Reigns was laughable. It was inevitable one of Shane’s buddies would get involved. Drew was the logical choice I suppose.

• The crowd did not make one peep for Lars Sullivan vs. Lucha House Party and it was every bit as bad as expected.

• Randy Orton vs. Triple H went on for 10 minutes too long and it was easily the worst match the two have ever had together. Triple H has so much to offer as COO that I would prefer he permanently hang up the boots.

• Both Braun’s and Bobby’s stocks dropped following their lackluster big-man match that was poorly booked and executed.

• Given the talent involved, Kofi Kingston vs Dolph Ziggler was extremely underwhelming. I’m looking forward to their Steel Cage Match at Stomping Grounds.

• Mansoor won the 50-Man Battle Man. By the way, there were technically 51 participants. Mansoor was signed to WWE at Greatest Royal Rumble ever and he is from Saudi Arabia. It was so convoluted and nearly impossible to follow.  Also, what does Mansoor win here? There’s no future championship match. No trophy. No money prize. Just bragging rights?

• The Undertaker vs Goldberg was a match that should have never been scheduled. It was sloppy, reckless and cringeworthy. I lost count of the amount of “oh gods” I slipped out during this match.

• It really started to go downhill after Goldberg went for a running spear into the corner, but legitimately hit in his on the ring post. He apparently suffered a concussion.

• Undertaker dropped Goldberg on his neck during a very dangerous Tombstone Piledriver. Goldberg dropped Undertaker on his head during a failed Jackhammer attempt.

• After a failed Tombstone Piledriver reversal, Taker landed a half-hearted chokeslam to win the match. Both men are to blame for this awful match though I would say Goldberg undeniably came off far worse.

• I will still never fully understand why the Undertaker didn't formally retire following Wrestlemania 33. It was an emotional conclusion to an unmatched career where he clearly passed the torch. Shame on WWE for asking both men to compete.

Overall Rating: Maybe a 3/10 - Even the better matches were totally watered down and this ended up being arguably the worst event of the year - Full disclosure, even if you were to pay me money, I’m not watching the next event in Saudi Arabia - And that’s not even a political statement, the shows there are just far too underwhelming.

A few post event notes:

• Upon leaving the ring, Goldberg collapsed.

• Ali is donating the money made from this event to charity. Very admirable and I wish others would follow suit.

• Undertaker reportedly liked the following Instagram post: