Seth Rollins vs. Finn Bálor vs. The Miz Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Title Wrestlemania 34
In its storied history, Wrestlemania has featured headlining marquee matchups for the World Championship(s). While these clashes have served as the unquestioned main event, the IC title matches have been the show stealers on plenty of occasions. Savage & Steamboat. Hitman and Piper. Razor and HBK. The incredible athleticism and storytelling in the ring are what made these matches stand out on WWE’s biggest annual event. And this year’s IC title match, to me, joins those esteemed ranks.
Rollins, Bálor, and Miz opened the show with a hard-hitting, fast-paced, entertaining contest that the rest of the lineup just couldn’t….well, match up to. Pun intended. For 15 solid minutes of amazing action, these three guys brought everything to the table and kept nearly 70,000 people on the edge of their seats.
There were numerous moments and spots where all three wrestlers were highlighted. Seth hit back-to-back tope suicidas on each of his opponents, as well as a frog splash on Miz while having The Demon King in the figure-four. Finn hit sling blades on the outside, and running dropkicked both opponents into the barricade simultaneously. Miz drilled Seth into the mat with a Spike DDT, and even nailed Bálor with a Skull Crushing Finale off the top rope!
Several near falls were littered among the chaos, but it was The Architect who stood tall at the end. A curb stomp to Finn while covering Miz, and then another to The Awesome One for good measure, and Rollins won the IC title for the very first time. I loved this match for the sheer passion and hard work that Rollins, Bálor and Miz brought to the big stage. There were no botches to speak of, everything just clicked, and these three guys created absolute magic. And to me, this Triple Threat has cemented its place in that previously mentioned elite class of ‘Mania IC title matches.
-Michael Vacchiano
Ricochet vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Velveteen Dream vs. EC3 vs. Killian Dain vs. Adam Cole (BAYBAY)
For years, people had been clamoring for a mid-card title in NXT. In 2018, we finally got it, as we saw an epic ladder match for the inaugural NXT North American Championship at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans (my God, what a mouthful).
These 6-men opened and stole the show, putting every inch of their bodies on the line for a secondary title. The WWE universe saw their first glimpse of Ricochet and EC3, saw heart from Velveteen Dream, destruction from Sullivan and Dain and an epic, cocky heel in Cole. For 31 minutes (yes, you read that right), these men killed each other with ladders. Highlights include literally anything Ricochet did, Dream’s amazing top-ladder elbow drop and Adam Cole (BAYBAY)’s Superkick Party. The right man went over here but everyone in the match, as well as the crowd, won out the end.
-Tommy Tracy
