The theme surrounding tonight's WWE Universal title rematch between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemania has been about Rhodes "finishing the story" after getting screwed last year by the Bloodline. Reigns (Joe Anoia) has lost all credibility as a heel champion because he can't win any title defense without help from his family. He thinks he has the ultimate trump card now with his cousin, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, as a member of the TKO Holdings Board of Directors.
As ESPN's Lee Corso would say, "not so fast, my friends, not so fast".
Reigns' 3 1/2 year run has been pockmarked with tainted title defenses, but his biggest patron, disgraced former chairman Vince McMahon, isn't there anymore, having been forced out a few months back. For Nick Khan, Ari Emanuel, & Paul "Triple H" Levesque, tonight is about letting Cody finish his story, so WWE can, in the words of Bob Seger, "turn the page", and move on.
We've already seen a heel champion succeed without cheating this weekend.
Roxanne Perez turned heel on NXT women's champ Lyra Valkyria a few weeks back, and, in subsequent promos, the "Prodigy" has edited out the fact that she competed and lost her bid to regain the title last year at Stand & Deliver. Saturday, in Philadelphia, at the same event, Perez, 22, finished her story, now one of not so much redemption, but fraught with resentment over perceived slights in her year-long quest to get back to the top.
In submitting Valkyria, Perez got it done the right way, not needing any unnecessary outside help. Tatum Paxley, whose story arc with Valkyria recalls a classic story arc between Trish Stratus & Mickie James, both now Hall of Famers, back in 2005-6, tried to help, but Perez dispatched her as well en route to becoming a 2-time champion.
To further illustrate the theme, we must shift over to women's college basketball, and what most thought would be the final chapter of "Caitlinmania", as Iowa's Caitlin Clark and the Lady Hawkeyes vied for the NCAA women's title against South Carolina, which had a story of its own to finish, one of a perfect season, something that hasn't happened in women's basketball since UConn did it 8 years ago.
Iowa eliminated Connecticut on Friday, thanks to a questionable offensive foul call charged to UConn, which would have people thinking the game was rigged in favor of Iowa. I'd like to think that shouldn't be the case. Today, Iowa jumped out to an early lead, but went into halftime trailing South Carolina by 3, 49-46. The Lady Gamecocks went on to win their 3rd title, and complete the perfect season, and, in effect, finish their story, with an 87-75 win. Clark played every second of this game, as Iowa's coaches relied heavily on their superstar in her final college game. Clark may not be heading to the Olympics, but she has declared for the WNBA draft.
Cody, now it's your turn.
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