WWE Flashback-Wrestlemania 35 at Metlife Stadium Part 5

April 7th, 2019--- The night would continue to surprise the WWE crowd in Metlife Stadium as well as those watching at home:

The team of Natalya and Beth Phoenix were joined at the stage area by Bret "The Hitman'" Hart as they made their way to the ring

Natalya & Beth Phoenix were 1 of 3 tag team challengers for The WWE Women's Tag Team Championships held by The Boss 'N' Hug Connection("The Boss" Sasha Banks and Bayley)..The other 2 tag team challengers were Nia Jax & Tamina  and the IIconics (Peyton Royce and Billie Kay)...This night would see new WWE Women's Tag Team Champions as the IIconics won the match.

Other Moments to Note About Wrestlemania 35:

*Roman Reigns defeated Drew McIntyre in his in-ring  singles match return.

*Samoa Joe retained his United States Championship by fending off the challenge of Rey Mysterio; Samoa Joe won via submission.

*"The Demon" Finn Balor emerged to challenge the Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley...Lashley would lose the match and a new Intercontinental Champion would be crowned: "The Demon" Finn Balor. 

*Triple H and Batista squared off in the WWE ring in a No Holds Barred Match. Each competitor definitely made an entrance and put on an action-packed match. In the end, Triple H stood victorious in the middle of the ring.

*Kofi Kingston had his Wrestlemania moment as he challenged "The New"Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship.  The momentum behind Kofi grew with every crowd chant. Kofi never gave up and rallied back after every attempt from Daniel Bryan to gain the upper hand...When the bell rang to end this match, Kofi Kingston's hand was raised as the winner. Kofi had become the new WWE Champion and celebrated this moment with Big E and Xavier Woods. 

*Kurt Angle has his farewell match at Wrestlemania 35 when he faced Baron Corbin. Kurt Angle was able to have the advantage early in the contest over Baron Corbin, but Corbin would eventually get the win over Kurt Angle.  After the loss,Kurt Angle thanked the crowd in attendance and at home for their support.

*Elias came out with his guitar to the ring for his Wrestlemania performance. Elia's singing was interrupted by "The Doctor of Thuganomics" John Cena.  In this surprise appearance, John Cena got on the mic and entertained as only John Cena could.

*In the early hours of 4/8/2019(after Midnight), The first ever Wrestlemania main event to be headlined by the women's division was a Winner Take All match for the Raw Women's Championship and Smackdown Women's Championship.  The two respective champions-Ronda Rousey and Charlotte Flair-contended with "The Man" Becky Lynch in this triple threat contest. Both champions made an entrance: Ronda Rousey walked to the ring as Joan Jett sang Ronda's entrance theme "Bad Reputation live on the Wrestlemania stage; while Charlotte Flair arrived via a helicopter before making their way to the ring.  This match showed the skill of each competitor.   The drive to win had Becky, Ronda and Charlotte trading momentum throughout the contest. All three superstars had the opportunity to win the match, but it would be "The Man" Becky Lynch who would be leaving Wrestlemania 35 the new Raw Women's Champion and Smackdown Women's Champion. 

As the rain started to fall lightly, The 82,265 that had gathered at Metlife Stadium for  Wrestlemania 35 began their journey home after an incredible night of in-ring action and surprises. Championships changed hands. Wrestlemania moments were created for Kofi Kingston, Becky Lynch,  and others that competed on "The Grandest Stage of Them All".


(*https://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/wrestlemania-35/article/wrestlemania-35-results was used as a reference for this blog*) 

WWE Flashback-Wrestlemania 35 at Metlife Stadium Part 4

April 7th, 2019--Wrestlemania 35 moments:

AJ Styles faced Randy Orton and was victorious

Lacey Evans made an appearance on the Wrestlemania stage

The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) retained their Smackdown Tag Team Championships in a Fatal 4-Way against 3 tag team challengers:Ricochet and Aleister Black; Shinsuke Nakamura and Rusev; and the Bar (Sheamus and Cesaro)

The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019 included  Torrie Wilson, The Honky Tonk Man, the faction of Degeneration X, and the tag team of Harlem Heat(Booker T and Stevie Ray)

Shane McMahon fought the Miz in a Falls Count Anywhere Match

Shane McMahon defeated the Miz in a Falls Count Anywhere Match....This was the aftermath 

WWE Flashback-Wrestlemania 35 at Metlife Stadium Part 3

April 7th, 2019---Alexa Bliss addressed the crowd assembled and watching at home and had a surprise in store...The night would also see the crowning of a new Universal Champion.

Wrestlemania 35 Stage

Alexa Bliss addressed the crowd and viewing audience

Hulk Hogan appeared

Paul Heyman-Brock Lesnar's Advocate- wanted the Universal Championship match to happen sooner in the night...

...Seth Rollins would pin Brock Lesnar to become the new Universal Champion.  

WWE Flashback-Wrestlemania 35 at Metlife Stadium Part 2

April 7th, 2019--Wrestlemania 35 crowned new champions during the early part of the night....Colin Jost and Michael Che of "Saturday Night Live" showed up to compete in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Tony Nese became the New WWE Cruiserweight Champion after defeating Buddy Murphy

Dash Wilder and Scott Dawson ("The Revival") put their Raw Tag Team Championships on the line against Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder...Hawkins and Ryder would leave Wrestlemania 35 the new Raw Tag Team Champions

The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal

Braun Strowman faced off against Colin Jost  and Michael Che of "Saturday Night Live"

Braun Strowman eliminated "Saturday Night Live" star Colin Jost to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal 

WWE Flashback-Wrestlemania 35 at Metlife Stadium Part 1

April 7th, 2019---Wrestlemania 35.came to Metlife Stadium.

Here are some memories I had of this event...There are only a few pictures as afternoon turned to night and the natural light disappeared:

A view of the stage.

The Wrestlemania Women's Battle Royal 

Carmella would go on to win the match

Mohegan Sun Retrospect: 5/20/2018-William Michael Morgan at the Wolf Den

Mohegan Sun’s Wolf Den holds free shows for its casino’s patrons.  Its placement in the center of the gaming floor gives everyone nearby a chance to hear music on any given night.   By its entrance and exit, an animatronic wolf keeps watch as it moves its head and tail and occasionally howls.

On May 20^th, 2018, Warner Bros. Nashville recording artist William Michael Morgan and his band were the concert of the evening.  The security guard inspected the bags of those going in before and then the hostess greeted them.   There were seats set along the sides for this show as well as standing room in the middle of the venue. A crowd had assembled by the stage, patiently waiting for the 7:00pm show to start. Those on the sides were conversing amongst themselves and ordering drinks.

The Show: After the band took their places, William Michael Morgan emerged, guitar in hand. His set was an hour and half of entertaining country music.  He acknowledged the music he grew up on, performing songs from artists such as George Strait.  Besides paying homage to classic country music, the show also included songs from his debut CD “Vinyl” and some contemporary songs; plus a 3-song acoustic set.  The nice surprise of the evening was a test run of concept material for the follow-up album that the band was currently working on. During the banter between songs, William Michael Morgan looked up to address the audience with his hat in his hand. He introduced the songs with a story or a fun aside. 

From my seat, I could tell that the audience members enjoyed the concert. People got up and walked over to the standing room section to dance as the show progressed.  William thanked them in a way by hanging out after the show to meet them.  He signed autographs and posed for pictures.  It was nice to meet the singer after the show, which made the night even more memorable.

Thanks to @wmmorgan for the photo-op

Partial Set List: “Vinyl”; “Missing”; “I Met A Girl”; “Somethin’ To Drink About”; “Lonesomeville”; “People Like Me” ; “The Chair”(George Strait classic); “Chasing Cars”(Snow Patrol ); “Mama Tried”(Merle Haggard); “Keep Your Hands To Yourself” (Georgia Satellites)

Not Such A Long Time Ago in a Nearby Galaxy… “Solo: A Star Wars Story” Fan Event

 This past Thursday Night -5/24/2018-New Rochelle, New York… “Solo: A Star Wars Story” Opening Night Fan Event at New Roc City Regal Cinemas

Star Wars fans gathered to see an earlier showing of the latest movie in the franchise.  The theater gave those going in a free mini-poster and a set of buttons commemorating the occasion. Concession stands offered a combo deal for a limited edition soda cup and popcorn tin. Seating was assigned, and audience members walked in hoping this film would meet their expectations.

6:00pm-the trailers started. A wide assortment of movies seemed to be represented.  The action genre was represented by “Mission Impossible:Fallout”,Marvel’s anti-hero flick “Venom”, and  another Marvel entrant “Antman & The Wasp”. Disasters, man-made and natural, were the respective subject of “Skyscraper” and “Adrift”. The extraordinary took center stage in the trailers for the “Fantastic Beasts” sequel, Disney’s “The Incredibles 2” and the Freddie Mercury/Queen biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody”. After the trailers, it was time for the Opening Night Fan Event.  Director Ron Howard thanked those in attendance in a pre-taped video.

Following the introduction, it was time for the main attraction.  This film shows Han Solo’s beginnings working for one of the galaxy’s 5 crime syndicates.  Han (Alden Ehrenreich) wants more out of life than the hand he’s been dealt and sets out across the film to become something more: a pilot.  The journey will begin to make him the reluctant hero/smuggler that the audience knows and appreciates.

The people Han Solo encounters change him as well as provide insight to the “how” of certain aspects of the “Star Wars” Universe.  Han’s first meeting with the Wookie Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) is amusing, and sets up the dynamic the pair would grow to have.  The newly acquainted duo is recruited by Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and Val (Thandie Newton) and their expert pilot (voiced by Jon Favreau) for a job.

Solo crosses paths with old friend Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke of “Game of Thrones”) and a gangster with a grand vision Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany of “Avengers: Infinity War”).  Vos places an ultimatum in front of Han’s new alliegance, which is essentially a second chance mission. To complete the assignment, they turn to Captain Lando Calrissian (a charismatic Donald Glover), his droid L3-37(voiced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and the famed Millennium Falcon.  What follows is a combination comic caper/action-filled adventure that can please newcomers to the “Star Wars” Saga while providing others with hidden references to the films they grew up on.

People left the “Solo: A Star Wars Story” Opening Night Fan Event happy.  The film was funny and set-up further adventures for Han Solo and his Wookie co-pilot Chewbacca.  Those who figured out where the story would progress discussed theories as they left. Those slightly less familiar left with a general impression in regards to Han’s character.  Regardless of your level of knowledge, though, one thing is certain:  as the Millenium Falcon set off to its next destination, it can be assured that adventure-and misadventure- will be sure to follow Young Han as he continues his journey.