(1) THE MIZ vs. SETH ROLLINS vs. FINN BALOR
They all came out with new ring jackets and ring gear. Balor had rainbow colored accents on his black boots and trunks. Rollins had blue contact lenses. Miz had red gear with gold accents. Miz sent Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas to the back. Cole said fatherhood has changed him. This was a good match to start the main part of the show. Cole said this was a pick ’em match with three equal wrestlers. Seth hit some dives on both sides of the ring rapid-fire five minutes in. They showed Sean in the crowd. Miz put Balor in a figure-four, prompting Cole to mention that odd pairing of Miz as Ric Flair’s protege years ago. The hold was broken up by a big Seth splash. Balor landed a Pelé kick, which Cole called an “overhead kick,” leading to a near fall. Miz launched Seth out of air toward the mat with a variation of the Skull Crushing Finale. He made the cover, but Balor leaped off the top rope with a Coup de Grace and broke it up. Balor lived afterward. A “Let’s Go Balor” chant started. Balor hit Miz with a sling blade and a running dropkick. Balor leaped off the top rope and hit the Coup de Grave, but Seth gave him the Stomp as he went for the cover. Seth then stomped the mat and moved for another Stomp on Miz, driving his face into the mat for the three count.
WINNER: Seth Rollins in 16:00 to capture the Intercontinental Title. (***1/2)
Good match, exactly what you’d expect from these three in an opening match high-energy but not exhausting match. The only surprise is they didn’t do anything with Miz and whether he really has become a good sportsman because fatherhood changed him.
