Jim Cornette Reviews Becky Lynch vs. Bianca Belair at Wrestlemania 38

[@jgeorge2693]

This match had a lot of story behind it with the summer slam squash and a lot of story in it with the early manhandle slam/rock bottom by Becky. They also took the crowd on a ride and had them invested. Was really good

[@terranceburrs5832]

J George great points, and I have made these points as well. Bianca Belair vs Becky Lynch was a great display of good storytelling and ring psychology from start to finish. That crowd was hyped from their entrances to the conclusion of the match. I felt this match should have closed the show, and Kevin Owens and Stone Cold should have opened the show.

[@longjohn526]

Even though I've been a fan of Becky's since the days when she had the Steam Punk gimmick it was good to see Bianca get paid back for doing the favor at Summer Slam and never once complaining about it ..... She deserved this and she earned it Besides a Heel Becky chasing after the belt should be even better than Heel Becky with the belt

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@longjohn526 thank you for your objective take. Most people who are fans of Becky or someone else tend to discredit Bianca and state that she sucks and is horrible in the ring.

[@adamwalls5865]

@@terranceburrs5832 Bianca is so good. She has amazing chemistry with Becky Lynch. This match was awesome.

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@adamwalls5865 you're preaching to the choir. Bianca Belair is amazing. She became my favorite wrestler all-time the moment she signed, before I saw her do any wrestling. She gave off a star vibe from the very beginning.

[@scrappy93]

One of the colleges Bianca ran at was Texas A&M so that's her small connections to Texas. The band is Ocean of Soul of Texas Southern University a HBCU. They're one of those bands that's kinda well know like Grambling and Southern. Becky actually almost got her in the eye with her heel. Bianca was extremely lucky from that botch.

[@JAG214]

You are right and my father went to Texas Southern for his Juris Doctor

[@kepapurdy1489]

Nah bro. Becky busted her fuckin eye.

[@michaelspringer4532]

@@kepapurdy1489 I popped when B took of the sunglasses on raw ! Busted up !

[@joshgeiger8942]

@@kepapurdy1489 busted is better than eye loss.

[@ebhackett]

Well, if that's the case, why not get Prairie View A&M University? Both schools are part of the same system. Whatever the case may be, it's good to see TSU get some exposure.

[@waney2012]

The story with the marching band was they were from Texas Southern an HBCU college. I know a lot didn’t get it. But that was for “US” Jim 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@davidrichards6059]

Thank u

[@UnsilencedOutspokenTikTok]

Facts ✊🏽✊🏽✊🏽. Jim would be so lost at an hbcu battle of the bands

[@donkeydarko77]

Imagine if the commentators were able to get that over?

[@jaygo8917]

exactly I knew he would say something negative about that before I even listen to this That was for us black folks.

[@anseljames388]

That was a nod to “US” but I still think Jim’s unawareness to it’s significance is hilariously Jim and what we love about him. 😩😩😩 Jim is like Larry David with a pinch of Archie Bunker & Paul Heyman 😂 Gotta love the “realness”.

[@segagenesis7708]

The Belair/Lynch match was exceptional. From the entrances to the finish, to the celebration. You often hear people overuse the term 'Psychology', when discussing wrestling. It fits in this case. Lynch comes down first and her walk, look and the way she's holding the belt, it's like she's saying to herself 'She's not gonna take this from me. She's not gonna take this from me'. It was an exceptional illustration of someone with an internal conflict between fear and determination. A sense of being uptight and paranoid. Belair comes out and it just screams "I know who I am, I love who I am and I'm gonna be the same woman who got me here before and who will get me my belt back" The match starts and, true to the psychology, Lynch gets panicky and tries to end it early. When it doesn't work, you see visible concern and frustration on her face. But eventually, she does gain the upper hand and you start to see her calm down and get that smirk on her face like, "I got this, lol, I'm still the man", as if she's finally convincing herself. But then Belair fights backs and keeps coming. Their stuff looked stiff. It looked like two people who hated each other deep down in their core, a fight between two belief systems. And the belt encapsulated that. Whenever Lynch stomped Belair, you could just feel the hatred and resentment. Lynch keeps regaining control and Belair keeps fighting back. Each time, Lynch gradually showing more concern. Meanwhile, Belair, each time, showing more determination, intensity and grit. Just when Belair thinks she has her, Lynch rolls out. Belair throws her back in and she rolls to the other side. Lynch seizes the opportunity and strikes big. Belair beats the count with a quick jolt of energy, but can barely move once in the ring. It gets to the point where it seems that Belair has nothing left, to the point that Lynch is practically dragging her lifeless body to her feet. Just when Lynch is about to seemingly end this thing for good, Belair pulls out another final burst of energy to hit her finisher. 1,2,3. And then the celebration. Belair clutching the title in her arms while kicking her feet. Lynch on the outside, as if that distraught feeling is slowly seeping through. This, in my opinion, was the best match of Mania, with Cody and Rollins a close second. Personally, I've just never been a fan of the 'Spam false finishes' style that they (Cody and Seth) displayed and for me it just got a tad out of hand toward the end, compared to how Lynch and Belair did it. Although Cody and Seth was still a great match. This is also now the second Mania in a row where Belair had one of the top two matches on the entire show, AT WORST. Personally, I feel that this is the second Mania in a row that she has had the best match.

[@Guy4318]

This was a spectacular breakdown. Bianca and Becky’s fued has been one of the only things keeping me from cutting WWE out entirely, and you did a great job pinpointing why.

[@segagenesis7708]

@@Guy4318 Thank you. I didn't expect Cornette to get the HBCU reference with the marching band, but with the occasional 'overtone' in this feud (Lynch referring to Belair as Esther for example), combined with the story behind Belair and Banks main eventing a night of Mania and how much that meant, it fit. So, I won't knock Jim for that one. I didn't expect him to get it.

[@Guy4318]

@@segagenesis7708 That connection with family and history - acknowledging struggles that she and her family face without centering her story on it - is one of the few genuine things that's had me hooked on her since her Rumble win. So when we get strong cultural examples in her presentation (another great call on the HBCU band and yard stompin' reference) it further strengthens her already strongly sincere ties to who she is and why she wrestles.

[@segagenesis7708]

@@Guy4318 This is where I felt Cornette missed the point last year. What Cornette can't connect with is that women trying to legitimize wrestling, have had harsher, or at least very different, struggles along the way. Think about the years when she basically had to fuck somebody in the office to get a job, no matter how good she was. Think about the time when she has to look like a prototype, no matter how good she was. Think about the great women's wrestlers who were reduced to Lingerie matches and evening gown matches. So, to have two black women bust their ass and persevere, and be in a position where they can take women's wrestling above having to endure that craziness, and headline Mania, was powerful. Especially, with the WWE's previous history race-wise that is also changing over the past few years. Nobody ever told Cornette, 'Take it up the ass and I'll book you'. Nobody ever told the Midnight Express to have an evening gown match. Women in wrestling have had to endure a lot of shit. Shit that I would never want a woman I know to have to go through. Now, we're in a time where we're finally getting away from all of that.

[@kcx1588x]

Except for the one botch that left Bianca with a black eye, next night on RAW!!

[@terranceburrs5832]

Thank you Jim Cornette for finally giving Bianca Belair the credit she deserves. Bianca is a star and is the total package. She came in killing it from the second round of the Mae Young Classic against Kairi Sane in 2017. That match was said to be the best match of the entire tournament. She is a fast learner and excelled right away with no wrestling experience whatsoever.

[@jgeorge2693]

I remember a year ago Jim was disappointed that banks and Belair was the main event match. Now he’s given her her due. Bianca works hard and her strength and athleticism combination is genuinely impressive.

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@jgeorge2693 yeah he has not been a fan of women's wrestling, so it is nice to see women like Bianca Belair earn his respect. Bianca Belair is the total package.

[@JDotWill]

I’ve been clocking her since I heard about that NXT combine & she had the best stats. Then I finally saw her debut in the MYC, I knew she had it immediately. I’ve been a giant fan & supporter of hers ever since. I’m so happy with where she’s gotten so far in her career

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@JDotWill same here. She became my favorite wrestler the moment I read that she signed in 2016. When she had that match against Kairi Sane in the Mae Young Classic, I knew instantly she was going to be a star. She just had that "it factor". This woman continues to amaze me and blow me away. I'm in awe of her talent.

[@segagenesis7708]

@@terranceburrs5832 Maybe now, we won’t have to listen to Cornette refer to her as “painfully small”

[@Dannypuck]

This felt like a Japanese women's match. Brian is dead on about HHH developing women's talent, but Sara Del Ray played a hand in that as well.

[@biffskywalker4589]

Yeah Sara Del Rey deserves that credit

[@CM-jc7gk]

Having gone to school in the South, near a notable HBCU, I already got it, but it's still surprising to see how many people, even still a few days later, don't get the cultural significance of Bianca's marching band entrance. Definitely didn't need Corey Graves doing the shitty heel commentator bit where he was nearly disgusted by it.

[@Mrderful]

Same here. I use to live down the street from FAMU and I understood immediately what the play and significance was. I'm not surprised others don't understand though. Alot of people don't even know what a HBCU is.

[@bearsfan22378]

Yeah I think it would have helped if in the commentary they would have mentioned Texas Southern was a HBCU.

[@jerry85g7]

I am not even American and I understood it.

[@leelohaskin7941]

I noticed they cut Corey's part out of the replay, hmm couldn't imagine why????

[@WhelmedButReady]

Yeah, it's just one of those things where you need the right people who know the significance to understand and communicate that point. Comes with being in a predominantly white space like pro wrestling is. And yes, the Corey Graves remark almost ruined it before it began for me. Pissed me off so much

[@brownmut5518]

My wife hates wrestling. I was laughing watching her marking out hard watching that match. It was a great match.

[@christiancsq]

Who was she rooting for?

[@pleaseshutup7053]

She sounds lame

[@segagenesis7708]

If you watch most matches, they don’t look real. This looked real. I could see a woman seeing the way Lynch was stomping Belair and be like, ‘Holy shit, this is real’

[@moses0686]

Bianca vs Becky was just phenomenal.

[@segagenesis7708]

Jim even apologized to Brian.

[@willkenshin]

This was one of the best women's match I've ever seen in WWE, probably in wrestling in general. The first minute into the match was intense bcuz it almost felt like it was about to be a repeat from last year even a reverse, thank God neither happened. Now Jim is sold on Bianca and now lets see if we can get him to like Asuka lol

[@infinite-sadness]

how the hell do you hate Asuka?

[@segagenesis7708]

That's a lot of matches for one to think about, but I'm 35 and this is without question, one of the best Wrestlemania matches that I've ever seen.

[@jgeorge2693]

@@infinite-sadness I don’t think he understands asuka. Omega turned him off Japanese women by bringing in outlaw ones and asuka has a goofy personality that Jim would find offensive. If Jim watched nxt asuka he would probably like her.

[@PIP-zf9yb]

@@infinite-sadness because he's an idiot Asuka is one of the best female workers in all of wrestling

[@davyjones2032]

@@infinite-sadness I loved me some Kairi Sane. I never hate wrestlers in life like seems to be common but Chuck Taylor (just look at him) and Nia Jax is on that list for me.

[@benespinosa6725]

This Match was better than Charlotte Flair Vs Ronda Rousey IMO.

[@davyjones2032]

Yeah that's the general consensus. I don't think the Charlotte vs Ronda thing was so bad but definitely a dud.

[@alexanderson618]

Yes it was. Charlotte match was so sloppy and just awful

[@benespinosa6725]

@@alexanderson618 I Couldn't stop laughing at how bad it was 🤣

[@benespinosa6725]

@@davyjones2032 it was a huge dud.

[@willkenshin]

Its not even close. This was probably the best women's match I've ever seen in WWE

[@davyjones2032]

Great match but uh oh people are going to unsubscribe. Cornette actually propping up something good. Also Last acknowledging women can be stars which goes against the "no new stars" mantra. Match had that long term booking thing people like plus a payoff to a feud. Becky's video package about the fans loved her until Bianca came along was good and speaks to real life fans going from saying Becky deserves pushes to "overpushed" all of a sudden. Becky is so good and Bianca has improved tremendously.

[@laser7925]

I agree with you on everything. I just want more long term booking. It adds to the match if done right. Why are people gonna unsubscribe?

[@terranceburrs5832]

I agree with everyting you said, except when you say Bianca "improved tremendously". Bianca Belair has not just shown improvement, she is great, she is on that level. She came in killing it since the Mae Young Classic in 2017. Her second round match against Kairi Sane was said to be the best match of that tournament, just like her Wrestlemania matches are said to be the best match of the show for two years in a row now. This woman has been putting on great matches from the start.

[@13JacksonMr]

Even when they have been saying "no new stars", they have always pointed out the exceptions (Reigns for the men, (even then Reigns has been there for awhile now), and Becky, Charlotte, Rhea, Banks and Bianca for the women). And ultimately these 2 are good enough to pull it off and Becky Lynch is extremely over with that WWE crowd and Bianca is really good and over. But this match was really good.

[@davyjones2032]

@@terranceburrs5832 yes she's great but ain't too many women go from entering wrestling and then main event caliber within 3-4 years like she has. Especially since in NXT she was more of a heel initially. The improvement wasn't to say she was bad before. As far as why people would unsub is because Jim's actually crediting something in WWE at that. There are folks who just wanna hear wrestling buried and will accuse him for being biased for praising something obviously worthy of it.

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@davyjones2032 they can't accuse him of being bias, because he has criticized Bianca Belair in the past, and has criticized women's wrestling as a whole. And yes she has become a main eventer in 4 years time, which is not common, because she is that good. You look at her and you see a star.

[@kant5696]

The biggest take away is this match looked like an actual contest. It looked like they were struggling and fighting for something which I personally dont see alot of in todays wrestling because alot of the time, they try to make everything look too pretty and it comes off TOO coordinated.

[@jayglenn82]

Dead on with that comment

[@Danny-ci3cr]

That match was bloody awesome, it got be at the edge of my seat thrice, first at the start when was Bianca was hit by the Mandlehandle Slam, then when Bianca was about to be counted out and lastly at the amazing finish, also Bianca is a damn warrior, that kick to her eye was brutal and it made the match even better

[@segagenesis7708]

You are going to think I'm a bot, because I am going to respond to as many comments about this match as possible. That's how much I enjoyed it. I don't even follow the WWE that closely anymore and I thoroughly enjoyed this match.

[@tw475]

the only issue with the count out attempt. I could buy that other shows. but I knew they weren't having a count out at Mania so that took away a little drama. otherwise it was great.

[@twiceonsundays]

That spot where Beck's foot hit Bianca's eye made me legit scared. Thought it could have been a broken orbital bone.

[@gaysonmartinocho5262]

So bianca doing sloopy moves was awesome

[@twiceonsundays]

@@gaysonmartinocho5262 the troll has arrived.

[@longjohn526]

I liked Becky's attitude about where the match was placed on the card and she was 100% correct ..... It doesn't matter that they weren't the last match because everyone knows they are still the Main Event ..... My first thought after it was done was "Man I feel sorry for anyone who has to follow this match .... and out comes Seth and him a Cody proved they were up to the task .....

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Lame the main event gets paid the most so she’s wrong

[@BasementBubbatunde]

@@pleaseshutup7053 no they aren't. Pay outs changed nearly a decade ago chief. They're paid based on who they are, thats it. There's times obviously where it lines up like that but payment via segment died with the networks birth.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@BasementBubbatunde you are out of your mind if you think the main event of wrestlemania is not paid the most

[@BasementBubbatunde]

@@pleaseshutup7053 Can you at least read before replying? Christ. 😂 I didn't say the main event can't earn the most, who would be dumb enough to say that with Austin and Brock in either Main event? Think for 2 seconds. I said the pay structure isn't done like that anymore because the PPV industry is dead with WWE which is why people earn more based on who they are and not their position. That's like saying Brock and Seth got average pays when they opened the show, no they clearly didn't. People get paid based on who they are to the company and like I said, there's obviously going to be times where the biggest names go on last. It wasn't that complicated.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

@@BasementBubbatunde main event of mania earns the most on the card period.

[@popcorn247]

I love Bianca! Yes she smiles too much, I miss that attitude she had at the 2020 Royal Rumble when I first saw her. Happy for all the success she has and will have in the future.

[@1776Sledge]

This match sucked!

[@bighand1530]

@@1776Sledge Yeah

[@State.of.Emergency]

She twirls her hair too much too. The hair thing in general is lame. She is a great wrestler but she can get better.

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@1776Sledge I was wondering when someone was going to say something ridiculous.

[@terranceburrs5832]

She was a heel when the 2020 Royal Rumble took place. I think she has always been much better as a heel, but she is doing well as a babyface. She just have to stop skipping and smiling no matter the circumstance.

[@badnamgamingyt6678]

Bianca and Becky stole the show, best match of the weekend, they had the best build as well, you can argue Roman vs Brock but they had a mediocre match

[@segagenesis7708]

I give Lynch a lot of credit because she called it days prior. Said something like (Paraphrasing) ‘It doesn’t matter when Flair and Rousey go on, my match will be better and the best on the show’

[@donkeydarko77]

@@segagenesis7708 She was absolutely right. For me, this was the ONLY match that truly felt like WRESTLEMANIA.

[@bighand1530]

I thought it dragged

[@jgeorge2693]

@@bighand1530 it’s wrestlemania. Matches can go longer. It’s once. A year. Fantastic match

[@bighand1530]

@@jgeorge2693 The women’s matches for me in general are a drag to watch.

[@HHHTheGame01]

This was easily the match of WrestleMania, and it wasn't even close. This felt like everything mattered. Both of them wanted it. Felt like a desperate struggle and a legitimate fight. Spectacular match. Belairs execution was mind blowing and it's crazy how smooth she is in the ring. Becky played the desperate heel trying to hold on to her championship to absolute perfection. This was one of the best WrestleMania matches honestly I've ever seen.

[@kcx1588x]

Cody vs Seth was mine, this was 2nd!!

[@richeyd12]

Yep I’ll have to agree with this!

[@4lifeme936]

Great story,great wreslting, get entrances, big ups to Balair and Becks, it was good.

[@amizakk]

I agree. This really was one of the best Wrestlemania matches for me and not just for ‘womens’. They put on a classic.

[@MoAlfaraj]

Was hoping to see something similar in what supposed to be "The Biggest WrestleMania Main Event Ever", or at least I wanted to see some story in there. I guess I was just too optimistic.

[@CharlesNyonga]

If Jim did 3 seconds of research, it was the Texas Southern University Marching Band, a historical HBCU from Houston. Geeze!

[@tagz3924]

Thank you she got that band because she wanted to show the culture

[@leelohaskin7941]

if it's something POC -oriented and not having to do with wrestling, then gonna dismiss it ,it seems. He emphasized them not even being significant enough to remember the college name of where they came from and he was dismissive like that with Bianca and Naomi and Sasha to an extent but it's typical.

[@locman6228]

I'll say Bianca does her power moves better than just about most women.

[@jgeorge2693]

She is ridiculously strong for someone so athletic. I can’t wait until we get a Belair and Ripley match. Especially with Ripley teasing a heel turn

[@joshuamelton9148]

Definitely one of the best matches of Wrestlemania for sure.

[@HitParade]

I had my fingers crossed Jim would like this match. Glad to not be disappointed.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

You need a life

[@drml8224]

So you need Jim's validation.

[@bshafe087]

@@drml8224 no?

[@HitParade]

@@drml8224 Nope, just glad to finally see him not ignore a great wrestler anymore.

[@drml8224]

@@HitParade That's validation "PewDiePie please talk about the game that I Like"

[@notarealperson87]

oh my god, the moment something happens on a Wrestlemania show and Cornette doesnt get it but i do. the marching band wasnt playing Bianca's theme per se, they were playing harmonies and rhythms that complemented Bianca's theme, but it was also written and performed in such a way that it makes harmonic and rhythmic sense while being played standalone (just the marching band) or concurrently with the original theme. besides appearing on a Wrestlemania stage, this explanation has nothing to do with wrestling and is just a little music theory nerd moment.

[@TheCheldo83]

It was the Texas Southern University Ocean of Soul an HBCU band. She was giving a shine to a show band.

[@zachwhitlow4]

@@TheCheldo83 I feel like only us black people really get it and truly appreciate it

[@TheCheldo83]

@@zachwhitlow4 Agreed

[@kilotw1446]

This match had me and my brother glued to our seats. It was great in ring story telling from beginning to end, we weren’t shocked that it was good but we were definitely surprised that it exceeded our limited expectations. It actually had that big match Wrestlemania feel but at the same time delivered to say the absolute least. They tore the house down

[@blazedup4208]

The band is Texas Southern University its a historically black could've been a nod to last year when Bianca and Sasha were the 1st ever all black female main event for Wrestlemania it probably would've been better if the commentary explained it a little more

[@tw475]

that makes sense

[@garybrown2092]

The Bianca Bel-Air versus Becky Lynch match was the best match of the two-night Wrestlemania!!!!

[@ConsistentBasis]

It was great seeing Texas Southern University ✊🏾 salute to all the HBCUs

[@dedrickbuck1]

Bianca has the potential to be the best women’s wrestler of this generation

[@jaredbrady5566]

You were watching her right here. Becky. She's great in and out of the ring.

[@kingspeech2240]

@@jaredbrady5566 Sasha might have Becky beat in the ring but in terms of a draw yeah I would say it’s Becky

[@meethvncho]

@@kingspeech2240 Sasha most popular women’s wrestler today just on her outside influence with her cousin being snoop dogg and being on mandalorian

[@kingspeech2240]

@@meethvncho right but does that mean she’s a bigger draw that Becky?

[@dedrickbuck1]

@@jaredbrady5566 In terms of draw absolutely but there is nothing Bianca can’t do in the ring

[@Bang-bangBart]

My two favorite women's wrestlers for the last 3 years ; glad to see it on every level

[@The765Das]

They both are stars for certain

[@yaboypack]

The significance of TSU playing Bianca Belair to the ring is that it’s an HBCU.

[@WhelmedButReady]

This match is even better on a rewatch. Instant classic. So proud of Becky and Bianca for putting on arguably the best match of Mania weekend. Hats off to them for finally giving us a satisfying conclusion to a feud for once. This was building ever since SummerSlam. Bravo.

[@mistanderson]

She wanted to display HBCU band. Instead of flying the Tennessee State band they bus the Texas Southern band which is cheaper. The TSU band is part of black culture. That's what she was displaying with the band not the Vols band

[@kevinwilson3296]

Did you really expect Jim to understand that?

[@leelohaskin7941]

@@kevinwilson3296 I know right, with his step above being a dixiecrat self😒 "What the hell is this" Corey Graves

[@tagz3924]

Bruh you got remember this is 60 something year old white man. You can’t be surprised by this

[@fvnaticbychoice]

@@tagz3924 You are correct but he’s trying to say the entrance didn’t make any sense when in reality he just didn’t get the cultural nuance of it. of course Jim would never admit being wrong tho 🙄

[@donkeydarko77]

@@fvnaticbychoice Commentary should have put it over, no one should have to go Google why a college marching band is significant to someone who didn't attend that school. C'mon

[@botchabanks8671]

Becky vs Bianca might just be the greatest women's rivarly in history, they had an awesome long term storyline, had the crowd invested in all of their segments, the physicality in it was vicuous, from Bianca's brutal hair whip to Becky, to Bianca fracturing Becky's voice box to Becky destroying Bianca's eye, and it ended in a fantastic match with the right winner, brilliant stuff by WWE and by both women

[@segagenesis7708]

It's funny to think about how we went from Summerslam, to this.

[@jeffreym8503]

That's a stretch the match was great but the feud itself was not...the best rivalries deliver on both sides of the equation

[@DXCenaWWE4life]

Excellent Match for the Raw Women's Title and the storytelling was great.

[@williedixon1990]

Being a black person hbcu marching bands is apart of your culture. The band is a cultural thing.

[@BlazedApples]

Becky Lynch is a star

[@camelajester3954]

So is Bianca!

[@BlazedApples]

@@camelajester3954 yep! She definitely is. But Becky is my favourite female wrestler ever. I just think she's great. Loved the match

[@camelajester3954]

@@BlazedApples The match was awesome!

[@meelwallace521]

The marching band was to show love and support to HBCUs..i figured many people besides AA would appreciate it.

[@bobbyocho]

2:59 💯 . HHH gets nowhere near the credit he deserves for this.

[@brandonjames7462]

The HHH NXT call out really upsets me. Not what Brian said but the simple fact that Vince didn't give any of his guys a chance. Not one time did they take the momentum they had and run with it.

[@kant5696]

Also loved the selling. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a wrestler gets hit in the back or any area besides the head, they lay flat on the mat like they’ve been knocked out instead of selling the body part that took the hit/bump.

[@knowledgeuntamed9177]

Best match by far. The women are so much better its crazy. Becky Lynch is a reallly goood wrestler, so is Bianca. That should of been for the World title. Best match in maybe some years.

[@princealirogers]

I don’t know if it’s because their matches have a more natural struggle to it or if the women are just more hungry, but they’ve been blowin the guys outta the water for a few years now IMO

[@Sky_Blaze]

Not that the women are better ..it's just they seem like they're trying way harder cause they have something to prove..I still don't want to see most of the women's matches tho..this match tho actually kept me watching and go "that wasn't bad at all" which Is rare.

[@knowledgeuntamed9177]

@@Sky_Blaze i think you can name 8 really good women for the 1st time. I grew up watching Hulk, Tugboat, Brett, Shawn...But honestly these are the only matches i really tune in for anymore. The dudes are so big, and just bad wrestlers. There's no Jeff Hardy that kind of stuff is the women now. Jmo

[@knowledgeuntamed9177]

I'd say becky and Seth was the top 2 fighters at Mania. They might have the same trainer idk. But those 2 looked great. Both lost funny enough. Bianca was great, nobody is gonna carry her, you need 2 ppl great to carry eacother in something like that.

[@aaronstewart25]

Bianca was showcasing HBCU marching bands! I saw nothing wrong with it!

[@donkey7577]

Belair: w/ a marching band Won the Raw's Women's title at Mania.... Thunder Rosa: w/ a Mariachi band Won the AEW's Women's title on FREE tv in her hometown.....

[@segagenesis7708]

…… in a BAD cage match with a bunch of foolishness. And Rosa’s band didn’t even go well with her actual music.

[@cirenosnor5768]

Part of what made this match so great is that there was a great story building up to the match. A story that didn’t start last month and the fans had time to really invest in them. Becky getting her hair cut was great. Even as heel Becky had that “you can’t keep me down vibe” that made fans fall in love with her. Comes back with a fittingly beyond badass haircut ❤️

[@xigbar1994]

Bianca is one of the best female wrestlers in the world right now. Bianca really has it all, athleticism, charisma, a great move set. Happy to see her rise to the top from NXT.

[@DarkArterialGore]

Her promo's still need a lot of work.

[@xxshrimptacoxx5720]

This match and the entrances really stuck with me, I was a pretty fried so it made it a lot better as well. I must say, this was one of the best Wrestlemanias ever

[@pleaseshutup7053]

No, it was very good tho

[@FIYARtv]

This was my favorite match of the weekend. The lead up was compelling, ring psychology was on point, good pacing and finish. The band was Texas Southern University. A celebrated HBCU marching band. Great performance.

[@demetriusthacker1511]

Bel air and rhea will be one of the main events of next years wrestlemania

[@segagenesis7708]

I could see it heading that way. Heck, if they turn Ripley heel and give her the first one, I could see them getting two Manias out of them.

[@danielburger1775]

"Loser has to untuck" stipulation...

[@twiceonsundays]

Bianca vs Becks was absolutely amazing. Loved it, loved it, loved it.

[@amizakk]

This match was one of the most emotional moments in my over 30 years of watching WWE, on many levels. Between Bianca’s athleticism and Becky’s impeccable character work(take note, Charlotte) their chemistry was just perfect. The finish and the pop was magic in the purest way. I can watch this over and over and still get the same goosebumps. What a talent, both of them. Becky has gone out of her way to complete the redemption story for Bianca and she clearly got the rub, to the point where she dropped all of her goofy taunts and stuff in the ring and treated it like a real contest. Kudos to both women. They all came out the other side better than they were before.

[@segagenesis7708]

Agreed. Belair had to get fucked over at Summerslam due to circumstance and she didn’t complain. She took it on the chin and they turned it into this moment. They wouldn’t have given it to her if she didn’t.

[@TheMediaDean]

She came out to this band because it was from a HBCU (Historical Black College).

[@ShawnMega]

It was a band from a historical black college. Cornette can sometimes be clueless

[@DarthBlazer23]

Extremely

[@poindexterflex3528]

A few thoughts... - Big Time Becks is a star far beyond anything I thought she'd be back in NXT. I knew she'd be great but this is next level. I think she IS what Charlotte (who is great but not this great IMO) portrays herself to be.) - I was confused by the band at first too but then I learned that they're the marching band for the largest HBCU in the country so that's cool. - Match of the nights for me, followed by Seth/Cody. - They're really going to appreciate that kick to the face when they review Bianca's promo one Raw. - Finally, for the first time in all of my years of looking at Travis Heckel's art... I didn't like something! I think Bianca is cute as hell but she looks like a She-Big E in this art. :( Of course that might have been the point.

[@leelohaskin7941]

Bianca looks waayyyy better than how she is usually depicted here🤷🏽‍♀️🤣

[@dasik7617]

100% Becky better than Charlotte in every aspect, Becky is better face, better heel, better promo, better character, better inring psychology, better storytelling etc.

[@vicavon9276]

My favorite match of the night. What a great story. Bianca is a great babyface once the bell rings.

[@SwaySkits]

Becky Lynch was originally trained by Finn Balor before NXT.

[@pleaseshutup7053]

Lame

[@swagoneto7922]

I'm guessing Jim doesn't know what HBCU's are..Kinda important to her entrance

[@FBaned]

There a lot Jim doesn’t know or understand & why he usually end up loud/wrong on a lot things.

[@donkeydarko77]

Why would he?

[@hitmanchris]

So I just outright feel the need to bring this up..This was a great match and no need for crazy bumps, tables, tacs and over the top blood like with that AEW woman's match with Britt and Rosa. This match showed to great workers and they told a great ring story. And Becky and Belair can repeat a match like this. For Britt Baker to have any form of a good match she has to damn near bleed-out and break herself in half.

[@segagenesis7708]

I thought about this too. Rosa and Baker did more gruesome stuff that actually looked far more phony often times. Lynch and Belair looked much stiffer and nota thumbtack in sight.

[@hitmanchris]

@@segagenesis7708 yes fully agree most def about the match being stiffer.

[@DespicablepunK25]

This is the first time I've seen Bianca Belair wrestle and I was very impressed.

[@alopez3456]

Because Texas southern is an HBCU. that why they used the band

[@donkeydarko77]

great explanation lol, you didn't even say what an HBCU is. You're as bad as the commentators

[@alopez3456]

@@donkeydarko77 Historically black colleges and universities. If you didn’t know donkey

[@danielstokes6934]

Cornettes really blowin' hard on that rusty trombone!

[@nssatomic]

Wait, so Becky Lynch drove out in an SUV and before this Adam Page the millennial cowboy drove out in a Prius? LOL!

[@kurtisbased183]

lmao beckys more intimidating than adam page

[@ichneumon2776]

Wee Man is more intimidating than that fake cowboy

[@Henry_C2]

Becky is miles the best of the women, and there are plenty of good ones! She drove the pace of this match and it was the best match of both nights, Bianca was the right winner too.

[@segagenesis7708]

I was watching it with a buddy and at one point before the match even started. They showed Becky's face and I told my friend, "God, Lynch is so good".

[@amizakk]

@@segagenesis7708 her facial expression and demeanor was on point right out of the gate. Even the wacky make up and the way she covered it with a big pair of glasses until she gets inside the ring added to the story. Gosh her character work was impeccable.

[@RatedRWW]

Becky/Bianca and Seth/Cody were obviously the two best matches.

[@realbrotha3059]

That was The Ocean of Soul baby! Shout out to the real TSU! 3rd ward made it to Wrestlemania! Exceptional match ladies.

[@vladdascalescu]

AEW marks be like: But, but... Britt Baker is za best... Sorry, who? Nobody outside of AEW has ever heard of her. She is a minnow, playing in B leagues. Up here, where the starpower is, she gotta work hard to get up there.

[@dwade6322]

The WWE women are better than the men's matches. Kudo's to HHH for developing these stars! 🤟

[@blacksuede]

It was a great match and honestly didn't know who would win.

[@tw475]

I agree. I wasn't sure who was going to win Becky/Bianca and Charlotte/Ronda.

[@c.o.8593]

Bianca was representing for the culture, it ain't for everybody 🤷🏿‍♂️

[@keyceandreas9254]

This was the best match at Mania to me and Belair has a nice string of good matches back to back. Cody and Seth is right there with it, but a lot of that is the return of Cody and it started kinda slow. I been saying this everywhere, but I think Belair is gonna beat all the 4 horsewoman at Mania. Sasha and Lynch are beaten, Bailey is most likely next, then the final boss Charlotte.

[@onlychild8784]

It's ashame that AEW women feel like falling on thumbtacks and bleeding all the time is the cool thing to do all the time

[@vladdascalescu]

Inferiority complex? I don't think it's that, though, but they need serious training and to actually develop a persona, geez.

[@segagenesis7708]

Agreed. Because they have Rosa who is trained, and Deeb, who was trained and a trainer. Yet, Rosa’s doing thumb tacks with Baker and Deeb has barely even been on Dynamite. Shida returned weeks ago and last night was the first time I’d seen them face off since.

[@thekendemetrishow]

To Jim’s question about the band: Bianca’s gimmick is leaning in to her blackness in little ways that don’t necessarily scan to the community at large but strengthen that part of her fan base (unobtrusively). Hence making “don’t touch a black woman’s hair” part of her gimmick-I cringe when Michael Cole points it out. That’s an IYKYK kinda thing people already understood, but WWE doesn’t do subtle. Same with having the band from Texas Southern: people who knew recognize HBCU culture (Montez does it all the time too; indeed the entire Street Profits gimmick is about college) while everyone can still go “she came in with a marching band like a star!” And that gimmick can travel, without the bands having to.

[@GregHuffman1987]

5:37 thats what ive been telling people! the botch was better than the move they were going for

[@kyletucker3811]

Becky should work on making that accidental move into a signature. It looked great and it's totally unique.

[@gregoryfuller9736]

You know that Molly holly finisher that Becky is doing which Molly holly produce the women match in wwe.

[@662chillin]

Welcome to the HBCU World JC That was The Ocean Of Soul of Texas Southern University

[@segagenesis7708]

The only real criticism I have of this review is………. We all know that had this been Belair and FLAIR, Cornette would have went through every last detail of how great it was. He loved this match and I’m glad, but I feel like he spent just as much time making excuses to justify the Flair/Rousey match being good.

[@jaygo8917]

Jim it was a hbcu black college band . They are very important to the black community.

[@lulbam1630]

That botched move made the match better! Especially if you seen bianca's eye the next day.

[@tonycampbell4982]

This was best match on the either night!

[@Hellwolf36]

It was the best womens match of the show. Charlotte vs Ronda wasn't bad but the outcome was interesting and Ronda is still new at this, even if Charlotte can lead. I also agree their developmental works the best on their homegrown women.

[@daniellecooper6453]

Becky Vs Bianca and Cody Vs Seth made that mania great ❤️

[@Ahmed-og2jm]

This and Cody vs Seth were the 2 best Matches in the entire show

[@InsignificantNick]

Now I'm picturing someone kidnapping Bianca's children and burning her DVDs, while she just skips, smiles, and twirls her hair.

[@jovanss2361]

Probably my favorite women's match ever with the possible exception of a couple of the Sasha/Charlotte matches from their first rivalry

[@bartholomew8042]

Bianca Belair is like a female John Cena but more agile & work horse-ish.

[@danielburger1775]

You gotta be kidding!

[@bartholomew8042]

@@danielburger1775 I’m talking about her feats of strength when I compare her to Cena. Her strength is pretty impressive.

[@danielburger1775]

@@bartholomew8042 Not that impressive when you understand why...

[@bartholomew8042]

@@danielburger1775 Go on.

[@danielburger1775]

@@bartholomew8042 Get it? Understand y?

[@tomitaimi3112]

Compare this feud/match to Charlotte vs. Ronda, and you can see clearly who is the #1 superstar in women's wrestling. Jim can talk about Charlotte's body all he wants, but she isn't a star. She's boring and bad on the mic. Becky is a true superstar who can talk and wrestle, and looks like a million bucks. Becky also has better body that flat ass Charlotte.

[@MadAngel209]

The band is called "Ocean Of Soul" of Texas Southern University (Home of The Tigers). TSU is an HBCU located in Houston. HBCU stands for Historically Black Colleges & Universities. Since she's from Knoxville, I'm surprised she didn't use "The Aristocrats" of Tennessee State.

[@msoileau83]

As an ex-tuba player, I appreciate that image.

[@sonicplys64]

Second best match of all of WrestleMania 38 (next to Cody/Seth). I like how Bianca has two back to back Mania victories too.

[@rleonardgreen78]

A heel Rhea Ripley Vs Bianca Belair should be the womens feud of the year. Ripley joining Edge would be great business.

[@dantheman8152]

Bianca and Becky are great.

[@CoyoJones]

It’s. HBCU .. Historical Black College University that’s why she used the Band for all the stuff been going on.

[@DarthBlazer23]

Jim Cornette question “They were playing music and what did it have to do with Bianca Belair?” Answer: SHES BLACK

[@lilreddagreat]

Hbcu marching band. She was repping a black band

[@662chillin]

I agree with Brian: The only top star (women) that HHH didn't have a direct hand in developing is Naomi (FCW). Asuka he did bring in but was already developed. Just more proof that even with all the baggage from his wrestling career, his wrestling mind is undeniable

[@Sky_Blaze]

Naomi a top star??? No

[@JT7Blu]

@@Sky_Blaze not top star, but she is still a big name in the women's division. She is like the female version of...Ziggler or Kofi. (Career wise, not so much talent.)

[@662chillin]

@@Sky_Blaze Sure random dumb a__ in the KZbin comments section

[@eranben-shlomo9856]

I think this video is glitched as i just got notifacation it was uploaded.

[@daleharris3809]

I agreed with Brian that this was the best match of the weekend. Far as in ring work you can argue for Cody-Seth, and that would be fair. But Becky and Bianca told a fantastic story.

[@KobashifanSam]

Story wise, agreed. Bel Air and Becky had one of the best stories in ring that I have ever seen in yhe last few years

[@danielburger1775]

@@KobashifanSam what was the story?

[@KobashifanSam]

@@danielburger1775 becky started the match the same way she won the title, trying to hit a manhandle slam on Bianca. Bianca, learning from her mistakes, got out of it but eventually was countered into one but was able to kick out. Becky starts dishing out punishment and trying to go for a quicker win. It was showcasing that Becky was starting to get worried and scared that Bianca was getting her wind and starting to come back. Big moves from both women and near falls. Becky tries to end match with manhandle slam on steel steps and Bianca still survives. Eventually Bianca comes back for the win after a hard yet great match. Classical challenger pulls out all the stops to beat the champ and it all looked good. Even the botched Molly-go Round was turned into a vicious looking dropkick to the face that looked great albiet painful

[@danielburger1775]

@@KobashifanSam So, no story then...

[@segagenesis7708]

@@danielburger1775 The story was that Lynch was the high society one who was embarrassed that all of her love and adoration from the fans went to Belair, an “Esther”, as Lynch once said. And no matter how hard she tried, not only could she not keep Belair down, but the fans would just love Belair more and more. More so, Belair is the complete opposite. She learned to truly love herself for who she was, and not allow Summerslam to take her down a dark path, and that that’s what the fans loved about her. So Lynch is already walking to the ring clutching the belt with paranoid eyes that the one thing she has left is about to be taken away too. Belair comes down completely self confident and believing in who she truly is and that that will get her back to the top. So Lynch starts fast, trying to end it quickly. But goes into a mini panic when it doesn’t work. After taking control, she gets the smirks on her face and slows the pace, starting to convince herself that she’s still The Man and she’s got this. But when Belair keeps fighting back, the frustration and Anxiety for Lynch gradually grows again. While the grit and look of determination grows on Belair. Belair almost has her, but Lynch escapes. Yet, Belair rushes to get her, maintaining confidence. Lynch turns the tide, only for Belair to barely beat the count, but Lynch only shows frustration. Belair is practically dead by that point and Lynch STILL believes that she has to hit something bigger to finish her off. Which gives Belair the time for a quick burst attempt to seal it. Which she does, and it only takes ONE finisher.

[@111RAMONES]

Lynch actually looked cool!

[@jonathanfulmer7102]

Since Bianca Belair is a strong black woman in the WWE you could maybe make the connection that they used Texas Southern which is a HBCU to push that storyline

[@Hush_Money2]

This was a great match. Bianca's strength is incredible. Becky's selling was great here.

[@segagenesis7708]

It’s a great example of opposites attracting and creating great chemistry in the ring.

[@tw475]

she is very creative with those power spots.

[@josh4106]

I'm glad brian said it . 7:14. The only thing I just can't get passed with bianca is the goofy fucking smile on her face all the time. I can't take a wrestler who's always smiling seriously.