Leighty’s WWE Main Event Review 5.21.26

-Written: 5.21.26
-Source: YouTube
-Run Time: 30:06

-Six years ago today I did my first Main Event Review. Unfortunately, I took the job because the late, great Larry Csonka had just passed away. As we all know, Larry put in more work in a week than many do in a month and the word went out that someone had to try to fill his shoes. It took several of us, and my part in helping was picking up this show. It has been an honor trying follow in Larry’s shoes. That first show I did was during the Pandemic Era with no fans and the show has gone from Hulu to Peacock and now YouTube. Here’s my 7th year of covering the C Show. I have included a link to that first show I reviewed. My thoughts on the loss of Larry from that first review.

–Before I ever became part of the 411 team I was a daily reader and Larry was the person I spent the most time reading. Even after I was brought on the team in 2008, Larry’s reviews were something I would seek out immediately as a show ended. His output was second to none and became the stuff of legends. When I joined 411, Larry was the person that I sought out for any advice and looked at him as my “boss.” He would often go out of his way to throw ideas my way about shows that needed covered and would use reviews of matches I did for special columns the staff would do. I was always honored he did that as his reviews of matches and shows were the standard to which I always tried to reach. I soon realized I couldn’t and opted to go the route of reviewing WWE Network shows and Larry was right there to offer me more. In the last year as Larry had his health issues, I had others from the staff be my contact, but Larry still took care of me as he recommended me for the Backstage gig.

-The best memory I have though is the e-mail I still have that he sent when my son was born in 2017. Larry was a family man and the love for his family was clearly seen by his social media posts. I did coverage of Talking Smack while in the hospital the night my son was born and the e-mail from Larry only wanted to know the details about my son. He knew of the struggles my wife and I had with miscarriages and he was there to listen if I needed someone. I never met the man, but he always told me I was good people because, like him, I was from SW PA. I kind of regret never getting the chance to meet him, but as a fan and then a person that worked with him I feel like I knew him. His writing had a way of making you feel like you knew him and was a source of great enjoyment. Funny enough, I often go back to some of his Hogan Knows Best reviews of all things because I can’t help but crack up laughing. The world lost a great man and the IWC lost the hardest working man in the business. That doesn’t compare though to the loss for his family of a father and husband. My condolences to his family first and to all those that knew him better than me. My heart breaks for everyone that has been affected by his loss whether family, friend, or fan.

-To Larry I say thank you for the years of entertainment and then for letting me write about this crazy business we loved. Thank you for you being a mentor and friend. The IWC world is never going to be the same and I know I will be looking for your reviews out of habit for quite some time. I know it’s going to be hard for you, but rest easy now Boss. You will be sorely missed!

-Announce Team: Blake Howard and Vic Joseph

Matt Cardona vs. Nathan Frazer (w/ Axiom)

-Lockup and Cardona gets arm control. Frazer flips out to reverse and gets a roll-up for two and the back to a side headlock. Cardona rolls back for a two count. Frazer ducks a series of clotheslines and is flying as he runs the ropes and delivers a kick. Enziguiri from the apron and he heads up, but Cardona trips him off the ropes. Running clothesline from Cardona and he is definitely working with an edge in this one. Rude (Woode) Awakening and a second one. Third one is blocked but Frazer runs into a spinebuster for two. The audio sounds a little off as there’s like reverb or something happening. Unprettier from Cardona gets two! Shout-out to his wife! Brosku Boot and Cardona plays to the crowd as he is clearly working heel here. Cardona follows and throws Frazer to the apron, but he uses the ropes to escape and hits a kick. Suicide Dive follows and then a Slingblade back in the ring. Frazer off the top with a nice Frog Splash for two. Frazer charges, but Cardona gets the knees up in the corner. Frazer gets a roll-up for two counter another Unprettier. Spinning twist out suplex!. Frazer misses The Phoenix Splash and Cardona hits a Ruff Ryder for the pin at 5:24.

Winner: Matt Cardona via pin at 5:24
-Fun little match here as they meshed well together. Cardona got to play the bully a bit and Frazer is wonderful at fighting from underneath and flying around the ring. I enjoyed this! ***

-Cardona offers a handshake after the match and Frazer accepts!

-John Cena pimps Club WWE!

-Clash at Italy commercial. The crowd should be great!

Maxxine Dupri vs. Nikkita Lyons

-Big Cat Kita on Main Event! They have her all over the place as she has been on LFG and is a mainstay of Evolve and NXT. We are at a point now where Maxxine is the seasoned vet in a match. Kita shoves her in the corner and does a dance. Maxxine shoves back, so Kita grabs a side headlock. They run into each other as that was a little rough. Kita continues to dance and disrespect Maxxine. Headscissors from Maxxine and now she dances. Maxxine with a float over in the corner, but gets caught with a slam. Catapult under the bottom rope! Kita with strikes and a back elbow in the corner. Samoan Drop gets two! Dupri slides out of another attempt and gets a roll-up for two. Kita back with a kick to the stomach and a Tiger Bomb for two. Cobra Clutch, but Maxxine escapes. Superkick from Kita followed by a double clothesline spot. Maxxine starts her comeback with a series of clotheslines and then a sweeping kick. Fisherman’s Suplex followed by a kip up. Step Up split legged leg drop gets two. Sweet round house kick from Kita gets two! She argues with the ref and it costs her as she charges into the corner and hits shoulder first. Maxxine with a release German and a crossbody from the top for the pin at 5:42.

Winner: Maxxine Dupri via pin at 5:42
-This started a little rough but they got things together and had a strong closing finish. Kita go to show out a bit and good for getting a shot here. **

-WWE Live coming to a city near you as they realized House Shows have a purpose.

-SNME at MSG this summer!

Je’Von Evans vs. Harlem Lewis

-Two of my Level Up kids and Lewis is part of LFG and Evolve at this point. Lewis charges at the bell and runs Evans into the corner. He gets caught yelling at the crowd and Evans catches him with a superkick. Evans gets bouncy as he springs off the ropes into head scissors that sends Lewis to the floor. Evans flies over the top with like SuperMan with a dive and then hits the wacky modified Pele kick for two. Young OG chant from the crowd as he heads up top again. Moonsault misses but he rolls through and on to his feet. He looks to spring again, but Lewis knocks him down. He goes to ground and pound in a smart strategy. Chops from Lewis in the corner and the crowd sweetening is very noticeable this week. Backbreaker gets two! Lewis SLAPS Evans in the face, which pisses him off and he blitzes Lewis in the corner. The ref has to pull him back as he was stomping a mud hole there. Clothesline from Evans and he lands a kick to the back. Evans with a springboard clothesline! HE tries to get bouncy again and Lewis shoves him into the post. Boom Slang is escaped and Evans hits a Danielson knee. OG Cutter finishes at 4:55.

Winner: Je’Von Evans via pin at 4:55
-Solid match and good for Lewis getting his first Main Event exposure. I like seeing the kids I saw debut years ago make it up the card. **1/2

-Thank for reading!

7.0

The final score: review Good

The 411

The opener was a really fun match and made this a good show. The other two matches are what we usually get from this show, and I dug they went back to the NXT/Evolve vs. WWE format. It's 30 minutes and free on YouTube so it's a show worth watching.