The familiar faces put on a few WrestleMania preview matches this week on WWE Main Event!

Brie Bella, Paige & Natalya def. Summer Rae, Naomi & Tamina

Whatever you think about Brie Bella, there’s no arguing that she’s had a way better reaction from crowds after her feud with Charlotte. She’s no longer just the sidekick you beat before facing the final boss (obviously Nikki). Maybe it’s sympathy, maybe it’s new boots, I’m finding this renascent run surprisingly pleasant.  

This is, of course, a preview for the WrestleMania tag match revolving around Lana and Brie. Lana once again interrupts mid match to come take a seat on the announce table to scout her opponent up close and personal. It’s safe to say that Lawler was far less dignified than Ranallo when his view was obscured. Thankfully, Lana’s skulduggery ends there and she doesn’t cause the match to end in disqualification again. Brie gets the hot tag and the crowd chants “YES” in time to every move she does. Everyone pours into the ring and finishers are flown everywhere until Brie and Naomi are left alone. Brie rolls a crossbody through into the YES Lock for the win.

Ryback def. Heath Slater

So… before this match begins the Social Outcasts do their usual bizarre schtick. But Axel implores them to be serious when facing his former partner and best friend. He gets so emotionally invested in telling Slater how to beat down Ryback that he has a bit of a breakdown. Bo doesn’t want Axel to be embarassed, and instead turns it into a pep rally. It really has to be seen to be believed.

This is pretty much the staple Main Event match, and ends the way it’s done countless times before. Ryback gets the win with Shellshocked.

The Lucha Dragons def. The Ascension

It was the Lucha Dragons that started The Ascension’s downward spiral, and there’s definitely some bitter resentment emanating from their corner as the lucha lads dance around the ring merrily. This is nothing but a whistle stop tour of all the Lucha Dragon spots, with a focus on Kalisto. Sin Cara gets the pin on Viktor with a swanton bomb following ‘Salida Del Sol’.

Stardust def. Zack Ryder

In Jack Swagger’s absence, it seems that Stardust has taken over as the face of Main Event. He’s got all the credentials, and is suitably pitiful, so why not?

For whatever reason, these two are both competing in the IC Title ladder match at WrestleMania. There isn’t a chance in hell of either of them winning, and I’m not sure I could tell you what makes them any more deserving than the members of the pre-show battle royale. I appreciate Ryder adding new moves to his arsenal, constantly trying to regain the wave of momentum he stumbled upon a few years ago. He uses a sort of suplex neckbreaker here and it looks pretty sweet. Flashy maneuvers prove fruitless in the end however, as Stardust catches him in the Queen’s Crossbow for the pin.