The first day of the Worlds Collide matches at WrestleMania Axxess featuring NXT past against NXT present got a boost from the return of former SmackDown Tag Team Champion and Bray Wyatt family member Harper.
@LukeHarperWWE Welcome Back. I hope tonight was everything you wanted and more. #WrestleManiaAxxess #WorldsCollide pic.twitter.com/4ClMmr6FTr
— Josh Cash (@JoshCashwashere) April 5, 2019
Though Harper did work a house show in Rochester, NY, in March, he has not appeared again on WWE TV since undergoing wrist surgery in October. He easily received the loudest pops and ovation from the crowd at Axxess Arena as he defeated Christopher Dijakovic. The crowd roared upon his entrance and again as he stood tall on the second turnbuckle after the match.
You just KNOW we had to show up and support @MmmGorgeous in his Axxess match! Even better watching him win! #BreezusChrist #SubClubTakeover pic.twitter.com/SmRVwsdpnR
— Paige Shelby (@PaigeShelby) April 5, 2019
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In another match that got a strong reaction, WWE RAW Superstar Tyler Breeze defeated Undisputed Era’s Roderick Strong. It’s still taking some getting used to seeing Breeze with the new-look shorter haircut. Speaking of The Undisputed Era, Kyle O’Reilly and Bobby Fish faced the SmackDown stable Sanity and came out on top.
The first match of the night saw NXT Superstars Candice LaRae and Mia Yim defeat Aaliyah and Vanessa Bourne in a highly competitive match. Also, former indie star Punishment Martinez, who is now with NXT, knocked off Kona Reeves.
In other action with main roster stars, RAW Superstar No Way Jose, whose infectious entrance music had a lot of fans chanting and dancing along with it, defeated the NXT Superstar known for his air guitar work, Eric Bugenhagen. That was a fun match between guys with similar gimmicks. Also, a dark horse to possibly win the WrestleMania Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, RAW Superstar Apollo Crews, earned a victory over Fabian Aichner. Chicago’s own, SmackDown Superstar Aiden English, also took on Kassius Ohno. I believe Ohno won, but I was obscured from seeing the ending of the match because I was taken away by something else at Axxess for the moment.