The post-WrestleMania edition of Main Event built toward a collision not on SmackDown, Raw, or even Backlash, but in AAA. El Grande Americano, Original and auténtico, were in action as each geared up for their mask vs mask showdown on May 30 in Monterrey, Mexico.
Though the Americanos were the stars, Apollo Crews’ struggles took center stage as the former United States and Intercontinental Champion sought his first singles win of 2026.
The Streak Continues
Barring breaking news, I avoid spoilers for Main Event. However,
finding out the result of this one was hard for me to resist.
The History of WWE editor Richard Land was in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 42 and attended SmackDown, where Apollo Crews faced AAA’s Mr. Iguana in a match taped for this week’s Main Event. After Land posted a photo of their match on social media, I asked if Crews had won. He replied with a thumbs-down emoji.
Sigh.
For the seventh time this year on Main Event, Crew took home the loser’s share of the purse. He later competed in the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on SmackDown and lost again, extending his winless streak in singles action to 0-8.
The Vegas crowd was largely behind Iguana. Crews leaned into it, mockingly leading an Iguana chant. At times, he seemed unsure how to handle the luchador, who struck him with his sidekick puppet, La Yezka. Annoyed, Crews stomped the puppet, drawing boos.
In the end, Iguana won, springing off Crews’ shoulders into a bulldog for the pin.
Announcers Vic Joseph and Blake Howard noted that stars like Crews, who missed WrestleMania, could use Main Event to build toward making an appearance at next year’s Mania. For Crews, though, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. With his luck, that light might be an oncoming train.
Enough Is Enough
In the second match, Original El Grande Americano defeated Grayson Waller with a bridging German suplex. It began with promise, as Waller took a combative stance before being taken down, but that quickly faded.
Overall, I felt like I had seen all of this before. Waller’s entrance felt overly familiar, right down to teasing a handshake with a kid before pulling away.
Meh.
Once the bell rang, it felt like more of the same: Rolling Thunder Flatliner, walking the second rope.
Again, meh.
Earlier this year, Waller debuted new gear, which elevated his look as a star. But in the ring, his routine feels stale. He’s solid, but something’s missing. I should be encouraged to keep watching to see him find “it,” but at this point, I feel like I’ve seen enough.
A Grande Mishap
The closing bout saw the authentic, Spanish-speaking El Grande Americano taking on Akira Tozawa. A scary moment saw Grande spike Tozawa on his head. Somehow, Tozawa survived, and the two put on a fun match.
Otis initially did a poor job of watching Tozawa’s back before running off Rayo and Bravo, who were hilariously dressed as Mariachis. Despite their interference, the American crowd warmed to this Americano, though not to the level of fans in Mexico.
In the end, the 2.0 version of the WWE-created luchador won by submission with a seated chin and neck crank.
The Final Bell
Admittedly, I watched Main Event after completing a four-hour marathon of Netflix’s Hulk Hogan: Real American documentary, which left me feeling pretty depressed. That likely didn’t help my reaction to the show.
Add in knowing Crews had lost again, and this episode was basically snakebit for me.
Historically, WWE makes post-WrestleMania roster cuts, and I could see an unfortunate scenario where both he and Waller end up on the chopping block. Crews still looks sharp once the bell rings, but as a character, he feels like he’s hit a ceiling. The only real hook is a seemingly unintended losing streak that makes me root for him.
Waller might benefit from a reset outside WWE. His original act as an obnoxious influencer lost its edge once WWE brought in Logan Paul, a genuine obnoxious influencer. Since then, he hasn’t really evolved much. Even his work with The New Day has run its course.
I don’t know what’s next for either man, but rather than releases, I’d like to see them repackaged in AAA. In a new environment, with a different audience and under the watchful eye of its booker, The Undertaker, they might find what they’re missing.
Vayan con Dios, Waller and Crews.
