WWE Main Event Review - May 8, 2018

By Graham "GSM" Matthews

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander def. Tony Nese (Non-title)

Admittedly, it was sad to see the Cruiserweight champ competing on Main Event and not Raw, but the Cruiserweight division hasn't been featured on the flagship show since before WrestleMania 34, so I can't say I'm surprised. Regardless, this was a real nice match from Alexander and Nese. Nese is actually from Long Island (where this episode emanated from), but he received a decent reaction at best when he made his entrance, though that could be because he's a heel. These two always work well together and this was another enjoyable encounter from them.

Zack Ryder def. Curt Hawkins

Believe it or not, I don't think Ryder and Hawkins had ever gone one-on-one prior to this point, so it was super cool they finally got the chance to do battle in their native Long Island, no less. Hawkins issued an open challenge to anyone in the back before the bout began and the crowd obviously popped big for Ryder. The match itself was fun while it lasted and the false finish toward the end was well done (that was probably the closest Hawkins has come to winning since his streak started). During a post-match promo afterward, Ryder said he wanted to be a part of Money in the Bank. I doubt that'll happen, but I was glad he got his moment. Now that they've faced each other, can we see the eventual reunion of Hawkins and Ryder as a tag team?

Overall Show

This might honestly be one of my favorite editions of Main Event in recent memory. Alexander's appearance was a pleasant surprise and he took on one of Long Island's own. Plus, their match was a treat. Then, Ryder and Hawkins (another two hometown boys) had an entertaining match by Main Event standards, and above all else, each of them got mic time, which almost never happens on Main Event. The recaps were good as well, so I would certainly suggest checking this episode out if you had the time to kill.