Eagle-eyed observers of WWE.com yesterday noticed the Cruiserweight championship match between Austin Aries & Neville and the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal had been tagged with the “(Kickoff Match)” qualifier on the WrestleMania 33 card listed on the company’s website.
Today (March 28), WWE made a more official announcement of their plans for the two-hour pre-show, which will be broadcast on WWE Network and a number of internet outlets like Facebook, Twitter & right here at Cageside Seats (natch), with the second hour being simulcast on USA Network.
The panel hosting the Kickoff will consist of Renee Young and a trio of Hall of Famers - Jerry Lawler, Booker T and Shawn Michaels. Along with their commentary, WWE’s putting three matches on from 5 - 7PM Eastern: the two placed on the pre-show yesterday, and a third that’s bound to incite some controversy... the SmackDown Women’s title “open”.
Further, it sounds like Alexa Bliss vs. every available woman on the SmackDown roster and the Cruiserweight title might be on the first hour, when fans are usually still finding their way to their seats in the stadium. The Andre is specified as taking place after 6PM so it can be broadcast on USA.
What do you think of these choices, Cagesiders? Excited for the first two of what could be seven hours of sports entertainment?