Holy shit, what a night. I had a lot of expectations coming into the night, and holy moly, where my socks were blown off. That was one of the best pay-per-views (premium live events) I’ve seen in a while. Everything about night 1 was great, and I cannot wait to see how night two tries to follow up. And if you want to see my predictions for night two, click here.
The Usos retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championship against Nakamura and Boogs
This could have been a really good opener to Wrestlemania, but the shitty injury that happened to Boogs put a damper on things. I knew immediately that was not a work, and he was legit injured. Boogs needs surgery after tearing his quadricep patella, and I am really sad about it. Boogs and Nakamura were such a fun duo together, and now we are left to wonder what happens to Nakamura now, not that he needs Boogs.
I am happy that the Usos retained because they are so good. They should continue their run as the longest-reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions. The one negative I had about this match is that Nakamura didn’t do much. I wish we could have seen Nakamura’s offense, but it was probably the best to end the match.
Match Grade: C-
Drew McIntyre defeats Happy Corbin
I’ll give credit where credit is due; this was a fun match. McIntyre was looking great in this match, pulling out moves he only uses in big matches. Seeing the man the size of McIntyre jumping over the ropes onto Corbin and Moss outside the ring amazes me. Also, the spot at the end where McIntyre sliced the ropes with his sword was great. McIntyre always amazes me, and I am happy he finally got a Wrestlemania moment. Now let’s hope he’s onto bigger and better things as he becomes world champion once again.
Match Grade: B
Logan Paul & The Miz defeat The Mysterios
I find it wild that people thought Logan Paul was not going to be good here. Paul is a “professional” boxer and looks super athletic. Paul could easily be a WWE wrestler if he wanted to. The one problem I had with him is that he did not sell long enough, but that’s not a significant problem, he could be taught that. I was impressed by Dominik Mysterio in this match because he looked his best in months. This was the Dominik Mysterio I want to see. After Miz hit Rey with the “Skull Crushing Finale” and pinned him, he turned his back on Logan Paul, hitting him with the same move. I am interested to see where they go with it now. You have to wonder that the payoff will be at SummerSlam, but that’s a long time from now.
Match Grade: B+
Bianca Belair defeats Becky Lynch and wins the Raw Women’s Championship
I said in the prediction blog that this would be the match of the night (and maybe match of the whole Wrestlemania), and we were not disappointed. I had a great time watching this match. Both Becky and Bianca were phenomenal. Becky had a great Marvel-themed entrance, and the marching band for Belair was great. Most importantly, WWE did something they usually never do. They made up for a dog shit decision they did in the past, and in this case, it was making Bianca Belair lose the title to Lynch at SummerSlam in 26 seconds. Now they did play with my emotions where I legit saw them making Bianca lose quickly once again to that damn “Man-Handle Slam” but we were saved by a near fall from Belair.
One very minor thing I thought this match was missing was the use of Belair’s hair. It’s always fun to see Belair whip people with her hair, but like I said, minor thing. I am so happy that Belair won, and I think it’s time we start calling her “Mrs. Wrestlemania.” Back-to-back banger matches at Wrestlemania that stole the show, and both were for titles. She looks like a million bucks on the grandest stage of them all. Maybe one more match in a prominent spot next year, then we can comfortably call her Mrs. Wresltemania.
Grade: A+
Cody Rhodes returns to WWE and takes down Seth Rollins
I am so happy. The most significant move since AEW was started. Bryan Danielson is close, but Cody meant so much to AEW, and now he’s back in WWE. The best part is, he’s not just in WWE as Cody Rhodes, he’s back in WWE as AEW Cody Rhodes. Blonde hair, stupid neck tattoo, same attire, “Kingdom” entrance theme. Everything is the same presentation as before, and you have to think this was the biggest thing WWE had to agree to for him to return. Cody needs complete creative control, and it seems like he has it.
The biggest thing, too, in his entrance before the song hits he says the same thing he said when he was in AEW “Wrestling Has More Than One Royal Family.” This is big because Vince McMahon does not let anyone say the word wrestling. It’s sports entertainment, not wrestling. So I think it’s safe to say Cody will have a lot of creative control in this WWE run.
Now onto the match, the first half of the match was quite boring. Not much was going on, and the crowd seemed dead, especially after what they saw in the last match and them cheering for Cody, but the second half picked up big time. So many great spots, even Cody still pretending to do the “Pedigree,” but he still won’t do it. My favorite thing in the match was not a move, but Cody doing the Stardust taunt. Cody did the move, and Corey Graves had a great line saying Cody was shedding the skin of his past. The match ended with Cody doing some of Dusty signature punches and bionic elbow mixed in with three “Cross Rhodes.” I am so happy Cody is back in WWE and cannot wait to see his promo on Raw.
Grade: A-
Charlotte Flair Retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship Against Ronda Rousey
So this was a bad one. I don’t know why I didn’t like this match, but it felt a little wonky at times. I don’t know how to explain it. I don’t hate the finish because it made Ronda look strong. After all, she made Charlotte tap while the ref was down and kept the title on the right person. Hopefully, whatever Rousey does next is better than this.
Grade: C
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin Returns to the Ring and Opens Up a Can of Whoop Ass on KO
I did not expect more than a very good back and forth promo between these two and Owens getting stunned by Austin to end the show. Nah, they said fuck that and had a whole ass “No Holds Barred” match to finish the show. Austin had his first match in 19 years and looked pretty good for a 57-year-old. Taking legit bumps too. I loved everything about it, and most importantly, Kevin Owens deserved it. KO is one of the best in the biz right now, so for him to close out a Wrestlemania against one of his idols is incredible. He even got to use the “Stunner” against Austin. The finish of the match had a great spot where KO used a chair but missed Austin, hitting the ropes and it backfiring on his head. Austin would hit the Stunner and win the final match of his career (hopefully).
Grade: A
Final Show Grade: A-
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