You’d be forgiven for thinking that the first night of Wrestlemania 38 looked weak. Especially when compared to the stacked night two. What we got from night one, though, was good matches and a surprise or two. Allow me to break it down for you with our WrestleMania 38 Night 1 recap.
Usos (c) def. Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs – Smackdown Tag Championship Match
What started as a promising match was unfortunately rushed to a finish. When Boogs suffered a legit injury while trying to slam both Usos at once. His knee buckled, and his Wrestlemania was over. Shinsuke tried to fight on by himself, but the Usos proved too much. Picking up the victory after hitting their tandem finisher, the 1-D, retaining their championships.
I enjoyed this match while it lasted. It’s a massive shame the injury cut it short. Outside of that, it was a decent start to the show. Boogs and Shinsuke’s entrance got the crowd hyped as it always does. Match Rating 3/5
Drew McIntyre def. Happy Corbin
Not too much to say about this one. It was decent! Corbin controlled most of the match. Until he was unintentionally distracted by his friend Madcap Moss. Momentum turned in Drew’s favour after this. Then bang Happy Corbin hit his finish The End of Days. That, to this point, has put everyone away, but not this time. Drew kicked out! He quickly picked up the win after, with his Claymore Kick to Corbin.
After the match, we saw a spot where Drew threatened Madcap Moss with his sword called Angela. Leading him to cut two of the ring ropes.
I didn’t mind this match. It wasn’t bad by any means. I just wasn’t invested in it from a story standpoint. The in-ring work wasn’t enough to make this one memorable. Match Rating 2/5
Miz and Logan Paul def. Rey and Dominik Mysterio
That’s right, Logan Paul has a Wrestlemania victory. I must say it’s well deserved. In what was one of the better celebrity wrestling matches. Paul more than held his own. Executing moves such as the three amigos made famous by Eddie Guerrero. Along with another Guerrero move, the frog splash.
In what was a back and forth affair. The Mysterio’s looked like they had the win after a double 619 on Paul. Unfortunately for them, Miz tagged himself in just before. Sneaking in to hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Rey Mysterio for the win. In a perhaps surprising move during the celebration. Miz laid out Logan Paul with a Skull Crushing Finale!
This was a fun match, well-executed by all four men. Logan Paul was a great surprise with his in-ring skills and great heel work throughout. After how things ended, I don’t think it’s the last we’ve seen of him. That’s not a bad thing based on what we saw here. Match Rating 3.5/5
Bianca Belair def. Becky Lynch (c) – Raw Women’s Championship Match
In what was arguably the best match of the night. Belair beat Lynch to win the Raw Women’s Championship.
Great back and forth here. In what felt like a perfectly paced match and expert in-ring storytelling. Becky was on top for the majority trying to get a pinfall at every opportunity. There were a couple of botches in this one, but most were well recovered or covered up. Except for Belair receiving Lynch’s boot straight to the face after Lynch attempted a senton of sorts. It looked nasty! Outside of those few mishaps, though, this was in-ring storytelling at its best. Lynch felt desperate from the start and became more desperate as things went on. In the end, she was bested by the great athleticism of Belair. Who backflipped out of a Manhandle Slam and hit Becky Lynch with the KOD for the win.
This match was exceptional; I was glued to it. The skill of these athletes and their ability to tell a story without words was incredible. Not to mention some signature Wrestlemania special entrances for both competitors. I was thinking, what could follow that? Match Rating 5/5
Cody Rhodes def. Seth Rollins
There’s the answer the only thing that could follow a great match. The return of Cody Rhodes to WWE after six years away! Yes, Cody Rhodes, who spent the last few years helping to build AEW.
This, of course, wasn’t a shock to many, but it was handled perfectly. Seth made his grand entrance with spectacular attire. Then stood in the ring waiting to find out who his opponent would be. After what seemed a long pause, fireworks went off, and the lights went out. Another long pause, enough to make me think it could be Undertaker. Finally, we hear “Wrestling has more than one royal family.” Cody’s theme, Kingdom which he used in AEW hits and he makes his entrance. Not as Stardust or ‘Dashing’ Cody, but as American Nightmare Cody Rhodes. A character he used outside of WWE, including in AEW. This was an incredible moment with a big pop from fans.
What followed was a great match that required no story. Both men gave their all, Seth nearly picking up the victory on more than one occasion. In the end, Cody hit three Crossroads and his dad’s Bionic Elbow for the victory. Instantly making him a top player in the company. I’m excited to see where he goes from here.
When you add what was a great moment to the match that followed. This is something that people will remember for a long time. Match Rating 5/5
Charlotte Flair (c) def. Ronda Rousey
Now to the most underwhelming, disappointing match of night one. Charlotte Flair retained in a match that felt like it went on forever. To the point I found myself tuning out towards the end. Nothing was wrong with what was being done in the ring. The pacing was just completely off, and the match ultimately seemed to drag. This is in part due to having to follow the two previous matches, which while unfortunate, is unavoidable.
It doesn’t seem like this is the last time we see these two face-off, though. One good piece of storytelling here is Ronda getting Flair to tap out. Not noticing the referee was knocked down at the time. She tried to wake the referee, as she did. Charlotte booted her in the head for the pin. Retaining her belt in this controversial fashion likely means a rematch. Hopefully, that one is better than this. Match Rating 2/5
KO Show/Kevin Owens vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin – No Holds Barred
It’s not often you get a talk show segment billed as the main event. Now we know why. Kevin Owens had a plan all along, he wanted a fight with Stone Cold, and a fight is what he got. After some more disrespectful comments about Texas from Owens. The KO Show transitioned into a No Holds Barred Match, Austin’s first match in nineteen years.
It was a fun one that saw Stone Cold take more bumps than you might expect. Including a suplex onto concrete and receiving his signature Stunner from Owens. Ultimately Stone Cold would come out on top, though. Delivering a Stunner to Owens for the win.
After the match, we’d see the classic Stone Cold celebration. Beers and Stunners everywhere. Including a Stunner to commentator Byron Saxton. Night one ended as Steve Austin celebrated with his brother in the ring. In what is surely his final match? Match Rating 4/5
Summary
Wrestlemania 38 night one was special for its moments. Moments that will live long in the memory of fans. Cody’s return, Austin’s final match. Add to this the exceptional match between Lynch and Belair. The surprise of Logan Paul’s performance. This was a good show! One that was let down by two matches I didn’t have much reason to care about.
You may notice New Day vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland didn’t happen. I can only assume it was moved to night two of Wrestlemania.
Overall Show Rating 4/5
