WrestleMania 38 Night 1 Live Results and Analysis

WrestleMania 38 Night 1: Live Results and Analysis

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The biggest event in professional wrestling is about to land at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. WrestleMania 38, a two-night affair in the home of the Dallas Cowboys, will shine a spotlight on WWE’s Superstars across all of the promotion’s titles. Saturday’s celebrations include three title fights, the return of an icon and the first game for a social media star.

WWE Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair will face off in a rematch after Belair amazingly surrendered her title to Lynch in just 26 seconds at last August’s SummerSlam. Other standout matches include The Miz teaming up with social media star Logan Paul to face off against father-son duo Rey and Dominik Mysterio, Edge against AJ Styles, and Seth Rollins against an opponent introduced by Mr. McMahon will ring once Rollins is in.

The other two title fights on Saturday’s card: The Usos will be looking to retain their SmackDown Tag Team Titles against Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs, and Ronda Rousey will be aiming for the SmackDown Women’s Championship as she opts for a match with after winning Charlotte Flair ruled Women’s Royal Rumble in January.

Also, in what is expected to be the main event of Night 1, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will walk down the ramp for an appearance on the “KO Show,” hosted by Kevin Owens. The assumption is that hands are being thrown, beer is being drunk and someone is on the wrong end of a stunner.

Haven’t watched WWE for a long time? Find out everything you need to know about the map in our lapsed fans guide, then follow live as we break down every game on the map.

Game On: Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes

Results:

Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair def. Becky Lynch (c)

Between the paparazzi-style VIP pull-up and performances by Texas Southern’s band “Ocean of Soul,” this felt like a superstar prizefight disguised as a Raw women’s championship match between Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair.

The drama began early when the handshake of Lynch’s downfall, which derailed Belair’s championship reign four months earlier, was offered to Big Game Becks by The EST. Lynch, stunned by the offer, countered with a slap in the face. The action didn’t stop there.

Lynch stayed on offense for most of the game, being the attacker and quick to stomp any momentum Belair was trying to build up at various points. But Belair didn’t stay down as her ability to power out of different holds helped keep the match close to even.

That power always stands out, but her athletic performances reached another level when her 450-degree splash on Lynch left mouths open. Lynch would not be outdone as her rolling thunderkick off the top rope on Belair was equally impressive.

Belair looked lost late in the match when Lynch manhandled her onto the steel steps, leaving her outside the ring and nearly counted out. Belair climbed back into the ring at 9 while Lynch was ready to finish off the challenger. Belair, however, summoned the last of her strength, lifted Lynch onto her shoulders and landed the KOD to dethrone the champion.

The standard has officially been set as Belair and Lynch have arguably the best match of 2022 so far, setting the bar high for the rest of the weekend’s Wrestlemania cards.

What’s next: There’s a lot of meat left on the bone between these two and if they wanted to build more between the two then let them. Belair is a worthy heir to the throne, but could we see Rhea Ripley take on a challenge to show strength for the belt? For Lynch, she’s earned Nate Diaz-like status in WWE, where she can earn top-billing with or without a belt on the line. she is so good

The Miz & Logan defeated Paul. Dominik Mysterio & Rey Mysterio

In the tag team match between The Mysterios vs. The Miz and Logan Paul, a big question came up: we know Logan Paul can fight, but can he wrestle?

Paul presented well, flashing athleticism and strength along with some underhanded tactics worthy of someone performing in front of a crowd that wasn’t on his side. Indeed, the Cleveland duo displayed instant tag team chemistry while controlling the match for an extended period.

However, the father-son duo would regroup when the elder Mysterio would eventually step into the ring to save a damaged Dominik and severely insult The Miz. Rey’s flying Hurricanrana along with an impressive 619 paired with a Tornado DDT helped restore control of the Mysterios. And then a game of outdoing each other broke out.

First, Rey’s failed attempt to hit the Three Amigos was reinforced by Logan Paul hitting the combo move along with the Frog Splash and a shimmy. Dominik then countered with a Frog Splash of his own to set up The Mysterios’ double 619.

Through all the madness, The Miz tagged himself in and landed a Skull Crushing Finale on Rey to capitalize on the win.

Then, to trump himself, The Miz decided to reminisce about the beef he had with Logan last August and delivered a skull crushing finale to his teammate.

What’s next: For a brief moment, the thought that Miz and Paul could be a legitimate tag team seemed like a real possibility. And then Miz sent his partner’s face onto the screen. A likely split and future solo success seems to be the move here. Especially for Paul, who not only held his ground for a long time, but also showed the necessary charisma for real success in WWE.

As for The Mysterios, their place among the company’s top tag teams is secure, and they should be fighting for the Straps again in the near future.

Drew McIntyre defeated. Happy Corbin

Drew McIntyre hits Happy Corbin with a Claymore to end their match at WrestleMania 38. Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Drew McIntyre has been out for revenge since being attacked by Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss on WWE Day 1. On Saturday night, McIntyre finally got his revenge, although it took a Swanton jump over the top rope and a kickout from an End of Day to finish it off.

It’s a bit of a shame that McIntyre and Corbin went head-to-head so early in the map, with the stakes being nothing more than their personal feud, as both men were agile and disciplined in the ring while putting on a show. Moss, who usually throws in hilarious jokes, instead interfered with his teammate, causing him to take serious damage from the distraction.

McIntyre, only recently back in action after recovering from a neck injury, eventually connected with the Claymore on Corbin to claim the win. During his celebration, Moss attempted to interfere but was thwarted by McIntyre, who wielded his massive sword “Angela” and hacked two of the ring ropes in half while missing Moss in the process.

What’s next: McIntyre’s feud with Corbin and Moss should now be over and he could be in line for a title shot depending on how things play out between Reigns and Lesnar on Sunday night. How about a legitimate run for a tag team title for Corbin and Moss? They’re big, they can move, and anyone can hold their own on the mic. Maybe they’re up next for The Usos?

SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (c) def. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs

Few tandems could have been a better choice to kick off WrestleMania 38 than rock-and-roll duo Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs, along with high-flying proud seven-time tag team champions The Usos.

Boogs showed his versatility both in and out of the ring with his impressive guitar skills and showing his strength by lifting Jey Uso into a vertical suplex position. Unfortunately, Boogs succumbed to an injury when his right knee buckled – the same knee he used to feign an injury a few weeks earlier – as he tried to shoulder the load of the two Uso brothers in the middle of the ring.

The Usos eventually finished off a solo Nakamura with a 1D for the pinfall win.

For Jimmy and Jey, defending their titles early in the weekend means they can keep their focus on all things The Bloodline and help their cousin Roman Reigns in Sunday’s main event against Brock Lesnar. Hopefully for Boogs, a rising star who was currently shining at his brightest early in the show, has a speedy recovery ahead of him.

What’s next: The Usos’ win helps set the bar for the post-WrestleMania SmackDown tag team roster. Depending on how well The New Day does on Saturday night, with Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston holding it without Big E, another fight between the two future Hall of Fame tag teams seems like a real possibility. For Nakamura and Boogs, a split and a solo run for both seems likely in their future.

still to come:

SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) versus Ronda Rousey

Edge vs. AJ Styles

The “KO Show”: Kevin Owens greets “Stone Cold” Steve Austin

New Day (King Woods and Kofi Kingston) against Sheamus and Ridge Holland