WWE

In this WrestleMania 38 Night 2 review, Roman Reigns square off with Brock Lesnar in a Title Unification Match, Vince McMahon actually wrestles, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: WWE WrestleMania 38 Night 2
• Date: April 3, 2022
• Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX

The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy vs. (c) RK-Bro – Raw Tag Team Titles

As if there was any doubt, these three teams work great together. They’ve reinvigorated the tag team division (on Raw, at least) and they delivered a fun sprint to start the second night of WrestleMania. It seems they are teasing a potential Street Profits heel turn at some point, but I’m not sure how well that would work. I did wonder if WWE would go the route of doing a Randy Orton/Riddle breakup angle here but opted to have them keep the titles. That’s probably the right move given how over they are as a team. Just a fun, well-worked match with all six men working hard.

The post-match angle with Gable Steveson suplexing Chad Gable was fine, but it’s way too early in Steveson’s career to have him doing anything substantial on the main roster. He could get there eventually though. (***3/4, Recommended)

Winner: RK-Bro via pinfall to retain at 11:30

Omos vs. Bobby Lashley

It’s hard to say this was a disappointment since it was about what most figured it would be. I thought maybe there would be some MVP involvement, but perhaps they’re saving that for an angle on Raw. The bigger question is what’s next for Omos after losing clean to Lashley? Is there really a point in having a rematch, and more than likely, these two trading wins for a few months? This was one of those matches where you book yourself into a corner, as you really can’t beat either man. Beating Lashley wasn’t the right move, but beating Omos removes a lot of the appeal from his push.

Winner: Bobby Lashley via pinfall at 6:35

Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville – Anything Goes Match

This has to be one of the best comedy matches WWE has ever done. And this is coming from someone who rarely watched Jackass in its prime. Just like the Steve Austin vs. Kevin Owens match, if you were trying to dissect this from a workrate or technical wrestling standpoint, you were doing it wrong. This was an experience, and a hilarious one at that. Sometimes, I want to just have fun when I watch wrestling. This was so much fun. Zayn deserves every dollar of his new WWE contract, and Knoxville also deserves a lot of props for his role in this match. And get Wee Man a contract! (Recommended)

Winner: Johnny Knoxville via pinfall at 14:25

Naomi and Sasha Banks vs. Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan vs. Natalya and Shayna Baszler vs. (c) Carmella and Queen Zelina – Women’s Tag Team Titles

Not much to take away from this match other than Sasha Banks finally winning at WrestleMania. Banks and Naomi rightfully won the titles, and there was no other finish that would’ve made sense. Would I have preferred a Banks vs. Naomi or Banks vs. Ripley singles match instead? Sure. But this was a way to get more people on the card, so I won’t complain about that. Ripley and Morgan are headed for a breakup, which could play into the rumors of Ripley being part of a possible Edge heel faction.

Winner: Naomi and Sasha Banks via pinfall at 10:50 to win the titles

Edge vs. AJ Styles

There was a lot of anticipation for this match, even if the build wasn’t perfect. I would’ve preferred a longer build to an Edge heel turn. The match itself was good, though probably not the best one they have in them. This was the type of match where a longer-built story would’ve added more to the presentation. They still told a good story, but it just seemed like it was missing something. Based on how it unfolded, they are inevitably headed to a rematch or two, which I’m fine with considering that it’s Edge and Styles. Maybe this is where Edge takes a step towards building a stable. Then again, if that’s the direction, wouldn’t Styles winning be the better choice? Nonetheless, it was an entertaining match. (***3/4, Recommended)

Winner: Edge via pinfall at 24:05

The New Day vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland

It’s wild to think WWE didn’t have time for this two-minute squash match on Night 1. Unfortunately, this was one of those matches that seemed like it never belonged on the WrestleMania card. Things were obviously altered due to Big E’s injury, so this was WWE putting it on the card to put it on the card without any clear idea of the direction for all parties involved. Easily the most meaningless match on either two nights of WrestleMania 38, and that sucks for guys like Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Sheamus.

Winner: Sheamus and Ridge Holland via pinfall at 1:40

Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory

McAfee was AWESOME. So was Theory. These two played very well off of each other, and the crowd absolutely loved McAfee. He was legitimately one of the most over stars on the card. I had no idea what to expect from McAfee (despite him doing great things with Adam Cole in NXT), so this delivered in a big way. McAfee winning was a surprise, but perhaps not given what it was setting up…. (***1/2, Recommended)

Winner: Pat McAfee via pinfall at 9:40

Pat McAfee vs. Vince McMahon

Yes, Vince McMahon, at 76 years old, wrestled a match at WrestleMania. In a way, it was perfect for the long-running Austin vs. McMahon storyline. Austin makes his triumphant return after 19 years away from the ring the night before, so what does McMahon do? He tries to one-up him by having his own match the next night. And just like Austin, Vince won. I wish they would’ve pushed that idea a little more, though we did get the inevitable showdown between the two after the match. That’s where McMahon took the worst Stunner in wrestling history, and it’s one that still has me laughing. I know some people will despise Vince wrestling at WrestleMania (especially considering what we said about the New Day match), but I’m fine with how it played out. It was a moment and a spectacle. That’s what WrestleMania is all about in this era, so why not?

Winner: Vince McMahon (!) via pinfall at 3:45

Roman Reigns vs. Brock Lesnar – Title Unification Match

This was billed as the biggest match in WrestleMania history. Nothing about this match said biggest match in WrestleMania history. It was nowhere near the WrestleMania 31 match between the two, and was pretty average for a WrestleMania main event. I’ve seen people speculate that an injury to either Reigns or Lesnar forced the match to finish earlier than planned, but either way, I’m not sure it would’ve ever hit the level of being a memorable main event. Reigns winning was predictable but fine. There was nothing else of note coming out of the match. In that regard, it was disappointing.

Winner: Roman Reigns via pinfall to unify the titles at 12:15

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON WRESTLEMANIA 38 NIGHT 2

Top Matches

1. Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville
2. Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy vs. RK-Bro
3. Edge vs. AJ Styles
4. Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory

Show MVPs: McAfee, Theory, Zayn, Knoxville (and friends), Orton, Riddle, Ford

Overall Rating: 7.0/10

Thoughts: While Night Two didn’t match WrestleMania 38 Night One, it was still enjoyable enough. I thought we’d be talking more about the main event and Edge vs. Styles coming out of this one, but somehow, they weren’t as entertaining as matches like Zayn vs. Knoxville and the triple threat tag match. Yes, I actually put Zayn vs. Knoxville at the top of my match rankings for the show because, remember, enjoyment of any match and/or show is always subjective. For my money, it was the most fun thing on the card. Combine the two shows together, and this was one of the best editions of WrestleMania in years.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WrestleMania 38 Night 1 review, Steve Austin wrestles his first match since 2003, Cody Rhodes makes his much-anticipated return to WWE, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: WWE WrestleMania 38 Night One
• Date: April 2, 2022
• Location: AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX

Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs vs. (c) The Usos – SmackDown Tag Team Titles

Not sure what I thought would open the show, but I suppose it really doesn’t matter given that it’s a two-night event. Boogs’ injury obviously sent this match off course. He clearly hurt his knee trying to pick up both Usos, and they had to improvise the finish. However, there was no way the Usos were losing this match. Pat McAfee was spectacular as always during the entrance, but that was pretty much the highlight of this one.

• Winner: The Usos via pinfall to retain at 6:55

Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin

This exceeded expectations. The feud itself has dragged out wayyyyy too long, but these two brought it in the match. It was by no means a classic, though the chemistry was there in the ring. McIntyre winning was the only choice, so they made the right decision on that. Now the question becomes, what’s next for McIntyre? Corbin and Madcap Moss will likely continue their pairing until Moss is pushed even higher up the card (he did win the Andre the Giant Battle Royal, after all), but McIntyre’s next move will be crucial for his ascent back into the main event picture. It’s probably too early go to McIntyre vs. Roman Reigns. Then again, WWE doesn’t have many options for The Tribal Chief.

• Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall at 8:35

Rey and Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz and Logan Paul

Now this was a pleasant surprise. I had zero expectations for Logan Paul in this match. Zero. He’s been fine in the build, but as a wrestler? Didn’t think it would be enjoyable. I was wrong. As much as I don’t want to say it, he was the best thing about this match. And it was a good match. Again, I simply didn’t think I’d be saying that about Paul in a match that also included Rey Mysterio and The Miz. But Paul was fantastic as a heel, and mocking Rey with the Eddie Guerrero tribute was true heel heat that you rarely see in WWE.

Then came the post-match turn. Why have Miz turn on Paul, which would effectively make Paul the face and keep Miz the heel? Paul is a natural heel, so I don’t love that they tried to fix something that wasn’t broken. I assume this will lead to a match between the two at some point, which looks a lot better on paper than it would have entering this match. (***1/2, Recommended)

• Winner: The Miz and Logan Paul via pinfall at 11:15 

Bianca Belair vs. (c) Becky Lynch – Raw Women’s Title

I hated the SummerSlam booking that kickstarted this feud. The follow-up storyline did nothing for anyone, either. But man did they make up for it with this match. They had plenty of time to tell the story they needed to tell, and both women did it flawlessly. It was just an enjoyable wrestling match with a clearly defined babyface and heel. I don’t care if there were a few botches. Something like that does not affect my enjoyment of the type of work that was on display, as it was more about the fight for Belair to win back her title, and the fight for Lynch to keep her title. This had a little something for everyone, so that variety also helped. Belair’s victory pushed the story full circle, which is what needed to happen on the biggest stage. One of my favorite WWE matches of the year thus far. (****1/2, Must-See)

• Winner: Bianca Belair via pinfall to win the title at 19:10

Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes

And Cody Rhodes is officially back in WWE. The worst kept secret in wrestling is no more, and what an insane pop he received from the Arlington crowd. The company bucked tradition by letting Cody come out as the Cody that left AEW (entrance, music, and all), which made a huge difference. They did not tweak his presentation, and the crowd rewarded them with a star reaction. The match itself was terrific, and this and the Belair/Lynch match have to rank near the top of the list of best back-to-back matches in WrestleMania history. The crowd’s response to Cody cannot be understated here, so how he’s booked moving forward will play a huge role. (****1/4, Must-See)

• Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall at 21:40

Ronda Rousey vs. (c) Charlotte Flair – SmackDown Women’s Title

Think about what we just talked about. A pair of back-to-back matches that will rival many in WrestleMania history. So, the match many expected to originally main event night one has to follow those two. Not ideal. I didn’t hate anything about Rousey and Flair’s work, but it was never going to meet the ridiculous expectations that were set by Belair/Lynch and Rollins/Cody. This was solid, but to be honest, it seemed like a cool-down match before the real main event. Again, that’s not ideal. Flair winning means the feud will continue, which isn’t much of a surprise.

• Winner: Charlotte Flair via pinfall to retain at 18:30

Steve Austin vs. Kevin Owens – No Holds Barred Match

If you watched this match thinking about workrate, I don’t know what to tell you. This was a spectacle. A true spectacle. Everyone knew what was coming with the setup, but few could’ve predicted a match that featured Austin – who retired due to a back injury – doing a 14-minute match that featured him taking a suplex on the concrete, giving Owens multiple suplexes on the stage, and much more. It was truly a sight to see. The crowd reaction was everything, as they were into this from start to finish. You can make the criticism that WWE relies on far too many nostalgia acts year after year, but in no way am I gonna complain about this. The difference was that it was a unique moment that will never be replicated again. WWE could trot Austin out for a Legends Night Raw, but it will never be able to recreate the magic that was this match. It was awesome. (Must-See)

• Winner: Steve Austin via pinfall in 13:55  

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BLAKE’S TAKE ON WRESTLEMANIA NIGHT ONE

Top Matches

1. Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch
2. Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes
3. Steve Austin vs. Kevin Owens
4. Rey and Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz and Logan Paul

Show MVPs: Austin, Owens, Rhodes, Rollins, Belair, Lynch, and Paul

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Thoughts: An awesome first night of action that was easily one of the best single-night editions of WrestleMania in many years. There was something for everyone, whether it be a classic women’s title match, the first wrestler to jump from AEW to WWE, or Austin’s first match in 19 years. Just a terrific show for wrestling fans.

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For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WrestleMania 39 Night 2 review, Cody Rhodes challenges Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Universal title, Asuka squares off with Bianca Belair for the Raw Women’s title, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: WWE WrestleMania 39 Night 2
• Date: April 2, 2023
• Location: SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

Brock Lesnar vs. Omos (w/MVP)

This wasn’t the pairing that most expected for Lesnar at WrestleMania. Still, the formula was similar to other hoss matches involving him. Lesnar showcases his power, and it all works to the predictable F5 on Omos for the win. A match straight out of Vince McMahon’s 1980s playbook. If you enjoy that kind of thing (I do at times), then this was for you. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that Lesnar could’ve had a more noteworthy match on the biggest show of the year.

Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez vs. Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville vs. Natalya and Shotzi – WrestleMania Showcase Match

The women’s tag team division is a lot of thrown-together teams trying to prove themselves. It’s hard to get invested in it since the chemistry and experience just aren’t there for most of the duos. Rousey is clearly injured since she only factors into the decision, as she locks on the armbar to force Shotzi to submit. Rousey and Baszler are your champions.

Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. Gunther – Triple Threat Match for the Intercontinental Title

What a hard-hitting affair here. These three men, as expected, beat the shit out of each other for 16 minutes. On paper, this looked like a match of the year candidate if all came together, and that’s what it did. I pondered whether Triple H would give his longtime friend Sheamus his long-awaited shining moment as Intercontinental Champion, but Gunther winning is the right call. He’s been presented as an unstoppable beast, and his championship reign is what WWE needs in terms of a regular fighting champion. (****1/4, Must-See)

Asuka vs. (c) Bianca Belair – Raw Women’s Title

Speaking of booking predictions, this is another that seemed like a possible title change given Triple H’s approach to building Asuka in NXT. However, it wasn’t to be, and Belair’s run continues as Raw Women’s Champion. This wasn’t on the level of her matches with Becky Lynch or Sasha Banks, but it at least showcased the strengths of both women. While some complain about Belair’s grasp on the title, the bigger issue could be the lack of strong challengers. Asuka is one of those, but she comes up short again at WrestleMania. (***1/2, Recommended)

Snoop Dogg vs. The Miz

This earns the title of an infamous WrestleMania match since, well, it wasn’t supposed to be a WrestleMania match. I’m also not sure it actually is a WrestleMania match since Snoop Dogg was never in the match. Confusion aside, Shane McMahon’s brutal injury (seems like a knee or quad) quickly forces a change of plans, and Snoop seemingly transforms himself into The Rock to drop the People’s Elbow on Miz for the win. Hey, it turned out way better than it had any reason to be.

Edge vs. Finn Balor – Hell in a Cell Match

As if one injury isn’t enough, another puts a damper on this match. Edge nails Balor with the ladder, leading to Balor bleeding profusely. The doctors have to stitch him up on the spot, so that certainly hurts the flow of the match a bit. After all, fans aren’t accustomed to Hell in a Cell matches being stopped due to blood. You know, since a man got thrown off of a cell back in 1997. But it’s a different era, and I understand the approach when it comes to possible head injuries. There’s zero question that it was the right move. Edge winning hopefully wraps up the feud between these two so they can move on to other things. Probably not a memorable Hell in a Cell match though.

Cody Rhodes vs. (c) Roman Reigns – WWE Undisputed Universal Title

Where to begin? Let’s start this way: Cody should’ve won. Simple enough, right? The entire story was built to have Cody win this match. The return to WWE, the injury setback, the triumphant return to win the Royal Rumble, and the intense character promos setting the stage to achieve the ultimate dream of winning the WWE title. Even the video package leading into the match and Cody’s exchange with his family (and Brodie Lee’s son Negative One) ringside was masterfully done. But yet, WWE did not pull the trigger on the end of Reigns’ reign as champion, and for a second straight month (Sami Zayn at Elimination Chamber), there was an audible change in the crowd once another top babyface fell to Reigns and the Bloodline.

Sami’s story was different. He was never going to be put in the position of being the face of WWE, especially not a month out from WrestleMania in Hollywood. Cody, meanwhile, checked all the boxes. He was the right guy at the right time, and that’s what fans had been waiting for – a truly believable conquering hero who had every motivation to down the unstoppable antagonist. But the conquering hero came up short. He lost. He didn’t finish the story. Instead, the bad guy won again, in what figured to be the combination of a company afraid of change and a ridiculous need to have a champion hit the 1,000-day mark.

Here’s the problem with that. If the story is to continue (how could it not after Solo Sikoa’s interference), will WWE be able to capture that atmosphere, that moment, and that build again? I’m not sure. They did with it McIntyre in Cardiff, Zayn in Montreal, and now Cody in Los Angeles. However, the common theme is all three babyfaces lost. McIntyre hasn’t reached that level since. Zayn earned a meaningful consolation prize by winning the Tag Team titles with Kevin Owens, but he took a step back as a world title contender. And now, there’s Cody, who joins a long list of Reigns’ challengers who came up short.

I find it hard to believe that Cody won’t eventually become “the guy.” But the time to make him “the guy” was now, and where things go from here will decide whether this was one of the biggest booking blunders in WrestleMania history. (****1/4, Must-See)

BLAKE’S TAKE ON WRESTLEMANIA 39 NIGHT 2

Top Matches

1. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus vs. Gunther (Must-See)
2. Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns (Must-See)
3. Asuka vs. Bianca Belair (Recommended)

Overall Rating: 7.0/10

Thoughts: Matching WrestleMania 39 Night 1 was going to be a challenge, and even with a Cody win, this edition wouldn’t have been as a good. But the finish to the main event dropped this lower than it should’ve been. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a great match that’s worth watching. However, the finish ruins everything that came before it. The IC title triple threat was a thing of beauty, but everything else was pretty standard for a WrestleMania. For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!

In this WrestleMania 39 Night 1 review, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn challenge The Usos for the WWE Tag Team titles, Rhea Ripley squares off with Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s title, and much more.

Let’s jump in!

• Show: WWE WrestleMania 39 Night One
• Date: April 1, 2023
• Location: SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA

John Cena vs. (c) Austin Theory – United States Title

Expectations for a Cena match in 2023 are a little different. Despite other opinions, this was never going to be a “changing of the guard” moment. Theory isn’t there yet, and it seemed unlikely Cena was going to do anything other than a safe match. That’s what we got here. It was a pretty standard heel vs. babyface outing, with Cena still finding ways to keep the crowd engaged. But this was all about expectations, and I can’t say I was disappointed since it was never advertised as this game-changing match for Theory, despite Cena being the opponent.

The Street Profits vs. Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Viking Raiders – WrestleMania Showcase Match

Speaking of expectations, this exceeded any I had. What looked like just another match throw onto the card to keep everyone happy turned into a fun, action-packed eight-minute sprint. Everyone got their big moves in and it all tied together nicely. The Street Profits were the right choice as the winners, and perhaps it’ll lead them back to being a legitimate factor in the tag team title picture. (Recommended)

Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul

Now that Paul is embracing his role as a heel, it’s easy to understand why WWE is so invested in him. The guy is just easy to boo. Of course, the bigger story is his ridiculous athleticism and undeniable ability to grasp the fundamentals of pro wrestling. Both were on display against Rollins, who needed a big win and got it. Did I love the KSI spot with him hiding in the blue energy drink costume? No, but I know why they did it. This WrestleMania provides a clear picture of WWE’s path forward in terms of marketing to the biggest audience possible, whether that’s through the involvement of influencers or sponsored ads around the ring. Beyond that, what’s next for Rollins? I’d have to think he’ll be back in the world title picture soon enough. (Recommended)

Damage CTRL (Bayley, Dakota Kai, Io Sky) vs. Becky Lynch, Lita, and Trish Stratus

I’m a fan of all six of these women, so I had no issue with the six-women tag. Still, it’s hard not to be disappointed at Becky missing out on a high-profile singles match at WrestleMania. This was exactly what it needed to be, with Becky doing most of the work for the babyface and unanswered questions for the heels after their loss. Trish was great, and the most logical path forward would involve her turning on Becky since the latter holds the women’s tag titles with Lita.

Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio

This was terrific. Dominik’s entrance was an all-timer given the storyline, and it added even more to an already hot storyline. The involvement by the Mysterio family during the match upped it again. Dominik’s heel antics were on another level, and Rey played perfectly off him to get the desired reaction from the crowd. While I probably would’ve predicted a Dominik win, I don’t mind Rey earning the victory. Dominik had talked a lot of shit, and his dad shut him up. Simple but effective. Of course, this feud figures to continue with Bad Bunny joining the mix, and Rey and Bad Bunny vs. Dominik and Damian Priest could headline Backlash in Puerto Rico. (Recommended)

Rhea Ripley vs. (c) Charlotte Flair – SmackDown Women’s Title

I always hesitate to classify a match as an all-time great in the moment. However, I can safely say this is one of the best women’s matches in WWE history. Some may even argue it’s the best women’s match in WWE history. I won’t push back on that belief. Truly a special performance from both women, and that shouldn’t be surprising given their past matches. The chemistry has always been there, and they turned it up a notch to deliver a classic. Credit all parties involved because this was as good as it gets from a wrestling and booking standpoint. The crowning of Ripley as the future of WWE could not have come across any better. (Legendary)

Pat McAfee vs. The Miz

Love seeing McAfee back, even if it’s a one-off appearance. I would’ve rather had him be on commentary though. This match was nothing more than filler between the two main events, and that’s fine. At least McAfee notched the win to avenge his WrestleMania 38 loss to Vince McMahon. Yes, that match happened.

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. (c) The Usos – Tag Team Titles

These four men had a tough act to follow with the women’s match. But what do you know, these guys took the crowd on a roller-coaster ride to the biggest no-brainer finish on the show. Everything had built to Owens and Zayn having their shot at revenge in the main event of WrestleMania, and their long journey culminated in an emotional moment with them holding the titles. You could see what it meant to both Owens and Zayn, but let’s also not discount what it means to the Usos. For the longest time they were just another team with potential that only had so many opportunities in a Vince-booked tag team division. The Bloodline storyline has changed everything for them, and they were also deserving of a WrestleMania main event given the work they’ve put in to build to this special match. Sometimes the predictable result is the right result. That’s what made this memorable. (Legendary)

BLAKE’S TAKE ON WRESTLEMANIA 39 NIGHT 1

Top Matches

1. Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair
2. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn vs. The Usos
3. Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul

Overall Rating: 9.0/10

Thoughts: This was one of the most satisfying editions of WrestleMania yet. Every match had a purpose, and there were no swerves or bullshit just for the sake of swerves and bullshit. The actions fit the stories, and it all came together to give fans a classic show. Good luck to WrestleMania Night 2 in trying to match it.

For more of my show reviews, visit the Pro Wrestling Reviews section!