WrestleMania 36: First Night Review
WrestleMania, the pinnacle of professional wrestling, returns for its 36th edition after a year-long hiatus due to the pandemic. The first night featured a total of 7 matches, each aiming to captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike. Let’s dive into a detailed review of the night’s highlights and disappointments.
Opening Match: Women’s Tag Titles
The Women’s Tag Title match opened the show with Asuka and Kairi taking on Nikki Cross and Jazmin in a match that felt more like an extended friendly pick-up game than a high-stakes title bout.
Rating: 1/2 star
The title is virtually worthless outside of the context of recent storyline eliminations. The storyline seemed contrived, and the match felt rushed and underwhelming. Both Asuka and Kairi appeared to be going through the motions, while the storyline’s potential was wasted.
Elias vs. King Corbin
This tag team match between Elias and King Corbin did not impress. Despite Elias’s brutal back guitar shot, the match lacked substance and felt like it could have been skipped over entirely.
Rating: 1/2 star
Outside of the mentioned shot, the match was forgettable, with no real action or tension to hold viewer interest. While there was potential for a memorable encounter, it ultimately fell flat.
Women’s Raw Title Match: Shayna Bassey vs Becky Lynch
The Raw Women’s Championship title match between Shayna and Becky Lynch was a fluid encounter. The action was decent, but the outcome was disappointing, reflecting a lack of faith in Shayna’s future with the WWE.
Rating: 2/2 stars
Despite the match being action-packed, the outcome highlighted Vince Mcmahon’s preferences for his stable maveric Ronda Rousey to return and potentially become the next challenger for Becky. This setup leaves room for speculation and excitement.
Intercontinental Title Match: Daniel Bryan vs Sami Zayn
The Intercontinental Title match between Bryan and Sami Zayn was particularly disappointing, overshadowed by their chemistry and the build-up to the match.
Rating: 1/2 star
Given the time and build-up, the match was far too quick. It’s hard to imagine a more impactful opening match, especially considering both wrestlers’ capabilities.
SmackDown Tag Team Titles Match:.opts
The SmackDown Tag Team Knockouts Championship match between the Usos and New Day was a thrilling encounter, leaving fans eager to see new championship teams emerge.
Rating: 2/2 stars
Despite the familiar faces, the match was engaging and entertaining. However, the lack of a crowd and the predictable finish overshadowed the excitement, leaving fans wanting more. Establishing new teams will likely be the next focus to refresh the tag team division.
KO vs Seth Rollins
The KO vs Seth Rollins match was a solid encounter, but it felt somewhat overrated given the hype surrounding it. Despite the impressive dive KO performed off the WrestleMania sign, the match ultimately relied on spectacle over substance.
Rating: 1/2 star
While fans will remember the dive for months to come, the action itself was not as memorable. The transition to a No Disqualification match felt forced, detracting from the overall flow of the contest.
Universal Title Match: Braun Strowman vs Goldberg
Perhaps one of the most disappointing matches of the night, the Universal Championship bout between Braun Strowman and Triple H’s G(K)hold portrayed a strikingly one-sided affair.
Rating: DUD
The match was merely a series of spear attempts, Jackhammer attempts, and Strowman’s powerslams, all leading to a quick and unsatisfying win for Strowman. This clash felt more like a showcase of brute strength rather than a technical wrestling match, ultimately failing to meet the expectations set by the hype surrounding it.
Main Event: Boneyard Match
The Boneyard match between Andre The Giant and The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles was the highlight of the night, redeeming themselves for years of subpar matches.
Rating: 4/4 stars
Both Expecting the Undertaker’s 30-minute rematch with AJ Styles was a moment of pure nostalgia and excitement. The Build-up and match itself were a perfect blend of brawling and hardcore wrestling. This match showcased the best of both wrestlers and highlighted the higher standard they set for the other matches on the card.
In conclusion, while the highlights of the first night of WrestleMania 36 include memorable and high-quality matches, there were several disappointments that detracted from the overall experience. The card certainly had its share of mismatches and underwhelming moments, but with talent like Strowman and HHH still in the mix, there’s always hope for incredible matches in the future.
Keywords: WWE, WrestleMania 36, Tag Team Matches