WrestleMania Report Card 1

Like it or not, WWE WrestleMania 36 is somewhat in the books as night 1 is done. Now, it is time to look back and do our report card.

WWE Universal Championship: Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman

Due to circumstances surrounding Roman Reigns, Braun Strowman was inserted into the title match yesterday with no angle shot. This was going to be a quick encounter with only a few spots. Strowman was not even booked for the event 24 hours ago and now he is Universal Champion. I just think WWE did not have plans to keep Goldberg around past WrestleMania 36. Hence, we got the title chance in minutes. Grade: C-

Boneyard Match: The Undertaker vs. AJ Styles

The match looked like something straight out of a low-budget Hollywood movie. Seeing how the past few Undertaker WrestleMania matches have gone, this might have been the only way to go. There was no “Deadman” as we got the “American Bad Ass.” If WrestleMania 36 goes down as the most unique event, this was the damnedest thing imaginable. I do not want to even call it a match. This felt like a movie produced by a student preparing to graduate college. I would not have ended the first night with the Boneyard Match. What did we just witness? Grade: C+

Cesaro vs. Drew Gulak

WWE

The most unique WrestleMania in history began with two wrestlers who know what they are doing inside the ring. Smart move by WWE in what was going to be a strange weekend. Drew Gulak focused on mat wrestling, while Cesaro went to the power game. I was digging the match, but the ending was too quick. Considering this was a pre-show match, it should have went much longer. Grade: B-

WWE Women’s Tag Team Title Match: Kabuki Warriors vs Bliss Cross Applesauce

WWE

The dancing from Asuka and Kairi Sane was entertaining. With no crowd, you could clearly hear the trash talk from Alexa Bliss. But, not being able to understand Asuka or Sane caused somewhat of a headache. Nikki Cross came out as the biggest star of the match. Unfortunately, in the final sequence, the Twisted Bliss from the top rope landed mostly across Sane’s legs. Still, it was enough for Bliss & Cross to become the first two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. It is crazy to think three years ago, Asuka was undefeated and nearly beat Charlotte Flair. She is now 0-3 at WrestleMania. Grade: B

Elias vs. King Corbin

WWE

There were questions if Elias would even work the match after taking a fifteen foot fall eight days prior. He showed up, alas not song. Despite no crowd, King Corbin was still able to garner heat. He came out look like a strong heel based off his words. In his first WrestleMania match, Elias left with the victory. Considering Corbin tried to cheat earlier in the match, I can see why Elias grabbed the tights. I thought Rob Gronkowski would appear, but that could be saved for SummerSlam; if, we even have the August event. Grade: B

Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn vs. Daniel Bryan

Cool to see Mojo Rawley and Rob Gronkowski doing the Yes! gesture during Daniel Bryan’s entrance. Hearing nothing would have had been so bizarre. On the Indy scene, this would be a dream encounter. Good use of Drew Gulak, Cesaro and Shinsuke Nakamura on the outside. This was definitely more entertaining than I ever imagined. Nobody in attendance helped as you could hear the stiff shots. Sami Zayn keeping the gold was shocking and the biggest victory of his WWE career. Grade: B+

RAW Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch vs. Shayna Baszler

The feud started at Survivor Series, but WWE had this penciled in for a year. Becky Lynch walked into the match still holding the RAW Women’s Championship from almost 365 days ago. Shayna Baszler entered with lots of momentum. She was nearly unstoppable in NXT and eliminated everyone at the Elimination Chamber. Becky’s entrance with the truck was noting special, especially because she did that several weeks ago. Finally, we got a match with a WrestleMania feeling. Becky keeping the title was a bit shocking, but Baszler will get a run with the title in the near future. Grade: A-

RAW Tag Team Championship In A Ladder Match: John Morrison vs. Jimmy Usos vs. Kofi Kingston

WrestleMania Report Card 1

 

When you toss in three talented wrestlers and ladders, expect magic. Within minutes, fans knew this was going to be full of spots. This was no one star as each superstar delivered in their own way. By having the match taped, it allowed WWE to edit so everything ran smoothly. Really cool ending with Morrison grabbing the titles by surviving. I do wonder, if the match would have been on the same level of awesomeness with the other three superstars present. Grade: A-

Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins has made so many WrestleMania moments, while Kevin Owens was still looking for one. The two have history in the Performance Center, so it makes sense that is where they compete. I have nothing to complain about regarding how the match played out. Turning the match into No Disqualification was the right choice. The back and forth banter was a nice touch. That was one hell of a leap by Owens off the top of the WrestleMania sign. Owens burned it down and might have gotten his WrestleMania moment. Maybe, this should have closed night one. Grade: A-

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