The first night of WWE WrestleMania 38 is in the books and we have our report card. So, let us get right to the grades before night two arrives.
WWE WrestleMania 38 Report Card: Grades For Night One Are In!
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Usos vs Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs
When putting together WrestleMania, the opening match has to pop. The energy was there, but I did not see this coming as the opener.
Honestly, the match is tough judge because of the ending. We will have to see how Rick Boogs responds to surgery.
Once it was apparent Boogs was not returning, it felt like the match was lost. An alarming start to WrestleMania for the superstitious. Grade: B-
@rickboogswwe #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/6SMOwyheqn
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
The Harder Farmer had the recipe to make @rickboogswwe and @ShinsukeN the perfect duo that hits HARDER at #WrestleMania!
Presented by @HARDER. pic.twitter.com/0oRGDaY61l
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
Drew McIntyre vs Happy Corbin
Typically, wrestlers say the second bout on WrestleMania is usually the worst. Maybe in the past, but not with Drew McIntyre and Happy Corbin.
When I first heard McIntyre would face Corbin, I felt it was a downgrade for the former WWE Champion. Yet, they created something special.
For the first time since joining the main roster, someone kicked out of End Of Days. McIntyre cutting the ropes was cool, but two matches in and the ring needed work. Grade: B
@MadcapMoss narrowly escaped @DMcIntyreWWE at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/tecc5Tg2y8
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
.@DMcIntyreWWE just did something no man has ever been able to do and kicked out of the End of Days!!! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/vXrx2K6YiH
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair vs Ronda Rousey
Once before, we have seen Charlotte Flair vs Ronda Rousey. That was put together in a few days and ended in disqualification.
A few years have passed since that meeting. Rousey showed an improved arsenal, with Charlotte always ready.
Oddly, the crowd seemed exhausted and not interested. Rousey returning to WWE and not winning the title was a bit of a surprise. Grade: B
@RondaRousey @MsCharlotteWWE #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/sxfCdL7frD
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
Just when you think @RondaRousey has the momentum… SPEAR from @MsCharlotteWWE! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/49cJKNEsBD
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
The Miz & Logan Paul vs The Mysterios
WWE likes to toss in celebrities to make WrestleMania seem larger. So, Logan Paul was the perfect fit.
In general, people do not like Logan and that made him the right selection to team with The Miz. And, he got major heat for mimicking Eddie Guerrero.
As for the end, I am not sure what to make of it. Seemingly, The Miz got one of the biggest pops of his life for an act that should be designed for heels. Grade: B
LOGAN PAUL HIT A FROG SPLASH AT #WRESTLEMANIA!!!@LoganPaul pic.twitter.com/9hpNIYgfwG
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
619 in stereo on @LoganPaul by @reymysterio and @DomMysterio35! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/fSo3jJu5AJ
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
Steve Austin vs Kevin Owens
Literally, I am in shock. Never, did I think Steve Austin would return for another match.
Only a few thought the KO segment would turn into a match. While it was not a masterpiece, that was never the point.
Austin got to his finish his career where it started. The sheer shock value of Austin wrestling an official match is what made the score so high. Grade: A-
RAW Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair
For over six months, WWE has been building towards Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair. Their SummerSlam encounter left most upset.
The idea was the slow build would make Belair regaining the title mean that much more. And, it worked.
Lynch losing the title has been about three years in the making. It might have taken longer than I hoped, but good direction by WWE. Grade: A-
Whatever it takes from #WWERaw Women’s Champion @BeckyLynchWWE!#WrestleMania #WomensTitle pic.twitter.com/sze1KrJRgE
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
.@BiancaBelairWWE has turned things around on the #WWERaw Women’s Champion @BeckyLynchWWE! #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/5B4j0J6QmS
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes
One of the biggest topics heading into WrestleMania involves Cody Rhodes. A few months ago, he was in AEW and not returning to WWE.
Things change and WWE has an interesting situation. They have a top name from AEW and how they book him could be a tale for the future.
As expected, a great match and might be the best of the weekend. We will have to keep an eye on how Rhodes is booked six months from now. Grade: A-
PEDIGREE by Seth “Freakin” Rollins!!!@WWERollins @CodyRhodes #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/nOeM0BL4CW
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022
@WWERollins @CodyRhodes #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/2nKqJ5n4Hz
— WWE (@WWE) April 3, 2022