Reviews

The John Report: WWE Day 1 2022 Review

By John Canton • Published 1st January 2022
wwe day 1 review 2022 updated

The first WWE pay-per-view of 2022 is the appropriately named Day 1 taking place on New Year’s Day.

It’s an interesting strategy to do a PPV on a holiday like New Year’s Day, but with the holiday taking place on a Saturday, it might work out well for WWE. Since the last main roster PPV was Survivor Series in late November, they have had over one month to build this show and there are some big championship matches on the card.

A few hours before the show, we found out that Roman Reigns is out of WWE Day 1 due to COVID reasons.

Hopefully the Tribal Chief is okay. Brock Lesnar is in the WWE Title match now as announced by WWE. That means it’s Big E defending the WWE Championship against Brock Lesnar, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley & Kevin Owens in a Fatal 5-Way match. It’s a tough situation that WWE is in, but that 5-Way match should be outstanding.

The Smackdown commentary team of Michael Cole & Pat McAfee called the Kickoff Show match.

Kickoff Show Match: Cesaro & Ricochet vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland

Cesaro wanted to start with Sheamus, who tagged out and then Cesaro hit a backbreaker on Holland. Ricochet tagged in, Cesaro flipped him onto Holland and Ricochet’s feet hit Holland in the face. Holland was bleeding from the nose, so he tagged out. Ricochet with a dropkick to Sheamus and a leg drop. Sheamus hit a knee to the ribs and sent Ricochet into the turnbuckle. A trainer is tending to Holland at ringside as Sheamus hit a backbreaker on Ricochet. Sheamus hit another backbreaker and said: “I’m just too strong.” Ricochet tried to fight back, but Sheamus hit a clothesline. A replay was shown of Ricochet’s boot hitting Holland in the face and that’s what cut open Holland’s nose. Cole said that Holland was helped to the back. Sheamus delivered ten forearms to the chest even without his tag partner with Cole saying that Holland was being treated for a broken nose. Ricochet fought back with a swinging DDT. Cesaro tagged in with two uppercuts, then a back body drop over the top to the floor and Cesaro hit a running uppercut against the barricade while they were on the floor. Back in the ring, Cesaro jumped off the top with a cross body block for two. Cesaro delivered the Cesaro Swing to Sheamus with almost 15 spins and then Cesaro applied a Sharpshooter on Sheamus near the turnbuckle, but Sheamus got to the rope to break free. Sheamus with a back body drop followed by a big knee to the face. Ricochet saved Cesaro, then Ricochet with a headscissors on Sheamus and Sheamus got a hold of Ricochet on the floor leading to a White Noise slam on the floor. Sheamus jumped off the top, but Cesaro stopped that move attempt with a forearm for two. Cesaro charged into the corner, Sheamus moved and Sheamus hit a Brogue Kick for the pinfall win at 9:40.

Winners by pinfall: Sheamus & Ridge Holland

Analysis: **3/4 A pretty good match here even without Holland for most of the match. Sheamus basically won a tag team match after taking out Ricochet on the floor and then hitting his finisher on Cesaro in the ring. There was a lot of Sheamus offense in the match. They could have made it look like the faces might win. I assume the original plan was for Sheamus/Holland to get the win, so they just stuck with it by having Sheamus look dominant in what turned into a handicap match.

The first win of 2022 goes to Sheamus and Ridge Holland. That was the lone Kickoff Show match. The Smackdown Tag Team Title match was announced as the first match on the main card.

=====

WWE Day 1
From State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia
January 1, 2022

The opening video package was shown featuring the wrestlers in the key matches on the show. It also featured Migos talking about the show. Good music for the video package.

There was a pyro display to start the show. Michael Cole and Pat McAfee welcomed us to the show informing us that Roman Reigns tested positive for COVID-19, so Brock Lesnar has been moved to the WWE Title match to make it a Fatal 5-Way match. McAfee referred to it as the “son of a bitch” COVID as well, which I agree with.

The Smackdown Tag Team Champions The Usos made their entrance. They are part of The Bloodline with Universal Champion Roman Reigns. Half of Jimmy’s hair is red and the other half is black. Good reaction for the heel champions.

King Xavier Woods made his entrance with his buddy Kofi Kingston with Woods talking about how they were in his hometown. I’m still getting used to seeing them enter to a song that isn’t the New Day theme song. Anyway, two weeks ago on Smackdown, New Day beat The Usos clean in a non-title match. That gave New Day some momentum going into this match. The teams stood in the ring for the championship introductions.

Smackdown Tag Team Championships: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The New Day (King Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston

Woods shouted out Atlanta since he’s from there, so that got Woods a pop from the crowd. New Day hit a double hiptoss on Jimmy leading to Kofi getting a splash for a two count. Kofi tripped up a running Jimmy, Kofi hit Jey on the apron and Jimmy hit a spinning kick on Kofi to knock him off the apron. Jey hit a cheap clothesline on the floor while the referee didn’t see it. Jey with a back body drop on Kofi while reminding us that they are “The Ones.” Jimmy with a cheap shot punch to the face. Jey with a body slam on Kofi, then a running hip attack (after doing a Superman Punch gesture to salute Roman), which Pat called: “Ass to face!” Jey tried it again, but this time Kofi got a boot up for a stomp to the chest. Jimmy tagged in, knocked Woods off the apron The Usos worked over Kofi some more. Jey and Kofi battled by the turnbuckle, Kofi knocked Jey down and Kofi jumped off with an impressive DDT. Woods tagged in against Jimmy with a jumping kick, a boot to the face, then the Honor Roll clothesline and Woods sent Jey into the middle rope. Woods with a dropkick to Jey’s back to knock him out of the ring. Woods with a side Russian legsweep for a two count. Woods with a Death Valley Driver like slam for a two count. Jey saved brother Jimmy with a shove while they were on the floor and then Jimmy got an uppercut on Woods. Back in the ring, legal man Jimmy with an uppercut and a corkscrew body attack off the top on Woods for a two count. Cool move by Jimmy there. Jey tagged in leading to a Popup Samoan Drop (Jimmy launched Woods towards Jey) that they call the Alley Uce for a two count. Woods and Jey exchanged forearms with Woods knocking Jey down.

Kofi got the tag from Woods, Kofi up top and he hit a cross body block on Jey for a two count. The fans were really into the match and bought that as a nearfall. Kofi with a dropkick on Jimmy to keep him out of the ring. Kofi with a clothesline on Jey followed by the Boom Drop legdrop. Kofi set up for the finish, but Jey hit a superkick to block Trouble in Paradise and Jimmy tagged in with an Uso Splash. The fans chanted “This is awesome” for them. It’s well deserved. Jimmy locked up Kofi in a half crab submission on the knee and Kofi grabbed the bottom rope to break free. The Usos tried a double team move, but Kofi grabbed Jimmy and sent him into the steel steps. Kofi rolled up Jey two times for two counts. Kofi hit the SOS on Jey for a two count. Woods tagged in, New Day with a double kick while Kofi sold the knee injury. Kofi held Jey across the knee like a backbreaker, Woods jumped off the top and hit a double foot stomp to Jey’s face for one…two…no! Kickout. The Usos got back into it with a double superkick on Kofi. Both Usos went up top with the double Uso Splash for one…two…and Woods made the save. The two teams regrouped, stared at eachother and exchanged punches. Woods went after Jimmy on the floor, but Jimmy hit a superkick. Jey with a kick to Kofi’s gut, Jimmy got the tag and The Usos hit the Dudley Death Drop (3D) for the pinfall win! It went 17:07.

Winners by pinfall: The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso)

Analysis: ****1/4 What a fantastic tag team match. The crowd was losing their minds for most of it and standing for at least the second half of the match. Some of the spots were not moves that usually win matches, but the fans were really into it and popping for all of the nearfalls. I’ve reviewed every Usos/New Day match and this one is right up there with the best ones including Hell in a Cell. I thought The Usos retaining made sense just because of their dominance as a heel team while The New Day winning the titles again didn’t seem like it needed to happen here. As for the finish, I know D-Von Dudley is a Producer in WWE and usually does the tag team matches, so maybe the 3D was his idea. I don’t know, but that was a cool way to end it. The 3D is my favorite tag team finishing move. I loved this match. I highly recommend it.

There was a video profile about Big E showing some career highlights and big moments in his career including his WWE Title win last September.

Big E, the WWE Champion, was interviewed by Kevin Patrick. Big E said that you can line every single one of them up and he will knock everyone down. Big E said tonight he’ll walk through fire, but he’ll also find a way to walk out of State Farm Arena still your WWE Champion.

The hip-hop trio Migos were interviewed by Kayla Braxton. They said they have been fans of WWE since they were kids and you never know what you might see from them.

Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss did a pre-match promo insulting the crowd. Moss did two of his bad jokes including saying that after Moss wins, Drew McIntyre is going to have to change his name to Who McIntyre. That was bad. Drew McIntyre got a big pop as he walked out there with Angela the sword in his hand.

Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss (w/Happy Corbin)

Drew was aggressive with hard chops against the turnbuckle followed by a clothesline. Drew powered up Moss for a suplex for two. Moss with a kick to the chest, so Drew hit him with a clothesline over the top to the floor. Drew left the ring, Corbin tried to distract, but Drew grabbed Moss and hit an overhead suplex on the floor. Corbin’s distraction worked this time as Moss delivered a kick to the head and a shoulder-first whip into the ring post. Back in the ring, Moss with a running shoulder tackle followed by punches. Moss with a suplex for just a one count. Moss ran the ropes with a shoulder tackle for two. Moss went full speed with an attack, Drew moved and Moss hit the turnbuckle. Drew got some momentum going with two clotheslines, then two overhead suplexes across the ring and a kip-p to Drew along with some rope shaking. Drew hit a sitout spinebuster for a two count. Drew with a running cross body block, Moss caught him, sent Drew into the turnbuckle and then a fallaway slam for a two count. Good power shown from Moss there. Drew back up with a backslide pin attempt for two and a Future Shock DDT got a two count for Drew. They went to the turnbuckle with Moss tripping up Drew on the top, then Drew was upside down and Moss celebrated, but then Drew popped up with a slam like we have seen him do before. Drew did the signal three…two…one…then Moss got a boot up, but Drew ran the ropes and hit the Claymore Kick for the pinfall win at 9:42.

Winner by pinfall: Drew McIntyre

Analysis: **3/4 A solid match with Drew McIntyre winning clean with a Claymore Kick as expected. This went a few minutes longer than I expected, but it wasn’t like it was bad or anything. Moss is a very talented athlete as he showed in this match with some of the spots he did and the way he sold some of Drew’s moves. The fans were into Drew’s comebacks and all of his signature spots as usual.

There were commercials for WWE Shop and Peacock.

Kevin Owens was interviewed by Sarah Schreiber, who asked Owens about Brock Lesnar being added to the match. Owens said it’s a travesty. Owens said it’s no longer him and Seth working together to take out just Lashley and Big E, now they have to deal with Lesnar. Owens also mentioned Lesnar messing with KO’s best friend and “soulmate” Sami Zayn on Smackdown. Owens said he had to go talk to Seth about this.

A video package aired about Seth Rollins showing some highlights of his career and clips from the last year.

Analysis: I don’t know if these videos of the guys in the WWE Title match were originally going to be in the show or if they added when the Reigns/Lesnar match was taken off the card. It may have been tough to make these video packages within a few hours. Anyway, it fills a few minutes between matches.

The Street Profits entered for their tag team title match. They hugged Olympic Gold Medalist and WWE Superstar Gable Steveson at ringside (along with his brother that’s also a WWE Superstar), but the camera wasn’t on Steveson much.

The Rated RK-Bro duo of Randy Orton & Riddle made their entrance with the hip hop group Migos, who are from Atlanta and that made the pop for RK-Bro even louder. Migos had chairs at ringside to watch the match. The Raw commentary team of Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves and Byron Saxton were there to call this match.

Raw Tag Team Championships: RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. The Street Profits (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins)

Riddle started for his team, but didn’t have much success in the first minute or so. Orton tagged in, Dawkins ran the ropes and Orton nearly hit the RKO, but Dawkins managed to avoid it. Orton locked up with Ford, then did a bit of an eye gouge that the referee didn’t see and Orton hit a dropkick. Riddle tagged in with Orton lifting up Riddle for a twisting splash on Ford. Dawkins tagged in, Riddle greeted him with kicks, then forearms and Dawkins hit a double underhook suplex called The Silencer. Ford tagged in with a somersault splash on Riddle for two. Ford with a kick to the chest followed by a splash for two because Orton broke up the pin. Dawkins back in with a punch to Riddle’s face. Dawkins with forearms to the head for two. Riddle battled against Dawkins leading to a jumping kick by Riddle to Dawkins and Orton tagged in against Ford. Orton with two clotheslines, a powerslam on Ford and a powerslam on Dawkins. Both of the Profits were on the apron, so Orton hit the draping DDT on both guys at the same time. Great spot. Orton went for an RKO on Ford, but Ford got a rollup for two. Ford with a jumping kick to Orton. Riddle battled Dawkins with Riddle hitting a PK Kick on the floor. Riddle went for a move off the ropes, but Ford sent Riddle off the apron onto Dawkins. Ford whipped Orton shoulder-first into the ring post. Ford jumped over the ring post with a somersault dive onto Orton/Riddle on the floor. Ford sent the guys into the ring, then Orton prevented a Ford move off the ropes and Ford with a headbutt. Ford jumped off the top, he missed everything, Riddle back in where he launched Ford into the air right into an assisted RKO for the pinfall win by Orton on Ford for the win at 11:15.

Winners by pinfall: RK-Bro (Randy Orton & Riddle)

Analysis: *** It was an entertaining tag team match. Whenever RK-Bro is in a tag team match, I think it’s smart to have Riddle as the face in peril and Orton as the guy getting the hot tag because the fans really come alive for Orton. The Street Profits had some good moves in there, but I don’t think anybody really believed they were going to win. It was the right call for the champs to retain.

Post match, the Migos trio went into the ring to celebrate with Orton and Riddle. The Street Profits went into the ring to show respect to the champions and they all shook hands. The Migos trio enjoyed being in the ring while posing like wrestlers.

Analysis: It made sense for Rated RK-Bro and The Street Profits to get along since they are face teams. With that said, I’m interested to see if the Raw brand will push Gable/Otis more seriously as a heel team or if somebody else will emerge to challenge RK-Bro in the future.

Drew McIntyre was shown walking around wondering where the locker room is. Megan Morant showed up to talk to Drew, who said that Hotlanta is rocking tonight. Drew said that Madcap Moss is a tough son of a bitch. Drew said even though Corbin is annoying, he can handle himself. That led to Corbin and Moss attacking Drew. Drew fought them off initially, but then Corbin attacked with a steel chair. Corbin hit Drew enough to knock him down

Analysis: It’s an injury angle for Drew, who apparently has a neck injury that needs to be checked out by doctors. I hope Drew is back soon, but there’s a lot of uncertainty about his future right now.

A commercial aired for Royal Rumble coming in four weeks on Saturday, January 29. I’m a big fan of Saturday PPVs especially since the NFL playoffs are going to get my attention on Sundays.

Analysis: WWE is using the term Premium Live Event all the time now. I’m still sticking with Pay Per View.

They showed a video about Bianca Belair, who isn’t in a match on this show. It went for a few minutes telling her life story and showing her success in WWE.

Brock Lesnar was interviewed by Kayla Braxton. It led to Brock saying he does what he wants to do because he’s a free agent because of his advocate. Lesnar said he’s going to go to the ring and leave it as the WWE Heavyweight Champion of the World and that’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler.

Analysis: Brock Lesnar doing a Paul Heyman impression was fun to see. Well done, Brock.

A video package aired for Edge’s match against The Miz. It took about four minutes.

The Miz made his entrance with his lovely wife Maryse, who was carrying a purse with her, so that could come into play during the match.

Edge’s introduction began with The Brood’s theme playing as if it was 1999. Edge rose from under a platform and walked out of the fire that was set up. That was great. When Edge got near the ring, his regular theme music played and some pyro went off. Edge was fired up.

Edge vs. The Miz (w/Maryse)

Edge with two hiptosses and Miz avoided a submission attempt. They exchanged some moves again with Miz going to the ropes to force a break. Miz sent Edge out of the ring, Miz left the ring, Maryse with a distraction and Miz sent Edge into the ring post and the barricade. Miz jumped off the top with a double axhandle smash. Miz with a boot to the face and he wrenched on the left leg. Miz set up Edge against the turnbuckle, Edge avoided a charging Miz and Miz hit the turnbuckle. Edge with a reverse DDT off the ropes. Edge with a Bossman Slam for two. They each went for moves, got out of those, Miz with a kick to the knee and a DDT for two. Miz worked over Edge with the weak kicks to the body and Edge got a rollup for two. Miz sent Edge out of the ring to the floor. Edge tripped up Miz on the apron. Edge grabbed Miz from the apron and hit a sitout DDT on the floor. That got a two count for Edge. They went to the other side of the ring, Miz tripped up Edge on the apron and Edge hit the ring apron. Miz sent Edge into the hood of the announce table repeatedly. Miz wanted a Skull Crushing Finale on Edge, but then Edge countered it into a face first slam onto the top of the announce table. Back in the ring, Edge went up top and hit a cross body block for a two count. They battled over some moves leading to Edge whipping Edge into the ring post. Miz applied a Figure Four Leglock submission on Edge. Great job by Edge showing his babyface heart while Miz was selling the reversal of that hold. Miz with a slingshot into the top turnbuckle and The Miz tried using the ropes to pin, but the referee stopped it. The fans chanted “You Can’t Do That” at Miz. Clever. Edge applied a Crossface on Miz in the middle of the ring, then Miz got near the ropes and Maryse put Miz’s foot on the bottom rope.

Miz sent Edge throat first across the top rope. Back in the ring, they exchanged pin attempts and then both men hit a double boot to the face. Miz got some momentum going with his patented corner clothesline move. Edge went after Miz on the middle rope and then Edge did a hiptoss for two. Miz was selling a knee injury even though it was not an injury, then Maryse used her purse and hit Edge in the head. Miz hit the Skull Crushing Finale on Edge for a two count. That led to Beth Phoenix showing up to a huge pop from the crowd. Beth chased Maryse all the way around the ring, Miz was looking at Beth and then Miz turned around right into a Spear from Edge on Miz. Edge covered Miz for the pinfall win at 20:02.

Winner by pinfall: Edge

Analysis: ***1/4 The match was good, but it also dragged on a bit and I thought it was a bit too long. There weren’t many nearfalls until the last few minutes. The spot with Maryse using the purse to hit Edge right into a Skull Crushing Finale was a great spot that nearly won the match. The crowd loved seeing Beth there, so it was smart to book that and have her intimidate Maryse. The finish made Miz look dumb since he was so distracted by the women on the floor that it allowed Edge to get back up and hit the Spear to win.

Edge and Beth celebrated in the ring while Miz/Maryse looked angry while in the aisle.

Analysis: I don’t know if this will lead to a tag team match, but it certainly might. I don’t know if Maryse wants to wrestle.

A commercial aired for the NXT New Year’s Evil special this Tuesday night.

Bobby Lashley and MVP were backstage with Kevin Patrick showing up to mention the WWE Title match. MVP said that everybody else in the match are trembling in fear because of Brock Lesnar being in the match. MVP said that Lashley is a phenomenal athlete and he welcomes the addition of Brock Lesnar to this match. MVP said that Lashley decimated his way into this championship match. Lashley said he’s going to enjoy hearing Lesnar tap out. Lashley said new year and a new WWE Champion.

A video aired about Becky Lynch facing Liv Morgan for the Raw Women’s Title.

Liv Morgan made her entrance first as the challenger. Good crowd reaction for her. Becky Lynch made her entrance as the confident Raw Women’s Champion with the big sunglasses, a hat, a jacket and her title in her hands.

Raw Women’s Championship: Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan

They were both in black gear. Lynch with a slap to the face and Morgan came back with double knees to the face. Lynch left the ring, so Morgan sent Lynch’s face into the hood of the announce table a few times. Back in the ring, Lynch with a boot to the face. Morgan countered the Manhandle Slam with an armdrag, then a back elbow and a step up knee by Morgan. Morgan with double knee stomps on Lynch’s back. They battled over some holds on the mat with Lynch getting a rollup, but then Morgan turned it into a submission pulling back on the arms. Lynch was under the ropes, so Lynch regrouped on the floor. Lynch was on the apron, she connected with two kicks and Morgan slammed Lynch off the turnbuckle to the mat. Lynch got a hold of Morgan by the apron and then did a slingshot that sent Morgan throat first into the ropes. Lynch was selling that she was frustrated. Morgan went for a rollup, Lynch held onto the rope and Lynch went to the middle rope with a leg drop to the back for a two count. Lynch worked over Morgan with punches, then an armbar and Morgan with an armdrag across the ring. Lynch with a Bexploder Suplex for a one count. Lynch with a running forearm while she taunted the crowd, so Morgan could make a comeback with a double kick to the back to send Lynch into the turnbuckle. Morgan with a jawbreaker, then a rollup for two and Morgan with a Thesz Press along with punches. Morgan with a jumping kick to the head. Morgan to the middle ropes where she hit a missile dropkick for two. Lynch with a spin kick to the body, then a suplex and she applied a cross armbreaker, but Morgan countered for a two count. Morgan with a move that looked like a DDT for a two count. Morgan took a long time to get up top, so there was Lynch getting back up. They battled by the turnbuckle, Lynch was standing on the ropes and then Morgan caught her into a sunset flip Powerbomb for a two count. Great nearfall there.

Lynch got a hold of the arm leading to the Disarmher submission until Morgan got out of that. They exchanged pin attempts and Lynch hit a sitout slam for a two count. Lynch with punches and kicks while Morgan was by the apron. Lynch went for the leg drop off the ropes again, but Liv moved and Lynch hit the mat. Morgan went up top and hit a dropkick that caused Lynch to roll out of the ring. Morgan ran the ropes and hit a suicide dive into a cross body block on the floor. Morgan tossed Lynch into the ring, so Lynch went to the other side of the ring. Morgan followed, which led to Lynch sending Morgan’s head into the commentary table a few times. The counter was broken then back on the floor and Morgan sent Lynch into the steel steps. Morgan stomped on the left shoulder against the steel steps. Morgan jumped off the ropes with a double knee attack on the left arm of Lynch. Morgan applied the Rings of Saturn submission move, Lynch looked like she was going to tap out and then she survived. Morgan went for Oblivion off the ropes, but Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam for the pinfall win at 17:05. Lynch tried to get her foot on the rope and she didn’t reach the ropes. It was a legal pin for Lynch.

Winner by pinfall: Becky Lynch

Analysis: ***1/4 A good back and forth match with Morgan coming close to winning a few times, but Lynch found a way to win again. Morgan went for her finisher with Oblivion off the ropes, but then Lynch was ready with the Manhandle Slam and that was enough to win. I thought Morgan was going to kick out when Lynch hit that move, but Liv stayed down and that was it. That spot by Morgan pulling back on the arms was really good too. My feeling is that they are going to want to do Lynch against Bianca Belair, so that’s why they had Lynch retain and why she’ll likely keep the title until WrestleMania.

Post match, Becky Lynch left with her Raw Women’s Title while Liv Morgan was dejected in the ring.

Seth Rollins was interviewed by Kevin Patrick. Rollins said that this was supposed to be his one on one match, so now it’s become a 5-Way match. Rollins said that the four other men have something in common – they aren’t Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Seth said he’s going to stomp heads and win.

A video aired about WWE Network on Peacock.

There was a recap of the Kickoff Show match with Sheamus beating Cesaro and Ricochet on his own after Ridge Holland was taken out with a broken nose. Sheamus was impressive.

They showed a clip from Johnny Knoxville on his Instagram account. Johnny announced he is going to be in the Royal Rumble.

A video package aired for the WWE Title Fatal 5-Way match that was a 4-Way before they added Brock Lesnar earlier in the day.

The entrances took place for the new main event of this show with Seth Rollins out first to boos. Kevin Owens was next while he got some boos too. Bobby Lashley was next to a bit of a mixed reaction. Big E was fourth and hew as cheered loudly. Brock Lesnar got a huge ovation from the crowd and as soon as Lesnar got in there, he was attacked.

WWE Championship Fatal 5-Way: Big E vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar

There are no countouts or disqualifications. The first pinfall or submission will win the match.

Lesnar delivered multiple suplexes to Rollins and Owens. Big E back in and he clotheslined Lesnar out of the ring to the floor. When Big E left the ring, Lashley had Big E on his shoulders and drove him into the ring post. Lashley saw Lesnar on the floor, so Lashley tacked Lesnar through the black barricade at ringside. Rollins with a suicide dive on Lesnar and Owens hit a Frog Splash on Lesnar on the floor. Rollins and Owens worked together by using the steel steps to hit Lashley and they did it to Lesnar too. Rollins and Owens tried to suplex Lashley through the commentary table, but Lashley fought them off. Big E walked over towards them and Big E gave Lashley a uranage through the table. Owens gave Big E a superkick while on the floor. Owens and Rollins hit a double DDT on Lesnar on the steel steps. Big E with a slam on Rollins, but Owens hit Big E with a sitout Popup Powerbomb for two. Owens went top, he went for a Senton Bomb, Lashley got the knees up and Rollins hit a Frog Splash for two. Rollins looked like he was going for The Stomp, but Lesnar was back in with three F5’s in a row on Rollins, Big E and Owens! When Lesnar turned around, there was Lashley with a Spear for one…two…no! Lashley went for the Hurt Lock on Lesnar, then Big E was back in with a Big Ending on Lashley. When Big E went for the Big Ending to Lashley, Brock was able to get out of that attempt and Lesnar hit an F5 on Big E for the pinfall win. The fans cheered the Lesnar win. It went 8:25.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW WWE Champion: Brock Lesnar

Analysis: ***3/4 That was a lot shorter than I expected it to be, but it was all action. I still liked it and I think the crowd liked it too. There were big moves right away, then it went to the floor, they broke things like tables and barricades, some weapons were used and in the end, it was a clean win for Lesnar as the new WWE Champion. Lesnar was the main focus of the match since he was a flurry of offense early, then he took a beating with some big moves with everybody going after him and then Lesnar’s final run of offense was enough to give him the win. I feel bad for Big E because that’s the end of his title run for now, but I sure hope he gets to have a title run again in the future. Hopefully everybody involved in this match continues to be heavily featured in the future because they are all great performers.

After the match, Lesnar was holding the WWE Championship once again while Bobby Lashley stared at him in the ring. There were some replays shown.

Analysis: Lesnar is a six-time WWE Champion now. They are clearly teasing a Lesnar vs. Lashley match, which is great. I don’t know if it will be Royal Rumble, Super Showdown (assuming that’s the name) or WrestleMania, but that is a great idea. I think Lesnar vs. Reigns is possible at WrestleMania with both titles on the line. I wouldn’t mind that at all.

Lesnar posed with the WWE Title in the ring while Graves wondered what Roman Reigns thought about this. Lesnar celebrated with the title some more. That was the end of the show.

This event had a runtime of 2:50:08 on WWE Network.

Five Stars of the Show

  1. The Usos
  2. Brock Lesnar
  3. The New Day
  4. Edge
  5. Becky Lynch

Final Thoughts

I’m going with a 7.5 out of 10 for this show.

I enjoyed most of the show. I would have liked more time for the main event, but they had a lot of action for a match that was under ten minutes. Brock Lesnar leaving with the WWE Title will get people talking at least. It might get people talking in a bad way although I don’t mind it that much. The fans are responding well to babyface Brock, so I can see why WWE chose to do a title change.

The opening match with The Usos and New Day was the match of the night for sure. Others were pretty good.

It sucks that Roman Reigns missed the show, but that’s the world we’re living in right now when we have to be safe and make sure people are cleared to compete. Get back soon, Tribal Chief.

As a reminder, I have a listing of every WWE PPV that I reviewed in order by year. Thank you for supporting us at TJRWrestling. We appreciate you.

===

Thanks for reading this review. My contact info is below.

Email: mrjohncanton@gmail.com

Twitter: @johnreport