The John Report: WWE WrestleMania 36 Review – Night Two
Welcome to the TJR review of WrestleMania 36 for the second review of this year’s event that is “Too Big for One Night” as WWE likes to tell us. In case you missed it on Saturday, part 1 of WrestleMania 36 took place and here’s my review of that. I thought it was a pretty good show with a fun ladder match, a memorable big spot from Kevin Owens in his match with Seth Rollins and then the memorable Boneyard Match with The Undertaker beating AJ Styles. It was one of the most unique matches in WWE because it was like a fight scene in a movie instead of a wrestling match. It seems like a lot of fans liked the Boneyard Match as much as I did, so that’s cool to see.
As I noted in part one of the review, the world is in a unique situation with the health crises we are all dealing with right now. It’s not a normal show with fans in attendance. They’re doing this with no fans in attendance and as night one showed us, they can do a pretty good job of it as long as the talent is given a chance to show off what they can do.
There were nine matches on Saturday (counting the Kickoff Show) and there are nine matches scheduled for the Sunday part of the show as well. Let’s see what they have in store for us tonight.
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Kickoff Show Match: Natalya vs. Liv Morgan
There’s no storyline for this. Natalya got a rollup pin where she sat on top and Morgan kicked out. Morgan managed to trip up Natalya, but Natalya pushed her back. Morgan with a kick to the ribs and she sent Natalya into the turnbuckle followed by some ass slapping with Tom Phillips saying it was mind games. Slapping your own ass is mind games now? Odd. Natalya sent Morgan into the turnbuckle, Natalya with a suplex off the ropes, Natalya stepped on the back and hit a low dropkick for two. Morgan choked Natalya across the top rope, Natalya missed a shoulder tackle, Natalya with a kick and discus clothesline on the apron to send Morgan to the floor. Natalya with a snap suplex. Natalya did the surfboard submission on Morgan, who was screaming and saying “no” because she didn’t give up. Morgan got back into it with a jumping knee to the face for a two count. Natalya with a slam that sent Morgan face first into the canvas for a two count. Morgan with an inside cradle for two followed by a step up enziguri. Morgan countered a suplex into a two count, Natalya countered that into a two count and then Morgan rolled through while sitting on top for the pinfall win at 6:29
Winner by pinfall: Liv Morgan
Analysis: **1/4 It was okay with Morgan getting a victory over the veteran Natalya, so it’s one of the bigger wins Morgan has had as a singles wrestler. Natalya controlled most of it with Morgan winning in a way that showed it was close. It’s tough to do a match with no story, but they got through it fine.
Now let’s get to the main show.
WWE WrestleMania 36 (Night Two)
From WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida (mostly)
Sunday. April 5, 2020
The show began with Stephanie McMahon welcoming us back for night two of WrestleMania while noting that the superstars are performing on a closed set. It’s time for night two of WrestleMania.
The same opening video package that aired yesterday is also airing tonight. I’m sure somebody is complaining about that somewhere. Not me. Early bathroom break.
Rob Gronkowski is the WrestleMania host again as he appeared on the podium to say WrestleMania continues right now. Whatever they are paying him it’s too much.
Charlotte Flair made her entrance in one of her robes and she’s got the purple gear on tonight. The Raw announce team of Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton was there to call the match. The video package aired for Flair challenging Rhea Ripley for the NXT Women’s Title.
Rhea Ripley made her entrance as the NXT Women’s Champion. This is Ripley’s first WrestleMania match along with the first time an NXT title has been defended at a WrestleMania. Ripley has different gear on because it’s white and blue instead of the usual all black attire that she wears.
NXT Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair
Flair was aggressive early on by sending Ripley into the turnbuckle followed by chops to the chest while Flair trash talked her. Ripley managed to come back quickly with the Riptide (pumphandle slam) for a two count. That is Ripley’s finisher that people don’t get kick out of usually, but Flair did that two minutes into the match. Flair left the ring, Ripley went after her and Flair got the upper hand with stomps while Ripley was trying to get back into the ring. Ripley kicked Flair and grabbed her by the hair to send Flair to the floor. Flair sent Ripley into the steel steps, Ripley with a back elbow and Ripley hit a flipping dive onto Flair on the floor. Back in the ring, Ripley hit a dropkick followed by shoulder tackles to the ribs. Ripley stomped on Flair to keep her down followed by a suplex for a two count. Ripley grounded Flair with body scissors around the waist. Ripley kicked Flair to the apron, but when Ripley tried to follow with a kick, Flair stretched the left leg against the top rope. That led to Flair taking control with stomps on the left leg. Flair kicked the left leg while it was against the ropes. Flair was trash talking as she drove Ripley’s left knee into the mat twice. Ripley with a slap, so Flair kicked her in the knee again. Lots of screaming from Ripley. Flair whipped Ripley’s left leg into the ring post repeatedly. Flair continued the attack on the left knee in the ring, but then Ripley got a rollup. Flair managed to get back up to her feet followed by a kick to the body. Ripley picked up Flair and planted her front first (chest first in Flair’s case) into the mat. That allowed Ripley to recover a bit. Flair said she never stops or gives up as they exchanged strikes. Flair with a chop, Ripley came back with knee strikes using the good right knee and a kick. Ripley with a kick to the side of the body followed by a dropkick. Flair sent Ripley to the apron followed by another kick to the leg to knock Ripley to the floor. Flair was laughing about it.
Flair went up top, Ripley to the apron and Ripley kicked her in the face. Ripley put Flair on the shoulders and slammed Flair front first into the mat for a two count. Ripley grabbed Flair by the waist, Flair with a back elbow and Flair with a forearm to the face. There’s a lot of screaming in this match. We can hear it more due to no fans. Ripley kicked Flair away and went up top with a missile dropkick for two. Ripley charged, boot by Flair and a chop block to the back of the left knee. There’s a lot of grunting and screaming going in that is very distracting. Flair dropped her knee onto the left knee of Ripley. Flair went for a move, Ripley took her down using her feet and Ripley stomped on Flair. Ripley with the Standing Cloverleaf submission, Flair crawled towards the bottom rope and Ripley pulled her back. Flair got out of the hold followed by a kick to the face. Flair went for the Figure Eight submission, but Ripley kicked her back. Flair got a flipping pin attempt for two with Ripley kicking out, so Flair slapped on a Boston Crab submission. Ripley countered it into a pin, both women each got two more nearfalls and Ripley with a kick to the arm. When both women got back up, Ripley came back with a boot to the face for two. They battled on the turnbuckle with Flair blocking a superplex attempt and sending Ripley onto the mat. Flair went up top and she missed a moonsault with Ripley hitting boots to the face. Ripley charged, but Flair hit a Spear for a two count. Ripley came back with a two count of her own. Flair slapped on a Figure Four Leglock and then she turned it into the Figure Eight submission. Ripley was screaming and then Ripley tapped out to give Flair the win. The match went 20:30.
Winner by submission and NEW NXT Women’s Champion: Charlotte Flair
Analysis: ***1/2 I thought it was a very good match that went a bit long, but they told a nice story throughout the match. Flair worked over the left knee for more than half the match, Ripley kept coming back and I thought Ripley would find a way to win in an almost upset manner, but instead it’s Flair getting another title. Does Flair need another title reign? No, but WWE loves pushing her. They can probably build to a rematch with Ripley getting the title back or maybe somebody else can get it because I doubt Flair will be on NXT for a long time in her career. The screaming and groaning was very distracting. I don’t know if they are both just used to that and we rarely hear it due to fans in the building. It just sounded so loud that it felt like too much at times.
Flair celebrated with the NXT Women’s Title. It’s her second time winning that title in her career.
There were commercials for WWE’s Netflix movie The Main Event and WWE Shop.
A video aired showing highlights of night one of WrestleMania.
Aleister Black entered for his match followed by Bobby Lashley with the “wife” Lana joining him. There’s no storyline for this match.
Aleister Black vs. Bobby Lashley (w/Lana)
Black tried a takedown, but Lashley powered out of it. Black sent Lashley out of the ring, Black tried a moonsault on the floor, Lashley moved and Lashley hit an overhead belly to belly suplex on the floor. Black sent Black into the barricade. Back in the ring, Lashley drove Black into the turnbuckle. Lashley with a running shoulder tackle followed by a neckbreaker. Lashley went for a stalling suplex, Black with a knee, Black to the apron and a hard kick to the chest by Black. Black went up top, charge by Lashley and Lashley hit a powerslam for a two count. Lashley kicked Black while against the ropes followed by a suplex for a two count. Lashley charged and Black hit a knee to the face for two as Lana screamed at ringside. We already have had enough screaming on this show. Black kicked the legs of Lashley, then he sent Lashley out of the ring and Black hit a moonsault off the turnbuckle onto Lashley on the floor. Back in the ring, Lashley with a running cross body block and a clothesline for two Lashley picked up Black going for a power move, but Lana told him to spear him. Lashley charged in and Black hit the Black Mass kick for the pinfall win at 7:20.
Winner by pinfall: Aleister Black
Analysis: **1/2 It was a basic match with Lashley controlling about 80% of the match until Black found a way to get the win. The story is that Lana cost Lashley the match by telling him to do a move that set up the Black Mass kick. In other words, Lana is a terrible manager. I don’t know if that’s going to lead to a breakup angle, but they could be planting the seeds for that. Black getting the win makes sense since he has been booked as an unbeatable singles wrestler and I’m glad that continues for him.
There was no post match angle with Lashley and Lana about the loss. Black just celebrated the win.
Bayley and Sasha Banks were interviewed backstage by Kayla Braxton. Bayley complained about being in a 5-Way Elimination Match and people trying to drive a wedge between Bayley and Banks. Bayley said they’re united, they’re best friends and there’s nothing that’s going to stand between them. Bayley said this interview is over. Braxton asked how badly Banks wants to win and Banks said we’ll have to watch and see.
A commercial aired for the Money in the Bank PPV on Sunday, May 10. I don’t know if it’s still going to happen on that day, but WWE seems to want to move forward with shows even with no fans.
A commercial aired for Total Bellas. Terrible acting. Poor Daniel Bryan.
There was a clip from yesterday when Mojo Rawley pinned R-Truth to win the 24/7 Title to prevent Rob Gronkowski from winning the title.
Gronkowski was on the podium with Charly Caruso, who asked Gronk about what happened. Gronk said he won three major championships in his life, but that’s in the past and he wants to win the 24/7 Title by the end of the night. Caruso wished him good luck with that and he said thanks.
A video package aired for the Otis/Mandy/Ziggler/Sonya story.
Dolph Ziggler made his entrance joined by Sonya Deville. This Otis vs. Ziggler match was called “one of the most personal matches in WrestleMania history” by Michael Cole. That’s way over the top, but I guess that’s usual. The story is that Sonya is the one that took Mandy’s phone to tell Otis that she would be late for the date that Otis had with Mandy, so now Sonya is an ally of Ziggler. Otis made his entrance alone.
Dolph Ziggler (w/Sonya Deville) vs. Otis
Otis with a shoulder tackle, then a corner splash. Otis charged, Ziggler moved and Otis hit the turnbuckle. Ziggler hit Otis with a superkick to send the big man Otis out of the ring. Ziggler whipped Otis into the ring post, Ziggler told Otis he will never beat him and Ziggler got a two count when they went back into the ring. Ziggler did some choking by the ropes along with some eye gouging and a neckbreaker. Ziggler hit an elbow drop on Otis for two. Ziggler slapped on a chinlock with leg scissors to ground the big man. Ziggler kicked the knees of Otis, but then Otis caught Ziggler leading to a catapult by Otis that sent Ziggler into the turnbuckle. Otis did his hulking up routine by shaking his below as he no sold punches and hit a lefty clothesline. Otis with a body slam. Otis whipped Ziggler into the turnbuckle two times. Otis whipped Ziggler into the turnbuckle again with Ziggler taking the bump sternum first. Otis with a fallaway slam on Ziggler to send him over the top to the floor. Otis whipped Ziggler into the barricade and ring post. Back in the ring, Otis picked up Ziggler leading to a front slam. Otis did the Caterpillar, but then Deville was on the apron and Ziggler kicked Otis in the groin from behind. The referee never saw it because Deville was there. That was the cue for Mandy Rose to show up as Rose went down to ring in her gear. Rose slapped Deville and sent her into the ring. The referee was distracted by Deville, so Rose hit a low blow on Ziggler. Otis hit the Caterpillar into the elbow drop for the pinfall win at 8:15.
Winner by pinfall: Otis
Analysis: *1/2 It was just a decent match to put an end to this storyline with Otis getting the win thanks to Mandy getting revenge on Ziggler and Deville. It makes sense in the storyline with the babyface Otis getting the win. The Caterpillar into an elbow drop is one of the weakest finishers there is, but the move is popular when there are fans there.
After the match, Mandy went into the ring and hugged Otis. Mandy’s outfit was tremendous. Otis picked up Mandy in his arms and she kissed him on the lips. Otis left with Mandy to end it.
Analysis: Congrats to Otis on the post match kiss, you lucky bastard. That is not social distancing! Just saying. I think if this was done in front of a crowd it would have got a huge ovation from the fans that love Otis. It still worked fine, but it’s tough without fans there.
A commercial aired for WWE Network shows. I watched the WWE 24 episode with Edge earlier in the day and it was amazing. I highly recommend it.
The video package aired for Edge vs. Randy Orton. I think this match has the best build of any match at WrestleMania this year.
Edge made his entrance first for his first WrestleMania match since WM27 nine years ago in Atlanta. I was there for that match. Randy Orton’s music hit and Edge looked at the entrance, but there was no sign of Orton. While Edge was looking at the stage, Orton snuck in in all black gear and hit an RKO out of nowhere. The replay showed that Orton was disguised as a cameraman. The referee told Edge to get to his feet and they’ll start the match. That’s when the bell rang.
Analysis: That was a creative way to begin with Orton doing a cheap tactic to start the match.
Last Man Standing Match: Edge vs. Randy Orton
The winner of this match must incapacitate their opponent so that they can’t answer a ten count.
Edge got up, he tried throwing a punch, Orton moved and Orton hit Edge with a second RKO. The referee counted Edge down, so Edge left the ring and stood on his feet at the count of nine, so that was enough to say that Edge was back on his feet. Orton hit Edge with a camera to knock Edge over a barricade as the referee counted Edge down again, but Edge got back up at eight. They went brawling into the backstage area of the WWE PC with Orton punching Edge repeatedly. They went into the gym area where the equipment was as Orton rammed Edge’s head into a table. When Edge got back up, Orton beat him up again. Orton used some equipment to wrapped around Edge’s neck. Orton worked over Edge with punches and Edge got back up again. Orton wanted to attack again, but Edge kicked a weight onto Orton to knock him down. Edge sent Orton’s head into a table followed by punches. Edge worked over Orton with forearms while on a chair and Edge did a pull up on a bar leading to Edge jumping onto Orton. Edge with a running double axehandle. Edge yelled “nine years, Randy” at him and Orton managed to whip Edge into a wall. Orton noticed a sled nearby, so Orton slid it across the ground and towards Edge, but Edge moved out of the way. Edge whipped Orton into an equipment crate that was there. They walked back into the production area and then Edge whipped Orton into a steel garage door that was. Orton got back up to stop the referee’s count. They were back to a part of the building that was back near the ringside area. They were on a platform that had some spotlights and Orton tossed Edge off a stage about five feet high, right into a barricade at ringside. The referee counted Edge down with Edge getting back up at nine.
Orton continued the attack with punches and Edge stumbled into the backstage area again. Orton took Edge out a door as they went into a hallway where Orton sent Edge’s back into a window. Phillips said they were near a main office in the PC as Edge got back at six. Orton whipped Edge into a wall and they went into the main office area. Edge sent Orton face first into a big desk that was in the room. Edge sent Orton into a wall and Orton was down for a count of nine when he got up, so Edge kicked him in the ribs. Edge tossed Orton onto the huge table that is steel or aluminum or some material like that. Edge managed to hit an elbow drop with both guys selling it. Orton with a thumb to the eye followed by Orton whipping Edge into two posters and a camera guy took a bump after Edge went into him. They were in a storage facility according to Phillips as they continued to exchange punches. Edge sent Orton into a ladder. Orton slowed down Edge and then sent him into a storage cart. They found some steel chairs back there with Orton tossing them away. Orton sent Edge face first into two layers of steel steps that were back there. Edge got back up at nine with Orton continuing to attack with punches. They went to an area backstage where interviews are conducted as Orton stomped on Edge’s hand and raked the boot against the eye. Edge sent Orton into an equipment case followed by punches and a kick to the ribs. Edge picked up Orton and hit him with a forearm to the head. Edge with a knee that set up Orton on a table. There was a ladder nearby, so Edge did a slow climb onto a platform that was about ten feet high. Edge stood up and jumped off with an elbow drop that put Orton through the table. Both guys got up at the count of eight. Orton had a cut the back of his left shoulder. Orton with a kick to the gut and a forearm to the back.
They continued to fight backstage with Orton hitting a forearm and sending Edge into the back of a truck. Edge got back up before ten, so Orton slammed him repeatedly in the back of the truck. They were on the hood cover the back of the truck and then Edge went on top of the truck. Orton gave Edge a DDT off the hood of the truck onto the truck cover on the bed of the truck. The referee checked on Edge instead of counting right away. The referee started the count as both guys managed to get back up around five. Edge climbed up some equipment boxes and onto a big truck that had NXT on the side of it. The referee followed Edge up there and Orton joined them on top of the truck. Edge was on all fours on top of the long truck, so Orton charged teasing The Punt, but Edge came back with a Spear while they were on the truck. Orton was down selling it while the referee counted them down, Edge got back up first and Orton was back at eight. Edge charged again and Orton hit him with a RKO on top of the truck. Orton got off the truck, Edge got back up at nine and then stumbled back down, but it was enough to break the count. Orton grabbed two steel chair and brought them on top of the big truck that Edge and the referee were on. Orton hit Edge in the back with the steel chair. Orton placed a chair under Edge’s head and Orton grabbed the other chair to set up for the Conchairto while the referee told Orton not to do this. Edge got back up with the head/arm choke to choke Orton out on top of the truck they were standing on. Edge choked Orton out so that Orton’s head was on the chair that was on the truck. Edge grabbed the other chair and he told the referee not to “fu**ing count” and the swear word was bleeped. Edge looked distraught with tears in his eyes as he held the chair above Orton and Edge gave Orton a Conchairto on the truck. The referee counted Orton down for 1…2…3…4…5…6…7…8…9 and 10. Edge wins the match. It went 36:35.
Winner: Edge
Analysis: **1/2 This was a very long match that went way longer than it needed to be. It was a brawl all around the building with Edge making the big comeback to get the win as expected. There wasn’t one guy that dominated the match in terms of offense, but I thought they really hurt the match quality by going so long. If this was more of an exciting, fast paced style brawl that was closer to 15-20 minutes then it would have been a lot better. I really liked the start of it with Orton jumping Edge early with two RKOs, but then they left the ring and it became a standup brawl with weapons, then guys breaking the count and it just kept going. I think the match was hurt a lot by the stipulation because if this was Last Man Standing with fans then they could play off the crowd. Since they were unable to do that, it was a lot more difficult to get into it. I thought Edge should win due to the revenge factor, so it was the right match result.
The action in the arena picked up with Mojo Rawley getting chased by a bunch of wrestlers. Rob Gronkowski was on top of the podium in the building and he jumped onto all the wrestlers to knock them down. Gronk pinned Mojo to win the 24/7 Title and Gronk left as the champion.
Analysis: My interest in the 24/7 Title is very low. I don’t really care too much about it.
A commercial aired for the WWE 24 special on Edge that’s on WWE Network now.
It’s time for the Raw Tag Team Championships. There’s no storyline here with the news being that Austin Theory replaces injured Andrade in this match.
Raw Tag Team Championships: The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) vs. Angel Garza and Austin Theory (w/Zelina Vega)
Dawkins with a running shoulder tackle on Theory. Street Profits sent the opponents out of the ring. Theory managed to avoid an attack from Dawkins and he sent Dawkins over the top to the floor. Garza with a superkick on Dawkins on the floor. Garza tagged in with a dropkick on Dawkins. Theory back in with a rolling dropkick on Dawkins. Dawkins managed to escape from Garza and Ford tagged in. Ford with a leap over Garza followed by a leaping clothesline and a standing moonsault for two. Dawkins and Theory were out of the ring leading to Ford hitting a somersault dive onto Theory and also Dawkins on the floor. Garza went up top with a moonsault onto both Street Profits. Both of those big moves looked impressive. Back in the ring, Garza hit a moonsault off the middle ropes for a two count. Dawkins tagged in against Theory with Theory hitting a kick and then a TKO slam off the shoulders. When Theory tried to cover Dawkins, Ford jumped off the top with a Frog Splash on Theory and Dawkins covered Theory to win at 6:20.
Winners by pinfall: The Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins)
Analysis: ** A short tag match with the champs retaining against challengers who are a makeshift team. There were some good high spots with the dives to the floor, but other than that it was a simple match. The finish was good with Ford hitting the Frog Splash leading to the Dawkins pin. I’m not surprised that Theory was the guy that got pinned in the match.
Post match, Garza with a dropkick to the back of Dawkins. Garza kicked Ford as the heels attacked and Vega hit a kick to the face of Ford. Bianca Belair went out to the ring to save her husband Ford and she attacked. Belair put Vega on her shoulders leading to the KOD slam to take out Vega. The guys went brawling to the back, so Belair danced over Vega. Ford celebrated with his wife and Dawkins to end it.
Analysis: That could lead to Belair being a new superstar on Raw to join husband Ford. That would make sense since Belair has been in NXT for a while and she can do more on Raw.
Titus O’Neil was in the suit and he said Gronk is gone with the 24/7 Title, so he’s going to host now. Host what? There are three matches left. Anyway, Titus just said let’s keep this party rolling.
A commercial aired for WWE Titles on sale at WWEShop.
The entrances took place for the Smackdown Women’s Title 5-Way Elimination match. Sasha Banks was out first, Lacey Evans was next, Tamina was third, Naomi was next and then Bayley was last as the SD Women’s Champion.
Smackdown Women’s Champion 5-Way Elimination Match: Bayley vs. Sasha Banks vs. Lacey Evans vs. Naomi vs. Tamina
Tamina was attacked by all four women with Tamina shoving them all away. Tamina with punches for three women followed by an elbow smash on Evans. Naomi grabbed Tamina by the foot. Banks and Bayley with a double team dropkick on Tamina and Banks kicked Tamina out of the ring. Evans whipped Bayley into the corner, Banks to the apron and Banks sent Evans into the middle turnbuckle. Bayley with a running knee on Evans with Banks helping Bayley on the cover, but Evans kicked out. Naomi and Evans each hit clotheslines to knock down Banks and Bayley. Naomi and Evans each hit dropkicks. Evans and Naomi were in the ring and then Tamina went back in with clotheslines for both. Tamina with a running double clothesline on Bayley and Banks on the apron. Tamina tossed Evans and Naomi across the ring. Tamina with a running hip attack on Evans and Naomi against the turnbuckle. Tamina tried pin attempts with one foot on the chest. The referee stopped a count when Tamina had her had on the ropes and Cole was right to say that it was No DQ. Banks, Tamina and Naomi were in the ring together as they put their fists in the ring since they were a brief stable about five years ago. Tamina kicked Banks out of the ring and Naomi hit a stunner on Tamina. Evans moonsault on Tamina, who powered out of a pin attempt. Banks hit a 619 kick on Tamina and Bayley went up top with an elbow drop on Tamina. Banks with a Frog Splash off the middle rope on Tamina. Evans with a moonsault on Tamina and Naomi with a split-legged moonsault on Tamina. The four women covered Tamina to eliminate her.
Tamina has been eliminated
Analysis: They booked Tamina to be the dominant woman in the match and it was a good story leading up to her elimination.
Bayley and Banks went to the floor, which led to Evans and Naomi attacking, but Bayley was able to send Evans into the steps while sending Naomi into the apron. Banks and Bayley worked together as they sent Naomi into the turnbuckle. Banks missed a corner charge when Naomi moved and Naomi hit a double sunset flip on Bayley and Banks for two. Naomi with a running dropkick followed by a running slap. Naomi with a stunner on Bayley and a Rear View on Banks. Naomi with a springboard kick to the face on Bayley. Naomi with a Full Nelson Slam on Banks for two. Naomi slapped on a submission on Banks on the arms, but Bayley made the save. Banks with the backstabber into the Bank Statement submission and Naomi tapped out.
Naomi has been eliminated
Bayley told Banks that she was amazing and said that they are doing this. Bayley to Naomi: “Go dance to the back!” Bayley and Banks were trash talking Evans, who stumbled her way into the ring. Banks and Bayley hit a double team slam on Evans for a two count. Bayley charged saying this was for Summer (Lacey’s daughter), Bayley with a running knee, Evans moved and Bayley hit Banks by accident. Evans got two rollups on Bayley and Bayley hit a knee to the face for two. Banks was back in the ring asking Bayley what the hell was that knee. Bayley said that it was a mistake and Banks told Bayley she’s always had her back. Bayley shoved Banks out of the way of an attack and Evans hit Banks with a Woman’s Right. Evans pinned Banks to eliminate her with Bayley staring right at it, so Bayley didn’t try to help Banks at all.
Sasha Banks has been eliminated
Bayley and Evans were the final two women as Bayley hit an elbow drop for a two count. Evans went for a corner attack, but Bayley moved and Bayley sent Evans into the ring post. That got a two count for Bayley. Bayley put Evans up against the turnbuckle and used the tag rope to tag Lacey’s right arm to the turnbuckle. Evans fought back with a boot to the fac and Evans untied her right hand. Evans with kicks to the ribs and a kick to the back of the neck. Evans with a corner splash on Bayley two times. Evans did a slow climb to the middle ropes, Evans did a military salute and Evans jumped to the top leading to a moonsault off the top for a two count. Banks went back into the ring with a Backstabber to Evans since there’s no DQ and Bayley hit her front face slam into the mat. Bayley covered Evans for the pinfall win at 19:20.
Lacey Evans has been eliminated
Winner: Bayley
Analysis: **1/2 The champ retains the title thanks to Banks helping Bayley out even though Bayley didn’t try to help Banks when she could have. The eliminations of Tamina, Naomi and Evans were booked well. The key thing in the match was when Bayley chose not to help Banks when she had the chance to do so. Banks didn’t know that, though, so that can be revealed down the road as the story evolves. If there was a crowd I don’t think they would have cared about the women other than Bayley and Banks here. It just wasn’t that exciting to me.
Post match, Banks put the Smackdown Women’s Title around Bayley’s waist. Bayley celebrated with the title.
Analysis: They can do the Bayley/Banks split following this show after Banks realizes that Bayley didn’t try to help her when she could have. They’ll have great matches together with Banks likely in the face role.
A commercial aired for WrestleMania 37 on March 28, 2021 in Los Angeles.
The video package aired for John Cena vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt in the Firefly Fun House Match.
John Cena made his entrance in the arena and he was looking around wondering what was going. Cena said “welcome to WrestleMania” as clips of past WrestleManias were shown until the Firefly Fun House graphic was on.
Bray Wyatt was in the Firefly Fun House with his puppets. Wyatt said there’s a world where our darkest urges are no longer kept secret. Wyatt wondered who are we really and why do we do the things that we do? Wyatt told Cena he’s going to face his most dangerous opponent yet…himself. Wyatt welcomed us to the Firefly Fun House and walked out the door.
Firefly Fun House Match: John Cena vs. “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt
John Cena was in his gear on the Firefly Fun House set. Ramblin’ Rabbit was there said he saw Bray go through that door, so Cena opened the door and the Rabbit told him to be careful.
Cena was in some darkened area as a Vince McMahon puppet was there asking Cena if he had Ruthless Aggression. Vince told Cena to show him he had Ruthless Aggression or he’s fired. Wyatt was in the ring doing the Kurt Angle speech from 2002 when John Cena answered the challenge. This led to Cena appearing in his 2002 gear. Cena kept saying “Ruthless Aggression” as Wyatt kept avoiding punches. Wyatt even sang the Bellas theme song briefly, which was funny. Macho Mercy and Mr. McMahon Bossman were on commentary. The Saturday Night’s Main Event was shown. Bray Wyatt did a promo behind a steel cage doing a Hulk Hogan impression talking about his partner Johnny Largemeat saying that the ladies love him and the men want to be him. That led to Cena appearing while lifting weights. Cena kept pumping the weights. Wyatt said that Egomania has been running wild on Cena and he tossed Cena back into another screen.
It was time for Basic Thuganomics Cena to appear in front of the Smackdown fist. Cena did a rap to Wyatt in the ring with a joke about Husky Harris. Cena had a line about Wyatt blowing his chances. Wyatt said that he’s had to earn everything he’s been giving in life and they’re still taking from him. Wyatt told Cena he’s untouchable, but he’s not a hero – he’s a bully. Wyatt told Cena he’s a horrible person that takes the weaknesses of others, he turns them into jokes and he does anything for fame while telling him he’s the man now. Wyatt told Cena this was his last chance and said that the floor is yours. Cena fired up with a rap about “Deez Nuts” in your face, Cena charged, Wyatt moved and Wyatt punched Cena with a steel chain wrapped around his fist.
Bray Wyatt was in his old attire sitting in a cabin while sitting on a rocking chair from his first days in WWE. Wyatt said that Cena was supposed to be a man of the people, so why wasn’t he listening? Wyatt said that they needed him, they wanted him and a prophecy fulfilled, but instead it’s his grandest failure. Wyatt said now it’s time to rewrite his own story. Wyatt ran at Cena with a splash against the turnbuckle. Wyatt danced around with Cena and he tried the Sister Abigail neckbreaker, but Cena stood up. Wyatt gave Cena a chair and told Cena that six years ago he made the wrong choice while telling Cena to fix it, so then Cena swung the chair and Wyatt moved.
There were WCW Monday Nitro graphics with Wyatt in the ring with a black and red New World Order shirt on. Wyatt introduced Cena leading to Cena entering to Hollywood Hulk Hogan music with Cena in an NWO black and white shirt The Vince puppet said: “This is such good shit!” It was not bleeped. Cena tackled Wyatt followed by punches. They showed images on the screen. Cena continued punching and he was punching one of the puppets. That’s when The Fiend finally appeared.
The Fiend finally appeared as Cena turned around and The Fiend gave him the Mandible Claw. The Fiend held Cena as they played audio of Cena’s promo against Wyatt. The Fiend hit the Sister Abigail on Cena followed by the Mandible Claw. Bray Wyatt appeared to count the pin to give The Fiend the win. When The Fiend stood up, Cena’s body was gone. This whole thing went about 15 minutes.
Analysis: I’m not rating that with star ratings. It was not a match when you have The Fiend pinning Cena and Wyatt counted the pin. It was a very unique and different kind of situation just like the Boneyard Match was last night. I don’t even think they took any real bumps there that you would see in a regular match because this was about the mind games from The Fiend. It almost felt like it was The Fiend giving Cena nightmares or something along those lines. It was stuff like Cena doing the NWO thing, so it showed what Cena would be like if he turned heel like Hulk Hogan did, for example. The videos seemed to be about things that Cena went through in his career and if he did things differently along the way (like hitting Wyatt with a chair six years ago). I thought it was pretty funny at times, ridiculous at other times and interesting for most of it. The Vince puppet saying “this is such good shit” and Bray singing the Bellas song at Cena were great moments. There’s probably going to be a mixed reaction with some people hating it while others love it. The initial feedback I got on Twitter was that people liked it, so that’s a good thing. I think the Boneyard segment was better than this because it felt like more of an actual match, but I think if I watched this again without writing a review I might like it more. If I gave it a letter grade then maybe go with a “B” for it.
It was back to the WWE PC with Titus O’Neil saying “I don’t know what I just saw.” It was a 5-Hour Energy commercial after that.
A commercial aired for Money in the Bank.
The video package aired for Lesnar vs. McIntyre as the main event for the WWE Title.
The entrances took place for the main event with Drew McIntyre out first as the challenger. Brock Lesnar was next with his advocate Paul Heyman joining him. Mike Rome did the introductions. It was a surprise that Heyman didn’t introduce Lesnar like he loves to do.
WWE Championship: Brock Lesnar (w/Paul Heyman) vs. Drew McIntyre
Lesnar attacked McIntyre with a kick followed by Lesnar driving McIntyre to the turnbuckle. McIntyre came back with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre went for the kick again, but Lesnar moved and Lesnar hit a German Suplex. Lesnar hit another German Suplex across the ring. McIntyre tried to fight off a suplex, but Lesnar hit another German Suplex. Lesnar picked up McIntyre and hit an F5 leading to McIntyre kicking out at one. That was impressive to see Drew kick out at one with Lesnar looking pissed off about it. Lesnar hit a second F5 on McIntyre with Drew kicking out at two this time. Lesnar picked up McIntyre on his shoulders followed by an F5 for the third time and McIntyre kicked out again. Heyman told Lesnar to keep doing it because McIntyre can’t keep kicking out. Lesnar wanted another F5, McIntyre fought back by sending Lesnar into the ropes and he hit a Claymore Kick again. McIntyre hit a third Claymore Kick on Lesnar. McIntyre hit a fourth Claymore Kick while Lesnar was on his knees. McIntyre covered Lesnar for the pinfall win at 4:35 to become the WWE Champion!
Winner by pinfall AND NEW WWE Champion: Drew McIntyre
Analysis: ** It was a quick match with big moves, which has become the formula for Lesnar matches for the last several years. McIntyre kicking out of the F5 three times was a huge thing, but it was also a great way to make McIntyre look like a big deal that was able to take Lesnar’s offense and keep going. I liked that McIntyre had to hit the Claymore Kick four times and he didn’t go for pinfalls during it either. He just kept on delivering the offense. I would have liked a back and forth 15-minute match because I think it would be great, but going short and booking Drew to be dominant is good for making Drew look strong. The booking was simple and it worked for this match.
Post match, Drew McIntyre celebrated with the WWE Title while Lesnar was down in the ring. McIntyre posed on the turnbuckle. Lesnar was still down in the ring selling the attack. McIntyre continued to celebrate. The show ended right there.
Analysis: Congrats to Drew on winning the WWE Title. It’s well deserved for a guy that has busted his ass for years. I’m genuinely happy for the guy.
This second part of Wrestlemania had a run time of 3:24:33 on WWE Network.
Five Stars of the Show
- Drew McIntyre – I’m happy for the guy after the long journey that he’s been on.
- Charlotte Flair
- Rhea Ripley
- John Cena/Bray Wyatt
- Edge – His first singles match in nine years. It was too long, but I’m happy for him.
Final Thoughts
I’ll rate this part of WrestleMania a 5.25 out of 10. If you combine the two parts, I’m going with a 6.25 out of 10.
This was the longer of the two nights and I thought the matches were worse overall. I liked the first part more.
For this show, the women’s match with Flair and Ripley was the best match of the night. I can’t call the Wyatt/Cena segment a match because it was more of a cinematic story than anything and when The Fiend pinned Cena with Wyatt counting the pin, you could say the result is unofficial. Anyway, they tried something different there at least. I think people are going to like it a lot or hate it. I liked it for the most part. The Edge/Orton match went way too long at over 30 minutes. It didn’t need to be that and because of that, the match quality was hurt a lot. It just wasn’t that interesting to watch. I hate to use the word boring, but it definitely felt that way for some of the match.
There were a lot of feel good moments with Drew McIntyre winning the WWE Title for the first time in his career. It would have been nice if they had more of a proper match, but it was fine for the story they wanted to tell. Edge beating Orton was the right finish even though the match was too long. I thought the Otis win was booked well with Mandy Rose celebrating with him in the end. Other matches were just okay. Nothing else really stood out.
I think it got harder to watch and enjoy the matches in an empty arena as we got deeper into this show. In part one, it was fine because the three hours flew by fairly quickly, but then you add in three more hours today, then you really realize how hard it is to put on a good match with no fans there. I’m not saying it to be critical of WWE or the wrestlers. It’s just the predicament the world is in right now. I miss the days with the fans there and I hope we can return to “normal” soon.
I am in favor of two night WrestleMania because it’s better to have three shows around three hours each instead of a 6+ hour show all at once. I don’t know if they will do two night WrestleMania next year, but if they ever do it again, I would be cool with it.
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