Reviews

The John Report: WWE WrestleMania 42 Review – Night 1 (Saturday)

By John Canton • Published Apr 18, 2026 22:06 EDT
WWE WrestleMania 42 Saturday Review
WWE WrestleMania 42 Saturday Review - Image via @WWE on X

It’s WWE WrestleMania 42 Saturday, headlined by Cody Rhodes facing Randy Orton, Seth Rollins against Gunther, Stephanie Vaquer taking on Liv Morgan, and more.

This is the first of two nights of WrestleMania 42. There are seven matches scheduled for night one and six matches for night two. With a 6 p.m. ET start time on both nights, I think both shows will be around 4 hours long, which means there will be plenty of time for the matches. Some matches may be short, but I think many will go over 15 minutes, with some long entrances as well. With John Cena as the host, there will be some non-wrestling segments happening, too.

As a reminder, I’ve reviewed every WrestleMania in WWE history, I’ve been to five of them, and I love days like today every year. I think the build to this year’s WrestleMania has been below average in some ways. However, I think the match quality will be strong on both nights.

There was a 3-hour WrestleMania 42 Countdown Show on WWE’s YouTube channel, but I don’t review those shows. I’m watching on Netflix in Canada. Let’s get to the main show.

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WWE WrestleMania 42 (Saturday)
From Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, April 18, 2026

There was a video package narrated by actor Lin-Manuel Miranda talking about how there’s no bigger stage than WrestleMania. It’s an excellent video that showed WrestleMania history along with clips of the current stars. I liked the line: “It happens once and it’s forever.” Well said. Anyway, it did an excellent job of setting the stage for WrestleMania.

John Cena Welcomes Us To WrestleMania

The host of WrestleMania, John Cena, made his entrance as the host of WrestleMania and he was wearing a suit. Cena did a walk down the ramp while the fans cheered him. Cena ended up jogging the last half of the ramp, probably because if he walked, it would take a long time. The fans popped big time for Cena as usual.

John Cena thanked the fans for the love. Cena said he’s a long-time fan and long-time performer, but first-time host, so how is he doing so far? The fans cheered. Cena said that the road to WrestleMania has been unpredictable. Cena said it has been very, very vocal. Cena remarked to Michael Cole that it’s very polarizing. Cena said that this is the moment he loves the most on the road to WrestleMania. Cena said that the time to talk is up and the time to deliver is now. Cena said we are here to see who will step up and deliver. Cena said it’s such a great honor…Welcome to WrestleMania! The pyro went off in the stadium, and I really like the set.

Analysis: A fine speech from John Cena to welcome us to the show. Perhaps he’ll be part of some skits later, but for now, this was just a simple speech to welcome the fans to the show. Simple enough.

The Usos made their entrance from the crowd and the fans were going crazy for them with some Yeeting as usual. They are 9-time WWE Tag Team Champions, and the fans loved them as usual. LA Knight was up next and he arrived in a truck that said LA Knight on it.

It was Michael Cole and Wade Barrett on commentary at ringside. Barrett praised Cole for calling WrestleMania for the 25th time. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer.

Logan Paul’s music hit as The Vision logo appeared with the World Tag Team Champions Logan Paul and Austin Theory. They were joined by IShowSpeed, who is a popular streamer, and he’s in great shape. It is Paul’s 5th WrestleMania match, so the dude is a veteran now.

LA Knight and The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso vs. The Vision – Logan Paul, Austin Theory & IShowSpeed

The Usos hit superkicks on Paul and Knight to knock them out of the ring. Knight showed off his power by lifting Speed during a headlock attempt and Knight hit a clothesline on Speed. After Knight knocked Paul off the apron, Speed hit a body slam on Knight. Speed celebrated that, and then he tagged in Paul. Knight slammed Paul into the turnbuckle and stomped on Paul repeatedly. Jey worked over Paul with punches. Jimmy tagged in for a double team elbow drop. Theory made a tag and flipped into the ring, leading to a dropkick on Jimmy. Theory and Paul hit a double suplex on Jimmy. Speed tagged in, so Jimmy hit him with a suplex. Paul was back in with a forearm on Jimmy. After Jimmy hit an uppercut, Jimmy jumped off the top with a corkscrew body attack to knock Paul down. Jey got the tag against Theory with punches, and Jey ran the ropes, leading to a Spear for two because Paul made the save. Paul hit a gutwrench Powerbomb on Jey and Jimmy superkicked Paul. Theory punched Jimmy. Theory sent Jey into the ring post. Jimmy superkicked Theory to knock him down. Speed got in there with a headscissors on Jimmy. Knight went for BFT, but Speed shoved Knight into the ropes and Paul got knocked off the apron to the floor. Theory yelled at Speed about that. Speed charged, so Knight shoved Theory into Speed and knocked Speed down. Knight hit a BFT on Theory for the pinfall win. It went 7:10.

Winners by pinfall: LA Knight and The Usos – Jimmy & Jey Uso

Analysis: **3/4 It was a decent match that was fine for the time given, but certainly not a memorable match or anything like that. I thought it made sense for Knight and The Usos to get the win here, so I got that prediction right. The story became about Paul and Theory not being happy with Speed for his actions in the match, while Speed acted like he didn’t do anything. The post match angle is why the match wasn’t longer because it took a few minutes.

After the match, Logan Paul went into the ring and yelled at Speed for losing. Paul punched Speed to knock him down. Paul said that Speed ruined it. Paul sent Speed out of the ring. Paul set up Speed on the commentary table. Paul went up top, but The Usos stopped him, and The Usos hit 1D on Paul. Knight saved Speed and put him in the ring. Knight put Paul on the commentary table and punched him a few times. Speed went up top. Speed went on top of the ring post, and they went to a Drone camera as Speed jumped off the top with an I Show Splash, as Cole called it. It was impressive Frog Splash by Speed that put Paul through the table. The Usos and Knight celebrated with Speed.

Analysis: It was a fun post match angle as IShowSpeed showed off his athleticism with that impressive splash through the table. Good job by him.

The Usos were featured in a Snickers commercial.

A video aired about Hulk Hogan’s Netflix documentary covering WrestleMania 3 with Andre the Giant. I think this was during commercials for some fans because there was a clock on screen counting down from about four minutes.

Jacob Fatu made his entrance for the Unsanctioned Match, which has no rules, and nobody will be held liable for what happens. The 4-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion Drew McIntyre made his entrance with a sword in his hand as he slowly made his way down to the ring for this fight.

Unsanctioned Match: Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre

The referee was wearing gloves to make it look different from a regular match. Fatu attacked Drew on the floor before Drew could get his jacket off. Fatu sent Drew into the ring apron and the ring post. Fatu sent Drew over the barricade at ringside. Fatu pulled two tables out from ringside and tossed six chairs into the ring. Fatu kicked Drew to keep him down. Fatu dumped a toolbox into the ring. Drew avoided the toolbox attack because he was busted open big time against CM Punk in Hell in a Cell because of a toolbox attack. Drew tripped up Fatu and then sent Fatu into the side of the ring apron. Drew did a catapult to send Fatu into the steel bars under the ring. Fatu tackled Drew into the ring post. Fatu charged at Drew, who hit a lariat, and Fatu flipped. Drew got his phone from his brother and did his “Bored At Work” tweet that he’s done at WrestleMania for the last few years. Back in the ring, Fatu hit two clotheslines and a running senton. Fatu hit a clothesline against the turnbuckle, followed by headbutts. Fatu hit a running hip attack against the turnbuckle. Fatu hit a popup Samoan Drop for a two count. Drew got back up with a headbutt to stop Fatu from doing a chair shot. Fatu charged, Drew avoided it and Fatu hit the ring post on a splash attempt. Drew hit a German Suplex and Fatu did a moonsault bump, leading to a roll out of the ring. Drew ran the ropes and hit a somersault dive over the top onto Fatu on the floor. Impressive move by a 270-pound man! Drew sent Fatu back into the ring for a Claymore Kick, but Fatu moved. Fatu sent Drew into a chair that was against the turnbuckle. Fatu jumped off the top with the Mighty Moonsault and it only got a two count. The announcers weren’t sure if anybody had ever kicked out of that.

Drew got a hold of the wrench and hit Fatu in the left knee with it. Drew put the wrench against Fatu’s head and then Drew laughed about it. Drew picked up Fatu and gave him a suplex into a slam through two steel chairs for a two count. Fatu’s back only hit one of the chairs. Drew made referee Dan Engler give Drew his belt, so Drew took the leather belt and Fatu was back up with a superkick. Fatu hit Drew in the back with a chair two times in a row. Fatu smacked Drew in the back with the leather belt about five times in a row. Engler put his belt back on. Fatu got the toolbox, turned around and Drew was back up with a Claymore Kick for a two count. Fatu barely kicked out by getting his right shoulder up at two. Drew and Fatu exchanged strikes as the fans reacted to each shot. Fatu headbutted Drew repeatedly to knock Drew down to the mat. Fatu set up Drew on the Slim Jim table in the middle of the ring. Fatu hit Drew in the ribs/elbow while Drew was on a table. Fatu went up top, so Drew tossed a chair at Fatu’s head. Drew hit Fatu in the back with a chair shot. Drew shoved Fatu off the top and Fatu did a somersault dive off the top and through the table that was set up on the floor. Drew put Fatu into the ring. Fatu came back with two superkicks to knock Drew down. Fatu hit Drew with the toolbox and it looked like Fatu protected him well with that. Fatu went up top and hit a Mighty Moonsault to put Drew through the table in the ring. Fatu covered for the pinfall win. It went 14:05.

Winner by pinfall: Jacob Fatu

Analysis: ***3/4 I thought it was a great match that was full of creative spots and plenty of weapons used throughout the match. I’m not surprised that it ended with a table bump since weapons were a big part of the match. Fatu nailed that Mighty Moonsault perfectly for the win. I thought McIntrye was excellent in the match as usual, while Fatu put on an impressive performance as well. I picked McIntyre to win the match, but I certainly don’t mind a babyface win for Fatu to end the rivalry, at least for now.

That was the end of the ESPN2 free broadcast. Five matches to go and fans in the US had to watch it on ESPN Unlimited. It doesn’t affect me in Canada since I’m watching on Netflix.

There was another 4-minute video showing clips of the Hulk Hogan documentary on Netflix. I know that means ads on the US broadcast.

They showed the Spanish commentary team at ringside. Cole and Barrett went over the remaining five matches. The Women’s Tag Team Title Match was up next.

Alexa Bliss and Charlotte Flair were up first as former Women’s Tag Team Champions. They wore unique outfits for their entrances. Lyra Valkyria and Bayley were up next. They have never been Women’s Tag Team Champions together, but they have been with other partners. They made their entrance to Lyra’s theme song. The Irresistible Forces team of Nia Jax and Lash Legend wore some Demolition-style gear, but it was all white. Looks good. Demolition’s Ax & Smash were at ringside.

The Bella Twins made their entrance, and Nikki had her left foot in a boot. Nikki said she wasn’t cleared to return from the injury, but she called an old friend to take her place in the match. It’s Paige! The fans gave Paige a huge ovation, and she looked ready to go. Paige’s classic WWE theme song played while the fans were going wild for her.

Analysis: I’m so happy to see Paige back in a WWE ring officially. She has been through a lot in her career, including a serious neck injury, and I’m so glad she’s been able to make the WWE comeback she has wanted for a long time. This was reported on Friday, and now it’s happening.

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Irresistible Forces – Nia Jax & Lash Legend vs. Charlotte Flair & Alexa Bliss vs. Bayley & Lyra Valkyria vs. Paige & Brie Bella (w/Nikki Bella)

One member from each team will be legal at all times. The first fall wins. I think if it were an Elimination Match, it would be better, but it’s first fall wins.

Flair hit an impressive cross body block on Jax early on. Lyra hit a spin kick on Flair. Brie worked over Flair and Lyra with the Yes Kicks. Brie hit an enziguri kick on Lyra. Jax pulled Brie out of the ring and sent Brie into the barricade. Lash gave Brie a Chokeslam onto the ring apron. Flair kicked Jax off the apron. Lash hit a pump kick to knock Flair down. Flair hit a boot on Lash and Bliss tagged in with a DDT off the turnbuckle. Bayley tagged in with an elbow smash, Lyra tagged in with a clothesline and Bayley jumped off the middle turnbuckle with an elbow drop for two because Lash broke up the pin. Lash stopped Brie from tagging out. Lash hit a double Powerbomb on Bliss and Lyra off the turnbuckle. Brie hit a missile dropkick on Lash. The fans were getting into it. Flair, Bayley and Jax tagged in as Flair hit a boot on Bayley. Paige got the tag against Jax. Page worked over Jax with kicks and clotheslines on the others. Paige hit a Fisherman’s Suplex on Bayley. Paige worked over Lash with knees. A camera dude fell down at ringside. Paige jumped off the top with a cross body block, but Lyra caught her. Paige hit her Paige Turner neckbreaker on Lyra for two because Bayley made the save. Jax hit a Samoan Drop on Bayley. Lyra flipped Nia and Brie out of the ring. Lash hit a Lash Extension on Lyra, but the pin was broken up. Paige and Flair superkicked Lash and clotheslined Lash out of the ring. Flair and Paige faced off as the fans erupted. Flair and Paige exchanged forearms as the fans reacted to each shot. Flair chopped Paige and Paige countered Flair into a cradle for two. Flair hit a Natural Selection on Paige. Bliss got the tag, Nikki pulled Flair out of the ring, and Nikki hit Flair with the crutch two times. Bliss jumped off the top with Twisted Bliss, Paige got the knees up and Paige hit Rampaige DDT for the pinfall win at 8:37.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Paige & Brie Bella

Analysis: *** A solid match that was full of action and a happy ending as Paige and Brie Bella became the new Women’s Tag Team Champions, thanks to Nikki beating up Charlotte Flair with the crutch on the floor. It’s one of those things where if you bring in a substitute in a match like this, then you often see that person win a title in a match like this. I thought if Nikki Bella was healthy, then The Bella Twins were going to win, but with Nikki out, I thought maybe WWE would delay that title change because it’s not The Bella Twins winning together. However, it still works fine with Brie and Paige. I don’t mind it at all. I would have liked to see the match get more time to tell more of a story, but they did do a nice job of building to Paige’s hot tag.

Paige and The Bella Twins celebrated as the Women’s Tag Team Champions. Paige was very emotional with good reason and the fans loved it.

Analysis: I’m genuinely happy for Paige. It’s been a long journey for her in wrestling and to get back to WWE like this and win a title in her first match back is pretty cool.

A sneak peek was shown of the new Mandalorian and Grogu movie on May 22nd.

There was another Hulk Hogan video shown from his Netflix documentary to fill four minutes. This time, they showed the NWO heel turn from 1996. Good stuff.

They showed comedians Tony Hinchcliffe and Jeffrey Ross at ringside. There were also fans wearing Drumstick ice cream merchandise.

Becky Lynch made her entrance as The Wonder Years were on the stage to sing her theme song. I am getting used to the song, and they did a nice job with the performance.

AJ Lee made her entrance as the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. There were about 20 or so little girls dressed like AJ Lee, and they did the Lee skip down to the ring while also holding replica Intercontinental Titles. That was a cool entrance.

WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: AJ Lee vs. Becky Lynch

The action spilled to the floor quickly and Lynch hit a fallaway slam into the barricade. Back in the ring, Lynch jumped off the top with a leg drop on Lee for a two count. Lynch hit a Bexploder for a two count. Lynch took the top turnbuckle pad off, so referee Jessika Carr stopped it and put the pad back on. Carr called Lynch absolutely insane. Lee got an inside cradle on Lynch for two. Lee got a knee up to hit Lynch in the face, and Lee hit a clothesline. Lynch came back with a forearm to the jaw. Lee tripped up Lynch by the ropes. Lee hit a missile dropkick for a two count. Lee hit a neckbreaker and when Lee charged, Lynch caught her with a Powerbomb for a two count. Lee hit an arm drag, along with a kick to the back of the neck. Lynch avoided the submission and swung Lee into the turnbuckle. Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam on Lee for a two count. Lynch stomped on Lee repeatedly and Lynch got in Carr’s face. Carr fired back to tell Lynch to get out of her face. Lynch shoved Carr, so Carr shoved Lynch back. Lynch charged at Carr, who avoided it and Lee got a hold of Lynch with a Manhandle Slam for a two count. Good nearfall there. Lynch and Lee exchanged forearms. Lee jumped on Lynch’s back for the Black Widow submission, and Lynch was able to get to the ropes. Lynch punched Lee to break free. Lynch exposed the turnbuckle. When Lee charged, Lynch pulled Carr in front and Lee hit Carr by accident. Lynch sent Lee into the exposed steel that was exposed. Lynch hit a Manhandle Slam on Lee for the pinfall win to win the Women’s IC Title at 8:20.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion: Becky Lynch

Analysis: ***1/4 A cheap win by Lynch to win back the Women’s IC Title. I’m not sure what kind of contract Lee has and how many matches she’s going to wrestle, so maybe it’s just a case of Lee taking a break after this and WWE wanting to get the title on Lynch again. It was a crafty heel finish that certainly could lead to complaints since Lynch pulled the referee in front of her and still got the win right after it. I don’t mind Lynch as champion because Lynch is incredible, but it’s been done for a third time now. I thought their match at Elimination Chamber was better, and it got more time, so that helped that match too.

Becky Lynch celebrated with the Women’s Intercontinental Champion. She’s a 3-time Women’s IC Champion now.

Analysis: Just a general thought on the show so far. I’m surprised that 3 of the first 4 matches have been under 10 minutes. I didn’t expect that.

We got the “We’ll Be Right Back” video on Netflix with a clock running over 3 minutes.

They showed actor and boxer Chuck Zito at ringside. George Kittle drank another beer at ringside! Boxer Terence Crawford was at ringside too. Comedian Funny Marco and boxer Conor Benn were also at ringside.

Gunther was up next with three matches left to go on WrestleMania Saturday. Cole mentioned Gunther lost the last two years against Jey Uso and Sami Zayn, and both of those matches were title matches. Cole also mentioned Gunther ended the careers of Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles in the last year as well.

Seth “Freakin” Rollins made his entrance for his first televised match since last October at Crown Jewel. The fans were singing along with his song as usual. Cole mentioned it was Seth’s 15th WrestleMania. Rollins had a jacket on and smoke coming out of the jacket on his way to the ring, so Cole said it was like a Phoenix rising from the ashes. Good description.

Seth Rollins vs. Gunther

Gunther hit a running dropkick, a German Suplex and a Powerbomb, so Rollins rolled out of the ring. When Gunther left the ring, Rollins gouged the eyes and sent Gunther against the barricade. Rollins tossed Gunther over the commentary table. Rollins threw a chair at Gunther’s back. They got into the ring as the bell rang to start the match.

Rollins worked over Gunther with some kicks, but Gunther was back up with a lariat to knock Rollins down. Gunther worked over Rollins with kicks to the back. Gunther elbowed Rollins in the head. Gunther and Rollins exchanged palm strikes. Gunther put his boot on Seth’s throat to continue the attack. Gunther sent Rollins face first into the top turnbuckle. Gunther went for a superplex, but Rollins slipped out of that and Rollins hit a Buckle Bomb into the turnbuckle. Gunther avoided a Stomp and hit a German Suplex. Rollins hit a German Suplex of his own, but Gunther was back up with a clothesline. Rollins was back up with a clothesline. Gunther and Rollins exchanged strikes as they fought back up to their feet. Gunther chopped Rollins into the turnbuckle. Rollins fought back with his own chops. The referee made Rollins back off, so Gunther hit a Powerbomb into a stacked pin for a two count. Gunther nailed Rollins with a clothesline. Gunther bounced off the ropes and hit another clothesline. Rollins tried to counter Gunther into a move, but Gunther hit a back body drop. Rollins with a kick and a knee smash. Rollins wanted a Pedigree, Gunther got out of that and Rollins was holding onto it and Rollins hit a Pedigree. Rollins hit The Stomp for the one…two…no! Gunther got his shoulder up for a two count.

Rollins went up top, jumped off, Gunther moved and Rollins landed on his feet. Rollins went for a rollup for two, but Gunther countered it into a Sleeper and the fans reacted to that as a big move. Rollins was back up to his feet with a discus forearm. Rollins hit another discus forearm. Gunther came back with a clothesline. Gunther wanted to go up top, but Rollins jumped up there and Rollins hit a superplex, followed by a Falcon Arrow for a two count. That’s a classic Rollins sequence. Rollins applied a Sleeper on Gunther and the fans were going crazy, but Gunther got his foot on the bottom rope. Rollis ran the ropes and hit a suicide dive on Gunther. Rollins hit a second suicide dive. Rollins went for a third suicide dive, but Gunther got him. Gunther gave Rollins a Powerbomb on the apron. Gunther gave Rollins a Powerbomb on the commentary table. Rollins countered Gunther and hit a Pedigree on the commentary table. They were on the floor for a long time. Rollins jumped off one commentary table and hit Gunther with a Stomp on the commentary table. Bron Breakker ran down to ringside and hit a Spear on Rollins on the floor. The referee never saw it, apparently, because he was checking on Gunther on the floor. Gunther was back in the ring, Rollins was selling the Spear and Gunther applied the Sleeper hold. Rollins passed out in the hold, so Gunther got the win. It went 15:48.

Winner by submission: Gunther

Analysis: ****1/4 Awesome match. It got to that four-star level in my opinion. They are two of the best in-ring performers who wrestled a fast-paced match early on, then it slowed down, and they hit big moves. Those crowd reactions to the Sleeper show that the move that Gunther has won some big matches has a lot of credibility with the fans. As for the Bron Breakker appearance costing Seth Rollins, if you read my preview, then you know I called it. Just saying. Anyway, I hope we get a Gunther-Rollins rematch again soon. I’m glad that they got nearly 20 minutes because this match needed that. It was even longer with the action before the bell rang.

After the match, Rollins was out on the floor selling the attack as he looked at Breakker at the top of the ramp. Breakker ran down the ramp at a very fast speed, as usual for him, and hit a Spear on Rollins at ringside. I guess Seth could have tried to move, but he didn’t and he took the Spear. Breakker was greeted by his manager, Paul Heyman, at the top of the ramp.

Analysis: That was cool. I look forward to the Bron Breakker-Seth Rollins rivalry in the months ahead. Working with Rollins will help Breakker grow into a main eventer.

There was a Highlight of the Night video showing Paige’s WWE return.

The WWE Hall of Fame inductees were on the stage: The families of Hulk Hogan & Andre The Giant accepting the Immortal Moment, the family of Bad News Brown, Celebrity Hall of Famer Dennis Rodman, Ax & Smash of Demolition, Legacy Hall of Fame inductee Sid Vicious was represented by his family and AJ Styles. Stephanie McMahon also walked out onto the stage to greet the fans. Stephanie showed off her hug WWE Hall of Fame ring.

Analysis: I only watched the Stephanie McMahon and AJ Styles induction speeches on Saturday morning. The show started so late last night. Stephanie and AJ did a great job. I’ll watch the Demolition part tomorrow, most likely.

There was another Hulk Hogan documentary clip that ran for about four minutes.

A graphic was shown of the six matches taking place on WrestleMania Sunday.

Liv Morgan made her entrance to her new theme song called “Trouble.” Live did a dance routine with some dancers on the stage. Liv was wearing a suit style outfit, so the girls pulled her outfit off and she had her wrestling gear on. Cool entrance. Liv also had a visible scar on her forehead from the rough bump she took backstage a few weeks ago.

Stephanie Vaquer made her entrance as the Women’s World Champion with some headgear and she looked confident as usual. Vaquer has been the champion since September as she faces Morgan for the first time. Morgan earned this shot by winning the Women’s Royal Rumble in January.

WWEWomen’s World Championship: Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan

Vaquer was aggressive early on as they left the ring and Vaquer sent Liv into the barricade. Back in the ring, Vaquer hit a double knee attack on Liv against the turnbuckle. Liv came back with a Powerbomb out of the corner. Liv hit the Three Amigos vertical suplex as the fans booed her for doing that. Liv hit a running kick to the head. Liv went up top and jumped off with a splash, but Vaquer got her knees up. Vaquer hit a belly-to-back suplex. Vaquer hit the Devil’s Kiss knee smash as Liv did a good job of smacking the mat to make some noise while the fans cheered for it. Vaquer hit a double underhook lift, leading to Vaquer’s knees hitting Liv in the jaw. Liv hit a backstabber knee attack to the back. Vaquer countered a move with a rollup for two. Vaquer hit a double underhook backbreaker for a two count. Liv hit a Codebreaker double knee attack, Vaquer bounced back and hit an Oblivion on Liv for a two count. That is Liv’s finisher and it only got a two count for Vaquer. Vaquer went up top as the referee noticed Roxanne Perez on the apron. Raquel Rodriguez arrived on the other side and knocked Vaquer off the top rope. Liv hit Oblivion on Vaquer for just a two count. Liv was shocked that it was only a two count. Vaquer kicked Liv in the chest. Vaquer kicked Perez and Raquel off the apron. Liv ran at Vaquer, who ducked and Liv dove onto Raquel at ringside. Vaquer hit a cross body block off the top on Raquel and Perez at ringside. Liv sent Vaquer into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Liv jumped off the top with a Codebreaker knee attack on Vaquer. After Vaquer went up against the ropes, Liv hit Oblivion for the second time for the pinfall win at 8:55.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Women’s World Champion: Liv Morgan

Analysis: ***1/4 Good match and a title change that I expected, but I was hoping they would get 15+ minutes for a match like this. Instead, it felt like it was cut short, and I’m not sure why it was as short as it was. I still enjoyed the action. Vaquer was on fire throughout the match, while Morgan benefited from her friends. A cheap win for Morgan, but also fitting for a heel like her.

Liv Morgan celebrated with the Women’s World Title and she was joined by “boyfriend” Dominik Mysterio in the ring. Liv Morgan celebrated with The Judgment Day in the ring and declared she’s the greatest Women’s World Champion of all time.

Let’s Hear from John Cena

John Cena was in the ring, saying it’s been amazing so far. Cena announced tonight’s attendance. Cena said there’s been a lot of speculation about what it might be. Cena claimed there were people everywhere. Cena announced tonight’s official attendance: 50,816 people. Cena thanked the fans as pyro went off.

Analysis: That attendance is definitely lower than in past years, but the gate is going to be massive due to how expensive the tickets are.

Welcome Back Bianca Belair

Bianca Belair made her entrance. It has been a full year since we have seen her since she was injured with a broken finger at WrestleMania 41 last year. The fans gave Belair a huge ovation.

Belair said that you can’t spell WrestleMania without EST. Belair said it’s been a long time since she’s been out here with us. Belair thanked everybody for the love and support. Belair said she missed the fans. Belair said you can’t have WrestleMania without a few surprises. Belair opened up her outfit to reveal she’s pregnant! Yeah! Congrats to Bianca and her husband Montez Ford. Cena hugged her. Belair: “Because the EST is having a baby!” Cena said thank you for allowing our WWE family to share this moment with yours. Cena said we need to include the youngest WWE superstar in history (the baby) for being in attendance tonight. Cena hyped up the crowd, saying the main event is up next.

Analysis: I’m very happy for Bianca Belair and Montez Ford. They are an awesome couple, and that’s going to be a very athletic kid! I wish her the best with the pregnancy. Of course, I miss watching Belair in a WWE ring, but obviously, it’s a good reason to miss some time, in addition to the finger injury she had over the last year. Congrats again to Bianca and Montez.

A clip aired from the Hulk Hogan documentary aired for us on Netflix again. I keep getting tweets from people complaining about ads on this show, which I assume ESPN viewers are getting. It sucks, but they paid a lot of money to show this, so they need to try to make money. That’s the world we live in.

There was a lengthy video package for the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton main event. They were the best of friends, but Orton turned heel about a month ago because Orton heard the voices in his head and he wants the WWE Title for a 15th time. Orton is also listening to Pat McAfee, who is hated by the fans. I thought the video package was excellent.

Randy Orton made his entrance as the fans sang along with his legendary “Voices” song. Orton did a very slow walk down the long ramp because he’s the kind of guy who isn’t in a big rush. The fans sang along with “Voices” nearly the whole way. The announcers went silent for most of Orton’s entrance. Orton did his classic pose on the turnbuckle and Cole complained about McAfee doing the pose as well. Cole: “Look at this jock rider.” That made me laugh. That Orton entrance took almost as long as some of the matches on this show, just saying. I do like the theme song at least.

The Cody Rhodes introduction was shown with images of his past in WWE, from his days as a rookie to “Dashing” Cody and even a Stardust outfit. They showed his belt history and the outfit he wore for his WWE return four years ago. Cody rose from under the stage with the Undisputed WWE Championship around his waist. That led right into “Kingdom” playing in the stadium. A lot of fans were singing his song. Cody greeted his family at ringside, including wife Brandi and a big hug for daughter Liberty. Cody continued his posing. Ring announcer Alicia Taylor did the championship introductions.

The ring announcer, Alicia Taylor, did the championship introductions. Before she could introduce Randy Orton, Pat McAfee took the microphone from her and he introduced Orton instead. Pat called the fans “fatass bums” as he said Orton will become a 15-time World Champion and he will save the business. Taylor did the introduction of Rhodes as usual. It sounded like some boos for the babyface WWE Champion, but a lot of cheers too.

As referee Charles Robinson held up the WWE Title, McAfee attacked Cody with a microphone. Orton attacked Cody with stomps. Cody got back up, kicked McAfee and sent Orton into the ring post. Cody hit a Cross Rhodes on McAfee and the fans cheered for that. Cody kicked Pat out of the ring. Cody cleared off the commentary table and put Pat on it. Jelly Roll was at ringside and he jumped off the Spanish commentary table and put Pat through the commentary table. Jelly Roll told Cody to give them the one-on-one fight that they came to see. Cody was smiling. The EMTs went out to ringside with a stretcher and McAfee was put on the stretcher. The bell hadn’t rung yet, so this was all before the match. As Pat went up the ramp on the stretcher, he did a thumbs up salute and a middle finger salute to the crowd.

Analysis: There’s a way to take Pat McAfee out of the match by having Cody Rhodes hit Cross Rhodes and Jelly Roll hit the elbow drop through the table. That’s a way to make the fans happy.

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

The bell rang to start the match at 9:29 p.m. ET, and as I mentioned, the great Charles Robinson was the referee for this match.

They did some basic holds early on. Cody hit a powerslam. Cody went for a Cody Cutter off the ropes, but Orton caught him and Orton hit a backbreaker. Orton was selling a back injury, which the announcers were talking about before the match. Orton grabbed a headlock, Cody countered it with a belly-to-back suplex and Orton left the ring to sell the back injury. Orton kicked Cody and sent Cody into the ring. Cody tackled Orton back-first into the turnbuckle and Cody applied a half crab submission. Cody hit a double axehandle to the lower back. Cody hit a forearm to the back and a knee to the back. Cody sent Orton hard into the turnbuckle and Orton bailed to the floor again. Cody put Orton into the ring and grabbed a waist lock to keep working on the back. Cody got a rollup for two and Cody hit a forearm to the back. Cody hit a suplex for two. Cody went up top, he took way too long and Orton tripped up Cody on the turnbuckle. Orton met Cody up to, and Orton hit a superplex off the top, which Orton has been doing for decades, as his father did. Orton was selling the back injury again. Orton hit two clotheslines, along with a powerslam. Orton hit the draping DDT off the ropes. Cody sent Orton out of the ring and tried a dive, but Orton punched Cody to stop that. Orton gave Cody a belly-to-back suplex on the Spanish commentary table. When Cody got back up, Orton grabbed him by the shoulder and Cody shoved Orton into the ring post. Orton was bleeding from the forehead, so here’s a rare WWE match with a blade job. Cody worked over Orton with punches and kicks.

Cody was getting booed as he stomped on Orton’s body on the mat, just like Orton has done many times. Cody hit a Disaster Kick for a two count. Cody touched some of Orton’s blood and put it on Cody’s chest. Cody hit his own version of a draping DDT off the ropes and there were boos for him. Cody teased setting up for an RKO (a CKO?) and Cody charged, but Orton avoided it. Orton sent Cody into the turnbuckle and Orton hit Cross Rhodes for a two count. The fans thought that was it. Orton went for an RKO, Cody avoided it and hit a backslide pin for two. Cody was back up and hit an RKO (CKO?) for a two count. That was a great nearfall. The fans were getting into the match more now after a slow start to the match. Orton left the ring again, so Cody went after him. Cody sent Orton into the Spanish commentary table. Cody gave Orton a belly-to-back suplex on the Spanish table that wasn’t enough to break the table. Cody was fired up in the ring and the fans booed. Cody tried a move, but Orton was able to turn around and hit an RKO for the 1…2…no! Cody got his left shoulder up.

It turned into a slugfest as they exchanged punches. Cody poked Orton in the eye, so Orton was blinded, and Orton hit an RKO on referee Charles Robinson. Cody looked at the referee face first on the mat. Orton was going to go for a low blow kick, but Cody stopped it, and Cody hit a low blow kick on Orton. The fans booed that. Cody went to the ropes and Cody jumped off the top with a Cody Cutter, but Orton caught Cody with an RKO. Pat McAfee ran out to the ringside with a referee shirt and a neck brace on. Orton covered Cody for the 1…2…no because Cody got his right shoulder up. It almost looked like Pat stopped his count and was waiting for Cody to kick up. Orton hit an RKO on McAfee. Cody was back up and hit Cross Rhodes on Orton for the pinfall win at 22:55. Cole said that the student beat the teacher and praised Cody for having the killer instinct.

Winner by pinfall: Cody Rhodes

Analysis: ***3/4 I’d call it a very good match in the second half, but the first half was perhaps a bit too slow. I think it’s fair to say Cody was heelish through a lot of this match, but his actions could also be defended by saying he was just being smart by working over Orton’s back injury throughout the match. The ending with the eye poke, Orton’s RKO on Robinson, the return of McAfee as a referee for some reason, and then Orton dropped McAfee for an RKO, which ended up costing Orton the match because Cody hit Cross Rhodes to win. I thought it was going to be Cody hitting his finish on McAfee and Orton capitalizing with an RKO to win, but nope. They went another direction. Kudos to WWE for the creativity for that.

Cody Rhodes celebrated with the WWE Title above his head. Orton grabbed the title and hit Cody in the head with it. Cody was on his knees, so Orton backed into the corner and Orton hit the running Punt to Cody’s head. The fans reacted to that in a big way. Cody’s blonde hair was full of blood. Orton stood over Cody with the WWE Title in his hands while the fans were booing. That’s the end of WrestleMania Saturday.

Analysis: It’s obvious this rivalry will continue based on the post match attack by Randy Orton. We haven’t seen a Punt like that in several years. I picked Orton to win the WWE Title at WrestleMania, and it didn’t happen, but I think he’ll get precious #15 in the coming months. Cody sold it really well.

WWE WrestleMania 42 Saturday had a runtime of 3 hours, and 55 minutes.

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Five Stars of the Show

1. Gunther/Seth Rollins

2. Cody Rhodes/Randy Orton

3. Jacob Fatu/Drew McIntyre

4. Liv Morgan and Becky Lynch

5. (tie) Paige & Brie Bella – Welcome back, Paige!

5. (tie) Bianca Belair – Congrats on the pregnancy!

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Final Thoughts on WWE WrestleMania 42 Saturday

I’m going 7 out of 10 for this show.

I thought it was a mixed bag of a show on WrestleMania Saturday. Calling it solid feels fair, but I also know some fans hated it more than me. I tend to think I am more rational than most. It didn’t blow me away, or anything like that, but three matches stood out and those three delivered. The other four matches were kept under 10 minutes, and I don’t really agree with that. I feel bad for the talent whose matches were cut short.

I think the show format hurts it overall because of so many breaks between matches, and matches aren’t as long as they should be. With this lineup, there should have been more outstanding matches, but it wasn’t at that level. The 7 matches lasted a total of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and when you realize they had four hours to fill, that just isn’t enough, in my opinion. It leads fans to hate WWE for cutting matches short and running four minutes of ads because ESPN wants to make some money off the huge investment they made. On Netflix, we got clips of Hulk Hogan’s documentary during those ad breaks. It’s business, and ads are part of the world we live in, but wrestling fans were used to watching PLEs/PPVs for decades without ads, and now they seem too ad-heavy.

The three standout matches were Gunther-Seth Rollins, Jacob Fatu-Drew McIntyre, and the main event with Cody Rhodes retaining the WWE Title against Randy Orton. Two of those matches had interference, so they weren’t clean endings. I thought another two or three matches could be great (especially Morgan-Vaquer), but they just weren’t given a chance because the matches were kept under 10 minutes.

On a positive note, it’s good to see Paige back and already holding gold in WWE, while Bianca Belair’s pregnancy announcement was great too. I’m happy for her and husband Montez Ford. Nice job by them. Bring on night two.

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