Keisha Hatchett
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The biggest night of wrestling went Hollywood… again!
WrestleMania 39, set for Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 at SoFi Stadium, marked the pay per view’s second time coming to the Greater Los Angeles area. As you’ll recall, WrestleMania 21 took place at the Crypto.com arena (then known as the Staples Center) back in 2005.
Night 1 featured a stacked card, starting with Austin Theory defending his United States Championship against John Cena. The night also included The Judgement Day’s Rhea Ripley challenging Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Former honorary Bloodline member Sami Zayn teamed up with Kevin Owens to battle Jimmy and Jay of The Usos for the Undisputed Tag Team Championships. Speaking of family feuds, 2023 Hall of Fame inductee Rey Mysterio finally faced off against his son Dominik after months and months of feuding.
Meanwhile, Becky Lynch paired partnered with fellow Women’s Tag Team Champion Lita and Trish Stratus in a six-woman tag match against Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY of Damage CTRL. Oh, and Seth “Freakin” Rollins fought against Logan Paul in singles competition.
Plus, a WrestleMania showcase match featured Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Viking Raiders.
Read on below for the results from WrestleMania Night 1, which will be updated in real time. Don’t forget to add your commentary below!
United States Championship: John Cena vs. Austin Theory (c)
Image Credit: Courtesy of WWE John Cena, who holds the Guinness Book of World Records for the most Make-A-Wish wishes granted, made his big entrance accompanied by a group of Make-A-Wish kids who dreamt of attending WrestleMania.
The opening match featured some highs and lows, like Theory biting Cena’s ear and Cena locking in the STF. Theory again bit Cena to break out of the signature move and taunted the crowd with a “You Can’t See Me” reference. One of Theory’s greatest assets is his ability to work a crowd and get fans to boo him.
Theory’s sleeper hold almost stopped Cena, but then Cena rebounded with a takedown followed by a “You Can’t See Me” taunt and a Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cena even made Theory tap with an ankle lock but, unfortunately, the referee was knocked out. That gave Theory time to low-blow Cena, land the A-Town Down and make the pin to retain his United States title.
Winner: Austin Theory
Braun Strowman and Ricochet vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy vs. The Viking Raiders.
Image Credit: Courtesy of WWE Titus O’Neil (2020 Hall of Fame — Warrior Award inductee, former Tag Team Champion) joined the announcer’s table to add his commentary to this Fatal 4-Way tag team match.
This was a wildly entertaining match in which big men proved that they, too, could defy gravity.
Highlights: Chad Gable performing a rolling German suplex on Braun Stroman was a sight to see. Plus, Dawkins hit a Swanton Bomb, Ivar then performed a moonsault from the top rope, and that was followed by Strowman with a frog splash — also from the top rope. Otis even hit the World’s Strongest Suplex on Strowman.
Not to be outdone, Angelo Dawkins literally tackled Hanson, and Ricochet connected with a Shooting Star Press right in front of the announcer’s table. Ricochet then hit a moonsault, but landed on Dawkins’ knees. Montez connected with the belly splash from the top rope, allowing his partner Dawkins to get the pin.
Winners: The Street Profits
Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins vs. Logan Paul
Image Credit: Courtesy of WWE Much like Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 12, Logan Paul came in from the rafters. Seth Rollins, meanwhile, brought out a live band including a conductor to lead the crowd in singing Rollins’ theme. The loud chorus rang throughout the stadium.
These two seemed evenly matched, each gaining momentum at different points. Paul leapt to the top rope and hit a moonsault that ultimately didn’t connect. Rollins, reminding us he should be in the main event, hit three consecutive suicide dives on Logan outside of the ring. The Architect then attempted a Pedigree, but Logan countered, and that led to back-to-back reversals. Paul hit Rollins in the jaw — seemingly injuring his right hand— and nearly got the pin, but Rollins kicked out at the last second.
Rollins also got a near-fall after executing a perfect Sit-Out Powerbomb. But then, Paul’s energy drink mascot (KSI in disguise) interfered, allowing Paul to gain the upper hand. Quick thinking from Rollins allowed him to move out of the way as Paul sent KSI through the announcer’s table, and Rollins hit the Pedigree for the pin. But Logan kicked out!
Paul hit Rollins with a GTS and then a frog splash from the top rope for yet another near-fall. The YouTuber then attempted a Coast-to-Coast, but Rollins connected with a super kick followed by his signature Curb Stomp to get the pin.
Winner: Seth Rollins
Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus vs. Damage CTRL
Image Credit: Courtesy of WWE Some backstory: Becky Lynch and Lita defeated Damage CTRL to become the current Women’s Tag Team Champions, and even recruited Trish Stratus in their growing feud against Bayley, Dakota Kai and IYO SKY. This match marked Dakota Kai and IYO SKY’s first WrestleMania appearance.
All six women threw punches before the match even started. But it was Bayley and Becky Lynch — one half of the Four Horsewomen of NXT — who kicked things off. Later into the match, Lita got the upper hand on SKY, connecting with a hurricanrana and a creative dropdown from the top rope (wrapping her feet around SKY’s neck).
Trish Stratus achieved some highlights of her own, hitting a neck breaker on Kai and almost landing her signature inverted takedown. Lita and Lynch flipped Stratus upside down, allowing her to send Kai flying off the top rope and onto Kai’s Damage CTRL cohorts. Trish then connected with the Stratusfaction on Kai, but walked right into a Bayley-to-Belly. Everyone spilled onto the outside of the ring, and SKY leaped from the top rope with a smooth moonsault. Nobody was leave standing.
In the end, Lita landed a Twist of Fate and a moonsault on from the top tope, followed by Lynch hitting Bayley with the Manhandle Slam to get the pin.
Winners: Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio
Image Credit: Courtesy of WWE Some backstory: Rey Mysterio and his son Dominik went from WWE Tag Team Champions to feuding family thanks to interference from The Judgement Day. Referring to them as his new family, Dominik joined the dark stable after turning on his father.
Grammy-winning artist (and impressive wrestler) Bad Bunny joined the Spanish commentators for this father-son matchup.
The disrespect: Referencing his arrest during the holidays, Dominik walked to the ring handcuffed and accompanied by uniformed officers. He even wore his father’s signature Luchador mask to add insult to injury.
Eddie Guerrero tribute: Rey Mysterio rolled up in an orange lowrider that was driven by Snoop Dogg, with “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” by Dr. Dre (feat. Snoop Dogg) playing. He then walked out to Eddie Guerrero’s theme “Lie, Cheat and Steal,” which was then remixed into his “Booyaka 619” entrance theme.
Early into the match, Rey swing his son into the ropes and then spanked him with a belt. But Dominik continued his villain antics by taunting his mother and then throwing his sister’s drink in her face. When Dominik again got up in his mother’s face, she delivered a hard slap. The Dughementday showed up at ringside just in time for Dominik to flip Rey into the ropes, his head landing hard on the bottom turnbuckle.
Rey bounced back, hitting his son with his signature 619 move. But interference from Dominik’s Judgement Day family prevented Rey from landing his next move from the top rope. However, a newly rebooted Latino World Order showed up to even the score. Dominik connected with a 619 on his father followed by a frog splash — Eddie Guerrero’s signature move — and nearly got the pin.
When Dominik tried to use a metal chain on Rey, Bad Bunny intervened and took the weapon from him. This was distracting enough for Rey to connect the 619 and a frog splash to get the pin.
Winner: Rey Mysterio
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Rhea Ripley
Image Credit: Courtesy of WWE Rhea Ripley won the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble, earning her a title shot at WrestleMania for either the SmackDown Women’s Championship or the Raw Women’s Championship. But when Charlotte called her out, Ripley chose to go after the blue title.
History made: This was the first match in WrestleMania history to feature all women — the wrestlers (Flair and Ripley), the referee (Jessika Carr) and the ring announcer (Samantha Irvin).
Flair connected with a crossbody on Ripley and Rhea delivered some chips that sent the second-generation wrestler to her knees. Flair returned some chops of her own, with “Woo” chants roaring from the crowd. Rhea attempted Riptide, which Flair countered and maneuvered into a DDT. She nearly got the pin but Ripley kicked out. Flair then went for the Figure Four submission and Ripley fought her off.
Flair went to the top rope to attempt a moonsault, but Ripley slammed her on her face (taking a nasty bump in the process). Charlotte gathered herself and connected with the Natural Selection, only for Ripley to kick out yet again. The fight spilled onto the outside of the ring, with Ripley slamming Flair into the steps and dropping her onto her face in the ring for a near-fall.
Overall, an impressive match with some major highlights, including Ripley’s German Suplex, which ended with Flair landing face first on the mat. Flair recovered and connected with a moonsault from top rope onto Ripley on the outside of the ring. She attempted a Figure Four, followed by a spear, only for Ripley to hit the Riptide…. but Flair kicked out!
Charlotte rolled Ripley up for a near-fall, but Ripley pulled Flair into a Cloverleaf-style submission. Charlotte made to the ropes, hit Ripley with a spear and managed another near-fall. Both women then exchanged blows, and Charlotte finally locked in the Figure Four. If there was one thing to take away from tonight, it’s that both women put up one hell of a fight.
In the end, Ripley hit Charlotte with the Riptide from the top rope for the pin.
Winner: Rhea Ripley (new SmackDown Women’s Champion)
Surprise Match: Pat McAfee vs. The Miz
Image Credit: WWE screenshot WrestleMania guest Snoop Dogg brought up the fact that Miz didn’t have a match tonight, and Miz claimed to have issued an open challenge that nobody took him up on. That’s when Pat McAfee showed up challenge Miz in a singles match. Miz tried to back out of it, spurring McAfee to lead the crowd in a “tiny balls” chant.
With a referee ready to go, the match was on. McAfee quickly forced Miz into the corner with a series of punches followed by a spinebuster. An overwhelmed Miz rolled himself out of the ring and leaned up against the commentator’s table. He tried to walk out as the crowd booed him, and even shoved San Francisco 49ers player George Kittle. Kittle clotheslined Miz, and McAfee dove off the top rope. The former NFL player then finished Miz off with a punt — a nod to his football position.
Winner: Pat McAfee
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: The Usos (c) vs. Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens — Main Event
Image Credit: WWE screenshot Some backstory: This is the first time a tag team championship match has served as the main event for WrestleMania, and with good reason. The storyline leading up to it has been building for months. Sami Zayn joining the Bloodline meant he had to ditch his best friend Kevin Owens. While Zayn professed his loyalty to Reigns, the Tribal Chief remained skeptical. As Zayn’s relationship with Reigns grew increasingly strained, he fought to prove he belonged. But it all changed when Reigns assaulted Owens, and Zayn turned on the Bloodline to rescue his bestie. Tonight, they found themselves teaming up to challenge the Usos for the Tag Team Championship.
Ahead of the match, Lil Uzi Vert performed “Just Wanna Rock” to the more than 80,000 fans in attendance.
Jey Uso kicked off the match with Zayn, which was ironic given how hard Jey advocated for Zayn while he was in the Bloodline. Jey was aggressive early on, connecting with a suplex on the outside of the ring and then pummeling his former friend. Owens eventually tagged in, and took the Usos out from the top rope. He kept the momentum with back-to-back frog splashes on both Usos. Owens then hit the Swanton Bomb, but Jimmy countered with an Uso Splash immediately after that.
Things got hectic when Zayn hit Jey with Brain Buster on the apron, and Owens landed a Swanton Bomb from the top rope on Jimmy. Zayn then connected with an Uso Splash, but Jimmy kicked out. Jimmy and Jey dolled out additional punishment for Zayn with back-to-back super kicks. The fight especially spilled onto the outside of the ring, with Jimmy and Jay slamming Owens through the announcer’s table. They then hit the 1D, and Zayn became the first person to kick out of the finishing move.
Adding more insult, Jey hit Zayn with Zayn’s finishing move, the Helluva Kick. Zayn countered and tagged in Owens, which changed the energy of the match. Owens hit back-to-back Pop Up power bombs. Zayn connected with a Helluva kick and Owens hit the stunner… but it was an agonizing near fall. It wasn’t long before both teams were brawling again. A double super kick took out both Owens and Zayn. The Usos then landed splashes from opposite sides of the ring, only for Owens to kick out yet again.After a few more near falls, Zami found himself face-to-face with Jey again. He delivered three Helluva Kicks — while Owens took Jimmy out with a stunner — and got the pin.
Winners: Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn (new Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)
What did you think of WrestleMania Night 1? Which match was your favorite? Sound off below!
Adding more insult, Jey hit Zayn with Zayn’s finishing move, the Helluva Kick. Zayn countered and tagged in Owens, which changed the energy of the match. Owens hit back-to-back Pop Up power bombs. Zayn connected with a Helluva kick and Owens hit the stunner… but it was an agonizing near fall. It wasn’t long before both teams were brawling again. A double super kick took out both Owens and Zayn. The Usos then landed splashes from opposite sides of the ring, only for Owens to kick out yet again.