WWE WrestleMania 38 Night 1 Results
WWE WrestleMania 38 is finally and will place over two shows rather than one single event. In the past we’ve seen WrestleMania last for up to eight hours, so two shorter shows is a welcomed change for many fans.
In total, there will be 14 matches across the two nights, with seven on each plus the KO Show segment during Night 1.
Many of the WWE championships will be defended over the course of WrestleMania 38 including the main event of the Showcase of the Immortals which will see Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns face off in a winners take all match for both the WWE and Universal Championship.
Both women’s championships are set to be defended on Night 1, with Becky Lynch defending the Raw Women’s Championship against Bianca Belair, and Charlotte Flair defending the Smackdown Women’s Championship against Ronda Rousey.
Another highly anticipated match is Seth Rollins vs a mystery opponent that Mr. McMahon will choose. Current rumors suggest it will be Cody Rhodes, but other possibilities include the likes of Shane McMahon.
Here is our breakdown and results for WrestleMania 38 Night 1.
READ MORE: WrestleMania 38 Night 1 main event revealed
Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs vs. Usos (C) – WWE Smackdown Tag Team Championship
The team of Shinsuke Nakamura and Rick Boogs is a rather new one, with Boogs only making his debut on Smackdown in 2021. Whereas The Usos have been on the main WWE roster since 2010 and are currently seven-time tag team champions.
The Bloodline started off WrestleMania on a strong footing, with The Usos managing to retain to Smackdown Tag Team Championship after taking out Rick Boogs by aggravating his injured knee.
Winner: The Usos
Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
Honestly, I didn’t expect too much from this match, I figured it would be decent but largely forgettable, I was wrong.
The match was very entertaining, with the cracks beginning to show between Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss.
As expected, Drew McIntyre was able to score the pinfall after hitting a Claymore Kick. But, that isn’t the biggest news when it comes to the match, McIntyre managed to kick out of the End Of Days finishing move, marking the first time in Corbin’s decade-long WWE career that anyone has kicked out.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
The Mysterios vs. Logan Paul & Miz
Logan Paul made his WWE debut at WrestleMania 38 teaming up with The Miz to take on The Mysterios, the father and son duo of Rey and Dominik Mysterio.
Despite being his first match, he had no problem getting in on the action and also clearly understood the nature of professional wrestling, and never attempted to go into business for himself.
The YouTube sensation could certainly have a bright future ahead of him if he decided to make WWE a more full-time venture.
WrestleMania 38 also marked the first WrestleMania for Dominik Mysterio, so the stakes were incredibly high for both teams.
In the end, The Miz and Logan Paul were able to win the match in one of the greatest finishes that we will likely see at WrestleMania 38.
Logan Paul performed Eddie Guerrero’s Three Amigos and Frog Splash on Rey Mysterio.
He then received a 619 for his troubles, but The Miz was able to then perform a Skull Crushing Finale for the win.
But, The Miz then turned on Logan Paul, hitting another Skull Crushing Finale.
Winners: The Miz and Logan Paul
Bianca Belair vs. Becky Lynch (C) – WWE Raw Women’s Championship
Becky Lynch vs Bianca Belair certainly has a big fight feel about it, with both receiving long entrances, and it has to be said that Bianca Belair looks like an absolute star here and her entrance shows the commitment to Belair by WWE.
Lynch looked to emulate their Summerslam 2021 match with a quick finish, but Belair was able to kick out.
Both Superstars went back and forth when it came to offense, with it not looking clear who was going to win, although we all knew what the result would be before the match even began.
Hair has played a crucial part of this feud and it once again came into play during the match, with Becky Lynch using Belair’s hair to pull her into the steps. Speaking of hair, can we take a moment to appreciate Becky’s new look after Belair cut her hair a few weeks ago.
This is the first match of the show that I didn’t write as the match took place, instead, I watched the match and my eyes were glued to the screen, this match was incredible.
Both Superstars gave the match a big fight feel, with plenty of finishers and high-risk moments including a Manhandle Slam onto the steel steps.
As expected, Bianca Belair won the match and captured the Raw Women’s Championship, with Belair winning titles at back-to-back WrestleMania’s, first defeating Sasha Banks at WrestleMania 37 for the Smackdown Women’s Championship, and now Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship.
It can’t be understated just how good Bianca Belair is, especially considering her career only began in 2016. Belair’s is a star that shines incredibly bright, I wish this match never ended.
Winner: Bianca Belair
Seth Rollins vs. TBD
Here it is, the match we’ve all been waiting for. For weeks Seth Rollins has been trying to get a match at WrestleMania 38, even attempting to steal Kevin Owen’s spot with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Vince McMahon confirmed he was going to WrestleMania, but against a mystery opponent that McMahon will reveal when Rollins is in the ring.
After weeks of rumors and speculation, the mystery opponent turned out to be…Cody Rhodes
Yes, it is true, Cody Rhodes is back in WWE.
This return is monumental as we’ve never really seen anyone from AEW jump ship to WWE, whereas dozens have left WWE for AEW. It makes it even bigger with the fact that AEW was co-founded by Cody Rhodes.
As expected, the match itself was fantastic and had a main event feel, with both Superstars being at the top of their game. When it comes to performance quality, it might not get any better than Seth Rollins, he is on par with the world’s greatest, and Rhodes has learned the main event style and how to be at the top since leaving WWE.
The match was full of false finishers, including an inverted superplex from the top rope by Rollins, and a Cross Rhodes by Cody, with both kicking out.
If this match was the main event of a PPV I guarantee everyone in the arena would go home happy, which speaks volumes as to the quality of the match.
At one point in the match, both Superstars attempted the Pedigree, with Rhodes eventually hitting a underhook powerbomb.
This was quite ironic because Rhodes has thrown a lot of shade at Triple H in AEW, so teasing his finishing move was amusing to watch.
In the end, Cody Rhodes was able to win the match after hitting a double Cross Rhodes and then Dusty’s Bionic Elbow as a tribute to his father before hitting a final Cross Rhodes, marking his first match in the company in six years and it will be interesting to see what the future looks like for Rhodes in the coming weeks and months.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
And, can we talk about the shade thrown by WWE and BT Sports here.
Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair (C) – WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship
As expected from the two, the Smackdown Women’s Championship match had a very big match feel, however when compared to Lynch vs Belair earlier in the night, it didn’t quite live up to expectations.
With both Superstars being submission specialists, the match was full of submission moves including Flair’s Figure Of 8, and Rousey locking in the Armbar and Ankle Lock.
Surprisingly, a submission move wasn’t used to end the match. Towards the end of the match, Charlotte Flair accidentally speared the referee knocking him down.
While Rousey was checking on him, Charlotte kicked her in the face which allowed her to get the win, very unusual for no finishing move to be used.
It seemed like the commentators spent a lot of time trying to cover for the two Superstars and the quality wasn’t what was expected, but it was still decent enough, it should have been placed onto the Night 2 card though.
Winner: Charlotte Flair
New Day vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland (w/ Butch)
This match was scheduled to take place, but it appears to have been cut due to time constraints. We will update this with information as to whether it has been canceled or moved to Night 2.
KO Show with Stone Cold Steve Austin
For many weeks, fans have been speculating as to whether Stone Cold Steve Austin would be stepping back into the ring for a match for the first time in 19 years.
To close out the show, Stone Cold Steve Austin came to the ring on a quad bike to sit down and have a chat with Kevin Owens, but Owens wasn’t just looking for a chat, he was looking for a fight.
Austin accepted the match, calling for a referee to come to the ring and start the match. For the first time since 2003, Austin was back in the ring competing.
It is understandable that Austin had lost a step or two and was moving much slower, but he seemed to loosen up as the match went on and even took a Suplex onto the concrete.
The match was largely a brawl and a lot of fun to watch, with Austin hitting the Stunner for the win after ducking a chair shot from Owens.
To close out the show, Austin hit a Stunner on Byron Saxton and drank beer in the ring with his brother.
This will likely be the last time Austin steps into the ring, but at 57 years old he still put on a fun match and it was great to see the Texas Rattlesnake in the ring one last time.
WrestleMania 38 begins at 8 ET/5 PT on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
