Highs and Lows of Day 1 of WrestleMania

WrestleMania 42’s Night 1 was an exciting showcase of the WWE's biggest stars, promising unforgettable moments, high-octane matches, and shocking returns. From Cody Rhodes' bloody battle against his mentor Randy Orton to Paige’s emotional return to the ring after eight years, this WrestleMania did not disappoint, even though not everything went according to plan. Let’s dive into the highs and lows of an action-packed night in Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium.

The Main Event: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton – A Bloody Clash of Generations

The night’s main event was a long-awaited clash between Cody Rhodes, the Undisputed WWE Champion, and 14-time world champion Randy Orton. Their storied history, dating back to their time together in the Legacy faction, was ripe for a dramatic showdown. The match began with an awkward build, featuring unnecessary celebrity distractions (Jelly Roll and Pat McAfee), which initially threatened to overshadow the fight. However, WWE quickly refocused the attention on the two wrestlers in the ring.

The match itself was gritty and personal, with both men leaving it all on the line. Rhodes, targeting Orton’s potentially injured back, delivered a series of brutal moves, including a series of Cross Rhodes, while Orton showcased his signature moves such as his devastating RKO despite his apparent physical limitations. The match reached a fever pitch as Orton was busted open and the intensity ramped up, but the involvement of McAfee (who counted a controversial pinfall) distracted from what could have been a pure, hard-hitting contest.

In the end, Rhodes secured the victory, but not before Orton landed a brutal post-match punt to Rhodes’ head, further intensifying the emotional stakes. Despite some confusion surrounding McAfee's interference, the match was a rollercoaster of emotions. The booking here was perplexing, especially with the celebrity involvement detracting from the powerful drama between mentor and mentee. Still, Rhodes retained his title, but WWE missed an opportunity for a truly iconic finish. Grade: C+

Paige’s Triumphant Return – A Feel-Good Moment for the Women's Division

One of the biggest surprises of the night came when Paige made her long-awaited return to the ring after an eight-year hiatus due to a neck injury. Replacing the injured Nikki Bella, Paige was inserted into the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship match, which became a feel-good moment for fans. The crowd erupted when Paige tagged into the match, immediately making an impact as she nearly pinned Lyra Valkyria with a Paige Turner.

The match itself was fast-paced and entertaining, with Paige delivering some of her signature moves and showing that, despite the long layoff, she still had what it took to compete at the top level. After a back-and-forth battle, Paige and Brie Bella managed to overcome the champions, Bliss and Flair, and other formidable opponents like Bayley and Valkyria. Paige’s victory in her first match back, winning the tag titles, was a symbolic moment for the WWE Women’s division, providing a much-needed spark. Grade: B

Seth Rollins and Gunther Deliver a Classic – But Breakker Steals the Show

One of the best technical matches of the night saw Seth Rollins face off against Gunther, a battle between two of WWE's top in-ring performers. The match lived up to expectations, with both men showcasing incredible counters, high impact moves, and raw athleticism. Gunther’s resilience was on full display as he kicked out of multiple finishers, while Rollins continuously pushed the pace with his aerial offense and high-impact maneuvers.

However, the match took an unexpected turn when Bron Breakker made his return, spearing Rollins mid-match and tipping the scales in Gunther’s favor. Despite the interference, Gunther locked in a rear-naked choke, forcing Rollins to submit. The match was a clinic in wrestling, and Gunther's victory is a crucial step in his growth as a top-tier star in WWE. The addition of Breakker sets up an exciting future feud between him, Rollins, and Gunther, elevating all involved. Grade: A

iShowSpeed and the Chaos of Celebrity Involvement

Social media star iShowSpeed was thrust into a chaotic match with The Usos, LA Knight, and Logan Paul. Though Speed had little experience in WWE’s squared circle, he made the most of his moments, mixing flashy high-flying moves with some basic wrestling fundamentals. The match’s structure played into his limitations, and he found himself entangled with the bigger, more experienced competitors.

Things got heated when Speed inadvertently cost his team the match, setting up a series of chaotic post-match moments that involved Logan Paul laying out Speed with a vicious knockout. In an unexpected twist, Speed came crashing down onto Paul from the top rope, leaving the audience with a viral moment. While the match didn’t offer much substance, it succeeded in generating buzz and entertaining fans with its sheer spectacle. Grade: B

Fatu vs. McIntyre – A Brutal Unsanctioned Brawl

The unsanctioned match between Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre was an all-out war from the moment it began. Both men came to the ring prepared for violence, and it didn’t take long for weapons like steel chairs, wrenches, and tables to be introduced. The match was aggressive and chaotic, with each competitor taking punishing bumps. Fatu’s durability and resilience shone through as he withstood a Claymore and suplexes onto chairs before delivering the finishing blow with a moonsault off the second rope, sending McIntyre crashing through a table.

The unsanctioned stipulation worked perfectly in the context of their feud, and Fatu’s victory was hard-earned. It was an intense, no-nonsense brawl that never overstayed its welcome. Grade: B+

Lynch vs. Lee – A Controversial Victory for the Women’s Intercontinental Title

Becky Lynch and AJ Lee’s match for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship was a grudge match that had been building for months. Their rivalry reached a boiling point at WrestleMania, but it was clear that Lynch wasn’t above taking shortcuts to win. Despite Lee’s dominance throughout most of the match, including countering Lynch’s moves and keeping her on the defensive, Lynch eventually resorted to underhanded tactics. She used a low blow, followed by a Manhandle Slam, to secure the win and capture the title.

While the match told a decent story of Lynch’s cunning and Lee’s resilience, it didn’t feel like a memorable encounter. The shenanigans overshadowed the in-ring work, leaving the fans with a sour taste at the end. Grade: C+

Final Thoughts: A Night of Surprises and Missed Opportunities

WrestleMania 42 Night 1 had its fair share of highs and lows. While Paige’s return was heartwarming, and Rollins vs. Gunther lived up to the hype, the main event was bogged down by celebrity distractions and questionable booking decisions. However, the night overall delivered strong performances, viral moments, and new feuds that set the stage for an exciting remainder of the weekend. WWE fans should be looking forward to what comes next but, as always, there's room for improvement.