Welcome to the WrestleMania 2023 Night 1 Review for April 1, 2023.
John Cena vs. Austin Theory (US Championship match)
Going against John Cena at the biggest show of the year would be daunting for anyone, but Austin Theory was up to the challenge. He was a snaky champion, a few times bitting Cena. Cena was the strong wrestler, but a referee getting knocked out and a low blow proved the deciding factor. Theory hit the A-Town Down for the win.
Theory pinned Cena to retain the US Championship.
Men’s Showcase
A Four-way tag match that was hard hitting. Some highlights: Gable suplexing Strowman, Stowman hitting a frog splash, the biggest Tower of Doom with all eight men, a gravity defying shooting star press by Ricochet and a frog splash pinning win by the Street Prophets
The Street Prophets won the Four Way.
Seth Rollins vs. Logan Paul
Logan Paul deserves the respect of the wrestling world. He has shown that he is athletic to hang with the best and he understand the psychology. His match with Seth Rollins bult with every move and near full. A surprise KSI appearance turned bad as Paul frog splashed his business partner through a table accidentally. A coast to coast from Paul was stopped by a super kick and the Stomp sealed the deal.
Rollins pinned Paul
Becky Lynch, Lita and Trish Stratus vs. Damage CTRL
Lynch played the baby face in peril as Damage CTRL worked her over. Lita was tagged in first and then Trish came in with a flurry of blows. They even teamed up for a cool throwback move. Sky and Kai were able to hit some high flying moves. In the end, Lynch hit The Man Handle Slam from the top rope for the win.
Lynch, Lita and Stratus beat Damage CTRL.
Rey Mysterio vs. Dominik Mysterio
I can not overstate how much the crowd wanted Rey to beat the hell out of his son. This was a match, much like Logan/Rollins, that built as it progressed. The Mysterio family got involved Judgement Day and L.W.O got involved. After Bad Bunny stopped Dom from using a chain on his father, Rey was able to put his son in his place.
Rey pinned Dominik.
Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte (Smackdown Championship match)
A rematch three years in the making. This was about how hard each women were willing to hit to come home with the gold. Charlotte countered the Rip Tide into a DDT for a close 2. Rhea responded with a hard German Suplex off the top rope. After some serious back and forth, Rhea hiit a Rip Tide from the top rope for the win.
Ripley pinned Charlotte to become the new Smackdown Championship.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zyan vs The Usos ( Tag Team Championships)
This match started hot and never slowed down. This was about who wanted it more. Everyone hit everything they had and it was not enough. In the end. It took three Helluva kicks from Sami to Jey to put them down and begin the dissection of the Bloodline.
Zayn and Owens beat The Usos to become the new Tag Team Champions
Night 2 tomorrow