Shane McMahon vs. AJ Styles

Background: AJ Styles has felt that he hasn’t been respected by Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan. Styles nearly got into the main event of Wrestlemania but was beaten by Randy Orton and AJ was not happy. Styles wanted to be on the Wrestlemania card and attacked Shane McMahon backstage, throwing him into a car. Shane would then challenge Styles to a match at Wrestlemania, giving him a match on the biggest show of the year. AJ accepted the challenge and the match was made.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time match between these two men.

Wrestlemania Record: Shane McMahon is 2-1 at Wrestlemania, AJ Styles is 0-1.

Match: Both men suffered losses at Wrestlemania last year to The Undertaker and Chris Jericho respectively. It’s a cagey start but AJ gets the first knockdown in. Styles mocks McMahon. There’s some nice chain wrestling between the two with Shane getting the first near fall of the night before mocking Styles to boo’s from the crowd. Shane hits his trademark jabs. AJ Styles takes the advantage and slows the pace down a bit. Shane fires back with jabs and hits an Angle Slam for a near fall. AJ locks on the calf crusher but Shane manages to reverse it. AJ drops McMahon on the top rope and then looks for a springboard 450 but Shane counters and locks on a triangle choke. AJ manages to break the choke with a Styles Clash! Both men slug it out and AJ looks for an enzeguri but Shane ducks and AJ hits the referee! Styles hits a Pele kick but the referee is down. Styles grabs a trash can and sets up Shane for the Van Terminator but McMahon nails him with the trash can! Shane then sets AJ up for the Van Terminator and hits it! Shane hooks the leg and the referee is awake but Styles kicks out!

Shane lays AJ down on the announce table and then goes up top and flies off for an elbow drop but AJ moves out of the way! AJ rolls Shane back into the ring and motions for a phenomenal forearm but McMahon counters and hits a DDT. Shane then looks for a shooting star press but AJ moves! AJ then hits the phenomenal forearm and that’s enough for the win!

Result: AJ Styles wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a good match to kick off the show. It had it’s slow points but there was plenty of action and we had all the standard Shane McMahon spots that you want to see at Wrestlemania. It was a good match and the two men had chemistry. I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw this match again!

Rating: 7/10

Chris Jericho (c) vs. Kevin Owens – United States Championship match

Background: These two men used to be best friends. Kevin Owens would attack Chris Jericho during their Festival Of Friendship after Jericho signed Owens up for a Universal Title defence against Goldberg. Jericho would cost Owens the match and the title and KO would then challenge Jericho to a match at Wrestlemania for the United States Championship.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time PPV match between these two men.

Wrestlemania Record: Chris Jericho is 5-7 at Wrestlemania, Kevin Owens is 0-1.

Match: There’s a huge list of Jericho on the stage as Jericho makes his entrance. Jericho also has a light up scarf for the special occasion. Jericho locks the Walls Of Jericho on within seconds of this match getting underway. Owens exits the ring but Jericho goes up top and wipes him out with a cross body. Owens soon takes the advantage and talks a lot of trash as he does so. He looks for a powerbomb on to the apron but Jericho counters with a back body drop. Owens counters a codebreaker and hits a package powerbomb for a near fall. KO has a gash on his forehead, I didn’t see how that happened. Jericho blocks a frog splash and KO blocks a lionsault before Jericho blocks a senton bomb! Jericho hits the lionsault for a near fall. Owens looks for a cannonball in the corner but Jericho counters and locks on the Walls Of Jericho but KO gets to the ropes. Owens hits a pop-up powerbomb but Jericho kicks out! Owens looks for a second pop-up powerbomb but Jericho counters with a codebreaker! Jericho hooks the leg but KO gets one finger on the bottom rope. KO hits a powerbomb on Jericho onto the ring apron and that’s enough for the three!

Result: Kevin Owens wins by pinfall.

Review: This was another good match. It’s weird to see a show open up with two long matches. Sometimes it’s nice to have a short one between to break it up. Kevin Owens wins the match and the United States Championship. I’m not sure if Jericho is hanging around but if he is then I’m sure we’ll get another match between the two.

Rating: 6/10

Bayley (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Charlotte vs. Nia Jax – Fatal four way elimination match for the Raw Women’s Championship

Background: Originally it was announced that Bayley would defend against former champion Charlotte. Sasha Banks was then added to the match when she beat Bayley and Nia Jax was later added when she also beat Bayley. These are the top four girls on the Raw roster and they compete for the top prize.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time fatal four way match between these four girls.

Wrestlemania Record: Charlotte is 1-0, Sasha Banks is 0-1 and both Nia Jax and Bayley make their Wrestlemania debut tonight.

Match: Sasha has the most elaborate entrance, she comes out on the back of a car. The bell rings and Bayley, Sasha and Charlotte all look to triple team Nia Jax but Nia fights them all off. Jax hits a banzai drop on Bayley! Nia throws Charlotte into Sasha and Bayley on the outside. If this is anything like Royal Rumble booking then Nia will be the first out. Sasha, Bayley and Charlotte once again triple team Nia, hitting her with a big suplex. They hit a triple powerbomb on Nia and all three girls pin Nia to eliminate her from the match! The other three girls then go at it and Charlotte hits a big corkscrew moonsault to the other two girls on the outside. Charlotte looks for natural selection but Sasha counters nicely into the Banks Statement. Charlotte fights out of it and throws Sasha into an exposed turnbuckle before pinning her for the 3! Sasha i eliminated so we’re down to Bayley and Charlotte. Bayley hits a flying elbow drop to get the victory!

Result: Bayley wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent enough match. I’m a little surprised to see Bayley win but it’s nice to see the title not change hands again. I liked the psychology although Sasha’s elimination was a bit of a nothing fall. I was expecting Charlotte to win to be honest. A huge win for Bayley at Wrestlemania.

Rating: 6/10

Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (c) vs. Enzo & Big Cass vs. Sheamus & Cesaro vs. The Hardy Boys (Matt & Jeff) – Ladder match for the Raw Tag Team Championships

Background: The rivalry between Gallows & Anderson, Cesaro & Sheamus and Enzo & Cass has been going on for a few months now. Gallows & Anderson interrupted a number one contenders match between the two other teams and Mick Foley made the match a triple threat match for Wrestlemania.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time match between these four teams.

Wrestlemania Record: Sheamus is 2-3 at Wrestlemania, Cesaro is 1-0, Gallows and Anderson make their Wrestlemania debut, as do Enzo and Cass. Matt Hardy is 2-6 and Jeff Hardy is 0-5.

Match: The crowd are hot for this one due to the return of Matt and Jeff Hardy. They hit poetry in motion on Gallows and Anderson to a huge pop. Cesaro is always fun to watch, he springboard s on to the ladder. and then climbs on Luke Gallows shoulders before hitting a stomp on Anderson. Big Cass is such a big guy, he hits big boots to anyone moving. The Hardy’s set up ladders on the outside bridging the ring to the barricade. Cesaro swings Anderson around as Sheamus lays into Gallows. Cesaro then hits the Swiss-1-9 on Luke Gallows. Apparently the last time the tag team championships changed hands at Wrestlemania was at Wrestlemania 17! Enzo gets very close to winning the titles whilst on Big Cass’s shoulders but Gallows and Sheamus put a stop to that. Gallows and Anderson hit the magic killer on Cesaro before Matt Hardy hits Gallows with the twist of fate. Matt then hits a twist of fate on Anderson off the top of the ladder. On the outside of the ring Jeff Hardy climbs a huge ladder then dives off hitting the swanton bomb on Cesaro through a ladder. Matt Hardy then climbs the ladder in the ring and pulls down the titles to win the match!

Result: The Hardy Boys win the Raw Tag Team Championships.

Review: This was a fun match. It’s good to have the Hardy Boys back and they got such a huge pop. I wonder if we’ll see Broken Matt?

Rating: 6.5/10

John Cena & Nikki Bella vs. The Miz & Maryse – Mixed tag team match

Background: This all started with Maryse slapping John Cena. Since then Miz and Maryse have mocked John Cena and Nikki Bella, dressing up as them. Miz claims John Cena and Nikki Bella’s relationship is fake and Nikki is using Cena to improve her career.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time mixed tag team match between these two teams.

Wrestlemania Record: The Miz is 3-2, Maryse is 1-1, John Cena is 9-3 and Nikki Bella is 0-3.

Match: Al Roker from the Today Show is the ring announcer for this match and Jerry Lawler is out on commentary for this one. John Cena and Miz have main evented a Wrestlemania before but this is very different. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen Maryse in the ring. She starts the match but quickly tags out to her husband. Miz takes the early advantage after suckering Cena in. Miz hits his trademark clothesline in the corner and the crowd seem to be right behind Miz. He looks for a second corner clothesline but Cena gets out of the way. Maryse stops Nikki from tagging in by dropping her on the apron. Miz takes some time to mock Daniel Bryan, hitting the yes kicks. Miz gets in the face of Nikki Bella who slaps him. Cena then finally makes the tag to Nikki Bella and she goes right to work on Maryse. Nikki knocks out Maryse with a forearm and then Nikki and Cena hit a double five knuckle shuffle to Miz and Maryse! Cena and Nikki hit their finishers and double pin Miz and Maryse for the win!

Result: John Cena and Nikki Bella win by pinfall.

Review: This was a fun match. It was a bit slow with Miz dominating for a long time but he’s decent enough in the ring to carry a match. Nikki and Maryse didn’t really get into the match much but it was Nikki that scored the victory in the end. Cena will probably go away for a while now but The Miz has really stepped it up in the next 12 months.

Rating: 5.75/10

Seth Rollins vs. Triple H

Background: Triple H once took Seth Rollins under his wing and took him all the way to the WWE Championship. Since Seth has come back from injury their relationship hasn’t been the same/ Triple H cost Rollins the Universal Championship and since then Rollins has vowed revenge. Samoa Joe, Triple H’s latest hired gun, put Rollins on the shelf, injuring the former WWE Champion. Triple H would accept Rollins challenge but only if the match was unsanctioned.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time singles match between these two men.

Wrestlemania Record: Triple H is 9-11 at Wrestlemania, Seth Rollins is 3-1.

Match: Triple H has an elaborate entrance on a massive motorbike with Stephanie on the back. Rollins has something that looks like an olympic torch. The fight immediately goes to the outside where the two men fight over the barricade. Rollins springboards off the barricade with a clothesline and then stares down Stephanie. Triple H hits a DDT on the announce desk. Triple H then targets Rollins injured left knee as he keeps the advantage. Rollins looks for a sunset flip powerbomb but his knee gives way. Rollins counters a pedigree attempt and then hits a buckle bomb. Triple H rolls to the outside where Seth hits a cross body to the outside. Seth then brings a chair into the match but Triple H takes the advantage, hitting a big spinebuster. Triple H goes up top but Rollins throws the chair at him. Seth then hits a superplex and a falcon arrow. Rollins heads to the top but Stephanie pulls him back down! Triple H then locks on a kneebar. They roll to the outside where the hold is broken. Triple H then brings the sledgehammer into play but Rollins fights it out of his hands.

Rollins picks up the sledgehammer and looks to use it but Stephanie grabs it out of his hands! That distraction is enough for Triple H to hit a pedigree! Rollins kicks out of the pinfall. Triple H looks for a pedigree off the top but Rollins fights him off and then hits a phoenix splash for a near fall. Both men counter each others pedigree attempts and Stephanie holds Rollins for Triple H! Rollins escapes the grip and kicks triple H into his wife who falls off the apron and through a table! Seth then pedigree’s Triple H and that’s enough for the victory!

Result: Seth Rollins wins by pinfall.

Review: This felt like it dragged on a bit. The problem is that there have been so many good matches tonight and they’ve all been given loads of time so the show feels like it’s dragging a bit. Seth gets the win thankfully and we got a good spot at the end with Stephanie going through a table. That probably got the biggest pop of the match. Seth wins and that’ll probably be Triple H’s last match until next years Wrestlemania.

Rating: 6/10

Bray Wyatt (c) vs. Randy Orton – WWE Championship match

Background: Randy Orton joined the Wyatt Family last year and claimed Bray Wyatt as his master. After Orton won the Royal Rumble he refused to face Wyatt at Wrestlemania. Bray would give Orton the keys to his house, where the remains of Sister Abigail are but Orton would show his true colours and burn down the house. Orton had to beat AJ Styles to regain his Wrestlemania spot which he did. Wyatt would “become one” with Sister Abigail and vows to beat his challenger at Wrestlemania.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time singles match between these two men on pay per view.

Wrestlemania Record: Bray Wyatt is 0-2 at Wrestlemania, Randy Orton is 5-7.

Match: Ortons entrance is awesome, with a snake making it’s way down the LED board entrance. Randy takes the early advantage and looks for an RKO but Wyatt scarpers. Wyatt has had Wrestlemania matches against John Cena, The Undertaker and Randy Orton. We get a top shot and what looks like a projection of maggots as Randy lies in the middle of the ring. Wyatt beats down Orton and we get another projection, this time of worms. Wyatt dominates for a while until the fight goes to the outside and Orton hits an RKO. He slides Wyatt back into the ring and pins him but Wyatt kicks out. Randy looks for a punt but Wyatt gets out of the way. Orton counters Sister Abigail with a backbreaker and then hits the hangmans DDT. Orton motions for an RKO but Wyatt counters with Sister Abigail for a near fall. Wyatt bends over backwards and we get a projection of beetles. But Orton hits an RKO out of nowhere and that’s enough for the three!

Result: Randy Orton wins by pinfall.

Review: This match felt slow. It wasn’t brilliant. I doubt it’ll be the end of this rivalry, I can see it carrying on for a while. Randy won’t be happy with this Wrestlemania match. The projection stuff was weird but different. I couldn’t get into this one to be honest.

Rating: 4.5/10

Goldberg (c) vs. Brock Lesnar – Universal Championship match

Background: Goldberg returned to WWE at the end of last year and beat Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series. After Goldberg eliminated Lesnar from the Royal Rumble match Brock would challenge Goldberg to another match at Wrestlemania. Goldberg accepted and would then go and win the Universal Championship from Kevin Owens thus upping the stakes of the Wrestlemania match.

Previous PPV matches: Goldberg has beaten Brock Lesnar twice before.

Wrestlemania Record: Brock Lesnar is 3-3 at Wrestlemania, Goldberg is 1-0.

Match: Are we about to see another short match? Lots of boo’s for Goldberg. Jojo has become a very good ring announcer by the way. Not that she has to do Brock Lesnar’s introduction, Paul Heyman has that covered. The bell rings and Lesnar hits three German suplexes but turns around into a spear from Goldberg! Goldberg hits a second and Brock rolls out of the ring. Goldberg then spears Lesnar through the barricade and the crowd are lapping it up. Back in the ring and Lesnar counters a jackhammer but Goldberg counters the F5 and hits a spear. Goldberg hits a jackhammer but Lesnar kicks out of the pinfall. Lesnar leapfrogs over a spear and hits a German suplex and then six more Germans before hitting an F5 and that’s enough for the three!

Result: Brock Lesnar wins by pinfall.

Review: Well this was longer than their last match. I always enjoy a Brock Lesnar match however long or short they are. This was another enjoyable contest. A shorter match was needed at this point in the night. We’ve got another part-timer as Universal Champion but I hope it makes for some good matches this year.

Rating: 7/10

Alexa Bliss (c) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Naomi vs. Mickie James vs. Natalya vs. Carmella – Six pack challenge for the Smackdown’s Women’s Championship

Background: Alexa Bliss was told that she was going to have to defend her Women’s Championship against all available members of the Smackdown’s women’s division. Becky Lynch, Mickie James and Natalya were soon to be joined by Carmella and then the returning Naomi.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time 6 way match between these six girls.

Wrestlemania Record: Becky Lynch is 0-1 at Wrestlemania, Naomi is 0-1, Natalya is 0-2, Mickie James is 1-2 and both Carmella and Alexa Bliss make their Wrestlemania debut tonight.

Match: Carmella has James Ellsworth in her corner. All six girls pair off as the bell rings. Naomi hits a nice hurricanrana on Natalya. Becky Lynch and Mickie James both have unique looks tonight. Ellsworth gets involved, grabbing Becky Lynch’s leg. The action in this one is fast paced. Becky is dominant for a long time. James Ellsworth then gets in the ring and tries to hit no chin music on Becky but she counters it and hits a Bex-ploder suplex. Naomi hits a sunset flip on Natalya who in turn hits a German suplex on Becky Lynch. Natalya then locks on a double sharpshooter to Naomi and Carmella. Mickie hits a DDT on Becky but Carmella breaks up the pinfall. All the girls get their stuff in. Naomi hits the rear view on Alexa and then dives out at all of the girls. Naomi locks a submission on Alexa who taps out! Naomi wins in her hometown!

Result: Naomi wins by submission.

Review: This was a decent enough match. These faster paced matches are making a nice change from the slow pace we’ve had for a lot of the night. Naomi wins the title in her hometown which totally makes sense.

Rating: 5.75/10

The Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns – No Holds Barred match

Background: Roman Reigns eliminated The Undertaker in the Royal Rumble match this year. Since then Reigns has been claiming that the WWE is now his yard. The Undertaker would return to chokeslam Reigns on Raw and the match was made between the two.

Previous PPV matches: This is a first time singles match between these two men.

Wrestlemania Record: The Undertaker is 23-1 and Roman Reigns is 3-1.

Match: The bell rings and the two men get right into it with Undertaker throwing Reigns out of the ring and claiming his yard. The fight goes to the outside where Undertaker throws Reigns into the ring steps. Reigns then pushes Undertaker into the ringpost and follows it up with a drive by. Back in the ring and Undertaker hits snake eyes, a big boot and a legdrop. Undertaker chokeslams Reigns onto an announce desk on the outside before taking apart the Spanish announce table. Undertaker stands on the main announce desk and motions for something but Reigns spears him through the Spanish desk! Undertaker gets back into it with the last ride for a near fall. Undertaker brings a chair into play, hitting Reigns with it a few times. Reigns hits a superman punch but Undertaker then chokeslams him on chair. Undertaker then hits a tombstone for a near fall. Undertaker looks for a second tombstone but Reigns counters and tries to get Undertaker up but falls over. That wasn’t good. Reigns hits a superman punch for a two count.

Reigns hits a spear and looks for a pinfall but Undertaker counters and locks on hells gate! Reigns gets to the ropes to break that hold. Reigns picks up the chair and leathers Undertaker with it. Reigns hits another spear for a near fall. Roman hits another spear for another near fall. Reigns hits a superman punch and Undertaker tries to sit up but he falls back down. Reigns hits another spear and that’s enough for the three.

Result: Roman Reigns wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a decent enough match. Another long match with a slow pace. Roman Reigns gets a big win and is only the second man to beat Undertaker at Wrestlemania. This felt like a handing of the torch.

Rating: 6/10