The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs – Smackdown Tag Team Championship match

Background: Rick Boogs and Shinsuke Nakamura asked for a Smackdown Tag Team Championship match at Wrestlemania and they could have their match so long as an injured Rick Boogs could beat Jey Uso in singles action. It turned out that Boogs wasn’t really injured and he defeated Jey to get his team the title opportunity.

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

Wrestlemania PPV Record: Jimmy Uso is 1-2, Jey Uso is 1-1, Shinsuke Nakamura is 0-2 and Rick Boogs wrestles at Wrestlemania for the first time tonight.

Match: We get a great performance from Rick Boogs as he plays he and Shinsuke to the ring. Shinsuke Nakamura and Jimmy Uso kick off the match and Nakamura starts well. The Usos soon take control, making quick tags. Nakamura tags in Boogs who picks up the pace. Boogs has got amazing power and he showcases that as he suplexes Jey Uso. Boogs picks Jey up onto his shoulders and then tries to pick up Jimmy as well but the weight is too much and Boogs legitimately blows out his knee. Shinsuke tags in and hits Jey Uso with a seated German suplex before looking for a Kinshasa but Jey hits him with a superkick and Jimmy comes off the top with a splash for a near fall. The Usos double team Shinsuke, hitting him with the 1D (3D) for the win.

Result: The Usos retain the Smackdown Tag Team Championships by pinfall.

Review: It was a real shame that Rick Boogs suffered an injury. I think this changed the whole match and they probably had to change the finish. I think The Usos were always going to win though and they got the big win tonight. The match was shorter than I think it was supposed to be and who knows how long Rick Boogs will be out for. Sadly, that’s what this match will be most remembered for.

Rating: 3.75/10

Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin

Background: Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss have taken shots at Drew McIntyre as of late, even making jokes about his dead mother. At Day 1 Drew McIntyre defeated Madcap Moss in singles action but after the match Moss and Corbin attacked McIntyre, taking him out of action for a few weeks. Drew would also defeated Moss at Elimination Chamber. Tonight, Drew finally gets his match against Corbin.

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

Wrestlemania PPV Record: Drew McIntyre is 2-4 at Wrestlemania, Corbin is 2-1.

Match: The bell rings and McIntyre goes right to work on Corbin. Corbin takes a shot at McIntyre’s knee but it doesn’t slow Drew down. Corbin takes the advantage by throwing McIntyre into the ringpost. Corbin throws McIntyre into the corner, hard. Corbin keeps control with some right hands. Madcap Moss gets up on the apron celebrating but that distracts Corbin. Drew takes control of the distraction with a spinebuster, clotheslines, a throw and a neckbreaker. Corbin counters both a futureshock DDT and a claymore, hitting a deep six. McIntyre counters a chokeslam and looks for a claymore but Madcap Moss pulls Corbin out of the ring so Drew dives out at both men! McIntyre counters end of days, Corbin avoids a claymore and Corbin then hits end of days but McIntyre kicks out of the pinfall attempt! Drew is the first person ever to have kicked out of end of days. McIntyre hits the futureshock DDT and a claymore for the win. After the match Madcap Moss gets up on the apron again so Drew McIntyre swings the sword and chops the ropes in half!

Result: Drew McIntyre wins by pinfall.

Review: This match was ok. Nothing spectacular from there guys but enough to give Drew the big win tonight. It was the right result, it’s not a great spot on the card for McIntyre who has been challenging for the WWE Championship the last two years. This could be the beginning of the end for the happy folk. A win for McIntyre tonight.

Rating: 4.25/10

Dominik & Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz & Logan Paul

Background: On the January 31 episode of Raw, The Miz defeated Dominik Mysterio. The following week, Dominik and his father Rey Mysterio were guests on “Miz TV”. Rey claimed that Miz cheated to defeat Dominik while Miz took issue that Rey had an opportunity to qualify for the WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match while he did not and also that Rey was the cover star of the WWE 2K22 video game. Miz also questioned if Rey was truly Dominik’s dad, referencing the child custody battle that Rey had with Eddie Guerrero back at SummerSlam in 2005. Dominik then defeated Miz in a rematch. Rey then defeated Miz during the Elimination Chamber Kickoff pre-show. Later backstage, Miz accused Rey of cheating due to Dominik and said he would find a tag team partner who was a “global superstar”. On the following episode of Raw, as Miz teased the identity of his partner to face Rey and Dominik at WrestleMania 38, The Mysterios interrupted, stating it did not matter who Miz had chosen. Miz then revealed his partner as social media personality Logan Paul, after which, Miz and Paul attacked The Mysterios.

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

Wrestlemania PPV Record: The Miz is 3-6 at Wrestlemania, Rey Mysterio is 4-5 whilst both Dominik Mysterio and Logan Paul make their Wrestlemania debut tonight.

Match: The Miz and Rey Mysterio kick off the match and a distraction from Logan Paul gives The Miz the early advantage. Logan Paul tags in and takes some shots at Rey. Miz and Dominik tag in and there’s some interesting tag teamwork form the Mysterios. Dominik takes down both opponents with some nice high flying before hitting a corkscrew to the outside on Miz. Logan stands in the wrong corner. Logan Paul hits a running powerslam on Dominik for a near fall. Miz and Logan hit kicks on Dominik for a near fall. Logan Paul hits a blockbuster for another near fall. Dominik hits a tornado DDT and tags in his father. Rey picks up the pace, hitting a seated senton and a kick to the face for a two count. Rey hits a moonsault and all hell breaks loose with all four men. Rey looks for a 619, Miz counters but Rey hits a tornado DDT for a near fall.

Logan Paul tags in, his timing with Dominik has been off. Logan hits the three amigos on Rey Mysterio and the crowd boo loudly. Paul goes up top, does the Eddie shuffle and hits a frog splash before hitting a frog splash. Dominik’s timing was off for the save but Rey kicked out anyway. Logan Paul eats a double 619 and two frog splashes but Logan isn’t legal. Miz powerslams Dominik onto Rey and then hits Rey with the skull-crushing finale for the win! After the match The Miz hits Logan Paul with a skull-crushing finale!

Result: The Miz and Logan Paul win by pinfall.

Review: This was a fun match. Logan Paul made a decent showing for himself. The bar has definitely been raised for celebrity matches with the likes of Logan Paul and Bad Bunny. Miz and Logan Paul win the match that could have gone either way. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see Logan Paul again. A match against The Miz maybe?

Rating: 6/10

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Bianca Belair – Raw Women’s Championship match

Background: At SummerSlam in August 2021, Becky Lynch, who had been on maternity leave since May 2020, made a surprise return and defeated Bianca Belair in an impromptu match to win the SmackDown Women’s Championship in 26 seconds. Over the course of the next month, Lynch would continue to retain the championship against Belair using underhanded tactics before both were drafted to Raw in the 2021 WWE Draft; Lynch and Raw Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair, who was drafted to SmackDown, traded their championships to keep the titles on their respective brands, thus Lynch became the Raw Women’s Champion. After Belair failed to earn a title shot at the 2022 Royal Rumble and also failing to win the women’s Royal Rumble match, Belair won the women’s Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber to finally earn a one-on-one match against Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship at WrestleMania 38. This in turn scheduled the only two women to win in the main event of WrestleMania against each other at WrestleMania (Lynch at WrestleMania 35 and Belair at WrestleMania 37 Night 1, respectively).

Previous PPV matches: These two girls have wrestled on PPV twice before, Becky won the first very quickly and Bianca won the second by disqualification.

Wrestlemania PPV Record: Becky Lynch is 2-2, Bianca Belair is 1-0.

Match: There’s no expense spared on both girls entrances. Becky comes out in a limo whilst Bianca has a marching band play her to the ring. The match starts as it did at Summerslam, a right hand from Becky and then a manhandle slam but this time Bianca kicks out of the pin. Bianca hits some suplexes but Becky fires back only to miss a moonsault. Belair then tries to lock on an armbar but Becky gets out of it. There’s a bit of a botch where Bianca can’t get Becky up but Lynch thinks on her feet and rolls Bianca up. Becky shoves Bianca into the ring steps and takers control from there. Becky hits a soft legdrop to the back of the head for a two count. Belair hits a suplex on the outside and both girls go down. Back in the ring and Bianca hits a glam slam and a moonsault for a near fall. Bianca scoops Becky up on the middle rope and then just drops her on the top rope. I’m not sure about that move. Belair hits a 450 splash for a very near fall.

Becky hits a Molly-go-round but kicks Bianca in the face, hard. Belair counters a manhandle slam and hits a spinebuster. Bianca counters the disarm her and looks for a KOD but instead just dumps Lynch out of the ring. Becky hits a manhandle slam on the ring steps and then looks for another in the ring but Bianca counters and hits the KOD for the win!

Result: Bianca Belair wins the Raw Women’s Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a great match. Bianca Belair proves once again that she can really go in the ring. This could have easily main evented the show. The crowd were really into it too. There were some nice spots. But this one was all about Bianca Belair winning the title and getting her revenge from Summerslam.

Rating: 8.5/10

Seth Rollins vs. Cody Rhodes

Background: For weeks, Seth “Freakin” Rollins attempted to get a spot at WrestleMania. After failing to defeat Kevin Owens and AJ Styles to take their respective spots, Vince McMahon summoned Rollins into his office on the morning of March 28. McMahon stated that he would choose an opponent for Rollins to face at WrestleMania 38 and the opponent would be revealed at the event itself while Rollins was waiting in the ring on WrestleMania Saturday.

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

Wrestlemania PPV Record: Seth Rollins is 6-3, Cody Rhodes is 1-5.

Match: Cody Rhodes gets the upper hand in the early going, hits an arm drag and then cartwheels and poses, a nod to a gimmick that he won’t be revisiting. Cody hits a flat back uppercut, similar to the one his brother used to hit. Both men counter each others finishers and then counter each others suplexes until both men go tumbling over the top rope to the outside. Back in the ring and Cody dictates a slow pace. He hits a kick used by his first tag team partner Hardcore Holly. Rhodes hits a big suicide dive and then a moonsault for a two count. Rollins takes control by powerbombing Cody into the barricade. Rollins then hits a flying knee strike and looks for the stomp but Cody counters and hits Cross-Rhodes for a near fall.

Rollins hits an inverted superplex into a slop drop for a near fall. Both men counter a pedigree attempt form the other. Rhodes hits a powerbomb and a Cody cutter for a near fall. Seth hits a pedigree for a near fall. Cody then hits two Cross-Rhodes and then some jabs and a bionic elbow just like his daddy. Rhodes hits another Cross-Rhodes and that’s enough for the three.

Result: Cody Rhodes wins by pinfall.

Review: This was a great match. It’s so good to see Cody Rhodes back. There was plenty of false finishes, plenty of high spots but it had a big match feel. It felt like two main event heavyweights going at it. Cody had to win and he did. I think he’ll be the biggest babyface on the roster and it won’t be long before he and Roman Reigns square off. Great return for Cody Rhodes tonight.

Rating: 8.5/10

Charlotte Flair (c) vs. Ronda Rousey – Smackdown Women’s Championship match

Background: At the Royal Rumble, Ronda Rousey, in her first appearance since WrestleMania 35 in April 2019, made a surprise return and won the women’s Royal Rumble match to earn a women’s championship match of her choice at WrestleMania 38. After pondering her choices due to having heated history with both reigning champions, on the following episode of SmackDown, Rousey announced that she would challenge Charlotte Flair for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.

Previous PPV matches: This is a second PPV match between these two girls. Ronda beat Charlotte by disqualification in their previous match.

Wrestlemania PPV Record: Charlotte is 3-2, Ronda Rousey is 1-1.

Match: I’m fully expecting this match to be stiff and as the bell rings, Charlotte goes right into Ronda. There’s some nice takedowns from Ronda. Ronda hits some big strikes and then a head scissors on the apron. Charlotte takes control using the apron and ringpost to her advantage. Charlotte applies facelocks and dragon sleepers but Ronda won’t submit. It’s back and forth from here with neither girl keeping control for too long. Charlotte hits a spear for a near fall. Charlotte hits chops which light Ronda’s chest up. Charlotte applies a Boston crab on the top rope which I’ve never seen before, probably because it’s pointless. The two girls exchange submissions, ankle locks and leg locks until Charlotte breaks an ankle lock and both girls are gassed. Ronda looks for an armbar but Charlotte counters, locking on a figure eight! Ronda reverses it but Charlotte gets to the bottom rope to break it. There’s a standoff but Ronda hits Pipers Pit for a near fall. Charlotte hits natural selection for a near fall. Charlotte looks for figure eight but Rona kicks her away and Charlotte spears the referee. Ronda locks on an armbar and Charlotte taps out but the referee is out. Ronda sees to him but Charlotte takes out Rousey with a running boot. Charlotte hooks the leg and gets the three!

Result: Charlotte retains the Smackdown Women’s Championship by pinfall.

Review: This was a stiff match. It was a good one too. Two of the greatest women to do it. I’m actually surprised that Charlotte won, I thought Rousey would. The finish keeps the rivalry going though and I Think we’ll see these girls go to battle again.

Rating: 7.5/10

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin vs. Kevin Owens – No Holds Barred match

Background: After weeks of disrespecting the state of Texas, on the March 7 episode of Raw, Kevin Owens invited the “Texas Rattlesnake”, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, as a special guest on the “KO Show” at WrestleMania 38. A day later, Austin accepted and it was announced that the segment would occur on WrestleMania Saturday. It was all a trick from Owens though, who wanted a match with Steve, challenged him and Austin accepted!

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

Wrestlemania PPV Record: Kevin Owens is 3-2 at Wrestlemania, Steve Austin is 5-2.

Match: The bell rings and the two men slug it out, an exchange Austin wins before he stomps a mudhole in Kevin Owens. the fight goes to the outside where Austin continues his assault. Owens gets back into it, throwing Austin into the ringpost but Stone Cold gets back into it and the two men fight through the crowd where Owens hits a suplex. Back at ringside and Austin has a beer as he lays into KO. Owens drops Austin on the top rope and then looks to getaway on Austin’s quad-bike but he can’t start it. Austin takes Owens for a ride on it to the entrance stage where he hits Owens with a suplex. The fight goes back to the ring where Austin has a couple more beers. KO hits a stunner out of nowhere and then swings a chair at Austin who ducks and he hits himself. Stone Cold then hits a stunner and hooks the leg for the three!

Result: Stone Cold Steve Austin wins by pinfall.

Review: You know what, this wasn’t a class but it was fun, it was entertaining and it was everything it needed to be. Stone Cold got the win in Texas which was the right result and Kevin Owens was the perfect guy to get the win against. I don’t know if this is the last time we see Steve Austin, maybe he’ll get the bug. A great way to end the show though and pure nostalgia to see Stone Cold celebrate at the end of a Wrestlemania.

Rating: 6/10