The WrestleMania Kick-Off Show is hosted by Kayla Braxton and she’s joined by Booker T, Jerry Lawler, JBL, and Peter Rosenberg. The fans in attendance chant for JBL and he encourages it. The panel joke around some before running down the card for tonight’s WrestleMania, which starts with Drew McIntyre Vs. Bobby Lashley for the WWE Championship.
We get a video package for Bianca Belair Vs. Sasha Banks for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. They point out that Belair and Banks will become the first two women to main event a WrestleMania in a singles match. JBL says, just like Ron Simmons when he won the title, this has nothing to do with race or gender, these women have earned it. Rosenberg says there is immense pressure on both women for different reasons, and they say this match will prove who is the best of the best.
The panel discuss The New Day Vs. AJ Styles & Omos and Booker jokingly says New Day are not great, they’re just lucky. Lawler say’s he’s excited to see Omos’ debut and thinks he’ll live up to the hype. Kayla says the bigger they are the harder they fall and The King corrects her, “the harder they hit”. Booker likens Omos to Francis Ngannou in UFC and how he’s a giant who didn’t have all the ability but still rose to the top. JBL says Ngannou didn’t have to do it as part of a team.
A video package airs of the feud between Bad Bunny, Damian Priest, The Miz, and John Morrison. Booker says Bunny took the guitar shot to the back and he got back up, which says a lot about him. Rosenberg says Bunny is a monster in pop music and he’s been putting in the work to prepare for this match. JBL and Lawler say tonight is the night the music dies when Miz and Morrison teach Bunny a lesson. Booker says Bunny has been in fights and he loves WWE but JBL says he loves football but he can’t score a touchdown. The panel is split on this one.
The panel run down the card one last time, then discuss the opening match, Drew McIntyre VS. Bobby Lashley. They quickly make their predictions for the match with JBL and Booker T siding with Lashley, and Lawler saying McIntyre will rise to the occasion. That’s it for the Kick-Off Show.
WRESTLEMANIA
Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 gets underway in Raymond James Satdium with 25,000 and Vince McMahon standing on the stage with most of the roster. Vince says this past year the WWE Superstars performed tirelessly for the fans but there was something missing. The most important thing of all: the fans. After a terrible year, on behalf of the entire WWE family, Vince welcomes everyone to WrestleMania. Bebe Rhexa attempts ‘America The Beautiful’.
As soon as the introduction video package airs, Michael Cole informs us that we’re suffering another weather delay and we’ll have to wait a little while. Earlier today there was a weather delay that saw the fans evacuate the stadium and some of the set get damaged. Hopefully this one doesn’t last too long but we already know the first match of the night and it’s a big one!
Sarah Schrieber is backstage with Shane McMahon and she asks how it feels to have the fans back. Shane says he had goosebumps and having the fans is the energy boost he needs to take-out Braun Strowman. Sarah says Shane has been bullying Braun and Shane says he hasn’t. He says he’s been using his brain, unlike Braun, and he has a few surprises in store for the cage match.
Bobby Lashley and MVP walk-up and interrupt Shane’s interview. MVP says the time for talking is done. This moment is to be the crowning of the All Mighty era. He says the only thing Drew McIntyre understands is violence and that’s the only language Lashley speaks. Drew wants the WWE Championship back but that isn’t happening. McIntyre appears and tells MVP to keep talking but MVP does his best to keep them apart. Drew says he’ll fight Lashley backstage if he has to, Mother Nature be damned.
Officials come to take Lashley away. Drew is asked where his head is at and he says he’s trying real hard to keep his emotions in check. A year ago he had his huge moment and he is so proud of everything he did but he’s got back to WrestleMania and a chance to win his title back but now the weather is trying to stop it. He doesn’t care what happens, he’s going to win that title regardless of where or how and it happens tonight.
New Day are interviewed backstage and Woods says they’ve been anticipating the return of fans for over a year but it feels so much better than they could ever have imagined. They’re asked why they agreed to fight Styles and Omos and Kofi says they love to take on all challengers and that’s why they’re the best. Woods says they’ve been fighting big guys since they both started wrestling and they can do it. They’ve beaten every team in the company. Big E randomly appears and Woods talks about how great he is and that he will retain tomorrow night. Big E says we’re gonna see why New Day are one of the greatest tag teams on Earth and we’re blessed to witness it.
Braun Strowman is interviewed backstage and he says he’s anxious to get out there and shut Shane McMahon up. He’s fighting for everyone who’s ever been bullied or made to feel stupid. Shane has backed him into a corner and he’s going to beat Shane to within an inch of his life.
Kevin Owens takes the microphone for himself backstage and recounts his history with Sami Zayn, going all the way back to 2002 and their matches in front of half a dozen in Quebec. They’ve been down this road a hundred times over twenty years, but he can guarantee no two men have ever been held down and told they’ll never make it as much as them. And now they get to do it once more on the WrestleMania stage. Sami Zayn is not the man he knew back then and tomorrow night he will Stun him, and if Logan Paul wants it he’ll be waiting.
The EST. of WWE, Bianca Belair, is interviewed. Belair says she is not scared or nervous, she is prepared and ready for this. She says she lvoes and craves competition, so she can’t wait to get in there with Sasha Banks, then walk out as the Women’s Champion. But the best part of all is having the fans back and it’s amazing.
Next up for an interview is Seth Rollins. He laughs manically and says he loves the chaos of all this. Kevin Patrick asks him about Cesaro and Seth gets annoyed. Rollins says they can talk about anything but he had to bring up Cesaro and The Swing. Week after week Cesaro has been disrespecting him and he can only assume he’s trying to use his star power to springboard into the stratosphere. Rollins says the rain will eventaully leave, the stars will shine, and he will take care of Cesaro and put on one hell of a performance.
The weather warning has passed and fans return to the arena, so out comes the hosts of WrestleMania, Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan. Titus welcomes us to his city and says the WWE Universe has the energy we’ve been craving, weather be damned. Hogan says we’re going to make history tonight and tomorrow night, and we’re going to get started right now with the first match of the night.
WWE CHAMPIONSHIP
(C) BOBBY LASHLEY W/MVP VS. DREW MCINTYRE
The match gets underway after ring introductions, and they lock-up and struggle for control. Lashley takes the back but Drew grabs the wrist. McIntyre gets shot off and Bobby floors him with a big shoulder tackle. McIntyre takes another headlock and again gets shot off but this time he avoids Lashley and hits a belly-to-belly and flips him off. Lashley shoves Drew in the face and they start trading back and forth until McIntyre forces him into the corner.
Lashley forearms Drew in the face but McIntyre clotheslines him over the top rope to the floor. Drew goes out but Lashley slams him into the barricade, then throws him into it a few times. Back inside the ring, Lashley hits a big shoulder tackle in the corner, followed by a neckbreaker and some ground-and-pound. Lashley clobbers the Scot with forearms, then chokes him on the bottom rope. Bobby looks for another big shoulder tackle but Drew avoids it and he hits the post. McIntyre targets the arm and looks for an armbar but Lashley punches himself free.
Lashley slaps McIntyre across the face, then backs him into the corner and shoulders him repeatedly. Drew is whipped to the opposite corner but he bounces back with a lariat. McIntyre ducks a clothesline and hits a belly-to-belly, then another. A neckbreaker and kip-up from McIntyre, he looks for the Future Shock but Lashley runs him into the buckles. Lashley eats an elbow and Drew follows-up with a northern lights suplex for two. Bobby lands a lariat and a roll-out dominator for a near-fall.
Drew hits a headbutt but the Champion retaliates with a spinebuster for two. Lashley attempts The Hurt Lock but Drew fights it and beats Lashley into the corner for a reverse Alabama slam for a near-fall. Drew puts Lashley on the top rope and chops him, then climbs up but gets dropped into the tree of woe. McIntyre sits up and throws Lashley across the ring, then looks for the Claymore but Lashley hits another spinebuster. Lashley signals for The Hurt Lock but McIntyre kips-up and Lashley can’t believe it.
They trade hands but Drew catches him with a belly-to-belly, then three Future Shock DDT’s! And Lashley kicks out. “This is awesome” from a real WWE crowd. McIntyre goes to the corner and counts down for the Claymore but Lashley rolls from the ring with MVP… only for Drew to leap over the ropes to wipe them both out! Drew puts Lashley back inside and gets on the top rope for a clothesline but he gets caught and thrown across the ring. Lashley hits a reverse STO, then looks for The Hurt Lock but Drew runs him into the buckles.
Drew runs and Lashley attempts a spinebuster but McIntyre counters with a Kimura! Lashley thinks about tapping but gets to the bottom rope. Both men get up and trade right hands in a slugfest. Lashley runs into a big boot and Drew hits a Glasgow Kiss. Drew wants a Claymore but MVP distracts him and Lashley ducks it. Lashley drills Drew with a forearm in the corner, then applies The Hurt Lock. McIntyre falls to a knee but climbs up and kicks off the turnbuckles and rolls backwards but Lashley holds on. Drew passes out.
WINNER: BOBBY LASHLEY
The fans inside Raymond James Stadium seemed genuinely shocked at that result but that was a really good match regardless.
The NWO are backstage with Titus O’Neil when Bayley appears. Bayley tells them about her famous talk show and that she can have them on and it would be too sweet. Nobody will give Bayley the too sweet gesture and walk off on her.
Our next match is women’s Tag Team Turmoil. Two teams start the match, then more teams enter after a pinfall or submission until there is one team left and they get a title shot against Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax tomorrow night.
TAG TEAM TURMOIL MATCH
Naomi & Lana Vs. Carmella & Billie Kay
Naomi and Carmella start the match and Naomi clobbers Carmella with a flurry of kicks and a dropkick. Carmella is backed into the corner and Lana tags in for a bulldog. Carmella fires back and tags Billie Kay, who quickly gets caught with a tilt-a-whirl Russian leg sweep from Lana. Naomi tags back in and she slams Billie into the buckles, then hits a springoard enziguiri.
Naomi knocks Carmella from the apron as Lana hits a kick, then they hit a double-team X-Factor for a near-fall. Naomi tosses Carmella from the ring and Kay rolls-up Naomi with help from Carmella for the pinfall and the first team has been eliminated.
Naomi & Lana Eliminated
TAG TEAM TURMOIL MATCH
Naomi & Lana Vs. Carmella & Billie Kay
Naomi and Carmella start the match and Naomi clobbers Carmella with a flurry of kicks and a dropkick. Carmella is backed into the corner and Lana tags in for a bulldog. Carmella fires back and tags Billie Kay, who quickly gets caught with a tilt-a-whirl Russian leg sweep from Lana. Naomi tags back in and she slams Billie into the buckles, then hits a springoard enziguiri.
Naomi knocks Carmella from the apron as Lana hits a kick, then they hit a double-team X-Factor for a near-fall. Naomi tosses Carmella from the ring and Kay rolls-up Naomi with help from Carmella for the pinfall and the first team has been eliminated.
Naomi & Lana Eliminated
Ruby Riott & Liv Morgan Enter
Liv starts and knocks Carmella off the apron after dropping Kay. Ruby comes in and slams Kay but she tags Liv and gets thrown over the ropes. Carmella takes control of Morgan and hits a bronco buster in the corner, then slams her for a two-count but Ruby rushes in to break the pin attempt. Carmella tags out and brawls with Ruby on the floor. Kay rolls-up Morgan in the ring and Carmella tries to help again but this time the referee sees it. Liv hits Kay with a gutbuster, then Ruby hits a senton for the pinfall.
Carmella & Billie Kay Eliminated
Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke Enter
After their pinfall, Carmella superkicks Ruby and Liv before leaving. Rose and Brooke come out and Mandy slipped on the wet ramp. Ruby takes the fight to Mandy and Dana before the even get in the ring but Rose kicks Ruby back. Brooke enters the match with a blockbuster from te topre but Liv breaks the pin attempt. Brooke gets frustrated and punches Riott on the mat.
Ruby fires back with right hands but gets caught with a spinning neckbreaker for two. Rose tags in and stomps Ruby in the corner but Riott fights free and rolls under a lariat to tag Morgan. Liv comes in hot against Mandy and hits a clothesline, followed by a stomp in the corner. Liv and Ruby hit two Riott Kicks but Brooke broke the pinfall. Liv gets slammed in the corner and Ruby runs in but get caught with a flip slam from Rose. Morgan goes up top but Rose hits her with a superplex and Dana tags in for a Swanton for a near-fall but Liv reverses it for the pinfall.
Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose Eliminated
Natalya & Tamina Enter
Natalya comes in and immediately looks for the Sharpshooter on Liv but gets rolled-up for two. Natalya lifts and drops Liv on the top rope before tagging Tamina. They hit a double-team powerbomb and Ruby breaks the pin attempt. Tamina clears Ruby from the ring and clobbers Liv in the corner with knees. Liv gets put on the top rope and kicks Tamina back. Ruby tags in for a double-team wheelbarrow spear, then a superkick. Liv hits the gutbuster again and Ruby hits the top rope senton for a near-fall. Tamina knocks Liv out of the ring and tags Natalya so they hit a Hart Attack to Ruby. Natalya considers the Sahrpshooter but instead tags Tamina for a top rope splash and they score the win.
WINNERS: NATALYA & TAMINA
SETH ROLLINS VS. CESARO
The bell rings and Cesaro sprints across the ring to hit a European uppercut. Cesaro looks for The Swing but Rollins kicks him away. Seth escapes to the apron and slingshots over Cesaro but gets caught with a springboard European uppercut. Rollins rolls to the apron again and this time he snaps Cesaro’s arm across the rope, then heads up top.
Cesaro dropkicks Rollins and climbs up to hit a gutwrench superplex but Rollns slides down and hits a Buckle Bomb for a two-count. Seth slows things down and targets the arm. He kicks Cesaro but the Swiss Superman fires back with a right hand and whips Seth to the corner. Cesaro goes up top but Rollins leaps up alongside him and hits a superplex into the falcon arrow for a near-fall. Rollins is getting frustrated.
Cesaro catches Seth with a backslide for a two-count, then lands a series of European uppercuts. Cesaro whips Seth to the corner and hits a running uppercut, then doe sit again before catching him with a discus lariat for a near-fall. Cesaro signals for The Swing but Seth rolls him up for two. Rollins hits a rope-assisted enziguiri and looks for The Stomp but Cesaro counters with The Swing! Cesaro swings Seth for nine rotations but his arm is hurting so he stops and moves to the Sharpshooter. Rollins reaches the ropes to cause the break.
Cesaro looks for the Neutralizer but Seth flips him over and hits a slingblade. Rollins goes to the apron and hits a springboard knee, then slams Cesaro for a near-fall. Rollins goes to the top rope and hits a corkscrew frog splash for a near-fall. Rollins wants the Ripcord Knee but Cesaro avoids it and lands the Neutralizer for a near-fall! Cesaro looks like he’s starting to doubt himself. Cesaro counters Rollins into an incredible Neutralizer attempt but Seth reverses into a Pedigree but Cesaro kicks out!
Rollins talks trash to Cesaro, telling him he survived The Swing and the Neutralizer. Rollins forearms the back of his head, then hits a running kick to the back of the head. Rollins lines-up The Stomp but Cesaro catches him with an uppercut. Cesaro rallies and hits Seth with the UFO – a spinning torture rack with no hands – before letting Rollins fly across the ring. Cesaro performs The Swing for a record-breaking 23 rotations, then hits the Neutralizer for the win!
WINNER: CESARO
As soon as the match ends, Cesaro holds his head in his hands in emotion. He’s won his first-ever WrestleMania singles match and the biggest match of his career.
We see highlights from the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal from last night’s SmackDown, which Jey Uso won. Also last night, Robert Roode and Dolph Ziggler retained the SmackDown Tag Team Titles in a Fatal 4-Way match. Roode and Ziggler are interviewed backstage and asked for their predictions on New Day and AJ Styles and Omos. Ziggler says New Day are one of the all-time great teams but sunshine and rainbows can only get you so far. Roode says he’s known AJ Styles a very long time and you should never bet against the Phenomenal One.
Big E comes out to the stage to do a live introduction for his boys, The New Day. The RAW Tag Team Titles are being defended next, and this marks the in-ring debut of Omos.
RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS
(C) THE NEW DAY VS. AJ STYLES & OMOS
Omos is not exactly dressed to wrestle but he’s starting the match against Kofi Kingston. Kofi and Woods goad AJ into starting the match instead. Kofi and AJ trade fast reversals and pin attempts for the first couple of minutes. Kofi catches a kick from AJ but Styles takes a headlock, only to get thrown overhead. Kofi stares at Omos and taunts him but the big man is not impressed. Woods plays the trombone while Kofi twerks, then AJ runs into a dropkick.
Kingston splashes AJ and Woods tags in for a float-over elbow drop. New Day keep AJ isolated from Omos and Woods commentates their strategy aloud. Woods and Kingston hit the Unicorn Stomp while continuing to taunt Omos. Woods takes a side headlock and keeps AJ grounded. Styles slowly fights up and tries to tag Omos but Woods prevents it. Kofi tags back in and they hit a flurry of kicks and a double bulldog for a two-count. AJ wants to make a tag but Kofi blocks his path, so AJ runs out of the ring and tries to slide back in and tag but Woods comes in and shoves him right back out of the ring.
AJ gets thrown back in the ring and Kingston hits a crossbody. Woods tags in and AJ counters a back suplex but misses an enziguiri and Kingston hits a huge springboard splash to the back for a two-count. New Day look for a double-team move but AJ knocks Kofi from the ring and Woods is stuck on the top rope, so Styles tags Omos and the stadium pops! Omos comes in to the middle of the ring and Woods kicks him to no effect. Woods hits a dropkick but bounces off. Woods attempts a crossbody but Omos doesn’t move.
Kingston tags in and attempts a flying axe handle but Omos catches his hand and throws him. Omos says he’s been looking forward to this before whipping both New Day to opposite corners and splashing them. Omos hits Woods with a backbreaker, then holds him over the knee and bends him. Omos lifts Kofi with one hand for another backbreaker. Omos stands by the ropes and AJ jumps off the shoulders with te Phenomenal Forearm to Kofi! Omos lifts Kofi and hits a massive spinebuster, then stands with one boot on him for the pin!
WINNERS AND NEW RAW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: AJ STYLES & OMOS
STEEL CAGE MATCH
BRAUN STROWMAN VS. SHANE MCMAHON
Shane McMahon comes out first and he tries to hold the door to the cage closed. Strowman is attacked from behind by Elias and Jaxson Ryker. They beat the monster with chairs, then Shane drags Braun into the cage with a chair and he smashes Braun over-and-over, targeting the left leg. Shane swings a chair for the head but Strowman catches it, only for Shane to kick the leg out from under him. Shane asks for the door to open but Braun grabs him and pulls him back inside.
Braun shouts at Shane that he has nowhere to run but he’s walking gingerly. Shane goes after the leg with sharp kicks, and unloads some sharp jabs and kidney shots. Shane backs Braun into the corner and clubs away at him but Braun grabs him by the face and shoves him. Shane tries climbing the but Braun grabs his feet. Shane kicks him away and rips a piece of metal off the top of the cage and hits Braun with it. Shane continues to use the metal to beat Braun, then tries to crawl out but Strowman grabs his legs and drags him back and throws him up into the air.
Braun tosses Shane into the cage wall, then again. Strowman gives Shane some of his own medicine and punches him in the kidney, then splashes him up against the cage wall. Strowman clubs Shane with a big forearm to the chest. Braun wants the running powerslam but Shane slides off and runs him into the cage a few times. Shane then counters a punch and hits the float-over DDT. Braun rolls to the corner and Shane goes to the top rope to hit Coast-To-Coast for a near-fall!
Shane starts climbing the cage and Ryker and Els climb the other side to help drag him over and out. Strowman runs and leaps into the cage to knock Elias and Ryker off and Shane tumbles back inside. Both men are down and Shane is the first to his feet. Shane climbs up near the ring post and reaches the top of the cage but Braun is there and trying to pull him back inside. There’s a bag hanging from the corner of the cage and Shane reaches inside to pull a red toolbox out and hits Braun in the head! Braun is laid-out in the ring and Shane takes his sweet time climbing over the cage.
Shane stops halfway down and taunts Braun, who jumps up and grabs his hand through the cage. Braun climbs up the ropes and literally rips the cage wall apart and drags Shane back inside. On top of the ropes, Braun pummels Shane in the corner of the cage with the hands, then throws him on top of the cage and climbs up alongside him. Braun holds Shane up, shouts at him, then tosses him off the cage into the middle of the ring. Insane! Braun climbs back down inside and Shane is done. Braun shouts that this is for everyone who’s ever been bullied, then hits the running powerslam for the win.
WINNER: BRAUN STROWMAN
Bayley interrupts the announce team to put herself over and send us to some highlights of the 2020 Hall of Fame ceremony. JBL, The NWO, The Bella Twins, Titus O’Neil, and the family of The British Bulldog come onto the stage, while Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger and William Shatner are represented on-screen.
It’s time for the second-to-last match and out come a dozen or so rabbits. The rabbits dance in the ring as Miz and Morrison come out and sing their song, ‘Hey, Hey, Hop, Hop’. Priest is out second with a regular entrance, then Bad Bunny arrives on top of a semi-truck with sparks flying everywhere and the fans are loving it. Booker T is on commentary for this one.
THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON VS. DAMIAN PRIEST & BAD BUNNY
The match begins with Priest and The Miz but Miz asks Bunny if he’s scared. Bad Bunny takes the bait and enters the match first, the fans are really loving him. Miz mocks Bunny, offering him the first shot, and Bunny drops him with a right hand. Miz looks angry and walks around the ring. Miz looks to lock-up but Bunny takes a waistlock, then ducks an elbow and punches him again. Bunny is getting confident but Miz runs him into the corner and holds him there.
Bunny hits a double-leg takedown and unloads but Miz kicks him off and stomps him. Miz stomps the ribs before slamming Bunny into the turnbuckles and grinding his face on the rope. Miz whips Bunny to the ropes but gets caught with an arm-drag! Miz rolls from the ring and looks furious, so he runs back in but gets caught with a drop toe-hold and a roll-up for two. Miz backs int the corner and Morrison gives him a pep-talk.
Miz kicks the knee and throws Bunny out of the ring, then talks trash to Priest. Bunny gets on the apron and Miz runs but gets hit with a shoulder, then Bunny slides under his legs and hits a tilt-a-whirl headscissors. Morrison tags in but Bunny hits him with a headbutt. Bunny runs for a flying elbow in the corner, then looks for a second but Morrison elbows him. Morrison distracts the referee and Miz drops Bunny with a right hand. Miz tags back in as Morrison hits a snapmare and a running knee, then Miz kicks him.
Miz applies a headlock and taunts Priest on the apron. Bunny rallies and knocks Miz off his feet, then punches Morrison on the apron and looks to make a tag but Miz catches him with a boot. Miz hits a sidewalk slam and drags Bunny over to the corner to stomp him down and out of the ring. Morrison grabs Bunny and slams him into the announce desk, then puts him back inside and tags in. Morrison does a Spin-A-Roonie and taunts Booker T on commentary, then tags Miz so they can double-team Bunny again.
Miz continues to maul Bunny and keep him away from Priest. Miz lands some kicks to the ribs in the corner before taunting the fans. Miz runs but gets caught with a big boot, then Bunny hits a tornado DDT. Bunny drags himself to the corner and finally makes the tag. Priest comes in with an uppercut to Miz, then yanks Morrison over the apron. Priest kicks Miz and Morrison over and over before dropping John with a lariat. Priest hits both with running elbows, then lifts Miz up and tosses him into Morrison.
Priest hits a chokeslam to Miz but Morrison breaks it up. Bunny runs in and hits Morrison, then he and Priest hit stereo suplexes for a near-fall! Miz and Morrison roll outside, so Bunny Irish whips Priest to the ropes and he hits a springboard tope onto them both. Bunny then goes to the top rope and leaps onto Miz and Morrison on the floor with a crossbody. Priest drags Miz back inside and wants to hit The Reckoning but Miz counters with Skull Crushing Finale but Bunny breaks it up.
The fans chant for Bunny. Priest looks to make a tag but Morrison pulls Bunny off the apron, only for Bunny to kick him and hit a Canadian Destroyer! Miz and Priest looked shocked in the ring. Miz runs but Priest kicks him back, then lifts him up in an electric chair and Bunny tags in for a flying crossbody off the top and the pinfall!
WINNERS: DAMIAN PRIEST & BAD BUNNY
Night 2 of WrestleMania will once again be hosted by Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan. Matches include Kevin Owens Vs. Sami Zayn, Randy Orton Vs. The Fiend, Big E Vs Apollo Crews in a Nigerian Drum Fight for the Intercontinental Championship, Rhea Ripley Vs. Asuka for the RAW Women’s Championship, Riddle Vs. Sheamus for the United States Championship, and Roman Regins Vs. Edge Vs. Daniel Bryan for the Universal Championship. We’ll have live coverage right here on Ringside News from 7 PM EST with the Kick-Off Show.
It’s main event time and out comes the 2021 Royal Rumble winner, Bianca Belair.
SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP
(C) SASHA BANKS VS. BIANCA BELAIR
The main event gets underway and both women look like they’re about to cry. Eventually they lock-up and struggle for control with Sasha forcing Bianca to the corner and roughing her up. They lock-up again and Sasha slams her down but Belair kips-up. They shove each other, then Belair runs and Banks looks for a leap-frog but gets caught and slammed down. Belair looks for a moonsault but Banks moves and Bianca lands on her feet and taunts her.
Banks kicks Belair and looks for a wheelbarrow bulldog but Bianca stays on her feet and thinks about a Glam-Slam. Banks rolls forward, sending her out of the ring. Banks gets on the apron but Banks runs her into ring post. Banks then dives through the ropes with a suicide dive but Belair catches her, lifts her into a military press, then carries Banks up the steps and throws her back into the ring! StrongEST indeed.
Banks is angry and she hits a dropkick for a two-count. Belair lifts Sasha and does some squats before a body slam. Belair attempts a handspring moonsault but Banks counters by grabbing her hair and pulls it, then kicking her in the face a few times. Banks pummels Bianca on the mat with right hands, then chokes her in the corner with a boot. Banks runs her face-first into the buckles, then hits a snapmare and a chinlock.
Belair fights up and throws Banks to the apron but Sasha clocks her with a knee. Banks looks for double knees but gets caught and slammed hard. Banks rolls outside with a handful of Belair’s braid and pulls her against the ring post, but Bianca yanks her into the steel steps! Banks stumbles back but tries to follow-up with a meteora against the barricade but Belair moves and she crashes. Both women just about make it back into the ring before the referee’s ten count.
Back inside the ring Banks looks for an inside cradle but Belair lifts her up into the air for a stalling suplex, during which she bounced Sasha off the ropes a few times and did some squats. Both women are down and slowly get to their feet. Banks drops Belair with a right hand, then grabs her by the braid and attempts a springboard arm-drag but Belair forearms her. Belair drops Sasha, then hits a standing shooting star press.
Belair shoulders the Champion in the corner, then hits a release Glam-Slam. Belair goes to the top rope and leaps for a 450 splash but Banks got her knees up! Both women attempt pinfalls, then Sasha gets caught and powerbombed twice for a two-count. Bianca attempted a third powerbomb but Banks countered with a facebuster. Banks stomps Belair in the corner and hits a springboard tornado DDT for a near-fall.
Banks goes to the top rope and hits a five-star frog splash for another near-fall. Belair rolls to the apron but Banks slams her down by the arm, then drags her outside and tosses her into the steel steps. Banks puts Belair inside and applies the Bank Statement using the braid! Belair tries to get the ropes but Sasha rolls backwards, only for Bianca to immediately roll forward and grab the ropes.
Banks gets angry and holds onto the move until the count of four, then kicks Bianca in the face a few times. Banks lifts Belair and tells her she’ll never be the EST but that just made her angry. Belair shoulders Banks in the corner, then lifts her onto the top rope. Sasha gets Belair in the tree of woe and stomps her a few times, then looks for a double stomp but Bianca dodges it. Belair attempts a meteora but nobody’s home and she hits the buckles. Belair hits the 450 splash but Banks kicks out!
Belair gets mad and lifts Banks up for the K.O.D but Sasha lands on her feet and grabs the hair again. Sasha runs but Belair smashes her across the ribs with the hair. Belair lifts her for the K.O.D again but Banks slides off and attempts the Bank Statement, only for Belair to turn her around and get her up for the Kiss of Death and the pinfall!
WINNER AND NEW SMACKDOWN WOMEN’S CHAMPION: BIANCA BELAIR
.@BiancaBelairWWE‘s time is now!!#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/n0kV0Zwuft
— WWE (@WWE) April 11, 2021
Credit: Curtis Dillion/Ringside News
