Here’s our final review of WWE WrestleMania 32!
Kalisto (c) vs. Ryback (WWE United States Championship)
Reactions: The 1st match of the entire show came in the form of this US Championship match. The story here pretty much boiled down to Speed vs. Power. Ryback was his usual brute self as he used a few power moves to ground his smaller foe. Kalisto broke out his agility to daze and confuse the big man. This match wasn’t anything too special, but there were some fun moments strewn throughout it. Ryback holding up Kalisto in a Superplex position for several moments and Kalisto’s fun comeback sequence was fun to watch. Kalisto ended up winning, which was a pleasant surprise. Short and sweet, this pre-show match did it’s job. It could have been all the more better with five more minutes added to it, though.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars
The Total Divas (Brie Bella, Paige, Natalya, Alicia Fox and Eva Marie) vs. B.A.D. & Blonde (Naomi, Tamina, Lana, Emma and Summer Rae) (10-Diva Tag Team Match)
Reactions: Shout out to the Divas for looking their very best with some spiffy new ring gear. It was a bit disappointing to see that some of the women in this match didn’t get to shine (especially Natalya). This pre-show bout didn’t last too long and the action that occurred during it was average at best. It was great to see Emma back on the main stage once again, plus Alicia Fox and even Lana looked good out there. This ended up being your typical multi-Divas tag team match. It was somewhat fun, but was more spectacle than an actual match worth revisiting.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars
The Usos (Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso) vs. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley)
Reactions: This tag team encounter started off with some intense offense from both teams. After that exciting opening, this match turned into your usual pre-show tag team match. We expected more from these guys for some reason. The Dudleyz were in control for most of this bout, but The Usos entertained the most with their “Superkick Party” antics. The end of this match came faster than expected, which was kind of a letdown. At least we got to see someone go through a table, though. This was just there. Nice entrances, though. The flames and fireworks were at least cool.
Rating: 2 out of 5 Stars
Kevin Owens (c) vs. Sami Zayn vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Zack Ryder vs. Sin Cara vs. The Miz vs. Stardust (7-man Ladder Match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship)
Reactions: What. An. Opener. Everyone performed at the top of their game during this multi-man ladder match. Owens and Zayn re-ignited their never ending feud, Stardust debuted a ladder tribute to his father, Cara splashed him right through another ladder, Zayn went on an offensive tear etc. There’s just far too many insane moments to recall during this awesome ladder match for the IC title. Ryder and Ziggler had their moments as well – Ryder dropped an epic elbow drop on The Miz, while Ziggler Superkicked everyone into oblivion. Owens was a best as always, but he was unable to retain his championship. We got a nice storybook ending when the ultimate underdog in this whole match climbed the ladder and became IC Champion – Zack Ryder. This was a dope opening match that concluded with an unexpected winner.
Rating: 3 & a Half out of 5 Stars
AJ Styles vs. Chris Jericho
Reactions: AJ came to his 1st WrestleMania with something to prove to his doubters. He certainly performed like the Superstar we’ve always known him to be. AJ and Y2J got enough time to put on an incredible back and forth contest that had the crowd going wild. Both men broke out every move in their wide arsenal and tried to put each other down permanently. AJ pulled out everything from his Springboard 450 Splash, Brainbuster and a Styles Clash. Jericho came prepared as he locked in the Walls of Jericho on two occasions. This match went long and we’re glad it did. AJ caught a big Codebreaker and that was that. AJ lost in his ‘Mania debut, but he has nothing to be ashamed of. This match was a top-notch contest between two amazing dance partners.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Big E and Xavier Woods) vs. The League of Nations (King Barrett, Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio and Rusev) (3-on-4 Handicap Match)
Reactions: The New Day entrance, though? Our jaws are still on the floor after witnessing them emerge from a big box of Booty-O’s…IN SAIYAN ARMOR! The League of Nations were mostly in control for the majority of this handicap match, which wasn’t that bad (trust us, Rusev and Rio actually pulled off some good moves). Xavier was in peril for a good while but when Kofi and Big E finally saved him, this match truly entered into its 2nd gear. Big E speared three members of The League through the middle rope, Rio double stomped Kofi on the outside and more madness ensued. We were shocked to see The New Day take the loss, though. Our eternal sadness due to this result turned into eternal happiness when SCSA, HBK and Mick Foley came out to clean house. Shawn Michaels twerked. We never thought we’d write that. Austin wasn’t took keen on doing the same though since he gave Xavier a good ol’ Stunner. This was a fun match with an insanely hot post-match angle.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars, 5 Stars for the post-match segment
Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman) (No Holds Barred Street Fight)
Reactions: Lesnar took us all to Suplex City once again. He dominated Ambrose during much of the match’s opening moments with German Suplexes and Belly to Belly versions. But Ambrose’s fighting spirit came into play as he used everything but the kitchen sink to down “The Beast.” Ambrose used steel chairs, a barbed wire bat, Kendo Sticks etc. He almost used Terry Funk’s “gift.” This was merely a fight that increased in brutality as it continued. Ambrose’s unique usage of the steel chair was amazing to see, which is a feeling we also have to apply to Lesnar’s top-rope Belly to Belly Suplex. This Street Fight was fun, but we felt it ended just as it was nearing another intense section of action. Ambrose lost (again, sadly…), but he put on a great performance with Brock Lesnar. A great match that needed 5 extra minutes to be even better.
Rating: 3 & a Half out of 5 Stars
Charlotte (c) (with Ric Flair) vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks (Triple Threat Match for the WWE Divas Championship)
Reactions: All three Women marked the revival of the WWE Women’s Division in a big way. First off, let’s give them kudos on their flashy entrances. Secondly, let’s also give them all a round of applause cause their ring gear was phenomenal (especially Banks’ “Latino Heat” tights and Charlotte’s light blue robe). And finally, we have to give these three incredible talents all the credit in the world for putting on an amazing contest. This one never seemed to enter a dull period. From the opening bell, all three women pulled out their best moves and doled out their smartest counters. Charlotte worked extra hard as the defending champion, Banks use her wits to pick hr best spots and Becky landed a nice series of suplexes on her two opponents. We legit laughed for a good while Ric got put on his back via a Becky Lynch plancha. The finish had us biting out nails since we thought Banks was gonna win via submission. But Charlotte used her Figure Eight Leglock (plus her father’s assistance) to grab the sneaky victory. This awesome match will be remembered for a long time as the rebirth of the Women’s division.
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker (Hell in a Cell Match; if Shane wins, he will get control of Raw. If The Undertaker loses, he will be barred from competing at WrestleMania ever again)
Reactions: This Hell in a Cell match told a story worth retelling. Shane did his damnedest to bring “The Deadman” to his knees. The Undertaker fought with everything in his body as he used strikes and submissions to stay in the fight. Shane responded with the very same game plan, plus he threw some weapons into the equation. This match started out slow, but the action eventually picked up and reached a fever pitch. When Shane got driven through one of the cell’s walls, this bout became all the more emotional and intense. Two moments stick out to us – Taker sacrificing himself by throwing him and Shane through an announce table. And of course, the moment when Shane came off the top of the Hell in a Cell and crashed & burned through another announce table. The closing moments where both men showed each other some respect with their respective taunts brought a tear to our eye. Shane paid the ultimate price, but it didn’t pay off. Taker won the war and Shane was unable to take control of RAW. But Shane looked great, even in defeat.
Rating: 3 & a Half out of 5 Stars
The Rock vs. Erick Rowan
Reactions: Two records were broken during this unexpected occasion – the WrestleMania crowd attendance record and the record for the shortest match in ‘Mania history. The Rock not only played his part as the expected show host, he also got into the ring. His back and forth banter with The Wyatt Family was cool to see, as was his eventual Rock Bottom victory over Erick Rowan. When John Cena arrived, things truly got hectic as both men cleared the ring of Bray and his “brothers.” This segment provided an excuse to get The Rock, John Cena and The Wyatt Family onto the show. This was fine for what it was.
Rating: 1 out of 5 Stars, 3 Stars for the post-match segment
The 3rd Annual André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal (20-man Battle Royal for the André the Giant Memorial Trophy)
Reactions: This battle royal provided some fun moments as expected. The surprise entrants really got us more excited to see this one go down. Tatanka, Diamond Dallas Page, Baron Corbin and even Shaquille O’Neal made an appearance. Let’s all mention the standout events that transpired during this 20-man brawl – Shaq and Show had a “giant” encounter, DDP landed a Diamond Cutter, The Social Outcasts did great work as a tandem etc. Like most battle royals, this one was more of a spectacle than some 5-star match. It was fun while it lasted and we’re pleased to see an NXT regular win the match and have his WrestleMania moment come to fruition. BARON CORBIN WINS! BARON CORBIN WINS!
Rating: 2 & a Half out of 5 Stars
Triple H (c) vs. Roman Reigns (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
Reactions: This wasn’t HHH vs. Orton at WM25 bad, but it wasn’t much of a WrestleMania main event either. The crowd booed Reigns relentlessly and cheered on HHH as if he was the conquering hero. This was a pretty basic match that really needed relaxed rules. While the match itself was nothing to write home about, it was still decent in parts. When Reigns speared HHH through the ringside barrier and when HHH brought Reigns to the ground with a neckbreaker off the announce table, we popped. We got a little more invested when Reigns Speared Stephanie McMahon out of her boots. But even with those crazy moments, this match never got better as it wore on. The end came and we were far from surprised to see who came out on top. Reigns wins in a main event that fell flat, but wasn’t downright terrible.
Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars
Match of the Night
Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks!
Final Verdict
WrestleMania 32 was a mixed bag. The pre-show matches were forgettable, but the show truly started getting rolling when it officially began. The 7-man ladder match was amazing and the unexpected winner of it all gave us a beautiful ending to reminisce about. AJ vs. Jericho was given the time it needed to be incredible and it proved to be just that. The New Day vs. The League of Nations gave us our 1st ‘Mania moment of the night with the return of three Hall of Famers. Ambrose vs. Lesnar was good, but felt like it was cut short before it entered into another gear.
The dawn of a new Women’s division was marked by our Match of the Night – Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch vs. Sasha Banks. The Hell in a Cell was an intense encounter that told the most emotional tale of the evening. The Rock and John Cena’s meeting with The Wyatt Family and the spectacle of the battle royal provided some fun segments. But the main event was a letdown. It was good, but not the legendary match you’d expect WrestleMania to end on. Come back for the Divas triple threat, the ladder match, AJ/Y2J, the Hell in a Cell and Ambrose/Lesnar. WrestleMania 32 officially started on a good note, but ended on a ho-hum one.
Final Score: 3 & a Half out of 5 Stars
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