WWE WrestleMania 37 Night 1 - As It Happened

Night one of WrestleMania 37 is now in the books

Aidan Gibbons in Newcastle United hoody in front of a green screen

Apr 11, 2021

Belair Banks WrestleMania 37 Crisp.jpg

Night one of WrestleMania 37 was initially delayed by 34 minutes because of inclement weather inside Raymond James Stadium, but once the in-ring action got underway it provided shock results, title changes and feel-good moments. Check out what happened below:

Before the opening match, all of the talent gathered on the ramp for an address from Vince McMahon and the chairman of WWE thanked fans for sticking with the company and welcomed them to WrestleMania. Bebe Rexha then sang America The Beautiful and it was time for the in-ring action to begin.

Actually, no it wasn't. Following the opening video package, WWE announced the beginning of the show has been delayed because of inclement weather in the Tampa area.

WWE filled the first 34 minutes of WrestleMania with impromptu backstage interviews while it continued to chuck buckets inside Raymond James Stadium, but the weather delay mercifully came to an end. The co-hosts of WrestleMania Titus O'Neil and Hulk Hogan then made their way onto the stage and hyped up the crowd ahead of the WWE Championship match. 

Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre - WWE Championship 

45 minutes after WrestleMania 37 began, the in-ring action finally kicked off as Drew McIntyre and Bobby Lashley locked up in the opening moments.

Both men brawled back and forth during the opening minutes, exchanging momentum, until Bobby Lashley took control and hammered away at McIntyre. The Scottish Warrior eventually fought back, but Lashley almost put him away following a Neutralizer. Drew managed to get his shoulder up at two, though.  

The WWE Champion tried to follow up with the Hurt Lock, but Drew escaped and battered Lashley with some vicious strikes and a Reverse Alabama Slam for a near fall. Both men battled back and forth some more and Drew went for the Claymore, but Lashley countered and powered The Scottish Warrior to the mat with a Spike Slam. McIntyre Kicked Up to get back to his feet and told The All Mighty to "bring it bitch."

Drew connected with three Futureshock DDTs a few moments later and Lashley managed to get his shoulder up. Drew then led the crowd in the 3-2-1 countdown, but Lashley escaped to the outside. The crowd popped big a few moments later, though, as Drew took out Lashley and MVP with a Dive over the top rope to the floor.

Drew tried to capitalise back in the ring, but Lashley fought back and tried to lock in the Hurt Lock. Drew used all of his strength to escape and locked in the Kimura Lock. The WWE Champion managed to make it to the ropes, though.  

After more back and forth action, McIntyre went for the Claymore again but MVP warned the WWE Champion and Lashley managed to roll out of the way. The All Mighty then locked in the Hurt Lock.

Drew did everything he could to try and escape but he couldn't overcome Lashley's dominant submission and passed out.

Bobby Lashley is still your WWE Champion.

Winner: Bobby Lashley

Lana & Naomi vs. Carmella & Billie Kay vs. Natalya & Tamina vs. The Riott Squad vs. Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke - Tag Team Turmoil for a Women's Tag Team Championship opportunity on night two

After a backstage segment involving The nWo, Titus O'Neil and Bayley, during which the men refused to Too Sweet the former SmackDown Women's Champion, it was time for Tag Team Turmoil.

Naomi & Lana and Billie Kay & Carmella started the match. A couple of minutes in, Billie Kay managed to roll up Naomi for the 1-2-3 following an assist from Carmella. 

The Riott Squad were the next team in the ring. Billie Kay tried to roll up Liv Morgan with another assist from Carmella but the referee spotted it this time. The Riott Squad then took advantage and Morgan connected with a Double Knee Facebreaker and Ruby Riott followed up with a Senton Bomb to score the pin on Billie Kay.

Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke were the next team to enter Tag Team Turmoil. Mandy fell over on the way to the ring and the malfunctions continued once they entered the squared circle as Dana's nipple briefly popped out.

Brooke and Rose were then eliminated a few minutes later as Dana caught Liv Morgan with a Senton Bomb but Liv reversed the pin attempt into a cradle for the 1-2-3. 

Natalya and Tamina made their way to the ring following Brooke and Rose's elimination and after both teams fought back and forth, The Riott Squad thought they had the match won after Ruby caught Tamina with a Senton Bomb. The veteran managed to kick out, however, and Natalya and Tamina capitalised with the Hart Attack. Natalya then teased locking in the Sharpshooter but she tagged in Tamina, who hit a Superfly Splash on Riott to win the match.

Winners: Tamina and Natalya

Seth Rollins vs. Cesaro 

Seth Rollins made his way to the ring with new entrance music and he almost found himself swinging in the opening moments as Cesaro tried to connect with his signature move early on. Seth managed to escape, though, and targeted The Swiss Cyborg's arm.

Seth connected with his patented Superplex-Falcon Arrow combination after a couple of minutes but Cesaro managed to kick out. Cesaro gained the advantage soon after and managed to swing Seth Rollins nine times before his arm began to hurt and he locked in the Sharpshooter.

Rollins made it to the ropes and followed up with a knee from the top rope, a Slingblade and a Corkscrew Splash for a near fall. Cesaro then fired back with the Neutralizer but The Messiah powered out at two. Cesaro went for the Neutralizer again, Rollins escaped and revived his use of the Pedigree for another two count. 

After Seth taunted his opponent, he went for the Stomp but Cesaro countered into a European Uppercut, similar to Randy Orton's RKO counter from WrestleMania 31, and The Swiss Superman followed up with an Airplane Spin before Seth went swinging 23 times. One more Neutralizer later and Cesaro had his arm raised at WrestleMania.

Winner: Cesaro

The New Day vs. AJ Styles & Omos - Raw Tag Team Championship

Big E revived his trademark introduction for The New Day and he wished his stablemates good luck before the match. AJ Styles and Omos then made their way to the ring and Omos appears to have been taking lessons from 2018 Baron Corbin as he wore a shirt vest and pants for the match. 

AJ Styles and Kofi Kingston started out the match and the New Day man got the better of the exchange. Woods and Kofi then worked over AJ and cut the ring in half while they taunted The Phenomenal One.

The Raw Tag Team Champions worked the match as heels and they prevented Styles from making the hot tag to Omos for several minutes. The New Day eventually set up for UpUpDownDown but Styles escaped and tagged in Omos while Xavier Woods looked on in despair.

Woods tried to Dropkick the big man but he barely moved. Omos then destroyed both Woods and Kofi and Styles hit Woods with a Phenomenal Forearm from Omos' shoulders.

This left Kingston all alone with the giant and Omos Slammed him to the mat and pinned the former WWE Champion with one foot. 

With that, we have new Raw Tag Team Champions.

Winners: AJ Styles and Omos

Braun Strowman vs. Shane McMahon - Steel Cage Match

A trailer for WWE 2K22 was broadcast before the cage was lowered for Shane McMahon vs. Braun Strowman. Jerry "The King" Lawler then made his way to ringside and he was announced as the special guest commentator for the next match. He joined Michael Cole, Samoa Joe and Byron Saxton at the announce table. 

The two men then made their entrances but Shane shut the door before Strowman could enter the cage and Elias and Jaxson Ryker appeared from out of nowhere and battered Braun with steel chairs. McMahon then dragged The Monster Among Men inside the structure and demolished him with repeated Chair Shots.

With Strowman down, Shane tried to escape but Braun dragged The Boy Wonder back into the ring. Shane was able to gain the upper hand again, though, and he used a piece of sheet metal to attack the former Universal Champion.

Shane was sent flying through the air once he tried to escape again and Braun repeatedly flung him into the cage. Strowman then punished McMahon and went for the Running Powerslam but Shane escaped and repeatedly drilled Braun's head into the cage. The Prodigal Son followed up with Coast To Coast for a close near fall.

Shane then decided to try and escape again and Elias and Ryker scaled the cage to help him. Strowman suddenly awoke, however, and charged into the structure, sending The Drifter and Ryker crashing to the floor while Shane tumbled back into the ring. 

Shane attempted to escape yet again and he managed to make his way to the top of the cage. Strowman gave chase but Shane clocked him with a toolbox. Shane then had the match won, but he decided to taunt Braun. This only angered The Monster Among Men, who charged to his feet, grabbed Shane's arm, ripped off the side of the cage and pulled McMahon back inside.

Strowman then pulverised The Boy Wonder with repeated body shots and followed up by throwing him off the top of the cage into the ring. Braun then said his victory was for everyone who had ever been called stupid and he picked up McMahon for the Running Powerslam and the 1-2-3.

Winner: Braun Strowman

Following the match, Bayley made her way to ringside, pushed Michael Cole out of the way and introduced the audience at home to a video package on the Hall Of Fame ceremony. The 2020 Hall Of Fame class then made their way onto the stage to be applauded by those in attendance.

Bad Bunny & Damian Priest vs. The Miz & John Morrison 

The ring filled up with bunnies and The Miz and John Morrison performed their hit single 'Hey Hey Hop Hop' for Raymond James Stadium during their entrance. Damian Priest and Bad Bunny then made their own entrances and it was time for the in-ring action to begin. Booker T was on commentary for this one.

Damian Priest was initially going to start the match for his team, but after some goading from The Miz, Bad Bunny took the bait and entered the ring.

The rapper got the better of The Miz at every turn during the early going and he almost pinned The A-Lister. Miz initially regained his composure but Bad Bunny quickly regained the upper hand with a Headscissors. John Morrison had seen enough and he entered the ring but Bad Bunny caught him with a Bunny Hop, as Michael Cole named it, in the corner.

Miz caught the rapper with a cheap shot shortly after and the former SmackDown Tag Team Champions finally took control of the matchup. The Miz and Morrison beat up Bad Bunny over the next several minutes and Johnny Drip Drip even performed a Spinarooni. Bunny eventually managed to fight back with a Tornado DDT on Miz and the rapper made the hot tag to Damian Priest, who proceeded to demolish his opponents.

Priest almost picked up the win following a Sound Of Heaven Chokeslam but Morrison broke up the pin. Stereo Falcon Arrows from Bad Bunny and Priest followed for another near fall.

Dives to the outside from the babyfaces were then on the agenda, but Miz almost won the match after the action re-entered the ring as he suddenly caught Priest with Skull Crushing Finale. Bunny broke up the pin, though.

Bunny then shocked the world as he decked Morrison with a Canadian Destroyer on the outside. A stunned Miz looked on and he was easy prey for Damian Priest, who hoisted him onto his shoulders and Bad Bunny followed up with a Crossbody for the win.

Winners: Bad Bunny and Damian Priest

Sasha Banks vs. Bianca Belair - SmackDown Women's Championship 

It was then time for the main event of night one and Sasha Banks defended the SmackDown Women's Championship against Bianca Belair.

Bianca Belair tried to hold back tears after the bell rang, but she managed to regain her composure and lock up with Sasha Banks. We then had the first big spot of the match after a feeling-out process as Sasha Banks tried to hit a Suicide Dive to the outside but Bianca Belair caught her, hoisted her up and Pressed her back into the ring.

Sasha initially looked stunned and Belair got in some more offence until Banks regained her composure, grabbed the challenger's hair and pulled her in for a vicious knee to the face. The SmackDown Women's Champion dominated the action for the next few minutes, but The EST Of WWE fought back and used her power to Slam the champion and hit a Delayed Vertical Suplex. She followed up with a Standing Shooting Star Press and tried to connect with a 450 Splash but The Boss got her knees up.

Banks didn't take control, though, and Belair managed to hit two Powerbombs. Banks countered a third attempt, however, and capitalised with a Tornado DDT for a near fall. The Blueprint followed up with a Frog Splash but Belair kicked out again. This only enraged Banks and she went after the challenger's arm and used Bianca's hair to lock in the Bank Statement.

Belair made it to the ropes and an angry Banks continued to use Bianca's hair against her. The champion then screamed insults at the challenger and after a brief back and forth, Banks went for the Double Knees twice and missed on both occasions. Belair then finally connected with the 450 Splash but Banks got her shoulder up.

Belair tried to follow up with the KOD, and Banks initially escaped but Belair fired back with a hellacious Hair Whip. Banks countered into a Bank Statement attempt but Belair fought back with her own counter and connected with the KOD for the 1-2-3.

The EST of WWE is your new SmackDown Women's Champion following an excellent main event.

Winner: Bianca Belair

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