WWE celebrated the New Year by hosting their first PPV of 2022: Day 1. On paper, the card looked a bit lackluster and the announcement that Roman Reigns would not be able to compete due to catching Covid-19 didn’t help. However, WWE is known to deliver when the chips are down. Did WWE manage to kick off the year with a bang? Or was this show a bust? Let’s talk about it.
Kickoff match: Ridge Holland and Sheamus vs Cesaro and Ricochet:
photo credit to WWE
The first official WWE match of 2022 was the team of Cesaro and Ricochet facing Sheamus. Unfortunately, only a few minutes in, Ricochet’s boot landed straight on Holland’s nose. During the middle of the match, they announced Holland suffered an injury and was taken to the back for further treatment.
This left Sheamus without a partner. However, the match didn’t suffer at all from this. The three men improvised like professionals and put on a pretty decent match. Sheamus dominated Ricochet mostly until Cesaro got the tag in and the two had a more competitive back-and-forth sequence. Sheamus landed his brogue kick and pinned Cesaro, getting the win for him and his absent protege.
Extra kudos to Sheamus for doing so great, but it’s to be expected from a talent like Sheamus. Always professional and doing his best with what he’s given. I think it’s time we appreciate Sheamus more, actually.
Rating: 3/5
The New Day (c) vs The Usos (SmackDown Tag Team Championships):
photo credit to WWE
These two teams have been feuding for years now and have had countless matches with each other, and yet I don’t think I will ever get tired of watching them fight. Every time we get a match between the two teams, we can count on it to be great.
This was an awesome opener to the show, and the crowd was fully behind this match. Great wrestling, sequences, and near falls. I was invested from start to finish. The Usos picked up the win by performing the famous 3D done by The Dudleys but now crowned the “1D” (one and done) by Pat on commentary. Not much more to say about this match- it's just two legendary teams doing what they do best!
Rating: 3.5/5
Drew McIntyre vs Madcap Moss:
photo credit to WWE
This was a match not too many people were excited about. I can see why; the Moss’ and Happy Corbin duo have been a bit of a dud lately. Their segments go on for too long and bore the crowd to death.
Even worse, Moss and Corbin came out to perform their stand up routine before the match, but thankfully Drew interrupted the two and saved us.
Despite having a bad storyline, at least the match could be good… and this wasn’t an example of that. The match was okay. My main problem with it was it went on too long. I wish it was just a glorified squash. Short, sweet and to the point. We really didn’t need a serious back-and-forth match for this feud.
Though I will say Moss had some impressive moments showcasing his strength, however not impressive enough to justify the length of the match. The whole time I just kept thinking this time could have gone to seeing an extra women's match on the card…
Later on in the show, Drew was attacked backstage by Corbin, where he targeted his neck. At first I thought WWE was going to really continue this feud, but after some breaking news, maybe not. There have been reports of Drew actually dealing with a neck injury. So this was most likely a way to write him off until he can get that sorted out. Whatever happens, wishing the best for McIntyre!
Also, #DefundBaronCorbin
Rating: 2/5
RKBro (c) vs The Street Profits (Raw Tag Team Championships):
photo credit to WWE
The Street Profits sought to win the Raw Tag Team championships from RKBro. Migos sat ringside to support Randy and Riddle.
Besides the appearance of Migos, there’s not a lot to say about this match- which I find myself saying a lot about RKBro matches. It’s clear RKBro aren’t losing those titles until they can do Riddle vs Orton on a bigger stage, so we are stuck hearing “Waanndy” from Riddle every Monday night until then.
Since both teams were faces, and RKBro came out with the celebrity guests, The Street Profits played a more heel role in this match. It was fun seeing them dial up the cockiness- Montez did pushups and danced and Dawkins mocked Orton’s signature pose.
Besides some cool spots, including Montez Ford flying over the ring post, there’s not much to note here. It was a pretty basic match. It wasn’t horrible; it wasn't great- but it got the job done.
Ratings: 2.5/5
Edge vs The Miz:
photo credit to WWE
Edge and Miz have had a great feud so far- though that is to be expected from these two excellent story tellers.
Miz and Maryse looked great, like always. Edge did his brood entrance, which is always awesome to see.
Their match was pretty decent with some great moments. Miz tried to hit a skull crushing finale on the commentary table but Edge countered it and planted Miz face first on the table. Then you had Miz lock in the figure four lock, but Edge successfully reversed this as he sported a crazed look. We also saw Edge doing a hip toss from the middle rope.
Outside the ring, we saw Maryse be an excellent manager. She tried to help her husband win, even going as far to hit Edge after the Miz distracted the ref. This action wouldn’t go unpunished as Beth Phoenix came out. Absolute rage filled her face.
Phoenix chased Maryse away, and Edge took advantage and got the win with a spear. Very excited to see the inevitable mixed tag match between the four one day.
Rating: 3.25/5
Becky Lynch (c) vs Liv Morgan (Raw Women's championship):
photo credit to WWE
This is my match of the night.
Both women brought their A game. Liv showed she can hang with top talent, and Becky proved why she is the champ right now. There was superb storytelling throughout and I was invested from start to finish.
Even during their entrance, there was some storytelling taking place. Liv looked so overwhelmed by the moment, but still confident in herself. Her smile was so infectious and you could see how determined she was to win. Becky walked out cool as ever. Becky got into the ring and didn’t even glance in Liv’s direction- which seemed to anger Liv to the point the ref had to hold her back. It was clear Becky didn’t take Liv seriously- something she’d regret later.
This was a very competitive back-and-forth match. Liv really took Becky to her limit. I loved seeing this more aggressive side of Liv. She pulled many brilliant moves like doing an innovative sunset power bomb that’s gotten a lot of attention on WWE's twitter.
Becky played her character great. Easily getting frustrated when Liv wouldn’t stay down and thus getting more and more desperate to win. Becky’s facial expressions were perfect and showed how her whole “Big Times Beck” persona is just a facade.
There was a great line where Byron said “Is Becky Lynch fighting not to lose, or is she fighting to win?”. I feel this pretty much sums up Becky’s reign so far. She’s desperate to stay champion, cause without her title, who is Becky Lynch? It’s an interesting story.
Becky won via reversing Liv’s oblivion into her own man handle slam. Becky pinned Liv clean, but you could see her feet inch towards the ropes, signaling she wasn’t completely confident in her own pin.
This match was another chapter in Becky’s story and a star making performance for Liv. Once Morgan gets a defining character, she’ll have all the tools to succeed.
Rating: 4/5
Big E (c) vs Bobby Lashley vs Brock Lesnar vs Kevin Owens vs Seth Rollins (WWE Championship):
photo credit to WWE
What a crazy line up. Big meaty men and Seth Rollins going at it.
Roman Reigns announced before the show that he had caught Covid-19 and wouldn’t be able to defend the Universal title tonight. To make up for this, WWE added Lesnar to the already crazy fatal four way.
This match was bound to be chaotic, and it definitely was. Even before the bell run, Seth and Kevin were attacking Brock, but they were no match for him and were rewarded with multiple suplexes.
Bobby, however, was able to spear Brock through the barricade, putting Lesnar out for a while.
Kevin and Seth worked together the whole match- which only makes me want to see these two officially team up for the tag titles against RKBro (and win).
More chaos ensued as the commentary table was broken, steel steps were used and bodies laid out everywhere. Owens, Rollins and E got back into the ring and there were many great sequences and near falls. Crowd erupted into a “This is awesome chant”.
Lesnar then comes out of nowhere and hits the F5 on everyone in the ring. Lashley hits his spear on Lesnar. It was a very fun sequence where for a while, I didn’t know who was winning or who was going to pin who.
Big E breaks up the hurt lock between Lashley and Lesnar. Big E then tries to hit the big ending on Lesnar, but Lesnar reverses and hits an F5 to pin Big E clean.
Interesting to note there was a heavy emphasis on Lashley staring down Lesnar after the match.
There’s a lot I could say about this and I’ve changed my mind several times about how I feel about the finish.
First, I will talk about the quality of the match. It was a very fun ride where I was on the edge of my seat for the last couple of minutes. Great work from everyone involved. Pure chaos and destruction, always a good time. I wish it went on longer, honestly! Though I do think the time was fine for this match. It is always better to make people want more than less.
Now on to the finish. When Brock is in anything, it’s safe to say he is more than likely winning. However, I thought maybe Big E would still have a chance here. This would have been a huge win for Big E to add to his reign. His reign was decent. Not spectacular but not horrible either. I don’t mind a shorter reign honestly, I just wish they handled it better. Though Big E did give his all into all his matches and segments as champ, so props to him there. I was sad to see Big E lose- as all good baby face losses should make you feel.
But on the other hand, the fact Brock won means the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania scene is looking very unpredictable now. Who’s facing Brock at the rumble or even Mania? What does Big E do from here? Who’s winning the rumble now? It’s exciting to think about and I will say it does make me look forward to Raw a little more now.
We’ll see how what happens on Raw before I can say any more about this.
Ratings: 3.5/5
Conclusion:
Day 1 was a good way to start off the year for WWE. Good matches and also new possibilities unlocked. I know for sure I will tune into Raw to see what comes from this, so they’re doing that right. Here’s to hoping 2022 is another great year for wrestling. Cheers!
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