WrestleMania 38's first night was pretty tough to top. However, Day 2 of this year's Showcase of the Immortals still delivered a lot of fun, building up from the hype and excitement coming out of Day 1. Here are the WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results, Reactions, and Grades.
Match 1: RK-Bro (c) vs. The Street Profits vs. Alpha Academy for the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship
After a heart-wrenching farewell speech by The Game, WrestleMania 38 Night 2 started off hot with a fantastic match between three great tag teams. The student of The Game and his new partner are set to defend their titles against two of the greatest tag teams WWE has ever seen, and the resulting match was a great opener for a night that has a very tough night to follow up on. The three teams were in sync the entire time, moving from spot to spot like a well-oiled machine. When the match went chaotic, the teams took the action ringside. Angelo Dawkins would put down most of the competitors outside, and, tagging in Montez Ford, hoped to finish off the competition with a Splash from the top rope on Randy Orton. However, Riddle hit a Super RKO on Montez Ford before he does so. Chad Gable also tries to capitulate, leaping off the top rope in hopes of finishing off Randy, only to be caught by Orton with an RKO out of nowhere for the pin.
The post-match toast of the face teams was a nice touch, with Montez Ford inviting Gable Steveson to the ring to toast with them. Their toast was interrupted by Chad Gable, slapping Steveson's cup away. The two amateur wrestlers were given the space of the two face teams to square up in the middle of the ring. After Steveson shut down Shorty G, he came back down to ringside to celebrate with the face teams. This was a nice way to put over the young new star and opens up a potential rivalry between him and Alpha Academy.
Meanwhile, the breakdown between RK-Bro that many expected to happen during WrestleMania didn't happen, and we're glad that it didn't. The partnership between Riddle and Randy Orton works really well, and WWE should keep the team together a little longer before finally pulling the trigger.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Randy Orton pins Chad Gable for RK-Bro to retain the championship
Grade: A-
Match 2: Bobby Lashley vs. Omos
This wasn't supposed to be a technical showcase. Instead, this match was supposed to showcase the giant Omos in what is his biggest match so far, and Bobby Lashley sold the giant's power well. Omos started off strong, manhandling Bobby Lashley, throwing him around the ring. Lashley received some rest after reversing a corner attack by the Giant, but a Hurt Lock attempt at the Giant was countered. Omos throws The Almighty outside of the ring, and while the referee counted him off outside, Omos started going outside. He was met by Lashley on the mat, sending him back reeling into the center of the ring. Desperate, The Almighty jumps off the ropes, only to be caught by Omos and slammed for his efforts.
A scary bump saw Lashley's head and spine hit the corner ring post while Omos tried to squeeze the life out of him, but it rather woke up The Almighty, allowing him to reverse Omos. Using the ringposts to his advantage, he slowed down the giant by tossing him face-first into the corners. This enabled him to hit Omos with a snap suplex, a spear to the back, and a spear to the stomach, leading to a pinfall advantage.
Lashley's win here cements him as a powerhouse that can conquer giants, and his conquering Omos had the desired effect – this shows that Bobby Lashley is still one of the top guys in the company. However, Omos' dominance as a giant became short-lived, and he's no longer the un-conquerable mountain of a man that he was who entered WrestleMania 38. Where does this take the two moving forward, we wonder?
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Bobby Lashley pins Omos
Grade: C+
Match 3: Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville in an Anything Goes Match
The two prankster characters squared off in a match filled to the brim with fun, memorable spots. The announcers' introduction of Johnny Knoxville at the start was a nice touch.
Sami started off the match with a Helluva Kick to the face of Knoxville, showing off just how much he's prepared for this match against a non-pro. Knocked out cold, Knoxville rolled out of the ring, which allowed Sami to spend time trash-talking Knoxville's friends at ringside. When he turned around, Knoxville blew his face with a fire extinguisher. While Sami was down, Knoxville picked up various weapons from under the ring, but he became the subject of Sami's sadistic tendencies as Sami used a cookie tray, a crutch, and a garbage can to level Knoxville. Sami goes for a pin but only for a near-fall. This prompted Sami to look for even more devastating weapons from under the ring, bringing out a table. But under the apron is filled with booby trapped weapons, including a mousetrap-laced table, which Sami sets up outside after getting clipped by one. Going back into the ring, Sami gets greeted by garbage cover cymbals to the ears, and a stop sign to the back.
Sami counters a suplex attempt by Knoxville and hits an exploder to a table propped in the corner. Party Boy enters the ring, distracting Sami, which allowed Knoxville some space and rest. Wee Man then emerged from under the ring, hitting Sami with a flurry of little man attacks, including a body slam at the center of the ring. The stunned Sami was then hit by a tornado DDT by Knoxville from the middle rope for a near fall. A Helluva Kick by Sami on Wee Man's face was met with an audible gasp from the crowd, and the audience let Sami know what they think of him. Sami then goes up the top rope to try to end Knoxville, only for Knoxville to set off pyros at the corner. The fireworks throw Sami off the top rope, with his nuts falling down the ropes. Just a like a real pro, Knoxville would work on Sami's nuts, using a bowling bowl and tongs to hit Sami with multiple low blows. Johnny then throws Sami off the top rope and into the mousetrap-laced table, and the whole Jackass Crew came out to bring a giant mouse trap in the middle of the ring. Knoxville then shocked Sami's system, then caught Sami in the giant mousetrap, allowing him to immobilize Sami for the 1-2-3.
Knoxville played the prankster and Sami played the heel in a match filled with a lot of memorable spots – helped up by a commentary that puts over everyone involved and made everything feel more fun. Knoxville's experience in Jackass allowed him to take a lot more bumps than what other celebrity players would have been allowed to take in a WWE match. The buildup leading to this match allowed us to have some sort of emotional investment in this match and the conclusion is a fun little match that saw Sami stuck in a giant mousetrap. It's comical and a unique kind of match that we don't see too often in WWE. For a rivalry that was just a little more than a movie promotion, this was as fun as it could, except that it ran a little bit longer than it should have.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Knoxville pins Sami while trapped in a giant mousetrap
Grade: B
Match 4: Queen Zelina and Carmella (c) vs. Sasha Banks and Naomi vs. Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan vs. Natalya and Shayna Baszler for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
Sasha Banks and Naomi entering the arena in a neon-colored sports car was a nice way to make an entrance. Then, Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley entered the ring in Catwoman-inspired gear. Shayna and Natalya entered like a normal tag team, before the Queen and the Most Beautiful Woman in WWE made their entrance. Everyone did their entrances with pomp and circumstance fit for big-time stars.
This match is filled with a lot of great spots, showcasing just how talented WWE's Women's Division is, and makes us a little bit sad to see these high-caliber wrestlers compete in the Tag Team Division rather than being in the World Title picture. But not everyone can be the top stars, and these eight Superstars instead elevated the Division to a whole new level thanks to this superb match.
Shayna was the intimidating heel, scaring off their opponents from interfering in her beatdown of Liv Morgan. Liv and Rhea gelled nicely, performing tag team maneuvers including a double avalanche powerbombs. Meanwhile, the Champs played the cowardly heels who used every opportunity to take cheap shots and tagged in only for pin opportunities, tagging out most of the time to let the other three teams weather each other out.
Sasha Banks and Naomi capped off the match with a Double Knee Facebuster-Facebuster combo on Carmella, allowing The Boss and The Glow to take the belts for their first tag team championship reign.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Sasha Banks pins Carmella to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship
Grade: B
Match 5: Edge vs. AJ Styles
Edge and AJ Styles are two of the best wrestlers the wrestling world has ever seen, and this is a dream match that we're glad to see in WrestleMania. The two have had very little history together, but WWE tried to play off the rivalry more outside of the ring through their extra programming, but even if you haven't been following these shows outside of the ring, you'd still see the disdain the two Superstars had with each other. We just hope that this match had more buildup, had more history and had higher stakes. Still, the match itself was a technical clinic, a great show to mark halftime.
AJ Styles entered with Pyros, and bafflingly already had a bloody face as he went out – the commentary team acknowledging that AJ's already bloodied for no reason even before entering the ring. Meanwhile, Edge channeled his Brood gimmick once again, entering with a fiery stage as his platform with a new entrance theme to go along with his much more demonic character. It really sold off Edge as a dangerous, evil character that wanted to do nothing but harm his opponent.
The Hall of Famer and the Future Hall of Famer did an extremely well selling a psychological battle between the two. Their match is also extremely physical, with Edge really leaning more into his more sadistic character. AJ's frustrations and motivation to avenge himself against weeks of torture of Edge also gave him reason to be as brutal as a Face could be.
A gorgeous Springboard 450 by AJ gets countered by Edge, allowing the Rated R superstar to take control of the match. A Shoulderbreaker would hurt both Superstars as AJ sold the shoulder Edge broke during the Rumble, while Edge sold an injured knee. A back and forth between the two showed an exceptional display of technical skill, although the two might have oversold their exhaustion a little bit too early in the match. AJ and Edge traded signatures and finishers throughout the match, and AJ even got the go signal to hit multiple Style Clashes in this match, making the match feel extra special.
A second Springboard 450 at the back of Edge led to a near fall, and the two are too exhausted at this point to get up. AJ then followed up with a Phenomenal Forearm, which Edge dodged. Edge tried hitting a Spear but AJ also dodged that, allowing him to hit a third Styles Clash for yet another near fall. AJ sets up for another Phenomenal Forearm but gets distracted by Damian Priest at ringside – who was just standing outside the ring wearing an attire that looks very brood-like. This delayed AJ's attack, which allowed Edge to Spear AJ mid-air for the 1-2-3.
This match was as physical as you could get for a normal Singles Match without weapons and both Superstars really brought the best out of each other. The random arrival of Damian Priest might have been a surprise to people, but given the characters of Edge and Damian Priest, everything makes sense. We're seeing a new generation of Brood with the heel Damian as heel Edge's new partner. A new reign of terror starts tonight, and we're here to see it.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Edge pins AJ Styles
Grade: A-
Match 6: The New Day vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland (with Butch)
The New Day entered the match wearing gear inspired by Big E's Championship attire, a tribute to their injured comrade. But their impressive in-ring gear didn't amuse the Irishman and his crew, who went straight to a beatdown of their opponents even before the ring rang, and a brawl went well underway without the match officially starting yet. The matchup starts properly with Kofi and Ridge together in the ring, and the former WWE champion hit a quick Trouble in Paradise that would have kept Ridge Holland on the mat had Sheamus not saved the count. A distraction by Butch allowed Sheamus to Brogue Kick both Kofi Kingston and King Woods, which allowed Ridge Holland to take the pinfall victory.
The match being originally set for Day 1 and being shoved into Day 2 due to time-cutting issues led to this match ending as quickly as it started – with the official match playing out for less than three minutes. It's a disservice for everyone involved, as Sheamus, Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston have proven that they can execute something so much better in a stage as grand as this. It's also a shame that Ridge Hollands' and Pete Dunne's WrestleMania debuts played out this way.
WWE's portrayal of Butch as an impulsive kid who does nothing but distract his team and be a general pain in the ass is a waste of talent for Pete Dunne, but a character that fits the role really well for the trio of brutes. Butch's post-match beatdown of Xavier Woods helped establish the three as heels to be booed out of the building, but we really can't help but feel sorry for Pete Dunne with this new character of his.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Ridge Holland pins Xavier Woods
Grade: D
Match 7: Austin Theory vs. Pat McAfee
What a life Pat McAfee is living right now – not only finally achieving his lifelong dream of becoming a professional wrestler, but also actually having a match at WrestleMania – going second to the last even!
Austin Theory and Pat McAfee make a perfect pair here, with a jealous Austin Theory who has a massive chip on his shoulder bullying Pat McAfee who just wants to enjoy his WrestleMania moment but now has to also prove that he deserves his WrestleMania moment. Vince McMahon appearing right before the match also sells off the match as the big, important match that WWE wants to portray this to be. McMahon can still do his shuffling walk to the ring even at his age, which is an amusing sight to behold. Across the card, this actually represents WWE's future the best, as two of their youngest stars squared it off in the ring. McMahon even introduces Theory as a “Future WWE Universal Champion.” But unlike other “Chosen Ones”, Austin Theory actually looks and plays the part, and the crowd eats him up.
Pat McAfee then entered to the tune of Seven Nation Army with a complete cheerleading squad behind him. This really builds him up as a fan favorite, with the crowd chanting the song along with his entrance. McAfee even kicked a football to the crowd, and the lucky kid who caught the ball will probably have a great time selling it on eBay. The crowd cheered so loudly for McAfee, which really shows how accepted he is in spite of his limited in-ring experience.
McAfee started off strong, leveling Theory to the ground. But even when Theory has taken the advantage, the crowd would still chant Seven Nation Army to rally McAfee. This would incense Theory whose character is all about gaining recognition and approval. So, instead of playing for the crowd, Theory does everything to please McMahon, looking at ringside to show the chairman what he's doing. The continued cheering of the fans irritates Theory, but the heel just feeds off the audiences' energy. Theory's lack of focus would always cause him to be countered by McAfee, who uses Austin's cockiness as a counterbalance to his inexperience.
There was also a fun spot where McAfee throws Austin off the ring, and when Theory found himself near the announce table, McAfee used the opportunity to grab one of the commentary headsets and mock his opponent. A Swanton Bomb powered by the chanting crowd misses the mark, though, and Theory manages to hit McAfee and attempt a pin for a near fall. Theory then tries to one-up Pat by going up the top rope as well, but he instead got a Superplex for his efforts. Pat McAfee attempts a punt but gets countered, allowing Theory to carry him over his shoulder, but McAfee uses the momentum of a drop to his advantage to pin Theory with a roll-up. The crowd continue chanting McAfee's theme as he celebrated his victory.
The two young stars had a great match that was complemented by a very engaged audience. The two superstars are very over and the fans really ate everything that the two wrestlers gave them, and the wrestlers themselves fed off the crowd's energy. This was a great match to precede the Main Event, with adrenaline now flowing through the entire arena's veins, and the segment afterward raised the energy even higher.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Pat McAfee rolls up Austin Theory
Grade: B+
Match 8: Mr. McMahon vs. Pat McAfee in an Impromptu Match
Theory's loss appears to have hurt McMahon's ego, and he himself went up to the ring when he saw McAfee celebrating too much. He dressed down to his undershirt, and a match ensues between the two. However, Theory would interject himself between the two's match over and over again, putting McAfee at a vast disadvantage. McMahon then continues to humiliate Pat, who, just moments before, was on top of the world celebrating his WrestleMania Moment. Theory then handed Vince a football. He teases the crowd with a punt of the football to the crowd but instead uses the football to punt McAfee in the face, allowing the Chairman to pin McAfee for the 1-2-3. When McMahon's music hits for the victory, he instead asks for the music to stop, having Theory celebrate on the corner top ropes instead – much to the crowd's chagrin. Theory then asks McMahon for a hug, before McMahon raises his hand in victory.
A funny moment in the match was when the crowd chanted “You've still got it!” at McMahon after hitting a couple of clotheslines. He seemed pleased with himself.
The two heels' celebration was interrupted by Stone Cold's music, who then walked up the ramp. He stuns Austin Theory, who sold the move as if his life depended on that sell. McMahon then tries to appease the rattlesnake when Steve Austin puts his sights on him. Mr. McMahon might have thought that he's gotten away with it when Steve Austin gave him a beer, but the old man never learns. McMahon chugged down a beer can with Austin, and one Stone Cold Stunner later, the crowd erupted in adulation.
After pushing McMahon off the ring, Stone Cold then invites Pat McAfee to the ring, and the two celebrate with beer can showers, only for McAfee to be on the receiving end of a Stunner, too.
This double swerve was confusing but fun to watch. The match itself isn't worth a second viewing. Having Steve Austin appear to stunner everyone, however, was a fun WrestleMania spot, but having McAfee lose to McMahon in an impromptu match doesn't feel necessary. Having Stone Cold Stun the Chairman for one final time was a great touch to finally mark an end of an era. One last Triple H in-ring appearance. One last Undertaker entrance. One last Stone Cold Stunner at the Chairman – turning over a new leaf to WWE's history moving forward as the company's future gets handed to Superstars like Austin Theory and Pat McAfee moving forward.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results: Mr. McMahon pins Pat McAfee, only to receive a Stone Cold Stunner from Steve Austin
Grade: B-
Match 9: Brock Lesnar (c) vs. Roman Reigns (c) (w/ Paul Heyman) for the Unified WWE/Universal Championship
The Universal Champion was the first to enter, flanked by The Bloodline. The crowd cheered as he entered, and even continued to cheer when he asked the audience to acknowledge him. Then, it was the WWE Champion's turn, who entered the ring with echoing cheers as well. Paul Heyman then introduced Roman Reigns – before Brock Lesnar stole the mic too to introduce himself because Paul Heyman would not. This was an amazing touch, and Paul Heyman's sour face afterward just made things even sweeter. The match was already off on a good start even before the bell has rung.
This isn't the first time these two squared off in a main event. In fact, it's not even their first time having a championship match at the Main Event of WrestleMania. WrestleMania 38 just has higher stakes – perhaps the highest it could be in WWE – as the two put everything on the line in a Title Unification Bout – really making this the billed “Biggest WrestleMania Match” ever.
Lesnar immediately removes his MMA gloves as soon as the bell rung – preferring to go bare-knuckled for the match. Brock Lesnar would take over early in the match, sending Reigns to Suplex City. However, Brock's attention soon turned to Heyman, who suckered him in towards the bell keeper's area, allowing Reigns to spear him through the barricade. Brock then narrowly escapes a count-out, only to be met with a Spear as he entered the ring for a near fall. Reigns then hit Lesnar with a Superman Punch, another Superman Punch, proudly declaring that he's the greatest of all time at the crowd as he does so. Reigns' gloating gets no sold by Lesnar, who laughs as he raises to his feet, who then catches Reigns from an attempted Superman Punch with another trip to Suplex City. Lesnar hits five German Suplexes, all the while selling his abdomen area from the spears from earlier.
Five suplexes weren't enough, though, as Lesnar's attempt to F5 Roman just got countered, letting Reigns hit Lesnar with another Superman Punch. A Spear attempt gets countered with an F5 for a near fall.
Reigns drives Lesnar to the corner, squashing the referee in the process. Reigns saw the opportunity and took it, hitting Lesnar with a Low Blow and a hit of the Universal Championship Belt on Lesnar's skull, but Brock still managed to kick out. A Spear attempt by Reigns was countered with a Kimura Lock right at the center of the ring. For someone who has never lost to submission – this was big for Reigns – he has never been put into this kind of position before – but he manages to reach out to the bottom rope to break the hold. Heyman cheers his Tribal Chief back on his feet, though, and as Lesnar tries to pick up Reigns again for an F5, Reigns hits him with one final Spear for the 1-2-3.
The hype and energy from the previous segment helped in the enjoyment of this match. Fans were into it – cheering and booing. You know that you've made a great PPV when the energy is still high by the time you hit the Main Event. However, the match is still plagued by an overuse of finishers and signature moves that really make them less devasting the more they get used without putting down the opponent. It also is the same Reigns vs. Lesnar match we've been watching over the years. The dirty tactics employed by the Tribal Chief also open the possibility of this feud continuing – but more than likely, Lesnar will take a break and not be seen on TV for a while. Reigns is now the Undisputed WWE and Universal Champion, and we enter a new era of WWE programming.
WrestleMania 38 Day 2 Results:
Grade: B-