For the first time in nearly a year, WWE 24 is returning with a new episode.
It was announced today that a new WWE 24 documentary will premiere on Peacock/WWE Network on Monday, March 27. The documentary will focus on WrestleMania 38 and the behind the scenes of the event.
WrestleMania 38 took place at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas last April. Night one was headlined by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin returning to the ring for his first match in nearly two decades. After appearing on the KO Show with Kevin Owens, Austin defeated Owens in a no holds barred match.
On night two of WrestleMania 38, Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar to unify the Universal Championship with the WWE Championship. Reigns has remained the undisputed champion since then and will defend the title against Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39.
WrestleMania 38 also featured Cody Rhodes’ WWE return, Logan Paul’s in-ring debut, and celebrity matches involving Johnny Knoxville and Pat McAfee.
This will be the first new WWE 24 episode since a documentary covering Royal Rumble 2022 was released in April of last year.
In what was billed as “The Biggest WrestleMania Match of All-Time,” Roman Reigns defeated Brock Lesnar in the main event of WrestleMania 38 in Dallas, Texas, to unify the WWE Universal title and WWE Championship.
It will now be called the unified WWE Universal title. It’s the first time the company will have a single top champion since 2016 when the Universal title was created as part of the brand extension.
As expected, the match was a competitive one with Lesnar hitting his Suplex City sequence and Reigns landing four Superman punches. An F5 counter on a Reigns spear nearly got three.
Reigns speared Lesnar into the referee and hit a low blow. He then hit Lesnar with the title belt, but only got a two count when the referee was revived.
Later, Lesnar countered a spear into a kimura that nearly got him the win until Paul Heyman subtly helped push the rope to Reigns’ hand so he could grab it.
What followed was an F5 attempt that Reigns got out of, hitting Lesnar with a spear to suddenly get the pin to unify the belts.
Reigns hasn’t lost since a December 2019 defeat to Baron Corbin at TLC. He won the Universal title in a three-way with Braun Strowman and then-champion The Fiend at August 2020’s Payback and has held it ever since.
It was the latest chapter in a rivalry that goes back years. This marked their fifth singles match and Reigns’ third straight win in the series.
After losing the WWE title to Bobby Lashley at this year’s Royal Rumble, Lesnar entered that night’s Rumble match and won to guarantee a title match of some sort at WrestleMania. He then regained the WWE title at February’s Elimination Chamber, setting up the winner take all stakes for the Reigns match.
On the Sunday edition of Wrestling Observer Live, Andrew Zarian is joined by Mat Men partner Rich Stambolian and producer Jonathan for a special two-hour WrestleMania edition of the show.
Hour one:
They discuss night one of WrestleMania including a returning Cody Rhodes, Bianca Belair winning the SmackDown Women’s title, and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin having an actual match with Kevin Owens.
Ring of Honor ran its first show under Tony Khan’s ownership, which included a Minoru Suzuki title win and maybe the best match of the weekend: FTR vs. The Briscoes. Also, Samoa Joe returned to ROH and will be in AEW as well.
We give our thoughts on NXT Stand & Deliver Saturday afternoon which has Andrew gushing over afternoon wrestling shows.
Hour two:
The guys preview WrestleMania night two, breaking down every match and what matches will steal the show. What is the likely outcome of the main event and who challenges for the titles after WrestleMania?
Also, we have a few additional notes on Cody Rhodes leaving AEW and not liking his executive role while he was there.
All this and more on this special two-hour Wrestling Observer Live!
In a Sunday tweet, Ronda Rousey addressed a report that she was upset about not being in the main event of Saturday’s first night of WWE WrestleMania 38, in addition to why she wasn’t at Friday’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
Our Bryan Alvarez said on Saturday’s Bryan & Vinny Show that he was told by someone close to Rousey that she was “furious” when told her match against Charlotte Flair wasn’t going on last and walked out of Friday’s SmackDown prior to the Hall of Fame.
While not directly denying she was upset about the decision, Rousey said that it was “an absolute honor” to perform under Steve Austin Saturday.
I don’t know where these “reports” come from but it was an absolute honor to perform under Steve Austin at Wrestlemania in Texas-I wasn’t a hall of fame because I have a six month old baby I had to put to sleep early. People are literally creating drama out of thin air
In the tweet, Rousey said had to take care of her child on Friday after SmackDown which is why she wasn’t at the Hall of Fame.
The main event of Saturday was the Austin appearance on Kevin Owens’ KO Show. It turned into a no holds barred match that Austin won in his first match back in 19 years.
Rousey was unsuccessful in unseating Flair, the SmackDown Women’s Champion, losing after being kicked in the face and pinned. Rousey was trying to revive a downed referee and had Flair visually submitted prior to that, setting up a likely rematch.
In an interview with Variety released following his return to WWE at Saturday’s WrestleMania 38, Cody Rhodes said that coming back after six years is “the ultimate vindication.”
As has been the speculation, Rhodes was Seth Rollins’ surprise opponent Saturday, complete with the entrance music he has been using for several years and “The American Nightmare” nickname. It was later revealed he has signed a multi-year deal with the company.
Rhodes said returning is a “really heavy feeling” and that while he’s proud of what was accomplished in his time in AEW, “to be able to revisit the thing that I set out to do in the first place when I didn’t think I would get that chance is just heavy.”
“It just seems like kind of a culmination of my whole career, but I don’t want to jinx it. I don’t want to put any hyperbole there, but it’s the biggest crowd in wrestling. It’s returning as me in something that I built and nobody else built. And that’s the ultimate vindication,” he said.
Rhodes feels like he is the best wrestler in the world, telling Variety he said that to Vince McMahon, Nick Khan and Bruce Prichard. He is most excited to prove that, however.
“It’s a completely different individual returning to the game. It’s a different brand. It’s someone who’s experienced all the wonders of independent wrestling, of traveling internationally, of being able to get on the ground with the fans that make this whole ship move,” later saying his goal is to get what his father never could (without mentioning it): the WWE title.
“I understand that now as an adult, but as a kid, that was the only reason I ever wanted to get in, so that I could get what he didn’t get,” he said.
Rhodes said he won’t talk about his reasons for leaving AEW, but debunked any “different theories” as being correct. He and wife, Brandi, announced earlier this year they would not return to AEW: a company they helped co-found. It was a surprising move to many, but Rhodes said it was simply time to do it.
“I mean, there were things about money and creative control. They were printed as fact and it’s been a very difficult two months to see that when the reality is it was just time. It was a personal matter and we couldn’t move past it,” he said, adding that he has respect for the Young Bucks and Kenny Omega and is rooting for Tony Khan.
“I get an opportunity at my dream, I get another chance at it. And you really can’t leave any stone unturned with that.”
Rhodes said that while WWE didn’t care for him at one point, he feels satisfied in returning on what he calls his own terms.
“And it wasn’t that they didn’t have love and respect for me but as a wrestler, I wasn’t considered their most desirable. If anything, I was kind of undesirable. That’s where the whole mantra comes from, the whole promo of “desirable to undeniable,” to be able to return on your terms. It kind of feels like being in the military and having conquered something or having won this battle and being able to stand and keep your chin parallel with the floor and to be able to come in that fashion, a bit of a conquering hero. That’s how I see it in my dreams.”
In the interview, Rhodes confirmed there is a Dusty Rhodes episode planned in the next round of A&E Biography episodes and that he will be an executive producer on it.
He also revealed that he has possession of the WWWF title belt and just acquired it several months ago from an unlikely source: former AEW rival Dan Lambert.
“He handed it to me for no money and said “I thought it should belong to you.”
The first night of WrestleMania 38 from AT&T Stadium in Dallas is headlined by the return of WWE icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Austin will confront Kevin Owens on the KO Show, which is expected to lead to some sort of physical confrontation. The extent of that physicality is one of the intriguing storylines going into the show.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair will defend against Ronda Rousey, who returns to WWE’s biggest show of the year for the first time since 2019.
In another high-profile match, Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair.
Seth Rollins’ road to WrestleMania will end up against a mystery opponent that is widely assumed to be the returning Cody Rhodes.
The Mysterios vs. The Miz & Logan Paul, Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin, The Usos vs. Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs for the SmackDown Tag Team titles, and New Day vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland are also set for tonight.
Tonight’s main card begins at 8 p.m. Eastern time. There will also be a two-hour pre-show leading into the event.
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Pre-Show
Kayla Braxton introduced the panel members Booker T, Pete Rosenberg, Kevin Patrick, and JBL. They’re outside of AT&T Stadium with a crowd of fans behind them waiting to get in.
They recapped the Becky Lynch and Bianca Belair feud. Rosenberg, JBL, and Booker all picked Belair to win, which got a pop. Patrick picked Lynch, which also got a good reaction from the fans nearby.
The panel turned their attention to the KO Show tonight. They showed a Steve Austin video package. They recapped The Usos vs. Rick Boogs & Shinsuke Nakamura.
They recapped the Seth Rollins path to WrestleMania storyline. In the back, Maria Menounos interviewed Rollins. He noted that everyone wants to know his opponent’s identity.
Rollins said it could be a legend like Stone Cold, The Rock, or Hulk Hogan. He speculated it could be someone from NXT like Carmelo Hayes. Rolins even thinks it could be Vince McMahon. He said it doesn’t matter because tonight’s about him.
The panel discussed Rollins’ match tonight. The fans in the background broke into a loud “Cody” chant. They recapped last night’s Hall of Fame ceremony.
A TikTok celebrity Josh Richards joined the panel, and the fans erupted in boos. They broke into a loud “Who are you?” chant. Booker asked if he’d get in the ring because he’s a natural heel. JBL agreed. They previewed the KO Show with Steve Austin tonight.
They showed footage of Kevin Owens at Axxess yesterday. He knocked over Austin merchandise, hit an Austin cut out, and spray painted Owens 3:16 Get Stunned on an Austin poster.
Jerry “The King” Lawler joined the panel, and the fans broke into a loud “Jerry” chant. They previewed Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz & Logan Paul. Logan’s brother, Jake Paul, joined the panel, and the fans booed him. He was a total heel and played to the crowd.
They previewed Sheamus & Ridge Holland vs. New Day. They also showed footage of Big E’s injury. In the back, Maria Menounos interviewed Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. They promised to win tonight despite Butch being in Sheamus & Holland’s corner. They showed Big E’s message on social media from last month. Braxton started a “Big E” chant. This match didn’t end up taking place.
They recapped the Happy Corbin and Drew McIntyre feud. The panel discussed Madcap Moss winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal last night. Braxton wondered if Moss would be better off without Corbin. Moss interrupted the panel and praised Corbin. He’s confident that Corbin’s winning tonight and continuing his undefeated streak.
Moss told a bad joke, but Booker thought he was hilarious. He made Moss tell more jokes, and Booker couldn’t stop laughing. He even got the fans chanting, “One more.” Moss felt the fans didn’t deserve one more joke.
Inside the AT&T Stadium, Titus O’Neil welcomed the fans to the most stupendous WrestleMania. The fans popped. O’Neil introduced five local organizations they worked with and donated $20,000 to each.
They previewed Charlotte Flair vs. Ronda Rousey. American Ninja Warrior’s Akbar Gbjabiamila joined the panel to discuss the SmackDown Women’s title match. They turned their attention to Austin’s return and tomorrow night’s main event.
Main Show
Country music rocker Brantley Gilbert performed the National anthem. The opening video featured actor Mark Wahlberg.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Cheerleaders came out and performed to AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” and got a big pop.
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee kicked off WrestleMania. McAfee’s excited for his first WrestleMania.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated Shinkuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs to retain (6:52)
This was a good opening match, but it was the same basic match they’d have on SmackDown. It might have been cut short due to Boogs’ injury.
Rick Boogs came out and introduced Shinsuke Nakamura. They both got a big pop from the fans. McAfee danced on the announce table.
They recapped Rick Boogs defeating Jey Uso. They did the special ring introductions for the match.
Nakamura kicked Jimmy in the face at the bell. He followed up with a running knee in the corner. The Usos took over and isolated Nakamura on their side of the ring. Nakamura tried fighting back, but Jimmy hit an enziguri to maintain control. He slowed the pace down with a chin lock.
Boogs tagged in and ran wild. He caught Jey with a bear hug and transitioned into a delayed vertical suplex for a near fall. Boogs picked up both Usos on his shoulders, but his knee gave out. Nakamura tagged back in and hit a dive to the floor. Nakamura fought The Usos alone for the rest of the match because Boogs’ legit knee injury.
Nakamura hit a sliding German suplex on Jey and set up for the Kinshasa, but Jey hit a superkick. Jimmy followed up with the splash for a near fall, which got a big reaction. Nakamura fought back, but Jey grabbed his hair, which allowed Jimmy to hit a superkick. The Usos hit the 1-D for the win.
After the match, the doctors checked on Boogs at ringside. Later in the night, Cole noted that Boogs would require surgery for his injury.
They showed a lengthy video package looking at Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville.
McIntyre and Corbin had a good match. It started out slow but picked up when McIntyre was in control. The fans were into it by the end.
They recapped the McIntyre-Corbin feud. Cole and McAfee made a big deal out of Corbin’s joke about McIntyre’s mother last night. They then recapped Madcap Moss winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal.
McIntyre jumped Corbin at the bell. He rocked Corbin with hard chops in the corner. Corbin tried fighting back, but McIntrye sent him to the floor with a clothesline. McIntyre drove Corbin’s back into the barricade.
Corbin recovered and sent McIntyre into the ring post. He targeted McIntyre’s knee and talked trash. He followed up with a back suplex for a near fall. Corbin was firmly in control, so Moss jumped on the apron to celebrate.
Corbin yelled at Moss to jump off the apron. McIntyre took advantage and hit a spinebuster for a near fall. He regained control and hit the neck breaker for another near fall. Corbin blocked the Futureshock DDT and hit the Deep Six for a close near fall.
McIntyre fought back and hit a clothesline off the top rope. He set up for the Claymore, and the fans popped. They counted along with him, but Moss pulled Corbin out of the ring. McIntyre then hit a huge flip dive over the top rope. The fans popped big.
Corbin avoided McIntrye and went for the End of Days, but McIntyre slipped out. Corbin avoided the Claymore and hit End of Days for a very close near fall. The fans thought that was the finish and popped big when McIntyre kicked out. Cole noted that’s the first time anyone kicked out of Corbin’s finisher.
McIntyre jumped to his feet and hit the Claymore kick for the win. The fans popped big for McIntyre’s win.
After the match, McIntyre celebrated with his sword, Angela. Moss tried to get in the ring, but Mcintyre backed him off. He then cut the top ring rope with the sword, and all the ropes fell.
The Miz & Logan Paul defeated Rey & Dominik Mysterio (11:14)
This was a good tag team match. Paul was good in the match and a great heel. The fans hated him with a passion. They hated him so much they cheered Miz when he turned on Paul after the match.
They recapped the Mysterios vs. The Miz & Logan Paul feud.
Paul came to the ring wearing a rare Pokemon card around his neck. The heels gained the early advantage when Paul caused a distraction from the apron.
Paul tagged in, and the fans erupted in boos. He backed Rey into the corner with rights and lefts. Paul avoided Rey with two leapfrogs and did the splits. Rey took advantage and kicked Paul in the head.
The Mysterios took over with Dominik running wild. He hit a moonsault off the middle rope on Miz for a near fall. He followed up with an arm drag on Paul, and a head scissors on The Miz. Dominik then hit a twisting crossbody to the floor. The fans popped for Dominik and gave him a big reaction.
Paul jumped Dominik from behind to take over. He hit a running power slam on Dominik for a two-count. Paul and Miz hit the It kicks on Dominik to loud boos.
Paul hit a blockbuster on Dominik for another near fall. The fans rallied behind Dominik. The heels isolated Dominik on their side of the ring and cut him off from Rey.
Dominik fought back with a tornado DDT on Miz and kicked Paul in the face. Rey got the hot tag and caught Miz with a flying hurricanrana. He followed up with a seated senton and a kick to the face for two-count. Rey hit a moonsault on Miz for a near fall, but Paul broke up the pin attempt.
The heels went for a double suplex, but Dominik caught Paul with a superkick, and Rey rolled up Miz for a near fall. Rey went for the 619, but Miz fought back. Rey followed up with a tornado DDT for another near fall. Rey went for the Three Amigos on Miz to a huge pop. The fans broke into a brief “Eddie” chant.
Miz escaped ad sent Rey into the ring post. Paul posed in the ring, and the fans erupted in boos. Paul then gave Rey the Three Amigos to a chorus of boos. They absolutely hated him. They hated him even more when he climbed to the top rope and did Eddie Guerrero’s pose. He hit the frog splash to even louder boos.
Dominik made the save, and the faces ran wild. They hit a double 619 on Paul, but Miz made the blind tag. Dominik hit the frog splash on Paul, and Rey hit a second frog splash. Miz jumped in and slammed Dominik onto Rey. He then hit the skull crushing finale on Rey for the win.
The fans erupted in boos at the finish. The Miz and Paul celebrated after the match when Miz turned on Paul and gave him the skull crushing finale. The fans popped for the turn and cheered Miz.
Stephanie McMahon came out to a good reaction. She thanked the fans and introduced Gable Stevenson to a big pop.
They recapped the Edge and AJ Styles feud.
Bianca Belair defeated Becky Lynch to win the Raw Women’s Championship (19:07)
Belair and Lynch had a great match. The fans were into it from start to the finish.
They recapped the Lynch-Belair feud. Lynch had a grand entrance with a special video and a chauffeur driving her onto the stage. Belair had a grand entrance as well with the Southern Texas marching band playing Belair’s music. This was pretty awesome.
They did the special ring introductions for the match. Belair got a big pop during the intro, while Lynch got a mixed reaction. The fans gave the match a big reaction when the bell rang.
Lynch went for the Manhandle slam at the bell, but Belair countered with the KOD. Lynch slipped out and hit the Manhandle slam a close near fall. The fans reacted big for the near fall since it was the SummerSlam finish.
Lynch went for several near falls but couldn’t put Belair away. Belair fought back with a suplex and rolled through. She went for a second suplex, but Lynch reversed to take over. Lynch missed a moonsault, and Belair locked on Lynch’s dis-arm-her.
Lynch fought back and got to the ropes. Belair tried to lift up Lynch on her shoulders but struggled to get her up. They changed course and traded near falls.
Lynch took over after sending Belair into the ring steps. She was firmly in control and hit a series of suplexes. Lynch then drove Belair throat first into the middle rope. Belair fought back, but Lynch hit a superkick. Lynch followed up with leg drop off the corner onto Belair draped over the top rope.
Lynch slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Belair tried fighting back, but Lynch regained control with an armbar. Belair fought back and picked up Lynch. Lynch grabbed the top rope, and they both fell over to ringside.
Belair tried to get back in the ring, but Lynch pulled her out. At ringside, Belair ran at Lynch. She attempted to give her a backdrop, but Belair bounced off the ropes into a suplex.
Belair took over and ran wild on Lynch. She avoided Lynch with a headspring backflip. Belair caught Lynch in a powerbomb, but Lynch rolled her up for a near fall. Belair recovered and hit a handspring standing moonsault for a close near fall.
Belair climbed to the top rope, but Lynch cut her off. Belair lifted Lynch on her shoulders while standing on the middle turnbuckle. She then dropped Lynch on the corner. The fans all stood up and popped for the spot.
Belair hit the 450 splash for a very close two-count. Lynch fought back and hung Belair on the top rope.
Lynch went for a flip senton but instead did a flip dropkick and hit Belair right in the face. Belair then hit a spinebuster and went for the handspring moonsault again, but Lynch got her feet up.
Belair tried to roll up Lynch, but she reversed and sent her into the ring post. Belair recovered and went for the KOD. Lynch held onto the top rope, so Belair gave her the KOD to the floor instead. Lynch recovered and sent Belair into the ring post by her hair. Lynch then gave her the Manhandle slam on the ring steps.
Lynch almost won by count out, but Belair beat the count. The fans popped big for Belair getting back in the ring. The fans broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant.
Belair could barely get to her feet. Lynch went for the manhandle slam off the middle rope, but Belair avoided it with a backflip. Belair then hit the KOD for the win to a massive pop.
Rollins and Rhodes had an awesome match. The fans went crazy for everything they did. Rhodes debut was an awesome WrestleMania moment. He came across like a major star.
They recapped the Seth Rollins path to WrestleMania storyline. Rollins waited in the ring as fans broke into a “Cody” chant. Rollins threw his jacket out of the ring, and pyro went off. The lights then went off in the stadium as well.
Cody Rhodes’s music hit to a huge pop. He came out as the “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes. He had a similar entrance to his AEW days.
The fans broke into a loud “Cody” chant before the bell. They squared off, and the fans broke into another “Cody” chant. Rhodes had the early advantage with a side headlock and an arm drag. He did the old Stardust pose to a big pop.
Rollins fought back, but Rhodes recovered, dropped down, and caught Rollins with a right hand. The fans broke into a loud “Cody” chant. Rollins went for the Pedigree, but Rhodes escaped and attempted the Cross Rhodes.
They fought over a suplex in the ring and fell over the ropes to the floor. The commentators pushed that Rhodes has a high in-ring IQ.
Rhodes slowed the pace down and worked over Rollins’ arm. Rhodes went for a flying crossbody, but Rollins hit a dropkick. Rhodes told the referee his ribs were injured.
Rollins took advantage and worked over Rhodes’ ribs. Rollins shouted at Rhodes, “Welcome to the big leagues.” Rollins slowed the pace down with a bear hug targeting the ribs.
Rhodes fought back with a power slam and a clothesline to the floor. He followed up with a suicide dive sending Rollins over the announce table. Rhodes then hit a moonsault off the top for a close near fall.
Rhodes jumped off the apron, but Rollins caught him and gave him a powerbomb into the barricade. He followed up with a superkick and falcon arrow for a near fall.
Rhodes avoided the stomp twice and went for the Cross Rhodes. Rollins escaped, but Rhodes hit the Cross Rhodes for a very close near fall. The fans broke into a “Cody” chant.
A desperate Rhodes climbed to the top rope, but Rollins cut him off. Rollins gave Rhodes a reverse superplex into a slam for another near fall. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant and a faint “Cody” chant. Rhodes avoided the Phoneix Splash, but Rollins rolled through.
Rollins went for the Pedigree, but Rhodes escaped. Rhodes set up for the pedigree, and the fans popped. Instead, Rhodes hit a powerbomb and Cody cutter for another very close two-count. Rhodes didn’t know what to do next. Rollins took advantage and hit the Pedigree for another close near fall.
They traded rights in the middle of the ring. The fans cheered Rhodes and booed Rollins. Rollins yelled that this his company. He hit a forearm to the back of the head.
Rhodes recovered and hit two Cross Rhodes. He went for a third but let Rollins go. Rhodes paid tribute to his father, Dusty Rhodes. He did the flip, flop, and fly. He then hit the bionic elbow and a third Cross Rhodes for the win. The fans popped big for the finish.
They recapped the Hall of Fame ceremony and introduced the 2022 class to the fans. Undertaker got a separate introduction. He got a huge reaction from the fans.
They announced the attendance for tonight as 77,899.
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defeated Ronda Rousey to retain the title (18:20)
Flair and Rousey had a good match, but the finish felt a bit weak. They had a tough time following the last two matches, but it picked up towards the end.
They recapped the Flair-Rousey feud.
They did the special ring introductions for the title match. Rousey got a mixed reaction with mostly cheers, while Flair got loud boos.
Rousey had the early advantage with rights and lefts in the corner. Referee Charles Robinson got in between them. Flair took advantage and hit a forearm. Rousey fought back with an armbar, but Flair broke free. Flair took over and sent Rousey into the ring post.
Flair was firmly in control and slowed the pace down with a face lock. Rousey fought back, but Flair responded with a hard clothesline. She slowed the pace down again with a dragon sleeper. Rousey broke free and rocked Flair with a knee for a two-count.
Flair tried to jump on Rousey’s knee, but she moved and hit a version of a tornado DDT. Rousey rocked Flair with a kick to the head and threw her around. Flair recovered and hit a spear for a near fall. The crowd was pretty dead up to this point. The fans finally came alive.
Flair went for a moonsault, but Rousey moved. Flair landed on her feet and hit a standing moonsault, but it was mistimed. Rousey fought back, but Flair regained control. Flair hung up Rousey in the corner and locked on a Boston Crab on the top rope. Rousey broke free and punched Flair in the face. She then threw Flair off the top rope.
Rousey hit Piper’s Pit and set up for the armbar. Rousey took her time, which allowed Flair to recover. Flair rocked Rousey with a boot to the face. She went for the figure four, but Rousey escaped and hit a power slam for a two-count.
Rousey went for Piper’s Pit again, but Flair escaped. Rousey applied the ankle lock, but Flair reversed the move. Rousey sent Flair into the turnbuckle, but Flair fought back with a powerbomb. Rousey went for the armbar, but Flair countered into the figure four. Rousey reversed into the ankle lock, but Flair broke free.
They traded submission moves. Rousey went for the armbar, but Flair countered into the figure eight. Rousey reversed and rolled out of the ring. Cole noted nobody ever broke free of the figure eight before.
They fought at ringside, with Rousey pulling Flair off the apron. Flair recovered and caught Rousey with a suplex into the barricade. They beat the ten count. Flair went for a boot, but Rousey grabbed her leg.
Rousey hit Piper’s Pit, and Robinson counted three, but Flair got her foot on the bottom rope. Robinson waved it off, but Rousey thought she won. Flair took advantage and hit natural selection for a near fall.
Flair went for the figure four, but Rousey kicked off, and Flair speared Robinson. Rousey caught Flair with the armbar, and she tapped, but Robinson was still down. Rousey tried to revive the referee, but Flair took advantage and kicked Rousey in the face for the win.
It appears New Day vs. Sheamus and Holland was bumped from the show.
The KO Show with Stone Cold Steve Austin
They recapped Kevin Owens challenging Austin. The fans were elelctirc for the segment and reacted big to everything.
Kevin Owens made his entrance to a chorus of boos. The fans broke into a loud “Austin” chant. Owens welcomed everyone to the main event version of the KO Show. The fans erupted in boos. He pointed out that he said some bad things about Austin and Texas.
The fans broke into a loud “What” chant. He pretended to apologize but insulted the fans more. He called Austin the worst influence and couldn’t wait to tell him that he sucks.
Owens promised to give Austin a stunner and pour beer on him. Suddenly, glass shattered, and Austin’s music hit to a massive pop. Austin came out dressed to fight. He started walking to the ring but stopped and walked to the back. Owens laughed and assumed Austin had left.
Austin returned on his ATV and drove down to the ring. He jumped in the ring and kicked over the KO Show signs to pose on the corners. Owens demanded they stop the music and noted this is his show. The fans broke into a loud “Austin” chant.
Owens demanded that Austin sit down so they could talk. Owens doesn’t want to fight. Austin mocked Owens haircut as the fans broke into the “What” chant, which works with Austin. Owens mocked Texas and said it’s not as good as Canada.
Owens claims he’d rather live in Mexico than Texas. Owens admitted that he tricked Austin onto the show. He’s not looking to talk. He’s looking for a fight.
Owens noted he brought Austin on the show to challenge him to a match. The fans popped. Owens then challenged Austin to a No Holds Barred match right now.
Owens claims that Austin knows he can’t beat him. He told Austin to leave, and the fans broke into a “One more match” chant.
Austin noted he had his first match in Dallas, Texas. He added that he could have his last match in Dallas, Texas, tonight. He asked the fans if they want him to have a match tonight to give him a hell yeah.
The fans responded with a loud “Hell Yeah.” Austin agreed to a match and called out a referee to have an official match. The fans popped.
No Holds Barred: Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated Kevin Owens (13:55)
Austin and Owens had an awesome brawl with amazing heat. It wasn’t the best technical match of the night but it was still great. Austin and Owens were great in their roles. It was another awesome WrestleMania moment to end a good first night of WrestleMania 38. It was fun and cool way to end the night.
They traded right hands, with Austin getting the upper hand. He backed Owens into the corner and stomped a mud hole.
Austin threw Owens into the other corner and continued to stomp on Owens. He grabbed a beer mid-match to a huge pop. The fans broke into a brief “you still got it” chant. Owens recovered and took over. He beat down Austin around ringside and pulled out a table.
Owens set up the table against the barricade, but Austin reversed and sent Owens into the table instead. They fought through the crowd. Austin went for a suplex, but Owens reversed. Austin tried fighting back, but Owens got the upper hand again.
Austin recovered and slammed Owens onto the announce desk. He pulled out more beer to a huge pop. Austin continued to beat down Owens with ten right hands. He had another beer and threw Owens back in the ring. Owens hung Austin on the top rope and tried to leave on Austin’s ATV.
Austin stopped Owens and jumped on the ATV. He drove them both up the ramp to the stage. Austin then gave Owens a suplex on the stage and sent him headfirst into the ATV. He then gave Owens a second suplex on the stage.
Austin threw Owens down the ramp, and he rolled back to ringside. Austin grabbed more beers and got back in the ring. Owens took advantage and hit the stunner for a close near fall. The fans broke into an “Austin” chant.
Owens grabbed a chair and went to hit Austin, but he moved. The chair hit the ropes and bounced back into Owens’ face. Austin then hit the stunner for the win to a massive pop.
After the match, Austin gave Owens another stunner and celebrated his win. He called Byron Saxton into the ring. He gave Saxton a beer and then a stunner. It was the greatest moment in Corey Graves’ career.
Austin celebrated his win with more beers to end a good first night of WrestleMania 38.
The KO Show segment between Kevin Owens and WWE icon Steve Austin will main event night one of WWE Wrestlemania 38 this Saturday in Dallas, Texas.
Owens said as much again on Monday’s WWE Raw during a promo segment. Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio that he had previously heard that was the plan.
The other leading option was the WWE SmackDown Women’s title match between champion Charlotte Flair and challenger Ronda Rousey. Meltzer speculated that if the Austin segment wasn’t last, some fans might leave afterward.
While originally thought to be Austin’s first match in nearly 20 years, the expectation for the KO Show segment is physicality and a brawl of some sort between the two. Austin is said to look in tremendous shape, but with not having been in the ring in nearly two decades, it’s unclear what the direction will be Saturday.
Owens has been running down Texas and then Austin personally for weeks on Raw with Austin eventually accepting Owens’ invite to be on his interview segment at WrestleMania.
Austin has not physically appeared on Raw to be part of the build.
A match between Bobby Lashley and Omos was made official tonight on Raw.
After defeating the Viking Raiders by countout, Omos was asked by an interviewer who would be able to challenge him. Omos said no one. This brought out a returning Bobby Lashley, and the two had a confrontation. Omos initially had the upper hand over Lashley, but a shoulder block by Lashley took Omos down to the mat. Omos bailed out of the ring and headed to the back as the segment ended.
It was later confirmed that the match would take place on WrestleMania Sunday, April 3.
Lashley had been out of action since the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view last month when he was written out of storylines after Seth Rollins powerbombed Austin Theory through a Elimination Chamber pod and into Lashley. He was taken out of the match, with WWE later saying that he was under concussion protocol. In actuality, it was reported that Lashley had suffered a shoulder injury in his match against Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view back in January.
Here is the full card for both nights of WWE WrestleMania 38, which takes place this Saturday and Sunday:
Night one (Saturday, April 2) —
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Ronda Rousey
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
The KO Show with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Seth Rollins vs. an opponent of Vince McMahon’s choosing
Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz & Logan Paul
Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland
Night two (Sunday, April 3) —
Winner-take-all championship unification match: WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Edge vs. AJ Styles
Bobby Lashley vs. Omos
Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory
Anything goes match: Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Queen Zelina & Carmella defend against Sasha Banks & Naomi, Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan, and Natalya & Shayna Baszler in a fatal four-way match
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro defend against The Street Profits and Alpha Academy in a triple threat match
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer provided some WWE notes and insight on Cody Rhodes and some ticket sales updates for WrestleMania 38.
Cody vs. Seth a go for WrestleMania
On Rhodes, Meltzer said that WWE sources have indicated that Cody Rhodes facing Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 38 is indeed set.
“All WWE sources indicate the belief that the deal is done and the match is happening and that any suggestion it isn’t is not the case,” Meltzer wrote. “There are those close to the situation who are still suggesting otherwise but one person in WWE called that ‘silliness’ at this point.”
Veer getting a change
It was also noted in this week’s WON that when Veer finally does arrive to Raw on April 4, his character will be changed.
“Veer’s long-awaited Raw return is scheduled for the 4/4 show in Dallas. It also looks like they are changing his original character,” Meltzer wrote.
What’s closing Saturday’s first night of WrestleMania?
There were reports out this week that Steve Austin’s appearance on the KO Show would headline WrestleMania’s first night on Saturday, but Meltzer said that as of now, that is not the case.
“According to those in WWE, as of mid-week, Flair vs. Rousey was scheduled to close the show but it was also noted that match order changes frequently,” he wrote.
Ticket sales update for WrestleMania weekend
In terms of ticket sales, there are currently 60,586 tickets out for WrestleMania Saturday and 58,499 out for the Sunday show. The stadium is set up for 65,268. The current “get in” price on the secondary market for Saturday is $35 and for Sunday is $29.
The SmackDown/Hall of Fame ceremony on April 1st has 10,704 tickets distributed while the April 4th edition of Raw has 9,744 tickets out. It was noted that WWE will likely set a record for most ticket and merchandise revenue ever from a WrestleMania weekend.
This week, we continue to see the build to WrestleMania 38 as Kevin Owens might have given us the greatest troll job ever. We go into the build itself to his confrontation with Steve Austin and how we think it’s going given the storylines.
Seth Rollins lost his mind this week as he doesn’t have a path to WrestleMania which begs the question: where’s Cody Rhodes?
AEW and DDT have come to a partnership agreement. What does it mean and is it leading to their video library coming to an AEW streaming service?
We also discuss another great episode of Dynamite and the hints that we might be seeing Bret Hart return soon in AEW. Also, is CM Punk the next title challenger for Hangman Page?
Future WWE wrestler Gable Steveson says he might still compete at the 2024 Olympics.
Steveson left his boots on the mat after winning his second-straight NCAA heavyweight championship last Saturday. During an appearance on The MMA Hour on Wednesday, however, he said he’s not closing the door on returning to amateur wrestling.
“For now, I’m done. For now, I’m going to focus on WWE, go to WrestleMania, do all those things,” Steveson said.
“I know that competitive itch is going to come back and who knows? It might be at the 2024 Olympic trials when I show up again, but I do feel like I will put the shoes back on just not for a little bit.”
“When that time comes, I’ll only be 24. I feel like I still have a lot left to prove,” Steveson said about possibly participating in the 2024 Olympics. “I hope to maybe show up and if I don’t, 2028 is there and I’ll only be 28.”
He confirmed that he is eligible to compete one more year in college but does not plan on doing so.
He also said that Brock Lesnar was one of the first people to congratulate him following his second-straight NCAA championship.
“He was one of the first. He said ‘great job’, congratulated me on my good interview too. He said I had a really good interview which I was proud to hear. I’ve been working on my talking skills,” he said. “I like how Roman Reigns talks on Friday Night SmackDown. He’s so productive, he’s strong with his words, he’s just a one of a kind spokesperson.”
Steveson was asked if he has received any help from Paul Heyman on his talking skills.
“He’s a wizard, you know? There was times when he would tell me certain things to spin to make an attraction bigger than it should be. He’s just so smart. He’s literally a genius at what he does,” he said.
Steveson continued to say that he has a good relationship with WWE’s Paul “HHH” Levesque and president Nick Khan as well. He confirmed he will be at WrestleMania, but would not elaborate any further regarding what his role on the show would be.
“My exact start date is in the middle of April. So, they’re letting me finish school, they’re letting me do my thing,” Steveson continued. “I’m planning on getting on TV and getting in the ring on TV really, really soon.”
He also confirmed he will be bypassing NXT and heading straight to the Raw brand.
Bobby Lashley vs. Omos is expected to take place at WWE WrestleMania 38.
Fightful Select reported on Monday that Lashley was Omos’ planned opponent for the show with Dave Meltzer noting on Wrestling Observer Radio that it will depend on if Lashley is cleared in time.
“Omos is doing the thing where he’s asking for a singles match. He’s going to have a singles match against somebody, but right now the guy is Lashley on the list. It could end up being somebody else if Lashley is not cleared. Apparently, that would say that Lashley is not undergoing shoulder surgery because if he was undergoing shoulder surgery or had surgery he wouldn’t be at WrestleMania,” Meltzer said.
Lashley suffered a shoulder injury when facing Brock Lesnar at January’s Royal Rumble. An injury angle three weeks later at the Elimination Chamber saw him removed from the match before officially entering due to “concussion protocols.”
Omos has picked up victories on four straight episodes of WWE Raw. He defeated Commander Azeez and Apollo Crews in a handicap match on Monday’s show.
The current lineups for WrestleMania 38 is as follows:
Night one (Saturday, April 2) —
SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte Flair defends against Ronda Rousey
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defends against Bianca Belair
The KO Show with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
Rey & Dominik Mysterio vs. The Miz & Logan Paul
Drew McIntyre vs. Happy Corbin
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defend against Shinsuke Nakamura & Rick Boogs
Night two (Sunday, April 3) —
Winner-take-all championship unification match: WWE Champion Brock Lesnar vs. Universal Champion Roman Reigns
Pat McAfee vs. Austin Theory
Sami Zayn vs. Johnny Knoxville
AJ Styles vs. Edge
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Queen Zelina & Carmella defend against Sasha Banks & Naomi, Rhea Ripley & Liv Morgan, and Natalya & Shayna Baszler in a fatal four-way match
Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro defend against The Street Profits and Alpha Academy in a triple threat match
Steve Austin is said to be in tremendous shape as WWE WrestleMania 38 draws closer.
Our Dave Meltzer appeared on the Sunday Night’s Main Event podcast and spoke about Austin’s physical condition heading into the show and his anticipated clash with Kevin Owens.
“He and I happen to have a mutual friend who just saw him and told me he was in fantastic shape,” Meltzer said about Austin. “So, I mean he might take his shirt off. There’s going to be a fight. There’s going to be a brawl, without a doubt. It’s not just going to be just a kick in the gut and stunner. He’s training very hard. So it’s going to be more than that. Will he do a 20-minute match? No, I don’t think so. Will he go seven minutes or something and have a brawl all over the place? I kind of expect that.”
Meltzer also said that WrestleMania will likely continue to be a two-night event moving forward.
“I talked to people there and they certainly gave me the impression that the idea is two days going forward,” Meltzer said. “They always can change their mind based on what happens. I think that they all thought that seven-hour show thing just doesn’t work. That’s more tiring than the two days.”
Cody Rhodes vs. Seth Rollins is still being planned for WWE WrestleMania 38.
While Rhodes did not appear on Raw last night, the storyline that Rollins doesn’t have a “path to WrestleMania” was featured prominently. According to comments made by Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, Rhodes is still expected in WWE shortly and will likely provide Rollins with such a path.
“The impression is that Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins is the WrestleMania match,” Meltzer said.
“He’s coming, that’s it. He’s coming. He’s wrestling Seth at WrestleMania unless something changes and I sure watched (last night’s Raw) not thinking anything’s changing.”
There were several subtle references to Rhodes made on Monday’s Raw. As the show was coming to a close, Corey Graves said that Rollins’ WrestleMania hopes had been “dashed” and that his dream has become a “nightmare.” Rhodes has used both the nicknames “Dashing” and “The American Nightmare” in the past.
During Commander Azeez’s ring entrance, Jimmy Smith referenced “The Colossus of Rhodes” which was a large Greek statue on the island of Rhodes from 280-226 BC.
Damian Priest also used his Reckoning finisher to defeat Finn Balor on Raw, a move similar to Cody’s Cross Rhodes. Priest had not been using the move recently and some speculated this was due to Rhodes’ pending arrival.
