WrestleMania Night 1 Review

April 22, 2025 0 By Right Hook Ray

WrestleMania weekend came to a close last night, with some incredible matches and moments. Night one set the tone, and here is my review of the night as well as the good and simple Right Hook ratings.

World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther vs. Jey Uso
Starting the show off with Gunther vs. Jey Uso was great. This was another good old-fashioned wrestling match that showcased Jey Uso’s ability. Jey laughing and countering Gunther throughout the match was a nice touch.

In the end, Jey did not go for a pin, but the submission after multiple Uso splashes, making Gunther tap, was excellent. Jey and Jimmy’s emotional moment was a great culmination of their journey in WWE. #Yeetmania happened.

RHR Rating: 4 out of 5

World Tag Team Championship: War Raiders vs. The New Day

The New Day’s gear is always A+, and seeing the War Raiders in WrestleMania is refreshing. The match was a good, simple tag team match, and the New Day stole the win. They are the new tag champs, and hopefully, they will jumpstart the tag division on Monday nights.

RHR Rating: 2 out of 5

Jade Cargill vs. Naomi
I LOVE THIS NEW NAOMI! The music, gear, and everything else are so good. Jade Cargill is straight box office; it’s undeniable. The match was fine, but Cargill’s strength was fully displayed as she won her first singles match on the grandest stage.

RHR Rating: 2.5 out of 5

United States Championship: LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu

Never say never because Jacob Fatu had a Wrestlemania entrance, and it’s about damn time! Fatu looks to be a regular for future WrestleManias, and LA Knight is bulletproof in my opinion. This match was very good (I guess my dog Finn picked the right match of the night choice), but it also was a showcase for Fatu, who won his first championship, not a bad night for the legendary Samoan dynasty.

RHR Rating: 3 out of 5

Rey Fenix vs. El Grande Americano
I am a sucker for the over the top nature of El Grande Americano and that entrance was hilarious. Rey Fenix being in Wrestlemania with a month of his debut is insane really a tough weekend for Tony Khan and AEW.

This match was a banger, and the news of WWE purchasing AAA will lead to more impressive matches, especially with Vikingo appearing ringside. Still, El Grande Americano cheats to get the win, continuing his rise in Lucha Libre.

RHR Rating: 2.5 out of 5

WWE Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton

I’m sure Tiffany’s Barbie entrance was cool; some big money will be made there. Charlotte always has a glamorous entrance, so the Rolls wasn’t surprising. The match was incredible, and it certainly made up for the build-up. One thing you can’t take away from Flair is that she brings a big match feel and delivers.

Stratton showed she has been ready for the big stage, keeping up with the queen.
The match had rough or ugly spots, but felt like a fight. Stratton attacking Flair’s knee was a good touch, and her winning the match was the first of many significant match victories for the buff Barbie.

RHR Rating: 3 out of 5

Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk
The highly anticipated triple threat was next, and man, you couldn’t get a bigger fight, star-powered, Wrestlemania main event match than this. The entrances were amazing. Rollins never disappoints with a gear change mid-entrance, doing some HBK from Wrestlemania 25. Roman Reigns didn’t need much; his presence or aura is enough, but the panels showing all the bloodline members were excellent. Then the video package for CM Punk was incredible as it highlights Punk’s career.

Then we see Living Colour on stage when that famous riff starts, and out comes Punk with Paul Heyman, who is genuinely happy signing with the band and gets his wish of main eventing Wrestlemania with his best friend walking beside him. The bell rings, and the energy takes over for the first minute or so of the match.

This match was incredible, and there’s too much to cover and write about. Just go back and watch it if you want move for move, but Punk messes with Reigns by asking the wise man for advice, putting Reigns in an angry state that would haunt Punk and Rollins, as Reigns was dominant throughout the match.

Rollins seemed more focused on Punk than Reigns in the match, and Punk picked his spots when he could to steal a win. There were a lot of close calls; it was just a Rollercoaster main event. Rollins tried to partner with Reigns, who was emotionally off all match, to team up and take Punk, which distraught Reigns.

Reigns finally breaks and seems to agree with Rollins setting Punk up for the Shield bomb through the announce table when Reigns knocks Rollins out, then power bombs Punk and Rollins through both announce tables. After all three men are down from each other’s big shots, we see when and how Paul Heyman will influence this match. When he grabs a chair, who is it for? Reigns sees the chair, but Heyman apologizes as he gives the chair to Punk as he enters the ring so Punk can attack Reigns and Rollins.

The first betrayal happens when Paul Heyman hits Punk with a low blow, shocking everyone, including Reigns, who is happy and relieved when Heyman presents Reigns with the chair. Seth Rollins starts to come to when Heyman instructs Reigns to hit Rollins like Rollins did him over a decade ago, which started it all.

Reigns gets ready to destroy Rollins with the chair when the second and most shocking betrayal happens before our eyes… when the former wise man hits Reigns with a massive low blow that stuns the crowd. As Rollins stands tall, Heyman comes through with the favor when Rollins sticks his hand out for the chair like Reigns would when Heyman hands the mic to him. Rollins recreates the original sin shield chair shot to Reigns, who crumbles similarly from a decade ago, Rollins hits the stomp for the win.

The night ends with commentary in disbelief as Rollins and Heyman walk up the ramp victorious and shake hands, confirming this new partnership and what will happen now that Seth Rollins is Paul Heyman’s latest client.