What a travesty of justice! On the biggest show of the year, the second night of WrestleMania 37, it should be incumbent upon WWE to showcase it’s greatest assets, the people who have given their blood, sweat and tears over the previous year to entertain WWE’s fans. And yet, over the two nights of this year’s WrestleMania, one superstar didn’t have a match when there was absolutely no reason not to.
Former multiple-time women’s champion Bayley – who was an unqualified MVP for WWE’s women’s division during the pandemic era. Hell, she was one of the company’s greatest assets even before COVID-19 eliminated fans from the arenas! From her Golden Role Models tag team with best friend Sasha Banks to the feud with her former partner, every time Bayley was on my television, she proved that she belonged on the Grandest Stage of them All. Sure, maybe she was never going to main event the show – even though I think she should’ve won the Royal Rumble for a WrestleMania match with Sasha – but they couldn’t even set her up with a match?
Disgusting.
Instead, she had to work her way into being one of the co-hosts alongside Titus O’Neil and “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan, and the two men did nothing but ignore her! She hosts the wildly successful Ding Dong Hello! They need to show the woman some damned respect! To make matters worse, she gets laid out before the main event by newly-inducted Hall of Famers Nikki and Brie Bella!
That’s no way to treat a Role Model at WrestleMania!
Best Match: Universal Championship Triple Threat Match: Roman Reigns (c) defeated Edge and Daniel Bryan – The other MVP of SmackDown took care of business in the main event of Night 2, surviving a brutal encounter with his two top challengers to keep his championship, pinning both Edge and Daniel Bryan at the same time after some brutal chair shots. It was a great match, with some scary spots hitting the two former world champions. Granted, Reigns had a little bit of help from his cousin Jey Uso, but even after Uso was taken out twice during the match, Reigns nknew how to maintain control. I’m glad he’s getting the chance to shine, as he’s been the best part of these big events since he came back at SummerSlam.
Worst Match: Randy Orton defeats Bray Wyatt – I really have no idea what they’re going for with Bray Wyatt any more. I’ve been an admitted fan of what he’s been doing with Alexa Bliss the last few months, and I’ve always looked forward to whatever weird goings-on occur during a Bray Wyatt match, but this was a true head-scratcher. It’s not so much that Orton beat the Fiend – though he did nail an RKO OUTTA NOWHERE for the win. But Bray was distracted by Alexa, atop a Jack-in-the-Box that brought Bray to the ring to kick off night two. Just as Wyatt was about to hit a Sister Abigail’s Kiss (yes, I’m saying the full name of the move, damn it!), he looked over at Alexa, who’s face was covered in the black goo that Orton had been spitting up since Orton set Wyatt on fire. The distraction was enough for Orton to take advantage for the win.
Is this end of the Fiend? It feels like it could be the end for the character. I think Wyatt can reinvent himself well and it’s probably time that he did. I wouldn’t hold my breath, though.
It’s A Conspiracy – Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens have a storied history inside the ring and they finally got a spotlight shone on their feud with a WrestleMania match. Zayn seems to be having a blast with his conspiracy theory gimmick, pulling in his long-time friend for Night 2. I had a lot of fun watching their match here. Everything flowed perfectly and it told a great story, with YouTube star Logan Paul sitting at ringside cringing at every hard hit. Owens gets the win and gets to hit Paul with a Stunner, which was just the icing on the cake.
Beat the Drum – Apparently, a Nigerian Drum Match is a no holds barred match with a lot of drums, cymbals and kendo sticks strewn about the ring. Who knew? Whatever you want to call the match, the Intercontinental Championship Match between Big E and challenger Apollo Crews was a brutal affair, especially when the kendo sticks came into play. Kendo shots always look and sound like they hurt a lot. Apollo, who is finally showing charisma after a few years in the company, gets the win with the help of the very large Dabba Kato – who I don’t think was identified by the useless commentary team. I don’t know how I feel about Crews’ gimmick of embracing his Nigerian heritage. Given the timing, it feels like someone in creative saw that Coming 2 America was about to be released and decided to have Apollo run with it. I wonder if Dabba Kato can do an Arsenio Hall impersonation.
Overall, I think the second night of WrestleMania 37 was better than the first, with much more consistency. As historic as NIGHT 1’s main event was, I think the second’s main event definitely had the hotter finish.
Ranking WrestleMania 37 – Night 2
*DISCLAIMER* The rankings are for discussion purposes only and in no way reflect an official or authoritative list. It is simply my opinion. If you disagree, let me know in the comment.
1 – Universal Championship Triple Threat Match: Roman Reigns (c) defeated Edge and Daniel Bryan
2 – Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn
3 – Intercontinental Championship Nigerian Drum Match: Apollo Crews defeated Big E (c)
4 – Raw Women’s Championship Match: Rhea Ripley defeated Asuka (c)
5 – U.S. Championship Match: Sheamus defeated Riddle (c)
6 – Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler (c) defeated Natalya and Tamina
7 – Randy Orton defeats Bray Wyatt
The 2021 WWE PEA-PER-VIEW Top 10
The Tribal Chief adds yet another match high up in the 2021 Top 10 rankings! New additions are in bold.
1 – Universal Championship Match: Roman Reigns (c) defeated Daniel Bryan w/ Edge as Special Enforcer – Fast Lane 2021
2 – Universal Championship Triple Threat Match: Roman Reigns (c) defeated Edge and Daniel Bryan – WrestleMania 37 Night 2
3 – Elimination Chamber No. 1 Contenders Match: Daniel Bryan defeated Jey Uso, Cesaro, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin – Elimination Chamber 2021
4 – Universal Championship Last Man Standing Match: Roman Reigns (c) defeated Kevin Owens – Royal Rumble 2021
5 – No Holds Barred Match: Drew McIntyre defeated Sheamus – Fast Lane 2021
6 – Kevin Owens defeated Sami Zayn – WrestleMania 37 Night 2
7 – Bianca Belair wins 30-woman Royal Rumble – Royal Rumble 2021
8 – Cesaro defeated Seth Rollins – WrestleMania 37 Night 1
9 – WWE Championship Elimination Chamber Match: Drew McIntyre (c) defeated AJ Styles, Sheamus, Jeff Hardy, Kofi Kingston and Randy Orton
10 – SmackDown! Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair defeated Sasha Banks (c) – WrestleMania 37 Night 1
That’s all for WrestleMania in 2021! Two big nights! No more WrestleMania til next year! We’ll be back for the next edition of the 2021 Top Ten in 5 weeks when WWE and Peacock presents… WrestleMania Backlash! Huh…