6 Things WWE Subtly told us at Day 1: Major changes to WrestleMania 38 main event, Popular duo not ready for break-up in March?

WWE Day 1 is officially in the books, and the pay-per-view marked an incredible start to 2022 for the company. The breaking news that made the headlines hours before the show was that Roman Reigns tested positive for COVID-19.

He was pulled from the main event as a result, and Brock Lesnar was added to the WWE title match, making it a Fatal-Five-Way. The circumstances and changes have led to major ramifications that will completely alter the course of the road to WrestleMania.

With Royal Rumble to look forward to, here is what WWE subtly told us at Day 1:

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#6. The Fatal-Five-Way at Day 1 and the changes that will take place

Unfortunately for Big E fans, his WWE Championship reign is officially over. Clocking in at a little over three months, his odds got lesser and lesser as more members were added to the match.

Day 1 was supposed to be a straightforward singles match between Seth Rollins and Big E. However, Kevin Owens weaseled his way into the match, and Bobby Lashley "bullied" his way into it by defeating all three men on RAW.

The big twist came when Brock Lesnar was announced as a participant in the match. WWE could easily have chosen to simply not have him at Day 1 and postpone the feud with Roman Reigns. However, they stuck to the promise of having Lesnar, and this completely altered the course of the road to WrestleMania.

For one, The Beast Incarnate is the new WWE Champion. This marks his sixth WWE Championship reign and ninth world title overall. Big E's reign ending will come as a relief to some, who felt that the company didn't do well to handle the New Day star.

There is an argument to be made, and Bobby Lashley was handled better as the WWE Champion than Big E was. With that said, the anticipation when Brock Lesnar was added was for a face-to-face against The All Mighty.

While we didn't get that in the match, we saw a moment of Lashley spearing Lesnar through the barricade and then in the ring for a failed pinfall attempt. WWE kept their interaction at a minimum because there seems to be a big change in plan.

Based on the ending of Day 1, Brock Lesnar vs. Bobby Lashley could now be the direction for WrestleMania 38 rather than the originally planned Lesnar vs. Reigns match. Many fans might be happy with this, and we could see Lashley in the running to win the 2022 Men's Royal Rumble.

#5. RK-Bro's status and future following Day 1

For anyone who questions Randy Orton and his popularity, we urge you to watch Day 1. "The greatest group in the world" Migos, who performed the pay-per-view theme song, accompanied the RAW Tag Team Champions.

The Street Profits won the right to face RK-Bro at Day 1 fair and square, and they tried to make the most of it. However, Atlanta, like most other cities, was pro-RK-Bro and their popularity was heard.

Popularity and status aside, both teams put on a good match together, but it was another incredible RKO from Orton that won them the match and helped them retain the titles.

The RK-Bro storyline started in April 2021, and although there was a small gap in between, Riddle and Randy Orton have been together since then. They've been the most popular team in WWE by far, but the problem here is that their alliance was likely to have been made with an end goal in mind - WrestleMania 38.

Given RK-Bro's popularity, even March seems too soon to break them up. They would undoubtedly benefit from one more year as a tag team, but it's unlikely that the promotion is going to be that patient.

Day 1 was further proof that they shouldn't break up while they're hot, but it's something that seems inevitable.

#4. The logical next step for Drew McIntyre after Day 1

Drew McIntyre's opponent at Day 1 was Madcap Moss and not Happy Corbin. It was a bit surprising since this seemed like it would be more of a quick match we would normally see on SmackDown.

That wasn't the case. Due to the circumstances surrounding the pay-per-view, every bout got more time, as did this. This allowed Moss to get some offense in - something that felt surprising in itself.

However, McIntyre was a great babyface and the crowd was fully behind him as he put Moss away. Later backstage at Day 1, The Scottish Warrior was doing an interview and was blindsided by Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin.

They attacked him using different objects, and with the Corbin-McIntyre clash expected to happen soon, it looks like WWE hinted that it will be a stipulation match.

A street fight on SmackDown might be the best way to do it as it would make it more entertaining and give Drew McIntyre the satisfactory babyface victory - one that he already got at Day 1.

#3. Edge gets his WrestleMania season warm-up at Day 1

Edge faced The Miz in a battle of two veterans at WWE Day 1. It was a highly-anticipated match because the two men hadn't shared the ring on such a stage before.

Ultimately, the outcome was never in question. The Rated-R Superstar had to face the odds before and Maryse's constant interference during the bout - but like the final RAW of 2021, he had a plan for Day 1.

The Miz and Maryse had a "black wedding" on the red brand this past week, but this time it was the return of WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix that made the headlines. While Maryse was interfering on numerous occasions, Phoenix returned to even the odds.

She chased the former Divas Champion away and distracted The A-Lister to allow her husband Edge to pick up the victory. The feud seems to be done and dusted with unless Beth Phoenix is returning for a one-off mixed tag team match alongside her husband.

The road to WrestleMania has begun for Edge. The question is, who will he face at The Grandest Stage of Them All? We may get an idea by the 2022 Royal Rumble.

#2. The Usos' reign continues at Day 1 for a good reason

Some fans were surprised at The Usos retaining the SmackDown Tag Team titles at Day 1. After all, King Woods has had momentum since his win at Crown Jewel, and Sir Kofi Kingston has been on a good run as well.

However, Day 1 wasn't the time for them to win the tag team titles again. The Bloodline is a far more important faction and storyline at this moment, and it wouldn't have made sense for The Usos to lose as they have been taking the hit for Roman Reigns more often than not.

It would also add unnecessary tension to The Bloodline and make Jey and Jimmy Uso less credible as Reigns' lackeys. The reason why The New Day didn't win is because a tag team title win does absolutely nothing for them while keeping the titles does a lot for The Usos and The Bloodline.

Unfortunately for Woods and Kingston, championship success might be a while away. However, they are important enough to get regular TV time and they will be fine after losing at Day 1.

#1. Right place, wrong time for Liv Morgan at Day 1

The biggest title change that fans wanted to see at Day 1 was Liv Morgan winning the RAW Women's Championship. She faced Becky Lynch last month on RAW and fell short after Big Time Becks cheated to pick up the win.

Morgan challenged her to a match at Day 1 and it was accepted. Their encounter on RAW was incredible, but they arguably topped it at the pay-per-view with another incredible effort.

The story was different this time around, and Liv Morgan seemed wiser to Becky Lynch's offense. The sentimental favorite found herself frustrated on multiple occasions after the champion used her wit to escape a pinfall defeat.

The only thing Morgan did wrong was to have momentum at the same time as Lynch's reign as RAW Women's Champion. Unfortunately for her, she simply isn't in the bigger plans this year, which is why WWE went with the safe option of The Man as the red brand's women's champion.

Liv Morgan fell short again, but the feud has undoubtedly increased her star power. The question is which woman will get a shot at her at WrestleMania 38. Could Bianca Belair be ready for another big moment at The Show of Shows?