This year's WrestleMania was scheduled to take place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. However, due to the current circumstances, WrestleMania 36 was moved to the WWE Performance Center with no fans in attendance.
Some might disagree with the decision, but WWE decided to go on with the show so they give the fans a few hours of entertainment and distraction with everything going on. Here are my top five matches and moments coming out of night one of WrestleMania.
#1 Boneyard Match: AJ Styles vs. The Undertaker
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This match took place at a cemetery. A hearse pulled up with The Undertaker's theme playing as some druids pulled out a coffin as AJ Styles came out. Styles mocked The Undertaker as The Phenom returned with his biker gimmick. This was shot like a horror movie and brought a whole different feel to the show.
The Undertaker took control early after he tossed Styles onto a windshield and then shoved him into the grave. Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows were shown standing next to a wooden house as they called The Undertaker out. 'Taker approached them but was then surrounded by druids. He took out Anderson, Gallows and all the druids, which gave Styles enough time to appear and smash The Undertaker with an actual tombstone and then tackled him through the wooden structure.
Styles nailed The Undertaker with a shovel as he fell into the grave. Styles climbed into a forklift and was going to bury him. Suddenly, The Undertaker appeared behind Styles and attacked him. Styles was chased near the cabin as he ran up a ladder. The Undertaker raised his arms as explosions blew.
The Undertaker then tossed Gallows off the roof before delivering a Tombstone to Anderson on the roof. The Deadman grabbed Styles and chokeslammed him off the roof onto a wooden pallet on the floor. Styles apologized and asked not to bury him. The Undertaker appreciated Styles for putting up a great fight and hugged him. He was about to walk away but he changed his mind and instead booted him into the grave. He dumped dirt into the grave and won the match.
This was awesome as they showed a visual of Styles glove sticking out of the dirt. The Undertaker drove off on his motorcycle as his symbol was blazed on the cabin. This match ruled and was the highlight of WrestleMania as both Styles and Undertaker were excellent here. The visual effect and the way this was done just fantastic. Thumbs up, WWE.
#2 Kevin Owens vs. Seth Rollins
The first big spot came when Seth Rollins blocked a powerbomb attempt and delivered a Falcon Arrow to Kevin Owens on the ring apron. Rollins took control as he delivered a pair of topes. There was a great sequence as Owens avoided a couple of Curb Stomp attempts and spiked Rollins with a DDT. Owens made a comeback as he delivered a running cannonball followed by a Senton Bomb only for Rollins to kick out at two.
The two battled on the turnbuckle as Rollins blocked a Superplex, delivered a Buckle Bomb and then nailed Owens with a pair of lariats. Owens avoided a Curb Stomp and delivered a Popup Powerbomb but Rollins kicked out once again. The action moved to the floor as Rollins nailed Owens with the ring bell. Rollins told the timekeeper to ring the bell as the referee called for the DQ.
Rollins laughed as he walked up the ramp. Owens called out Rollins actions and challenged him to a No DQ Match. Rollins accepted as he attacked Owens with a chair and the ring steps. Rollins talked smack but Owens responded by nailing him with the ring bell. There was a crazy spot as Owens climbed up the WrestleMania sign as he delivered a flying elbow crashing through the announcers' table. Owens delivered a Stunner to Rollins for the pinfall win. Owens and Rollins are two of the most talented Superstars in WWE and they proved it as they had a great match at WrestleMania.
#3 Triple Threat Ladder Match for the SmackDown Tag Team Titles: Kofi Kingston vs John Morrison vs Jimmy Uso
This was another enjoyable match featuring three very talented WWE Superstars. The first big spot came when Kofi Kingston delivered a flying crossbody to Jimmy Uso off the ladder. John Morrison and Kofi showed off their athleticism as they had a great counter exchange. The next great spot came when Morrison stood on top of the ring post as he delivered a Corkscrew Splash to Jimmy onto a ladder.
Kofi then delivered a Springboard Hurricanrana yanking Morrison off the ladder. Jimmy tried running off the barricade but Kofi responded by throwing a ladder into him. The most impressive spot came when Morrison walked the ropes as he delivered an Avalanche Spanish Fly to Kofi. Jimmy followed by hitting a Splash onto Morrison. Kofi leaped off a ladder and delivered a double-legged stomp to Morrison.
Jimmy, Kofi, and Morrison all brawled on top of the ladder as they tried to grab possession of the titles. The finish was very creative as Jimmy and Kofi delivered a stereo head butt to Morrison, who fell off the ladder with the titles in hand to get the win for his team. Overall, this was a great match as there were some innovative spots as everyone worked very hard.
#4 WWE Women Tag Team Championship Match: Asuka & Kairi Sane vs. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross
Kairi Sane came out as the Pirate Princess for the match. Sane delivered a head scissors to Nikki on the floor as Asuka followed with a hook kick. Sane placed Alexa Bliss in the Tree of Woe as she followed by hitting the Marine Spike for a two count. Asuka delivered a knee lift but couldn't put Bliss away. Nikki Cross got the hot tag as she delivered a spinning neckbreaker to Asuka but Sane broke the count by hitting an Insane Elbow.
Asuka got the momentum back for her team as she placed Nikki in the Asuka Lock but Bliss broke the hold by delivering Twisted Bliss. Sane delivered an Interceptor to Bliss. Asuka placed Nikki on her shoulders as Sane delivered a flying Kabuki Elbow for a close two count.
Nikki avoided a spinning back fist as she delivered a twisting neckbreaker to Sane. Bliss followed up with a Twisted Bliss for the win. Overall, this was a very solid match as Bliss and Nikki make a great team. Asuka and Kairi are my favorite team and they had a great run as champions. It will be interesting to see where Asuka goes from here as it would be nice to see her wrestle Sane as they could have some awesome matches.
#5 WWE Universal Championship Match: Goldberg vs. Braun Strowman
Goldberg won the WWE Universal Title after he defeated 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt at Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia. Roman Reigns appeared the following night and accepted Goldberg's challenge to a title match at WrestleMania. This was the scheduled match and would've been a dream match between two Superstars from different eras.
However, due to coronavirus pandemic, the match between Goldberg and Reigns didn't happen. Reigns posted an Instagram video and explained that he isn't competing at this year's WrestleMania. WWE didn't give any explanation and just announced on SmackDown that Goldberg would now defend the Universal Championship against Braun Strowman at WrestleMania.
As expected, this was an action-packed match as Goldberg avoided a Running Powerslam and delivered three straight spears but only for Strowman to kick out. Goldberg hit another spear, called for the Jackhammer but Strowman broke free and hit three straight powerslams. Strowman delivered a Running Powerslam and won the Universal Championship.
This was the perfect length match as both Goldberg and Strowman worked hard. I don't mind seeing Goldberg wrestle but he doesn't need to be champion. This was also a nice moment for Strowman as he finally won his first world title.