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For the first time, WrestleMania had a second night, which meant a lot of matches on the card overall. With the coronavirus still wreaking havoc on the world, WWE did their best to conclude its biggest event of the year in a somewhat recognizable fashion, but it certainly wasn't easy.
Either way, we're now about to enter a new season in WWE. The calendar has been reset. Who got the most and least out of last night's show as we get going?
Winner: Liv Morgan
This was the biggest win of Liv Morgan's career, which says a lot because it wouldn't be that big of a deal if we were discussing other Superstars. Nevertheless, the possibility is now open for Liv Morgan to use this WrestleMania victory over a veteran to springboard to new heights.
Will that actually happen? Only time will tell, but Liv Morgan winning on the biggest night on the WWE calendar is the first necessary ingredient for something bigger to happen to her.
Loser: Rhea Ripley and the NXT Women's Division
Rhea Ripley ended Shayna Baszler's dominant reign...to be a transitional champion to Charlotte Flair of all people? This was the kind of puzzling and enraging decision that leaves so many fans apathetic about WWE's booking. Charlotte Flair didn't need the win here, but the brass gave her yet another accolade at the expense of somebody else.
Now, Rhea Ripley should be fine in the long run. She can come up to the main roster after this - although that remains to be seen.
The NXT Women's Division is the bigger loser here.
The quality of the matches will be fine, but seeing Charlotte Flair on top there just isn't interesting. Perhaps WWE thinks her presence will help in the ratings war with AEW, but I think they're mistaken.
Winner: Aleister Black
There was nothing special about this match, but Aleister Black got a WrestleMania victory under his belt, which is a career milestone for him. One thinks he should have been in a much, much bigger match. Regardless, he's heading in the right direction. Will the coming year be much better for him? We'll just have to wait and find out, but one suspects he should go on a run for the title sooner rather than later.
Winner: Otis
Of all people, Otis has a singles victory at WrestleMania to his name. It's a sign of the times. I suspect this match wouldn't even be taking place had WrestleMania at Raymond James stadium not been canceled due to the pandemic, but it is what it is, and Otis made the most of it in a match that was more fun than it had a right to be.
Will Otis be able to use this to springboard to new heights? I doubt it, but you never know. The ingredients are there now, at least. The tandem with Mandy Rose has been building for months, after all.
Winners: The Street Profits and Bianca Belair
The Street Profits, Angelo Dawkins and Montez Ford, kept their tag team titles against Austin Theory and Angel Garza last night, which was a significant milestone in their own careers - a successful WrestleMania title defense.
But Bianca Belair, showed up, too. It appears that she's done with NXT for the time being. Recall that she hasn't been in any of the matches to get into that women's ladder match which will take place shortly.
They will make an interesting trio on RAW going forward. Might they be able to go on a run with the titles or will the rug get pulled out from under them as it has for so many tag team champions?
Loser: The SmackDown women's division
Bayley survived this match, but there was no reason why she should have done so. For nearly a year now, she's reigned at the top of the SmackDown women's division, but it's been a mostly forgettable run. Why she didn't start feuding with Sasha Banks heading into this, I still don't know. If not for WrestleMania, then when?
Might WWE be holding out hope for SummerSlam?
On the other hand, if there appear to be no plans for Bayley and Sasha to feud, one feels like the title change should have happened to freshen the division up.
Winner: Bray Wyatt
This was everything the House of Horrors match a few years ago wasn't. I suppose that's one of the luxuries you get when you don't have to perform in front of an audience. Not everything had to be bad. Credit to WWE for making the most of it.
Not only did Bray Wyatt defeat John Cena and get some revenge for years ago, but he also did it in the most unique way possible, in an echo of the segments that made 'The Fiend' such a beloved character in the first place.
Will Wyatt benefit from this going forward and get back to the Universal Championship? We'll have to see.
Winner: Drew McIntyre
Drew McIntyre obliterated Brock Lesnar last night, taking all that he had to give and still coming back for it. It was a dominant victory, one which, I hope, will finally usher in a new era, where we say goodbye to Brock Lesnar as a part-time champion for good. Lesnar undoubtedly still has his place as a special attraction, but not as champion.
For McIntyre, this was a long time coming after a harsh grind, but I'm sure it was all worth it to him. It's just a shame that the virus prevented the fans from being able to share his triumph and the relief of the end of yet another Brock Lesnar reign.
