Wrestlemania 36 Review: Night Two

One could assume that WrestleMania 36 needs to be graded on a curve, considering how it was reconstructed on the fly due to the current worldwide pandemic. Yet, even then, and even after removing any recency bias, night one of WrestleMania 36 stands out as one of the best shows, especially in recent times.

The question remained then if night two will live up to the hype set by the Undertaker vs. AJ Styles Boneyard Match and more from night one. The pieces were all there with the second of two nights featuring four epic matches, mirroring the importance and storylines of night one. So first of all kudos to WWE for the structuring of this year's event, which was too big for one night. Perhaps the company should consider moving forward with a two night WrestleMania.

On its second night, WWE pulled off all the stops from top to bottom giving its biggest matches some much-needed respite and space. The unique blend between hard-hitting pro-wrestling and emotional performance art is what night two will be remembered for. WWE can count itself blessed for the WrestleMania 36 that was produced. Whether it be divisive, unlikable or loved (as is the case here), this show of shows will forever remain immortal maybe even from individual match to match, only time will tell.

Kick-Off: Supporting act

On a normal PPV day, WWE's kick-off match is responsible for getting the crowd heated, while making sure any last-minute naysayers put their money on the televised broadcast. In the current conditions, the situation is slightly different. While Natalya and Liv Morgan aptly did their job to attract new customers to the WWE Network or on PPV, the two women also managed to welcome in the viewers to the odd sight of a WrestleMania with no fans.

Much like the previous nights' kick-off show, the veteran and rising star had a simple efficient contest to get things started. Neither one went into doing too much beyond what has been seen in the past month on WWE TV. A little bit of character flash was shown with their competitive streaks, yet the in-ring action was simple.

Well aware not to try to steal the show, Morgan and Natalya came out looking like thorough professionals. The definition of a fine supporting act, to carry forward the mood of the show. Kudos to Natalya for particularly driving traffic in giving Liv Morgan a leg up as she resets into her new character.

Result: Liv Morgan cradles Natalya for the surprise win

Rating:

Pure wrestling

NXT Women's Championship: Charlotte Flair vs. Rhea Ripley (c)

Inevitably, there will be a backlash to the result of this match despite how short-sighted it may seem. In truth, the purely best wrestling match of WrestleMania 36 is proof positive of the star-making power and ability of Charlotte Flair.

Aptly structured around Charlotte picking at Ripley's injured leg, the two women crafted a contest that looked inwards into great psychology. Ripley pulled off a focused performance in selling her crumbling appendage, pushing it to limits that eventually cost her. It was an indicator of the potential in becoming the ring general she can be.

There aren't enough words to describe the sublime game of Charlotte Flair. Swift to channel her bully heel tactics and intuitive wrestling proves her worth beyond the accolades on her back. She meticulously took to dismantling Ripley at every given turn, in between selling her despair at putting down a younger, faster and perhaps eventually better opponent. For now, though Ripley will have to await her redemption, the vulnerability in her game set up a great trajectory. As for Flair, dream matches await in a return to old stomping grounds.

Result: Charlotte Flair makes Rhea Ripley tap out to win and become the NEW NXT Women's Champion!

Rating:

A heated lack of heat

Black needs more than this to breakthrough!

Bobby Lashley with Lana vs. Aleister Black

Despite a clear lack of tension between the performers, Lashley and Black put on a serviceable performance. A clash of styles with Bobby Lashley's brute force negating Black's furious striking game. Lashley looked dominant as ever, while Lana proved to be a mild distraction.

The two men hit each other with a variety of bombs, with Black fighting from underneath to try and get a hold of any advantage. They put on a short sprint, which is a decent springboard for a long rivalry. Still being as it is WrestleMania and with WWE seemingly determined to make Aleister Black a big star, it is unfortunate that this came in with next to no story. That lack of heat tempered some enjoyment.

It is here that WWE once again force-fed the Lana factor into the match, having her demand Bobby Lashley to end his opponent with a Spear rather than a Dominator. The forced interference allowed Black enough time to pull off a smooth Black Mass to end things. There's a clear strain in making Black's finisher a dangerous stunner, it helps that the echos just adds to the intensity of it. Meanwhile, one wonders how long will we see the Lana and Lashley pairing and what then for Bobby Lashley afterward.

Result: Aleister Black knocks out Bobby Lashley for a dominating win.

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The Beast gets his Beauty

You cannot fault Otis and Mandy for breaking precaution protocols

Otis vs. Dolph Ziggler with Sonya Deville

There are some WrestleMania matches that will always make us wonder as to how live fans might have reacted to them. This one fits the bill, with a soap opera styled story perfectly selling the idea of a WrestleMania moment. Dolph Ziggler entered his first singles match at the Show of Shows, unsure as to how Mandy Rose might take the whole thing with Sonya Deville in his corner.

Every ensuing moment seemed tailor-made to get a reaction. Credit then to the genius of JBL in selling his hilarious confusion at the relationship between Mandy and Otis. The latter put his all into having fun, but unfortunately, it only works for a crowd.

At this point in his career, Dolph Ziggler is just going through the motions. Luckily Mandy Rose's entry added some form of heat with her taking revenge on both Ziggler and Sonya. She spurred Otis into the final spot, with the big man hitting the caterpillar and ending this shortly. That sweet kiss at the end is perhaps the best resolution for this sweet odd love story.

Result: Otis wins the match and Mandy Rose's heart!

Rating:

2.5 out of 5 stars (a half extra for Mandy and Otis)

Grit

Edge really should continue this acting thing, it's paying off

Last Man Standing Match: Edge vs. Randy Orton

While it can be accused of going ten minutes overlong, the Edge versus Orton grudge match required this indulgence to pay off the emotional heft of the feud. Edge threw back time to echo his iconic Mania moments, while also adjusting his game beautifully. Orton matched with equal passion, as the two men pulled off a performance masterclass.

Steeped in the hard-hitting character psychology of wrestling, and featuring an acting performance of epic proportions one just can't fault this for being forty minutes long. The grit of the two men seeped beautifully into the raw almost manic documentarian production. Red even without either man shedding blood, became the color palette from Edge's dulled costume to the lighting and elements backstage.

The Performance Centre has been home to WWE for over a month now and finally, the company explored it in a seamless story structured on hate and love. Edge huffed his way towards dangerously channeling his lost psyche as the ultimate opportunist. Eventually, his horrifying cry filled the empty arena, as he nearly broke down to destroy Randy Orton. The lasting image of Edge resting his head on his lifelong friend and brother provided the emotional catharsis we all needed.

Result: Edge gets bittersweet revenge with a con-chair-to on Randy Orton to win!

Rating:

A perfect score for a perfect piece of storytelling

Heated pit-stop

WWE RAW Tag Team Championships: Street Profits (Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins) vs. Angel Garza and Austin Theory with Zelina Vega

Marred by circumstances beyond their control, four of WWE's brightest talents came into their first WrestleMania. Despite how emotional they may feel at this weird opportunity, they put in a hell of an effort to entertain.

The most interesting elements were the put together team of Theory and Garza. Anointed by William Regal as the future of the business, Austin Theory proved in a short time why he is perhaps a talent to watch for. Similarily Garza has made everything of his sizzling opportunity, taking to being his smarmy self, with audiences or not.

The two showcased smart adaptive chemistry, that added to the explosiveness of the final moments of the match. A thrilling end sequence led to a post-match attack from the heels, only for Vega to get her mouth beautifully shut by the EST of NXT, Bianca BeLair. A fun resting point, to the next big matches on the card.

Result: Street Profits pick up the win and retain their WWE RAW Tag Team Championships!

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Teasing dissension

Bayley is going to watch her back, very closely!

Five-Way Elimination Match for the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship: Bayley (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Tamina vs. Naomi vs. Lacey Evans

A lot of the shots and moments asked how Sasha Banks and Bayley would cope having to face each other. It all rested on the shoulders of the glue of the contest, a very game, and vocal Bayley finally coming to her own as a heel. Meanwhile, Banks was subtle with her intentions to the very end.

As for the other three women, each one pulled their weight to make this a fun, if somewhat longer than necessary match. Tamina got early fire, just enough to look dominant and be put down by the other four. Naomi had a burst of spirited energy until the duo of Banks and Bayley became too overwhelming. Meanwhile, in a short year, Lacey Evans, especially since turning face, has improved immensely.

Her character work was accompanied by some feisty wrestling with a vicious Woman's Rightand a smooth Moonsault that downed Sasha Banks . It didn't go unnoticed however that Bayley didn't lift a finger to save an irate Banks, while Banks came to her aid to have her crowned champion, thus helping to hint at a blockbuster rivalry between the two friends this summer.

Result: Bayley pins Lacey Evans with the help of Sasha Banks to win and retain the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship!

Rating:

John Cena in Bray-Land

Firefly Funhouse Match: Bray Wyatt vs. John Cena

Titus O'Neil (taking over as host, from new WWE 24/7 Champion Rob Gronkowski) collectively expressed and encapsulated everyone's emotions, of the madcap Wyatt/Cena match. You can't call it a match, or a promo but rather a surreal journey into the mindscape of Bray Wyatt. In many ways, a dueling character study of the broken Wyatt but also the dark depths behind the heroic John Cena.

Undoubtedly, the mileage for this may wary but there's no denying this was unique as a blend of black comedy and Lynchian absurdity. Cinematically experimental, it might have introduced a new language for wrestling. In all honesty, it requires a greater analysis after a couple of rewatches.

Tragically the Funhouse mind of Wyatt is the only place where he could beat John Cena. Poetically it was also the emancipation of Wyatt's mind, while being a thorough dissection of John Cena as a wrestler both in character and backstage. With neat touches of comedy, the subtextual parallels of Cena and Hogan and finally his mental disintegration; Cena deserves praise for putting over the genius of Bray Wyatt like no other.

Result: Bray Wyatt counts the pin for the Fiend as he beats a broken John Cena to win!

Rating:

20-year road to redemption

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Brock Lesnar (c) with Paul Heyman vs. Drew McIntyre

We have to wonder what could have been in front of a hot crowd, for the coronation of Drew McIntyre. In truth, the build to this behemoth clash, truly suggested Lesnar would give his all to McIntyre. Disappointingly so, in front of no crowd, Lesnar instead went for a typical match up even if putting over Drew in the process. It feels as if the two men left enough in the tank for a proper pay-off, down the line.

Thankfully still, WWE was smart in letting McIntyre have his moment, in an exhilarating victory bookended by his redemption story. McIntyre deserves a lot of credit in steering the ship, with genius camera work as he held the title close. The intimacy of the silent moment was made all the more profound, as he reached out to the camera feeling the spirit of the fans.

The match still felt typically fun as Lesnar bantered as only he can. Brock Lesnar shall forever go underrated in how willing he is to make stars of this generation, one just hopes that this time the passing of the torch will truly stick.

Result: A final claymore puts down the Beast as Drew McIntyre wins to become the NEW WWE World Heavyweight Champion!

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Final Thoughts

WrestleMania 36 proves once again, that when backed into a corner, WWE can pull out a rabbit from their magic hat. The company's creative went overdrive into not only giving to most of their pure pro-wrestling matches, but also crafted some very innovative cinematic experiences.

There will be naysayers and divisive reactions to the two big movie matches. Yet the truth is, both those contests did more than the best they could with the current circumstances. Done right, cinematic pro wrestling can be a unique way to finally evolve the filmmaking language of pro-wrestling. This is truly what WWE and wrestling mean when they say sports-entertained.

Finally, WWE also managed to stumble onto something that could help WrestleMania going forward. This, of course, is the splitting of the massive card into two nights, not only did it give time and space to each match, it kept it toned down in structure and poetically both nights mirrored each other. On a personal note, considering what the world is going through, fans needed this, and we are thankful to WWE.

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