WWE Day 1 2022 – 5 takeaways from the show

WWE Day 1 offered plenty of noteworthy moments in the first pay-per-view of 2022 for the company.
WWE Day 1 offered plenty of noteworthy moments in the first pay-per-view of 2022 for the company.

WWE Day 1 had to be adjusted just hours before the pay-per-view kicked off. With Universal Champion Roman Reigns out of action after testing positive for COVID-19, it left the company in a state of flux that they quickly responded to. Brock Lesnar was inserted into the WWE Championship Match, making it a five-way match.

Up and down the card, titles were up for grabs, and personal issues were settled. The Atlanta crowd was vocal and created a nice atmosphere for the performers to showcase their skills. WWE Day 1 would show what the company will offer in the next 12 months.

Coming off the heels of the first major event for WWE of 2022, the biggest talking points from the show will be discussed in the days to follow. In this article, let's take a look at the five takeaways from WWE Day 1.


5. The Usos and The New Day deliver in the WWE Day 1 opener

WWE Day 1 kicked off with The Usos defending the SmackDown Tag Team titles against The New Day. The company has gone back to this tried and tested matchup on many different occasions throughout the past six years. Somehow, these four men always know how to deliver quality against one another.

This was yet another good contest between these two all-time great tag teams. They went at it tooth and nail, trying to walk out with the titles. The pacing was excellent, with the gears being shifted at just the right time. King Woods put in a determined babyface performance, feeling the energy of his hometown Atlanta crowd at WWE Day 1.

Jimmy and Jey earned the victory by switching it up a bit and hitting the 3D on Kofi to retain the SmackDown Tag Team titles. This was a worthy inclusion in the catalog of great encounters these two teams have met in. Although the company may want to hold off on going back to this bout again for a little, it was entertaining and provided a wonderful opener for WWE Day 1.

4. Liv Morgan steps up against Becky Lynch at WWE Day 1

Coming into WWE Day 1, many fans were looking for Liv Morgan to pull off a huge upset by beating Becky Lynch for the RAW Women's Championship. Despite a remarkable effort, Morgan came up short. Lynch reversed ObLIVion into the Manhandle Slam to defeat the challenger.

The matchup should benefit Liv Morgan in the long run. The former Riott Squad member has become a popular babyface with fans in her corner. A lot of credit goes to Becky for trying to make Liv a superstar. She has helped greatly, but it's up to the follow-up to get Morgan where she needs to be coming out of WWE Day 1.


3. Beth Phoenix's return at WWE Day 1 signals a mixed tag team match coming soon

One of the most memorable moments of WWE Day 1 had to be the return of Beth Phoenix to assist her husband Edge in his win over The Miz with Maryse in his corner. For much of the bout, Edge had to fight a two-on-one disadvantage, which led to the arrival of The Glamazon.

What this leads to seems rather self-explanatory. The two married couples are excellent characters and should produce a quality buildup to the anticipated mixed tag team match here. Although fans have seen Miz and Maryse as a pair in the past, this will mark the first time the two Hall of Famers in Edge and Phoenix will team with one another. It should be a huge WrestleMania 38 contest.

2) Where does Big E go following his WWE Title loss at WWE Day 1?

Big E's WWE Championship Match at WWE Day 1 experienced several changes for the past month. From a singles contest against Seth Rollins to a Fatal-Five-Way Match involving Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley, and Brock Lesnar, the New Day member had plenty on his plate here.

Big E had an admirable performance, but it was him who took the pinfall to Brock Lesnar and lost the WWE Championship. Despite E doing his best as a company ambassador outside the ring and solid efforts in his 110 days as champion, this was a disheartening loss for many fans of the widely popular powerhouse.

Where Big E heads next is the most intriguing question. Will the company still view him as a top star following a reign in which they never really invested fully? It remains to be seen. Coming out of WWE Day 1, no one is left in the state of flux following this result quite like Big E.


1) Changes lead to Brock Lesnar's WWE Championship victory at WWE Day 1

The last-minute changes ahead of WWE Day 1 had the fans buzzing on what the company would offer up for their first major event of 2022. This fantastic sprint of a Fatal Five Way was a non-stop thrill ride that kept the action going and entertaining. Brock Lesnar pinning Big E to win the WWE Title won't please too many fans at all.

The Beast Incarnate was on its way to a high-profile showdown with Roman Reigns coming into WWE Day 1, so his win must signal plans have changed heading into the Show of Shows. The WWE Universe is likely to see Brock and Roman have their encounter at WrestleMania 38, but it now carries even more juice behind it.

Brock Lesnar was the biggest superstar on WWE Day 1. He was physically dominant against all four of his opponents and brought a wild brand of intensity to making this a pulsating affair. Whatever is in store for Lesnar at Mania will be the main focus of the company coming out of this event. That's why Brock Lesnar's WWE Title win is the biggest takeaway from WWE Day 1.

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