2020 has been a year of weirdness for obvious reasons. Wrestlemania 36 was supposed to happen in my hometown of Tampa on Apr.5th. Not only was this like a “bucket list” dream come true to see it, but it was also happening on my birthday. Alas, the virus came hard and fast and everything moved to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and I was crushed. Here it is a year later, the virus is still strong, and Florida happens to be a state that is fully open and Tampa gets redemption by having Wrestlemania 37 giving it a second try in a 2 night event with live fans of 25k.

Right before the PPV started all of the talent was on stage with Vince McMahon speaking of the troubles of the past year and how the wrestlers needed and are happy to get the fans back. One of the few times I really saw everyone cheering Vince espescially when he said “WELCOME TO WRESTLEMANIA!!!!!”

After a 40 minute severe weather rain delay, we were under way…….

BOBBY LASHLEY vs DREW McINTYRE for the WWE Championship

I was really surprised to see what I thought would be the main event starting Wrestlemania> After I thought about it, though, I realized the choice was genius. Having a major match with two huge superstars start off Wrestlemania with fans in attendance for the first time in over a year. This match was all about power. Bobby Lashley has never really gotten the push in the WWE and this is really the first major stage for him since the push. He did not disappoint. This was really a back and forth match where Lashley and McIntyre were showcasing their abilities with a lot of action. Where I was sitting there really was no crowd favorite as chants for each wrestler were back and forth. Drew hit an overhead suplex and at one point 3 consecutive Future Shock DDT’s where Bobby kicked out at the 2 count. Lashley also applied the Hurt Lock many times that we were really able to see the power in Drew in getting out of them before submission. Eventually Drew McIntyre somehow was FINALLY distracted by MVP on ringside which allowed Lashley to apply the Hurt Lock in deep where Drew than passed out. My only problem was this “distraction” by MVP was poorly done and seemed too obvious for an end of the match setup. A wonderful match lost it rating by that ending.

7/10

WOMEN’S TAG TEAM TURMOIL

I didn’t get this match at first and I am pretty sure most of the crowd didn’t either. This match failed miserably and the audience just was not into it. I am pretty certain everyone though all tag teams would be in this match, but it turned out to be a gauntlet match. It was so choreographed at times that it felt there was no realism to the match. I do give credit to the Riot Squad, Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan were clearly the fan favorites heading into the final matchup against Natalya and Tamina. It makes sense that Natalya and Tamina would win the match as those two women would make a better match against Nia Jax and Rhea Ripley on night 2, with some individual story lines to possibly come out of that match. I really do not think anyone knew what was happening, though. At one point the announcer called the wrong winner after a pin fall. Makes me wonder they had no clue what was going on behind the scenes either. Hopefully they get it together for the match on night 2.

2/10

CESARO vs. SETH ROLLINS

Cesaro has never really been utilized to his potential in the WWE and before the match it was even made fun of in a promo by Seth Rollins. I really did not expect much of this match and I ended up being surprised. Not only was it a competitive match that showcased Cesaro as belonging on the roster with the big boys, but Cesaro won in such a way as not allowing Seth Rollins to be diminished by the lass. The crowd really enjoyed the match and watching the Cesaro do his swings. 23 revolutions were done to Seth, and it made me dizzy watching. Cesaro then hit the Neutralizer for the pin. This was a well-done match and hopefully it is a precurser of good things to come for Cesaro.

7/10

AJ STYLES & OMOS vs. THE NEW DAY for the Raw Tag Team Championship

I really believe this match was the start of promoting Omos as the next Andre The Giant. Omos is huge and it is really obvious out there in the ring. Unfortunately, his in-ring skills are lacking and he needs to do a lot of work. The match was crafted with this in mind though and it was pulled off …. somewhat. The first half od the match was basically a handicap match between AJ Stlyles against The New Day. It really showcased the ring ability of AJ styles, Everyone was in sync and it was an outstanding match with the tags and AJ constantly trying to get the tag with Omos. Omos spend most of the match scowling and reaching out weakly, but all the while looking imposing. When the tag to Omos finally happened is when the crowd erupted, and then it turned into the second half of the match. To really demonstrate how powerful Omos is it looked as if The New Day forgot how to wrestle in the ring. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods looked like undercard amateurs that belonged in the developmental program. After a lot of power moves against The New Day Omos finally did a tree slam to Kingston and did a one foot on chest pin to win the tag team titles. The foot on chest reminded me of Andre the Giant and The Big Show, so I can wee where the WWE is heading. Omos has a lot of work to go, but I can see him as a huge card draw if he gets in sync with the talent on his skills.

5/10

BRAUN STROWMAN vs SHANE McMAHON in a Steel Cage Match

A historian note, the last time a steel cage match was done at Wrestlemania was at Wrestlemania 2 With Hulk hogan facing off against King Kong Bundy. Lately it has always been about Hell in A Cell. I really never was a fan of the steel cage because all you have to do is go out the front door to win. Climbing out or pin fall I can accept, but imagine someone like Kofi Kingston out the door … match over in 20 seconds. I also cannot imagine someone like King Kong Bundy climbing out either, so arguments both ways. Going into this match you knew beforehand this will all be about Shane taking his pops and abusing his body to put on a great show involving the McMahon name (until Stephanie’s kids get into the ring). This had the entertainment value one was to expect ….. Shano going Coast to Coast …. Braun throwing Shane off the top of the ring … a toolbox somehow mysteriously left in a bucket hanging by the top corner of the ring and used it as a weapon against Braun. The low part happened when someone must have missed their cues. Shane was on the outside of the cage and all he needed to do was drop. Somehow it looks like he shoved his hand into the cage to give the appearance it was stuck? That allowed Braun to climb up and grab Shane’s hand to keep him from dropping to the floor. A first I never seen in a steel cage is that Braun ripped the side of the cage open to drag Shane back into the ring. Add a powerslam and a pin for Braun Strowman.

5/10

BAD BUNNY & DAMIAN PRIEST vs. THE MIZ & JOHN MORRISON

Another wrestlemania celebrity match. A match the WWE puts on to put over a celebrity in one way or another that has a moment or two in 10-15 minutes that wasted my time. This had all of the makings to be that type of match with the entrances of 20-30 people hopping in bunny suits to the entrance of Bad Bunny on top of a semi truck. This is where I go to the bathroom. AM I GLAD I DID NOT!!!!! This was the surprise match of the night for me that turned out to be one of the better matches to enjoy on night 1. It is clear Bad Bunny took this seriously and trained with the talent to put on this match. It really looked like he belonged int he ring vs. the 10 second tag to slap someone than tag out. Bad Bunny started the match against The Miz and it was evenly competitive, I can tell the crowd was stunned at the shots Bad Bunny was taking and coming back to deliver his won. At one point Damian Priest dived out of the ring to do a cross body against Miz and Morrison, then Bad Bunny followed up doing the same thing. This match not only was the surprise match of the evening, but it also showcased Damian Priest as a player that belongs on the main roster with the big boys. Priest held The Miz on his shoulders and Bad Bunny hit a flying crossbody from the ring post for the win.

9/10

BIANCA BELAIR vs. SASHA BANKS for the Smackdown Women’s Championship.

This match started slowly. It felt as if Bianca and Sasha were just happy to be in the ring more than wrestling. It was very technical at first, but it seemed too choreographed. After about 5 minutes the match really started getting better as the two women got comfortable. I will say they work well with each other in the ring. It was shown why Sash Banks was the champion when Belair hit a standing shooting star, a Glam Slam, and finishing it off with the 450 Splash. Sasha brought her knees up at the last second. The match was pretty one-sided, it seemed Sasha was never really allowed to get anything going. At one point Belair whipped her hair across the stomach of of Sasha that we heard crack up in the 200 section in the corner of the stadium. I am positive there will be a welt from that whip. At one point Belair thought she had the pin and you can see the genuine emotion in her face for winning the championship. The ref told her it was a kick out and she looked genuinely confused for a sec before getting back into action. After the hair whip and KOD Belair got the pin to win the championship. The 10 minutes of watching her with her family was really touching. It was a lot of genuine emotion. Everyone kept hanging expecting Charlotte Flair to coming running out, but the WWE let her have her moment. A good match except the beginning and a couple of perceived miscues.

8/10

This was my first LIVE wrestlemania and even though it was limited to 25k fans, it was a treat to watch. I really enjoyed it. I will be going back to night 2 and looking forward to that also. I do expect some BIG surprises following a couple of the matches and anticipate that night 2 will be the night no one will want to miss.

By the way, expect more severe weather delays as it is BAD WEATHER all day so far

David “Thrills” is an avid theme park and entertainment enthusiast as well as a huge wrestling fan. For more excitement and news follow me on twitter or instagram. You can also email me at tampathrillme@gmail.com. Subscribe to my blog for more exciting reviews and contests in the future.