WrestleMania 42 Saturday: A Disjointed Opener with Big Ads and Brief Matches

The Stage is Set

WrestleMania 42 opened with high expectations. Fans geared up for a night showcasing the best of WWE, culminating in CM Punk vs. Roman Reigns. But as the lights dimmed and the action unfolded, what we experienced was mixed at best.

The event, held at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, saw a hefty amount of screen time devoted to promotional ads and celebrity appearances, which ultimately detracted from the wrestling.

Match Grades: Evaluating the Action

The Usos and LA Knight vs. The Vision

This opener wasn't the grand spectacle we hoped for. While The Usos and LA Knight managed to maintain a rhythm, the match felt bland, limited by time constraints. The highlight was IShowSpeed's viral frog splash, but other than that, it did not leave a significant mark.

Grade: C+

Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre

In an unsanctioned match, Fatu and McIntyre were expected to pull out all the stops. Unfortunately, it leaned heavily on plunder that lacked storytelling. While it had its moments, the overall build promised more than what was delivered.

Grade: B-

Women's Tag Team Championship Match

This bout had been long-anticipated and built up through weeks of storytelling. Yet it disappointing fell flat. The return of Paige was a nice surprise, elevating the match slightly, but the lack of significant time made it feel like a throwaway. Additionally, some of the roster's top talents were left underutilized.

Grade: D

Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee

This match was another example of a top storyline being brief and forgettable. Both women are capable of far more than what we saw. Just when it seemed they were about to hit their stride, the match concluded, leaving both performers' talents unshowcased.

Grade: D-

Gunther vs. Seth Rollins

Here, we finally had a contest that lived up to WrestleMania standards. Gunther's victory over Rollins by submission was commendable, even if the match didn't fully realize its potential due to unexpected interference. It was a strong performance, hinting at the capability these men possessed.

Grade: A-

Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer

In the lead-up, Morgan emerged as a bright spot. Yet this title match felt more like an afterthought than a climactic showdown. The match lacked energy and left the audience unsatisfied, especially after Morgan's intense build-up.

Grade: F

Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton

The main event was an intriguing mix of chaos and high-stakes drama, but it stumbled along the way. While it was a high-quality match showcasing raw talent, the inconsistent narrative leading into it confused viewers. The interference from Pat McAfee only added to the disarray, muting the potential drama of their rivalry.

Grade: C+

Looking Ahead: What Does This Mean for WrestleMania?

As someone who lives for the spectacle of WrestleMania, I felt disappointed. The returns on emotional investment fell short. A four-hour runtime did not equate to four hours of engaging content. Instead of backstage surprises and star interactions, we were bombarded with ads that felt out of place and unnecessary.

The question now is how WWE will respond moving into WrestleMania 42's Sunday main event. Will they redeem themselves with more focused and meaningful matches? One can only hope for a card that aligns better with the expectations of the fans and the caliber of the superstars involved.

Ultimately, WrestleMania 42 Saturday could have been a legendary event, but instead, it left many of us feeling like we just sat through an extended series of commercials. The event lacked the excitement and rhythm that once defined the WWE's flagship spectacle.

Final Grade: D+