1/1 WWE DAY 1 RESULTS: Keller’s report on Big E vs. Lesnar vs. Lashley vs. Rollins vs. Owens, Lynch vs. Morgan, Usos vs. New Day

By Wade Keller, PWTorch editor


SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...

KELLER’S WWE DAY 1 REPORT
JANUARY 1, 2022
ATLANTA, GA. AT STATE FARM ARENA
STREAMED LIVE ON PEACOCK

Commentators: Michael Cole, Pat McAfee

Ring Announcer: Mike Rome

-Michael Cole introduced the show and touted the 13,000+ sellout crowd as a camera showed a view from the upper deck. It was a rare on-TV glimpse at the section of empty seats near the hard camera. He and Pat McAfee detailed Brock Lesnar being moved into the WWE Title match, making it a five-way, because Roman Reigns wouldn’t be at the show. Reigns posted on Twitter an hour before the show that he tested positive for COVID earlier in the day and can’t be at the event, even though he “yearns to compete.” WWE is referring to what were formerly PPVs now officially as “premium live events.”

(1) THE USOS vs. THE NEW DAY (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods)

After some early back and forth action, the Usos went on sustained offense against Kingston. Woods got a hot tag in at 4:00 and rallied, then played to the crowd. The Usos soon took control against him, though. Kofi tagged back in and landed a top rope crossbody against Jey for a near fall. (McAfee, who used to walk the line okay but now unbearably over-hypes and over-emotes everything to the point of being a caricature of his early self in WWE, called this “an instant classic.” I mean, it was good and all, but save christening a match as a classic for when it’s at least reached, say, the 15 minute mark and is three times as good and heated as this was to this point.) A few minutes later, Xavier leaped offthe top rope with a leaping stomp onto the face of Jimmy after a Kofi backbreaker, good for a two count. The Usos cmae back and landed stereo top rope splashes onto Kofi mid-ring. Woods broke up the cover. Both teams stood and squared off opposite each other and exchanged looks that they were ready to battle. Shortly thereafter, after a blind tag, the Usos pinned Kofi after a 3D, now renamed the 1D (as in one and done). Cole said the Bloodline continue their dominance.

WINNERS: The Usos in 17:00 to retain the WWE Smackdown Tag Team Titles. (***1/4)

(Keller’s Analysis: Definitely a good match. I almost resent calling it good because McAfee was so overbearing and over-the-top and declaring it some sort of instant classic. “I have no idea how anyone is going to follow that!” he said. “That is worth the price of admission itself.” Seriously. Settle down. Imagine how he reacts after getting hot, crispy french fries at a restaurant. Does he want to meet the cook in person to thank them? As good as these two teams are in general, and against each other, this is beginning to feel like the John Cena vs. Randy Orton series – too many matches over too much time to really feel fresh or novel at all anymore.) [c]

-Kevin Patrick interviewed Big E backstage about how he feels about his chances of retaining WWE Title now that Lesnar has been added. He asked who had this on their 2022 Day 1 Bingo Card. He said he will knock each of them down. He said he will walk through fire and end up “still your WWE Champion!”

-Kayla Braxton stood backstage in the ring set to interview Migos, a hip hop group. They talked about being excited to be there.

-Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss walked out to Corbin’s music. Moss said he heard Atlanta is the biggest city in Georgia, but he didn’t know they were basing that on weight. Corbin laughed and almost collapsed. Corbin said he gets to watch his good friend and the funniest man he’s ever met beat McIntyre. Moss said in the U.S., the GOAT is the Greatest of All-Time, whereas in Scotland, a GOAT is McIntyre’s prom date. Moss said after he beats McIntyre tonight, he’ll fall so far off the map, he’ll have to change his name to “Who McIntyre.” McAfee said this is Moss’s worst set. (I agree with McAfee on that, for sure.)

(2) DREW MCINTYRE vs. MADCAP MOSS (w/Happy Corbin)

Early in the match, McAfee noted #WWEDay1 was the no. 1 trend in the United States. A few minutes in, Moss kicked McIntyre as he set up a backdrop. McIntyre knocked Moss to the floor seconds later. When Corbin approached McIntyre at ringside, Moss went after McIntyre. McIntyre gave him an overhead throw onto the ringside mat. Corbin distracted McIntyre as he re-entered the ring, so Moss kicked him and threw him shoulder-first into the ringpost. Madcap took over for a while.

Moss caught McIntyre mid-air and stumbled, but rammed McIntyre into the corner and then turn back and overhead suplex McIntyre. McAfee said he appeared to lose his balance a bit, but improvised impressively. McIntyre came back with a Sudden Impact DDT for a two count. McIntyre chopped Moss in the corner. He set up a Claymore, but Moss caught him with a boot. McIntyre came right back with a Claymore for the clean three count. McIntyre wagged his tongue as Corbin at ringside afterward. Cole said Moss was “very game.” A smiling McIntyre blew Moss a kiss afterward and asked if it hurt.

WINNER: McIntyre in 10:00. (**)

(Keller’s Analysis: Decent effort, but Moss just isn’t a serious person, and it taking McIntyre that long to beat a sidekick isn’t helping him.) [c]

-Sarah Schreiber interviewed Kevin Owens backstage, who said it was bad enough that Bobby Lashley got added to the match, but now Lesnar has been added. He said it’s a travesty and a tragedy. He said he is going to go after Lesnar with a plan because of what he did to his “soulmate,” Sami Zayn. He said he is going to go talk to Sami. [c]

Commentators: Jimmy Smith, Corey Graves, Byron Saxton

(3) RK-BRO (Randy Orton & Riddle) vs. THE STREET PROFITS (Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins) – Raw Tag Team Title match

“Without question, without a doubt, will Day 1 be a day to remember for the profits?” Graves said you can’t say without question and frame it as a question. “That’s not how life works,” he said. As RK-Bro came out, Graves said he had to call out Graves because he said RK-Bro wouldn’t last. Migos then joined RKO-Bro on the stage and accompanied them to the ring. When Migos joined the announcers at ringside, Smith said finally someone is making Corey look underdressed. Saxton said, “I thought I did that on a weekly basis.”

Ford did some push-ups next to Riddle before going for a cover, scoring a two count. Orton tagged in. A “Randy! Randy!” chant broke out. Orton teased an RKO on Dawkins, who avoided it and quickly tagged in Ford. Ford then did some odd gyrations and Orton wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Orton poked Ford in the eyes and then landed a high standing dropkick for a two count. Riddle tagged in and, with help from Orton, launched himself with a corkscrew moonsault onto Ford. Ford kicked out and tagged in Dawkins. Ford tagged back in and landed a slingshot flip senton that slightly overshot Riddle, but led to a two count. Graves brought up Reigns being off the show due to contracting COVID.

Orton delivered a draping DDT to both Ford and Dawkins. They showed Migos popping at ringside for it. Orton signaled for an RKO against Ford, but Ford blocked it and schoolboyed Orton for a two count. Ford landed a high roundkick. Dawkins caught Riddle charging at him and suplexed him. Riddle fired back with a high knee. He then ran toward Dawkins at ringside with a running front kick. Ford knocked Riddle off the ring apron, and Riddle landed on Dawkins. Ford threw Orton shoulder-first into the ringpost next. Ford then landed a running leap over the corner ringpost with a flip dive onto both Riddle and Orton.

Back in the ring, Orton knocked Ford off balance on the top rope. He followed with a superplex attempt. Ford battled out and knocked Orton to the mat. Riddle ran into the ring and launched Ford into the air where Orton caught him with an RKO for the win.

Afterward Migos entered the ring to congratulate RK-Bro. The Street Profits also entered and shookhands with everyone and were good sports. It’s pro wrestling, so it seemed like they could attack RK-Bro at any moment, but they didn’t.

WINNER: Orton & Riddle in 12:00 to retain the Raw Tag Team Titles. (**3/4)

(Keller’s Analysis: Minute for minute, right there with the Usos and New Day earlier. They could have easily gone longer and held the crowd’s attention, even without a heel team in the match.)

-Backstage McIntyre was looking around when Megan Morant approached him. She asked if he’s now got his sights set on Corbin. McIntyre said Madcap was a tough son of a bitch and caught him off guard with some bad jokes. Corbin and Moss then charged at McIntyre. McIntyre headbutted Moss, but Corbin nailed McIntyre with a chair to the gut. Moss mounted Corbin and punched him. Corbin told Moss to put a chair on ihs head. Corbin then picked up a heavy metal thing and smashed the chair. McIntyre grabbed his shoulder as if it had been separated. Producers yelled for medical help. [c]

-Kayla knocked on Brock Lesnar’s locker room door. He answered. She asked about the changes. Lesnar grabbed the mic and said his name is Brock Lesnar, “and Brock Lesnar does what Brock Lesnar wants to do.” He smiled and said he’s a free agent like his advocate, Paul Heyman. He said he’s going to walk out of the match as the WWE Champion. “That, my folks, is a spoiler.” He then winked at the camera.

(Keller’s Analysis: Lesnar was just giddy there. It’s kind of fun to see.) [c]

-A lengthy video package aired on Miz vs. Edge.

(4) EDGE vs. MIZ (w/Maryse)

They worked methodically in the early minutes. When Edge swing-kicked Miz at ringside, Maryse yelled at Edge. Edge turned to her, giving Miz an opening to hit Edge from behind. He then remained in control back in the ring. Miz eventually landed a barrage of roundkicks to Edge’s chest. Edge came back with his third Crossface attempt, but Miz blocked it and threw Edge to ringside. When Miz went after Edge, Edge swept his legs. He looked at Maryse, who then took a few steps back. Edge gave Miz a face plant on the ringside mat.

Miz took over a minute later and rammed Edge’s head into the announce desk. He stood on the desk and set up a Skull Crushing Finale. Edge countered and slammed Miz face-first into the desk. Edge landed a top rope crossbody in the ring for a near fall at 11:00. Later, Miz applied a figure-four. Edge countered. Miz let go and went for an STF. Edge escaped. Miz then catapulted Edge into the top turnbuckle and scored a near fall. Miz put his legs on the top rope for added leverage. The ref stopped her count.

Edge applied an STF. Maryse put Miz’s foot on the bottom rope. The ref called for the break, not seeing what Maryse did. Miz regrouped at ringside, then went after Edge. Edge used a backslide to score a two count. Miz and Edge then kicked each other at the same time; both went down and were slow to get up. “Let’s Go Edge!” chanted fans. They battled on the top rope, and Edge won out and hiptossed Miz to the mat. They showed Maryse reacting at ringside.  Miz feigned a knee injury after leapfrogging Edge, which gave Maryse a chance to hit Edge with her purse. Miz then landed a Skull Crushing Finale for a convincing near fall. Miz was bug-eyed with shock at the kickout. Miz told Maryse to turn around and look at the stage. Beth Phoenix was there, in her Glamazon get-up. She marched to the ring to her music (which I always liked). Maryse ran away from her as Mizyelled down at them. Edge then caught Miz when he turned around with a spear for the three count.

WINNER: Edge in 19:00. (**3/4)

(Keller’s Analysis: The early part of the match didn’t feel like an intense grudge match. It got better but still not great for the middle part. The closing third was the best portion and came close to matching the intensity of the feud. The finish with Phoenix, while not entirely unforeseeable, added something to the spectacle and sets up the anticipated mixed tag with those two couples.)

-MVP gave Bobby Lashley a pep talk backstage. Patrick approached and told Lashley that his chances of winning the title took a real hit with the inclusion of Lesnar. (Wait, by WWE match standard, it only dropped 5 percent, from 25 percent to 20 percent.) MVP said Lashley is trembling with fear like Lesnar’s other opponents. He said Lashley is yin to Lesnar’s yang. MVP said Lashley will regain his championship. Lashley said Lesnar is just another obstacle, and he’ll take great pleasure in making Lesnar tapout. “New year, new WWE Champion,” he said. MVP straightened Patrick’s tie, then walked away with Lashley. [c]

-A lengthy video package previewed Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan.

(5) BECKY LYNCH vs. LIV MORGAN – Raw Women’s Title match

The bell rang 4 minutes into the third hour of this Premium Live Event. Liv took it to Becky early including pursuing her at ringside and ramming her over and over into the announce desk while screaming. She threw Becky back into the ring. Becky rolled under the bottom rope to buy time. Liv charged toward her, but Becky kicked her and took over. Liv came right back and aggressively stomped on Becky’s back and scored a two count at 2:00.

They battled back and forth for several more minutes, with Becky eventually. Liv delivered a back-cracker with her boots and then shoved Becky hard into the top turnbuckle. A minute later Liv landed a missile dropkick off the top rope for a near fall. Becky came back with a reverse sidekick and a suplex into an armbar. Liv leveraged Becky’s shoulders down for a near fall. Liv followed up with a floated over face plant for another two count. When Liv climbed to the top rope, Becy caught her up there. Liv came right back with a sunset flip off the top rope for a near fall, the most convincing near fall of the match to that point. Becky got up first and applied a Disarm Her. Liv put her leg on the bottom rope to force a break. Becky held on four extra seconds. Liv rolled up Becky, Becky countered. They exchanged leverage near falls.

Liv made a comeback and landed a top rope dropkick. Smith called it beautiful. Graves said he’s not sure how much of it she caught. (Which was it?! Graves was more right, as it seemed to just graze her and they replayed the same ambiguous camera angle.) Becky bailed out to ringside. Liv dove through the ropes and tackled Becky, then let out a barbaric yell. She broke the ref’s count. When she went back after Becky at ringside, Becky took over and rammed Liv into the ringside table over and over. Becky then returned to the ring.

When Liv re-entered the ring, Becky threw her to the floor. Liv reversed Becky into the ringside steps. Liv then put Becky’s arm between the stairs and post, then stomped away at it. Back in the ring, Becky kicked Liv in the face, then climbed to the second rope. Liv met her up there and delivered a leaping armbreaker followed by a Rings of Saturn. Becky leveraged Liv’s shoulders down, so Liv released her grip at two. Becky held onto the middle rope. Liv went for a move, but Becky blocked it and landed a pump-handle slam for the clean win. It appeared Becky was looking to add leverage with her foot on the bottom rope, but couldn’t quite reach it. So maybe it wasn’t supposed to be a clean win.

WINNER: Lynch in 17:00 to retain the Raw Women’s Title. (***1/4)

(Keller’s Analysis: That was a heck of a match. It seemed like a product of a lot of planning and practice, which led to I think Liv’s best and most memorable match. Not everything was crisp or perfect, but overall it was well-paced and dramatic. Liv was fierce and intense throughout, which helped. Even in losing, I think this match solidified that Liv will be a bigger star because of her feud with Becky rather than someone who clearly couldn’t cut it and dropped way down the card. But it’s a close call when you look at the totality of her time in the main event spotlight with Becky.)

-Patrick interviewed Rollins backstage. He said this was supposed to be a one-on-one match, then KO lied his way in, then Lashley bullied his way in, and then Lesnar has “Brock Lesnar’d his way in.” He said he can’t divulge his tactics, but the four other men in the match have something in common that gives him an advantage. “They’re not Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins,” he said. He yelled that he’s going to go in there and stomp heads and win. [c]

-They played Johnny Knoxville announcing he’ll be in the Royal Rumble this year.

-A length video package aired on the main event.

(6) BIG E vs. SETH ROLLINS vs. BOBBY LASHLEY vs. KEVIN OWENS vs. BROCK LESNAR – WWE Title match

Graves said this could be a career-defining night for Big E. Seth, KO, and Lashley came out first. Then Big E. And finally Lesnar. It’s odd having the champion not come out last or first. Nobody wants to follow Brock’s pop, I get that, but it’s a little micro-instance that defines Big E down as champion. Lesnar walked around the ring as Graves said called him the odds-on favorite because his opponents didn’t have time to prepare for him in this match.

Seth and KO attacked Lesnar in the ring as Lashley and Big E battled at ringside. Lesnar suplexed KO and Seth. Lesnar went for an early F5 on Seth, mbut KO broke it up. Big E charged into the ring and clotheslined Lesnar. Then he knocked Lesnar over the top rope with another hard running clothesline. Those looked great. At ringside, Lashley picked up Big E and rammed him ribs-first into the ringpost. Lesnar then charged at Lesnar and speared him through the ringside barricade. Yikes. Lesnar went down hard and stayed down. They cut to crowd reaction shots.

Back in the ring, Lesnar went after KO and Seth. When Lashley lifted Seth for a suplex, KO broke it up. Seth and KO stereo superkicked Lashley. Seth and KO then looked down at Lesnar crawling at ringside. Seth leaped throught he ropes and tackled him. KO then landed a frog splash on Lesnar at ringside. They stomped away at Lesnar. Seth and KO picked up the base of the ringside steps and bashed Lashley with it. They turned and hit Lesnar with it next.

KO and Seth dragged Lashely over to the table and set up a double suplex onto the announce desk. Lashley fneded them off. Big E then delivered a Big Ending on Lashley onto the table. The table collapsed. Big E turned around and ate a superkick from KO. Seth and KO then DDT’d Lesnar on the ringside step base. Graves called it “a union of necessity.” In the ring, KO caught Big E with a Pop Up Powerbomb for a near fall. KO climbed to the top rope and went for a flip senton. Big E lifted his knees. Seth then a diving splash out of nowhere for a near fall. Fans chanted “This is awesome!”

Seth landed a spinning elbow to Big E’s head. He hit another strike to the base of Big E’s neck. He signaled for the stomp, but Lesnar reappepared and gave Seth a F5. Big E charfged. Lesnar gave him an F5. KO went for a stunner, but Lesnar blocked it and hit an F5. Lesnar played to the crowd, but then Lashley speared Lesnar for a believable, dramatic near fall. Lashley applied the Hurt Lock next no an exhausted looking Lesnar. MVP was celebrating at ringside, anticipating victory. Lesnar dropped down, but Big E broke it up. Big E then gave Lashley a Big Ending. He then set up a Big Ending, mbut Lesnar escaped and delivered an F5 and scored a three count. Fans looked around in shock. Smith said, “This man came in and wiped out the field. I’ve never seen a performance like that.” The show ended with Lesnar walking around with the belt.

WINNER: Lesnar to capture the WWE Title in 9:00. (***1/2)

(Keller’s Analysis: Quite the turn of events. That was a freight train of a match start to finish. Booking-wise, I’m not sure if Vince McMahon – who was back in attendance in person at the show, by the way, according to our source – loved this title change or just felt he had to do something big considering Roman Reigns wasn’t on the show. We’ll see where they go from here, but this certainly isn’t part of their master plan they’ve been working toward for months.)

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