by WrestleMania Smackdown Report Card 4/18/25
Opening Segment – Seth Rollins cuts an in ring promo pipe bomb style.
Everything he said was true, while dropping countless hints about how Paul Heyman brought him to the main roster. Even stealing Heyman’s catchphrase to end the promo. Even a blind man can see that Rollins is leaving WrestleMania Night One with Paul Heyman by his side. It is as clear as day. This was very well done!
Grade – A
Carmelo Hayes wins the Andre The Giant Battle Royal
The ending was good as Carmelo desperately needed his first main roster signature win and got one here. Not sure what all it means as no one remembers the winners each year, but it could finally be the start of something big on the main roster for Hayes.
Grade – A
Wade Barrett interviews Charlotte
This just keeps getting worse. I still say the match will steal the show on Night One, but the build continues to be ick!
Grade D
IYO Sky / Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair attempt to cut a promo
This was awful as well, as Naomi cut it short and it led to her once again being attacked by Jade Cargill. Not sure why they tried to slam two angles into one promo here, but it made no sense and came across forced.
Grade – C-
The Motor City Machine Guns challenge The Street Profit for the WWE Tag Team Championship
The entire thing was used as a way to set up a three way match for next week as they will add in Johnny Gargano and Ciampa, and make it a ladder match for the belts.
Grade – F
Randy Orton comes out to cut a promo
Absolutely nothing happens other then Randy reminding the crowd he has been in 19 WrestleMania’s prior that no one remembers and he still needs a match for this weekend. That was literally it.
Grade – F
Zelina Vega vs Chelsea Green
Vega defeated Green in a fantastic non-title match, complete with an incredible powerbomb from the top rope. This instantly makes Vega a serious challenger for the Women’s United States Championship.
Grade – A
LA Knight and Braun Strowman vs Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa
Having Knight get the pinfall here and look strong was the smart move. There is a strong chance he is losing tomorrow night, so his promo before saying how Fatu would make a good champion someday made a lot of sense.
Grade – B
Tiffany Stratton is interviewed off site as was Flair earlier.
This one is a bit better and gives Stratton more of an underdog feel heading into this one. She doesn’t seemed focused however.
Grade – C
Six Man Tag Match with the American Made vs Rey Fenix, Dragon Lee and Rey Mysterio
A fun match with plenty of action as the 3 hour show began to drag on a bit.
Grade – B
John Cena and Cody Rhodes face off to end the show
John Cena had an incredible promo to get turn the crowd on Cody and then Cody got them right back on his side. A masterful job of storytelling despite little to know impactful physicality between the two.
Grade – A –
