LECLAIR’S WWE WRESTLEMANIA 37 NIGHT 2 REPORT
APRIL 11, 2021
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK
Announcers: Michael Cole, Byron Saxton, Samoa Joe, Corey Graves (various teams)
-After the standard show opening, Mike Rome introduced country artist Ashland Craft to perform “America the Beautiful.” The broadcast cut back to footage of the roster standing on the stage from last night’s show. A military flyover proceeded a fireworks display from the entrance.
-An opening video package aired containing footage from night one, then gave way to a repeat of last night’s cold open with footage previewing tonight’s card.
-Pyro shot from above, below, and behind the stage and all around Raymond James Stadium as the crowd roared. Mike Rome welcomed the co-hosts of WrestleMania, Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan.
KELLER’S WWE WRESTLEMANIA 37 REPORT
APRIL 11, 2021
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK NETWORK
Commentators: Michael Cole, Samoa Joe, Byron Saxton, Corey Graves
Ring Announcers: Mike Rome for Raw, Greg Hamilton for Smackdown
-Ashland Craft played guitar mid-ring and sang “America the Beautiful.” The wrestlers gathered on the stage.
-Pyro blasted.
-More pyro blasted in the stadium. Then they showed fans cheering.
-Mike Rome introduced “Tampa’s own” Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan. They walked out in pirate outfits. They did some pirate talk and welcomed fans. They previewed the card with more pirate puns and terminology.
(Keller’s Analysis: There were audible cheers for Titus and contrasting boos for Hogan when they were speaking.)
WrestleMania 37 Night Two: Sheamus Vs. Riddle (WWE United States Title Match)
WWE United States Title Match: Sheamus vs. Riddle
Back from a break and out first comes Sheamus. We see recent events that led to this match. Out next comes WWE United States Champion Riddle, riding his scooter to the ring. He hits the ring and more pyro goes off.
The bell rings and they go at it. Sheamus takes control early on and levels Riddle with a shoulder. Sheamus grounds Riddle by his arm now, bending the hand back. Riddle turns it around in the corner and unloads with strikes. Sheamus comes right back with one shot and drops Riddle. Riddle counters a slam and applies a Sleeper on Sheamus’ back in the middle of the ring. Sheamus rams Riddle back into the corner. Sheamus with back elbows in the corner now as the referee warns him. Riddle leaps at Sheamus but Sheamus turns it into a big tilt-a-whirl sideslam for a 2 count.
WrestleMania 37 Night One: Drew McIntyre Vs. Bobby Lashley (WWE Title Match)
(Photo Credit: WWE)
WWE Title Match: Drew McIntyre vs. Bobby Lashley
We go to the ring and out first comes Drew McIntyre with his sword. Drew gets a big pyro explosion on the stage before heading to the ring. Fans cheer Drew on as he hits the ring and more fireworks go off above the stadium. The lightning strikes on the screens as The Hurt Business comes out next – WWE Champion Bobby Lashley with MVP. Drew stares Lashley down as he marches to the ring. We get formal ring introductions from Mike Rome.
For the first time in more than a year, in-person fans make their return as WrestleMania 37 night one takes place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida tonight.
Night one will be headlined by a historic main event with Sasha Banks and women s Royal Rumble winner Bianca Belair facing off for the SmackDown Women s Championship. It will be the second women s main event in WrestleMania history, and Banks and Belair will be the first Black women to headline WrestleMania.
Opening tonight s show will be Bobby Lashley and Drew McIntyre s WWE Championship match. McIntyre will be looking to win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania for the second straight year this time in front of fans.