WWE Day 1 2022 Results, Highlights, and Grades: Lesnar defies the odds

Usos (c) vs. The New Day [SmackDown Tag Team Championships]

Result: Usos

Rating: 4.5/5.0 Stars

Grade: A-

The New Day executed their fast pace offense to start the tag match. However, Usos held down The New Day early on in this tag match as Kofi Kingston looks forward to the hot tag to King Woods. Kingston made an epic counter with a double stomp to Jey Uso.

As soon as he was about to make the tag to Woods, Jimmy Uso stopped the tag by superkicking Woods outside the ring. Usos continued their beatdown on Sir Kingston, assuring that he remained in the Usos’ Penitentiary. Sir Kingston countered with a Tornado DDT. Kingston made the hot tag to Woods.

Woods started off with clotheslines and dropkicks. He delivered a Russian Leg Sweep and a Michinoku Driver to Jimmy Uso for the two-count nearfall. Jimmy Uso regained momentum with a Corkscrew Plancha from the top rope and a double team Samoan Drop for the two-count nearfall. Jimmy Uso tagged Jey Uso back in.

Jey Uso and Woods had a slugfest as Kingston regained his stamina to tag himself back in. Kingston delivered a flying crossbody and Boom Drop to Jey Uso. Kingston got the crowd excited for a Trouble in Paradise.

Kingston attempted the Trouble in Paradise but Jey Uso delivered a superkick leading to an Uso Splash from Jimmy Uso for the nearfall. Jimmy Uso targeted Kingston’s knee with an ankle lock, but Kingston reached the ropes. Woods saved Kingston and tossed Jey Uso to the steel steps. Kingston delivered the SOS for the two-count nearfall.

Kingston tagged Woods for the Up Up Down Down for the two-count nearfall. Woods tagged Kingston back in, but Kingston got caught in a Double Uso Splash by the Usos for the two-count after Woods saved Kingston.

Jimmy Uso delivered a Superkick to Woods outside the ring and delivered a 3-D to Kingston for the pinfall, victory, and retention in Woods’ hometown of Atlanta.

Analysis: Excellent match, as expected. It is questionable why The New Day defeated Usos three times in this build just to lose when it matters most. Nonetheless, this was a hot opener to this event and truly set the tone for what’s to come throughout the night.

Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss (w/Happy Corbin) [Grudge Match]

Result: Drew McIntyre

Rating: 2.0/5.0 Stars

Grade: D

After Madcap Moss got some offense in, Drew McIntyre delivered a belly-to-belly suplex, neckbreaker, and spinebuster to Moss for a nearfall. Moss rallied back with a fallaway slam to McIntyre for a nearfall. McIntyre delivered a Future Shock DDT for a nearfall.

McIntyre delivered some knife-edge chops to Moss before attempting a Superplex. McIntyre instead delivered a belly-to-belly suplex from the top rope. He then delivered a Claymore to Moss for the pinfall and the victory.

Analysis: This match was nothing special and it went longer than it should have. McIntyre should have squashed Moss in less than ten seconds. There was no need for this match to go longer than ten minutes. It was a waste of time and was not even worth a spot on the PPV.