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

WWE Day 1 2022! This Vince McMahon production kicked off the new year on the wrong foot. There are plenty of contrived storylines being built, but there are some potential show-stealing matches on this card that will be thrilling to watch.

The following will provide full results, highlights, and grades for the seven matches that are purportedly scheduled for this PPV. Since Roman Reigns was pulled from WWE Day 1 due to COVID protocols, the Universal Title match was canceled and Brock Lesnar was then added to the WWE Championship match to make it a Fatal 5 Way.

The rest of the card was booked as follows: Big E (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar for the WWE Championship, Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan for the Raw Women’s Championship, Edge vs. The Miz, Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss, Usos (c) vs. The New Day for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships, RKBro (c) vs. Street Profits for the Raw Tag Team Championships, and Ricochet & Cesaro vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland as the kickoff tag team match. Without further ado, here is the full review for WWE Day 1.

WWE Day 1 2022 took place on January 1, 2022, live on the WWE Network via Peacock. Here are the full results, highlights, and grades.

Ricochet & Cesaro vs. Sheamus & Ridge Holland [Kickoff Tag Match]

Result: Sheamus & Ridge Holland

Rating: 2.5/5.0 Stars

Grade: C-

Ricochet & Cesaro start the match off hot with some tag combos. Cesaro delivered a gutwrench backbreaker to Ridge Holland. Cesaro tosses Ricochet for a 450 splash on Holland, but Ricochet accidentally landed on Holland’s nose.

Holland was attended to at ringside, and Sheamus has to carry the match against Ricochet and Cesaro by himself. Holland was taken to the back because he got a broken nose from that botch. Michael Cole let the audience know that Holland will not be returning to the match.

Sheamus delivered a plethora of Irish Curse Backbreakers to Ricochet and beats to his chest until Ricochet was able to get a hot tag to Cesaro. Cesaro rallied with three uppercuts and a slingshot crossbody.

Cesaro grabs Sheamus for the Cesaro Swing and transitions into the Sharpshooter, but Sheamus reached the bottom rope. Cesaro attempted the Neutralizer, but Sheamus countered with the Running Knee for the two-count after Ricochet breaks it up. Sheamus delivered the White Noise to Ricochet outside the ring to take him out of commission for the rest of the match.

Sheamus jumped from the top rope for a flying clothesline, but Cesaro countered with an Uppercut in mid-air for the two-count. Sheamus tossed Cesaro into the corner turnbuckle and delivered the Brogue Kick to Cesaro for the pinfall and the victory in an impromptu handicap match.

Analysis: Sheamus absolutely buried Ricochet and Cesaro by defeating both of them here. Even though Sheamus & Ridge Holland were probably scheduled to win, there should have been a last-minute audible to change the winners to Ricochet & Cesaro because it is just awful for two talented performers to lose to one. The numbers game here is erroneous, to say the least.

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.

RKBro (c) vs. Street Profits [Raw Tag Team Championships]

Result: RKBro

Rating: 3.5/5.0 Stars

Grade: B-

RKBro and Street Profits got some tag offense in early on in the match. Street Profits gained control of Riddle, who is looking for the hot tag to Randy Orton. Orton got the hot tag and delivered two clotheslines and scoop slams to the Street Profits. Orton caught both Ford and Dawkins for the Double DDT from the ropes.

Orton got the crowd pumped for the RKO. He attempted it, but Ford countered with a roll-up and an enziguiri to the back of Orton’s head. Dawkins delivered a Gutrench Powerbomb to Riddle, but Riddle rallied back with striking knees.

Orton attempted the back suplex to Ford, but Ford countered by tossing Orton’s shoulder into the steel post. Ford then delivered a tope con hilo to RKBro. Ford attempted another aerial maneuver from the top rope, but Orton countered with a superplex to Ford.

However, Ford countered with headbutts to Orton and attempted the frog splash. Orton moved out of the way and delivered an assisted RKO to Ford for the pinfall, victory, and retention. RKBro celebrated with Migos, who sang the entrance song for the WWE Day 1 PPV.

Analysis: Solid match here, as expected. Although it was not the best match of the night, it just goes to show how vital tag team wrestling can be to any show. RKBro did an amazing job in 2021, but their gimmick is, unfortunately, running its course. They should drop the titles this month and break up before WrestleMania to set up a match between them at Mania 38.

Edge vs. The Miz (w/Maryse) [Grudge Match]

Result: Edge

Rating: 3.5/5.0 Stars

Grade: B-

Edge and The Miz started this singles match at a very slow pace with their patented maneuvers. The Miz attempted a Skull Crushing Finale on the announce table, but Edge countered the Edge-O-Matic. Edge tossed The Miz back into the ring and jumped from the top rope with a flying crossbody to Edge for a nearfall.

The Miz locked in the Figure-4 Leg Lock to Edge. Edge reversed the pressure to counter it. The Miz attempted the STF. Edge countered with the Cross Face. The Miz countered with a roll-up with leverage on the ropes.

The referee caught Miz and rightfully nixed the count. Edge locked The Miz in the Crossface. Maryse saved The Miz by pulling Miz’s leg onto the bottom rope. Both men delivered big boots to each other and fell down to the mat. Edge and Miz engaged in a slugfest.

Miz got the upper hand with a clothesline at the corner turnbuckle. Edge rallied back with a hip toss from the top rope to Miz. Edge attempted the Spear, but Miz countered with an assisted Skull Crushing Finale. Since Maryse interfered, Beth Phoenix made an epic return to chase after Maryse.

Thanks to help from his wife, Edge delivered a Spear to The Miz for the pinfall and the victory.

Analysis: Decent singles match here and perfect finish. This feud was unnecessary to begin with because Edge never needed to battle The Miz when there are so many other superstars Edge could elevate on the Raw roster. However, the idea of a power couple warfare here made it fun to watch. Edge was the right winner here, so solid result booking on WWE’s end.

Becky Lynch (c) vs. Liv Morgan [Raw Women’s Championship]

Result: Becky Lynch

Rating: 4.0/5.0 Stars

Grade: B+

Liv Morgan got some offense early in this match with stomps and dropkicks. Becky Lynch regained control of this match with leg drops and Exploder Suplexes. Lynch tried her hardest to carry and make Morgan look good in this match, especially since they were working at different paces.

However, it was Morgan’s first PPV singles title match, so this was understandable. Morgan bounced back with a Lou Thesz Press and an enziguiri to the back of Lynch’s head. She went to the top rope and delivered a missile dropkick to Lynch for a nearfall.

Becky delivered another exploder suplex, but Liv Morgan rallied back with a Twilt-A-Whirl DDT. Morgan delivered a picture-perfect sunset flip powerbomb to Lynch from the top rope for a nearfall. Morgan attempted an inside cradle to Lynch for the two-count nearfall. Lynch delivered a wheelbarrow facebuster to Morgan.

Lynch attempted another leg drop to Morgan, but Morgan evaded that dropkick and delivered another Missile Dropkick to Lynch. Lynch rolled out of the ring, so Morgan executed a suicide dive to Lynch outside the ring.

Morgan trapped Lynch’s arm in the steel steps and stomped on it in the same way Lynch did on Raw. Morgan continued her offense with an arm-breaker from the top rope and an arm lock. Lynch evaded the submission. Morgan attempted the Oblivion on the side ropes but Lynch delivered a beautiful counter with the Pumphandle Suplex for the pinfall, victory, and retention.

Analysis: Solid match here. Lynch tried her hardest to make Liv Morgan look good in this match, especially since they were working at different paces. However, it was Liv Morgan’s first PPV singles title match, so this was understandable. Although Lynch called and carried most of the match, Morgan held her own in key scenarios throughout the match.

Big E (c) vs. Seth Rollins vs. Kevin Owens vs. Bobby Lashley vs. Brock Lesnar [WWE Championship: Fatal 5 Way]

Result: Brock Lesnar

Rating: 4.5/5.0 Stars

Grade: A-

Brock Lesnar took Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens to Suplex City. Big E clotheslined Lesnar out of the ring. Bobby Lashley delivered a spear to Lesnar through the barricade. Rollins delivered a suicide dive to Lesnar. Kevin Owens delivered a frog splash to Lesnar.

Owens and Rollins worked together to take everyone out. Big E delivered an STO to Lashley through the announce table. Owens delivered a superkick to Big E. Owens and Rollins delivered a double DDT to Lesnar on the steel steps. Big E delivered an STO to Rollins.

Owens delivered a Pop-Up Powerbomb to Big E for a nearfall. Owens attempted a senton bomb. Big E countered with his knees, but Rollins immediately delivered a frog splash to Big E for the two-count nearfall.

Rollins attempted the Curb Stomp, but Lesnar delivered an F-5 to Rollins, Big E, and KO. Lashley speared Lesnar for the two-count and locked in the Hurt Lock. Big E broke up the Hurt Lock and delivered Big Ending to Lashley. Lesnar delivered the F-5 to Big E for the pinfall and the victory. Brock Lesnar is the new WWE Champion.

Analysis: This was amazing! The one superstar who was not even part of the storyline won the title match. You love to see it. Perfect booking. Brock Lesnar had a final stare at Bobby Lashley, which planted the seeds for a future title match. Eat. Sleep. Conquer. Repeat.

WWE Day 1 2022 Full Results:

• Sheamus & Ridge Holland defeated Ricochet & Cesaro via pinfall
• Usos defeated The New Day via pinfall to retain the SmackDown Tag Team Titles.
• Drew McIntyre defeated Madcap Moss via pinfall.
• RKBro defeated Street Profits via pinfall to retain the Raw Tag Team Titles.
• Edge defeated The Miz via pinfall, thanks to Beth Phoenix’s return.
• Becky Lynch defeated Liv Morgan to retain the Raw Women’s Championship.
• Brock Lesnar won the Fatal 5 Way via pinfall to become the new WWE Champion.