WWE can’t afford to waste its momentum at WrestleMania 2022

WWE needed that. Now we need to build on that.

Night 1 of WrestleMania 38 felt like everything WWE and their biggest show should be. Guest star Logan Paul impressed in his debut, Bianca Belair and Becky Lynch delivered the true wrestling main event with a terrific conclusion to their story, Cody Rhodes’ debut felt like a big deal, Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair caused controversy and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Kevin Owens concluded with the perfect pinch of nostalgia.

After a few years of hearing their product slip and the debate over whether All Elite Wrestling is better, WWE hit wrestling fans squarely in the eyes with a night that reminded them why they remain loyal to the company and keep coming back, even when it is creative often falls short of expectations. WWE can still turn heads when they step out of the way and let their talented performers do what they do best.

It’s nights like these that WWE fans and everyone associated with the company should leave AT&T Stadium or their couches on a massive Sunday morning. Sure, there were a few downsides — Rick Boogs was injured, New Day vs. Sheamus and Ridge Holland had their time cut, and the shaky end of Rousey and Flair — but overall, Saturday was an excellent night for WWE.

Now comes the hard part, because this is “the most amazing two-night WrestleMania in history.”

For the past two years, WrestleMania Saturday has clearly outshined Sunday. Two years ago it was the Boneyard Match and last year it was Belair’s emotional win over Sasha Banks in the main event that made for strong first nights. WWE can have a massive weekend post-WrestleMania and plenty of momentum towards Monday Night Raw if it can keep things from backfireing like this.

There will be a lot of pressure on Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar and their unification match to carry a much less stacked Night 2 if another competition doesn’t show up and steal the show. There are fewer contenders than Night 1 as the Sunday ticket includes matches with Johnny Knoxville and Pat McAfee and a thrown together deadly foursome for the women’s tag team championships. It will help if New Day’s match slips over. Edge vs. AJ Styles and the Triple Threat Match for the Raw Tag Team Championships have solid stories behind them, but Reigns vs. Lesnar puts them all to shame.

The two stars and WWE creators must all send home happy after what has been dubbed “the greatest WrestleMania match in history.” (An appearance by Reign’s cousin The Rock when it’s over – though unlikely – would certainly do that.) Give us a clean winner and a clean path forward for WWE’s first undisputed world champion since the 2016 brand split. Go ahead us eager to see what comes next.

WWE now has real momentum for the first time since SummerSlam. What will Rhodes say when he gets a live mic on Monday’s Raw? Who will be Belair’s first feud as the new champion? What’s next for Lynch after losing her title? How does Rousey’s character deal with losing a win?

The table is set for the Tribal Chief and The Beast to take WWE to the top this weekend. Given her history and all the nuances of her story, you’d have to lean on her for that. A lackluster ending to a Night 2 card that’s already putting up a tough fight can short-circuit the energy that WWE created on Saturday. Building on that, this weekend is going to be a big win for Vince McMahon’s company in terms of the good feeling, excitement and creative momentum surrounding the company.

WWE needs that, and it’s here to go.