On the heels of a superb first night of action, WWE WrestleMania 37 returned to Raymond James Stadium Sunday night for part two of The Showcase of the Immortals, headlined by Roman Reigns' defense of the Universal Championship. 

The Triple Threat match for the title, also featuring Edge and Daniel Bryan, main-evented a card that also featured the intercontinental, United States, Raw women's and WWE women's tag team titles at stake.

Which champions were able to successfully retain their gold and who saw their reigns evaporate in the thick Tampa, Florida air? 

Find out now with this recap of Night 2 of WWE's most prestigious event.

Match Card

• Triple Threat match for the Universal Championship: Daniel Bryan vs. Edge vs. Roman Reigns
• The Fiend vs. Randy Orton
• Raw Women's Championship: Rhea Ripley vs. Asuka
• United States Championship: Riddle vs. Sheamus
• Nigerian Drum Fight for the Intercontinental Championship: Big E vs. Apollo Crews
• Women's Tag Team Championship: Natalya and Tamina vs. Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler
• Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

The Fiend vs. Randy Orton

Night 2 of WrestleMania kicked off with the culmination of the six-month feud between The Fiend and Randy Orton. 

Alexa Bliss made her way to the ring as Orton watched from the ring. She came to a giant jack-in-the-box and turned its handle. From there, a healed Fiend popped up. He launched himself from the top of the box, wiping The Viper out with a clothesline. He added a uranage before the fight spilled to the floor.

Orton delivered a side suplex onto the announce table, but The Fiend no-sold it and tried for the mandible claw. The third-generation competitor survived the onslaught and delivered consecutive draping DDTs, only for the relentless Fiend to recover.

He wiped Orton out with a clothesline, then added a crossbody. Orton fended his opponent off again and delivered another draping DDT, clinging to that particular move like Brock Lesnar to a German suplex. The Viper tried for the RKO, but The Fiend applied the mandible claw.

Suddenly, fire exploded from the turnbuckles and Bliss appeared on the top of the jack-in-the-box, with black ooze pouring down her face. Orton capitalized on the distraction, delivered the RKO and scored the win.

Bliss stared at The Fiend until the stadium darkened. When the lights came back up, both were gone.

Result

Orton pinned The Fiend

Grade

C+

Analysis

This was all spectacle, and a good one at that.

The Fiend's entrance was extraordinary, and Orton sold the proper amount of fear as his opponent shook off everything thrown at him.

The stuff involving Bliss, her sudden turn and the aftermath will create buzz and intrigue as to what is next in the saga. Hopefully, WWE addresses the sudden shift because the longer they string along the audience, the sooner they will stop caring.

Women's Tag Team Title Match: Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler vs. Tamina and Natalya

Saturday night, Natalya and Tamina won the tag team turmoil to earn a shot at the WWE women's tag team titles. Sunday, they battled Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax for the gold.

An early exchange between Natalya and Baszler gave way to a showdown between Tamina and Jax that began with the trading of headbutts. Tamina got the best of her opponent, then joined Natalya for a big back body drop on The Irresistible Force. They added a front suplex to Baszler that drove The Queen of Spades into her own tag team partner.

Baszler and Natalya grappled in the ring, with the former seizing control of the match following a wicked knee to the face that surely loosened a few teeth and working the left leg of her opponent. Jax flattened Tamina at ringside, leaving The Queen of Harts to fend for herself. She continued to find herself on the defensive as Jax picked up where Baszler left off.

The champions isolated Nattie, working her over in their corner of the ring. The third-generation competitor tried to fight her way back into the match but ate a big spinebuster. Tamina broke up the pin.

Tamina fired up, taking the fight to Baszler. She escaped the grasp of her opponent, countered a Karifuda Clutch, and delivered a Samoan Drop for two.

Tamina and Jax fought to the ropes, where Natalya saved her partner from a super Samoan Drop, only for the challengers to fall prey to a crossbody from Jax.

An uber-confident Jax talked trash to Tamina until the second-generation star rocked her with a back fist. She delivered a bodyslam for a two-count. She scaled the ropes for the Superfly Splash, but Jax rolled out of the way. 

Natalya entered the match and applied the Sharpshooter to Jax, only to forget that Baszler was the legal competitor. Baszler entered, applied the clutch and scored the referee stoppage for the successful title defense.

Result

Jax and Baszler defeated Natalya and Tamina to retain

Grade

C+

Analysis

The match was interesting in that it was essentially two singular matches disguised as a tag team bout.

There was the Natalya-Baszler mat battle that made up the heart of the match and the clash between the dominant Tamina and Jax. The fans were totally invested in Tamina and wanted to see her down Jax and win the titles, but it was not to be.

In her first real moment at wrestling's biggest event, Tamina rose to the occasion and fans showed their appreciation.

The booking of the closing moments of the match was interesting in that Natalya is this generational wrestler whose father and grandfather were part of this legendary wrestling family, but in her biggest match in years, she was not alert enough to recognize who the legal competitor is.

When Michael Cole can differentiate and the wrestler in the ring can’t, it’s not necessarily a good look.

Where do the champions go from here now? They have beaten all other teams multiple times, with the exception of Carmella and Billie Kay, and they have no real credible threats.

Unless the idea is to bring someone up from NXT, it appears as though the tag title division will remain stagnant, with more of the same for the foreseeable future.

Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn

Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn’s careers came full-circle Sunday when they met on wrestling’s grandest stage, with the latter's special guest, Logan Paul, watching from the ringside area.

KO flattened Zayn with a pop-up powerbomb at the bell, nearly ending the match before it started. Chants of "Logan sucks" rained down from the stands as Owens rocked his former friend with a cannonball. He scaled the ropes, but Zayn rolled to the sanctuary of the ring apron.

Zayn caught Owens with a boot to the face and followed with a suplex that drove KO head-, neck- and back-first into the apron. The former intercontinental champion took control of the bout, hammering KO about the face with rights.

A Michinoku Driver by The Great Liberator earned him a two-count as Corey Graves corrected Michael Cole on commentary.

Owens fought back and drove Zayn neck-first across his own knee for a near-fall. He set him up for a package powerbomb, but Zayn countered and delivered an exploder into the corner. He set up for the Helluva Kick but Owens evaded and set up for the stunner. Zayn countered into a Blue Thunder Bomb for two. He added another exploder and brainbuster for two.

KO delivered a fisherman suplex from the top rope, which Paul sold at ringside. Zayn recovered and rocked Owens with the Helluva Kick. He rushed into the corner, eating a superkick from Owens and a second before succumbing to a stunner as KO scored the win.

Result

Owens defeated Zayn

Grade

B

Analysis

Owens and Zayn saved the start of this show, delivering a strong match that even called back to their Battleground 2016 classic, ironically enough called as such by John "Bradshaw" Layfield on commentary.

The longtime friends lived up to expectations, and while this may not have been the Match of the Year candidate they had five years ago, they left nothing on the table. They everything they had into this one and ensuring their one dance on wrestling’s grandest stage was everything they wanted it to be.

That Paul did not factor in until after the match, when he shoved Zayn and ate a stunner from Owens, was the right call and helped the bout achieve the quality that the performers and fans alike deserved.

This was the first real hit of the night.

United States Championship Match: Riddle vs. Sheamus

Sheamus attacked United States champion Riddle from the opening bell, initially focusing on the left arm. The Original Bro mounted a defense, but the Irishman cornered him and rocked him with elbows before slamming him to the mat.

The challenger delivered the 10 Beats of the Bodhran, clubbing his chest and driving the air out of the champion. With Sheamus perched on the top rope, Riddle ran up and delivered a super belly-to-belly overhead suplex.

Riddle rocked Sheamus with consecutive corner suplexes, an exploder and the Bro-ton. The jackhammer followed, but The Celtic Warrior kicked out at two. Sheamus fought out of Bro Derek and rocked Riddle with a Brogue Kick. Riddle kicked out at two, much to the dismay of the challenger.

Moments later, Riddle stunned Sheamus with a kick on the floor, then wiped him out with a dive. Back inside the squared circle, he applied a submission, only for The Celtic Warrior to power out and drive his opponent into the mat. Riddle regained control with a sleeper, but the Irishman made it to the ropes to force the break.

Sheamus looked for the Irish Curse from the ropes, but Riddle escaped. He rushed the ropes again, only for The Celtic Warrior to slip on a super White Noise attempt. He delivered the move and followed with a knee drop from the top rope.

Riddle recovered and tried for a springboard moonsault, but Sheamus caught him mid-flight with a Brogue Kick for the pinfall and the title.

Result

Sheamus defeated Riddle

Grade

B

Analysis

This was hard-hitting and physical, a championship clash between two competitors who have no problem throwing fists, kicks and any other form of striking they can to stun the opposition en route to a win. On this night, it was The Celtic Warrior who emerged victorious.

There will be some who denounce the idea of Riddle losing but considering the fact that he won the title in the first place because Keith Lee could compete at Elimination Chamber, it's not a major setback.

If anything, it positions Riddle to chase the title and prove he can knock off the former WWE champion to regain the belt. As for Sheamus, this was an appropriate reward for six months of superb in-ring performance.

While most will point to Roman Reigns, Bayley, Sasha Banks, and Asuka as the best WWE performers during the coronavirus pandemic, Sheamus has been every bit as good and earned the right to shine at WrestleMania.

He did it with, arguably, his best performance on the grandest stage to date.

Nigerian Drum Fight for the Intercontinental Title: Big E vs. Apollo Crews

Wale played Big E to the ring for his Nigerian Drum Fight with Apollo Crews, with the intercontinental champion receiving a grand display of pyro as it became clear the company is all-in on him as a singles star.

Champion and challenger engaged in a kendo-stick duel, with Big E getting the best of it as he teed off on his opponent. The titleholder continued his onslaught, exploding through the ropes with a Spear that drove Crews to the arena floor.

Crews wrestled control of the match and teased slamming a set of stairs on Big E, who lay motionless on another. The champion rolled out of the way, then met Crews on the apron for a uranage that drove the challenger into the steps.

Apollo sold the back injury before suckering Big E in and delivering a barrage of kendo-stick shots about the body of the champion.

Crews scaled the ropes for a splash but missed, crashing through the table. Big E delivered the Big Ending but Dabba-Kato, now apparently aligned with Crews, interfered and laid him out en route to the heel winning the match and title.

Result

Crews defeated Big E to win the title

Grade

B+

Analysis

There was no time for overproduction or overcomplications, as is typically the case whenever WWE busts out a new gimmick match. This was all-action and as physical as anything else on the card to this point.

Big E was appropriately intense as he avenged the torment heaped on him by Crews throughout the feud. The crowd was ready for him to achieve his vengeance and retain his title...until Dabba-Kato returned and introduced himself to the feud.

It was interesting to hear Michael Cole and Corey Graves feign ignorance as to who this massive man was when they work for a company that featured the same guy on Raw less than a year ago. Of course, anyone that watched Raw Underground immediately sought to forget it, so it is understandable.

The feud will continue, with Big E forced to chase after the title he has held since December. More importantly, Crews now has a heater that will only help to enhance his act and get him more over with the audience. That is the biggest takeaway from what was an otherwise fun, hardcore romp.

Raw Women's Championship Match: Asuka vs. Rhea Ripley

Ash Costello of New Year’s Day played Rhea Ripley to the squared circle for her match with Raw women’s champion Asuka. A fast-paced start gave way to the titleholder frustrating the challenger, sending her to the arena floor to regroup.

Back inside, Ripley shook off a kick to the shoulder blades and delivered a kick to the chest of the champion, dropping her and applying a bodyscissors. She beat down Asuka and talked trash, even adding a smack or two to the head.

The Nightmare tried for a ripcord kick, but Asuka caught her leg and applied a submission. Ripley fought out and delivered a German suplex for a close two-count. She set up for a side suplex from the ropes, but Asuka fought out and delivered a perfectly placed missile dropkick that allowed her to buy some time.

Asuka rocked Ripley with a kick, then added a hip attack for a two-count. She scaled the ropes, but The Nightmare caught her with a running dropkick that knocked the champ to the floor. Ripley hoisted Asuka onto her shoulders and brought her down, face-first into the ring apron.

Asuka delivered a DDT off the apron and onto the floor. She added a running knee to the face as Ripley reentered for a near-fall. Asuka added Kawada kicks until Ripley caught her, dropped her and stomped away.

The competitors traded submission holds, with Asuka favoring the arm bar. Ripley countered into a pinfall, The Empress countered back into the Asuka Lock. She tried for a kick but Ripley caught her, dropped her with Riptide and scored the win.

Result

Ripley defeated Asuka to win the title

Grade

B-

Analysis

There was nothing inherently wrong with this match, but it lacked the emotional intensity that Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair had just 24 hours earlier.

The work was there. Asuka was her typically great self, while Ripley looked even more comfortable on this stage this year than last. It was physical and hard-fought.

The lack of backstory, or any semblance of a reason for fans to care about their issues, was exposed by the lack of reaction down the stretch, though.

Even the finish appeared to come from out of nowhere, an abrupt conclusion to a match that lacked the spark of the previous night’s classic.

With that said, Ripley was the right choice and now takes over a Raw women’s division that needs fresh blood. Whether she can bring that remains to be seen.

Triple Threat Match for the Universal Championship

Three men who were never supposed to compete in the main event of WrestleMania again took to the squared circle in Sunday’s main event when universal champion Roman Reigns defended against Edge and Daniel Bryan in a Triple Threat match.

Reigns rocked Bryan from the opening bell before fighting to the floor with Edge. The Tribal Chief cleared the announce table but before he and cousin Jey Uso could utilize it, Bryan launched himself through the ropes and wiped him out.

A furious Edge attacked Uso, delivering an Edgecution on the steel steps. With medical personnel escorting Uso out of the arena, Reigns watched as Bryan and Edge battled inside the squared circle. Bryan tried a headscissors off the top rope, but Edge countered into a sunset flip for two. He added an Edge-O-Matic that inspired Reigns to get back involved in the match.

Bryan pulled Reigns off the apron and delivered a top-rope dropkick to The Rated-R Superstar. The heels deposited Bryan on the floor, then turned their attention to each other. Reigns rocked him with a clothesline, only for the challenger to plant him with an Edgecution.

Reigns recovered and tried for a Spear at the same time as his opponent in a cool double-down spot. Bryan soared in from out of nowhere, delivering a diving headbutt to each competitor. He caught Edge with the running knee and downed The Tribal Chief with a kick for a near-fall.

Bryan applied the Yes Lock as Reigns teased tapping, with special counsel Paul Heyman’s face painted with horror. Edge broke up the submission. Bryan repaid the men's Rumble winner, applying the hold to him. Reigns broke it up.

The Head of the Table hammered away at Bryan, pummeling him with a barrage of rights and lefts. He added a powerbomb, driving Bryan into Edge. Outside the ring, Reigns delivered a powerbomb off a set of ring steps and through an announce table. Edge immediately added a Spear as fans chanted “this is awesome” in recognition of the nonstop action. 

Edge grabbed a chair at ringside and entered the squared circle. They played tug-o-war with the chair and a piece of it broke off. Edge applied a crossface, using the loose piece of metal. Bryan broke up the hold by applying his own for a stereo submission spot.

Bryan teased the running knee but Edge caught him with a Spear. He added a second to Reigns, only for Bryan to pull the referee out of the ring and break up the pin attempt. An irate Edge retrieved a trio of steel chairs, placing two on the apron and blasting Bryan with the other.

Edge obliterated both men with a chair, with shades of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin at WrestleMania X-Seven. He positioned both on chairs and delivered the Con-Chair-To to Bryan.

Uso reappeared and attacked Edge. The challenger Speared him and pummeled him with multiple chair shots. Reigns recovered and blasted Edge with a Spear, before delivering a Con-Chair-To of his own to Edge.

Reigns dragged Edge onto Bryan, pinned both men and retained the title.

The Tribal Chief celebrated with Uso and Heyman to close out the show as pyro exploded into the Tampa sky.

Result

Reigns defeated Edge and Bryan to retain the title

Grade

A

Analysis

The finish was an emphatic message to the entire WWE Universe that Reigns is the guy right now.

The top star of today’s generation piled up two men in the twilight of their careers and defeated them on wrestling’s biggest night.

The tribal Chief withstood everything thrown his way, including a superb double crossface submission, and earned the win in his greatest WrestleMania moment to date.

On a night when many wondered if it would be Bryan returning to the top of the WWE mountain or Edge would complete his improbable comeback with victory, it was the reigning champion who continued his streak as WWE’s most dominant and engaging heel.

It was absolutely the right call.

WWE has spent years trying to get Reigns accepted by fans. Now as the lead heel, he is the undisputed top dog, and it does not appear that it will end anytime soon.

Nor should it. Bryan or Edge would have been no more than a placeholder for the next champion, so why not ride it out with the most compelling character in the company?