4/2 WWE WRESTLEMANIA 38 NIGHT ONE KICKOFF SHOW REPORT: Final hype for WrestleMania night one, more

WrestleMania Kickoff Panel: Jerry Lawler, Booker T, Kayla Braxton, Kevin Patrick, Peter Rosenberg

-A video package was shown for Mysterios vs. Miz & Logan Paul. Logan’s brother Jake joined the panel and booed himself loudly into his mic, then told the crowd that his brother was about to take out Rey Mysterio. He said that the crowd would bow to Logan tonight, then ordered the crowd to “boo yourself.” Lawler took Jake’s side, and said that when Dominik’s mother gave birth, she was given a ticket for littering. Jake said that Logan isn’t nervous because he’s fought the likes of Floyd Mayweather. Booker T stepped in and offered a rare voice of reason and vouched for the legitimacy of Rey Mysterio after Jake called him “little.” Jake insisted that the match would be “easy work” for Logan and Miz. Peter asked Jake if he’d ever consider getting into a wrestling ring – he took that opportunity to threaten the fans behind the desk, and said that he’d knock out anyone who boos his brother tonight. Peter, laughing, said, “That’s a lot of people, Jake.”

–The panel reviewed the New Day vs. Sheamus / Holland. New Day was interviewed backstage. Woods referred to the trio as “Butch, Bitch, and Botch.” Kofi tried to convince viewers that the New Day can get serious in spite of their goofy antics. On the panel, Lawler said he wasn’t rooting against the new day, but was believing in Sheamus. Two of Big E’s recent selfie videos were shown, and the panel showed their support for Big E overcoming his neck injury.

-A video was shown for McIntyre vs. Corbin. Lawler once again took the heel’s side, and took pity on Corbin for when he was down on his luck. Kevin said he spoke with McIntyre, and that he was still really hot over Corbin’s behavior on Smackdown the night before. Lawler agreed that Corbin has made it personal, and that he “loves to see that.”

-The panel branched from Corbin to his partner Madcap Moss winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on Smackdown. Kayla suggested that Moss should split off from Corbin. Right on cue, Moss showed up at the panel. Kayla was displeased that Moss was shirtless at WrestleMania. Moss told jokes: What’s the only move that can save Drew tonight? The Praymore. Also: Drew is so Scottish and Arrogant – you know what instrument he plays? The bragpipes.

-Akbar Gbajabiamila, of NFL and American Ninja Warrior fame, joined the panel after a commercial break. Kayla asked him about the Flair vs. Rousey matchup. Akbar said that Rousey has reinvented herself to face Flair. Peter said Charlotte has something to prove in spite of being the most decorated woman in the company’s history.

-Regarding the KO Show with Austin, Lawler guaranteed “we’d see a fight tonight.”

-Throughout the Kickoff show, footage was shown of fans in and around the stadium. Some exhibited general excitement, and others were speaking / interviewed on camera. It was a good atmosphere, and WWE should adopt this technique for all of its PLE’s.

Find Mike Meyers on Twitter: @themikeshow42

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