WWE Day 1 live results: Fatal five-way WWE title match
WWE is ringing in the new year with Day 1 taking place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta tonight.
The card for WWE’s first-ever New Year’s Day pay-per-view has undergone some significant last-minute changes. Due to Roman Reigns testing positive for COVID-19, his Universal Championship match against Brock Lesnar that was supposed to headline tonight’s show is now off.
Lesnar has instead been added to tonight’s WWE Championship match. Big E will defend his title against Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens, Bobby Lashley, and Lesnar in a fatal five-way.
Also on tonight’s show, Liv Morgan challenges Becky Lynch for the Raw Women’s Championship, Edge faces The Miz, The Usos defend their SmackDown Tag Team titles against The New Day, RK-Bro take on The Street Profits with the Raw Tag Team titles on the line, Drew McIntyre faces Madcap Moss, and Cesaro & Ricochet team up against Sheamus & Ridge Holland.
Cesaro & Ricochet vs. Sheamus & Holland will be tonight’s pre-show match. The pre-show begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time, with the main card starting an hour later.
**********
Pre-Show
Kayla Braxton wasted no time and addressed the changes to the lineup tonight. She announced that Brock Lesnar’s added to the WWE Championship match, making it a fatal five-way. She noted that Reigns announced testing positive for Covid on social media an hour ago.
Tonight’s pre-show panel consists of Braxton, Kevin Patrick, JBL, Booker T, and Pete Rosenberg. They ran down the lineup for tonight’s card with the changes.
They recapped the Edge and Miz feud. After the video recap, Braxton was laughing about Miz and Maryse’s blood bath on Raw. The Miz interrupted and was furious that Braxton was laughing. Miz mentioned appearing on Dancing with the Stars, and Rosenberg pointed out that he lost. Miz blamed the fans for not voting for him. He promised to defeat Edge tonight and gain the respect that he deserves.
Sonya Deville joined the panel to discuss the Raw Women’s title match. Deville believes that Morgan’s ready to move up and win the title. Braxton mentioned Deville’s problems with Naomi. Deville noted she’s an official, and Naomi can’t put her hands on her.
In the back, Megan Morant interviewed New Day. King Xavier Woods read a proclamation and promised to win the tag titles tonight. He declared New Year’s Day is now New Day Day. Kingston noted they defeated The Usos before.
The panel then discussed Drew McIntyre vs. Madcap Moss and Raw Tag Team Champions RK-Bro defending against The Street Profits.
Sheamus & Ridge Holland defeated Cesaro & Ricochet (9:43)
Holland suffered a legit injury within the first few moments of the match. They immediately took him to the back, and it became Sheamus against Cesaro & Ricochet. They had a good match considering they had to change it on the fly.
The faces had the early advantage when Cesaro caught Holland and slammed him down. Ricochet tagged in, and the fans popped. Cesaro assisted Ricochet in hitting a standing shooting star press for a near fall. Ricochet’s knee connected with Holland’s face on the landing. The fans broke into a loud “Ricochet” chant.
Michael Cole noted that Holland had a broken nose and was taken to the back by medical staff. Sheamus is now fighting both guys on his own.
Sheamus slowed the pace down with a chin lock. Ricochet tried fighting back, but Sheamus hit the Irish Curse backbreaker for a near fall. Sheamus dominated Ricochet until Cesaro got the hot tag. Cesaro ran wild and hit a running uppercut against the barricade at ringside.
Cesaro hit a flying crossbody for a close near fall. He then gave Sheamus the giant swing into the sharpshooter. Sheamus fought back and made it to the bottom rope. Sheamus caught Cesaro with a knee, but Ricochet broke up the pin attempt.
Ricochet sent Sheamus to the floor and attempted a plancha. Sheamus caught Ricochet and hit white noise. Sheamus jumped off the top rope, but Cesaro caught him with an uppercut. The finish came when Cesaro missed a tackle in the corner, and Sheamus hit the Brogue Kick to win.
The panel ran down the lineup again and took a closer look at the fatal five-way main event.
Main Show
The opening video featured Quavo of Migos.
Michael Cole recapped the changes to the card tonight and showed Roman Reigns’ tweet announcing he tested positive for Covid.
SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Usos defeated The New Day to retain the titles (17:02)
New Day and The Usos had a great hard-hitting, fast-paced opener. The fans were into it and reacted big for the finish.
They recapped the Usos and New Day feud. They did the special ring introductions for the tag title match.
The faces had the early advantage as they isolated Jimmy on their side of the ring. Kofi Kingston when after Jey on the apron, but it allowed Jimmy to hit a superkick. Jey then rocked Kingston with a clothesline at ringside. The Usos took over and beat down Kingston.
Jey mimicked Reigns’ superman punch and hit the Rikishi splash in the corner. He missed a second splash, and Kingston briefly fought back. The Usos regained control after knocking Woods off the apron. Jey and Kingston fought on the top rope. Kingston knocked Jey off and hit a DDT.
Woods got the hot tag and ran wild on Jimmy. He hit a rolling clothesline on Jimmy and a dropkick to the back of Jey’s neck. Woods then hit a side Russian leg sweep on Jimmy. Jey jumped in the way of a dropkick to save his brother. Jimmy then slammed Woods on the announce table.
Jimmy and Jey gave Woods an assisted Samoan Drop for a close near fall. Kingston tagged in and hit a double foot stomp for a near fall. He followed up with the boom drop and set up for trouble in paradise, but Jey countered with a superkick. Jimmy hit the splash for another close near fall. The fans broke into a loud “This is awesome” chant.
Jimmy attacked Kingston’s leg and locked on a half-crab, but Kingston made it to the ropes. Woods then dragged Jimmy out of the ring, and Kingston scored several near falls on Jey.
Kingston hit the SOS for another close near fall. New Day then hit the backbreaker/foot stomp combo for a near fall. The fans broke into another loud “This is awesome” chant.
The Usos fought back and hit a double superkick on Kingston. They followed up with a double diving splash on Kingston, but Woods broke up the pin attempt.
The fans broke into a “New Day rocks” chant. Both teams faced off in the middle of the ring and traded shots. The finish came when The Usos caught Kingston with superkicks and then hit the 3-D for the win. McAfee called it the 1-D.
The recapped Big E winning the WWE title. Kevin Patrick interviewed Big E in the back. Big E knows tonight’s main event isn’t going to be easy, but he’s going to figure out a way to leave tonight as the WWE Champion.
In the back, Kayla Braxton interviewed Migos. The fans popped and gave them a good reaction. They’re excited to be at Day 1 tonight. They’re big fans and teased a surprise for later.
Drew McIntyre defeated Madcap Moss (w/Happy Corbin) (9:41)
McIntrye and Moss had a fine match that dragged at times. It picked up towards the end, but the crowd seemed dead for most of it.
Before the match, Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss told some bad jokes and made fun of Atlanta. Moss made fun of McIntyre and said some more lame jokes.
McIntrye rocked Moss with a shoulder tackle for the early advantage. Moss briefly fought back and laughed at McIntrye. McIntyre recovered and backed Moss into the corner. He rocked Moss with a clothesline and hit an impressive suplex for a near fall.
Moss caught McIntrye with a boot to the face, but McIntrye sent Moss to the floor. Corbin tried to interfere, but McIntrye hit a belly-to-belly suplex. Corbin distracted McIntyre and Moss took over.
Moss hit a shoulder tackle for a near fall and slowed the pace down with a chin lock. McIntrye fought back after Moss missed a tackle in the corner and hit the middle turnbuckle. McIntrye hit a neck breaker and went for the future shock DDT. Moss fought back, but McIntyre hit a pop-up powerbomb for a near fall.
McIntrye went for a crossbody, but Moss caught him. Moss fumbled around a bit but recovered and hit a fallaway slam. McIntrye fought back and hit a future shock DDT. Moss caught McIntrye in the tree of woe, but McIntrye countered with a suplex.
McIntrye went for the Claymore, but Moss countered with a kick to the face. McIntrye recovered and hit the Claymore to win.
In the back, Megan Morant interviewed Kevin Owens. He wasn’t happy that they added Brock Lesnar to the main event. He said Rollins and Owens would work together until it’s just them. He promised to take out Lesnar. He’s been paying attention to how Lesnar treated his soul mate, Sami Zayn.
Raw Team Team Champions RK-Bro (w/Migos) defeated The Street Profits to retain the titles (11:13)
RK-Bro and the Street Profits had a good match.
The fans popped when Migos came out with RK-Bro. Migos sat at ringside to watch the title match.
The Street Profits had the early advantage after Angelo Dawkins rocked Riddle with a shoulder tackle. Dawkins looked over at Migos. Orton tagged in, and the fans broke into loud “Randy” and “RKO” chants. Dawkins mocked Orton’s pose.
Montez Ford danced into the ring as Orton just watched. Ford backed Orton into the corner, but Orton fought back with a standing dropkick. Riddle went for a suplex, but Ford slipped out and tagged in Dawkins.
The Street Profits isolated Riddle in their corner and cut him off from Orton. Ford then rocked Riddle with a penalty kick and hit a standing moonsault. He followed up with a splash for a near fall. The announcers noted the Street Profits are being more aggressive.
Riddle fought back, and Orton got the hot tag. He ran wild on Ford and hit a power slam. Orton looked over at Migos and hit a double draping DDT on the Street Profits. Orton went for the RKO, but Ford countered with a cradle for a near fall. Riddle knocked Dawkins off the apron with a jumping knee. Ford then shoved Riddle off the ropes, and he landed on Dawkins.
Ford then hit a huge running dive over the corner onto RK-Bro at ringside. The finish came when Orton avoided the frog splash. Riddle then threw Ford in the air, and Orton hit the RKO to win.
After the match, RK-Bro and the Street Profits shook hands and celebrated with Migos.
Megan Morant interviewed Drew McIntrye backstage. Madcap Moss and Happy Corbin jumped McIntrye. He briefly fought back, but the heels beat him down with a chair. They put his head in the chair and gave him the Pillmanizer.
Kayla Braxton interviewed Brock Lesnar backstage. Lensar imitated Paul Heyman’s introduction. He noted he could do whatever he wanted because he’s a free agent and thanked his advocate Paul Heyman. He promised to win the WWE title and said that’s a spoiler.
Edge defeated The Miz (w/Maryse) (20:00)
Edge and Miz had a good match that started slowly but picked up towards the end. The fans popped for Beth Phoenix appearance at the end of the match.
They recapped the Edge and Miz feud. Edge did the old Brood entrance and came out to the Broods music before changing to his theme music. The fans broke into a loud “Let’s go Edge” chant.
Miz took Edge down with a hip toss and celebrated on the corner. Miz went for the hip toss again, but Edge reversed. He went for the cross face, but Miz broke free. Miz sent Edge to the floor but missed a dropkick through the ropes. Maryse distracted Edge, which allowed Miz to push him into the ring post.
Miz slowed the pace down and worked over Edge’s leg. Edge fought back and hit an inverted draping DDT for a two-count. Miz tried to fight back, but Edge hit a sidewalk slam for a near fall. Miz took advantage by kicking the knee and hitting a DDT for two-count. The fans broke into a “Miz you suck” chant.
Miz hit the It kicks on Edge, but he avoided and rolled him up for a near fall. Edge fought back and dropped Miz on the apron. Edge then hit an impaler DDT off the apron for a near fall. Miz regained control and slammed Edge’s head on the announce table. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale on the announce table, but Edge countered and dropped him face-first on the desk.
Edge then hit a flying crossbody for another near fall. Miz went for the Skull Crushing Finale again, but Edge rolled him up for a two-count. Miz sent Edge into the ring post and attacked the leg. He followed up with the figure four leg lock, but Edge reversed.
Miz gave Edge a slingshot into the corner and rolled him up with his feet on the ropes. The referee caught Miz trying to cheat. Edge got the cross face on Miz, but Maryse put his foot on the bottom rope to break the hold. Miz hung Edge on the top rope and went for the inverted DDT. Edge countered with a backslide, but Miz broke free. They rocked each other with a boot at the same time.
Edge gave Miz a hip toss off the top rope. Edge went for the spear, but Miz jumped out of the way. Edge hit the ring post, and Maryse hit him in the face with her bag. Miz then hit the Skull Crushing Finale for a very close near fall.
Maryse jumped on the apron and yelled at the referee. Suddenly, Beth Phoenix appeared on the stage. She stood there for several moments before her music hit. Phoenix ran down to ringside, so Maryse took off. Miz yelled at Phoenix. Edge then hit the spear for the win. Edge and Phoenix posed in the ring after the match.
In the back, Kevin Patrick interviewed Bobby Lashley and MVP. MVP promised that Lashley would win the title. Lashley added that he would put the Hurt Lock on Brock Lesnar.
Raw Women’s Champion Becky Lynch defeated Liv Morgan to retain the title (16:56)
Lynch and Morgan worked hard and had a good match.
They recapped the Becky Lynch and Liv Morgan feud. The fans gave Morgan a big reaction during the special ring introductions. Lynch got a mixed response from the fans.
Morgan slammed Lynch’s head on the announce table for the early advantage. She went for the dis-arm-her, but Lynch broke free.
Morgan went for a hurricanrana, but Lynch held on and swung her into the corner. Lynch beat down Morgan and hit a leg drop off the second turnbuckle for a near fall. Byron Saxton claimed that Lynch is losing confidence because she can’t put Morgan away. Lynch followed up with an exploder suplex for a two-count. She became frustrated and yelled at Morgan to stay down.
Morgan fought back and sent Lynch face-first into the turnbuckle. She missed a tackle in the corner but hit a dropkick off the second turnbuckle. Lynch fought back with a suplex and locked on an armbar, but Morgan broke free. Morgan climbed to the top rope, but Lynch cut her off.
Lynch went for a superplex, but Morgan slipped out. Morgan then ran up the ropes and hit a sunset bomb for a very close near fall.
Morgan hesitated, which allowed Lynch to lock on the dis-arm-her. Morgan made it to the ropes, but Lynch wouldn’t break the hold. Lynch was firmly in control and slammed Morgan face-first for another near fall. Lynch missed a leg drop, and Morgan hit a missile dropkick. Lynch rolled to the floor, but Morgan hit a suicide dive. Morgan threw Lynch back in the ring, but Lynch rolled out the other side.
Lynch slammed Morgan’s head on the announce table and tried to win by count-out. Morgan beat the count, but Lynch threw her back out. Morgan fought back and trapped Lynch in the steps. Morgan stomped on Lynch and put her back in the ring. Morgan locked on the rings of Saturn, but Lynch reversed for a near fall. The finish came when Morgan went for the Oblivion. Lynch countered and hit the Manhandle slam for the win. Lynch tried to put her feet on the bottom rope but was too far.
In the back, Kevin Patrick interviewed Seth Rollins. Rollins promised to stomp heads and win the title.
They recapped the pre-show match and Ridge Holland’s injury.
Johnny Knoxville announced he’s entering the Royal Rumble on Instagram.
Fatal Five-Way: Brock Lesnar defeated Big E, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Bobby Lashley to win the WWE Championship (8:19)
This was a good hard-hitting and wild fatal-five-way main event. It was also the shortest match on the main card.
Owens and Rollins jumped Lesnar as he entered the ring. Lesnar fought back and gave them both German suplexes. Lashley knocked Big E to the floor, but he recovered and jumped back in the ring. Big E rocked Lesnar with a clothesline and sent him to the floor. Lashley took over. He put Big E on his shoulders and drove him into the ring post.
Lashley then speared Lesnar through the barricade to a huge pop. Lashley was firmly in control, but Owens and Rollins worked together. They rocked Lashley with double superkicks. Rollins then took out Lesnar with a suicide dive. Owens followed up with a frog splash off the apron on Lesnar. The fans broke into a “This is awesome” chant.
Owens and Rollins picked up the steps and hit Lensar. They then hit Lashley with the steps. Owens and Rollins tried to put Lashley through the announce table, but he fought back. Big E recovered and gave Lashley the uranage through the table instead. Owens and Rollins then gave Lensar a double DDT on the stairs. In the ring, Owens hit a pop-up powerbomb on Big E for a close near fall.
Owens went for the Swanton, but Big E got his knees up. Rollins immediately hit the phoenix splash on Big E for a close two count. Rollins set up for the stomp on Big E, but Lesnar caught him in mid-air and hit the F-5. He also hit the F-5 on Owens and then Big E. Suddenly, Lashley speared Lesnar for a close near fall.
Lashley got the hurt lock on Lesnar. Lesnar couldn’t break free until Big E made the save and broke up the submission. Big E went for the Big Ending on Lesnar, but he slipped out and hit the F-5 on Big E to win the WWE Championship. Lashley and Lesnar had a brief staredown as Lashley walked off.
After the match, Lesnar celebrated in the ring and posed with the WWE title to end Day 1.