9 Match Star Ratings For WWE WrestleMania 38 Night 2

7. Sami Zayn Vs. Johnny Knoxville: Anything Goes Match

Mr. McMahon WrestleMania 38
WWE.com

A riot of a dumb comedy match that, to be boring and analytical about a WWE x Jackass crossover, was actually crafted quite intelligently.

Sami Zayn sent himself up to create deeply silly but potent WrestleMania magic. It was a sensational performance; he got himself up to take a bodyslam from Wee Man in what was a great spot. This wasn't an affront to wrestling or anything as tired or tedious as that; Zayn used his athletic brilliance to get a marvellously incredulous sight gag over, and elsewhere crafted a cracking black comedy physical punchline in which he booted Wee Man in the face. One low-brow form very much enhanced the other in a sort of synergy of dumb-fun bullsh*t. Zayn and Knoxville even worked a decent tornado DDT sequence.

A demented plunder brawl elsewhere, at times, the plunder seemed like it didn't want to play along - the mouse trap table was a dud, sadly - but that almost added to the chaotic quality of the presentation.

Hard to rate as a wrestling match, obviously, but as a risky, untested live action Jackass skit that doubled as a fun plunder brawl, this was very entertaining. Really, WWE should just evolve into its inevitable form as a celebrity sports entertainment outfit.

They clearly care much more about getting nonsense right than listless pro wrestling involving talent they can't be arsed getting over.

Star Rating: ★★★

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!