Before the main event even began, the party started early. The two-hour was broadcast live on USA Network , YouTube, and WWE's social channels at 5 PM ET/2 PM PT. Several preliminary matches took place to warm up the record-breaking crowd.
Charlotte defeated Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks in a technical masterpiece that signaled the true beginning of the "Women's Evolution."
The kickoff show featured three matches, shortening the main card slightly compared to previous years. Wwe Wrestlemania 32 Full Show
The Build: The Authority (Triple H & Stephanie McMahon) tried to destroy Roman Reigns for 6 months. The Verdict: The crowd turned on this match immediately. The Dallas audience despised Roman Reigns and loved the villain Triple H. The match was a slow, big-man style brawl. Roman speared Triple H through the barricade and eventually hit three spears in the ring to win the title.
WrestleMania 32, held on April 3, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, remains one of the most paradoxical events in WWE history. While it shattered commercial records—grossing $17.3 million and claiming a record-breaking attendance of 101,763—it simultaneously drew polarizing critical reviews. The show was a massive spectacle that successfully captured global attention but struggled to satisfy the core fanbase due to its seven-hour length and controversial booking. Record-Breaking Spectacle Before the main event even began, the party started early
The official main card kicked off with a bang: The . Containing Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Dolph Ziggler, The Miz, Stardust, Sin Cara, and Zack Ryder, this was a spot-fest designed to wake up the crowd. It worked. Sin Cara took a terrifying fall off a massive ladder, Sami Zayn brutalized his rival Owens, and Stardust even brought out a personalized polka-dot ladder as a tribute to his father, Dusty Rhodes. In a stunning upset that shocked the wrestling world, Zack Ryder climbed the ladder and snatched the title, securing a rare "WrestleMania moment" for the long-time journeyman.
The show featured 12 matches, including three on the Kickoff pre-show. The evening was highlighted by Roman Reigns reclaiming the top spot and the crowning of a new era for women's wrestling. Key Stipulation/Notes Roman Reigns Roman Reigns For the WWE World Heavyweight Championship The Undertaker Shane McMahon The Undertaker Hell in a Cell; leapt off the cell roof Brock Lesnar Dean Ambrose Brock Lesnar No Holds Barred Street Fight Becky Lynch Sasha Banks For the inaugural WWE Women's Championship Zack Ryder For the Intercontinental Championship Chris Jericho Chris Jericho Styles' WrestleMania debut Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal Baron Corbin main roster debut Erick Rowan Shortest match in WrestleMania history (6 seconds) Charlotte defeated Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks in
A brutal match featuring kendo sticks and chairs, ending with Lesnar delivering an F-5 onto chairs for the win.
WrestleMania 32 was uniquely defined by the obstacles WWE faced during its buildup. A massive wave of injuries forced top-tier superstars off the card, including John Cena, Seth Rollins, Randy Orton, Cesaro, and Bray Wyatt. Furthermore, Daniel Bryan had just announced his forced retirement from the ring.
The match with the highest stakes on the card was arguably inside Hell in a Cell . The stipulation was simple but terrifying: If Shane won, he would gain control of Monday Night Raw , and The Undertaker would never compete at WrestleMania again. If he lost, his career was essentially over.
After months of a chaotic rivalry, Roman Reigns challenged Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The match was a physical confrontation, with Stephanie McMahon providing distractions from ringside. Despite the hostile crowd reaction, Reigns persevered, capping off a tumultuous year by defeating The Game with a spear to capture his third WWE Championship. Hell in a Cell: The Undertaker vs. Shane McMahon