WWE WrestleMania 41 Review—Solid matches, questionable decisions

Like the WrestleMania 41 promo said, “Every legendary story has heroes and villains.” This year's “Global Entertainment Spectacular” was solid, but fell short of last year’s storytelling. Even before the first bell, WWE made headlines by announcing their acquisition of AAA.

WWE Undisputed Championship John Cena def. Cody Rhodes (c)

While last year, Cody Rhodes finished his story, this year, John Cena fulfilled his promise to become a 17th-time World Champion.

John Cena’s entrance lacked the usual flair. His name was displayed in plain text black and white on the ground (which made me think of the now). It was perfectly on-brand for his heel persona. The message was loud and clear: he owes the fans nothing. No new gear. No spectacle. Just an angry, self-centered John Cena.

In contrast, Cody Rhodes entered in a full spectacle with several motorcyclists. It was flashy, bold, and heroic. Classic babyface stuff.

Love him or hate him, Cena knows how to tell a story. From the opening bell, he stalled, played mind games, and even threatened to walk out. It’s the first time we’ve seen him fully lean into the villain role since his turn, and he committed to it. One of his new tricks? A massive big boot that screamed Hulk Hogan throwback.

Throughout the match, Cena channeled a '80s-style heel as he bullied Rhodes with basic offense: throws, holds, and old-school axe handles. It was intentionally simple, painting Cena as the washed-up veteran who can’t wrestle, while also building sympathy for Cody’s inevitable comeback.

The crowd's response was fascinating. The usual “Let’s go Cena / Cena sucks” chants rang out, but this time, it felt like the majority were behind him. Maybe it was nostalgia. Maybe it was respect. Or maybe people just like a cocky heel who can still work the crowd.

As the match reached its peak, Cody found his momentum. Just when it looked like the American Nightmare would clinch the win, Travis Scott appeared. Cody wasn’t fazed. He hit Scott with a Cross Rhodes and seemed to have things under control.

Then came the belt.

Cena tried to use the distraction to steal the match, but Cody stopped him and seized the belt instead. As Cena backed off, hands raised in surrender—a move straight out of the Ric Flair and Hogan playbook—Cody hesitated. That was the moment Cena had warned him about: “To beat me, you’re going to have to choose.”

Cody chose to do the right thing. He dropped the belt. And paid for it. Cena delivered a low blow, then leveled Cody with the belt for the win. A dirty finish to a little underwhelming but well-told story.

Rating: 4 Stars

My Thoughts on the WWE Undisputed Championship

The years WrestleMania main event lacked the tension and anticipation of last year. Mostly because John Cena barely showed up during the buildup. That said, there was still a lot of buzz thanks to what his win means going forward.

Cena winning his record-breaking 17th world title gives real purpose to his heel turn. It cements his legacy and sets the stage for a final chapter. He promised to make a mockery of the world title in his final year, and now he’s walking away with the gold. It also opens the door for a brief run of dominance when he pops in now and then.

WWE pushed this as Cena’s final WrestleMania, but I’m not buying that. If “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Goldberg can come back, so can John Cena. Probably more than once.

His so-called “farewell tour” feels like it’s just getting started. He only just turned heel, and by barely appearing before the event, he leaned perfectly into the self-centered, part-time villain role. It works. But fans don’t want less Cena right now, they want more.

So what happens next?

It’s hard to imagine WWE having Cena drop the title at a random Premium Live Event. More likely, he holds onto it until SummerSlam or Survivor Series. But why stop there? Why not keep it going until WrestleMania 42 in 2026?

There’s still a ton of dream matches left. Reviving old rivalries with guys like Orton or Punk, with the belt on the line, would make those matches way more important. It wouldn’t just be a “farewell tour” anymore but feel like a final, serious run at the top. And if the end goal is to build a new star who beats him? Even better. Maybe it’s Bron Breakker or someone we haven’t even seen yet. Whoever it is, beating this version of Cena could be a true passing of the torch moment.

And it doesn’t need to be Cody Rhodes, who is already at the top. He doesn’t need that rub from beating Cena. This loss might be the best thing for him. WrestleMania 40 was his ultimate high. There was nothing more for him to achieve. As much as they favor him, WWE wasn't letting him beat Roman Reigns’ record as champion. But now he lost the title to his childhood hero and got a mixed reaction from the crowd. That kind of setback could actually help him in the long run.

Babyfaces work best when they’re chasing the title, not holding it. Losing to someone like Cena helps reset things and keeps him from going stale. It mirrors what Cena went through years ago, or what happened at AEW when fans started turning on him for being too squeaky-clean and overexposed.

And where was The Rock?

Good question. Nowhere to be found. WWE chose not to feature the “Final Boss” at all, and honestly, that felt like a huge miss. There’s still a giant, unanswered question hanging in the air: Why did Cena align himself with The Rock in the first place? We know Cena’s fed up with the fans and the locker room. But why team up with someone he’s feuded with for years? WWE hasn’t even tried to explain it. They’re just pretending it doesn’t matter.

But it does matter. Big time.

Triple Threat WWE Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky (c) def. Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley

Despite a lackluster buildup, these three women delivered one of the best in-ring performances of the entire weekend. Technically and athletically, they were at the top of the card, which earned them plenty of “This is awesome!” chants.

Iyo Sky, though the reigning champ, entered as the clear underdog against two of WWE’s most established stars, Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. In a callback to the story arc, Bianca had Rhea beat with the KOD—but overlooked Iyo Sky, who landed a picture-perfect moonsault during the pin. Sky stole the win to one of the loudest pops of the weekend.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso def. Gunther (c)

From a wrestling logic standpoint, the decision to have Uso beat Gunther just doesn’t add up. Gunther has been one of WWE’s most protected stars. He dominated NXT, had the longest and arguably greatest Intercontinental Championship reign of all time, and smoothly transitioned into a powerful World Heavyweight title run. He’s also beaten Jey Uso multiple times.

So why the sudden shift?

Simple: business. Much like the rise of Daniel Bryan and Kofi Kingston, Jey Uso’s organic popularity left WWE with little choice. He’s not just over with the fans, but also moving merch like crazy. He has become one of, if not, the top merchandise seller.

Despite the online backlash, management listened to the sold-out arenas chanting and “Yeeting” every time Uso showed up. “I don’t put a lot of stock into what is on the internet unless it follows through to other things we do,” Triple H said on The Pat McAfee Show. “When Jey Uso won the Rumble, there were a lot of people that had their thoughts and comments and opinions on that. [...] But there are 15,000 people in a venue going absolutely crazy when he comes out. So who do we listen to? The few people, or the large crowd?”

From a pure storytelling angle, this wasn’t the most logical outcome. But in the world of WWE, crowd reaction often trumps logic. And right now, Jey Uso is hot.

Rating: 3.5 Stars

WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Charlotte Flair

Tiffany Stratton’s win over Charlotte Flair felt like a statement. Fans were loud and clear: they didn’t want another Flair victory, and their “Tiffy Time” chants echoed throughout the arena.

But the only reason this match was such a big deal was all the recent drama. Fake or not, they made that feud way more interesting in just one promo. Despite the awkward journey to this match, once the bell rang, both acted as professionals and played into classic babyface vs. heel dynamics.

Rating: 3 Stars

Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre def. Damian Priest

For the second year in a row, Drew McIntyre tweeted during his WrestleMania match. His, “Still bored at work lol.” got the expected massive reaction. The finish saw McIntyre hit a Claymore Kick through a chair wedged in the ropes—simple, effective, and brutal.

Despite the “Street Fight” label, most of the action stayed inside the ring. And that was okay. It was physical and punishing without going overboard. There was no need for buckets of blood (looking at you, AEW). In the end, McIntyre reminded everyone he belonged in the main event.

Rating 4 Stars

Fatal 4-Way Intercontinental Championship: ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio def. Finn Bálor, Penta, and Bron Breakker (c)

The result wasn’t surprising, as many expected Dom to walk out as champ. At 28, he needed a singles title if WWE truly wanted to elevate him to main-event status. But what was surprising was the crowd’s reaction. While the fans booed him at his entrance, they soon began to cheer for “Dirty Dom”.

The most hated heel in wrestling might’ve just pulled off a full-blown face turn. He pinned Bálor, setting up a potential feud that could complete his transition to a fan favorite. I’m not a huge Dom fan, but it’s time WWE pulls the plug on Judgment Day. The faction’s run has long overstayed its welcome.

Rating: 4 Stars

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship: Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria def. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c)

Originally, Bayley was set to tag with Lyra Valkyria, but a backstage attack changed those plans. When Becky Lynch appeared as the surprise partner, the crowd went nuts for The Man.

Lyra Valkyria was emotionally overwhelmed when she entered. Whether it was because of her first WrestleMania appearance, knowing who her mystery partner would be, or a combination of both, doesn’t matter. It was a sweet moment. It was even more impressive how she kept it together and performed so well.

Already holding the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, Valkyria now joins Becky in “Two Belts” territory. WWE sees her as a future top star, and this was another push in that direction.

As for Lynch: it’s great to have her back. Let’s just hope WWE doesn’t recycle the Naomi/Cargill angle and reveal she attacked Bayley. That feud is overdone; it's time for fresh stories.

Rating: 4 Stars

WWE World Tag Titles: The New Day Vs. The War Raiders (c)

The New Day and The War Raiders are two of WWE’s most seasoned tag teams, and it showed in their match. Technically, it was solid. But emotionally? It just didn’t land. The crowd barely reacted.

The New Day’s current heel run isn’t connecting the way it used to. And despite their skill, the War Raiders don’t have the fan connection to pull much sympathy. The match came and went with little buzz, which is a shame given the talent involved.

Rating: 3 Stars

WWE United States Championship: Jacob Fatu def. LA Knight (c)

This was a decent match with a predictable outcome. WWE has been building Jacob Fatu as a force since he arrived, and giving him gold was just a matter of time. A feud with Solo Sikoa seems like the next logical step.
But what about LA Knight? The Megastar is more than just a catchphrase machine. It took a while, but he has become a crowd favorite who earned his spot as champion. WWE already teased him stepping up to the main event scene with that Roman Reigns feud. Let’s hope that wasn’t a one-time thing.

Rating: 3 Stars

Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins def. Roman Reigns and CM Punk

What a turnaround for Seth Rollins. Last year, he was fourth fiddle in a tag-team main event. This year, he went in as another afterthought. All the attention in the past weeks was about Paul Heyman showing more loyalty towards CM Punk than Roman Reigns. Yet, Seth Rollins stole the spotlight by winning the high-stakes triple threat.

And it was thanks to a shocking twist. All eyes had been on Paul Heyman’s split loyalties, and WWE used that perfectly as a misdirection. In the end, Heyman turned on both Reigns and Punk.

Hopefully, WWE has a good explanation for this shocking alliance between Rollins and The Wise Man. There’s real potential for a layered story. Let’s just hope WWE follows through and doesn’t leave it hanging, as they have with other recent storylines (looking at you, Rock/Cena/ Rhodes).

Rating 4 Stars

El Grande Americano (Chad Gable) def. Rey Fenix

With WWE's acquisition of AAA, the El Grande Americano storyline suddenly makes a lot more sense. Chad Gable, under the mask, once again proved why he’s one of the most underrated stars on the roster. He's technically sound, charismatic, and always entertaining.

Originally, this was supposed to be Rey Mysterio’s match, but an injury left Fenix to step in. He performed well, but it’s strange to see someone WWE just introduced as a big deal lose in his first high-profile match. Yes, he was a substitute, but it still weakens his position.

Rating: 4 Stars

Randy Orton def. TNA World Champion Joe Hendry

Say his name, and he appears. Shockingly, TNA Champion Joe Hendry answered Randy Orton’s open challenge. The crowd went wild, chanting his name and singing along to his theme. Hearing TNA chants at WrestleMania. WWE (or better yet, TKO) owns AAA. TNA shows up at WrestleMania. It’s insane.

It’s worth noting, though, that this wouldn't have happened without AEW opening the Forbidden Door. They were the first to work with TNA, making Christian Cage and Kenny Omega TNA (Impact) Champions.

This match was never going to be long or competitive. After Kevin Owens’ injury, WWE needed someone for Orton’s 20-year WrestleMania celebration. Instead of burning a debut from someone like Aleister Black or Rusev, they gave Hendry his moment. And it worked. The Viper got his match and celebration, and Joe Hendry became his WrestleMania moment.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see more of Hendry in WWE. The man’s tenacity won over the TNA crowd, one fan at a time. He's 36, so he doesn't have much time left to make it to the big leagues. Or maybe he doesn't need to change. At this point, it wouldn’t shock me if TKO ends up buying TNA in the next couple of years.

Their encounter ended in a lighthearted moment, when Randy Orton did Hendry’s signature camera pose before patting him on the chest and walking off. Just awesome.

Rating: 4.5 Stars (for the storytelling, not the match)

Logan Paul def. AJ Styles

On paper, this should’ve been a marquee match. In reality, the story was flat. Logan got his usual boos, but the crowd didn’t seem emotionally invested. WWE keeps booking Logan Paul in big matches for publicity, but it doesn’t do much for the full-time talent.

AJ Styles, unfortunately, seems to have fallen out of WWE’s focus. At 47, he’s still capable, but WWE’s storytelling around him has grown inconsistent. After this loss to a YouTuber on The Show of Shows, another heel turn seems likely.

The end saw Karrion Kross get involved, stealing brass knuckles from Logan’s goon and handing them to Styles, who refused to use them. Styles punched Kross instead and got booed for it. A double turn between Styles and Kross might be on the horizon.

Rating: 3 Stars

Jade Cargill def. Naomi

This was the weakest match on the card. The whole point was to make Jade Cargill look good, but that didn’t happen. It felt more like a heavily rehearsed performance than a natural match, and it didn’t do either woman any favors.

Naomi did her best to hold the match together and showed her usual professionalism. Cargill, though, looked uncomfortable in the ring. Her movements were stiff, and several spots seemed awkward or even dangerous for Naomi.

Rating: 2 Stars