Reviews

The John Report: WWE WrestleMania 41 Review – Night 1 (Saturday)

By John Canton • Published 19th April 2025
WWE WrestleMania 41 Saturday Review tjrwrestling

It’s WWE WrestleMania 41 Saturday headlined by Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Seth Rollins in a huge triple threat match.

WrestleMania 41 is finally here. If it feels like it has been a long wait to get here it is because it’s the latest date in the calendar for WrestleMania. That’s because WWE decided to push it back two weeks this year to avoid the NCAA college basketball tournaments, which I think was a smart move, so I’m happy with the April 19 & 20 dates for this show.

As a reminder, I’ve reviewed every WrestleMania in WWE history, I’ve been to five of them and I love days like today every year. In this era with Triple H running WWE, most WrestleManias are great, so I look forward to this day a lot.

During the WrestleMania 41 Countdown show, there was big announcement from WWE since they announced that they have acquired the AAA promotion in Mexico. It will be interesting to see how that develops in the weeks and months ahead. There’s a lot of good talent in AAA who can mix with WWE talent and produce some great matches, I’m sure.

There is a change to the WrestleMania 41 Saturday lineup. Rey Mysterio is injured and out of action due to a torn groin injury suffered on SmackDown, so Rey Fenix is replacing him against El Grande Americano.

The Women’s Tag Team Title match scheduled for WrestleMania Sunday was going to be Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez against Lyra Valkyria & Bayley. However, Bayley was injured in a dreaded mystery attack, so she’s likely out and people are guessing that Becky Lynch will fin in since she’s an Irish pal of Lyra. Makes sense, but I feel bad for Bayley too.

The GUNTHER-Jey Uso match is scheduled to open WrestleMania 41 Saturday. Let’s get to it.

===

WWE WrestleMania 41 (Saturday)
From Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Saturday, April 19, 2025

There were arrivals shown from earlier in the day featuring Roman Reigns in his 10th WrestleMania main event, Seth Rollins in a ridiculous robe, Paul Heyman with CM Punk, Charlotte Flair and Tiffany Stratton.

The World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER was shown backstage with the World Title around his waist. Jey Uso was also shown getting ready. That match is up first.

A video package aired setting up the show with WWE’s Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque narrating the video talking about heroes and villains. Triple H spoke about how WWE is everywhere as we saw clips of WWE people making appearances.

Triple H Welcomes Us To WrestleMania

Triple H was in the ring for a show opening promo. Triple H welcomed us to Las Vegas while saying that for the first time ever you are being seen by the entire globe live now. That’s due in part to many of us watching on Netflix and of course those of you in the US watching on Peacock. Triple H shouted “Welcome to WrestleMania!” The fans cheered and some pyro went off. Triple H didn’t do his “Are you ready?” bit this time.

Analysis: Thanks, Triple H. We appreciate it. Nice Hall of Fame speech too.

There was an introduction for Salvatore Ganacci, who is an artist and record producer. He was there to be a DJ apparently. Sure. Whatever. The announcers had to act excited about it.

Jey Uso made his entrance from the crowd with 60,000+ fans doing the Yeet entrance with him. It took a few minutes for him to get down to the ring because it’s an NFL stadium.

The commentary team was Michael Cole, Pat McAfee & Wade Barrett. It is Wade’s first WrestleMania on commentary. Alicia Taylor was the ring announcer in her first WrestleMania as well. The Spanish commentary team was at ringside. They also show Turki Al-Sheikh from Saudi Arabia at ringside. The announcers said the “stars are out” as if it was a big celebrity. No. We just know WWE likes their money.

The World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER walked down to the ring without a fancy entrance because it wouldn’t fit “The Ring General” to have a special entrance.

World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER vs. Jey Uso

It was 20 minutes into the show when the bell rang to start the opening match. That’s not a complaint. I’m just sharing information.

There was a slow pace to start the match with Jey sending Gunther out of the ring and the champion Gunther stalling on the floor. Jey tried a body slam, Gunther landed on top and got a two count out of it. Jey managed to hit the body slam followed by a corner attack that included a kick. Jey went to the turnbuckle, so Gunther chopped him down to the floor. Gunther was in control with a whip into the turnbuckle and a chop. Gunther sent Jey into the turnbuckle and Jey bounced off with a Spear for two. Jey has won matches with the Spear in the past. Gunther chopped Jey on the chest, but Jey came back with a Samoan Drop. Gunther hit a superplex off the top and a dropkick. Gunther hit a Powerbomb along with a stacked pin attempt for two. Jey countered Gunther with a hurricanrana followed by a Spear by Jey. Jey went up top and hit an Uso Splash for a two count. Cole called it a Frog Splash, but it was more of an Uso Splash or Superfly Splash. Gunther grabbed the title on the floor, Jey went for a dive, the referee Shawn Bennett moved out of the way and Gunther hit Jey in the head with the title. The referee never saw the title shot, but apparently he can’t hear things too. Anyway, Gunther jumped off the top with a Superfly Splash of his own for two. Gunther applied a Sleeper on the mat while Gunther was on Jey’s back. When Jey got near the ropes, Gunther brought him back to the middle, and Jey managed to get to the ropes. Gunther was angry so he chopped Jey several times and Jey told him to bring it. Gunther held Jey’s left arm leading to more chops to the chest. Gunther hit Jey with chops and kicks, but Jey came back with a clothesline.

Gunther tried to choke Jey out, but Jey hit a German Suplex. Jey charged and Gunther was ready with a running dropkick. Jey avoided a Powerbomb and Jey hit a Powerbomb of his own. Wade correctly pointed out that Jey was hitting some of Gunther’s moves on him. Jey hit two superkicks and a Spear by Jey. Jey went up top and Jey jumped off with an Uso Splash. No cover. Jey went up top again and Jey jumped off the top again with an Uso Splash. Jey went up top for a third time and Jey hit an Uso Splash on Gunther’s back. Jey grabbed Gunther and applied a sleeper while Jey also applied a body scissors. Gunther tapped out to give Jey the submission win. New World Champion! It went 16:29.

Winner by submission AND NEW World Heavyweight Champion: Jey Uso

Analysis: ***3/4 I thought it was a very good match. I liked the story with Jey Uso using Gunther’s moves on him and those moves wore Gunther out as the match went on. Jey hit three Uso Splashes and then instead of going for the pin, he put the Sleper on Gunther, which led to the tap out. You don’t see Gunther lose that often, so beating Gunther with a Sleeper shows that Jey was ready for him and was able to outwrestle the great Gunther to win. It was an entertaining match and the result that I expected.

Jey Uso celebrated with the World Heavyweight Title. Jey was on the commentary table celebrating. When he looked in the ring, he saw twin brother Jimmy Uso in the ring and the brothers embraced. The fans popped huge for the hug. I am sitting here very happy for these guys and the journey they have been on because I have been covering their careers so closely for the last 15 years.

Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso went up the steps and went into the crowd to celebrate Jey as the new World Champion. The fans were going crazy with the “Yeeting” arm gestures.

Analysis: Awesome moment. The Usos might be my favorite team in WWE history and I’m genuinely happy for them getting this moment together. Jey deserves it, but so does Jimmy because of the journey they’ve been on in WWE and I’m so happy for them.

There was a Slim Jim commercial with LA Knight and Jey Uso. There was a WWE Shop commercial as well.

They showed Grammy Award winner producer Rick Rubin at ringside, magician Criss Angel and George Kittle of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers, who did a good job of chugging a beer.

A video package aired about The War Raiders match against The New Day up next.

World Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders – Erik & Ivar vs. The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods

Erik picked up Kofi and threw him into Woods. The New Day guys went to the floor, Ivar got the tag, so Erik dumped Ivar onto both New Day guys on the floor. Ivar hit a running cross body block on both New Day guys against the LED ring apron. Ivar hit a top rope splash while Erik was doing a slam on Woods and it got a two count. The New Day guys took control as they worked over Erik’s neck. Kofi jumped onto Erik’s back with a senton splash by the apron. Kofi hit a Fameasser for two. Woods was legal for his team as he hit a double foot stomp to the back of Erik’s neck. Kofi went for a splash on Erik, but Erik caught Kofi and Erik slammed Kofi on Woods’ back. Ivar was legal, so he hit a back body drop, sidewalk slam and cross body block on Kofi. Ivar splashed Kofi, he did a cartwheel and clotheslined Woods. Kofi hit a spin kick on Ivar. New Day tried a double team move, but Ivar did a handstand off the ropes and hit a double back elbow. Ivar went up top, but Woods tripped him up. Woods hit a clothesline. Kofi was back in, so Erik went in illegally to knock Woods out of the ring. Kofi hit Trouble in Paradise on Erik. Kofi hit double boots to Ivar’s head, but Ivar came back with a spinning heel kick. Ivar hit a Doomsday Moonsault for two because Woods jumped off the top with an elbow drop on Ivar to break up the pin. Kofi covered Ivar for two. Erik tagged in against Woods as Erik hit multiple forearms. Erik hit a knee to the back of the head. Erik hit a knee smash with a loud leg slap. Ivar was back in, but Kofi saved Woods from a double team move. Kofi tripped Ivar on the middle ropes. Woods did an eye gouge on Erik and kicked Erik out of the ring. Kofi held Ivar on his knee and Woods jumped off the top with a double foot stomp called Daylight. Woods covered Ivar and Kofi held Ivar’s leg for good measure. The referee counted the pin without seeing Kofi assisting on the pin. It went about 9:17.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW World Tag Team Champions: The New Day – Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good tag team match with a bit of a cheap ending since Kofi held onto Ivar’s leg during the pinfall. The crowd was quiet for some of the match, but they did pop for Ivar’s cool moves. The New Day have been great as heels for he past five months, so I think it was the right time for a title change and I’m happy about to see New Day with gold again.

After the match, The New Day sprinted up the ramp. The New Day celebrated with their titles on the stage.

They showed actor O’Shea Jackson Jr., Michael Che of Saturday Night Live, and singer Jelly Roll at ringside.

The Jade Cargill-Naomi match was next, so there was a video package for it.

Naomi made her entrance with her new heel theme song where it says “this is your last warning” repeatedly. For Jade Cargill’s entrance, they used The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore because “The Storm is Coming” for Jade. They didn’t do anything special for her entrance.

Jade Cargill vs. Naomi

The powerhouse Jade tossed Naomi across the ring. Jade hit a few shoulder tackles to the ribs. Jade sent Naomi into the turnbuckle. Naomi went to the turnbuckle, so Jade slammed Naomi off the turnbuckle into the ring. They left the ring where Jade sent Naomi into the barricade. Naomi raked the eyes followed by a roundhouse kick to the head. Naomi pulled Jade out of the ring by the apron and Naomi gave Jade a facebuster on the floor. Naomi dropkicked Jade off the apron to the floor. Naomi jumped off the steel steps with a Blockbuster on the floor. They were back in the ring with Naomi doing a leg scissors to send Jade’s head into the mat. Naomi hit a leg drop for two. Jade caught a charging Naomi and hit a backbreaker. Jade kicked Naomi, but Naomi came back with a boot of her own. Naomi jumped onto Jade, who caught Naomi and Jade hit a Jackhammer slam for a two count. Naomi kicked Jade, but Jade was ready with a pump kick to knock Naomi down. Naomi jumped off the turnbuckle, Jade caught her and Jade hit a fallaway slam. The fans popped for Jade doing a kip up back to her feet. Jade caught Naomi on the top rope, but Naomi countered with a bulldog off the top. Naomi hit a perfect split-legged moonsault off the top for two. Naomi hit two superkicks to knock Jade down. Jade blocked a kick, Naomi countered Jade and Naomi sat on top for two. Naomi pulled back on Jade’s arms in a Rings of Saturn submission, but Jade powered back up to her feet. Jade put Naomi on her shoulders, Jade launched Naomi into the air and Jade hit a Powerbomb. Jade hit her Jaded sitout slam for the pinfall win at 9:21.

Winner by pinfall: Jade Cargill

Analysis: *** It was a solid match, almost like a TV match and it didn’t get to that next level of excitement. It was a dominant win by Jade Cargill as expected. There were a lot of cool moves by Naomi, including several counter moves, but I didn’t think Naomi had a shot to win here. Jade’s counter move that led to a Powerbomb was the best move of the match.

Jade Cargill celebrated the win while the announcers put her over saying it was a star making moment for her.

Analysis: I think Jade could be the Women’s Money in the Bank winner this year. Even if she doesn’t win in, WWE is obviously high her and she’ll get a singles push this year.

A video aired about singer Cardi B hosting SummerSlam on August 2 & August 3 in New Jersey.

There were more celebrities shown in the crowd including TV host Lily Singh and rapper Lil Yachty.

It’s LA Knight defending the US Title against Jacob Fatu. There was a video package to set it up.

Jacob Fatu made his entrance for his first WrestleMania. Jacob hat a creepy Werewolf mask on since he’s the Samoan Werewolf. Solo Sikoa was with him on the stage, he hyped up Jacob and Solo went to the back. The United States Champion LA Knight was driven into the stadium and up the ramp by a driver. It was an expensive Maserati sports car. Knight was cheered by the fans as the champion.

United States Championship: LA Knight vs. Jacob Fatu

Knight went for a BFT, but Fatu was able to avoid it. Fatu hit a popup Samoan Drop. Fatu hit a running elbow smash. Knight tried a suplex, but Fatu landed on top for a two count. Fatu suplexed Knight across the top rope to injure the ribs. Knight tripped up Fatu and Knight hit a running dropkick. Fatu was on the floor, so Knight hit dropkick to knock Fatu down on the floor. Knight jumped off the turnbuckle and Fatu caught him leading to a powerslam. Fatu went for a running senton splash, but Knight got the knees up to block. Knight countered Fatu and Knight hit a crucifix slam. Fatu charged, Knight moved and Fatu hit the turnbuckle. Knight stomped on Fatu repeatedly and Knight hit a running knee attack. Knight sent Fatu into the turnbuckle two times and Knight hit a clothesline, which led to Fatu doing a spin bump. Knight jumped off the top with an elbow drop for two. Fatu kicked Knight in the ribs. Fatu went to the turnbuckle, but Knight stopped that to trip up Fatu on the turnbuckle. Knight jumped up top and Knight hit German Suplex off the top, which led to Fatu doing a moonsault bump and Knight covered for a two count. Fatu hit a superkick. Fatu hit two running hip attacks and a third hip attack after that. Fatu jumped off the top with a Swanton Bomb for a two count. Fatu went up top and did a moonsault, but Knight hit a BFT to counter that. That got a two count because Fatu got his hand on the ropes to break the count. Knight went up top, Fatu kicked him to trip up Knight and Fatu hit a splash to the back. Fatu hit a Samoan Drop off the top. Fatu did a double jump moonsault off the top. Fatu hit another double jump moonsault off the top for the pinfall win. It went 10:40.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW United States Champion: Jacob Fatu

Analysis: ***1/4 It was an impressive performance by Jacob Fatu on his way to winning his first title in WWE. That spot with Fatu going for a moonsault off the top and Knight him with a BFT was a really well done. Fatu wore Knight down, hit the two double jump moonsaults and that was it. I expected a title change and I’m happy for Fatu getting the win. It makes sense to put a title on an ascending star like Fatu.

After the match, the legendary Haku went to ringside and congratulated Fatu on the victory. They showed replays and Fatu left with the US Title.

There was a commercial for Wheatley Vodka featuring Cody Rhodes. There was also a commercial for WrestleMania 42 in New Orleans next April.

The next match was supposed to be El Grande Americano against Rey Mysterio, but Rey has a groin injury so he’s out. Rey Fenix is filling in. They aired the comedic El Grande Americano fake history video while Chad Gable denied it was him.

El Grande Americano made his entrance while a band played a song on the stage for him. Rey Fenix made his entrance for his first WrestleMania match. Grande cost Fenix in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal on SmackDown so at least they had some interaction.

They showed Vikingo from AAA at ringside while mentioning WWE bought AAA earlier in the day. Dana White from the UFC was at ringside as well.

Rey Fenix vs. El Grande Americano

El Grande Americano shoved Vikingo at ringside, so Vikingo kicked Grande in the head.

Fenix hit a hurricanrana for a two count. They battled by the turnbuckle where Fenix hit a jumping hurricanrana for two. Grande sent Fenix into the turnbuckle, Fenix kicked Grande back and Fenix hit a springboard dropkick. Fenix jumped off the top with a cross body block onto Grande on the floor. Fenix jumped off the top, but Grande avoided it Grande hit a German Suplex. Cole kept saying it was Chad Gable while Barrett and McAfee did not believe it, so it’s silly commentary. Fenix jumped over the top rope and Grande caught Fenix with a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Fenix jumped off the top, which led to an armdrag and a double foot stomp. Fenix superkicked Gable to knock him down. Fenix hit a spin kick to knock Grande down. Fenix charged, so Grande suplexes him into the turnbuckle. Grande went to the top and hit backwards 450 Splash that was very impressive and that only got a two count. Grande tried to take Fenix’s mask off, but Fenix fought that off. Fenix hit a Fire Driver for two. Fenix tried a rope walk, but Grande tripped him up to knock him down. Grande put the metal plate into the front of his mask. Fenix avoided a headbutt and hit a hurricanrana. Fenix hit a running kick to the head, but then Fenix was selling the right foot injury. Grande applied the Ankle Lock on the left ankle that was not the one that Fenix used to kick Grande. Fenix countered Grande into a pin attempt for two. Fenix tried a leap off the turnbuckle, but Grande headbutted him with the loaded mask. Grande jumped off the top with a headbutt with the loaded mask and Grande covered Fenix for the pinfall win at 7:57.

Winner by pinfall: El Grande Americano

Analysis: *** This was a solid pro wrestling match. It’s a win for El Grande Americano in his WrestleMania “debut” match. I assume that is how the match would have gone against Rey Mysterio as well, but I don’t like it as much for Rey Fenix because seeing him lose decisively in one of his first matches is disappointing. I also thought it would be a longer match, so giving them only 8 minutes is less than what I expected for them.

After the match, Vikingo from AAA went into the ring and checked on Rey Fenix since they are friends.

There was a clip from the Countdown Show when it was announced that WWE has purchased the AAA promotion in Mexico. They showed representatives from AAA at ringside. There will be a WWE NXT-AAA Worlds Collide show on June 7th.

The WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels appeared on the stage. There were “HBK” chants for the legend. Michaels mentioned the title matches so far and there is a lot more to come at WrestleMania. Michaels thanked the 61,467 fans in attendance for a sold out WrestleMania Saturday. Michaels said if you ain’t down with that, they’ve got two words for ya…the fans chanted “suck it” at that point.

They showed actor Stephen Amell in the crowd, UFC Middleweight fighter Israel Adesanya and they showed UFC CEO Dana White in the crowd again. This time he got a name plate when he was shown.

There was a video package for the Tiffany Stratton/Charlotte Flair match.

It’s “Tiffy Time” as the WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton made her entrance in a case that made it look like she was a Barbie Doll. Charlotte Flair made her entrance in a Rolls Royce car that was on the stage. Flair had a very flashy robe as usual and she got a big pyro display as well.

WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton vs. Charlotte Flair

It is Stratton’s WrestleMania debut. The fans were booing Flair, a 14-time Women’s Champion, loudly.

Flair and Stratton exchanged punches at the start of the match. They punched eachother a lot in the ring and it spilled out to the floor. Barrett said they were really hitting eachother hard. Flair worked over Stratton with chops, but Stratton came back with a running splash against the turnbuckle. Flair jumped onto Flair’s body against the turnbuckle. Stratton sent Flair into the barricade at ringside. Flair gave Stratton a belly-to-back suplex on the barricade. Flair sent Stratton into the barricade. They went back into the ring where Flair choked Stratton across the ropes. Flair did a headscissors around the neck and rammed Stratton’s head into the mat. Flair flipped over Stratton using her legs and the fans booed Flair again. Flair applied a Boston Crab submission in the middle of the ring, Stratton rolled through and Stratton sat on top for two. Flair hit a neckbreaker, Stratton broke free from a move and Stratton kicked Flair. Stratton hit a handstand back elbow two times in a row. Stratton hit a spinebuster for two. Flair did a necksnap across the top rope. Stratton came back with a rolling senton. Stratton went for the moonsault off the top, but Flair avoided it. Flair kicked Stratton to knock her down. Stratton hit a basement dropkick for two. Flair hit a boot to the face for two. Flair chopped Stratton a few times. Stratton came back with strikes of her own. Stratton charged, Flair avoided her and Flair hit a forearm. Stratton countered a Natural Selection attempt by Flair, but Flair hit a sitout Powerbomb for two. Flair hit a step up kick and a clothesline. Flair went up top, but Stratton stopped her there. Flair went for a kick, Stratton avoided it and Stratton hit another spinebuster for two.

Flair was back in control as she hit a backbreaker and sent Stratton into the middle ropes. Flair went up top, she jumped off and hit a cross body block, but Stratton rolled through for a two count. Flair sent Stratton face first into the turnbuckle. Flair went up top, but Stratton shoved Flair down. Stratton grabbed the left leg that had a brace on it and Stratton slammed the knee into the mat. Flair got back up and kicked Stratton to knock her down. Flair rammed Stratton’s left knee into the ring post two times. Flair hit a knee drop on the left knee of the champion Stratton. Flair applied the Figure Four Leglock, but Stratton punched the left leg a few times and Flair let go of the hold. Stratton got back up with a chop block to the left knee. Stratton hit a rolling senton. Stratton went for the Prettiest Moonsault Ever off the top, but Stratton got her knees up to block. Stratton applied an inside cradle for a two count. Flair slowly climbed up top, so Stratton went after her there. Flair hit a front suplex to slam Stratton down. Flair jumped off the top with a Natural Selection neckbreaker for a two count. That was a good nearfall since Flair has won a lot with that move in the past. Flair told Stratton that she would never replace Flair. Stratton slapped Flair and Flair went after the knee again. Flair went for a shoulder tackle, Stratton moved and Flair hit the turnbuckle. Stratton did an Alabama Slam into the turnbuckle, but it didn’t look great. Stratton hit a rolling senton and Stratton went up top with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever for the pinfall win at 19:04.

Winner by pinfall: Tiffany Stratton

Analysis: ***1/2 It turned into a pretty good match, but it didn’t feel like a classic match or anything like that. The announcers tried to put it over as some epic match and it wasn’t like that. I still enjoyed it. My pick was Flair winning although I am happy to see Stratton get the win because it is good for Stratton to beat somebody at the level of Flair to show that Stratton belongs. I just thought that Flair might win since she hasn’t been a champion for a few years. This result is cool with me, though. I think they did a nice job of extending the match by having each woman work over the knees. I think maybe Stratton could have sold a bit better, but overall I think she did well.

Tiffany Stratton celebrated as the WWE Women’s Champion. Charlotte Flair backed away from the ring and left. The announcers put over Stratton for the big win.

A video aired showing highlights of the 2025 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony. I watched some of it this morning because it was ridiculously late last night. Good speech by Triple H.

WWE Hall Of Fame Class Of 2025

The WWE Hall of Fame inductees were on the stage so the fans could cheer for them: Bret Hart & Steve Austin for their Immortal Moment, Typhoon & Earthquake (represented by his family), Michelle McCool and Triple H was last. There was no Lex Luger appearance. Triple H brought out a bottle of water and did his classic water spit that he used to do before his matches. The fans cheered.

Analysis: It’s not a great HOF class overall, but Triple H as a headline act helped it a lot.

A video package aired for the CM Punk-Roman Reigns-Seth Rollins match. The song is called “Sail Into The Black” by Machine Head and it’s a great video package. They showed it on SmackDown and at Stand & Deliver too.

Seth Rollins was up first wearing a ridiculous robe. Rollins had a flamethrower so he shot the flames into the air since it fits the “Burn It Down” theme of his song. It looked great. The fans sang Seth’s song as he took off the black jacket and revealed a white outfit with a long jacket. Cole mentioned it was Seth’s 14th WrestleMania as the fans kept on singing Seth’s song.

Roman Reigns made his entrance alone while wearing the red Ula Fala around his neck. Reigns made his slow walk down to the ring. It is a bit strange seeing him without Paul Heyman, but here is Reigns on his own. Cole noted it was Roman’s record 10th WrestleMania main event match.

A video package aired about CM Punk showing his journey in pro wrestling and in WWE specifically.

CM Punk made his entrance while he band Living Colour performed “Cult of Personality” that Punk uses as his entrance music. Punk was by joined by his manager for this match, Paul Heyman. The fans were loud for Punk during his entrance. It is Punk’s eight WrestleMania, his first WrestleMania since 2013 and his first WrestleMania main event.

Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk (w/Paul Heyman)

When Roman Reigns took his Ula Fala off, he looked at Paul Heyman. Reigns put it under the turnbuckle. It started at 10:25 p.m. ET. There are no countouts and no disqualifications in WWE triple threat matches. The first pinfall or submission wins.

After the bell rang, Punk walked around the ring and asked Heyman for wisdom, which upset Reigns. Reigns sent Punk out of the ring with a clothesline over the top to the floor. Reigns hit a Drive By kick on Rollins. Reigns sent Punk into the ring post and then Punk sent Reigns in the ring post. Rollins hit a suicide dive on Reigns. Rollins sent Reigns into the barricade. Rollins sent Reigns into the steel steps. Punk and Rollins battled at ringside, so Punk clotheslined Rollins over the barricade. Punk grabbed a chair and hit Rollins a few times with it. Rollins used some metal object to hit Punk in the knee and Rollins hit Punk with a garbage can to the head. Punk suplexed Rollins onto the garbage can that was on the floor. Punk threw a trash can at Seth’s head. The guys went to ringside, so Reigns jumped over the barricade and knocked down both guys. The three men were at ringside so Reigns cleared off the Spanish commentary table. Reigns sent Rollins into the steel steps. Reigns hit Rollins with a Prime bottle two times. Reigns worked over Punk with punches, but Punk came back with chops. They went into the ring as Punk charged, Reigns caught Punk and Reigns hit a Samoan Drop. Rollins jumped off the top rope and Reigns hit an uppercut on Rollins. Punk avoided a Superman Punch by Reigns and Punk hit a neckbreaker. Punk caught a leaping Rollins and Punk hit a knee on Reigns along with a jumping kick. Punk hit four more running knees on both opponents. Punk hit a front DDT and reverse DDT to his two both opponents.

Punk went up top and hit an elbow drop on Rollins. Punk was on the top again, Rollins went up after him, Reigns had Rollins on his shoulder and Punk hit a Doomsday Device clothesline. Reigns hit a Superman Punch for a two count. Punk applied an Anaconda Device submission on Reigns, so Rollins went up top and Rollins hit a Frog Splash to break up the pin attempt. Rollins punched and kicked each opponent. Rollins gave Punk a Buckle Bomb into the turnbuckle. Rollins also gave Reigns a Buckle Bomb into the turnbuckle. The fans were singing Seth’s song. Punk avoided a Pedigree and wanted another move, but Reigns hit a Spear on Punk. Rollins hit a Pedigree on a charging Reigns and Rollins hit The Stomp for two. The fans were loud for that. Rollins went up top, jumped off and went for a Phoenix Splash, but Reigns avoided it. Punk was back in, he lifted Punk on his shoulders and Punk avoided a Spear, so Reigns hit a Spear on Rollins. Punk hit the Go To Sleep (GTS) knee on Reigns for the one…two…no! Just a two count. Punk signalled for a GTS as he lifted up Reigns, but avoided that and Rollins was back in with a Pedigree on Punk for two.

Rollins tried to convince Reigns to take Punk out. Rollins cleared off the English commentary table. Rollins worked over Punk with punches. Reigns told Rollins to pick him up, but then Reigns changed his mind and he hit Punk with an uppercut punch. Reigns picked up Punk and gave him the Powerbomb through the English commentary table. Reigns picked up Rollins and gave Rollins a Powerbomb through the Spanish commentary table. They went back into the ring where Rollins hit a Spear for one…two…no because Rollins got the shoulder up. The fans were singing “Roman, Roman Reigns” for the OTC. Reigns put Punk into the ring and Reigns applied a Guillotine Choke. Reigns jumped up and used his legs to lock up Punk tighter. Punk broke free and Punk applied the Anaconda Vice submission. Rollins was back in the ring and he applied a Sharpshooter on Punk. I think Rollins swore at Punk because the screen went black and then it re-appeared. Rollins had Punk trapped in the Sharpshooter. Reigns was back up with a Guillotine Choke on Rollins, but Rollins turned it into a Northern Lights Suplex for two. Reigns applied the Guillotine Choke again. Punk hit The Stomp on Reigns and a GTS on Rollins for just two. Punk hit a GTS on Rollins, but Reigns hit a Spear on Punk and Rollins bounced off the ropes leading to Rollins hitting The Stomp on Reigns. All three guys were down after hitting those finishing moves.

Paul Heyman went to ringside where he grabbed a steel chair. Heyman spent about a minute holding the chair at ringside. Heyman passed the chair over to Punk, so the fans booed that while Reigns looked sad about it. Heyman event went into the ring with Punk, but when Punk held up the chair, Heyman hit Punk with a low blow. The fans were shocked by that while Reigns was laughing about it. Heyman shouted at Punk that Reigns is Heyman’s Tribal Chief. Heyman presented Reigns with a steel chair. Reigns hit Punk with a steel chair three times in a row in the back. Rollins got back up to his feet, so Reigns set up for a chair shot, but Heyman hit Reigns with a low blow uppercut as well. The fans booed loudly. Rollins stuck his hand out and Heyman handed Rollins the steel chair. The fans sang Seth’s song. Rollins hit Reigns in the back with the steel chair like he did 11 years ago. Rollins hit The Stomp on Reigns for the pinfall win at 32:55.

Winner by pinfall: Seth Rollins

Analysis: ****1/2 I thought it was an excellent WWE-style main event match with a lot of finishers by all three guys, even stealing some finishers and getting two counts out of those. When I saw Heyman get in the ring I knew at that moment that he was going to cost both Punk and Reigns and Rollins. I just figured it was coming because why else would he enter the ring? They got plenty of time, Reigns was dominant for a lot of it, Punk was resilient the whole way and in the end it was Rollins benefit from the untrustworthy Heyman to get the win. We know Rollins said that Heyman owed him a favor in the past, but we didn’t know for sure if Heyman would do that favor, yet here it was with Heyman helping Rollins getting the win. I’m glad that they got a lot of time because they delivered a terrific main event match and this show needed it. Great job by Rollins, Punk and Reigns.

Seth Rollins left with Paul Heyman while Cole was screaming about how he is sick because Heyman has aligned himself with Rollins. Rollins walked away with Heyman while McAfee wondered how long this has been the plan. Rollins walked away with Heyman. Punk was talking to the referee and you could see Punk smiling a bit because he was probably with the match. Rollins posed on the ramp while Heyman had an evil grin behind him. That’s all for WrestleMania 41 Saturday.

Analysis: This likely puts Seth Rollins in the role as a top heel again, which is fine with me because I like him in that role. Seth might have to change his theme song because the song is more of a babyface thing, so we’ll see if there is a chance for his presentation as a character.

WWE WrestleMania 41 Saturday had a runtime of 4 hours, 1 minute.

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Five Stars of the Show

  1. Seth Rollins
  2. Jey Uso
  3. Roman Reigns and CM Punk
  4. Tiffany Stratton and Charlotte Flair
  5. The New Day

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Final Thoughts

I’m going 6.75 out of 10 for this show.

I think WrestleMania 41 Saturday was underwhelming for a lot of the night, but the main event delivered an excellent match to really save it from being a disappointment. That main event by Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and CM Punk was outstanding and the shocking ending helped a lot.

The best match was Rollins-Punk-Reigns easily. That was an excellent fight with an ending that is memorable. The Jey Uso win over Gunther was a lot of fun and I like the story they told. Other than that, Stratton-Flair was pretty good. Most of the rest of the matches were just decent and shorter than I expected most of them to be.

I have high expectations for WrestleMania. I think WrestleMania shows should always be 8 out of 10 style events, but this one didn’t get to that level, in my opinion. We’ll see how WrestleMania Sunday goes.

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