Reviews

The John Report: WWE WrestleMania 41 Review – Night 2 (Sunday)

By John Canton • Published 20th April 2025
WWE WrestleMania 41 Sunday Review tjrwrestling

This is WWE WrestleMania 41 Sunday headlined by Cody Rhodes facing John Cena for the WWE Title in Cena’s final WrestleMania match.

It’s the second night of WrestleMania 41. I rated WrestleMania 41 Saturday a 7 out of 10, which means it was good and solid, but not necessarily some all-time great event. I think the outstanding Seth Rollins-Roman Reigns-CM Punk triple threat main event match ended it on a positive note because it was such a great match. I didn’t predict Paul Heyman aligning with Seth Rollins to help Rollins win, but I know some people did, so congratulations to them. I’m assuming it leads to Rollins being a heel with Heyman, which could lead to some memorable matches against Reigns, Punk, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso and other talented babyfaces on WWE’s roster. If the Rollins/Heyman alliance leads to a stable of wrestlers joining them then that would be cool too.

In other regarding WrestleMania 41 Sunday, Bayley was the victim of a dreaded backstage mystery attack, so she’s out as Lyra Valkyria’s tag team partner in their match against Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez. That has led to a lot of predictions about a Becky Lynch return as Lyra’s tag team partner. It makes sense, but I feel Bayley since it has been reported that there is no actual injury, so she loses out on a WrestleMania match due to an angle.

As a reminder, I’ve reviewed every WrestleMania in WWE history, I’ve been to five of them and I may go again in the future. I’m okay with staying home this year because I enjoy writing a live review and interacting with a lot of fellow wrestling fans. Plus, staying home saves money while the WrestleMania trips get more expensive every year.

The opening match is the Women’s World Title match between champion Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair. Let’s get to it.

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WWE WrestleMania 41 (Sunday)
From Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada
Sunday, April 20, 2025

There were some superstars shown from earlier in the day featuring Cody Rhodes, The Judgment Day group, Penta, Bron Breakker and Randy Orton with his wife Kim,

A video package aired to set up tonight’s show with clips of the wrestlers competing in the matches.

Stephanie McMahon Welcomes Us To WrestleMania

Stephanie McMahon was in the ring saying that the last time WrestleMania 9 was in Las Vegas, she was 16 years old. Stephanie said that now, her middle daughter is 16 years old. Stephanie said that WWE has been part of her entire life, she said that you are family and WWE is family. Stephanie said welcome home and welcome to night two of WrestleMania. There was a pyro display that went off by the stage to welcome us to the show.

Analysis: Thanks Steph aka Mrs. Game.

The commentary team of Michael Cole, Pat McAfee & Wade Barrett were at ringside to welcome us to the show. It is Cole’s 28th WrestleMania. The Spanish announcing team was there.

The Women’s World Title match was up first. Since I’m behind in watching the show, I’m going to fast forward through entrances.

WWE Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley

There are no countouts and no disqualifications. The first fall wins. They are all babyfaces, but the fans love Ripley the most. Belair was getting booed by some fans while Sky had a lesser reaction but was still cheered.

Belair and Ripley argued to start the match so Sky punched Ripley. Sky hit an impressive hurricanrana on Ripley. Sky hit a cartwheel followed by a dropkick on Belair. Ripley dropkicked Sky out of the ring. Belair dropkicked Ripley into the turnbuckle. Belair worked over Ripley with punches, Belair sent Sky against Ripley and Belair punched them both. Belair kicked Ripley while Sky jumped off the top with a double Blockbuster for two. Sky hit a running dropkick. Belair launched Sky to the apron and into the turnbuckle. Ripley kicked Belair out of the ring. Ripley hit a cannonball on Belair on the floor. Sky hit a moonsault off the ropes onto Ripley on the floor. Sky rolled through on Ripley and Sky hit a double foot stomp on Ripley’s ribs. Belair clotheslined Ripley out of the ring. Sky rolled up Belair for two. Belair knocked down Sky with a shoulder tackle. Belair hit two suplexes in row followed by a walk that led to a delayed vertical suplex. Ripley tripped up Belair and pulled her out of the ring. Sky jumped onto Belair on the floor, but Belair sent Sky into the barricade. Ripley and Belair threw Sky into barricade. Back in the ring, Ripley elbowed Belair to break free. Ripley gave Sky a Razor’s Edge into Belair and Ripley got a two count on Sky. Ripley trapped Sky in the Prism Lock submission, but Belair broke that and Belair went for KOD on Ripley, who landed on her feet. Belair and Riley did a hair pull double takedown while Sky was against the turnbuckle, so they paused to take a break.

Sky hit running knees on both opponents. Sky went up top, Ripley went after her, Belair joined the fun and that led to a Tower of Doom double belly-o-back suplex and Sky did a moonsault bump onto the mat. Ripley kicked Belair to knock her down. Sky hit a springboard dropkick to knock Ripley down and the fans cheered Sky a lot. Belair was back up with a running Pounce to knock Sky down. The fans booed that. Belair hit a 450 Splash off the top on Sky and Ripley broke it up. Ripley hit a Riptide slam on Belair for a two count. Sky countered Ripley with a DDT. Sky charged and Ripley kicked Sky to knock her down. Ripley tried a Riptide off the turnbuckle, but Sky countered it with an armdrag. Sky jumped off the top with Over the Moonsault, Ripley got her knees up and Belair hit KOD on Sky for one…two…no because Ripley broke up the pin attempt. Great nearfall. Belair hit Ripley with some strikes to the face. Ripley fought back and Ripley sent Belair into the turnbuckle. Ripley headbutted Belair to knock her down to the floor. Sky joined Ripley on the top, Ripley blocked a reverse hurricanrana attempt and Ripley sent Sky face first into the top of the turnbuckle. Belair went for KOD on Ripley, but Ripley landed on her feet. Ripley hit a headbutt. Belair countered Riptide and Belair hit Ripley with a hair whip to the body. Belair hit KOD on Ripley. Sky jumped off the top with Over The Moonsault on Belair and Sky covered Belair for the one…two…and three! IYO SKY wins. It went 14:25.

Winner by pinfall: Iyo Sky

Analysis: ****1/2 That was an outstanding match and one of the best opening matches in WrestleMania history. It’s also one of the best women’s matches in WrestleMania history. There was so much fast paced action that it was hard to keep up with it. It really could have gone any way, but I think it tells a good story to have Sky win the match because it shows she can survive as champion even though she was overlooked going into the match. Ripley and Belair came so close to winning a few times, including when they hit finishing moves, but they weren’t able to get the win.

Iyo Sky celebrated with the Women’s World Title. The fans cheered for Sky with her title.

Analysis: There were three incredible triple threat matches in the last two days. This match, the Rollins-Reigns-Punk main event at WM41 Saturday and the Femi-Trick-Evans triple threat at Stand & Deliver. All of them were so fun to watch. Credit to the talent. Amazing matches.

They showed some celebrities in the crowd including popular rap legend Flava Flav, UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili, and rapper Rich the Kid.

A video aired to set up the Drew McIntyre-Damian Priest match.

Drew McIntyre was up first for his match looking very serious for this match. Damian Priest was played out to the ring by Kerry King of the band Slayer. That was a cool entrance and I like his song.

Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest

It’s a match where anything goes and can end by pinfall or submission. The match had to end in the ring.

Priest knocked Drew out of the ring. Priest sent Drew into the barricade. Drew fought back to give Priest a suplex on the bottom of the ramp. Drew put two levels of the steel steps into the ring, so Priest hit Drew with the steel steps. Prist sent Drew into the barricade. Priest put a table into the ring, but Drew came back with a chop and Drew sent Priest into the steel steps and commentary table. Drew rammed Priest into the commentary table. Drew picked up Priest and hit Priest in the head twice. Drew hit Priest with the steel steps to the back. Priest got his phone from his brother and Drew took a selfie pic and tweeted “Bored at work” like last year. Drew gave his brother the phone back. Drew hit Priest with a steel chair to the side of the head. Drew set up two tables on the floor. Priest punched Drew a few times while Drew was on the apron above the tables. Drew clotheslined Priest out of the ring. Drew hit a running somersault dive over the top onto Priest on the floor. That was very impressive.

Drew charged at Priest, but Priest threw a chair at Drew, who avoided some of it. Drew hit a Claymore Kick on Priest for two. Drew hit Priest in the back with a steel chair several times. Drew put a steel chair around Drew’s neck and Priest hit Chokeslam rather than the south of Heavan slam. Priest smacked Drew with a chair to the back several time. Priest put the World Title between the two turnbuckles and turned allowed, which led to Drew hitting a spinebuster. Drew set up a table in the middle of the ring. Drew went up top with Priest on his back, but Priest fought out of that and Priest hit a Razor’s Edge through the table. Priest’s hero was the late, great Razor Ramon (Scott Hall) and he got a two count with that move. Priest wanted to slam Drew on the steel steps, but Drew got out of that with an eye gouge. Drew hit a Future Shock DDT onto the steel steps for two. That’s also a painful bump for Drew since he lands hard on his back on the steel steps. The fans chanted “This is awesome” and I agree. Drew and Priest exchanged punches as the referee put gloves on since he saw blood. Priest hit punches, Drew with a Glasgow Kiss headbutt and Priest clotheslined Drew to knock him down. Priest did a ropewalk while holding Drew’s hand and Drew shoved Priest, who took a back bump through the two tables on the floor! That was a brutal bump. The fans popped big to react to it. Drew set up Priest’s head against the steel chair that was against the turnbuckle and Drew delivered a Claymore Kick into the chair that was against Priest’s head! Brutal. It went 13:55.

Winner by pinfall: Drew McIntyre

Analysis: ***3/4 Great match that felt like a fight due to the intensity of both guys and the weapons they used throughout the match. Kudos to Priest for taking such a huge bump off the top and through the two tables on the floor. The finish was a decisive ending with that Claymore Kick into the chair. The weapon usage made a lot of sense throughout the match. I hope this win gives Drew some positive momentum and he gets into the WWE or World Title scene soon. I want Drew to have a title reign this year.

Drew McIntyre forced the referee Dan Engler to raise his hand in victory while Drew as on the steel steps. Priest was selling it saying that he can’t breathe. Drew spoke into the camera saying he’s always right in the end.

A commercial aired about this October in Perth, Australia when WWE brings Smackdown, Raw and a PLE. It was promoted as John Cena’s last match in Australia. More details are coming soon.

They showed celebrities at ringside including Jahmyr Gibbs of the NFL’s Detroit Lions, UFC legend/commentator Daniel Cormier and comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, who was booed.

Thee four-way match for the Intercontinental Title was up next, so there was a video to set that up.

Penta made his entrance first to a big pop. Dominik Mysterio walked out wearing a mask and he was booed heavily. Dominik took off his mask. I don’t remember Dominik winning many singles matches, but here he is in an IC Title match. Finn Balor was next as he joined his buddy Dominik Mysterio of The Judgment Day in the match. Bron Breakker made his entrance last as the Intercontinental Championship match and he was making his WrestleMania debut. Bron has held the match for about six months going back to October of last year.

Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker vs. Penta vs. Dominik Mysterio vs. Finn Balor

It’s a match with no countouts and no disqualifications. The first fall wins.

Bron went after Dom to start, but Dom got out of the way. Dom and Balor attacked Bron to send Bron out of the ring. Penta jumped off the top and hit a cross body block off the top on Dom. Penta sent Balor and Dom out of the ring, which led to Penta hitting a somersault dive over the top onto Balor & Dom on the floor. Bron took out Penta with a running shoulder tackle on the floor. Penta went for a springboard attack, but Bron slammed him. Bron gave Balor a popup powerslam. Bron ran the ropes and hit a Spear on Dom for two because Balor broke up the pin. Bron went after Penta with shoulder tackles, but Balor hit a Slingblade and Penta hit a Slingblade. Penta sent Balor and Dom against the ropes, so Penta hit a swinging double dropkick for a two count. Penta pulled back on Balor’s right arm with The Sacrifice. Bron was back in and he hit a double German Suplex on Balor and Penta at the same time. The fans were barking for Bron. Bron ran at Penta, who moved, so Bron hit the turnbuckle. Dominik pulled down Penta by the head and Dom hit a senton splash. Dominik stomped on Bron and some fans were cheering for Bron as Dom dropkicked Bron out of the ring. Dom hit two suplexes at ringside while Carlito showed up at ringside. Balor was back in for a double suplex with Dom on Penta. Bron hit a double duplex on Balor and Dom, which led to more barking by the crowd. Bron hit belly-to-belly throws on Balor and Dom. Bron hit a running clothesline on Balor and a clothesline on Dom. Bron jumped off the top with a Frankensteiner on Balor for two.

Bron charged at Balor, who got a boot up, Penta kicked Bron and Dominik dropkicked Penta. Balor clotheslined Bron out of the ring, so Dom dropkicked Balor into the ropes. Dom went for a 619, Balor blocked it and Balor stomped on Dom, which drew boos because this crowd liked Dom. Penta hit a Penta Driver on Balor for two because Bron broke up the pin. Penta and Bron exchanged strikes. Carlito pulled the top rope down, so a running Bron bumped to the floor. Dom rolled up Penta for two. Penta came back with a Mexican Destroyer for just a two count because Carlito pulled Penta off the pin. Carlito cleared off the commentary table at ringside. Carlito held onto Penta, but then Bron showed up on the other table and Bron ran across the tables with a Super Spear that put Carlito through the table! That was an amazing move. The fans were chanting “Dirty, Dirty Dom” for Mysterio. Bron hit a Spear on Penta. Dominik dropkicked Bron into the ropes and Dom hit a 619 kick on Bron. The fans were cheering. Dom went up top, but Balor tripped him up and the fans booed. Balor hit a Slingblade and a dropkick into the turnbuckle. Balor jumped off the top with a Coup de Grace double foot stomp on Bron, but Dominik jumped off the top with a Frog Splash on Balor and Dominik covered Balor for the pinfall win! It went 10:30. The fans cheered.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Intercontinental Champion: Dominik Mysterio

Analysis: **** That was an awesome match that was full of action the whole way and it didn’t slow down. Dom getting the win by pinning Balor was the finish I predicted and I’m sure I’m not alone in that because it felt like the right time to get the title on Dom in a cheap way. Penta and Balor had a lot of cool moments in the match, but I didn’t think either of them would win. To me, it was either Bron winning or Breakker retaining. Bron Breakker was showcased a lot in this match with a lot of spectacular moves. That running Spear on the commentary table was amazing. I don’t think Breakker is going to be hurt by losing the IC Title. I think Bron could be the Money in the Bank winner this year. That match went just over 10 minutes, so that might seem short, btu there was so much action and it never stopped, which meant that the time of the match felt just right.

Dominik Mysterio celebrated with the Intercontinental Title. After some replays, Dominik ran down to the ring and posed with the IC Title some more. The fans cheered it a lot.

Analysis: I don’t think this means that Dominik is going babyface or anything like that. I think it’s just that the WrestleMania crowd has a lot of “smart” fans that like Dom as a character, so they want to see him win.

A video package aired about Randy Orton issuing a challenge to anybody that wants to face him at WrestleMania.

The legendary Randy Orton made his entrance to a huge ovation. A lot of the fans were singing along with his “Voices” song. It Orton’s 20th WrestleMania match this year.

Randy Orton did a promo saying tonight marks his 20th WrestleMania. Orton said he was ready to go, so the only question now is who comes through that curtain? Orton said he’d deliver a WrestleMania courtesy of the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment – RKO.

Say his name and he appears…I believe in Joe Hendry! The TNA World Champion Joe Hendry got a huge ovation from the crowd. The fans sang along with his “I believe in Joe Hendry” song.

Analysis: I’m so happy that the TNA World Champion Joe Hendry got to have a moment like this. It’s not a good spot in terms of winning a match, but it’s a cool moment for a guy I like and somebody who has worked so hard to become a successful wrestler. Good for you, Joe.

Randy Orton vs. Joe Hendry

This is not for Hendry’s TNA World Title. Orton went for an RKO, Hendry avoided it and Hendry rolled up Orton for two. Orton kicked Hendry in the ribs, but Hendry came back with a neckbreaker. Hendry fired up the crowd, Hendry grabbed Joe by the throat, Orton no sold that and Orton did an eye poke. Orton hit two clotheslines and a powerslam. Orton delivered a draping DDT as Cole shouted “vintage Randy Orton” as usual. Orton went for an RKO, Hendry avoided it and Hendry hit a fallaway slam. The fans popped for that as Hendry turned around to face the hard camera. Orton popped back up with an RKO for the pinfall win at 3:10.

Winner by pinfall: Randy Orton

Analysis: ** A quick match to give Orton a decisive win. Hendry was focused on posing for the camera and Orton made him pay for that. It made sense for Orton to get the win to give him positive momentum. I assume Orton was going to beat Kevin Owens, but Owens is hurt, so they found another way to give Orton the win. Good enough.

After the match, Orton lifted Hendry up and Orton clapped for him as a sign of respect. Orton held Hendry’s hand so Orton lifted his hand to salute the fans. Orton spun Hendry around and he hit another RKO! The fans popped for that. Randy Orton raised his hands to the fans and Orton spun around so that he could do his arm pose. Orton did some more posing to end it.

Analysis: That’s what Randy Orton does. Sorry Joe. It was simple, it was fun and it was a way for Orton to pop the crowd.

A commercial aired for WWE Money in the Bank at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on June 7th.

The AAA/WWE NXT Worlds Collide show will be at the Kia Forum on LA on June 7th at 3 p.m. and later that day also in Los Angeles at the Intuit Dome is Money in the Bank at 7 p.m. so it’s a lot of content for fans.

There was a video package for the Logan Paul-AJ Styles match.

Logan Paul made his entrance while filming himself with a camera. The camera took off so it was a drone camera that was used to film the crowd while Logan made his entrance. They showed nine different camera angles of Logan’s entrance. AJ Styles was up next for his entrance and he was cheered by the fans as the babyface in the next match.

AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul

Paul shoved Styles into the turnbuckle. Styles nailed Paul with a shoulder tackle. Styles jumped over Paul and hit a dropkick. Styles was sent out of the ring, Paul tried to attack, Styles pulled the apron back and trapped Paul against the ring. Styles nailed Paul with a running knee to the face while on the apron. Paul broke free and he tackled Styles into the barricade. Styles sent Paul hard into the barricade at ringside. The WWE President Nick Khan was seated at ringside with his son. Paul got a hold of Styles on the apron, Paul sent Styles into the ring post and Paul sent Styles running into the other ring post. Paul did a slingshot attack over the top onto Styles on the floor. Paul sent Styles into the Spanish commentary table. Paul grabbed his drone to film him and Paul used the ring apron to smother/choke Styles for a few seconds. Paul did a necksnap across the top rope. Paul jumped off the top with a Frog Splash that Cole called a Paul From Grace for two. Paul sent Styles sternum-first into the turnbuckle. Paul sent Styles overhead with the Overbomb for two. Paul did some ear cupping to imitate Hulk Hogan, which led to Paul hitting a big boot and a split-legged leg drop for just a one count.

Paul worked over Styles with jabs. Paul kicked Styles and Paul jumped off the turnbuckle with a moonsault onto Styles for two. Paul hit Styles with a few uppercuts to the chest. Paul sent Styles into the turnbuckle, Styles stopped himself and Styles hit two clotheslines. Styles hit the slam onto the knee followed by a running forearm on Paul. Styles hit a running clothesline against the clothesline and a brainbuster for two. Styles set up for a Styles Clash, Paul got out of it, Paul kicked Styles in the ribs and Styles landed on his feet, which led to a kick that knocked Paul backwards. Paul caught Styles on the top rope, Paul hit a rolling senton and Paul hit a springboard moonsault aka Lionsault for two. Styles elbowed Paul and went for a Styles Clash, but Paul blocked it. Paul sent Styles into the turnbuckle. Paul hit the slingshot lariat that we know as the Buckshot Lariat by “Hangman” Adam Page and it got a two count. Pat referred to it as a Buckshot Lariat, but Cole didn’t call it that. Paul worked over Styles with punches as the fans booed. Paul went for a punch, Styles ducked it and Styles spun Paul around leading to a Powerbomb pin for two. Styles went for the springboard 450 Splash, but Paul got the knees up to block. Paul turned to face the hard camera and hit a Styles Clash. Styles managed to recover quickly and hit his own Styles Clash, but AJ was too hurt to make a cover. Paul’s friend Jeff from Paul’s entourage showed up at ringside with brass knuckles, but Karrion Kross was there to stop Jeff. Kross grabbed the brass knuckles. Styles threw Jeff into the barricade. Kross wanted Styles to use the brass knuckles in the match, but Styles refused and tossed the brass knuckles under the ring. Styles also decked Kross with a punch. Styles punched Paul, Styles did a springboard leap, Paul avoided it and Paul hit a dreaded punch to the jaw. Paul hit his flipping slam into DDT called the Paulverizer and that was enough for Paul to get the pinfall win. It went 17:50.

Winner by pinfall: Logan Paul

Analysis: ***1/4 It was a good match designed to put over Logan Paul clean, but it didn’t feel like it got to that next level where it was a great match. Styles didn’t want help from Karrion Kross, which made sense for Styles as a face and Paul took advantage of that situation to get the win. The fans weren’t into this match that much even though the guys worked hard. The story was decent going into it, but there wasn’t anything special about it.

There were stats shown about history noting that there have been 421 total matches and 456 unique individuals and broadcast from 26 different stats.

There’s a WWE Netflix docuseries called WWE: Unreal and it debuts this summer showing behind the scenes footage of WWE content.

They showed actress/singer Vanessa Hudgens at ringside, actor Rana Daggubati was at ringside, boxer Terence Crawford and rapper Quavo, who did a middle finger salute to the camera while wearing a Steve Austin shirt.

It was time for the Women’s Tag Team Title match up next.

Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez made their entrance in red outfits as the Women’s Tag Team Champions. The story is that Bayley was injured in a backstage attack, so Lyra Valkyria needs a new partner.

The Women’s Intercontinental Champion Lyra Valkyria made her entrance for her WrestleMania debut. After Lyra made her way down to ringside, we found out who her mystery partner.

Becky Lynch made her WWE return after being away from the company for the past 11 years. Lynch is Irish like Lyra and they teamed together in the past. Lynch got a huge ovation while they showed a female fan crying in the crowd. The fans were on fire for Becky’s return.

Analysis: Welcome back Becky. She has been missed. I also feel bad for Bayley being removed from her WrestleMania match. I hope they use it in a storyline.

Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez vs. Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria

Lynch started for her team against Raquel. Lyra tagged in leading to Becky and Lyra kicking Raquel several times. Lyra did an armdrag to send Raquel out of the ring. Lyra hit a running dropkick that knocked Raquel down on the floor. Lyra went up top, the referee was trying to calm Lynch down, Liv shoved Lyra off the turnbuckle and Raquel kicked Lyra for two. Liv and Raquel made quick tags as they worked over Lyra in their corner. Liv hit the Three Amigos vertical suplexes and a shake to taunt the crowd. Liv hit a running kick for two. Raquel hit a slingshot suplex that ended in a Jackhammer. Liv hit a suplex on Lyra. Raquel missed an elbow drop when Lyra moved, Liv went into the ring to hold onto Lyra’s foot and Lyra broke free to tag, but Liv pulled Lynch off the apron. Back in the ring, Raquel kicked Lynch and Raquel tossed Lynch out of the ring. Raquel hit a spinning slam on Lyra for two. Lyra finally broke free, so Lynch got the hot tag against Liv. Lync hit two clotheslines and a jumping forearm smash. Lynch hit an enziguri kick, a forearm to the face, a punch and Lynch went up top with a somersault dive onto Raquel. Lynch hit the Bexploder Suplex on Liv across the ring. Lynch hit a baseball slide kick on Liv. Lynch jumped off the apron with a forearm smash on Liv. Lynch flipped Liv over and applied a Disarm-her armbar on the left arm. Raquel broke it up with a boot to the face. Raquel kicked Lyra off the apron. Lynch sent Raquel over the top to the floor. Liv hit Oblivion on Lynch for two because Lyra broke it up. Lyra jumped onto Raquel on the floor and Lyra hit a DDT on the floor. Liv kicked Lyra down on the floor. Liv turned around and Lynch hit the Manhandle Slam (Rock Bottom) for the pinfall win at 8:40.

Winners by pinfall AND NEW Women’s Tag Team Champions: Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria

Analysis: *** Welcome back Becky Lynch and it’s a title change for her return match. I figured the titles would change hands when they did the injury replacement angle and it brought back Lynch into the match. Liv & Raquel had a decent reign as the champions, but it’s not like it was that memorable. This was basic tag team wrestling with the heels working on Lyra for most of it, Lynch got the hot tag, Lyra took care of Raquel on the floor and Lynch finished off Liv for the win.

Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria celebrated with the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Lyra is now Lyra Two Belts because she’s added the Tag Team Titles to her Intercontinental Title reign.

There were some commercials including a Drumstick ice cream commercial featuring John Cena. The next WWE PLE is Backlash on May 10th in St. Louis.

A “Highlight of the Night” video was shown of Dominik Mysterio winning the Intercontinental Title earlier in the night.

Steve Austin Announces WrestleMania Attendance

The WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin arrived in a four-wheeler and he went driving around the ring. Austin crashed it into one of the barricades and a woman was down in the front row.

Austin wanted the crowd to give him a “Hell Yeah” so the fans did it. Austin said he was here to announce tonight’s attendance: 63,226 fans. Austin said he’s been in a lot of buildings a lot like this and it seems like there are more people than that. Austin said he wanted a recount, so he literally started counting people and the fans chanted “WHAT” during every number before Austin stopped at 19. Austin said that’s bullshit. Austin said that meant it was 124,693 solid ass cats or people. Ausitn said he hopes everybody gets home safely and we’ll see you at the next WrestleMania. Austin drank some beer like he loves to do it by chugging beers that went all over his shirt. Austin put away six beers and left. The WWE President Nick Khan was talking to the fan in the front row and Austin said something to the fan too. Austin left at that point.

Analysis: I hope the fan is okay because Austin was going fast around the ring when he hit the barricade. I was hoping for some stunners, but he just drank some beers and announced the attendance numbers.

This Monday on the Pat McAfee Show, his guests are John Cena and Paul Heyman.

A video package aired about the Cody Rhodes-John Cena main event match. It was a terrific video package as usual.

John Cena made his entrance for his final WrestleMania match. Cena walked out to his regular song without pyro or anything fancy. It was just a regular walk out to his classic “Time Is Now” theme song. Cena is a 16-time WWE World Champion and this is his 17th WrestleMania match.

The Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes made his entrance after some guys on motorbikes drove around the stage. Cody had some headgear on, he put it on the ramp and did his “WHOA-OH” pose as pyro went off for his entrance. A graphic let us know it was 378 days as WWE Champion for Cody and this is his 9th title defense. Cody hugged his daughter, kissed his wife, hugged mom and sister and Cody got into the ring after that. The ring announcer Alicia Taylor did the championship introductions.

Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena

The referee Chad Patton held up the Undisputed WWE Championship and the bell rang to start the match. The fans were loud.

Cody knocked Cena down with a shoulder tackle. It looked like Cena has fixed his bald spot issue or at least it’s not as bad as it was. Cena bailed to the floor. Cody applied an armbar, Cena went to the ropes and Cena went to the apron for a break. Cena left the ring to the floor, so Cody hit a suicide dive onto Cena. When they went back into the ring, Cena punched Cody and Cena stomped on Cena a few times. Cena sent Cody into the ropes, leading to Cena hitting a boot to the head. Cean stomped on Cody’s foot and Cena hit Cody with a knee to the head. Cena sent Cody hard into the turnbuckle. Cena did a catapult into the bottom rope. Cena nailed Cody with another kick to the head. Cena hit a running clothesline and Cody did a flip bump. Cena hit another clothesline for a two count. Cody connected with some punches, but Cena came back with a sidewalk slam for two. Cena told Cody something, Cena went to the turnbuckle and Cena hit a double axhandle off the middle turnbuckle. Cena hit another double axhandle off the middle turnbuckle. Cena tried it again, but Cody hit a kick to the gut, Cody punched Cena a few times, Cena said “again” to call the punches, Cena did an eye gouge and punches. Cody ran at Cody, who got a boot up and Cena hit a Tornado DDT off the middle turnbuckle. Cena hit a running shoulder tackle and another shoulder tackle. Cena hit the spinning suplex that he has done many times. Cena was moving slowly as he teased the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but Cody punched him in the face. Cena rang into a powerslam by Cody. Disaster Kick by Cody as the fans booed because a lot of them want Cena to win. Cody jumped off the ropes with a Cody Cutter for two. Cena did a drop toe hold, Cody kicked away and Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment, but Cody kicked out at two. Cena hit his Five Knuckle Shuffle fist drop. Cena went for AA, Cody got out of that and Cody hit some strikes. Cody went to the turnbuckle where Cena tripped him up while the fans were doing the mixed chants for Cena. Cena got a hold of Cody on his shoulders on the turnbuckle and Cena hit a Super Attitude Adjustment for just a two count because Cody got his left shoulder up.

Cena went to the top rope and Cena jumped off the top with a leg drop attempt, but Cody caught him and Cody hit a Powerbomb for two. Cody jumped off the top and hit a Cody Cutter for two. The fans were booing for Cody as he hyped himself up. Cody went for a move, but Cena hit a third Attitude Adjustment. Cena applied the STF submission, Cody tried to fight it and Cena pulled Cody into the middle of the ring. Cody managed to crawl near the ropes, Cena pulled Cody away and Cody kicked Cena so that he bumped into referee Chad Patton against the turnbuckle. Cody hit Cross Rhodes on Cena and he covered, but there was no referee to count the pin attempt. Cena pulled a turnbuckle pad off to expose the steel. Cean sent Cody face first into the steel, Cena sent Cody’s face into the steel and Cena hit a fourth Attitude Adjustment for one…two…no! Cody got his left shoulder up. The music of Travis Scott hit and Travis slowly made his way down to the ring with his WWE Hardcore Title on his shoulder Cena picked up Scott on the apron and Cena raised his hand. Cena held Cody, who elbowed Cena and Scott went to the floor. Cody hit Cross Rhodes on Cena for two, but Scott pulled referee Chad Patton out of the ring top stop the count. Scott went into the ring and Cody said he remembered what Scott did to him when Scott punched him in the head. Scott tried a strike, but Cody caught him and Cody hit Scott with Cross Rhodes. Cena left the ring and when Cody turned around, Cena charged with the WWE Title. Cody blocked that, Cody got the title and Cena begged off. Cody was about to drop the title, so Cena kicked Cody in the groin! Cena hit Cody with the WWE Title. The referee Chad Patton slowly crawled back into the ring, Cena covered Cody for the one…two…and three! John Cena is the new Undisputed WWE Champion. It went 23:40 minutes. A lot of fans cheered it, but there were boos too.

Winner by pinfall AND NEW Undisputed WWE Champion: John Cena

That win by John Cena means that he has set the record with 17 WWE World Title wins, breaking a tie that Cena had with Ric Flair at 16 World Title wins.

Analysis: ***1/4 There’s the record-breaking title change that I expected. It was a very entertaining match with a lot of twists and turns. I wasn’t surprised by the ref bumps either. I know that people are going to hate that it was as cheap it was, but that’s the point. Cena is a heel, so he did everything he could to win and he even benefitted from Travis Scott being out there because Cena couldn’t put Cody away on his help. Scott pulling the referee out of the ring during a count could be a DQ finish, but it’s not like they are going to end the main event with a DQ. I thought Cody did a great job in his role while Cena tried to outwrestle Cody the whole way, couldn’t beat Cody that way and Cena realized he had to cheat to win, so that’s what he did. I expected Cena to win and get #17 here. I liked Cody as champion and I hope he’ll be champion again, but putting the WWE Title on Cena was the right move. Let’s see what he does as a heel champion who cheats to win. I’m sure a lot of fans hated this match and the Travis Scott involvement. It’s also a heel champion winning the title, so you’re supposed to hate it. This was never going to be some great technical match. It was as cheap as it gets more heat on Cena, piss off the fans and make the fans want to see Cena lose.

John Cena is the 17-time WWE World Champion to set the record. There were a lot of fans cheering as Cena held up the WWE Title above his head. Cena grabbed Scott and brought him into the ring to celebrate. There were replays after that.

Analysis: It will be interesting to see how long of a title reign Cena has as the WWE Champion. I don’t know how many months it will last and who will be the guy to beat him. They could have Cody win it back or maybe it’s a past Cena rival like CM Punk or Randy Orton. They could also try to elevate somebody else like a Bron Breakker to really make him as a future star. I don’t know who it’s going to be or when. I’m just saying that’s going to make for an intriguing story throughout the year.

John Cena celebrated with the WWE World Title as pyro went off in the stadium. Cole thanked everybody for taking part in Wrestlemania while plugging Raw on Monday. Cena and Travis Scott celebrated in the ring to end the show.

WWE WrestleMania 41 Sunday had a runtime of 3 hours, 42 minutes.

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Five Stars of the Show

  1. Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair & Rhea Ripley
  2. Bron Breakker & Dominik Mysterio
  3. Drew McIntyre
  4. John Cena just because he won #17 here
  5. Cody Rhodes for a great run as WWE Champion

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Final Thoughts

I’m going 8.5 out of 10 for this show. Combine the two shows and that’s a 7.75 out of 10 score for WrestleMania 41.

It’s been a long few days and a long stretch for me in terms of writing, so I’ll summarize it by saying WrestleMania 41 Night 2 was better than Night 1 this year.

The best match was again a triple threat match, and this time it was by Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley & Bianca Belair. I also really liked the 4-way match for the Intercontinental Title. That was a lot of fun with a hot crowd. The Drew McIntyre-Damian Priest Street Fight was also very good.

John Cena winning his 17th WWE World Title is what I predicted and expected. I am sure that the way that he did it will piss fans off because it was so cheap and Travis Scott got involved. I think perhaps they could have booked it better, but to me the story was that Cena could beat Cody Rhodes, so Cena knew had to cheat and that’s why he used the WWE Title to put Cody down and beat him. I’m not saying I loved it or that it was a great finish, but you’re supposed to be mad that Cena cheated to win. They want people angry. They don’t want Cena to win in some technical wrestling classic. It was ugly and it’s fine that it’s ugly. I look forward to seeing what heel Cena does as the WWE Champion. It’s going to be fun, I think.

I enjoyed WrestleMania 41 overall. I’m not putting it ahead of Elimination Chamber or WrestleMania 40 last year, but it was still a very good show in a lot of ways.

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