WrestleMania week has all the time been essentially the most superb time of the yr for wrestling followers. It brings collectively each hardcore and informal audiences to tune in to observe wrestlers compete on the grandest stage in WWE in entrance of a jam-packed stadium.
With the latest WrestleMania 41 in Vegas, my associates and I had a lot to stay up for, from Cena’s attainable seventeenth record-breaking championship win to CM Punk competing in his first-ever major occasion match on the present.
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Though the whole present was a blended bag this yr on each nights, the listing I’ve ready, the place I will rank each WrestleMania 41 match from worst to greatest, is bound to present you a definitive reply.
The rating standards are based mostly on the match high quality, the build-up, notable spots, and, after all, my private opinion of them.
14
The New Day Vs The Warfare Raiders
No person Cares About Your City Corridor Stage, Pat
Firstly, whereas I am not against the concept that everybody within the locker room deserves to be on the WrestleMania card, there is no such thing as a method this match needed to be on the cardboard as a result of its uninteresting nature on paper.
My optimism received the higher of me for only a bit that Kofi and Xavier would possibly cook dinner, however as quickly as Michael Cole and Pat McAfee began speaking about Conflict of Clans, my consideration span for this match took a direct nosedive.
The match itself wasn’t something particular both. You had a specific spot the place Erik hot-tagged Ivar and received the gang riled momentarily, however yeah, that is actually it, with the match quickly ending with an affordable pin from the New Day to safe the Uncooked Tag titles.
General, whereas I yearned for Massive E to get medically cleared and compete in opposition to his former brothers right here, this match solely proved how ignorant the Uncooked Tag Staff division is within the eyes of the artistic as a result of they might have added both A-City Down Underneath or American Made to amp up the match high quality or selection right here.
13
El Grande Americano Vs Rey Fenix
Not The Splendid Lucha Libre Exhibition Match
I want Chad Gable had the chance to compete at Mania too; it will have been nice to have him and Rey, making this a attainable tag match, since El Grande Americano pairs so effectively with Gable.
Anyway, I like that Rey Fenix was inserted as a alternative as a result of Rey’s harm; it allowed him to have a WrestleMania match straight after his prior debut from SmackDown. Nevertheless, the match high quality itself fell wanting my expectations, which is unlucky.
After the preliminary 5 minutes, the match ended with a end from Americano, because of the steel plate in his masks permitting for a fast submission in opposition to Fenix. I perceive that Fenix was nonetheless comparatively new, however the match may have been prolonged a bit to showcase extra of the 2 wrestlers’ athletic prowess.
12
Jey Uso Vs Gunther
YEETMania Ran Wild
Earlier than you level pitchforks at me for having an IWC-like opinion, I like Jey Uso, particularly throughout his preliminary right-hand man days from the COVID period with Roman and his preliminary push to stardom. Nevertheless, I can not argue in opposition to his bland in-ring potential and this Vine catchphrase gimmick.
Though the build-up received saved a bit with Jimmy being added to the combination after which acknowledging that Jey always botches strikes, it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient to make their match at Mania really feel thrilling, since all of us knew what the result could be, and sadly, we have been proper.
The general match was a slop fest of epic proportions, through which it hardly felt like Gunther was a monstrous particular person, from powerbomb counters to a considerably first rate spot the place Jey did a suicide dive on Gunther to the surface.
The end was arguably essentially the most infuriating to me. Three Uso Splashes after which a sleeper maintain, the place Gunther virtually instantly tapped out, made him lose any credibility and menace he had possessed from their build-up.
Whereas I am all for being glad for Jey, this was probably the most bland wrestling matches of Mania. However hey, I will give it credit score the place it is due for hyping up the gang because the opening bout for Evening 1, for the reason that Yeet taunts ran all throughout the Allegiant Stadium.
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11
Becky & Lyra Vs Liv & Raquel
What Was Even The Level?
I’ve no blatant criticism in opposition to any of the ladies within the match, however I significantly despise the Girls’s Tag titles in WWE. They’ve completely zero integrity, and I’ve even retired them from my private Universe Modes in WWE 2K24 and even the newest WWE 2K25.
As quickly as my Discord buddies and I noticed Becky being revealed as Lyra’s new associate, we already knew what the result was going to be, as a result of there was no method a returning Lynch was shedding this match, particularly since this was going to be a 2-Belts second for Lyra Valkyria.
The match itself was high-quality with some first rate spots. The primary attraction was getting a viral pop for Becky’s return, which they did. I like Becky, however what was the purpose of profitable these titles in the event that they have been going to drop them on the Uncooked after Mania present and switch her heel?
If something, Liv ought to’ve challenged Lyra and gained the 2 titles for herself, contemplating the workhorse she’s been all through the previous yr, however oh effectively, regardless of how issues turned out, I hope Becky brings her Massive Time Becks gimmick again in her new heel run.
10
Jade Cargill Vs Naomi
Strong Construct-Up, Above-Common Execution
After being separated from Bianca, I believed Jade may be prepared for her singles run. Whereas it did appear promising sufficient together with her feud in opposition to Naomi, particularly the latter’s promo post-Elimination Chamber with Bianca, it nonetheless wasn’t sufficient to make Jade really feel all too credible within the ring.
That is evident by their showdown at WrestleMania 41, which ended up feeling extra like a showcase match for Cargill than a correct rivalry match between the 2 former associates.
It wasn’t a nasty match by any means, however I want there have been extra notable spots in it as a result of, except for some near-falls, resembling from Naomi’s split-legged moonsault, it was a reasonably clear win for Jade by utilizing her finisher to finish issues.
9
Charlotte Aptitude Vs Tiffany Stratton
It is Tiffy Time!
The Charlotte vs. Tiffany ladies’s championship match had a blended reception, and nobody knew simply how dangerous issues would devolve over time. Actually, you might be both somebody who loved this slopfest of a struggle or simply bashed each ladies for having zero chemistry with one another.
I am within the center right here for the reason that match seemed a bit too actual at occasions, however that is barely comprehensible contemplating the warmth each wrestlers had with one another, particularly contemplating their controversial promo, through which they received private and flipped the script.
Relating to the match, the preliminary couple of minutes of the all-out brawl and fixed slugfest between the 2 stars have been nice, however it slowly deviated, with Charlotte botching just a few strikes and struggling to maintain up the match’s tempo in the direction of the top.
Contemplating the general high quality of Evening 1, you could not blame me for having only a glimmer of hope that this match would possibly ship, proper? Effectively, I suppose the saving grace was how Tiffany (fortunately) did not get buried with a golden shovel and retained her title.
8
Randy Orton Vs Joe Hendry
The Forbidden Door, Opened
I used to be extremely anticipating Randy’s open problem. It may’ve been anybody: Rusev, Aleister Black (although they each returned on the latter reveals), Karrion Kross… however WrestleMania mentioned his identify, and he appeared: TNA’s Joe Hendry.
Joe Hendry is a kind of people who’ve earned excessive stardom by means of their charismatic character work. Sadly, this is among the core traits that will get you over with the WWE Universe lately as an alternative of your in-ring prowess or technicality.
The match solely served to focus on TNA’s partnership with WWE and Hendry’s comedic undertone, who ended up giving probably the most viral moments as he received (actually) RKO’ed out of nowhere from his signature pose, sparking hilarious memes and clips all around the web.
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7
AJ Types Vs Logan Paul
It Ought to’ve Been Particular
Placing apart the distasteful character and ethics of Logan Paul, you may’t deny the man’s sheer athleticism ever since he arrived within the WWE, and being in a match in opposition to AJ Types at Mania? That appears like a pure money-maker bout should you ask me.
Sadly, the match apart for now, the construct was centered on AJ proving that he is nonetheless received it in him to compete on the grandest stage of all of them. It additionally included Karrion Kross’s angle with Types, which ended up enjoying the end to this struggle.
However here is the place all of it fell aside: 15+ minutes with Paul being the dominant one for almost all of the match, a few high-flying spots from each males, and the usage of the ring apron to lure one another, just for all the things to finish with a boring end.
Karrion Kross hysterically intercepting Paul’s random entourage member gave me a great chuckle, however Types shedding clear to Logan? I get the storyline extension angle right here between Types and Kross, however the win was utterly unjustified.
6
Cody Rhodes Vs John Cena
John Was Proper, We Deserve Nothing
I will in all probability get a little bit of slack for this one, however as somebody who’s adored Cena ever since his ruthless aggression days, even throughout occasions when he was Tremendous Cena, this major occasion match of Evening 2 was poorly paced and, most significantly, boring.
Though the build-up took a while to correctly click on in with Cena’s unbelievable mic-work in opposition to Cody within the latter weeks, you had a lot to stay up for when it got here to this major occasion match on Evening 2 of WrestleMania 41.
It is amusing how just a few mutual acquaintances of mine saved defending this match with the recurring level that “Cena did say he’ll break wrestling,” however that is probably the most baffling claims I’ve seen to justify this match and its high quality.
Not a single spot the place Cody tried the trifecta Cross Rhodes, no main near-falls, gradual pacing, and to high all the things off, we had Travis Scott present up, which left me numbingly perplexed at this match’s complete reserving.
Look, you do not have to overbook this match just like the Bloodline Guidelines, however making Cody look weak and lose clear to an affordable title shot to the face from Cena was not what any of us have been anticipating, since this is similar man who dethroned Roman Reigns’ historic title reign.
I suppose the one plus factors I would give it’s Cena lastly profitable his seventeenth record-breaking world title, however yeah, that is solely as a result of the nostalgic Cena fan in me could not assist however be overjoyed at that shot of him hoisting the title.
5
LA Knight Vs Jacob Fatu
The Samoan Werewolf’s Crowning Second
Jacob Fatu lastly getting his first singles push was definitely a pleasant sight, given his unbelievable mic work after being the silent badass of the brand new Bloodline for thus lengthy and, most significantly, his high-octane in-ring potential getting some much-deserved appreciation.
On account of these two sturdy traits, Fatu had star energy written throughout him. This was additionally the proper time for LA Knight to maneuver onto the primary occasion scene, so I had no objections to having Fatu lastly win his first singles championship.
The match was nice; you had memorable spots the place Jacob showcased the ring resiliency he is identified for by dominating whereas concurrently letting Knight get some offense in, culminating in some nice spots the place Knight German Suplexed Fatu off the highest rope.
Moreover, a notable spotlight was Knight’s Moonsault counter into BFT, which was a factor of magnificence. The cherry on high of this in any other case strong match was Fatu’s top-rope pop-up moonsault for the end, which is all the time mesmerizing to see from a monstrous man like him.
4
Drew McIntyre Vs Damian Priest
The Sin Metropolis Road Combat
Including a stipulation to this match was all the things I wanted to make it value wanting ahead to. Though Damian Priest has drawn blended opinions from followers, Drew McIntyre is a beloved star who has earned fame on-line for his hilarious tweets and insults.
The heated build-up between the 2 main as much as this match was strong, from brawls contained in the ring to the surface within the car parking zone. And regardless of my associates’ low expectations, this match delivered above and past, proving simply how effectively Priest and McIntyre can work collectively in a match.
There have been varied artistic furnishings spots, together with double desk breaks, metal steps on the inside and outside the ring, chair pictures, and the coup de grâce: Drew posting yet one more mid-match tweet, identical to he did at WrestleMania 40 final yr.
General, it struck the proper steadiness between not being too brutal or too protected, accommodating each wrestlers simply, whereas concurrently placing on an excellent present with the gang persistently invested in it till the curtain name.
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3
Bron Breakker Vs Penta Vs Finn Balor Vs Dominik Mysterio
We Stan a Soiled Dom
Wrestling matches that includes a number of stars are certainly one of my responsible pleasures for a present like WrestleMania, and when you’ve got a stacked deck for a deadly four-way bout that includes Bron Breakker, Finn Balor, Soiled Dom, and the enigmatic Penta, you simply know it is a recipe for fulfillment.
And oh boy, did it ship. Ten minutes of the best superstars in Uncooked’s mid-card duking it out, from Penta and Breakker’s awe-inspiring athleticism, to the storyline the place Judgment Day’s two members, Dom and Balor, have their alliance implode.
The main spotlight of this match wasn’t simply the pacing and spots; it was Dominik Mysterio profitable the Intercontinental Championship, and the gang went completely bonkers for him in sheer pleasure. Dom even ran again to the ring from the ramp to soak within the love of the stadium, which was good to see.
The one main gripe I’ve is that this might have been a six-man ladder match with the inclusion of Ludwig Kaiser and Sheamus, two extra extremely regarded wrestlers, however hey, I suppose we won’t all the time have the proper eventualities now, can we?
2
Rhea Ripley Vs Iyo Sky Vs Bianca Belair
One of many Biggest Girls’s Matches
The ladies’s triple menace for the world title immediately grew to become a kind of uncommon WrestleMania matches that I may effortlessly re-watch and by no means get tired of, solely due to the exhilarating performances by all three ladies.
It was THE picture-perfect triple menace in my eyes. There have been tons of thrilling spots from all three wrestlers, with everybody getting their time to shine. Most significantly, neither seemed weak in opposition to the opposite, which is very necessary contemplating Iyo’s inclusion right here.
There have been a few moments the place Rhea and Bianca dominated for a bit till Iyo got here again into the fold for some fast-paced motion, and it proved the story’s hidden layer, the place Iyo, because the champion, was the underdog in opposition to two of the meanest and largest ladies on the roster.
One in all my favourite spots was towards the top, the place an unconscious Rhea one way or the other countered Iyo’s moonsault and Bianca carried out her KOD finisher till Rhea broke it up. It had us on the sting of our seats as a result of we actually thought it was executed there.
Lastly, the end with Iyo’s moonsault onto each ladies closely jogged my memory of Jeff Hardy’s good out-of-shot Swanton Bomb onto Triple H at Armageddon 2008. It was a strong match that riled the gang, sufficient to earn all three ladies fixed “That is Superior” chants and standing ovations.
1
CM Punk Vs Roman Reigns Vs Seth Rollins
A Dream Come True For The Cult of Persona
Forgive me for unapologetically exhibiting my adoration for triple threats once more, however three of the largest male stars of the WWE colliding in probably the most heated triangle rivalries of the trendy period? I imply, you may’t undermine the cinematic potential right here.
Punk, Reigns, and Rollins laid their our bodies out on this match, from early crash course motion all through the stadium, backwards and forwards spots involving all three males, and several other near-fall pins that had the gang and me completely furious.
You may say what you need about Punk, however the man really lived out his dream of main-eventing WrestleMania, and most significantly, his efficiency in each PLE match he has competed in up to now has had a unbelievable reception.
And, after all, the most effective a part of this thrilling match was the unbelievable backstabs from Paul Heyman to each Punk and Reigns as he allied himself with Rollins to shut off the match. It felt barely predictable, however I guarantee you, a majority of the WWE universe did not see it coming.
General, this bout was the saving grace for the atrocity that was Evening 1 of WrestleMania 41. The top consequence additionally gifted us with a contemporary new heel flip for Rollins as he additionally allied himself with Bron Breakker the following night time, which may (presumably) result in a faction or group quickly.
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