Every WrestleMania 41 Match, Ranked

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Every year, WrestleMania week stands as the pinnacle moment for wrestling enthusiasts. This special time unites both dedicated fans and casual viewers who gather to witness the epic battles between wrestlers on the biggest platform provided by WWE, under one roof in an electric stadium filled to capacity.

At the just-concluded WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, my friends and I were eagerly anticipating quite a few exciting moments. These included the possibility of John Cena breaking a record with his 17th championship win, as well as CM Punk making his debut in the main event match for the first time.

Despite some ups and downs throughout this year’s WrestleMania 41 event across both nights, the ranking list I’ve compiled, placing each match in order from least favorite to favorite, should provide a clear conclusion on the quality of each bout.

The factors used for ranking are primarily the quality of the match itself, its development or flow, standout moments, and lastly, my own perspective regarding them.

14.
The New Day Vs The War Raiders

Nobody Cares About Your Town Hall Level, Pat

Initially, I don’t disagree with the thought that all locker room members deserve a spot on WrestleMania, but the truth is, the match in question didn’t necessarily have to be included because it simply didn’t appear compelling or engaging from the outset.

momentarily, I allowed my hopefulness to overshadow the reality that Kofi and Xavier would be cooking; however, when Michael Cole and Pat McAfee began discussing Clash of Clans, my interest in the match plummeted instantly.

As a passionate fan, I must admit that the match itself didn’t live up to the hype. There was one brief moment when Erik tagged in Ivar and ignited the crowd for a split second, but overall, it wasn’t anything extraordinary. The match concluded rather unexpectedly with The New Day securing the Raw Tag titles through a questionable pin move.

Overall, I was looking forward to Big E getting medically cleared and facing his former teammates, but this contest highlighted the lack of awareness in the Raw Tag Team division’s creative team. They could have included teams like A-Town Down Under or American Made to enhance the match quality and introduce more diversity here.

13.
El Grande Americano Vs Rey Fenix

Not The Ideal Lucha Libre Exhibition Match

It’d be fantastic if Chad Gable could’ve wrestled at WrestleMania as well. Pairing him with Rey Mysterio would have made for an exciting potential tag team match, given how well El Grande Americano complements Gable.

In summary, I appreciate that Rey Fenix stepped in for an injured Rey and had a WrestleMania match right after his SmackDown debut. This was exciting, but unfortunately, the quality of the match didn’t meet my expectations.

Following the first five minutes, the contest concluded with Americano securing a victory via a swift submission, facilitated by the metal plate in his mask. Although Fenix was still relatively inexperienced, there was room for the match to run longer to showcase both wrestlers’ impressive athleticism more fully.

12.
Jey Uso Vs Gunther

YEETMania Ran Wild

Before you accuse me of holding an opinion similar to that of IWC, let me clarify that I’m a big fan of Jey Uso, particularly during his days as Roman’s right-hand man from the COVID era and his subsequent rise to stardom. Yet, I can’t deny that there are aspects of his in-ring performance that lack depth and his current Vine catchphrase gimmick might be questionable.

Despite the introduction of Jimmy and his admission about Jey’s repeated mistakes, their match at Mania didn’t generate much excitement because everyone anticipated the result, and unfortunately, our expectations proved correct.

The game as a whole turned out to be an extraordinarily messy spectacle, where it seemed almost impossible to perceive Gunther as a fearsome figure. From skillfully deflecting powerbombs to a somewhat daring move where Jey executed a suicide dive onto Gunther outside the ring, the match was filled with impressive and commendable moments.

To me, the conclusion was undeniably frustrating. After three Uso Splashes, followed swiftly by a sleeper hold that prompted Gunther to submit almost instantly, his credibility and menacing presence built up throughout were effectively wiped out.

Although I’m pleased for Jey, this wrestling match at Mania was rather unremarkable. However, it did effectively stir up the audience as the first event on Night 1, as the “Yeet” chants echoed throughout the Allegiant Stadium.

11.
Becky & Lyra Vs Liv & Raquel

What Was Even The Point?

I don’t find any fault with the female wrestlers in the match, but I strongly dislike the Women’s Tag Team Championships in WWE. To me, they lack credibility, and I’ve removed them from my Universe Modes in both WWE 2K24 and the most recent version, WWE 2K25.

Immediately upon discovering that Becky had become Lyra’s new partner, my Discord friends and I anticipated the result due to the fact that a returning Lynch was unlikely to lose this match. This prediction was further reinforced by our expectation that it would be a historic 2-Belts moment for Lyra Valkyria.

The gameplay was satisfactory with some good moments, but the real highlight was the social media explosion surrounding Becky’s comeback, which they successfully achieved. I’m a fan of Becky, but I can’t help but wonder why they gave her these titles only to lose them on the Raw episode following WrestleMania and turn her into a villain instead?

Instead of challenging Lyra and coming up short, Liv should have seized both titles given her tireless work ethic over the past year. However, it didn’t happen as planned. Regardless, I’m hoping that with this new heel role, Becky will resurrect her Big Time Becks persona.

10.
Jade Cargill Vs Naomi

Solid Build-Up, Above-Average Execution

Following our split from Bianca, I speculated that perhaps Jade could embark on a solo wrestling career. Although her rivalry with Naomi appeared promising, particularly after Naomi’s promo following the Elimination Chamber match with Bianca, it wasn’t quite enough to fully establish Jade as a formidable contender in the ring.

It was clear from their encounter at WrestleMania 41 that it seemed less about a genuine rivalry between the two ex-friends and more of an opportunity for Cargill to shine in a showcase match.

The contest wasn’t poor at all, but I found myself yearning for more exciting moments since, beyond a few close calls like Naomi’s split-legged moonsault, it essentially boiled down to a clear victory for Jade through the execution of her finishing move.

9.
Charlotte Flair Vs Tiffany Stratton

It’s Tiffy Time!

As a gamer, I found the Charlotte vs. Tiffany women’s championship match to be a rollercoaster ride of opinions. At first glance, it seemed like an intense battle. However, as time went on, things took a turn for the worse and left many viewers divided. You either fell into the category of those who appreciated this messy bout or were among those criticizing both competitors for lacking chemistry together.

In this situation, it seems I find myself caught between, as there were instances when the match appeared quite authentic. Granted, given the intense rivalry these wrestlers share, along with their provocative pre-match talk that delved into personal matters and altered the narrative, it’s not entirely surprising.

Speaking about the contest, the intense opening skirmish and relentless exchange of powerful blows between the two main players was thrilling, but it eventually veered off course. Unfortunately, Charlotte made some errors with her moves and found it difficult to maintain the match’s pace as it progressed.

Reflecting on Night 1’s quality, it wasn’t unreasonable to harbor a flicker of optimism that this contest might be impressive, wouldn’t you agree? Fortunately, Tiffany managed to avoid being overwhelmed, keeping her title in the process.

8.
Randy Orton Vs Joe Hendry

The Forbidden Door, Opened

I was really looking forward to Randy’s open challenge. It could have been any of them: Rusev, Aleister Black (who both made their appearances later), or Karrion Kross… but it turned out to be TNA’s Joe Hendry at WrestleMania.

Joe Hendry is a person who has achieved exceptional fame due to his captivating performances. Regrettably, it’s often these charismatic qualities rather than ring skills or technique that resonate most with the WWE audience these days.

The game primarily emphasized TNA’s collaboration with WWE, and it showcased Hendry’s humorous undertones. In a surprising turn, he was unexpectedly RKO’ed during his signature pose, resulting in one of the most widely shared online moments. This led to a flood of amusing memes and video clips across the internet.

7.
AJ Styles Vs Logan Paul

It Should’ve Been Special

Ignoring Logan Paul’s questionable character and morals, there’s no denying his impressive physical abilities after joining the WWE. Facing off against AJ Styles at WrestleMania? That seems like it would be a highly profitable match, in my opinion.

Regrettably, setting the match aside for now, the construction primarily aimed at demonstrating that AJ can still perform at the highest level in the biggest arena. Furthermore, it incorporated the storyline involving Karrion Kross and Styles, concluding with the finale of this particular contest.

However, despite an extended period where Paul seemed to take control throughout most of the game, some thrilling acrobatic moves from both competitors, and strategic utilization of the ring apron, their performance culminated in an underwhelming conclusion.

Watching Karrion Kross snatchingly interrupt one of Paul’s casual companions made me laugh out loud. However, Styles being defeated cleanly by Logan – I can understand the narrative progression aspect linking Styles and Kross, but that victory just seemed unfairly granted.

6.
Cody Rhodes Vs John Cena

John Was Right, We Deserve Nothing

Despite the fact that I might receive some criticism, let me express my feelings about John Cena’s main event match on Night 2. Having been a fan since his Ruthless Aggression era, even during his Super Cena phase, I found this match to be poorly timed and, above all, boring.

Despite it taking a while for the tension between Cena and Cody during their mic exchanges in the later weeks to fully resonate, the main event match at Night 2 of WrestleMania 41 was definitely worth anticipating.

It’s funny that some mutual friends of mine have consistently argued in defense of this match, using the argument “Cena stated he would destroy wrestling,” but this is one of the most perplexing justifications I’ve heard for the match and its quality.

In this contest, Cody didn’t manage to pull off the Cross Rhodes trifecta. There were no significant close calls, the pace was sluggish, and then Travis Scott appeared, leaving me utterly bewildered about the overall planning of the match.

Hey there! As a gamer putting myself in the wrestling world, I wasn’t anticipating Cody losing cleanly like that to Cena, especially after he toppled Roman Reigns’ record-breaking title run. It felt unexpected, you know? Not saying we should go all out with the Bloodline Rules here, but a more balanced outcome might have been appreciated.

To be honest, I can only praise it for John Cena breaking his record with the 17th world title, but yes, that’s mostly due to my nostalgic side as a Cena fan gleefully reacting to seeing him lift the championship again.

5.
LA Knight Vs Jacob Fatu

The Samoan Werewolf’s Crowning Moment

It was truly pleasing to see Jacob Fatu finally receiving his first singles promotion, considering his exceptional microphone skills following years as the quiet enforcer of the new Bloodline, and more crucially, his dynamic ring performance finally being acknowledged.

Because of these two standout qualities, it was clear that Fatu possessed charisma reminiscent of a star. With LA Knight now ready for the main event, I saw no reason not to let Fatu claim his initial singles title victory.

The game was fantastic; there were standout moments when Jacob demonstrated his well-known ring toughness by taking control while still giving Knight opportunities for attacks. This led to some amazing sequences where Knight German Suplexed Fatu from the top rope.

Additionally, one striking moment occurred when Knight performed a breathtaking Moonsault counter followed by a BFT, an impressive sight indeed. To add to the overall quality of this match, Fatu’s awe-inspiring top-rope pop-up moonsault served as the climax, and it never fails to captivate us, especially coming from such a massive figure like him.

4.
Drew McIntyre Vs Damian Priest

The Sin City Street Fight

Including a condition for the upcoming game greatly enhances my anticipation. While some viewers hold differing views about Damian Priest, Drew McIntyre enjoys widespread admiration due to his humorous social media posts and biting comments.

The tension prior to their match was palpable, with altercations occurring both within the arena and in the parking lot outside. Contrary to my friends’ doubts, this contest exceeded expectations, showcasing the exceptional teamwork between Priest and McIntyre.

The space was filled with imaginative furniture designs. There were double table divisions, steel stairs both within and outside the circular area, random chair placements, and an unexpected twist: Drew sharing another tweet during the match, much like he did at WrestleMania 40 last year.

In essence, it managed an ideal blend of intensity without being excessively violent and safety, catering to both wrestlers effortlessly, all while maintaining a captivating performance that kept the audience engaged throughout, right up until the final bow.

3.
Bron Breakker Vs Penta Vs Finn Balor Vs Dominik Mysterio

We Stan a Dirty Dom

As a hardcore gamer, I can’t hide my excitement for multi-star wrestling matches, especially during epic events like WrestleMania. When you line up a fatal four-way match with heavyweights like Bron Breakker, Finn Balor, Dirty Dom, and the mysterious Penta El Zero M, it’s like setting up the ultimate gaming squad – you just know it’s going to be a victory worth remembering!

Absolutely delivered! For ten minutes, we witnessed an exhilarating battle between Raw’s mid-card standouts such as Penta and Breakker, showcasing incredible agility. Moreover, the story arc unfolded where Judgment Day’s pairing of Dom and Balor faced a dramatic split.

What really stood out in this game wasn’t only the speed and moves; it was Dominik Mysterio capturing the Intercontinental Championship that truly electrified the crowd. The excitement was palpable as they erupted in pure jubilation for him. In fact, Dominik made a heartwarming dash back to the ring from the ramp, basking in the adoration of the crowd. It was an incredibly touching moment to witness.

My main complaint lies in the fact that, if possible, this contest could have been a six-person ladder match featuring Ludwig Kaiser and Sheamus, both esteemed wrestlers. However, it seems not every situation can meet ideal standards, right?

I wish more popular wrestlers like Ludwig Kaiser and Sheamus were included in the match, but it’s understandable that we don’t always get the best possible lineup.

2.
Rhea Ripley Vs Iyo Sky Vs Bianca Belair

One of the Greatest Women’s Matches

As a gamer, let me tell you, that Women’s Triple Threat for the World Title was one of those extraordinary WrestleMania bouts that I could readily re-live without ever feeling bored. It was purely due to the electrifying performances from each and every one of the three women involved.

In my opinion, it was an ideal, thrilling display of trio excellence. Each wrestler showcased numerous high-energy moves, and they all had their moment in the limelight. What stood out most was that no one appeared weaker than the others, a crucial aspect given Iyo’s participation in this event.

At certain points, Rhea and Bianca seemed to take control, but then Iyo reentered the scene for some thrilling sequences. This aspect of the story revealed that despite being the champion, Iyo was an underdog, facing off against two particularly tough and large opponents on the roster.

Among my preferred locations was nearing the finale, where a seemingly unconscious Rhea managed to thwart Iyo’s moonsault, and Bianca executed her KOD finisher only for Rhea to intervene. This moment left us on tenterhooks as we believed it was all over.

To conclude, Iyo’s moonsault on both opponents brought to mind Jeff Hardy’s stunning Swanton Bomb from afar on Triple H at Armageddon 2008. The match was strong, stirring the audience so much that it prompted continuous “This is Amazing” cheers and standing ovations for all three women.

1.
CM Punk Vs Roman Reigns Vs Seth Rollins

A Dream Come True For The Cult of Personality

I can’t help but express my enthusiasm once more for the incredible talents who are triple threats in the WWE. The fact that three of the biggest male stars are embroiled in one of the most intense triangle feuds of recent times is simply too enticing to ignore. From a cinematic standpoint, this clash promises an unparalleled spectacle.

In this intense battle, Punk, Reigns, and Rollins gave it their all, with high-energy moves across the arena from the start, thrilling exchanges among the trio, and multiple close calls that left both the audience and me on the edge of our seats.

Regardless of personal opinions on Punk, it’s undeniable that he achieved his lifelong goal of headlining WrestleMania. More significantly, each Professional Wrestling Entertainment (PWE) match he has participated in so far has garnered extraordinary acclaim from spectators.

Undeniably, one of the most exciting aspects of this gripping contest was the cunning betrayals by Paul Heyman, who sided with Rollins against both Punk and Reigns at its conclusion. Although some might find it predictable, many in the WWE fanbase were genuinely surprised by this turn of events.

In summary, this match served as the highlight amidst the disappointments of WrestleMania 41’s first night. Moreover, its conclusion set up an unexpected heel turn for Rollins, who formed an alliance with Bron Breakker the following day. This could potentially pave the way for a faction or group in the near future.

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2025-04-30 17:12