How Good (or bad) Was WrestleMania 41 Really?

WrestleMania comes back to Vegas, the first time since WrestleMania IV-which was held in the parking lot of Caesar's Palace. Despite the move to a multi-billion-dollar stadium, and some of the best production work from a wrestling promotion, the product has received mixed reviews amongst the IWC as the concerning booking of the show is well documented. Nonetheless, how good was WrestleMania in Las Vegas really? Let's take a further look into what looked good from this show, as well somethings WWE will regret and left a sour taste for fans.

It is also worth noting I have gained all inspiration of this series from content creator; Wrestlelamia. Go give the channel a look on twitter (1) Wrestlelamia.com (@wrestlelamia) / X .

The Good

1. WWE Listening to the Fans?

   Since when has WWE been known for being open to fan ideas? Well almost never. The reputation has made moments like the Yes Movement with former WWE superstar Daniel Bryan, and the We Want Cody moments so special, as WWE pushed their limits and finally gave the fans something that thy wanted. However, WWE has pushed out bits that fans had little to no excitement for. Those being Roman Reigns 2015-2019 push, simply John Cena, and more fittingly, Charlotte Flair's insane 14 world championship push. In contrast, everything the majority of fans wanted (as far as booking results to matches) happened. No Charlotte Flair title win, Jey Uso finally taking down Gunther, Seth's heel turn, Dominik's victory, and Cena's long awaited record-breaking title win.

   
   

2. Necessary Title Changes

   WWE has been heavily criticized for their inconsistent title stability. When fans believe that a superstar should hold their championships for a lengthy amount of time, they fail to even have enough time to make a good run-like L.A. Knight, Nia Jax, and Bayley. While wrestlers who would be given long runs, tends to have perhaps the worst booking and uninteresting storylines. Names like Logan Paul (who in his quarter from year long run only defended the championship twice) The Judgement Day (who defended the belt on two different occasions in a triple-digit day reign) or even Roman Reigns (who fans believe his reign might have been dragged two years too long). This year, there has been a staggering 23 title changes across WWE three brands with five of them coming from this past Saturday and Sunday. The only champions who retained their title was Tiffany Stratton and Iyo Sky. Lyra Valkyria did not defend her Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania, but alongside Becky Lynch they would win the Women's Tag Team Championship. Meaning The Judgement Day would lose their gold. Joining the list, Cody Rhodes, The War Raiders, Bron Breakker, and at the biggest show in all of sports entertainment. This is great to see as a viewer. Especially when all the result makes so much sense from a creative standpoint. The title changes whether further driven a story like John Cena and Dominik winning, or the women who retained seen victory against respectable opponents to build their own characters.

   
   

3. Great multi-participant matches

   The Showcase of Immortals has had its fair share of multi-participant matches. Now granted the booking of the show has been very controversial, and WWE could've very easily featured more. However, we get what we get. The three matches that ranged from triple threats and fatal four-ways between both nights stole the show. The matches for the Intercontinental Championship, the Women's World Championship, and the triple threat main event are easily the highlight of the weekend. It is safe to say without the three, WrestleMania 41 could've very easily been the worst.

   
   

4. El Grande's push

   

   WWE would introduce a new persona to the WWE Universe. El Grande Americano is a character solely driven off getting rid of everyone luchador in WWE. Aside from that, the biggest story connected to Americano is his Ironic connection to Chad Gable. With many believing the man under the mask is Gable. The two is nearly identical to the naked eye as they share the similar build, gestures, move set, and even tattoos. El Grande (not Gable) would make his WrestleMania debut against recently signed luchador Rey Fenix, in which the already heavily protected and over Rey Fenix would take a pinfall loss after a decent debut from both. Though the win for Americano wasn’t clean in anyway, the result further builds the rivalry between Americano and the luchador, while not damaging the momentum with Rey Fenix.

   
   

5. John Cena makes history

   

   For almost a decade now the number most closely tied to John Cena is 17. At Royal Rumble 2017 John Cena went up against AJ Styles for third time, but for this go around it was for the World Heavyweight Championship. The trilogy between the two superstars is well documented and one of the most beloved and greatest in the history of WWE. As stated, in their last bout for the World Championship, John Cena would finally pin the former two-time champion. Subsequently, this would be Cena’s 16th championship tying the Nature Boy Ric Flair-perhaps the most decorated wrestler in the world. Fast-forward to Money in the Bank 2024. John Cena announces that his retirement would follow the 2025 calendar year and in this window he would do almost anything to make sure he gets one last record-breaking championship under his belt. After failing to win the Royal Rumble the next year, Cena would insert himself into the Elimination Chamber against his morals. Realizing it or not at the time, this would tease a heel turn for Cena. Which is what \exactly happened. Cena's heel turn was driven off his relationship with the WWE Universe, and his will to make their love for the WWE crumble because of it (How often is it that WWE gives us a justified heel turn? *Jimmy Uso*). Comes April 20, and it finally happens. John Cena breaks the WWE record that's been up in the air for over three decades.

The Bad

1. The underwhelming finish

   In the lead up to WrestleMania, fans began to heavily speculate as to what The Rock's role in the Cena vs. Cody storyline. Rock haven't been seen on WWE television since Elimination Chamber. The first day of March as well as barely being mentioned since then. Fans started pushing to Dwayne's return at WrestleMania 41 generally speaking fans believed that the feud was become stale and dragged out the more Dwayne did not show up on WWE's weekly programs. Come night 2 of WrestleMania, Cena would finally defeat Cody in a match that was somewhat disappointing and just an all-around booking mess. After patiently waiting, WWE would go off the air still with no Rock return. This disappointed and angered the wrestling community, with many thinking the Rock's role in the rivalry made no sense and WWE having no clear direction fir it. Not only was the match was upsetting to fans, but Dwayne failing to make a appearance completely derailed so much momentum of this rivalry.

   
   

2. Controversial booking

   Following the Royal Rumble last February, fans instantly questioned WrestleMania's lineup. And for great reason. The card (outside like four matches) was genuinely seen as matches not fit enough for the biggest show of the year. Matches like the Tag Team Championship match between the war raiders, and New Day was just pointless, and was 5 matches too late between the two. Then some, Lyra Valkyria. Who had strong showings against superstars like Bayley, Dakota Kai, and Ivy Nile, all could've been easily featured in a fatal four-way match. Instead, WWE would resort to putting Lyra in a tag team match...For the championship...Against the Judgement Day...And win? This decision was terrible on WWE's part, as WWE sacrificed a much wanted and needed Intercontinental title match, for what? A Becky Lynch return? When she could've very easily returned following the barely decent match between Stratton and Charlotte, setting up a Tiffany and Lynch Feud. It doesn't stop here. The Street Profits interconnected conflicts with the tag team roster has been some of the best tag work Hunter has put together since the Bloodline in 2023. The teams of Pretty Deadly, Motor City Machine Guns, and of course the Street Profits showed incredible chemistry whenever they lined up in the squared circle and fans were eager to see the teams clash at the Grandest Stage. On the most recent episode of Smackdown, Smackdown general manager, Nick Aldis announced that the three teams will be featured in a triple threat TLC tag match. A WrestleMania worthy match with a stipulation? Awesome! But there's one thing, it isn't at 'Mania. Instead on the very next Smackdown episode. What? Why? I'm done.

   
   

3. Tiffany's debut

   

   Tiffany Stratton has already made a name for herself in her year on the main roster. In February 2024, Stratton would quickly get called up to the main roster after dropping her NXT Championship to Becky Lynch in September 2023. Fresh of the developmental brand, Stratton would go on and have a breakout performance showcasing her capabilities to the fans of the main roster really for the first time since being called up. In another impressive performancej. K just six months later and Stratton would win the Money in the Bank briefcase. And on the very first Smackdown of 2025 Stratton would successfully make her highly anticipated Cash-In. Almost five months into her reign, Tiffany's WrestleMania debut would see her defending her championship against Charlotte Flair. The match received mixed reviews from me, (a Stratton fan) this was neither Stratton's nor Flair's best performance as the chemistry between the two was there for the entire 20-minute brawl. There's even a rumor going around that the 14-time champ; Charlotte Flair purposefully sandbagged almost the entire second half of the fight. Which is a shame considering the noticeable effort Stratton put into making this match her best.

   
   

4. Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles snooze fest

   In Logan Paul’s 4th WrestleMania, he was set to fight against AJ Styles. As far as Paul, his WrestleMania track record has many great matches. Can’t really say the same about Styles. On paper you’d believe he’d have amazing matches, but in the end they would disappoint fans. Just look back at his clash against Shinsuke Nakamura and Edge. In the same way, his best match was fairly good but he would pick up the loss to Chris Jericho. And at the Showcase of Immortals would be no different for the Phenomenal One. Not only would Styles take a clean pinfall, but the match in question was lackluster. It was slow, with very few glimpses of quick action, which is what you’d expect from the two stars.

   
   

5. Was this really a WrestleMania worthy show?

   

   Large stages, high quality matches, ground-shaking returns, and shocking moments is what should be packed into a five-hour program like WrestleMania and... there was a large set at the very least. One of the many criticisms with this year's WrestleMania was the complete lack in almost everything that separates WrestleMania from every other PLE. Outside the return of Becky Lynch (which was kind of wanted...I guess?) There really weren't any big surprises with the show. Which was very predictable for many, me included. Moving on to match quality, this is a WrestleMania to forget. Fans already began questioning WrestleMania 41's match card following the Royal Rumble PLE back in February, and WrestleMania 41 was everything fans expected. Now don't get me wrong, matches like the night one main event between Roman Reigns, CM Punk, and Seth Rollins, and the opener two night two between Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky, and Bianca Belair were two incredible matches. Cena vs. Cody, Paul vs. Cody, and Stratton vs. Flair were matches that failed to meet expectations.

Altogether, WrestleMania 41 was not a good show up to the standards of what WWE has been recently putting out. WrestleMania 39 and 40 are seen as not only the best WrestleMania's in years, but some of the greatest in history. Stay connected to PINACL as we have more post on the way.