Wrestlemania 41 Review

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4 days ago
13 min read

Jey vs Gunther World Championship 92/100 A

There was a lot of noise going into this match. Is Jey the right guy? Was he ready, and could he wrestle? Well, Jey came into this match ready to prove himself. Usually, Jey is high energy and all over the place, feeding off the crowd. Not this time. He was calm and locked in. He knocked the champion on his ass early and twice had Gunther roll out of the ring to regroup.

But Gunther is the champion for a reason. Even with Jey operating at peak ability, he still took the momentum several times. Neither man could hold momentum. Each time it looked like one was in control, the other would take over and hit a big move. For Jey, it was a big spear and splash, and for Gunther, it was a chop and high-stack powerbomb. However, neither man would give up, and they kicked out of each other's finishers.

Gunther had to cheat to try to get the upper hand. He hit Jey with the belt, jumped on him, and Jey still kicked out. From there, Gunther was finally able to keep momentum, or so he thought. Jey proved he was tough, taking all Gunther's brutal strikes, getting up, and eventually taking him down with a Gunther-like close line.

Gunther tried to choke him out, and he proved he could wrestle, reversing to a German suplex. He later reversed Gunther's powerbomb into a powerbomb on Gunther, proving he can, in fact, wrestle. Then Jey did the unthinkable: he hit Gunther with super kicks, spears, and three different splashes, and then he put Gunther in his own sleeper hold and made Gunther tap out. Nobody has made Gunther tap out, but Jey Uso did. Jey had the best singles match of his career when he needed it most and won the world championship.

The War Raiders vs the New Day World Tag Team Team Championships 88/100 B+

The New Day was a team facing extinction. People have moved on from them. The only problem is they haven't moved on; they still have more to give. This was a match between two crafty vet teams. The New Day wore Giant Gonzales-inspired gear, possibly to embrace the hate and foreshadow a screwy finish.

The more popular War Raiders came out in Clash of Clans gear. In the early going, the power disparity between them was evident. The War Raiders ran through the New Day, smashing both members against the ring wall. It looked like it was going to be a quick day at the office for the War Raiders.

However, the New Day aren't legends for nothing. They took the slightest moment of weakness, a scratch of the eye, on a suicide dive attempt. Then they attacked Ivar's neck, diving off the top rope on Erik's back as Xavier held him there helplessly. Erik eventually got the tag, and Ivar started dominating, but Erik was gone, allowing New Day to team up on Ivar. Eventually, Erik came back, saving his partner with a Superman punch.

Then, when the War Raiders had the win, Xavier saved the day with a huge elbow after Ivar hit a huge moonsault. War Raiders took over, dominating the New Day again, but once again, they hung around just enough to stall the Raiders finisher and get another small opportunity to turn the tide. New Day took out the ropes as Ivar tried to jump off them. The New Day hit the daybreak, and Xavier got his first ever winning pin at WrestleMania as Kofi held down Ivar's leg. New Day are tag champs once again showing they just as good as they ever were.

Naomi vs Jade Cargil 87/100 B

Naomi runs circles around Jade with athleticism and wrestling ability, but the one thing she can't account for is Jade's power. Naomi hits Jade with an X factor to the outside, kicks and twists to the mat all over the place, but several times when Naomi tries to jump on Jade, Jade just gets caught, once hitting her with a jackhammer and another time hitting a fall-away slam.

Naomi went to the top rope, going for body scissors on Jade, getting caught in a jaded, and then reversing to a bulldog off the top before hitting her flipping finisher in the corner. However, Jade still kicked out. Then Jade pulled out the best move of her career, throwing Naomi from the electric chair position off her shoulders, turning, catching Naomi in a powerbomb, and then picking her up and hitting her with a Jaded to win the match. Jade just put on the best singles performance of her entire career.

La Knight vs. Jacob Fatu United States Championship 90/100 A-

This was a tough challenge for LA Knight. Fatu is a faster, more explosive version of PCO. He just doesn't stay down, so LA Knight had to be uncharacteristically fast. LA Knight got in quick, taking up the pace of the match and staying out of Fatu's grasp, and it worked until it didn't.

Fatu grabbed La Knight and, through him in the air, caught him in a Samoan Drop. Still, La Knight didn't give up. He raised his game again, slamming Jacob Fatu the next time he was caught in a Samoan slam and hitting Jacob with a high elbow drop. Jacob still wouldn't stay down, so he put down LA Knight and went for the moonsault. But La Knight ran up behind Jacob, and German suplexed him off the top rope.

La Knight decided if he couldn't stay out of Fatu's grasp, he would out-speed him to reversals. Jacob got him down again and again went for the moonsault, and this time La Knight caught him in a freaking BFT. It was incredible, yet Jacob didn't stay down. Jacob hit La Knight with multiple moonsaults and won the United States Championship. Excellent match story and incredible spots. This match really surprised me.

El Grande Americano vs. Rey Fenix 90/100 A-

This match didn't have the craziest in-ring story, but it did have the craziest moves. Early on, it was just Rey and Americano trying to outdo each other, and amazingly, it was El Grande who outperformed Fenix. El Grande caught Fenix out of the air and into a bridge suplex, a pinning combination. He later hit Fenix with a catch belly-to-belly suplex, sending him into the ring apron upside down.

El Grande then hit a move I've never seen before: a backward 450 splash on Fenix. Amazingly, Fenix still wouldn't stay down and even got the upper hand again. However, El Grande put a metal plate in his mask. He turned Fenix's strength into a weakness. When Fenix ran off the top rope and kicked El Grande in the face, he hurt his own foot on the metal.

From there, Grande was able to headbutt Fenix down, then hit him with a flying headbutt with the metal mask and get the win. This was way better than anyone expected. It was a true spectacle to watch with a dramatic ending. El Grande is quickly becoming a top villain. Going with him against Fenix right after announcing that WWE was bringing in the Triple-A wrestling company into the fold was bold. However, I think it's the right call.

Tiffany vs. Charlotte WWE Women's Championship 94/100 A

This match was just different. Charlotte Flair has buried so many superstars. So many times, we thought she would lose, and then she won. So there was no telling what would happen in this match. Not to mention that this feud was super personal. If Tiffany lost here, it would have been devastating to her career.

Both women started with ice in their veins. They just stared each other down as the match was announced, each fighting to dominate the other mentally. These two are so well matched that Charlotte's only real advantage over Tiffany is experience. This match started out way more physically than I think most people expected. These women just immediately started rolling around, throwing blows, and attacking each other on the outside of the ring.

Once they made it back in the ring, Charlotte had control. Charlotte was the dominant performer owning the match, but Tiffany just took her lumps and held on. Kicking out of an incredible Batista bomb by Charlotte. She even kicked out of an off-the-top rope Natural selection.

As the match continued, it stayed physical, but both women settled into their more prestigious technical styles. The match really hit a new level when Charlotte hurt her leg, and Tiffany attacked it like a rabid animal before the ref could even stop her. Charlotte survived the onslaught and attacked Tiffany's leg, but then, in that moment of the match, Tiffany proved her metal.

Charlotte had Tiffany down on her hurt leg in Figure Four, ready to hit Figure 8, but as Tiffany was in agony watching her title reign and legacy slip away, she once again furiously attacked Charlotte's leg, causing Charlotte to let go of the hold.

Charlotte sacrificed her knee later to extend the match throwing her knees up to hurt Tiffany as she tried to hit her moonsault hurting herself in the process. But she only delayed the inevitable. By this point, Tiffany had proved herself. She didn't blink, and she knew she could do it. She took Charlotte down, powering her into the mat and hitting her prettiest moonsault. They had already kicked out of each other's big moves at this point, so nobody could breathe until that third arm came down, and it did.

Tiffany beat Charlotte in an excellent match, cementing her legacy and officially beginning the Tiffany Stratton era at the expense of her hero-turned-bitter rival. Charlotte finally checked off the last box in her legendary career, making a star and putting her over. It was a Wonderful WrestleMania moment.

Roman Reigns vs CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins 95/100 A

Firstly, I want to say Cm punk had the most aura of the entire night. He had a package on his career and came out with Paul Heyman to a live band playing his theme. Now, onto the match. This match happened in about four phases for 36 minutes.

Phase one was general brawling. This was the most boring phase, with each guy throwing punches and fighting all over the ring, but it was generally just killing time. The highlight of this phase was Roman and CM Punk hitting a doomsday device on Seth Rollins.

Phase two was when everyone hit their kill shots. Rollins stomped reigns after catching a spear and reversing it into a pedigree. Kicked CM Punk out of the ring, but Roman kicked them out. CM Punk hit the GTS on Roman and had Seth out of the ring, but Roman kicked them out. Then Seth said something very interesting. He said Roman doesn't know anything without someone to guide him. He doesn't have Seth, Mox, Paul, or the Bloodline, so of course, he doesn't know. Seth tries to get Roman to do a Shield powerbomb him into the table, but Roman turns on him after pretending to go along with it Roman powerbombs both Seth and CM Punk into tables then spears Seth. But miraculously, Seth kicks out.

Phase 3

Then they kicked into yet another gear. Phase three is the most exciting phase. Nobody gets the upper hand, and there are reversals and breakups, with everyone knocking each other out. CM Punk actually pulled out a Curb Stomp just as Seth looked like he was going to beat Roman. CM Punk hit the GTS on Seth but got speared by Roman. Then Roman got hit by a curb stomp because Seth bounced off the ropes. All men are out.

Phase 4 separated this match from any other match on the card. Phase 4 was the most creative storyline element of the night. Paul Heymans betrayed Roman, giving Cm Punk the chair instead of Roman, only to low blow Cm Punk and give the chair to Roman. Roman destroyed Cm Punk and had a chance to hit Seth in the back the same way Seth had done to him so many years ago. but then Paul Heyman betrayed Roman with a low blow as well. Seth hit the stomp and won the match. The architect is back on top, and he's a Heyman guy now. Thrilling match and an even better finish.

Night 1 90.85 A

Night 2 84.4 B

IYO SKY VS. Rhea Ripley vs Bianca Bell 93/100 A Night

Early, Rhea and Bianca try to fight Bianca one-on-one. IYO keeps making them pay for it before being taken down and coming back. It felt like IYO was stealing the show the whole match. She pulled out a double blockbuster, using one leg for each competitor. I've never seen anything like it. She took crazy bumps, having both Rhea and Bianca throw her into the barricade. Being part of a triple slam off the top where she got the worst of it. Having Rhea kick her so hard as she tried to land a moonsault on Rhea, she flew across the ring into Bianca's Kod.

Since she has won this title, there has been this feeling that she is the third wheel in her own feud. Even Bianca and Rhea tried throwing her aside in this match to get to the real fight, but she fought back at every turn. Ultimately, it looked like Rhea or Bianca would win the match after IYO got the Alabama Slama on the corner post.

Rhea and Bianca had a thrilling exchange. Bianca went for Kod, but Rhea flipped out and went for Riptide, but Bianca flipped out. Bianca knows people are sour on her right now, so she leans in, using her braid to get the advantage, and then hits Kod. It looked like Bianca would be undefeated and the new champion, then IYO hit her over the moonsault out of nowhere and pinned Bianca's retaining on IYO. Nobody can sleep on IYO anymore. I was rooting for Bianca, but I must admit that this is a great story.

Drew vs. Damian Priest 86/100 B

This was a war. These are some of the things these men did to each other. In an insane feat of athleticism, Drew Front flipped over the top rope to Damian. Drew ate, a chair shot to deliver a Claymore. Drew Suplexed Damian to the ring ramp.

Drew is taking a picture with the priest in reference to last year's match. Drew hit the future shock DDT on the steel step.

Damian had moments, too. He hit Razor's edge on Drew and into the tables. He also reversed a claymore with one hand into a choke slam. Damian was on defense most of the time, and it caught up with him in the end. Drew pushed Damian through two tables to the outside of the ring off the top rope, then Claymores his face through a chair and won. Dominant victory.

Penta jr vs Dominik vs. Bron Breakker vs. Finn Balor 85/100 B

For the most part, this was a standard, good fatal four-way, but there were a couple of moments that took things up a notch. Bron suplexed both Dom and Penta at the same time. Also, Bron dived from one announce table to the next to spear Carlito through the announce table.

Early in the match, Dom tried to betray Finn, but Finn caught his 619. But Finn would later get rid of Dom before he could beat Bron. Or so he thought. Dominik Frog splashed off the top, landed on Finn and Bron, and pinned Finn to win the IC title. This feels like Domink's first breakthrough singles moment since his debut. I'm happy for him. He was my pick, and the crowd was more than ready for it. He was the man in Las Vegas.

Joe Hendry vs. Randy Orton 79.99/100 B-

Short notice, so what did WWE come up with but Joe HENDRY? Joe HENDRY is one of the most popular wrestlers outside of WWE and an Impact world champion. I love it. I've been a fan of Joe HENDRY since he debuted on Impact with those hilarious vignettes.

Joe has some moments where he gets the upper hand on Randy a couple of times, but when he turns to the hard cam to soak up the praise, he gets hit with a Rko by Randy. Seeing that cheesy grin, he had seconds before getting the Rko made it a hilarious finish. Is it the best match you will ever see? Certainly not. Was it entertaining, definitely?

Logan Paul vs.AJ Styles 84/100 B

Logan Paul really pushed AJ and made him fight harder than he had in a while. Logan hit AJ with his own move, but AJ just got back up and rolled into his own Styles Clash. He pulled out a weird blue whirly bomb, rolling Logan around his shoulders before sitting down into a powerbomb.

AJ has this in hand. But Logan was going to have his guy cheat when Karrion Kross stopped it and gave AJ the chance to use the brass knuckles. But AJ threw them and punched Kross. This was a mistake. Logan Paul hit him with that big punch and then pulled out this amazing move that went from suplex to brain-busting DT.

Lyra & Becky Lynch vs. Liv Morgan and Raquel Women's Tag Team Championships 82/100 B

The main story is about Becky wanting to get her hands on Liv. Liv and Raquel ran circles around Becky and Lyra when they kept Liv away from Becky's clutches. But once Becky got her hands on Liv, the tides turned. Liv fought valiantly, but with Lyra running interference, Liv was distracted from helping Raquel, and she ran into a Manhandle slam. Becky has now won tag gold for the first time, and Lyra is double champ.

This is Triple H's first mistake in WrestleMania. Having Becky come back was awesome, but moment fulfilled. Joe HENDRY made a surprise appearance, too, but it didn't mean he had to win. Liv Morgan has been so good, and Raquel continues to be gold in tag title teams. They should have been able to retain as tag specialists rather than passing it to two friends who just tagged together for the first time. Becky didn't need that, and Lyra already had the Ic belt, which wasn't over enough to make the show. If any midcard champion should have made it, it should have been Chelsea Green.

Lyra just seems over-pushed relative to how over she is. Lyra being double champ seems less impressive than Stephanie Vaqueer because her character isn't over. Lyra gives Rocky Mavia energy. She's clearly talented but hasn't found herself yet, but she's pushed like she has.

Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena Undisputed 83/100 B WWE Championship

This match was fun, but definitely not an all-timer in the ring. For one, John wrestled at a purposely slow pace, which psychologically makes sense for his character. However, it really made Cody look like a chump. Sure, Cody hit some Cody Cutters and his finisher, but for John to wrestle like that and still hit his finisher on Cody multiple times without cheating, it was like, what is Cody doing?

If you compare this to Seth vs. Cody or Roman vs. Cody, it's definitely third-ring-wise. But this match was always about the result, and we got the right one. John Cena won his 17th world title, a monumental moment that needed to happen. And there was a good story. Travis Scott came back and helped Cena when Cody had it won. Cody got his revenge on Travis Scott for taking him out.

Cody had the match won but the ref was down. He intercepted the title from John Cena. He could have hit him with it, but Cody couldn't bring himself to cheat. Cena actually begged him not to hit him before kicking him in the balls. Then John Cena hit him with the belt. After hitting so many AAs that Cody was kicked out, Cody finally stayed down. John Cena won. Legendary. Also, to all the haters mad about Travis Scott: If Jon Stewart can stop John Cena from winning his 17th, then Travis Scott can help him win it.