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LECLAIR’S WWE WRESTLEMANIA 41 NIGHT 2 REPORT
APRIL 20, 2025
LAS VEGAS, NV AT ALLEGIANT STADIUM
AIRED LIVE ON PEACOCK (U.S.), NETFLIX (Int.)
Announcers: Michael Cole & Pat McAfee & Wade Barrett
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-Ava Max performed the Star-Spangled Banner.
-“What a start,” Pat McAfee muttered under his breath. Michael Cole broke in over a sweeping drone shot high above Allegiant Stadium. They showed wrestlers arriving earlier in the day. Most notably, Cody Rhodes stepping off his tour bus. He was mostly booed.
Inside Allegiant Stadium, Cole said the show is sold out and will kick off with the triple threat match for the Women’s World Championship. The three competitors were shown warming up backstage.
The opening video package began with highlights from Night 1, then transitioned to a montage hyping tonight’s major matches.
Alicia Taylor introduced Stephanie McMahon, already in the ring. She welcomed the audience to the show just before fireworks exploded from the stage.
At ringside, Michael Cole welcomed his broadcast partners, Pat McAfee and Wade Barrett, then tossed to the Spanish announce desk for their brief introductions.
-Iyo Sky’s music hit first. Cole noted that she’s never won at Wrestlemania, but has an opportunity to “knock off two of the best” tonight. Her on-screen graphic mentioned her 3-0 record in triple threat matches. Sky received a decent reaction as she marched down the ramp, holding up her title. Bianca Belair was out next, receiving mostly boos. Her entrance featured a number of women jumping rope and dancing to her music, including her step-daughter, who sported a recognizable long braid. Belair gave her a big hug, then skipped to the ring.
Rhea Ripley was out last, to a massive star reaction. She trotted confidently to the ring, singing to her theme song and slapping hands with some fans on the ramp. “Mami is poised to leave Vegas with her title, and I don’t think anyone would be surprised,” McAfee said. Alicia Taylor delivered Championship introductions.
(1) IYO SKY (c) vs. RHEA RIPLEY vs. BIANCA BELAIR – Women’s World Championship Triple Threat match
All three women traded glances as the bell rang. Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley began arguing as they closed distance between them. Iyo Sky stepped in. When they tried to shove her away, she took them both down with arm drags. All three women popped up and traded quick dropkicks. Belair and Ripley knocked Sky to the outside and turned their focus back to one another. They locked up in the center. Ripley gained body control and took Bianca down by the waist. Belair fought to her feet and returned the favor. Barrett said Sky should stay outside and let the other two rip each other to shreds.
The EST whipped Ripley into the northwest corner and mounted her for punches. She telegraphed the champion returning to the fray and flipped over her, causing a collision of her two opponents. Belair mounted both of them for more punches. Sky slipped underneath her and used her braid to pull her away from the action. Sky leapt to the middle rope and caught both challengers with a Blockbuster for a double cover and two count. Sky threw her arms out to a strong ovation from the crowd as the match approached 3:00. Ripley kicked Belair to the floor, then hit a running cannonball off the apron. Sky hit a springboard Moonsault off the middle rope onto Ripley, then tossed her back in the ring. Once inside, the champion rolled Ripley through a wheelbarrow and hit a double stomp for a cover and two count. Cole said he noticed the stadium is notably hotter tonight than it was last night. He wondered if that would have an impact on the competitors.
After catching Sky with a Suplex, Belair leapt outside to deal with Rhea. Sky tried to leap onto Belair, but Bianca caught her in Powerbomb position and swung her violently into the ringside barrier. Ripley tossed Belair back in the ring. Sky returned and Ripley hoisted her into Razor’s Edge position. She tossed Sky’s body like a missile right at Belair for a cover and near fall at 6:00. Sky tried the wheelbarrow roll through again, but Ripley blocked it and turned the champion over into the Prism Lock. Bianca ripped Rhea off the champion into K.O.D. position. Rhea flipped to safety and took Belair down with a deep arm drag. All three women were down.
Iyo Sky was the first to stand. Belair and Ripley had retreated to opposing corners. Sky hit running double knees to both opponents, then pulled Ripley into position for her signature Moonsault. Rhea cut her off, climbing the turnbuckles with her. Belair rushed across the ring and joined the fray. Belair and Ripley launched off the top at the same time in what looked like a Russian Leg Sweep. Sky did a complete rotation, landing on her stomach. She rolled to the outside. Ripley and Belair traded punches. Belair tried to leapfrog Rhea, but Ripley caught her with a big boot in mid-air. Sky returned with a springboard dropkick, dropping Ripley. Belair flew into frame and speared Sky across the ring.
Belair ascended the northeast corner. She hit a 450 Splash onto Sky, hooking the leg. Ripley broke it up at two, then gave Belair a Riptide for a stack cover and near fall. “Come on!” Rhea shouted in frustration. Belair rolled to the floor. Ripley set Iyo up for Riptide, but the champion turned it into a spike DDT. She charged at Ripley in the corner, but Rhea cut her off with a powerful kick to the jaw. She dragged Sky onto the top rope with her, preparing for a Super Riptide. Sky countered it in mid air. She leapt to the top rope, looking for the Moonsault. Ripley got her feet straight up, spiking Sky. She stumbled right into the waiting arms of Belair, who hit the K.O.D. Bianca hooked the leg, but Ripley threw her body at the cover at the last possible moment.
“This is an instant classic to start off Wrestlemania Sunday!” McAfee exclaimed. Belair talked some trash to Ripley as she slapped her across the face repeatedly. Rhea fired back with a slap of her own. Belair threw a forearm that rocked Rhea. She spit at Belair. Bianca charged her. Rhea side-stepped, sending Belair careening to the apron. Ripley dragged her to the turnbuckle and then climbed. The two women teetered on the ropes, trading rights and headbutts. Ripley knocked Belair to the floor. Sky returned to view, climbing to meet Ripley. She tried for a Poisonrana off the second rope, but Ripley flung her forward, smashing her face against the top of the turnbuckle.
Bianca pulled Ripley off the turnbuckles. They traded quick shots. Belair went for the K.O.D., but Belair flipped out of it again. She whipped Ripley hard across the stomach with her braid. Belair finally hit the K.O.D. on Bianca. She hooked both legs, but Sky hit the Over the Moonsault onto both women to break up the count. She covered Belair for three.
WINNER: Iyo Sky in 14:25 to retain the Women’s World Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: Excellent opener. I’m generally pretty averse to triple threat title matches at Wrestlemania, and thought that Ripley vs. Belair seemed tailor-made for the grandest stage, but it’s hard to argue with the results here. Iyo Sky was fantastic, and she’s certainly built herself a strong, organic connection with the crowd. This was rapid-paced and incredibly fun from the opening bell. Much like last night’s triple threat main event, this was just three absolute pros who knocked it out of the park. I’m intrigued to see whether or not they lean into the heelish edge Belair has shown during the course of this feud, and to see what’s next for Sky and Ripley.)
-Cole tossed to a video package for Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest.
Drew McIntyre was out first, wearing some sponsor-themed entrance gear amidst their stage decoration. Cole said the hatred between McIntyre and Priest is incredible. Barrett said WWE has “sacrificed many security guards in recent weeks” trying to keep these two wrestlers apart, but they won’t be needed tonight. Fire exploded from three turnbuckles as Drew posed on the fourth.
Damian Priest was played to the ring was Kerry King, guitarist for Slayer. He emerged from the curtain standing behind a sea of flames. Priest did a little headbanging with King on his way to the ring.
(2) DREW McINTYRE vs. DAMIAN PRIEST – Sin City Street Fight
Drew McIntyre attacked Damian Priest from behind has the latter removed his entrance jacket. The referee rang the bell right away, and both wrestlers spilled to the outside. Priest wasn’t phased by Drew’s attack, he quickly took control, slamming Drew into the ringside barriers. The two brawled around the ringside area, then began fighting up the ramp. McIntyre gave Priest a Suplex right onto it. He marched back to the ring and tore apart the ring steps. He placed the bottom half under the bottom rope. McIntyre turned around and got dropped as Priest tossed the upper half of the steps right at his face.
Priest retrieved a table from underneath the ring, garnering a big pop from the crowd. Drew grabbed the steps and again and ran them into Priest. He slammed the steps into Damian’s back. Barrett wondered who was willing to steep to the lowest level. “Drew McIntyre is! You and I both know that!’ McAfee exclaimed. Drew located his brother in the front row and took his cell phone. He took a selfie against the ailing Priest, then returned the device to ringside. Priest grabbed a steel chair and drove it into the side of Priest’s head. McIntyre pulled out two tables from underneath the ring. “It’s like this man is at a Home Depot!’ McAfee said.
The Scottish Psychopath set up both tables in front of the announce desks. He flashed a diabolical grin at the camera. McIntyre returned to the apron and caught Priest with a Glasgow Kiss. He clotheslined him over the top rope to the floor, then flew over the top and dropped Priest with a running dive. Drew tossed Priest back in the ring, in total control. He sized his opponent up for the Claymore. He charged, but Priest threw a chair right in his face. It only staggered Drew. He hit the Claymore anymore. McIntyre covered, but Priest managed to kick at two as the match crossed 6:00. McIntyre cracked a chair over Priest’s back. He wrapped the chair around Damian’s neck, then called for another Claymore. Priest picked him out of the air and hit a Chokeslam. He hooked the leg for a near fall.
“This one swinging back and forth in the last 30 seconds,” Barrett said. Priest cracked a chair over McIntyre’s back. Cole said he felt it. Priest hit him with it again. He lined up the chair and hit him a third time right across the spine. Damian pulled the protective covering over the steel cable of the turnbuckle and wedged a chair underneath it. He turned around and ate a Spinebuster from a recovering McIntyre. Drew set up a table in the ring, then hoisted Priest onto the top of the southeast corners. He gave Priest a chop, then pulled him into position for White Noise off the top. Priest slid down his back and hooked Drew’s arms. He connected with a Razor’s Edge off the top, through the table. Priest covered for a near fall at 9:45.
Pulling down the straps of his singlet, Priest called for South of Heaven. McIntyre stuck his thumb right in Damian’s eye to block it. He hooked Priest and delivered a Future Shock DDT onto the base of the steel steps. He hooked the leg for a close near fall. A big “this is awesome” chant filled Allegiant Stadium. Drew rose to his knees, anger building. He let Priest stand up. The two began trading right hands in rapid succession. They transitioned to hard, open chest chops. Drew hit a Glasgow Kiss. Priest shrugged it off and dropped McIntyre with a big lariat. He pulled Drew up by the hair and walked him to the ropes for Old School. Priest took too long walking the tight rope and McIntyre shoved him off. Priest crashed through the two tables set up on the floor below.
“Neither man’s body is cooperating whatsoever,” Barrett said as Priest rolled around in the wreckage and Drew used the ropes to steady himself. He pulled Priest back into the ring by the hair and deposited him in the corner with the propped chair. McIntyre hit a Claymore, sandwiching Priest’s head between his boot and the steel. Drew pinned him for a three count.
WINNER: Drew McIntyre in 13:54
The referee went to check on Priest, but McIntyre had other ideas. He pulled him away, ensuring the referee raised his hand in victory as he celebrated atop the steel steps in the ring.
(LeClair’s Analysis: Really fun, hard-hitting battle. These two have been feuding off-and-on for so long that it’s hard to believe that this was their first proper match since last summer. Though it felt at times as though McIntyre was drawing too much inspiration from his feud with CM Punk last year, I thought they’d done a decent job bringing this thing to a crescendo and making it feel like a relatively hot issue for Wrestlemania. It was appropriately violent, given what they’ve put each other through in the last several weeks. I thought the finishing sequence, in particular, was excellent.)
-After some celebrity camera time, Cole threw to a video package for the Intercontinental title match.
Penta was out first to a strong reaction. Cole said it’s the Wrestlemania debut of “the man who’s taken WWE by storm.” Dominik Mysterio entered next.. He struggled to get his entrance mask off, giving the announcers a good laugh. Finn Balor was next. He talked some trash to the fans as he confidently strode down the ramp. Cole said he was looking to win the Intercontinental title for the third time. The Intercontinental Champion was last out to a solid reaction. McAfee did some barking as Breakker marched down the ramp. Cole mentioned that it’s the first time the Intercontinental title will be defended in a Fatal-4-Way match at Wrestlemania. He thanked the stat guys at WWE headquarters for helping him with factoids all weekend.
(3) BRON BREAKKER (c) vs. PENTA vs. DOMINIK MYSTERIO vs. FINN BALOR – WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal-4-Way match
Bron Breakker charged across the ring at Dominik Mysterio as soon as the bell rang. Mysterio side-stepped him and sought shelter with his stablemate, Finn Balor. The two worked together to toss the Intercontinental Champion out to the floor. Penta immediately went to work on Judgment Day, dropping them both to the floor and flying over the top rope to take them both out. While Penta celebrated with the audience, Bron Breakker came flying over the steel steps, tackling Penta out of the air with scary speed.
Penta and Breakker returned to the ring and traded blows. Penta went for a springboard attack, but Breakker picked him out of the air and gave him a Powerslam. Balor tried a similar move, but suffered the same fate. Mysterio returned to the ring and ate a massive Spear from Breakker. He covered, but Balor quickly broke it off. Finn begged off, sensing he’d angered Bron. Penta cut off the exchange, cornering the champion. Balor flew at Bron and gave him a Slingblade. Penta kicked both Finn and Dom into the northeast corner and hit a delayed head-stand dropkick on both for a cover and two count on Finn.
As Breakker and Mysterio spilled to the outside, Penta wrenched the arm of Balor. He hoisted Finn up for a package driver, but Bron returned and German Suplexed both men in one fluid motion. He called for a Spear on Penta, but the Luchador side-stepped him. Breakker crashed into the ring post. Mysterio immediately attacked Penta, setting up for the Three Amigos. Penta blocked the third Suplex. Finn returned and helped him complete it. Cole noted that there’s a contingency of support for Dominik in Vegas. Carlito showed up at ringside, eating an apple.
Balor and Mysterio tried to give Breakker a double Suplex, but the champion countered with his own to both men. He dropped Dom with a clothesline, then worked Balor into the northeast corner. He sat him on the top rope and leapt up to deliver a Frankensteiner for a cover and near fall at 5:45. Breakker stared right into the camera with bold intensity. He called for the Spear again. Balor thwarted him with a Superkick. He shoved Breakker to the floor. Mysterio emerged behind Balor. He dropkicked him into the ropes. The crowd exploded. Dom went for a 619 on his partner, but Finn blocked it. He stomped violently at Mysterio. Penta pulled Balor in and gave him the Penta Driver. He hooked the leg, but Breakker tackled him to save his title.
The Intercontinental Champion came face to face with Penta. The latter threw a big chop. Bron caught Penta with a leaping knee. Both men hit the ropes. Carlito pulled the top one down, causing Breakker to fly out of the ring. Mysterio rolled up Penta and grabbed a hold of the tights. Penta just barely kicked out. He hit Dom with a Mexican Destroyer and covered. Carlito pulled Penta out of the ring to break the count. The announcers admonished Carlito as he cleared the top of the desk. Carlito stood atop the table, shouting orders. Breakker had taken position on the Spanish announce desk. He got a running start, then speared Carlito through the desk. The announcers lost their minds.
Breakker returned to the ring, sensing the end. He gave Penta a big Spear. Dom returned and dropkicked him into the ropes. Mysterio connected with the 619 on the Champion. He climbed to the top rope for a Frog Splash, but Balor ripped him down. Finn hit Dom with a Slingblade. He missile dropkicked Breakker into the corner and set up for the Coup De Grace. Balor connected and hooked the leg. Dominik flew off the top with a frog splash onto Balor and Breakker. He covered Finn for a three count.
WINNER: Dominik Mysterio in 10:29 to win the WWE Intercontinental Championship
(LeClair’s Analysis: Fast and furious, super fun match. Breakker looked like an absolute monster throughout. Balor and Penta each got some cool moments of unique offense. The story here, though, was Dominik Mysterio, who was an overwhelming crowd favorite. They were fully behind him from the jump. He received the most consistent and strongest reactions of the night thus far. It felt like a turning tide that couldn’t be ignored. I thought they did a great job interweaving the turmoil within the Judgment Day while giving the other wrestlers some stand out moments. I would’ve loved to see this one go a few extra minutes, but these four guys made the absolute most of their allotment. The upcoming feud between Mysterio and Balor should be intriguing.)
-The announcers reset the stage among the wreckage of the announce desk. Barrett said he hopes someone took out insurance on the ringside area. Cole tossed to a video package for Randy Orton’s open challenge.
Randy Orton slithered onto the stage to a strong reaction. He sported a throwback colorway on his tights – blue and yellow, a callback to his debut gear. Orton looked around and soaked in the adoration from the Las Vegas crowd as they sang along to “Voices.” Cole talked up tonight being Orton’s 20th appearance at Wrestlemania.
Orton grabbed a microphone. He said it marks his 20th Wrestlemania, and he promised he’d be there in his gear and ready to go. “Whoever it is, they’re gonna get their Wrestlemania moment.” He tossed the microphone down and the camera moved to the top of the stage. The screens parted and revealed a man standing back-to. Joe Hendry’s theme song kicked in and the crowd exploded. Hendry walked to the ring with a huge smile on his face, crowd cheering the whole way. Orton smirked and gave him a sly nod.
(4) RANDY ORTON vs. JOE HENDRY
“We believe!” the crowd chanted as the bell rang. Randy Orton stepped to Joe Hendry and immediately went for an RKO. Hendry pushed him away, then quickly rolled up Orton for a surprise two count. Orton popped to his feet and cocked his head, quick to settle in. Orton threw a lariat, but Hendry ducked. He gave Orton a neckbreaker. Joe got his clap-clap-stomp going and the crowd happily obliged. He grabbed Orton by the throat. Orton just thumbed him in the eye and gave him a snap Powerslam. He tossed Hendry to the apron and gave him his signature draping DDT.
Orton threw his arms out, then pounded the mat. Hendry managed to block the RKO again. He scooped Orton up and gave him a Fallaway Slam. Hendry kipped up and brought the crowd to his feet. He spun around again and the camera zoomed in on his smile. Orton flew in with an RKO out of nowhere. He pinned Hendry for a three count.
WINNER: Randy Orton in 3:10
Orton helped Hendry to his feet and shook his hand. He pointed out the crowd, acknowledging the incredible action Hendry received. He raised his hand, then promptly gave him another RKO. The crowd cheered. Orton stole Hendry’s taunt, raising his hands slowly, then spinning around to strike his signature pose on a close up. The crowd popped big. He had a good laugh and gave Hendry a pat on the chest.
(LeClair’s Analysis: A fitting consolation prize for Randy Orton. It was hard to imagine many names that could fit the bill of garnering excitement from the crowd while also being expendable enough to eat a loss. Joe Hendry was tailor made for such a moment. The crowd absolutely loved the appearance, but loved the idea of Orton having some fun at his expense even more. It’s a bummer that Randy and Kevin couldn’t have their heated rivalry come to a head on the biggest stage, but for Randy, this was a perfectly acceptable and enjoyable way for him to spend his 20th Wrestlemania.)
-Money in the Bank was announced for June 7th at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
-Cole tossed to a video for Logan Paul vs. A.J. Styles.
When the broadcast returned live, it was Logan Paul filming himself from backstage. They stayed live on his camera as he walked out onto the stage and jawed at some of the fans seated on the wings of the stage. He tossed his camera up in the air. It was a drone that began flying around the stadium. The broadcast pulled back, showing Paul’s entrance from nine different angles around the stadium. Once posed on the southwest turnbuckle, his drone cam returned to him for one final shot. Cole noted that Paul is 2-1 at Wrestlemania, including a successful U.S. title defense at last year’s event.
A.J. Styles’ music hit and fireworks exploded from atop the stadium as the veteran posed between the moving entrance screens. He received a strong ovation. Paul sat arrogantly in the northeast corner, snarling at his opponent.
(5) LOGAN PAUL vs. A.J. STYLES
Logan Paul and A.J. Styles circled each other as the match kicked off. They locked up in the center, and Styles quickly worked Paul into the northwest corner. Referee Jessika Carr forced a break and Paul gave Styles a playful shove to the chest. They worked back to center. Paul grabbed a headlock and wrenched at A.J.’s neck. Styles shot Paul off the ropes and leapfrogged him. Paul caught himself in the ropes, then launched Styles out to the apron. A.J. slid under Logan’s legs and dropped the social media star with a shoulder tackle.
After some more quick leapfrogs and a slide under, Paul dropped Styles with a dropkick and then booted him to the floor. Paul tried to leap over the ropes onto A.J., but the veteran pulled the ring apron away and trapped Paul in it. The announcers shouted out Fit Finley. Styles slid in the ring to break the count. When he got back outside, Paul man-handled him into the ringside barrier. Paul tried to whip Styles to the adjacent barrier, but A.J. spun it around on him. The crowd opened up a strong “A.J. Styles” chant as the match approached 4:00.
Back on the apron. Paul blocked a kick and sent Styles careening into the ring post, shoulder first. Styles collapsed to the floor while Paul slapped at his own face to hype himself up. Cole said that Paul feeds on the negativity from the audience. “He was born and raised on the Internet,” McAfee added. Paul hit A.J. with a springboard cross body to the outside. He bounced A.J.’s head off the Spanish announce desk, then the ring apron. Paul retrieved his drone camera from ringside and sent it back up into the air. He used the apron to choke Styles, utilizing Carr’s entire count before letting go. The broadcast remained on Paul’s drone cam. Logan hit a Five Star Frog Splash (the “Paul from Grace”) on Styles in the ring and covered him for a two count just before 6:30.
“This is the flip-side of Logan Paul, from an entertainer to a bully and a thug in the blink of an eye,” Barrett said. Paul smiled at the camera, then hit Alley-Op Over-bomb on Styles for another cover and two count. He cupped his ear for a reaction from the crowd, then dropped Styles with a big boot, and a leg drop, channeling Hulk Hogan. He covered, but Styles kicked at one. Logan invited A.J. to stand and began peppering him with quick jabs. He leapt to the middle rope and hit Moonsault on a standing Styles. A.J. tried to catch him, but the momentum took him down. Logan scored a two count. Cole said it knocked Styles “out of sorts.”
A number of uppercuts stunned Styles. Paul taunted the crowd from the middle rope. They pelted him with boos. Paul whipped Styles to the corner, but A.J. stopped his momentum with a boot to the buckle. Paul thought he’d maintained control. “I’m gonna kill this guy,” Styles said to the crowd. He exploded at Paul with quick strikes and kicks. He gave him a sliding forearm, then sent him to the corner. A.J. hit a leaping clothesline, then a Brainbuster for a cover and two count just before 11:00. Paul rolled onto his elbow, tongue out, gasping for breath. Styles pulled him in for Styles Clash, but Paul blocked it. He went for a backdrop. A.J. flipped over it. Paul ran into Styles’ boot. A.J. set up for the Phenomenal Forearm, but Paul caught him in Fireman’s Carry position and completed a rolling Senton. He hit a Lionsault across three quarters of the ring for a cover and near fall.
Cole reset the scene as the camera pulled back. In the ring, Paul hoisted Styles back-to on toe northeast turnbuckles. He continued to jaw the crowd, allowing Styles to elbow him away. A.J. flipped to the mat and pulled Logan into Styles Clash position. Instead of going for the move, he sandwiched Paul against the turnbuckles and kicked him in the back of the head repeatedly. Paul fell to the apron. He created separation with a stiff shot to the face, then connected with the Buckshot Lariat for a cover and near fall at 13:45. Paul cornered Styles and peppered him with jabs to the mid-section. He cocked his titanium right hand and charged. Styles ducked, lifted Paul onto his shoulders and hit a torture rack bomb for a cover and two count.
Another “A.J. Styles” chant built in Allegiant Stadium. Styles positioned himself on the apron and went for the springboard 450 Splash. Paul got his knees up. He pulled A.J. up and stole the Styles Clash. Paul tried to turn him into a cover, but Styles flipped through it, dragged Paul off the canvas and connected with a Styles Clash of his own. Both men were down. Paul’s friend, Jeff, appeared at ringside with a pair of brass knuckles. When he raised his fist, a tattooed hand held it back. The camera pulled back, revealing Karrion Kross. Styles slid to the floor and tossed Jeff aside. Kross begged Styles to take the brass knuckles. “Please, Alan, I’m begging you. This is not about me and you.” Styles took the knuckles and tossed them aside. He leapt onto the apron, calling for the Phenomenal Forearm. He leapt in, but Paul picked him out of the air with a violent right hand. Paul hit the Paul-verizer for a cover and three count.
WINNER: Logan Paul in 17:43
(LeClair’s Analysis: Another really good match for Logan Paul. Styles seemed especially motivated to have a good one at Wrestlemania, and succeeded. I was with this one the whole way until the appearance of “Jeff.” I know he’s appeared many times with Paul at this point, but just seems like an unnecessary crutch. They could’ve executed the same finish with Kross tempting Styles with a weapon, rather than having one of Paul’s uninteresting cohorts get involved. Otherwise, very entertaining and it sets the stage for a continued feud between Styles and Kross, though I question how much intrigue there is there.)
-Back at the announce desk, Michael Cole announced a new behind the scenes show titled “WWE: Unreal” coming this summer to Netflix.
-Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez headed to the ring for their Women’s Tag Team title defense. Michael Cole talked about the mysterious attack on Bayley backstage yesterday. He noted that Liv Morgan seemed awfully defensive during an interview with Cathy Kelly later on the night. Barrett noted that she and Raquel have been victims of false accusations before. They wondered if Lyra Valkyria had managed to find a partner. Barrett said he respects Lyra as a singles competitor, but questions her ability to beat the reigning champions with a “hastily thrown together team.”
“Who did you get, my girl?” Liv taunted Lyra from the ring. The camera cut to the top of the stage and the familiar opening chords of Becky Lynch’s theme rang out. Lynch stepped through the parting LED board doors to a massive ovation. Cole said he had goosebumps. Barrett said over 60,000 jaws just hit the floor because “the Man is back!” Becky shared a hug with Lyra at ringside and the duo hopped in the ring. McAfee and Cole asked Morgan if she was scared. Barrett admonished them for their bias.
(6) LIV MORGAN & RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ (c) vs. LYRA VALKYRIA & BECKY LYNCH – WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match
A huge “Becky!” chant filled the stadium as the match opened up. Becky Lynch opted to open the match with Liv Morgan. The latter immediately tagged in her partner, Raquel Rodriguez. “I’m gonna make you wish you never came back,” Raquel told The Man as she stepped to her in the center of the ring. Lynch shrugged her shoulders and caught Raquel with a spinning back elbow. She leapt on Raquel’s back and caused her to stumble toward Becky’s corner. Lynch received a tag from the women’s Intercontinental Champion, Lyra Valkyria. Lyra tossed Raquel to the outside. hyped up the crowd, then dove onto the tag champion.
Valkyria climbed the southwest corner, sizing Raquel up. Liv shoved Lyra off the turnbuckle and Rodriguez caught her with a stiff boot on the way down. Raquel tagged in Morgan briefly and she stomped at Lyra in the corner before tagging back out. Morgan shouted instructions to Raquel. The two continued to successfully isolate Valkyria in the heel corner as the match crossed 3:00. Morgan completed the Three Amigos Suplexes, then gave Lynch a cheap shot on the apron. Becky was enraged. She tried to get involved, but the referee held her back. Morgan danced in her face. The tag champions continued to trade tags, beating down Lyra. Raquel hit a Snapmare out of the corner. Valkyria booted Rodriguez away and tried to reach Lynch, but Morgan cut her off. Lyra caught Morgan with a spin kick. Liv rolled to the outside and smartly ripped Lynch from the apron just as Lyra tried to make a diving tag.
Rodriguez delivered a spinning Powerslam to Valkyria and covered her for a two count. “Liv Morgan grabbed the titles, she thought it was over!’ McAfee said. Liv joined her partner in the ring, but Lyra fought them both off. She posted Rodriguez in the corner and finally made the hot tag to Becky Lynch. The crowd popped big. Morgan looked terrified. Becky dropped her with a leaping clothesline. She hit Raquel with a step-up Enziguri. With both opponents in opposing corners, Lynch hit running clotheslines. She trapped Morgan and delivered the Bex-Ploder. Morgan rolled to the floor. Becky caught her with a baseball slide, then an axe handle on the floor. Back in the ring, Lynch flipped Morgan into the Disarm-Her. Morgan turned it over into a cover for two. Lynch didn’t let go, she worked Morgan back into the hold. Liv seemed poised to tap, but Raquel broke it up.
Lynch dumped Raquel to the floor and waved goodbye to her. Morgan flew in and hit Becky with Oblivion as the match crossed 8:00. She covered, but Valkyria broke it up just in time. Lyra dove through the middle rope, hooking Raquel and delivering a spinning DDT. In the ring, Lynch ducked a clothesline from Morgan and hit the Man-Handle Slam for a cover and three count.
WINNERS: Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria in 8:43 to win the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships
Lynch looked elated. She grabbed the tag team titles as Lyra retrieved her Intercontinental title. Cole said that at Wrestlemania 35, Lynch became “Becky-2-Belts” and tonight, Valkyria is walking out with two titles.
(LeClair’s Analysis: The first several minutes of this one felt like relatively standard tag fodder, but the action picked up once Lynch got the hot tag late. I thought the final few minutes were compelling. It’s unfortunate that Becky’s big return here had to come at the expense of Bayley being bumped off the card while perfectly healthy, but it’s hard to argue against Lynch uniting with Valkyria, an established confidant, in a big return and feel-good moment at Wrestlemania. If this leads to a Bayley heel turn, which feels like the most likely of scenarios, she could wind up in a high profile feud with Lynch and come out on the other side better for it. Big picture wise, the women’s division is always better off with Becky Lynch around.)
-After a quick break, they showed a sponsored “highlight of the night”, which was a recap of the Intercontinental Championship match earlier in the night.
Silence befell the stadium as they awaited the next segment. The jib camera swung slowly around the lower bowl of the stadium as a quiet anticipation built. Glass shattered and the crowd went wild. Stone Cold Steve Austin sped onto the stage on a 4-Wheeler. He drove down the ramp and around ringside, crashing violently into the crowd barrier and knocking a woman in the front row over. She appeared to be fine. Steve tried to back up, but gave up and hopped off the ATV to enter the ring.
Austin announced the official attendance as 63,226. He said it sounded like there were more people than that and demanded a recount. “I want everybody to sit down and remain still.” He began counting heads, begging a “what” chant between each count. He gave up at 18, hit his catchphrases and called for some beer. After dumping most of it down his shirt, he rolled out of the ring and checked on the woman again, though she was no longer visible. Someone in a suit had moved in front to check on her.
At the announce desk, McAfee and Barrett were drinking some of Stone Cold’s beer. Cole talked up a special edition of the Pat McAfee Show from WWE World tomorrow morning. He then turned focus to the main event and tossed to a video package.
When the broadcast returned, the stadium lights were dimmed. “JOHN CENA” was displayed all over the stage screens in a generic, white font. “The Time Is Now” filled the stadium and the crowd began singing along. Cena walked out stoically. He held is towel around the back of his head as the camera followed him down the ramp. “No video, no color,” McAfee said. Barrett said it looked bleak. Cole said it’s Cena’s last Wrestlemania. He mentioned that it’s been a decade since John won a match at Wrestlemania.
Cena ran the ropes and casually nodded toward the ramp, calling for his opponent and rival. Motocross bikers rode up and down the stage, meeting with a part in the middle as Cody Rhodes rose from a platform beneath the stage. The crowd booed initially, then began singing along to “Kingdom.” Cody laid down his skull helmet to throw his arms back for his signature fireworks. He smiled and looked around at the sea of people. The announcers laid out as Rhodes made the long walk down the ramp. He hit his signature pose on the middle turnbuckle and more fireworks filled the stage. Cody spotted his wife, Brandi, his daughter, Liberty, his mom, and sister all in the front row. He shared hugs with them as the camera pulled back and Cole set the stage. Alicia Taylor delivered Championship introductions. Both men received big mixed reactions. Cole said it’s a “massive main event in a city that makes champions” and pledged to call it right down the middle.
(7) CODY RHODES (c) vs. JOHN CENA – WWE Undisputed Championship match
An overwhelming “let’s go Cena, Cena sucks” dueling chant drowned out the announcers as the bell rang. There was an anticipatory pop and exhale as the camera pulled back and John Cena began jawing at Cody Rhodes. The crowd finally settled in as the two locked up with nearly 60 seconds elapsed already. Cody grabbed a headlocked. Cena shoved him off. Cody hit a shoulder tackle. Cena left the ring.
Cole told the story of speaking to JBL early in Cena’s career after Layfield dubbed him “big match John.” Cena reluctantly stepped back in the ring. He looked to the crowd, who were cheering him heavily. He scoffed. He and Rhodes locked up again and Cody worked John against the ropes. Cena broke and stepped out to the apron, facilitating some boos. Another dueling chant. More waist control attempts from both wrestlers. Cole suggested Cena keep the pace of the match slow to give himself the best chance. Rhodes took Cena down in a headscissor. Cena fought to his feet and quickly left the ring again. Cody dove through the middle rope onto the challenger. He slapped the announce desk and the crowd booed. Rhodes tossed Cena back in the ring and ate a right hand. Cody and John worked into the northwest corner. Cena caught Rhodes with a hard right, dropping him. He stomped at Cody, rallying major cheers.
Cena curtsied for the crowd. He continued to punch and kick at Rhodes, working him into the northeast corner as the match crossed 5:30. He whipped Rhodes to the opposing corner, then grabbed the legs. He guillotined Rhodes under the bottom rope, sending him reeling on the floor. Cena followed him out and tossed him back in the ring arrogantly. He gave Cody a big boot and sauntered around the ring. Cena threw two big clotheslines, then covered Cody for a one count. Cena grabbed a seated side-headlock. Cody worked back to his feet and punched at Cena’s ribs to break it up. The crowd booed him. Rhodes hit the ropes, but John picked him off with a sidewalk slam and cover for a two count.
“What I’m seeing right now is a confidence, not cockiness,” Cole surmised of Cena’s performance thus far. Barrett agreed. McAfee said Cena is right at home. The challenger dropped Rhodes with a double axe handle from the middle rope. The announcers agreed that Cody looked a bit out of sorts. Cena hit another double axe handle. He took a seat on the top turnbuckle, waiting for Cody to stand up. Cena went for another axe handle, but Cody cut him off with a kick to the gut. The crowd booed heavily. Cena poked Cody in the eye and covered him for a two count. Cena kicked Rhodes in the butt to knock him down. He laughed.
Another dueling chant broke out and Cena tried to encourage it with some subtle glances. Cody charged the challenger, but Cena caught him with a boot. He hooked Rhodes and delivered a tornado DDT off the middle rope for a cover and near fall at 10:30. “Cena’s thinking 2-3 moves ahead of Cody Rhodes,” Pat said. Cena hit Cody with his signature shoulder tackle. He bent down to initiate the Five Knuckle Shuffle, but stopped himself. Instead, he just adjusted his knee pads and smiled at the crowd. Cena gave Cody another tackle. He hooked Cody and delivered the side release Powerbomb in near slow-motion.
John shook out his hand, finally setting up for the Shuffle. Cody kicked him in the face. He hit the ropes and delivered a Disaster Kick. Cody pounded the mat as the crowd overwhelmed him with boos. Cole tried desperately to cover it up. Rhodes hit the Cody Cutter and covered Cena for a two count. Cody delivered a series of jabs, then went for the Bionic Elbow. Cena blocked it. He scooped Cody up and delivered an Attitude Adjustment for a cover and near fall.
“We are inching closer to a Championship change here,” Barrett said. Cole thought Cena had turned back the block a full decade. John finally executed the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Cody popped up. He caught Cena with a right hand, then climbed to the top rope. Cena threw himself into the ropes, crotching Rhodes on the turnbuckle. Cena sat himself on top the turnbuckle again, pulling Cody in for a Super-AA. He hit it. Cena hooked the leg in the center, but Cody kicked out at two.
Panic set in on the face of the challenger. “How quickly the confidence drained from his face,” Cole said. Barrett said that Cena has underestimated the resolve of the WWE Champion. Cena climbed to the top rope and stood up straight. He dove at Rhodes, but Cody planted him with a Powerbomb and stack cover for a two count. Rhodes adjusted his tights and looked around. He hit the ropes, climbing them effortlessly and delivering another Cody Cutter for a cover and near fall at 16:45. Rhodes called for the finish. He set up for Cross Rhodes, but Cena spun free and delivered another Attitude Adjustment. He spun Cody around for the hard camera and applied the STFU.
Cody crawled desperately toward the bottom rope. Just as he began to gain ground, Cena briefly let go of the hold to drag his opponent back to center. He re-applied the submission. Rhodes crawled for the corner this time. He nearly got there, but Cena broke the hold and dragged him all the way across the ring this time. Cody kicked him away. Cena backed into the referee, knocking him down. Rhodes immediately delivered Cross Rhodes. He covered for a visible three count. Cody went to check on Chad Patten. Meanwhile, Cena recovered and exposed the steel of the turnbuckle in the northeast corner. Cody charged John. Cena side-stepped, sending Rhodes into the steel. Cena bounced him off the buckle a second time, then delivered a fourth Attitude Adjustment. He hooked the leg and referee crawled over to make the cover. Rhodes kicked at the last moment.
Both men were down. The Wrestlemania theme song, ‘Fe!n”, hit. Travis Scott appeared on the stage. Cena sat up, massive smile on his face. Scott carried his custom Hardcore Championship. He rubbed the face plate as he sauntered down the ramp toward the ring. Cena sat up on his knees, elated. Cena met Scott at the ropes and grabbed his hand to help him onto the apron. He raised Scott’s hand. Cena held Rhodes in place for Scott to slap him. Cody broke free and bumped Travis to the floor. Rhodes hit Cena with another Cross Rhodes. He covered, but Scott dragged Patten out of the ring.
Rhodes turned his focus to Scott. He invited him in the ring. Travis leapt over the top rope and got in Cody’s face. He tried to slap the champion again, but Rhodes hooked his arm, pulled him in and delivered Cross Rhodes. He rolled Scott’s limp body out of the ring. Cena was laying in wait behind Rhodes, WWE title in hand. He charged, but Cody telegraphed and blocked the shot. They began a tug-o-war over the title. Cody wound up with it. Cena begged off, pleading with Cody. Rhodes let his guard down. Cena gave him a low-blow. He sized Rhodes up and clocked him in the head with the WWE title. Cena yelled for Patten to wake up. He hooked Cody’s leg dramatically. Patten slid inside the ring and counted to three. Cena sat up defiantly and saluted.
WINNER: John Cena in 25:06 to win the WWE Undisputed Championship
“John Cena is the biggest piece of garbage I’ve ever witnessed in this industry,” Barrett said as the crowd absolutely erupted in cheers for Cena. Cena hoisted the WWE title over his head, then helped Travis Scott back into the ring. Scott celebrated with Cena as the crowd continued to cheer.
Cena celebrated on the middle rope as fireworks exploded from the stage “17” was displayed on the center LED board. Cena looked back at Cody, who’d collapsed on the ramp. Cena swung the title over his shoulder as Cole bid the audience goodnight.