WrestleMania 41 Night 1 featured seven matches, including four championship bouts, headlined by a triple-threat match between Seth Rollins, CM Punk, and Roman Reigns.
The event saw three titles change hands and was marked by significant storytelling moments, such as Paul Heyman’s shocking betrayals. However, fan reactions were mixed, with some matches receiving praise and others criticized for lackluster builds or execution.
Below is a breakdown of the best and worst moments, based on match quality, crowd response, and narrative impact.
The Best Moments of WrestleMania 41 Night 1Main Event Triple Threat:
Seth Rollins def. Roman Reigns and CM Punk (A+ Grade) Why It Stood Out:
This match was universally praised as an instant classic, earning A+ grades from sources like Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. The in-ring action was exceptional, with all three competitors—Rollins, Reigns, and Punk—delivering high-intensity performances showcasing their veteran status. The storytelling was the highlight, culminating in Paul Heyman’s double betrayal of Reigns and Punk, aligning with Rollins. Heyman handed Rollins a steel chair, which he used to blast Reigns and secure the pinfall with a Stomp. This twist, likened to the end of The Shield, added layers of drama, referencing past feuds and setting up future storylines.
Fan Reaction: X posts hailed the main event as a “show-stopper” (@SearlyC82) and a “fantastic ending” (@beneboy702), with fans like @ROSEemperor18 calling it one of the night’s few highlights.
The match’s callbacks to The Shield and Punk’s history with Heyman resonated deeply.
Impact: The betrayals protect Reigns and Punk in defeat, opening doors for feuds with Rollins/Heyman or each other. Rollins’ victory positions him as a top contender, potentially challenging Jey Uso for the World Heavyweight Championship. The match is a strong contender for 2025’s Match of the Year.Critical Note: While the storytelling was stellar, some might argue the double betrayal felt overly convoluted, potentially overshadowing the in-ring work. However, the crowd’s reaction and critical acclaim suggest it landed effectively.
Jey Uso def. Gunther to Win the World Heavyweight Championship (B+ to A- Grade) Why It Stood Out:
Jey Uso’s upset victory over Gunther, making the dominant champion tap out to a rear naked choke, was a defining WrestleMania moment. Uso, the 2025 Royal Rumble winner, overcame a 0-3 record against Gunther, delivering a powerbomb and three top-rope splashes in a hard-hitting opener. The match showcased Uso’s evolution as a singles star, with sources like Yahoo Sports noting it gave him “immediate credibility” as Raw’s top champion. The submission finish was a rare feat, as Gunther had only been pinned twice on the main roster.
Fan Reaction: Fans on X, such as @ROSEemperor18 and @beneboy702, celebrated Uso’s title win and the “Yeet Era,” though some, like @The_Epic_Mike, criticized Uso’s performance, calling him “doodoo” and the match a 3/10. Despite mixed sentiment, the moment was widely seen as a career highlight for Uso.
Impact: This win cements Uso as a main-event babyface, with potential feuds against Rollins or a returning Gunther. The submission loss opens the door for Gunther to take a hiatus or pursue a rematch, adding intrigue to his storyline.Critical Note: The buildup cooled after Uso’s Rumble win, and some felt Gunther deserved a stronger opponent (@The_Epic_Mike). The match’s quality was solid but didn’t reach the main event’s heights, possibly due to the crowd’s high expectations for Gunther’s reign.
Jacob Fatu def. LA Knight to Win the United States Championship (B Grade) Why It Stood Out:
This fast-paced, violent match was a crowd-pleaser, with Fatu’s monstrous athleticism clashing against Knight’s resilience. Fatu, earning his first singles title, showcased his potential as a breakout star. Sources like Yahoo Sports praised the match’s energy, and Bleacher Report noted it “ignited the crowd.” The finish, likely involving Fatu’s high-impact offense, solidified his dominance.
Fan Reaction: X users like @beastmvde and @beneboy702 highlighted Fatu’s title win as a top moment, with @SearlyC82 rating the match “decent.” The focus on Fatu’s victory suggests fans see him as a rising star.
Impact: Fatu’s win elevates him within the SmackDown roster, potentially setting up feuds with Braun Strowman or other contenders. Knight’s loss doesn’t hurt his popularity, as he remains a fan favorite.
Critical Note: While exciting, the match may have lacked the narrative depth of the main event or Uso’s title win. The buildup, stemming from a Last Man Standing contender’s match, was solid but not as emotionally resonant as other bouts.
The Worst Moments of WrestleMania 41 Night 1
Tiffany Stratton def. Charlotte Flair to Retain the WWE Women’s Championship (C to C- Grade) Why It Fell Flat:
Despite high expectations for Stratton’s WrestleMania debut against the 14-time champion Flair, the match underperformed. Sources like USA Today noted it felt “tight” and lacked highlight spots, with Flair dominating most of the bout, making Stratton’s victory via the Prettiest Moonsault Ever feel unearned.
The buildup was criticized as “messy,” with an off-the-rails promo battle being both the best and worst part of the feud. The crowd’s lukewarm reaction, only cheering Flair’s “Woo” chops, hurt the match’s impact.
Fan Reaction: X posts were harsh, with @SearlyC82 calling it “dreadful and too long,” @ROSEemperor18 labeling it “messy,” and @beastmvde praising Stratton’s retention but dismissing the match itself. Fans felt the execution didn’t match the talent involved.
Impact: Stratton’s retention keeps her as a rising star, but the lackluster match may slow her momentum. Flair’s loss doesn’t harm her legacy, but the feud needs a stronger follow-up to regain fan interest.
Critical Note: The decision to keep Stratton champion was sound, but the match’s structure—favoring Flair’s offense—undermined Stratton’s credibility. A more balanced bout could have elevated both stars. The narrative suggests WWE prioritized Flair’s dominance over showcasing Stratton’s potential, which felt like a misstep.
The New Day def. The War Raiders to Win the World Tag Team Championship (C- Grade) Why It Fell Flat:
This match was a low point due to its lack of storyline buildup and muted crowd reaction. The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) cheated to win their 12th tag title reign, but the match was described as “poor” (@SearlyC82) and hurt by fans still buzzing from Uso’s opener. Bleacher Report noted the wrestling was “perfectly acceptable” but suffered from creative shortcomings in the tag division. The Clash of Clans-sponsored attire was a highlight, but the match itself felt like a Raw episode filler.
Fan Reaction: X users like @ROSEemperor18 called the night “dog shit” overall, with The New Day’s win barely mentioned, and @The_Epic_Mike didn’t even rate it, suggesting it was forgettable. @beneboy702 felt most matches, including this one, resembled weekly TV.
Impact: The New Day’s heel turn and title win could refresh their act, but the lack of fan investment risks stalling their momentum. The War Raiders’ loss feels inconsequential due to their underutilized status.
Critical Note: The tag division’s neglect in WWE’s creative direction is evident here. The match needed a stronger narrative to justify its WrestleMania spot, and the heel tactics felt forced without proper buildup. This reflects a broader issue with WWE’s tag team booking.
El Grande Americano def. Rey Fenix (D+ to C- Grade) Why It Fell Flat:
This match, featuring a late replacement for the injured Rey Mysterio, was criticized as “rushed” (@SearlyC82) and unimpactful. While Fenix’s WrestleMania debut and a cameo from El Hijo del Vikingo added intrigue, the match relied on El Grande Americano’s obvious identity gimmick, which sources like CBS Sports called quintessentially “pro wrestling” but limited in longevity. Americano’s underhanded tactics, including a steel plate under his mask, led to a cheap victory, and the reverse 450 splash was the only memorable spot.
Fan Reaction: @ROSEemperor18 listed it as a highlight, but most X posts, like @The_Epic_Mike’s incomplete review, ignored it, and @beneboy702 dismissed it as TV-quality. The lack of fan buzz reflects its low stakes.
Impact: The match served as a nod to WWE’s acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, but Fenix’s loss and the gimmicky finish did little to elevate him. Americano’s win keeps his angle alive, but it risks overstaying its welcome.
Critical Note: The injury-forced replacement hurt the match’s buildup, and the reliance on a tired masked identity trope felt lazy. WWE could have used Fenix’s high-flying style to create a standout moment, but the focus on Americano’s shtick squandered the opportunity.
Overall AssessmentBest Aspect: Night 1 was saved by its bookends—the main event’s storytelling masterpiece and Jey Uso’s career-defining title win. The triple-threat match, with Heyman’s betrayals, was a narrative triumph, while Uso’s victory marked a new era for Raw. Jacob Fatu’s US title win added a strong midcard highlight, showcasing a future star. These moments delivered the “WrestleMania magic” fans expect.
Worst Aspect: The middle of the card—particularly Stratton vs. Flair, New Day vs. War Raiders, and Americano vs. Fenix—felt underwhelming, with weak builds, muted crowd reactions, and missed opportunities. The tag division’s neglect and Stratton’s poorly structured match were glaring issues, reflecting creative inconsistencies.
Fan Sentiment: X posts rated Night 1 between 8/10 (@FarewelOriginal, @The_Epic_Mike) and “dog shit” (@ROSEemperor18), averaging a 6-7/10. The main event and title changes were praised, but the rest felt like “a Raw or Smackdown episode” (@beneboy702), suggesting a lack of grandeur for some matches.Critical Take: WWE leaned heavily on its top stars (Rollins, Reigns, Punk, Uso) to carry Night 1, which they did successfully, but the undercard exposed creative weaknesses.
The tag and women’s title matches needed stronger stories, and the Americano angle feels dated. While the event earned a “thumbs up” due to its highs, it didn’t consistently feel like “The Grandest Stage of Them All.”
