WWE WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Recap: Shocking Twists, Breakout Stars, and Epic Showdowns Define Vegas Extravaganza (4-19-25)
By: Xavier Jones
Headline Photo Credit: WWE
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Date: April 19, 2025
Attendance: 61,467
WrestleMania 41 Night 1 delivered an unforgettable spectacle, blending athletic excellence with explosive drama. From championship shakeups to emotional storylines and unexpected betrayals, WWE’s biggest stage lived up to its reputation. Here’s a breakdown of every match from an electric first night.
Match Card:
World Heavyweight Championship match
Gunther (c) vs Jey Uso
World Tag Team Championship match:
The War Raiders (c) vs The New Day
Jade Cargill vs Naomi
U.S. Championship match
LA Knight (c) vs Jacob Fatu
El Grande Americano vs Rey Fenix
WWE Women’s Championship match
Tiffany Stratton (c) vs Charlotte Flair
Triple Threat Match
CM Punk vs Roman Reigns vs Seth Rollins
World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso def. Gunther (c) via submission
Match Summary: The 2025 Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso opened the show with a stunning upset, defeating Gunther to claim his first world title. Uso, who had never beaten Gunther in three prior encounters, used a powerbomb, three consecutive top-rope splashes, and a rear naked choke to force Gunther to tap out—a rare occurrence, as Gunther had only been pinned twice on the main roster. The match was described as entertaining, with Uso showcasing new offense and storytelling, cementing his status as a top babyface. The crowd was heavily invested, erupting when Uso won.
Analysis: This victory was a career-defining moment for Uso, proving doubters wrong about his main-event potential. The submission added credibility to his reign, though the match had some slow moments with stare-downs. Gunther’s loss opens the door for a potential hiatus or rematch later in 2025, with Seth Rollins eyed as Uso’s next challenger.
World Tag Team Championship: The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) def. The War Raiders (Erik & Ivar) (c)
Match Summary: The New Day, having turned heel after ousting Big E from the group, won their 12th tag team championship in a match sponsored by Clash of Clans, with branding prominently in their ring attire. The match saw The New Day cheat to secure the victory, with Xavier Woods attempting to use a steel chair but inadvertently causing Erik to hit him, leading to a DQ win in an earlier encounter. At WrestleMania, their heel tactics paid off, though the match lacked significant crowd reaction due to limited creative buildup for the tag team division.
Analysis: The win felt fitting for The New Day on the grand stage, marking Kingston’s first WrestleMania title victory since 2019. However, the lackluster buildup and fan response highlighted issues in the tag team division’s storytelling.
Jade Cargill def. Naomi
Match Summary: In the first non-title women’s match at WrestleMania in 19 years, Jade Cargill defeated Naomi in a star-making performance. The storyline centered on a “whodunnit” mystery involving Cargill’s attack, with Naomi’s heel turn and new metal-themed entrance adding depth. Cargill showcased her power, catching Naomi mid-dive and delivering a jackhammer, followed by a powerbomb and her signature Jaded for the win. Naomi’s speed and experience kept her competitive, but Cargill’s dominance shone through.
Analysis: This match was a highlight, with Cargill’s best singles performance in WWE to date and Naomi excelling as a heel. The story was compelling, though overshadowed by bigger names. The match served to build Cargill as a future star.
U.S. Championship: Jacob Fatu def. LA Knight (c)
Match Summary: Jacob Fatu, one of WWE’s most intimidating superstars, defeated LA Knight to win the United States Championship in a fast-paced, violent match. Fatu overcame Knight’s high-impact moves, delivering consecutive moonsaults for the victory. The match was a standout, with strong chemistry between the two, following a No. 1 Contender’s Last Man Standing match where Fatu earned his shot.
Analysis: Fatu’s win marked his first WWE championship, showcasing his ascent as a dominant force. Knight’s charisma and sports-entertainment style meshed well with Fatu’s intensity, making this one of the night’s best matches. The result sets up potential Bloodline-related storylines, possibly involving Solo Sikoa.
El Grande Americano def. Rey Fenix
Match Summary: Originally scheduled to face Rey Mysterio, El Grande Americano faced Rey Fenix after Mysterio suffered an apparent injury on the April 18th edition of Smackdown. Fenix, a recent WWE debutant and brother of Penta, delivered a high-flying performance. The match featured a cameo from Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide star El Hijo del Vikingo, who kicked Americano during a ringside confrontation, coinciding with WWE’s announcement of acquiring AAA. Americano won using underhanded tactics, sliding a steel plate under his mask and landing a reverse 450 splash.
Analysis: The match was packed with snappy spots and perfect execution, making it one of the night’s highlights despite the last-minute change. Americano’s victory leaned into his comedic, quintessentially pro-wrestling persona, though some felt it didn’t belong on the WrestleMania card.
WWE Women’s Championship: Tiffany Stratton (c) def. Charlotte Flair
Match Summary: 2025 Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair challenged Tiffany Stratton, who retained her WWE Women’s Championship. The match began as a brawl, moving outside the ring, with Flair using her experience to apply submission holds and mock Stratton. Stratton, a first-time champion, held her own, ultimately retaining the title. Their rivalry included a chaotic promo battle, adding intensity to the matchup.
Analysis: The match was solid, with plenty of comebacks and back-and-forth action. This was highlighted by Flair’s veteran presence against Stratton’s rising star status. Stratton’s retention solidified her as a credible champion, though the match didn’t steal the show.
Triple Threat Match (Main Event): Seth Rollins def. Roman Reigns and CM Punk
Match Summary: The main event featured a star-studded triple threat match, marking CM Punk’s first WrestleMania main event. The match was an instant classic, with intense action and storytelling. Key moments included Reigns wiping out Punk and Rollins into the crowd, Rollins countering a Spear into a Pedigree, Punk delivering a Go To Sleep to Reigns, and a chaotic Shield Bomb tease. The defining moment came when Paul Heyman betrayed both Punk and Reigns, low-blowing them and aligning with Rollins, who used a steel chair to secure the victory.
Analysis: Described as a masterpiece, the match earned Match of the Year consideration for its in-ring quality and storytelling. Heyman’s double-cross protected Punk and Reigns in defeat, setting up future feuds, including potential Reigns-Punk singles matches and grudges against Heyman/Rollins. Rollins’ win elevated his profile, positioning him as a top contender for a championship.
The night set up major storylines, including The New Day’s heel run, Fatu’s rise in The Bloodline, and the fallout from Heyman’s betrayal. Jey Uso’s title win and Cargill’s victory positioned them as key players moving forward. Night 1 was well-received, with the main event and Uso’s title win being major highlights. Some matches, like the tag team bout, were underwhelming due to weak buildup, but the back half of the show elevated the overall quality. Night 2 of WrestleMania takes place on Sunday, April 20th, starting at 7 p.m.
