WWE WrestleMania 41 Night 2: Results, Highlights, and Analysis (4-20-25)
By: Xavier Jones
Headline Photo Credit:
Date: April 20, 2025
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, Nevada
Attendance: 63,226 (two-day total: 124,693)
WWE WrestleMania 41 Night 2, held on April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, concluded the company’s biggest annual event with a historic yet polarizing main event. Headlined by John Cena defeating Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship, the night featured seven matches, including four championship bouts, and saw significant title changes, surprise returns, and memorable moments.
WrestleMania 41 Night 2 followed an explosive Night 1, which was highlighted by by a critically acclaimed triple threat main event and Jey Uso’s world title win. Night 2 aimed to match that intensity with a stacked card, featuring John Cena’s final WrestleMania match, a Women’s World Championship triple threat, and Randy Orton’s open challenge.
Match Card:
Women’s World Championship Triple Threat Match
Iyo Sky (c) vs Bianca Belair vs Rhea Ripley
Sin City Street Fight
Drew McIntyre vs Damien Priest
Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
Bron Breakker (c) vs Dominik Mysterio vs Finn Balor vs Penta
Randy Orton’s Open Challenge
Logan Paul vs AJ Styles
Women’s Tag Team Championship Match
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c) vs Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch
Undisputed WWE Championship Match
Cody Rhodes (c) vs John Cena
Women’s World Championship Triple Threat match: Iyo Sky (c) def. Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley
Match Summary: The night kicked off with a thrilling triple threat for the Women’s World Championship. Iyo Sky, who had defeated Ripley for the title on Raw after Belair earned her shot at Elimination Chamber, retained her championship in a fast-paced, high-energy bout. The match began with Sky attacking early, only for Belair and Ripley to showcase their power with shoulder blocks and takedowns. Key moments included Sky’s Frankensteiner on Ripley, Belair’s mounted punches, and a double dropkick by Sky. The finish saw Sky capitalize on Belair and Ripley’s focus on each other, pinning Belair after a moonsault.
Analysis: Widely regarded as a potential match of the weekend, this bout delivered with crisp execution and compelling psychology. Sky’s retention reinforced her as an overlooked but dominant champion, while Belair’s first WrestleMania loss added stakes to her arc. Ripley’s performance solidified her as a fan favorite, setting up future title pursuits. The match’s only critique was its relatively short runtime, which limited some storytelling depth.
Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre def. Damien Priest
Match Summary: Drew McIntyre and Damien Priest delivered a brutal, crowd-pleasing Street Fight, continuing their year-long rivalry sparked by Priest’s Money in the Bank cash-in at WrestleMania 40. The match featured intense weapon use, including tables, chairs, and steel stairs. Highlights included Preist’s chokeslam with a chair around his neck, McIntyre’s Future Shock DDT on the stairs, and a Razor’s Edge through a table. McIntyre sealed the victory with a Claymore after pushing Priest through two tables, earning a “this is awesome” chant.
Analysis: This match was a perfect change of pace, showcasing both men’s physicality and chemistry. McIntyre’s win reestablished him as a top star, while Priest performance kept him credible. The hardcore styled suited their feud, though the finish suggests the rivalry may continue, possibly culminating at Money in the Bank.
Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4-Way: Dominik Mysterio def. Bron Breakker (c), Finn Balor, and Penta
Match Summary: Dominik Mysterio shocked the wrestling world by pinning his Judgment Day teammate Finn Balor to win the Intercontinental Championship in a chaotic four-way match. The bout saw Breakker dominate early with power moves, while Penta brought high-flying offense. Mysterio and Balor initially worked together, but tensions arose when Mysterio attempted a 619 on Balor, leading to a confrontation. Mysterio capitalized on the chaos, hitting a frog splash on Breakker to steal the pin from Balor, becoming champion.
Analysis: Mysterio’s win was a bold booking choice, transforming him from WWE’s biggest heel to a cheered champion in one night. The match was fast-paced but slightly cluttered, with Breakker’s dominance underutilized in the finish. The Judgment Day storyline now takes center stage, with Balor likely turning on Mysterio.
Randy Orton def. Joe Hendry
Match Summary: Randy Orton’s open challenge, issued after Kevin Owens’ neck injury forced him off the card, was answered by TNA World Champion Joe Hendry in a historic cross-promotional moment. The short match saw Hendry gain early offense with a schoolboy and neckbraeker, earning “TNA” chants. However, Orton countered a chokeslam attempt, delivered a hanging DDT, and finished with an RKO. Post-match, Orton raised Hendry’s hand but hit a second RKO, cementing his heel edge.
Analysis: The match was a fun, crowd-pleasing moment but disappointed some due to its brevity and Hendry’s quick loss. It served as a nod to WWE’s evolving relationship with TNA, though the squash-like finish raised questions about Hendry’s credibility. Orton’s performance was typically polished, setting up potential feuds with returning stars.
Logan Paul def. AJ Styles
Match Summary: Logan Paul defeated AJ Styles in a competitive singles match, continuing his rise as a part-time star. The bout featured Styles trapping Paul in the ring apron for a beatdown and Paul taunting with Hulk Hogan-inspired gestures. A key moment saw Karrion Kross interfere, urging Styles to use brass knuckles, which Styles refused. This distraction allowed Paul to dodge a Phenomenal Forearm, hit a right hand, and deliver the Paulverizer for the win.
Analysis: The match was solid but lacked the spark of Paul’s previous WrestleMania bouts against Rollins or Reigns. Styles’ refusal to cheat reinforced his babyface integrity, though the loss added to his underwhelming WrestleMania record. Paul’s win keeps him a marketable star, but the Kross angle stole focus.
Women’s Tag Team Championship: Becky Lynch & Lyra Valkyria def. Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez (c)
Match Summary: Becky Lynch made a surprise return, replacing the injured Bayley as Lyra Valkyria’s partner, and pinned Liv Morgan with a Manhandle Slam to win the Women’s Tag Team Championship. The match saw Morgan avoid Lynch early, referencing their past, while Valkyria and Rodriguez exchanged power moves. Lynch’s return energized the crowd, and her chemistry with Valkyria led to a decisive victory.
Analysis: Lynch’s return was a feel-good moment, and the title change elevated Valkyria as a rising star. However, the match felt rushed, and Bayley’s absence disappointed fans. The similarity to the Cargill-Naomi angle suggests creative repetition, but the win sets up a compelling reign for Lynch and Valkyria.
Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena def. Cody Rhodes (c)
Match Summary: In the main event, John Cena defeated Cody Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, becoming a record-breaking 17th-time world champion in his final WrestleMania match. The buildup saw Cena turn heel after aligning with The Rock at Elimination Chamber, attacking Rhodes. The match started strong with Rhodes’ elaborate skull mask entrance and Cena’s dark, minimalist walkout. Key moments included Rhodes hitting three Cross Rhodes, only for Travis Scott to interfere, pulling the referee out. Rhodes took out Scott with a Cross Rhodes, but Cena capitalized with a low blow and a belt shot to secure the pin.
Analysis: The match was a letdown compared to Night 1’s main event, with stop-start pacing and lackluster chemistry. The Travis Scott interface felt forced, and the absence of The Rock, a key figure in the storyline, disappointed fans. Cena’s win, while historic, was marred by a predictable low blow finish, though it sets up Rhodes as a chasing underdog. The match failed to maximize Cena’s heel turn or Rhodes’ emotional arc.
WrestleMania 41 Night 2 delivered historic moments, from Cena’s record-breaking title win to Mysterio’s shocking upset, but fell short of Night 1’s brilliance due to a lackluster main event and uneven pacing. The event showcased WWE’s ability to blend star power, surprises, and athleticism, while its Netflix debut and cross-promotional elements signal a bold future. As WWE heads to Raw and Backlash, the fallout from Night 2’s title changes and betrayals promises to shape the “new season” of storytelling. For fans, Night 2 was a rollercoaster—thrilling at its peaks, frustrating at its lows, but undeniably unforgettable.
