When the lights dimmed on WrestleMania weekend, WrestleMania 41 Night 2 closed out with a headline match few expected to be so controversial. In a 25:03 showdown, John Cena toppled the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, marking Cena’s unprecedented 17th world title. While the victory cemented Cena’s legacy, many fans and critics agreed that the main event failed to match the electric atmosphere of Night 1’s triple threat between Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and CM Punk.
A year after Rhodes helped deliver one of the most celebrated WrestleMania main events ever, this encounter is likely to be remembered for the ill‑fitting cameo by Travis Scott rather than Cena’s potential farewell or record‑breaking feat. Nevertheless, Cena’s win punctuates a career-full of milestone moments, even if the storytelling in the ring left something to be desired.
Night 2 Highlights Beyond the Headliner
Though the finale drew mixed reactions, Night 2 featured memorable moments and six championship changes across both WrestleMania nights:
- Women’s World Championship: Iyo Sky triumphed in a triple threat, retaining against Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair. This opening bout is already in the conversation for greatest women’s match in WrestleMania history.
- Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio captured his first main‑roster title by outlasting Bron Breakker, Finn Bálor and Penta. The Sin City audience roared as “the biggest heel in wrestling” celebrated a long‑overdue victory.
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- Women’s Tag Team Championship: Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were dethroned by Lyra Valkyria and a surprise return of Becky Lynch, marking Valkyria’s second title of the night.
- Sin City Street Fight: Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest delivered an action‑packed brawl. With McIntyre emerging victorious to the delight of the Vegas faithful.
- Logan Paul vs. AJ Styles: Paul continued his rapid ascent, besting Styles in a technically sound singles match that showcased his genuine progress as a performer.
- Randy Orton’s Mystery Match: In the shortest contest of the evening, Orton swiftly dispatched TNA World Champion Joe Hendry, leaving fans guessing about the mystery opponent’s identity.
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Main Event Breakdown: John Cena vs. Rhodes
Result: John Cena def. Cody Rhodes – 25:03 (Undisputed WWE Championship)
Grade: D
Best Spot: The opening sequence, which evoked nostalgia with Rock vs. Hogan–style theatrics and a fervent Crowd.
Analysis:
The match opened with a charged atmosphere, as Cena received unexpectedly strong support in his quest to make history. Rather than lean into a classic underdog story for Rhodes, the bout introduced Travis Scott in a moment. That felt forced and diluted any emotional stakes. Executive producer Paul “Triple H” Levesque might have envisioned a farewell-turned-legendary encounter. But the lack of consistent storytelling left fans wishing for more. Cena’s heel‑ish tactics could have been amplified by planting doubt in Rhodes. An angle ripe for future rematches. But instead, the match ended abruptly, overshadowed by the guest appearance.
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What’s Next for the WWE Universe?
- Cody Rhodes: Likely to embark on a redemptive chase for the gold, possibly forcing Rhodes into more intense personal storylines.
- John Cena: While Cena hinted that this could be his final WrestleMania clash, his victory lap is bound to include new challengers seeking to dethrone the 17‑time champion.
- Supporting Superstars: With six title changes and fresh feuds ignited, the post‑WrestleMania season promises renewed rivalries and high‑stakes matchups.
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