John Cena to Face Cody Rhodes in Last WrestleMania Match

LAS VEGAS, April 19, 2025 – WrestleMania 41 commenced with high drama Saturday night, featuring a star-studded lineup headlined by a thrilling Triple Threat match and a significant title bout. The event kicked off at Allegiant Stadium, where John Cena announced it would be his final competition on professional wrestling’s grandest stage.

Cena, who is set to retire by the end of the year, will challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Universal Championship. This farewell tour has garnered widespread attention, and anticipation was palpable among the crowd, as Cena competes for legacy one last time.

In other featured matches, the newly crowned Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky is slated to defend her title against former champion Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley is set to take on Logan Paul in a singles match. The championship implications and rivalries have made WrestleMania 41 a focal point for the wrestling community.

The first night of WrestleMania 41 included dynamic matchups, with CM Punk facing Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns in a highly anticipated Triple Threat match. Jey Uso also earned the title of World Heavyweight Champion after an intense encounter against champion Gunther, signaling a pivotal moment in his career.

Uso executed a stunning combination of moves which led to his victory, locking Gunther in a rear-naked choke to secure the title; this victory echoed the sentiments of fan support building around Uso over the years. It was a fitting start to the event, as Uso’s coronation celebrated a long-awaited milestone for the superstar.

Competitors Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods added to the night’s excitement by defeating The War Raiders, marking their twelfth tag title reign, despite a less enthusiastic crowd response following Uso’s monumental win.

In women’s wrestling action, Jade Cargill‘s victory over Naomi showcased her resilience and skill, as she effectively absorbed Naomi’s offense before pinning her with a powerbomb. This match not only set the tone for Cargill’s title aspirations but also highlighted the growing talent within the women’s division.

Jacob Fatu‘s performance in securing the United States Championship from LA Knight was another highlight of the evening, further establishing Fatu as a noteworthy talent in WWE.

As the night unfolded, Rey Fenix, replacing the injured Rey Mysterio, faced off against El Grande Americano. However, the match was marred by controversy as Gable capitalized on hidden advantages to secure the pinfall victory.

Additionally, Tiffany Stratton retained her WWE Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a brutal contest, showcasing both women’s athleticism and ability to captivate audiences.

The night reached its climax with Seth Rollins defeating CM Punk and Roman Reigns in a gripping main event bolstered by unexpected twists, including Paul Heyman’s betrayal that aligned him with Rollins. The complexity of the match and its outcome has left fans eagerly anticipating future storylines.

WrestleMania 41’s first night delivered a mixture of outcomes, leaving audiences with memorable matches, critical championship victories, and anticipation for what the next night will unfold.