WrestleMania 41: A Night of Glory, Grievances, and Ghosts of the Great One
- Paul Francis
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
Cheers and Chants, Boos and Tweets: The Verdict is In
WrestleMania 41 came, saw, and - depending on who you ask - either conquered expectations or crumbled beneath the weight of its own spectacle.
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Fans around the world were quick to voice their thoughts, and they weren't shy about it. Social media was ablaze the moment the lights dimmed in Las Vegas' Allegiant Stadium. From historic highs like John Cena’s record-breaking win to eyebrow-raising absences (we're looking at you, Rock), the WWE Universe had plenty to celebrate - and criticise.
Some called it the most emotionally charged 'Mania in years, others dubbed it overbooked chaos wrapped in celebrity fluff. Either way, WrestleMania did what it always does: dominate the cultural conversation.
What Is WrestleMania, Anyway?
WrestleMania isn’t just a wrestling event - it’s the wrestling event. Dubbed the “Grandest Stage of Them All,” it’s WWE’s annual Super Bowl, Oscars, and rock concert rolled into one.
Since its debut in 1985, WrestleMania has been the launchpad for legends, dream matches, and moments that define eras. Who can forget Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III? Or Shawn Michaels' emotional farewell at XXVI? More recently, Sasha Banks and Bianca Belair made history in 2021, lit up the world with representation and power.
In essence, WrestleMania is where the myths of pro wrestling are born.
WrestleMania 41: The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing
The Good?
John Cena’s 17th World Championship had the crowd exploding. History was made, and even sceptics had to admit - it was a goosebumps moment.
CM Punk’s return to the WrestleMania main event, complete with tears backstage and emotional callbacks, reminded fans why he’s one of the most compelling figures in wrestling.
Dominik Mysterio unexpectedly won fans over with his Intercontinental Title victory - perhaps turning a new page with the WWE Universe.
And perhaps the biggest surprise of all: TNA World Champion Joe Hendry making his WrestleMania debut against Randy Orton. While the match was relatively short, it became one of the most talked-about moments of the night. The crowd sang Hendry’s entrance theme in full twice, and the "Say His Name and He Appears" catchphrase rang through the stadium like a battle cry. Hendry lost the match to Orton, but it hardly mattered. In that moment, he arrived. The crossover moment was unexpected, refreshing, and hinted at WWE’s increasingly open door to the wider wrestling world.
The Bad?
Matches like Jey Uso vs. Gunther felt rushed and disjointed, leaving fans scratching their heads.
Becky Lynch’s surprise tag title win (replacing Bayley last-minute) drew ire from fans who saw it as behind-the-scenes politicking.
Travis Scott’s heavy involvement in the event’s climax had some fans wondering if the show had veered too far into pop culture stunt casting.
But all of this paled in comparison to the elephant in the ring...
Where Was The Rock?
Heading into WrestleMania 41, the anticipation of a clash-or at least an appearance-from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had been built up for months. From his involvement in earlier segments, to backstage teases, to his apparent alignment with The Bloodline… fans were ready. The table was set.
Then he didn’t show.
The reaction? Volcanic.
On Twitter (now "X"), #WhereIsTheRock trended before the show even ended. Fans speculated everything from creative disputes to last-minute schedule conflicts. Some believed The Rock opted out to allow Cena the spotlight, as later confirmed in interviews, but that explanation didn’t sit well with many who had bought into the storylines building to a showdown.
More than just a missed cameo, The Rock’s absence left a gaping hole in the narrative. Story arcs were left dangling, tensions unresolved. And while Cena’s record-breaking moment was monumental, a large segment of the audience couldn’t shake the feeling of what could have been.
Fan Voices: Mixed But Passionate
“Cena breaking Flair’s record was incredible. But The Rock going ghost? It’s like watching Avengers: Endgame without Iron Man.” — @HeelTurnTim
“WrestleMania is about moments, and this one had a few. But it also had a few missed ones that sting more than they should.” — Reddit user ‘SuplexSavage’
“Punk crying backstage, Cena rewriting history… yeah, I’ll remember this one for a while. Just wish The Rock hadn’t vanished.” — @WrestleMama
“Joe Hendry at WrestleMania singing with the crowd? I didn’t have that on my 2025 bingo card. TNA just got a whole lot more eyes on them.” — @VoiceOfKayfabe
Final Bell: Legacy in the Balance
WrestleMania 41 will be remembered - no question about it. Whether as a triumphant milestone or a missed opportunity depends on where you were sitting, and maybe who your favourite is.
It was a reminder that pro wrestling isn’t just about who wins the match, but who shows up at all.
And next year? Well, let’s just say fans will be watching the horizon for one very famous eyebrow to finally raise again.
