LAS VEGAS -- The curtain has closed on an interesting first night of WrestleMania 41 at Allegiant Stadium, and here are my 5 thoughts as we roll into Sunday.
1. The real work now begins for Jey Uso and Gunther
While many will debate how strong the opener of Jey Uso vs. Gunther was for the heavyweight championship, Saturday is only the beginning for both wrestlers.
Uso needed to win. After nearly a year of being one of the leaders in the clubhouse when it comes to merchandise sales and captivating live audiences, it was now-or-never to pull the trigger on him. Though I don't know if choking out Gunther and having him tap out in seconds after cinching in the hold was the right move, I'll wait and see how the story plays out before making a judgment one way or another.
Now, though, after WWE got their viral moment of an entire stadium serenading Uso with “YEET!” chants, the real work starts for both winner and loser. Uso has to show that he can be a consistent worker and deliver in main event–style, longer matches that will be expected of him. And Gunther, whose entire run on the main roster so far has pretty much been about how unbeatable and great of an in-ring technician he is, now needs to grow as a character beyond a belt or a streak.
2. The kids are alright—and then some
Jacob Fatu was the star of the show up until the main event and showed why he’s almost certainly a future WrestleMania main eventer. Rey Fenix (I know he's not that young, but he’s literally only been in the company for a few weeks) subbed in late for a sidelined Rey Mysterio and didn’t miss a beat, captivating a crowd that needed an engine rev-up. While Tiffany Stratton didn’t have a similar instant classic like Rhea Ripley did in Los Angeles two years ago at WrestleMania with Charlotte Flair, she didn’t sink; even during tough stretches, she shone and never lost the crowd behind her from the start.
With more young stars set to take the stage tomorrow—particularly Bron Breakker in a tantalizing Intercontinental title four-way—we might see more of the new class that will make up Mania main events to come.
3. The crowd was… interesting, to say the least
I’ve been to the past two Manias for both nights, and for a little over three hours, it was one of the quietest and most subdued crowds I’ve been in—Mania or not. They came alive for the main event, but how could you not? Three of the biggest stars in history having possibly an all-time main event with tables, twists, and big moments peppered throughout.
Although a few of the matches felt like they never got out of first gear, even simple spots of back-and-forth cheering you’d get at any wrestling show hung in awkward silence. Still, Philadelphia the previous year had an equally bland opening crowd (though they had the excuse of the unbelievable cold and wind) and were stars on Sunday. With a stacked second-night card, there will be no excuses if the crowd doesn’t continue its momentum from a monumental main event.
4. The live production itself was top-notch
Living Colour might be the best live band to ever set foot on the Mania stage.
They were already incredible over a decade ago at Mania 29 in New York, and they might have been even better in Vegas for CM Punk’s entrance.
The stage itself was one of the biggest winners of the night. The structure (equipped with seats for VIPs to take in the action and pyro) was breathtaking live, and the LED cards hanging above the entrance ramp were creatively utilized to enhance each wrestler. Roman Reigns being flanked by portraits of his ancestors was a simple entrance compared to Seth Rollins with a flamethrower or Punk with a live band, but from the use of the stage alone, it felt just as grandiose and special.
Phenomenal job all around with the stage after complaints of how plain it was last year for the ceremonial 40th edition.
5. Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns should main event WrestleMania 42
A bad main event can poison an incredible undercard, and an incredible main event can save a lukewarm rest of the show.
I wouldn’t say Saturday’s show was outright poor before the main event, but after arguably two of the greatest Manias back-to-back in Los Angeles and Philadelphia, it would be a lie to say it didn’t feel lacking. The quiet crowd and series of matches failing to reach that next level made you side-eye Sunday’s card, hoping for a rebound.
Then the main event happened. Rollins, Reigns, and Punk put on one of the best triple threat matches I’ve seen in my lifetime. Paul Heyman, doing Heyman things, played his role to perfection and brought the perfect amount of melodrama that makes pro wrestling so great.
And in the end, it did what any all-time Mania main event should: emotionally deplete you from bell to bell, then instantly flood your mind with ideas of what comes next coming off the match.
After Saturday, we have a rejuvenated Seth Rollins back as the craziest, most strategic wrestler of his generation—paired with Paul Heyman. Roman Reigns is lost without his Wiseman lending him emotional support and now must look at himself in the mirror after not changing his ways, even after coming back from his loss at Mania 40 to Cody Rhodes. CM Punk cashed in his favor, got burned, and is now left wondering what’s next.
All in all, what Saturday sets up for me is a clear path for Mania 42 in New Orleans. Seth Rollins, not The Rock, is the perfect fool for Reigns. Their story has been the foundation the entire company has been built upon for over a decade now, and a proper world championship main event between the two to close their story is what must happen next year to pay off this perfectly crafted climax.
Rollins, the mastermind and mental torturer, against Reigns, who should have to right his wrongs over the next 12 months to be physically (and emotionally) ready to overcome his greatest nemesis.
Rollins at the height of his powers. Reigns at the height of his.
If done right, it could be the best story ever told in the WWE ring.
Alas, that’s for next year as we look towards tomorrow and this year’s most important story: Cody Rhodes facing his hero, John Cena, as the superhero-turned-monster attempts to become the most decorated wrestler in company history with his 17th world championship.