In a night filled with surprises and intense action, the WWE Raw after WrestleMania 41 delivered a memorable show at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 21, 2025. With the spotlight on new champions and unexpected returns, the atmosphere was electric as the fallout from WrestleMania unfolded.
The show kicked off with the newly crowned Undisputed WWE Champion John Cena making a bold entrance, dressed in black gear and hoisting his championship belt amidst a massive burst of pyro. Cena, declaring himself the "Greatest Of All Time," demanded the ring announcer recite an over-the-top introduction that highlighted his accolades. He proclaimed, "Winners write history," and went on to remind the fans that they could not boo him on Friday and expect forgiveness just because he won the title. "That’s not how a functional relationship works," he stated, asserting that the crowd owed him an apology.
As Cena continued to berate the audience, he revealed that he only had 36 appearances left in his career, which he quickly reduced to 27. He emphasized that these were not matches but appearances, stating, "I don’t have to wrestle. I just have to show up and do this." The tension escalated as he declared that the championship belt, once held by legends like Bruno Sammartino and Roman Reigns, now belonged to him, the last true undisputed champion.
Just as Cena finished his speech, Randy Orton made a surprise appearance, striking Cena with an RKO, leaving the champion stunned on the mat. Orton then posed with the championship belt, signaling that the rivalry between the two is far from over.
In the Women’s Tag Team Championship match, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez faced off against the defending champions Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria. The match was a back-and-forth affair, with Morgan ultimately pinning Valkyria after hitting her with Oblivion, thus claiming the titles. However, the real drama unfolded post-match when a frustrated Lynch turned on Valkyria, delivering multiple Manhandle Slams in a shocking display of aggression.
Meanwhile, Rusev made his highly anticipated return to WWE after a five-year absence, interrupting a tag team title match between The New Day and Alpha Academy. As soon as the match began, Rusev’s music hit, and he stormed the ring, taking out Otis and Akira Tozawa with ease. The New Day quickly retreated, leaving Rusev to wreak havoc.
In a highly competitive non-title match, Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky faced NXT Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer. The match showcased both competitors' skills, but it ended in controversy when Roxanne Perez interfered, leading to a disqualification. The chaos continued as Giulia attacked Sky, prompting Rhea Ripley to make the save, indicating that the rivalry for the women’s championship is heating up.
Jey Uso celebrated his World Heavyweight Championship victory with an emotional segment in the ring. Joined by Sami Zayn, who returned to WWE TV for the first time since his Elimination Chamber loss, the duo expressed their pride in Uso’s achievement. The celebration was light-hearted and marked a refreshing moment of camaraderie, especially as Jimmy Uso joined them to dance to Jey’s music.
In a shocking turn of events, Gunther, frustrated with commentary, lashed out at Michael Cole and choked out Pat McAfee, showcasing his volatile nature. The incident highlighted Gunther's aggressive demeanor and set the stage for potential conflicts in the coming weeks.
In the Intercontinental Championship match, Dominik Mysterio defended his title against Penta. Mysterio retained his championship thanks to interference from JD McDonagh, who distracted Penta, allowing Mysterio to hit the frog splash for the win. This victory further solidified the Judgment Day faction's dominance.
The night culminated in a thrilling main event segment featuring Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman. As Rollins spoke about being the top star in WWE, CM Punk interrupted, leading to a chaotic brawl. The tension escalated as Roman Reigns entered the fray, only to be blindsided by the returning Bron Breakker, who aligned himself with Rollins and Heyman. Breakker's surprise spear on Reigns through the barricade sent shockwaves through the audience, signaling a new alliance that could shift the balance of power in WWE.
With the Raw after WrestleMania 41 now behind us, the landscape of WWE has undoubtedly changed. The emergence of new champions, unexpected returns, and evolving rivalries set the stage for an exciting road ahead as fans eagerly anticipate what will unfold in the coming weeks.
