WrestleMania 41 has officially kicked off, and the action is already heating up in Las Vegas. The first night of this highly anticipated two-night event saw Seth Rollins deliver a powerful promo on SmackDown, setting the stage for his triple-threat match against CM Punk and Roman Reigns. Rollins, known as "The Visionary," took to the ring on April 18, 2025, and channeled CM Punk's iconic style with a pipe bomb of his own.
Rollins didn’t hold back, trashing Punk as a liar who returned to WWE solely for a paycheck. He claimed, "When CM returned to pro wrestling, it was to collect a big fat paycheck from another company, and then to collect another big fat paycheck from WWE after he burned that bridge." The animosity didn’t stop there; Rollins also criticized Roman Reigns, stating that he is consumed with himself and doesn’t care about the fans.
The backdrop of this rivalry traces back 12 years to when Paul Heyman brought Rollins, Reigns, and Dean Ambrose into WWE to be Punk’s shield. However, Rollins noted that while he sacrificed everything for the company, Punk walked away, and Reigns was anointed as the next John Cena. In a passionate declaration, Rollins promised to sacrifice everything to win what he called "the most important triple threat match in the history of this industry." He stated emphatically, "That’s not a prediction. It’s a spoiler." This bold statement has left fans buzzing with anticipation.
As the night progressed, the action continued to unfold with other matches on the WrestleMania card. Carmelo Hayes emerged victorious in the Andre The Giant Battle Royal, thanks to an unexpected interference from El Grande Americano, who eliminated Rey Fenix, leaving Hayes and Andrade as the last two competitors. Hayes celebrated his win with his tag team partner, The Miz, who had saved him from elimination earlier in the match.
Meanwhile, the women’s division also made headlines as IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley, and Bianca Belair faced off ahead of their Women’s World Title match. Tensions flared when Naomi interrupted, questioning why Bianca had been ignoring her calls, leading to a chaotic brawl that showcased the fierce competition brewing in the women’s division.
In another notable match, the WWE Tag Team Championship bout between The Street Profits and the Motor City Machine Guns ended in a No Contest after #DIY (Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa) attacked both teams, leaving the fans clamoring for more. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis later canceled the scheduled six-woman tag team match and instead booked a rematch between Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green and Zelina Vega, with the Secret Hervice (Piper Niven & Alba Fyre) banned from ringside.
As WrestleMania 41 unfolds, Randy Orton announced he would issue an open challenge at Night 2, promising to take on anyone willing to step up. Meanwhile, LA Knight defended his United States Championship against Solo Sikoa, but the match ended in disqualification after Jacob Fatu interfered, leading to a tag team match where Knight and Braun Strowman triumphed over Sikoa and Fatu.
In the women’s championship scene, Tiffany Stratton retained her title against Charlotte Flair in a hard-fought battle, showcasing both women’s resilience and skill. Stratton’s victory further solidified her status as a formidable champion in WWE.
As the night drew to a close, the anticipation for the main event grew. The triple threat match featuring Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk was poised to be the highlight of the evening. With Paul Heyman’s involvement adding another layer of intrigue, fans were eager to see how the story would unfold.
The main event lived up to the hype, with all three competitors delivering an electrifying performance. Rollins took the lead early on, but Reigns and Punk quickly joined the fray, creating a chaotic and thrilling atmosphere. The match saw high-impact moves, unexpected alliances, and dramatic near-falls, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.
In a shocking turn of events, Paul Heyman betrayed both Punk and Reigns, handing Rollins the opportunity to capitalize. With a well-placed chair shot, Rollins pinned Reigns, securing his victory and leaving the crowd in awe. The match not only highlighted Rollins’ resilience but also set the stage for future rivalries and storylines in WWE.
As WrestleMania 41 Night 1 comes to a close, fans are left buzzing with excitement for what’s to come in Night 2, where more action, drama, and surprises await. With the stakes higher than ever, this WrestleMania promises to be a landmark event in WWE history.
