Las Vegas, Nevada – April 21, 2025 – The most anticipated wrestling spectacle of the year, WWE WrestleMania 41 Night 2, concluded with John Cena defeating Cody Rhodes in a dramatic and somewhat underwhelming main event to capture the Undisputed WWE Championship. The event took place at the electrifying Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, drawing over 70,000 fans and millions more watching worldwide.
The build-up to the main event had fans buzzing, especially with expectations surrounding The Rock’s rumored appearance. However, the People's Champion was a no-show, leaving the WWE Universe stunned and disappointed.
John Cena Makes History
In what will be remembered as one of the most polarizing endings in WrestleMania history, John Cena emerged victorious after a 30-minute showdown with Cody Rhodes, ending Rhodes’ championship reign and cementing his own legacy as one of the greatest of all time. This win marks Cena’s 17th world title, surpassing Ric Flair’s record and setting a new benchmark in WWE history.
While Cena’s win is historic, the match itself lacked the emotional weight and technical brilliance expected from a WrestleMania main event. Many critics and fans online expressed disappointment, labeling the headline bout as “lackluster” compared to Night 1’s intense storytelling.
Cody Rhodes Falls Short Again
After a career-defining win in WrestleMania 40 and carrying the company as champion, Cody Rhodes was expected to solidify his legacy by overcoming one of the most iconic superstars in history. However, the dream ended in heartbreak as Cena outlasted him in a grueling contest that leaned more on nostalgia than storytelling.
Fans had rallied behind Rhodes, and his defeat sparked immediate backlash on social media, with many questioning WWE’s decision to crown Cena in 2025.
The Rock’s Absence Sends Shockwaves
One of the biggest shocks of the night was the absence of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who was expected to either interfere in the main event or make a surprise appearance post-match. The WWE Universe had been speculating about a potential confrontation between The Rock and Cena or a setup for a future storyline involving Roman Reigns.
Instead, there was no sign of The Rock, and no official statement has been released by WWE regarding his absence. This no-show has become the top trending topic in WWE breaking news, adding more intrigue to upcoming WWE Raw and SmackDown episodes.
WrestleMania 41 Night 2 – Other Results and Highlights
While the main event stirred controversy, other matches delivered strong performances:
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Gunther retained the Intercontinental Championship in a hard-hitting triple-threat match.
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Rhea Ripley successfully defended her Women’s World Championship against Bianca Belair in a brutal showdown.
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Logan Paul shocked the crowd with a high-flying win against AJ Styles.
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Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn reunited to defeat The Judgment Day in a tag team classic.
Fan Reactions and Analysis
Following the conclusion of WrestleMania 41 Night 2, fan reactions have been divided. While John Cena’s historic win was praised by longtime fans, the execution of the main event and The Rock’s absence have raised questions about WWE’s direction post-WrestleMania.
Popular wrestling analyst Dave Meltzer rated the main event 3.25 stars, citing a slow pace and lack of crowd engagement as major drawbacks. Online forums like Reddit's r/SquaredCircle and X (formerly Twitter) have exploded with both praise and criticism.
What’s Next for WWE After WrestleMania 41?
With John Cena now holding the Undisputed WWE Championship, the question turns to what lies ahead. Will Cena defend the title regularly, or was this a final run to pass the torch? Will The Rock address his absence and challenge Cena down the line? And where does Cody Rhodes go from here?
Fans can expect major developments on the upcoming episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, which promises fallout from the WrestleMania aftermath and potential answers to lingering questions.
Conclusion
WrestleMania 41 Night 2 may go down in history not just for John Cena’s record-breaking win, but also for the controversy, surprises, and mixed reactions it stirred. With The Rock’s no-show, Cody Rhodes’ fall, and Cena’s rise, WWE has once again reminded us that anything can happen on the Grandest Stage of Them All.
Stay tuned for more WWE breaking news, analysis, and post-WrestleMania reactions as the road to SummerSlam 2025 begins.