2 weeks Ago By Nathan Linley
WWE WrestleMania 41 is an event that has split opinion among the online wrestling community. With The Rock moving from in-ring performer to influencing the board of TKO (WWE's owners), he has more say than ever on storylines for the main roster. Despite not having been in a match himself for over a year, he was heavily involved in the build-up to the 41st edition of 'The Grandest Stage Of Them All' in Las Vegas.
After 24 years with the company, John Cena announced his retirement from active participation as a wrestler at the end of 2025. As part of his 'Farewell Tour,' the 17-time WWE champion turned heel for the first time since 2002 after opting to give his soul to the Final Boss. However, The Rock was nowhere to be seen at WrestleMania, where Cena stood tall over Cody Rhodes after winning the Undisputed WWE Championship.
The Rock explained on The Pat McAfee Show in April 2025 that it was never planned for him to appear at 'Mania, not wanting to take the spotlight away from Cena. While the main event may have frustrated many WWE fans, other solid matches took place across both days, and Rock was quick to acknowledge that. He gave three special mentions in his mini-review of the show.
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson has opened up on WWE WrestleMania 41, the plans and why he didn't attend in Las Vegas. 1 Jey Uso Jey Uso was the first man through the curtain at WrestleMania weekend as his World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther blew a hole in the Las Vegas atmosphere. When the Austrian superstar tapped out to Usos' chokehold, the Allegiant Stadium erupted in thunderous applause.
The Rock acknowledged this by appreciating the success of WrestleMania 41, and said his thanks to Usos for his work rate and determination during the match. I thought we created a lot of big stars with big potential. Number one, Jey Uso.
YEET. Very happy for my family there. That was a big, big night for him.
Big night for our family. 2 Jacob Fatu Jacob Fatu has come leaps and bounds since making his in-ring debut in June 2024. In just nine months, he has already secured gold in the form of the United States title, defeating LA Knight in what was a match with high intensity and plenty of impressive counters from both superstars.
This was another match that The Rock appreciated, and someone else who is also in the same family tree as him. Also want to point out Jacob Fatu. What I love about Jacob is the last event I was there, I went backstage and I gave him the biggest hug, man.
He had tears in his eyes saying, 'This saved my life.' I think if you have that kind of performer who is pulling and digging into something, and delivering his soul and passion into something that's saved his life, man, you're flying at a different level. Fans can feel that, and fans love that.
3 The Girls Johnson didn't elaborate too much on the women's matches at WrestleMania as much as he did for his family members. But he most certainly appreciated the matches that they put on. Some fans believe that the opening match of Night Two, the Triple Threat between Rhea Ripley, Iyo Sky and Bianca Belair, is one of the best opening matches in WrestleMania history .
At the time of writing, Cagematch have rated that match at 9.12, which is one of the highest of the entire event, and right up there with one of the best in women's wrestling history. I thought the women, all the girls, by the way, worked their asses off.
They stole a portion of the show. WWE's women's division has grown from strength to strength over the years, with these wrestlers proving most successful..
