Debating the main event for Night 1 of WrestleMania has become an annual tradition. Ever sinceWWEexpanded WrestleMania to a two-night event in 2020,there haven’t been any hard and fast rulesover what should end the first night. So far we’ve seen a cinematic sendoff for an all-time legend, a boundary-breaking women’s championship match, a surprise in-ring return, an emotional tag team championship match and a tag bout with direct implications for multiple Night 2 matches.
But while there’s no question thatCody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championshipwill close outWrestleMania 41Night 2,there isn’t an obvious candidate for Night 1among the rest of the card - whether they be matches that have been outright confirmed or just heavily rumored. Let’s dig through the potential candidates.
Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins vs. CM Punk
A Big Match, But No Stakes
Listening to people argue in favor of this being a main event sounds like the start of an incomplete sentence. Because none of the arguments ever answer the question of “for what?” The match has star power in spades, butthere’s nothing on the line- no championship, no future title match, no nebulous control over WWE, not even for the services of Paul Heyman.
It hasone of the better storylines heading into WrestleManiaand could steal the entire weekend if given the chance. But it feels odd to give this match a main event spot when there are three other world championship matches scattered throughout the rest of the card, including the title matches for both of the Royal Rumble winners. Speaking of which…
World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther vs. Jey Uso
To Yeet Or Not To Yeet?
Let’s get this out of the way - I was (and still am) perfectly fine with Uso winning the Men’s Royal Rumble match. Given how the card turned out, there wasn’t an obvious route for either him or Gunther at WrestleMania beyond running back their program fromSaturday Night’s Main Event, especially since we wound up getting Rhodes vs. Cena anyway.
Where Did Jey Uso’s “YEET” Come From? WWE’s Most Viral Catchphrase Explained
Jey Uso has turned a casual phrase into a household name for the WWE Universe. What is it about YEET that has become so infectious for fans worldwide?
The issue with the match is the story behind it. Jey being the underdog that Gunther doesn’t take seriously is perfectly fine, but that’s a three-week story that’s being stretched for over two months. And instead of Jey getting big moments like reuniting with Jimmy for a match against Imperium or receiving some sort of endorsement from Reigns, we’ve had him get choked out by Gunther each week while both men feud with various lower-midcard tag teams. The match will still get a massive ovation from the Las Vegas crowd, but as each week passesit feels like it should be the openerfor either night rather than the closer.
Women’s World Heavyweight Championship: Iyo Sky vs. Bianca Belair vs. Rhea Ripley (Rumored)
It’s Not Official Yet, But It’s Still The Best Pick
Of all the matches rumored and confirmed,this women’striple threat matchstands out from the pack. It has the star power, it has the stakes, and it has the storylines behind it between Ripley’s gradual breakdown, Belair’s drama with Jade Cargill and Naomi and Sky being overlooked despite being champion.
Rhea Ripley’s Best WWE Matches, Ranked
The Nightmare. The Eradicator. Mami. Call her what she will, but she’s definitely one of the best wrestlers in WWE.
The Women’s Division has been kept out of the WrestleMania main event for the past two years thanks to The Bloodline Saga demanding the spotlight. But letting three of the best women of this generation clash on the biggest stage feels like the right move.
