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John Cena Makes History at WrestleMania 41
John Cena etched his name into wrestling history at WrestleMania 41, held April 19-20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. In a shocking turn of events, Cena, wrestling in what was billed as his final WrestleMania appearance before retirement, defeated Cody Rhodes to capture his 17th WWE World Championship, surpassing Ric Flair's legendary record of 16. This monumental victory, streamed live on Netflix as part of a massive new deal, solidified his place as WWE's most decorated champion.
A Controversial Victory
The Night 2 main event was a thrilling 28-minute match, filled with dramatic reversals and near-falls. However, the win was far from clean. With the referee down, rapper Travis Scott, who'd been involved in the storyline leading up to the match, interfered, allowing Cena to deliver a decisive blow and secure the pinfall. The 61,467 strong crowd erupted, but the controversy surrounding the finish sparked heated debate online and among wrestling pundits.
WrestleMania 41: More Than Just Cena
While Cena's win dominated headlines, WrestleMania 41 was a landmark event. Other key moments included Jey Uso's first World Heavyweight Championship victory over Gunther, Dominik Mysterio's Intercontinental Championship win, and Becky Lynch's emotional return alongside Lyra Valkyria to win the Women's Tag Team Titles. The women's championship matches also delivered, with Tiffany Stratton retaining against Charlotte Flair and Iyo Sky winning a thrilling triple threat against Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair.
The Netflix Era and WWE's Expansion
WrestleMania 41 marked the first major WWE event streamed live on Netflix, part of a groundbreaking 10-year, $5 billion deal. While the smooth technical execution was praised, heavy product placement drew criticism. This was overshadowed, however, by the overall excitement generated by the event, and especially Cena’s title win. Adding to the weekend's significance, WWE announced its acquisition of Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, a strategic move to expand its global reach and roster.
Reactions and Analysis
Ric Flair congratulated Cena on Twitter, while Eric Bischoff voiced his disappointment with the match's execution, criticizing the storyline's lack of compelling emotion. The online reaction was a mixture of excitement for Cena's achievement ("Cena's the GOAT!") and criticism of the controversial ending. The future remains uncertain, as Cena's announced retirement leaves the door open for speculation.
Looking Ahead
With Cena's record-breaking win and the future of the WWE title hanging in the balance, fans are eagerly awaiting what's next. Will Cena return despite his stated retirement plans? Who will challenge the newly crowned champion? The answers to these questions will undoubtedly shape the future of WWE.
