On April 19th marked the end of a 32 year wait, WrestleMania finally makes a thunderous return for the 41st anniversary. Known as the longest-running and largest wrestling event in history, WrestleMania brings together unforgettable storylines, one-of-a-kind championship matches, and superstar debuts which makes major events for both fans and superstars. Las Vegas hosted its first Wrestlemania on April 4th, 1993––WrestleMania IX, famously the first WrestleMania held outdoors at the back property of Caesars Palace, where WWE legends like The UnderTaker and Hulk Hogan battled underneath the desert sun. WrestleMania XI brought in 16,891 fans, while WrestleMania 41 shattered that number with a combined attendance of 124,693 people—a whopping 152.28% increase. Ticket prices also skyrocketed. The highest price for a WrestleMania IX ticket sat at $1,400, while a top ticket for WrestleMania 41 hit a jaw-dropping $20,000—a surge of about 173.83%, the kind of increase as dramatic as an “RKO” out of nowhere.
The sparkle of WrestleMania became a highlight in itself, bursting with laughter, cheering, booing, and chanting as fans watched all the matches and its shocking moments. WrestleMania 41s match card delivered match after match of show-stealing performances, featuring a mix of veterans and fresh faces, some not a part of the company. Among them, wrestlers such as recent sign over, Rey Fenix who brought the Lucha Libre flair and TNA Champion, Joe Hendry, who slammed expectations with his charisma as the whole stadium chanted, “I believe in Joe Hendry”. The true showstoppers though came from Night 1, the main event which featured a Triple Threat Match between Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk. Each superstar brought their intensity. The event sparked up anticipation through one-of-a-kind entrances, brutal finishers, and months of built-up storylines culminating in chaos. The twist involved Paul Heyman, the manager the three wrestlers fought over, betrayed both CM Punk and Roman Reigns—creating one of the loudest reactions in Mania history. Then came Night 2. The main event: John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Heavyweight Championship. Cena, on what is his final run, aimed for a record-breaking 17th world title. In a match filled with emotion, near-falls, and thunderous finishers—from Cena’s “Attitude Adjustments” to Rhodes’ “Cross Rhodes”—Cena claimed victory. Once the referee handed over the Championship belt, Cena received a roaring ovation that shook the arena.
The thrilling weekend did not begin or end at WrestleMania though, instead the WWE Universe brought its full arsenal of entertainment to Vegas. Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown–two of the most highest-selling non Pay-Per-View shows in WWE history– saw storyline payoffs and dramatic twists that hit harder than a “Stone Cold Stunner.”
Beyond the ring, WWE World and WrestleCon provided dream opportunities for fans to live out their fantasies. WWE World, held April 17th-21st at the Las Vegas Convention Center, allowed fans to walk out to their favorite superstars entrance, step into a Survivor Series cage as one of their many photo-ops, and even get to meet their favorite wrestlers to take pictures and get an autograph. The event also featured exclusive podcast recordings, superstar interviews, and even fan-favorite wrestler, Cody Rhodes, revealing two new Mattel figures that hit collectors with the same excitement as a surprise Royal Rumble return. Within exploring WWE World, fans could find a tribute to the headliner of the 2025 Hall of Fame class, Triple H. With a debut dating back to April 30th, 1995, WWE World honored Triple H’s nearly 30-year career by showcasing some of the iconic gear—from the chain mail of the “King of Kings” era to the legendary sledgehammer Triple H carried into the ring. The induction not only celebrates Triple H’s in-ring legacy but also his current role as WWE’s Chief Content Officer. Triple H now serves in that position alongside his wife, Stephanie McMahon, who became Co-CEO following the departure of her father, Vince McMahon. The induction marked only one of the highlights of what became a landmark weekend for WWE. The 26th WWE Hall of Fame, held at the FontaineBleau on April 18th, a historic night in itself—immediately making headlines by inducting the very first match into the Hall of Fame, adding another “WrestleMania Moment” to the books. Not to be outdone, WrestleCon, held at WestGate from April 17th-20th—which lacked flashy photo opportunities in cages—showed off with affordable fan service as WrestleCon offered meet-and-greets from legends like Mick Foley, The Hardy Brothers, and Honky Tonk Man. As fans explored WrestleCon they found affordable merch tables packed with rare memorabilia, T-shirts, and collectibles. The convention became a wrestling paradise for big-time fans to live out dreams.
Overall, instead of a normal WrestleMania weekend a “main event-level spectacle” took place as it showcased jaw-dropping entrances to betrayal-worthy twists, the entire experience left fans chanting “This is awesome!” long after the final bell. As the WWE Universe heads towards Backlash, the echoes of WrestleMania 41 still ring louder than a “superkick” in a silent arena. Whether the spectacle included the return of legends, the rise of new stars, or the pure electricity of being a part of a once-in-a-lifetime event, fans always favor the shiny extravaganza. And as always in Las Vegas, only one thought holds true—anything can happen in Vegas, especially when WrestleMania takes over.
