LAS VEGAS — Forget the Devil, Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman made a deal with each other. Rollins wrote arguably the most important chapter of his career 10 years after penning an all-time WrestleMania moment.
Rollins famously cashed in his Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 31 to steal the WWE championship from his former ally Roman Reigns. He conspired with Heyman a decade later for another heist. On Saturday, Heyman betrayed his dear friends CM Punk and Reigns by aligning with “The Architect.”
WrestleMania 41 ended on a tremendous high, but it’s hard to ignore how tepid the night otherwise felt. Jey Uso finally became world heavyweight champion, perhaps the only other significant headline from the evening.
CBS Sports was with you the whole way through the event, providing updates and highlights as the action unfolded in the live blog below.
Jey Uso finishes his underdog story by finally overcoming Gunther
The online community disgruntled with Uso’s ascent wasn’t present at Allegiant Stadium. The approximately 50,000 fans in attendance had firmly bought into Uso’s underdog story. Gunther had beaten Uso in three previous singles encounters. That dominance was present early and often on Saturday. The defending champion chopped, powerbombed and meticulously punished his challenger for most of the match. Uso’s body was compromised, but his spirit was undeterred. The crowd came unglued every time Uso fought back, “Yeeting” with approval.
Uso nearly pulled the upset with an Uso splash, but Gunther kicked out. Once “The Ring General” took control, he thwacked Uso with the belt and mocked him with a splash of his own. Eventually, karma would give his hubris a receipt. Uso countered Gunther’s powerbomb with one of his own. After three consecutive Uso splashes, Uso weaponized Gunther’s rear-naked choke against him. Gunther frantically tapped to his own submission as the crowd roared for Uso’s crowning moment. Post-match, Jimmy Uso came out to hug and celebrate with his brother.
Numerous WWE superstars have recently said that professional wrestling is about creating moments. Uso did exactly that. The live audience was onboard with Uso’s rise and it’s hard not to celebrate his crowning achievement after nearly two decades, even if the match wasn’t gangbusters and the finish felt disjointed. Uso def. Gunther to win the title. Grade: B+
The New Day runs off with the victory
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have added another tag team title to The New Day’s decorated legacy. The savvy veterans pulled out every trick in the book to steal the titles from the Viking Raiders. Erik and Ivar are impressive athletes. Their movement is swift and their strikes are impactful despite their size. They overwhelmed New Day for the most part, but couldn’t do enough to pull off the win. Kingston and Woods put down Ivar with a double stomp, backbreaker combo. Kingston illegally held down Ivar’s foot as Woods secured the pinfall. The New Day snatched the world tag team titles off from ringside and high-tailed it to the entranceway to celebrate. The teams put together a solid match, but Allegiant Stadium was hushed. The build was minimal, Raw’s tag team scene is stale and WWE waited far too long after New Day’s betrayal of Big E to push them. New Day def. Viking Raider to win the world tag team titles. Grade: C+
Jade Cargill makes Naomi pay
Saturday was cathartic for Cargill. The oncoming storm finally got her hands on Naomi after being put on the bench for months by her former friend. Cargill immediately took Naomi down and started to rain blows. Cargill’s strength edge was apparent, but Naomi’s speed and experience bridged the gap for large portions of the match. Naomi dropped Cargill face-first with a nasty X-Factor ringside before using a series of control positions. Cargill was at her best with feats of strength, catching Naomi mid-air for a suplex and standing up while trapped in a Regal Stretch. Their strengths came together when Naomi pulled off an impressive twist into a top rope bulldog. The finish was physically impressive, although disjointed. Cargill elevated Naomi onto her shoulders, popped her up into a powerbomb and chained it into her Jaded finishing move. The spots were performed decently, but there were too many miscommunications and awkward transitions that took you out of it. Cargill def. Naomi via pinfall. Grade: C+
‘The Samoan Werewolf’ Jacob Fatu takes the United States title off LA Knight’s bones
Fatu’s reputation as arguably the WWE’s most intimidating physical force is well earned. “The Samoan Werewolf” mauled Knight frequently throughout their United States championship match. Knight, the defending champion, got off to a rough start as Fatu crushed him with a pop-up Samoan drop. Knight’s speed and savvy were crucial to staying competitive, but every time he picked up steam, he’d get planted back down. Knight found his most success by staying in Fatu’s face. A crucifix bomb, pop-up elbow drop and avalanche back suplex were among Knight’s biggest moments.
The superstars nearly fooled the crowd into thinking the underdog champion would win. Knight brilliantly countered Fatu’s jump-up moonsault into a BFT. The ropes within reach were Fatu’s only solace. Fatu wrapped things up with a top rope Samoan drop, and a pair of jump-up moonsaults. Post-match, Haku celebrated with his relative Fatu. This was the best match of the night so far. Fatu is incredibly compelling in the ring, and Knight has a sports entertainment style that works well in big matches. Fatu def. Knight to win the U.S. title. Grade: B+
El Grande Americano scores a grande victory against Rey Fenix
Rey Mysterio’s injury was disappointing, but it paved the way for Fenix’s WrestleMania debut. Fenix and Americano pieced together a great match packed with snappy spots and perfect execution. An interesting cameo preceded the match. Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide star El Hijo del Vikingo kicked Americano in the face during a ringside confrontation. Earlier today, WWE announced it had acquired the long-running Mexican professional wrestling organization. The most memorable spot belonged to Americano, who landed a dangerous-looking reverse 450 splash. Americano stole the victory after sliding a steel plate underneath his mask. Fenix’s brilliant rope walk soccer kick failed him as he hurt his foot against Americano’s steel plate. A headbutt dropped Fenix cold and a flying head butt sealed the deal. Post-match, Vikingo helped Fenix to his feet. The match was great, but there wasn’t much reason for fans to care for the makeshift match. There’s also a natural ceiling to the Americano comedy gimmick. Americano def. Fenix via pinfall. Grade: B
‘Tiffy time’ cuts Charlotte Flair’s momentum short
On SmackDown, Flair and Tiffany Stratton’s microphone battle devolved into chaos. It gave the impression there were legitimate issues between the two. The rivals leaned into that narrative by throwing fists when the match started. The brawl quickly moved outside of the ring. Once they returned between the ropes, Flair’s experience took over. The 14-time women’s world champion trapped Stratton, a first-time champ, in various submission holds, chopped her relentlessly and mocked her repeatedly. Flair showed off a few new wrinkles, the most impressive of which was a Batista Bomb. She also channeled Stephanie Vaquer. Stratton’s spunk and spirit were her best weapons. Stratton was at her best when angry, but she only managed that output in short bursts. Ultimately, Stratton planted Flair long enough to put her away with the Prettiest Moonsault Ever. Every time the match felt like it was picking up steam, it would struggle to get into gear. Stratton def. Flair to retain the title. Grade: C
Seth Rollins wins career-defining match as Paul Heyman turns on CM Punk and Roman Reigns
Punk main eventing his first WrestleMania and reuniting with Heyman were major story beats leading into the match. WWE went above and beyond to celebrate the occasion. Punk enjoyed a career retrospective video package to the tune of his original theme song, “This Fire Burns.” Punk walked to a live performance of Living Color’s “Cult of Personality,” accompanied by real-life friend and mentor Heyman, who kissed him on the forehead. Reigns took off his Ula Fala to start the match, but not before giving his Wiseman, Heyman, a cold glare for siding with Punk.
Months of bad blood boiled over once the match started. The action quickly spilled outside and into the crowd. Punk wedged a steel chair between Rollins’ ribs and cracked it off his back. They continued brawling through the crowd until Reigns came soaring over the barricade like Superman, taking them out. Reigns continued exercising his will on his foes, planting Punk with a running Samoan drop and grounding Rollins with a Superman punch off the springboard.
You could tell Punk was thoroughly enjoying himself through the process. He smiled after hitting Reigns and Rollins with a combination DDT and neckbreaker, but the smile seemed more about the moment than the maneuver.
Rollins took the longest to find his footing. He repeatedly found himself on the receiving end, including a Doomsday Device from Reigns and Punk. Outgunned, “The Architect” wisely chose his spots. Rollins nearly stole the victory with a frog splash while Punk had Reigns trapped in an Anaconda Vice. With his opponents spent, Rollins started to pick each of them apart. Rollins nearly won again by catching Reigns’ mid-spear with a nasty Pedigree. The close calls continued as the three participants traded finishers.
The crowd roared with approval as Reigns and Rollins appeared to reunite The Shield long enough to put Punk through the announcers’ table. Reigns, forever vindictive, instead cracked Rollins’ jaw and completed the powerbomb solo.
Heyman finally made his presence after another extended stint of finishers and nearfalls. Heyman introduced a steel chair and, forced to choose between Punk and Reigns, slid it to Punk. When Punk went to use the chair, Heyman struck him with a low blow. Heyman was visibly distressed by his decision, but Reigns was overjoyed. “The Original Tribal Chief” beat Punk to a pulp with the chair. Reigns turned his attention to Rollins, turning his back on Heyman. Reigns experienced the same betrayal at his Wiseman’s hands. Heyman low-blowed Reigns and handed the chair to Rollins. Rollins cracked Reigns in the back, reminiscent of how he betrayed Reigns in 2014. A follow-up stomp secured Rollins the biggest win of his career. Heyman stood tall by Rollins’ side in his career-defining moment. A beautifully executed match, from Punk’s entrance to the shocking conclusion. Rollins def. Reigns and Punk via pinfall. Grade: A+
