By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WrestleMania 41 Night Two Countdown Show
April 20, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, at Allegiant Stadium
Streamed live on Peacock, Netflix internationally, and social media
-Michael Cole welcomed viewers to the pre-show while shots aired of the Vegas Strip and the host venue. Cole set up a video package that recapped night one of WrestleMania 41.
-Separate shots showed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, Women’s World Champion Iyo Sky, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley.
-Cole was joined by Big E, Wade Barrett, and Pat McAfee at a desk on a platform outside the stadium.
-John Cena, Paul Heyman, and Michael Cole will appear on Monday’s Pat McAfee Show.
-Cathy Kelley and Byron Saxton checked in from separate locations in the backstage area. Kelley spoke about Rhea Ripley, and then Saxton spoke about Iyo Sky. Jackie Redmond checked from outside the venue and spoke about, wait for it, Bianca Belair.
-Joe Tessitore and Sam Roberts checked in from the grass grown outside the stadium for Las Vegas Raiders games. A graphic listed the temperature as 76 degrees.
-McAfee said Cena’s appearance on his show will take place Monday at 9:15 Vegas time (so 11:15CT/12:15ET). Will he have a title belt with him?
-A video package spotlighted Randy Orton’s WrestleMania history as he heads into his 20th WrestleMania.
-Cole said John Cena hasn’t won a singles match in nearly seven years. What a loser! McAfee said Cena is due. Cole said a short time later that Cena hasn’t won a singles match at WrestleMania in ten years. Let the record show that I have won just as many singles matches as Cena over the last decade at WrestleMania.
-The hosts spoke about Randy Orton’s open challenge. A “Rusev Day” chant broke out with the fans standing behind them. McAfee said he will not be Orton’s opponent.
-Byron Saxton’s sit-down interview aired with Bianca Belair. She spoke in-character about the issues between Jade Cargill and Naomi, as well as her WrestleMania match. Belair said her gear at WrestleMania 38 was her favorite WrestleMania gear. She decided to say what her gear would be tonight, but she said her husband, mom, and dad all helped out in assembly line fashion.
-Jackie Redmond read through some stats. She said Penta, Bron Breakker, and Lyra Valkyria are making their WrestleMania debuts.
-Redmond, Peter Rosenberg, and Big E were at the desk, meaning the WrestleMania broadcast team left to do WrestleMania broadcast team things.
-Another portion of Rosenberg’s interview with Paul “Triple H” Levesque aired, right? Levesque about the night two main event, right? Levesque said it has to emotionally deliver moments you thought would never see, right? The full interview is available on YouTube, right?
-Bron Breakker was shown walking backstage. Based on his attire, he may be changing his name to Quadriple B – Bootscootin’ Boogie Bron Breakker.
-WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez were interviewed by Cathy Kelley in the backstage area. Morgan denied any involvement in the attack on Bayley. Kelly pointed out that she didn’t ask about it.
-Redmond said Saxton had a special announcement. WWE has acquired the Micro Wrestling Federation?!? No, Saxton introduced four charitable groups from Las Vegas, who were presented with championship belts. Is there a cash option? Actually, Saxton said the company is donating $25,000 to each charity.
-Cathy Kelley stood in the ring and spoke about WrestleMania style in terms of the gear and entrances. She did a countdown of her Stylish 7. The top three were Bianca Belair, Seth Rollins, and Charlotte Flair. Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods surely believe Giant Gonzalez was snubbed.
-Logan Paul was shown walking backstage. He only had a three-man posse and a cameraman. There was a video package that did a better job of setting up his match with AJ Styles than the actual build did.
-Joe Tessitore and Sam Roberts checked in from their desk inside the stadium. They were joined by Tony Hinchcliffe, who will host the Roast of WrestleMania. Hinchcliffe said he loves a good heel and will be cheering for John Cena. “Let’s break a wish, tonight,” Hinchcliffe said. Tessitore said Paul Heyman will be at the roast. Hinchcliffe said his message to the wrestlers who take part in the roast will be to go for it. He said they shouldn’t be worried about getting fired or cancelled. He mentioned that Braun Strowman and The Miz will also be taking part. I would love to see Heyman’s set.
-Cathy Kelley’s sit-down interview with Rhea Ripley aired. Ripley spoke in-character about being winless in singles matches against Iyo Sky. She also spoke about the growth that she’s going through since she started in developmental. Ripley said you have to be your genuine self before you can learn to love yourself.
-Redmond, Big E, and Rosenberg took over the desk inside the stadium. Big E and Rosenberg played a video game. Call me crazy, but I think they’ve finally run out of things to talk about during the sixth hour of WrestleMania pre-show coverage this weekend.
-Michael Cole’s sit-down interview with Cody Rhodes aired. Cody spoke about his match with John Cena. Cole recalled Cody saying he wants to follow in the footsteps of The Rock, Batista, and Cena. Cole asked how fans could know that Cody wouldn’t leave WWE for the riches and glory of Hollywood. Cody said the riches and glory are no longer just in Hollywood. Cody said he thinks Cena owes everyone an answer and a true apology, and the way to get it might be to beat it out of him at WrestleMania. Cody said he’s still a Cena fan, but he can’t be at WrestleMania 41 because he has to beat him.
-Tessitore took a stroll down the entrance ramp. He said the smaller boards that hang above the ramp are real, not CGI. He pointed out Kirk Herbstreit in the crowd. He walked to ringside and spoke about the new broadcast tables. He said Roman Reigns showed they will break with enough force. Tessitore has been a great addition to the WWE broadcast team.
-A video package aired called “Ante Up” that featured Rosenberg playing poker and having drinks with Jey Uso, Killer Mike, and Big E. They spoke about hip-hop and wrestling.
-The broadcast team entrances took place. Pat McAfee ran down the ramp and slapped hands with fans. McAfee also hugged Nick Khan, who was accompanied by his son.
-The Dana White narrated video package on Las Vegas was replayed.
-Ava Max stood in the ring and performed the national anthem.
Check out my live review of WrestleMania 41 night two in a separate post available via the main page.
No brunch with Brian Fritz?
Blame Jesus for choosing to rise from the dead on WrestleMania Sunday. Or something like that.