WrestleMania 42 match rankings, grades: Which were best, worst?

[ASFN Admin]

LAS VEGAS — WrestleMania 42 had plenty of highs and lows.

WWE's flagship event has concluded, and wrestling fans around the world have plenty of thoughts about how the two-day event unfolded. Being the top show in the company, it's expected every match to be top tier − and some definitely were − its not the case for others. Night one had some up-and-down performances, but night two turned out to be an exceptional show to end the weekend on the right note.

Now that all 13 matches are completed, its time to rank all of them, and grade how they did. USA TODAY Sports wrestling experts Jordan Mendoza and Richard Morin state their case for which fights were the best and which ones fell short.

Jordan Mendoza';'s WrestleMania 42 match rankings, grades​

1. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk​

Grade: A+

Cinema. A fantastic story told from beginning to end, with pure wrestling and no interference for one of the best main events.

2. Intercontinental Championship ladder match​

Grade: A+

There were too many highlights to keep track of. This match had show-stealing potential and it does just that.

3. Gunther vs. Seth Rollins​

Grade: A

No long-term storyline needed when two great in-ring performers go at it. Ending set the stage for Rollins' next feud while keeping Gunther dominant.

4. Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre​

Grade: A-

This match could have been more brutal given the heat, but had just enough to be worthy of not having any rules.

5. Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar​

Grade: A-

The best a squash match could get. The energy was unreal and truly showed Femi is the next superstar.

6. Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill​

Grade: A-

Power vs. power plays for a fun one, and Cargill does well, but this one felt a little rushed. More time could have made this one a banger.

7. AJ Lee (c) vs. Becky Lynch​

Grade: B+

Getting Jessika Carr involved was a brilliant touch. Lynch needed a creative way to get past Lee and it helped differentiate this match from the earlier rounds.

8. Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn​

Grade: B

Williams' being so over carried the match. Wrestling wasn't much.

9. Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer​

Grade: B-

The feud doesn't live up to the match. This had a good start and good ending, but in-between it felt like it dragged.

10. Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton​

Grade: C+

What an odd title match. It was incredibly slow and no real rhythm, and it was hard to stay focused on it. The ending was able to redeem it.

11. Demon Finn Bálor vs. Dominik Mysterio​

Grade: C

It wasn't necessary to make this match a street fight, especially since everyone knew what the result would be. The demon persona was great to see again.

12. WWE Women's Tag Team Championship fatal four-way match​

Grade: C

Paige back is great, but there wasn't really much to get excited about when the bell rang.

13. LA Knight and The Usos vs. IShowSpeed and The Vision​

Grade: C-

IShowSpeed was the attraction, and he didn't really do much in it. What happened after the match was better than the match itself.

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Richard Morin's WrestleMania 42 match rankings, grades​

1. Intercontinental Championship ladder match​

Grade: A+

Flawless spot-fest where everyone had their moment. Incredibly entertaining.

2. Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk​

Grade: A

Finish was a touch awkward, but otherwise excellent match.

3. Gunther vs. Seth Rollins​

Grade: A

Short build but managed a great match to set up intriguing future storylines.

4. Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar​

Grade: A

A crowning achievement for Femi, and a shocking moment for Lesnar.

5. Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill​

Grade: A-

Lackluster build paid off with a great match, exquisite finish.

6. Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton​

Grade: B

Despite confusing booking, solid in-ring action and post-match drama and cliffhanger.

7. Trick Williams vs. Sami Zayn​

Grade: B

Predictable but fine.

8. LA Knight and The Usos vs. IShowSpeed and The Vision​

Grade: B

Satisfying viral moment; match did its job.

9. Demon Finn Bálor vs. Dominik Mysterio​

Grade: B-

Would have been better without "The Demon" advertised.

10. Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre​

Grade: C+

OK spots, but too tame for an unsanctioned match.

11. Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee​

Grade: C+

Referee spot was a weird choice here, that was mostly relevant to Becky's feud with Maxxine Dupri.

12. WWE Women's Tag Team Championship fatal four-way match​

Grade: C

Force-fed nostalgia bait; not great in-ring work.

13. Liv Morgan vs. Stephanie Vaquer​

Grade: C-

Great build ruined by terrible in-ring booking; match was far too short for what it deserved. Fell entirely flat despite above-average talent.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: WrestleMania 42 match rankings, grades for all 13 fights

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