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John Cena's quest for a 17th world title is now complete. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Ethan Miller via Getty Images
WrestleMania 41 has come and gone, leaving its mark on the wider wrestling landscape. Of the eight champions (including tag teams) who defended their belts in Las Vegas, only two left victorious — with Cody Rhodes and Gunther both tumbling among the defeated. And with AEW's Owen Hart Cup underway, could Jon Moxley be next on the list of the fallen?
Here’s how things stand in Uncrowned's power rankings after the biggest weekend in the pro-wrestling calendar.
MEN’S POWER RANKINGS
10. Cody Rhodes (Prev: 2)
It was a humbling night for “The American Nightmare" in the finale of WrestleMania 41, after he was robbed of his title in rather anticlimactic circumstances. As I noted in my column after the event, there was plenty in the match to suggest that Rhodes might prove to be the winner in the long run. But surely no one expects that to happen for a good while yet.
9. Dominik Mysterio (Prev: NR)
What a night it was for Dirty Dom, who left Las Vegas with his first singles title on the main roster. Given the crowd’s reaction — they cheered him to the rafters, in case you missed it — there are some questions as to whether Mysterio will continue on his previous path as a dastardly heel or be reinvented as a babyface. One thing is clear though: His future in WWE looks bright.
8. Roman Reigns (Prev: 5)
Participating in his 10th WrestleMania event was unquestionably a big achievement for “The Tribal Chief,” who succeeded in bringing out the big guns to salvage an underwhelming Night One on Saturday. Despite Reigns' defeat, the Paul Heyman swerve increases the chances of us getting that blockbuster grudge match against Seth Rollins — potentially at this August's two-night SummerSlam.
7. Will Ospreay (Prev: NR)
Regardless of what might be happening elsewhere in AEW, “The Aerial Assassin” never fails to deliver. Having reached the final of this year’s Owen Hart Cup, the Essex boy finally has a visible path to the AEW world championship (or at least a shot at it…). Surely, this is the year that Ospreay will be elevated to the level he so clearly deserves?
6. Bron Breakker (Prev: NR)
The former Intercontinental Champion has looked strong as hell since arriving on the main roster last year. After dropping his belt at WrestleMania 41 — albeit without taking the pin — he received a potential game-changing leg-up on “WWE Raw,” being unveiled as the third member of the hotly-anticipated Rollins-Heyman alliance. Stand by for a massive summer for Mr. Breakker.
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Bron Breakker is poised for a major push after the latest "WWE Raw." (Mike Marques/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
5. CM Punk (Prev: 3)
Wrestling’s favorite antihero got his well-deserved reward on Saturday, achieving his career-long dream of participating in a WrestleMania main event. With the Night 1 three-way feud presumably wrapped up for now, the WWE now needs to give “The Second City Saint” a suitably electrifying feud — one that will match the standards of 2024's McIntyre trilogy.
4. Randy Orton (Prev: 9)
It was a roller-coaster two weeks for “The Viper,” who went from losing his planned WrestleMania 41 opponent, to participating in one of the most fun WrestleMania segments in years, and then capping it off by standing tall over John Cena on “Raw.” Will WWE deliver on the dream scenario of Cena vs. Orton at next month’s Backlash PLE? Most likely — just don’t expect Orton to come out on top.
3. Jey Uso (Prev: 8)
The "Yeet" movement struck gold in Las Vegas, as Jey Uso received the greatest honor of his career to date, with a crowd-pleasing victory over Gunther to kick off WrestleMania Saturday. After the events on Sunday night, “Main Event Jey” isn’t just holding the World Heavyweight Title, but also inherits the mantle, following Rhodes' defeat, of being the most popular babyface champion in WWE.
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Everything is coming up Uso. (Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
2. Seth Rollins (Prev 7)
Was Seth Rollins the biggest winner from WrestleMania 41? Triumphing in the triple threat was one thing, but to leave Allegiant Stadium with the support of Paul Heyman — and now Bron Breakker as well? That’s a serious power move that more than justifies his massive leap in this month’s list. With the legendary Reigns-Rollins rivalry firmly back on the table, it’s “The Architect” who has the upper hand right now.
1. John Cena (Prev: 1)
We might not have loved the WrestleMania 41 main event, but there’s no denying that John Cena has achieved what he set out to do: To stamp his authority over the WWE main title scene, and take back the biggest prize in wrestling. Will the presence of the Universal Championship allow Cena to take his dark persona to the next level? Now is the moment that we find out.
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John Cena is on top of the wrestling world. (Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
WOMEN’S POWER RANKINGS
10. Lyra Valkyria (Prev: NR)
The Irish lass went from looking like a last minute addition to the 'Mania card to being one of the breakout stars of the evening, briefly becoming “Lyra Two Belts” after winning the Women’s Tag Team Championships with her long-time inspiration Becky Lynch. The Lynch alliance may have crumbled within 24 hours (weirdly), but it still sets Valkyria up for big things in future.
9. Mercedes Moné (Prev: NR)
While everyone acknowledges that the woman previously known as Sasha Banks remains a born star, the former Horsewoman has always been slightly hampered during her time in AEW, due to the decision to have her hold the secondary TBS Championship. With Moné now striding ahead in the Owen Hart Cup, perhaps now is the time for Tony to merge the belts, pitting Mercedes against Toni in a winner-takes-all match at Double or Nothing?
8. Charlotte Flair (Prev: 3)
After a spicy buildup to their WrestleMania match, Charlotte Flair failed to defeat Tiffany Stratton on the big stage, extinguishing the last gasp of her Royal Rumble momentum. With limited demand for a rematch with Stratton, we wait to see what the future holds next for “The Queen.” Of all the big names on the WWE women’s roster, her path is the least clear — at least for now.
7. Jade Cargill (Prev: 9)
Cargill vs. Naomi may not have set the world alight on Night 1, but it still delivered the goods as the first non-title women’s singles match (on the main card) for more than a decade. With a big PLE victory under her belt, it feels like Jade Cargill has finally arrived on the main stage in WWE. In truth, though, she still has some way to go to justify the frantic excitement from two years ago.
6. Becky Lynch (Prev: NR)
After months of radio silence, “Big Time Becks” smashed the decibel-meter on Night Two of WrestleMania, bringing the 60,000-strong crowd to their feet when she was unveiled as Lyra Valkyria’s mystery tag partner. The Grand Slam Champion now looks set to feud with her fellow countrywoman. While it should do wonders for Valkyria’s standing, it will likely keep Lynch from the main title scene for a few months yet.
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Becky Lynch and Lyra Valkyria's alliance lasted but 24 hours. (Mike Marques/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
5. Bianca Belair (Prev: 4)
This year’s Elimination Chamber winner arguably drew the short straw in Sunday night’s barnstorming triple-threat title match, ending up as the woman to eat the pin. That said, given the strength of her performance, it’s hard to imagine this being anything more than a temporary setback, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Belair with the belt before long. As for the mystery as to why the crowds have taken to booing her, I confess to having no idea.
4.Toni Storm (Prev: 5)
Having cringed hard at her foray into vulgar limericks, I almost refrained from bumping Ms Storm up a place in this month’s list. Leaving the comedy aside, though, Toni Storm remains one of the most compelling talents in women’s wrestling, and looks secure for nw on her pedestal as AEW’s top champion. She deserves credit, too, for sprinkling some of her stardust on Mariah May and Megan Bayne, both of whom have been boosted massively by going up against her.
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Rhea Ripley and Iyo Sky tore the house down during WrestleMania 41 Sunday alongside Bianca Belair. (Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)
WWE via Getty Images
3. Rhea Ripley (Prev: 2)
Based on my unscientific assessment, “The Eradicator” drew one of the loudest reactions from the Las Vegas crowd this weekend, confirming her status as the single biggest draw on the women’s roster. Having her in the orbit for the Women’s World Championship makes total business sense, but what Ripley really needs is a serious singles rival who can actually pose a threat to her invincible image.
2. Tiffany Stratton (Prev: 1)
WWE’s Women Champion didn’t falter on Saturday, defeating a vastly more experienced competitor to retain her podium place. It might not have matched the impeccable standards of Ripley vs. Flair from two years ago, but the result still did wonders for Stratton, elevating her from a Money in the Bank champion to a certified WrestleMania winner.
1. Iyo Sky (Prev: 6)
It was a huge statement victory for the WWE’s Women’s World Champion on Sunday, as she became one of only two champions to retain their gold on the grand stage. Having already enjoyed a stellar year heading into WrestleMania 41, “The Genius of the Sky” exceeded expectations once again. In a highly-competitive field, she stands tall as the most powerful force in women’s wrestling, topping our power rankings for the first time.
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