History of WrestleMania 41 in Timeline

WrestleMania 41, branded as WrestleMania Vegas, was a two-night WWE pay-per-view and livestreaming event held on April 19 and 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada. Featuring wrestlers from the Raw and SmackDown brands, it marked the 41st annual WrestleMania. This event was the second WrestleMania to occur in the Las Vegas Valley, following WrestleMania IX in 1993, which was held at Caesars Palace.

1985: Inaugural WrestleMania

The first WrestleMania event was held in 1985, establishing it as WWE's flagship professional wrestling pay-per-view and livestreaming event.

1993: WrestleMania IX at Caesars Palace

In 1993, WrestleMania IX was held at Caesars Palace, marking the first WrestleMania to take place in the Las Vegas Valley, before WrestleMania 41.

2003: John Cena's Last Heel Turn

In 2025 John Cena turned heel for the first time since 2003.

2013: CM Punk at WrestleMania 29

WrestleMania 41 was the first WrestleMania to feature a match with CM Punk since WrestleMania 29 in 2013, which included the first WrestleMania main event of his career.

February 2014: WWE Network Launch

In February 2014, WWE launched the WWE Network, making WrestleMania the company's first major event available via livestreaming.

2016: Naomi turns heel

In the SmackDown episode following Elimination Chamber, Naomi revealed that she was Cargill's attacker and turned heel for the first time since 2016.

2021: SummerSlam at Allegiant Stadium

WrestleMania 41 marks the second WWE event to be held at Allegiant Stadium after SummerSlam in 2021.

November 2023: CM Punk's WWE Return and Feud with Seth Rollins

Upon CM Punk's return to WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames in November 2023, he immediately became a target of Seth Rollins, leading to a series of escalating encounters.

2023: WWE and UFC Merger

Following the 2023 merger of WWE and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as TKO Group Holdings, the decision to host WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas was influenced by a change in direction by new ownership.

May 4, 2024: WrestleMania 41 Location Announcement

On May 4, 2024, it was announced that Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, would host WrestleMania 41 on April 19 and April 20, 2025.

May 2024: Becky Lynch's Hiatus

The second night of WrestleMania 41 featured the return of Becky Lynch, who had been on hiatus since May 2024.

October 5, 2024: Kevin Owens attacks Cody Rhodes

On October 5, 2024, at Bad Blood, Kevin Owens attacked Cody Rhodes as Rhodes was entering his bus after the event.

October 25, 2024: Two-Day Combo Tickets On Sale

Two-day combo tickets for WrestleMania 41 went on sale on October 25, 2024.

November 22, 2024: Jade Cargill attacked

On November 22, 2024, Jade Cargill was attacked by an unknown assailant in the parking lot on SmackDown, rendering her unable to compete.

December 2, 2024: Big E removed from The New Day

On December 2, 2024, Big E was removed from The New Day on Raw, leading Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to pursue the World Tag Team Championship.

2024: CM Punk's Injury at Royal Rumble

In 2024, CM Punk tore his triceps at the Royal Rumble, preventing him from competing for several months.

2024: John Cena's Retirement Announcement

In 2024, at Money in the Bank, John Cena announced that he would retire from professional wrestling at the end of 2025 and compete at WrestleMania 41.

2024: Chad Gable's losing streak

Throughout late 2024, Chad Gable endured a losing streak against several luchadors, leading to a (kayfabe) sabbatical to address his "lucha libre problems".

January 2025: Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest transferred to SmackDown

In January 2025, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest were both transferred to the SmackDown brand as part of WWE's transfer window, continuing their rivalry.

January 2025: WWE and Netflix Rights Deal

In January 2025, WWE began a 10-year rights deal with Netflix, making WrestleMania 41 the first to livestream on Netflix in most international markets. This was also the last WrestleMania to livestream on Peacock in the United States.

January 2025: WWE Network Merger with Netflix

WrestleMania 41 was the first WrestleMania to livestream on Netflix following the WWE Network's merger under the service in January 2025 in those areas.

January 24, 2025: Single Day Tickets On Sale

Single day tickets for WrestleMania 41 went on sale from January 24, 2025.

February 24, 2025: Bianca Belair and Naomi lose WWE Women's Tag Team Championship

On the February 24, 2025, episode of Raw, Naomi and Bianca Belair lost the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship to Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez.

April 7, 2025: The New Day wins via disqualification

On April 7, 2025, The New Day defeated The War Raiders via disqualification in a title match after Woods inadvertently hit Erik with a steel chair, although The War Raiders remained champions.

April 20, 2025: WrestleMania 41 Night 2

WrestleMania 41 took place as a two-night event on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada.

August 6, 2025: WWE announces streaming rights deal with ESPN

On August 6, 2025, WWE announced that ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service would assume the streaming rights of WWE's main roster PPV and livestreaming events in the United States.

September 2025: ESPN and WWE Rights Deal

ESPN's direct-to-consumer streaming service will begin a five-year rights deal with WWE, starting in September 2025.

September 2025: ESPN streaming rights moved up

In September 2025, ESPN assumed the streaming rights of WWE's main roster PPV and livestreaming events, making WrestleMania 41 the last WrestleMania to livestream on Peacock in the US.

2025: WrestleMania Week Events

As part of the WrestleMania festivities, WWE held a number of events throughout the week, including a WrestleMania Edition of Monday Night Raw, WaleMania X, a WrestleMania Edition of Friday Night SmackDown, the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, NXT Stand & Deliver, The Undertaker's 1deadMAN show, and "The Roast of WrestleMania Featuring Tony Hinchcliffe & Friends". All WrestleMania week events concluded with NXT on April 22, 2025.

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2025: Cody Rhodes wins King of the Ring

In 2025, Cody Rhodes won the King of the Ring tournament at Night of Champions and regained the Undisputed WWE Championship at SummerSlam from John Cena.

2025: John Cena's Heel Turn

In 2025, John Cena turned heel for the first time since 2003 after siding with The Rock and attacking Cody Rhodes, setting up a match at WrestleMania 41.

2025: CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41

In 2025, after a series of brawls and attacks, a triple threat match between CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns was scheduled for WrestleMania 41, making it CM Punk's first WrestleMania main event.

2025: El Grande Americano debut

In early 2025, a masked wrestler resembling Chad Gable, named El Grande Americano, debuted and caused problems for the LWO. On April 18, 2025 Americano wasn't involved in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal but later eliminated Rey Fenix.

2025: Celebrity Appearances at WrestleMania 41

Various celebrities participated in WrestleMania 41 in 2025, including UFC President Dana White, country singer Jelly Roll, Salvatore Ganacci, Jim Cantore from The Weather Channel, Living Colour, pop singer Ava Max, Slayer guitarist Kerry King, and Travis Scott.