WrestleMania ended with a seismic shift in WWE history as John Cena captured his 17th world championship, officially becoming the most decorated champion in WWE history.
John Cena announces his retirement WWE Triple H Addresses Vince McMahon's ongoing legal troublesCena defeated Cody Rhodes in a dramatic main event, with the outcome swinging after a surprise interference by rapper Travis Scott. The victory moves Cena past Ric Flair's long-standing record of 16 recognized world titles.
Cena’s Farewell WrestleMania — Or Is It?
While Cena has announced plans to retire at the end of 2025, this win at WrestleMania could be his final appearance on the grandest stage — though wrestling fans know better than to ever say "never."
The moment wasn’t just historic; it was emotional, closing a chapter in Cena’s legendary career with a statement that will echo through WWE history.
Major Title Changes Mark a Wild Weekend
While Cena’s record-breaking win stole headlines, WrestleMania weekend delivered multiple major title changes:
- Jey Uso defeated Gunther to win the World Heavyweight Championship, capturing his first world title and surpassing the legacy of his father, Rikishi.
- Dominik Mysterio won his first WWE title, taking home the Intercontinental Championship in a symbolic passing of the torch from his father, Rey Mysterio.
- The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) took down the War Raiders to reclaim tag team gold.
- Jacob Fatu captured the United States Championship with a win over LA Knight in a breakout performance.
A New Era Begins — Streaming on Netflix
This WrestleMania was also the first to stream live on Netflix, reaching a potential global audience of over 300 million subscribers. The move is part of a blockbuster $5 billion, 10-year deal that will see WWE’s weekly and monthly programming land on the platform.
Despite some technical concerns ahead of the event, the Netflix stream ran smoothly — a strong first impression for this historic partnership.
WWE Expands: Acquisition of AAA Shakes the Industry
In a surprise pre-show announcement, WWE revealed it had acquired Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, one of Mexico’s top wrestling promotions — a bold expansion move that signals WWE’s global ambitions.
Not Without Criticism: Fans Slam "Ad-a-Mania"
Despite the action, many fans voiced frustration over the excessive product placement and advertisements throughout the event. From branded ring mats to ad-themed entrances and frequent in-show promotions, some attendees dubbed the event “Ad-a-Mania.”
Still, with no additional cost for Netflix subscribers and an action-packed card, many fans felt the trade-off was worth it.
What’s Next for WWE?
With Cena’s historic moment in the books and WrestleMania wrapped, the WWE universe shifts its focus to what comes next.
One thing’s for sure: after this unforgettable weekend, WWE’s next chapter begins with more momentum than ever.
