WWE’s Unreal docuseries just revealed a massive shake-up in planning that fans never saw coming. An early version of the WrestleMania 41 lineup was detailed in the show, and it looked almost nothing like the card that eventually aired from Las Vegas. From main event switches to scrapped dream matches, the difference is staggering.
It was revealed during the series that WWE originally planned Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Title—not the match fans got in the actual main event. Another major plan had Gunther defending the World Title against CM Punk. Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins were booked in a singles bout. Rhea Ripley was set to face Bianca Belair for the Women’s World Title, while Nia Jax was going to take on Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship.
There were several other big-time matchups on the table. AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul, Bad Bunny vs. Dominik Mysterio, and even a tag match with Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka & IYO SKY were listed. Also part of the early blueprint: The Judgment Day vs. The Wyatt Sicks and two multi-man ladder matches for the U.S. and Intercontinental titles.
The actual WrestleMania 41 featured a very different setup. CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns clashed in a triple threat to headline Night One. Cody Rhodes retained his title against John Cena on Night Two. Other final card matches included Drew McIntyre defeating Damian Priest in a Sin City Street Fight, Iyo Sky retaining in a triple threat against Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair, and Jey Uso toppling Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Original WrestleMania 41 Card (Early Version):
- Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena (WWE Title)
- Seth Rollins vs. Roman Reigns
- Gunther vs. CM Punk (World Title)
- Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair (Women’s World Title)
- Nia Jax vs. Jade Cargill (WWE Women’s Title)
- Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
- The Judgment Day vs. The Wyatt Sicks
- Becky Lynch & Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka & IYO SKY
- AJ Styles vs. Logan Paul
- Bad Bunny vs. Dominik Mysterio
- Bron Breakker vs. Drew McIntyre (Stone Cold as referee)
- Rey Mysterio (with Travis Kelce) vs. Chad Gable
- Intercontinental Title Ladder Match: Jey Uso vs. Damian Priest vs. Sami Zayn vs. Sheamus vs. Ludwig Kaiser vs. Bronson Reed
- U.S. Title Ladder Match: Shinsuke Nakamura vs. LA Knight vs. Santos Escobar vs. Jimmy Uso vs. Andrade vs. Solo Sikoa vs. Carmelo Hayes
Actual WrestleMania 41 Matches (Final Card Highlights):
- Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena (Undisputed WWE Title)
- Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins (Triple Threat)
- Drew McIntyre vs. Damian Priest (Sin City Street Fight)
- Iyo Sky vs. Rhea Ripley vs. Bianca Belair (Women’s World Title)
- Gunther vs. Jey Uso (World Heavyweight Title)
- Logan Paul vs. LA Knight (U.S. Title)
- Kevin Owens vs. Solo Sikoa
- Bad Bunny appeared but did not wrestle
- Becky Lynch vs. Jade Cargill (WWE Women’s Title)
- AJ Styles vs. Randy Orton
WWE clearly had no shortage of big ideas heading into WrestleMania 41. But the final show turned out drastically different from what they first envisioned. Now that the original card is out there, fans are already debating what could’ve been—and which matchups would’ve delivered better.
If you could swap one actual WrestleMania 41 match for something from the original card, what would it be? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know how you would’ve booked it.
Which lineup do you think is the better card for Wrestle Mania: The original lineup or the one they went with? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
