Oba Femi’s debut at WrestleMania 42 ended with a decisive victory over Brock Lesnar, marking one of the most talked-about moments of the weekend’s two-night event in Las Vegas.
The match concluded with Femi hitting his signature “Fall from Grace” maneuver, sending Lesnar to the mat where he remained motionless before slowly removing his gear — an image that sparked widespread discussion about the veteran’s potential retirement. Femi’s entrance, which drew a louder crowd reaction than any moment on the first night, was highlighted across multiple outlets as a defining moment of the display.
On the same night, Roman Reigns defeated CM Punk in the main event, delivering what commentators described as a conclusive end to their prolonged rivalry. The victory was seen as a necessary contrast to the underwhelming reception of Night One, where several matches failed to meet expectations and excessive commercial breaks drew criticism from viewers.
Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes retained his Undisputed WWE Championship against Randy Orton in a bout that some analysts described as overly complex and lacking clarity, despite the high stakes involved. The match was noted for its numerous reversals and attempts to untangle a storyline that had built over weeks, ultimately leaving some viewers unsatisfied with the resolution.
Other notable outcomes included Rhea Ripley capturing the WWE Women’s Championship by defeating Jade Cargill and Becky Lynch winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship from AJ Lee. In the women’s tag team division, Brie Bella and Paige emerged victorious in a chaotic four-way elimination match that also featured Charlotte Flair, Alexa Bliss, Bayley, Lyra Valkyria, Nia Jax, and Lash Legend.
The Intercontinental Championship was decided in a ladder match won by Penta, who retained his title against a field that included Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, JD McDonagh, Rusev, and Rey Mysterio. The bout was praised for its high-risk spots and athletic display, though its television broadcast was interrupted by frequent ad breaks that obscured some of the entrants’ elaborate gear, including Penta’s Mortal Kombat-inspired mask and Dragon Lee’s winged attire.
For more on this story, see WWE WrestleMania 42 Results: Oba Femi Defeats Brock Lesnar; Lesnar Retires.
In a separate unsanctioned bout, Jacob Fatu defeated Drew McIntyre in a hard-hitting encounter that received strong praise from critics for its intensity and storytelling. The match was one of the few on the card to receive universal acclaim across outlets for its physicality and emotional weight.
The Usos and LA Knight defeated the team of Logan Paul, Austin Theory, and IShowSpeed in a six-man tag team match, continuing their ongoing feud with the celebrity-backed trio. The victory added momentum to The Usos’ pursuit of further tag team accolades heading into the following night’s events.
Gunther retained his WWE World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Seth Rollins in a hard-fought contest that was noted for its technical precision and physical toll on both competitors. The match was widely regarded as one of the technically sound performances of the weekend, despite receiving limited commentary in some post-event analyses.
Liv Morgan successfully defended her Women’s World Championship against Stephanie Vaquer, while Bianca Belair used a backstage segment to announce her pregnancy, drawing attention for its emotional resonance amid the evening’s competitive proceedings.
Throughout the event, references to the late WCW wrestler Van Hammer appeared in commentary and tribute segments, acknowledging his passing the previous weekend. His legacy was briefly discussed in the context of wrestling history, particularly among veteran fans and commentators reflecting on the evolution of the industry.
This follows our earlier report, Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 Exit Sparks Retirement Rumors as WWE Eyes One Last SummerSlam Match.
Behind the scenes, reports indicated ongoing discussions within WWE’s parent company TKO regarding future direction, including remarks from executives Nick Khan and Mark Shapiro that were noted for their ambiguity regarding creative direction and talent utilization. These comments were cited in industry newsletters as indicative of broader uncertainty about the company’s long-term strategy.
The contrast between the two nights became a central theme in post-event coverage, with Night One criticized for its lack of standout moments and overreliance on non-wrestling content, while Night Two was praised for delivering emotionally resonant conclusions to major storylines and showcasing emerging talent.
Why did Brock Lesnar’s reaction to his loss stand out?
Lesnar’s prolonged stillness after the match and his slow removal of gear were interpreted as uncharacteristic for a performer known for minimal emotional display, leading many to view the moment as a potential farewell to WrestleMania if not to active competition.
How did Oba Femi’s debut impact perceptions of his future in WWE?
Femi’s decisive win over a veteran like Lesnar, combined with the enthusiastic crowd response to his entrance, positioned him as a rapidly rising star with significant main-event potential according to multiple post-event analyses.