WrestleMania has never been just about the main event. Year after year, it is the matches further down the card that generate the loudest reactions, the most replayed moments and the conversations that linger long after the lights go down. As WWE heads to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for WrestleMania 41, the undercard is stacked in a way that could make this one of the most complete top-to-bottom cards the event has seen in years.
Here are the four matches worth watching most closely.
Intercontinental Championship ladder match
Ladder matches have a long and celebrated history at WrestleMania, and this year’s Intercontinental Championship bout has the look of a future highlight reel staple. Penta enters as champion against a group of challengers that includes Je’Von Evans, JD McDonagh, Dragon Lee and Rusev, a combination that brings together contrasting styles and genuine athleticism.
Evans has built a reputation for high-risk, high-reward offense that plays perfectly in a ladder match setting. Dragon Lee has been one of the most technically impressive performers in WWE over the past year. McDonagh, who rarely gets the recognition his consistency deserves, has a way of quietly delivering in big moments. Rusev’s return adds a physical dimension that could shift the entire tone of the match.
With five competitors, a title and ladders involved, the ingredients are there for something memorable.
Stephanie Vaquer vs. Liv Morgan
This matchup may not be receiving the loudest promotional push heading into WrestleMania 41, but it has arguably produced the best television of any rivalry on the card. Women’s world champion Stephanie Vaquer and Royal Rumble winner Liv Morgan have developed a feud built on genuine intensity, strong character work and an in-ring chemistry that has elevated both performers.
Morgan has leaned fully into her role, delivering promos that have been sharp and convincing. Vaquer has matched her with a physical style that makes every exchange feel like it matters. The added presence of Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez in their respective corners introduces the possibility of outside interference, though Morgan may opt to prove a point by standing on her own. Either way, this one has the makings of a match that outperforms expectations on the night.
Jacob Fatu vs. Drew McIntyre — unsanctioned match
Of all the matches on the undercard, this is the one most likely to leave the audience with bruises just from watching. Jacob Fatu and Drew McIntyre meet in an unsanctioned bout, a format that removes the usual boundaries and gives both men room to operate at full intensity. Their rivalry has been fueled by aggression and mutual animosity, and the unsanctioned stipulation means neither man has to hold back.
Fatu has been one of the most physically imposing and captivating performers in WWE over the past year. McIntyre, heading into what could be a transitional period in his career given upcoming commitments outside of wrestling, has every reason to make this one of the defining performances of his WrestleMania legacy. Expect something hard-hitting, emotionally charged and built around a finish that carries real weight.
Rhea Ripley vs. Jade Cargill
Rhea Ripley has made WrestleMania her stage. Her performances at the event over the last several years have consistently ranked among the best on the card, and this year she faces WWE women’s champion Jade Cargill in what projects as a collision of two of the most physically imposing athletes in the women’s division.
Cargill is still developing her in-ring work, and the questions around match quality are fair ones to raise. But Ripley has shown a knack for drawing strong performances out of varied opponents, and Cargill’s natural presence and crowd connection give this bout a ceiling that should not be underestimated. A hard-hitting, dramatic match built around big moments and nearfalls seems like the most likely outcome, and in that setting, both women are more than capable of delivering.
Why the undercard deserves your full attention
The main events will generate the headlines, but WrestleMania 41’s undercard is a genuinely compelling card on its own terms. With a ladder match built for chaos, two women’s title feuds with real storytelling behind them and an unsanctioned grudge match with no guardrails, the matches before the headliners may end up being the ones that define this year’s event when fans look back on the night.
