In many ways, Night 2 of WrestleMania 42 was about things coming to an end. Sunday's event started with Brock Lesnar leaving his gloves and boots in the ring after losing to Oba Femi, effectively signaling an end to his career and finished with Roman Reigns ending CM Punk's reign as world heavyweight champion.
In between those two moments, two other champions saw their titles taken away, with only intercontinental champion Penta retaining his title in an epic ladder match.
But the main event between Reigns and Punk is the headline at the conclusion of WrestleMania 42. The pair put each other through hell, with Punk bleeding and Reigns nearly finished multiple times before Punk's body simply gave out on him and allowed Reigns to hit a spear to return to the mountaintop, where his previous reign lasted for an incredible 1,316 days.
What's even more interesting is that Reigns got the job done by himself. His previous run as champion saw his family, The Bloodline, involved at every turn. But Sunday was about Reigns and Reigns alone as he managed to outlast Punk in an epic showdown that stands with the best WrestleMania main events in history.
CBS Sports was with you the whole way through the WWE WrestleMania 42, providing live updates and highlights below.
WrestleMania 42 Night 2 match card, results
Oba Femi takes Brock Lesnar's best shots before the biggest win of his career
The two met in a collar-and-elbow in the center of the ring, with neither man getting much of an advantage before breaking. After the same thing a second time, Lesnar picked up Femi and drove him into the corner, landing shots before Femi screamed at him. Lesnar delivered a series of clotheslines that didn't drop Femi before Femi returned the favor, sending Lesnar out of the ring. Femi attempted to drag Lesnar back into the ring, allowing Lesnar to drop him throat-first on the middle rope. Outside the ring, Lesnar sent Femi into the ring post and ring steps before hitting the first German suplex of the match back inside the ring. Lesnar delivered three German suplexes before Femi came back with a series of running uppercuts. Lesnar caught Femi and delivered an F5 but Femi rose to his feet before Lesnar could attempt a pin. Femi hit a chokeslam and a Fall From Grace to score the quick victory.
WWE has had some missteps this weekend, but the handling of Femi vs. Lesnar is not one of them. This was exactly what it should have been: a quick, hard-hitting sprint ending in a decisive victory for Femi. Oba Femi def. Brock Lesnar via pinfall. Grade: A+
Penta survives brutal, thrilling ladder match to retain the intercontinental championship
An expected fast start to the match was slowed down when Rusev began to bring ladders into play, eventually bridging one between the ring and the commentary desk. Je'Von Evans hit the first big dive of the match, launching himself from the ring onto JD McDonagh on the outside. Rusev again used ladders to clear the ring before Penta took him down hard from the ladder. McDonagh nearly grabbed the belt before Evans met him on the other side, only for Rusev to shove the ladder over. However, McDonagh landed on the top rope and moonsaulted back onto Rusev.
A flurry of wild moves followed, ultimately leading to Rey Mysterio and Penta battling before Penta launched Mysterio into Rusev and sent both through the ladder Rusev had suspended earlier in the match. Mysterio nearly had the title before Dragon Lee cut him off, ultimately hitting a Styles Clash. Lee's moment was cut short by McDonagh, who hit Lee with a Spanish fly from the ladder. Penta then hit McDonagh with a Mexican Destroyer from one ladder onto another that was suspended between the first ladder and the turnbuckle. Rusev was the next victim of a big move, with Evans flying from the top rope into an OG Cutter as Rusev was on a ladder in the center of the ring. Penta then took Evans out with a Mexican Destroyer before climbing the ladder to retrieve the belt and retain his title.
WWE ladder matches can get a bit formulaic, but Sunday's was an absolute blast with all six men having highlight moments and the winner in doubt throughout. Penta def. Je'Von Evans, JD McDonagh, Rusev, Rey Mysterio and Dragon Lee to retain the intercontinental championship. Grade: A-
Trick Williams wins the United States championship with an assist from Lil Yachty
Williams got off to a quick start, leading with a kick before a neckbreaker after countering a Zayn attempt at a blue thunder bomb. Zayn did hit the blue thunder bomb shortly after, cutting off Williams' momentum. Zayn attacked Lil Yachty, who was part of Williams' ring walk, at ringside. Zayn then returned to the ring where he dropped Williams on the apron with a brainbuster. Zayn was ready to hit a Helluva Kick when Lil Yachy pulled him onto the top rope. Williams nearly won the match after but Zayn fought back and hit an exploder suplex into the turnbuckle. Zayn lined up for the Helluva Kick again but ran right into a Trick Shot for the finish.
This match could have used a bit more time to develop into something more, but WWE has been quick with finishes for WrestleMania 42. Trick Williams def. Sami Zayn via pinfall to win the United States championship. Grade: B
Dominik Mysterio can't survive "The Demon" Finn Balor in a street fight
Balor was immediately on the offensive, and with the match having been made a street fight earlier in the day, Balor quickly introduced a kendo stick. As Balor attempted to pull a table out from under the ring, Mysterio hit a suicide dive before landing several shots of his own with the kendo stick. Mysterio brought multiple steel chairs into the ring, but he was caught by a sling blade from Balor. Shortly after, Mysterio hit Balor with a 619 and a frog splash only for Balor to kick out at one. Balor hit a pair of shotgun dropkicks before missing a Coup de Grace. Mysterio nearly scored the win after driving a chair into Balor's head.
After Balor went through a table that had been propped in the corner, Mysterio wrapped a chair around Balor's head for another 619 and frog splash for a two count. Balor snapped shortly after, blasting Mysterio over and over with a chair. Balor then wrapped a chair around Mysterio's head before a shotgun dropkick into the corner. Balor then put Mysterio on a table and hit a Coup de Grace for the win. The match was fine and did what it should have in giving Balor the win, but "The Demon" is a matter of taste and will hit harder for some than others. "The Demon" Finn Balor def. Dominik Mysterio via pinfall. Grade: B
Rhea Ripley takes down Jade Cargill to win the WWE women's championship
Cargill used her strength early, shoving Ripley around before a big shoulder tackle and a bodyslam. Ripley was quick to come back, hitting a face-first slam and dropkick. Cargill was right back with a powerslam before several punches and kicks in the corner. Cargill continued the attack outside of the ring, driving Ripley into the ringside barricade. Cargill hit a blue thunder bomb for a two-count as she continued her dominant stretch, locking in a crossface after. Ripley came back with a kick and some ground and pound.
Cargill countered Riptide with a hip toss and hit a big spinebuster for another two-count. Cargill tried to follow up with Jaded, but Ripley rolled through to avoid it. Michin then ran in to distract the referee before B-Fab pulled Cargill out of a razor's edge. Michin then kicked Ripley's head into the ring post. Cargill hit a Sandstorm for another near fall. Cargill threw Ripley from the ring and demanded that Michin and B-Fab attack. Iyo Sky then ran in to take out Cargill's support. Cargill was distracted and turned around into a Ripley headbutt. Cargill countered a Riptide but Ripley countered Jaded, hitting the match-winning Riptide.
The match was one of the best of Cargill's career and came in large part on Ripley's efforts in selling and being on the defensive throughout. Rhea Ripley def. Jade Cargill via pinfall to win the WWE women's championship. Grade: B
Danhausen gives The Miz a 'WrestleMania moment'
The Miz and Kit Wilson interrupted WrestleMania host John Cena after Cena announced the night's attendance. Miz said that he wanted his "WrestleMania moment." Danhausen and several little people dressed like him came to the ring where Danhausen complimented Cena before Wilson shoved one of the little people, leading to one punching Wilson in the groin. Danhausen then called for a dogpile, with the little people piling on Wilson before Danhausen punched Miz in the crotch and delivered a five-knuckle shuffle. Danhausen then "disappeared" in a puff of smoke, running away and ducking under the ring in clear view of everyone as Cena watched and laughed.
Roman Reigns outlasts CM Punk to win the world heavyweight championship in epic main event
Punk and Reigns came face-to-face in the center of the ring and exchanged words for a minute before finally locking up. Punk used a little bit of chain wrestling and taunted Reigns. Punk grabbed a side headlock and tried to wear on Reigns. Reigns broke free and dropped Punk with a shoulder block but Punk grabbed the headlock back before a shoulder block of his own. Reigns then took over with a Samoan drop. Punk made the mistake of trying to go blow-for-blow with Reigns, which ended with him being clotheslined over the top rope by Reigns.
The two brawled around the ringside area, smashing into commentary desks and the ringside barricade before briefly continuing the brawl into the crowd. Reigns eventually caught Punk standing on one of the commentary desks and threw him to the floor. Reigns trapped Punk in the corner and hit an extended series of clotheslines. Reigns missed a Superman punch and Punk took over, hitting a clothesline and a top-rope crossbody block. Punk tried for a GTS but was sent shoulder-first into the ring post instead. Reigns followed up with a Superman punch for a two-count. Reigns tried to follow up with a spear but Punk cut him off with a running knee and followed up with a second before some clotheslines and a neckbreaker.
Punk continued his attack at ringside, smashing Reigns into the ring steps before placing Reigns on the commentary desk. Punk went back into the ring before heading to the top rope, but Reigns cut him off before Punk took a huge risk. Punk was caught hanging upside down from the top rope, allowing Reigns to hit three Superman punches. Reigns then grabbed the ring steps and smashed them into Punk's head, leaving Punk bloodied. Reigns then powerbombed Punk through a commentary desk. Reigns tossed Punk back into the ring and went for a spear, but was caught by Punk, who hit a GTS for a near fall. Punk tried for another GTS, but Reigns slipped free and hit a spear for his own near fall.
Reigns failed to hit Punk with a GTS, but Punk did land a Superman punch as they pulled tricks from one another's bags. Punk tried to hit a spear but Reigns caught it and locked in a guillotine. Punk escaped and locked in the anaconda vice. Reigns broke free directly into another guillotine choke. Punk again escaped, but Reigns fought off a sharpshooter to lock in the guillotine again, which Punk flipped through to a pin for a near fall. Punk threw his wrist tape at Reigns, which the referee grabbed to throw out of the ring, allowing Punk to hit a low blow and a GTS, but Reigns kicked out again. Punk set Reigns on the remaining commentary desk before going back to the ring and coming off the top rope with an elbow drop. Back in the ring, Punk hit a GTS and Reigns bounced off the ropes back onto Punk's shoulders. Punk collapsed instead of hitting the move again. Reigns took advantage with a spear, but Punk sat up and tried to throw a punch. Reigns hit another spear, this time keeping Punk down for the count.
The match was wild, with tons of twists and turns, though Punk collapsing when he had the upper hand was a slightly strange way to get to the finish. Then again, Reigns did say Punk was old and maybe the story is that Punk's body couldn't keep up with his heart at this age. Roman Reigns def. CM Punk via pinfall to win the world heavyweight championship. Grade: A
