Fans are Astonished by the Number of WrestleMania Commercials

When it comes to commercials overwhelming sporting events, golf fans often voice the most complaints, followed by NFL fans dreading the commercial-touchback-commercial cycle. But for pro wrestling fans, commercials have generally been a non-issue—until WrestleMania 41. The event was a mixed bag for viewers; with memorable moments like the Night 1 main event featuring CM Punk, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins showcasing the drama expected from modern WWE, and the Night 2 opening triple threat match between Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, and Bianca Belair capturing attention.

However, disappointments were also present, particularly in the Sunday main event where Cody Rhodes faced John Cena, culminating in a lackluster Travis Scott run-in that halted the match’s momentum. Cena’s record-breaking 17th championship victory should have been a highlight, but the absence of The Rock and the unexciting finish left many fans feeling let down. Yet, through all the ups and downs of WrestleMania 41, one thing remained constant: the commercials. WWE has increasingly embraced commercial sponsorship, especially following its merger with UFC to form TKO, resulting in omnipresent advertising that some feel detracts from the atmosphere of its premier event.

Fans realized they were in for a lengthy two-night barrage of ads when WrestleMania 41 opened with Swedish DJ Salvatore Ganacci promoting the video game Fatal Fury, a sponsor prominently featured on the ring mat that resembled a NASCAR driver’s suit. After Jey Uso won the world heavyweight championship on Night 1, it was surprising he did not take a moment to thank Slim Jim, The General, and Clash of Clans during his interview. This marked just the beginning, as WWE packed commercials between every match, resulting in longer wait times than the matches themselves. An account dedicated to measuring wait times versus in-ring action during Night 1 revealed that the intervals between matches (including ads, entrances, and video packages) sometimes exceeded the time the wrestlers spent actually performing in the ring.

Here’s🫵OFFICIAL #WrestleMania Night 1 Wait Times:

🔔to🔔

18:38
17:36
12:55
14:00
13:59
20:38
34:11

TOTAL WAIT TIME: 2:11:57 (Avg = 18:51)
TOTAL MATCH TIME: 1:45:14

54% = post match, entrances, packages and ads

No match was longer than the wait time for it to start#WWE pic.twitter.com/I9AQYjl0dX

— WWEWaitTimes (@WWEWaitTimes) April 20, 2025

It wasn’t just the ads between matches that felt excessive; every match also had an individual sponsor, which diluted the intensity of moments like the Rhodes-Cena face-off. The brief interlude featuring a Drumstick mascot in the crowd was a far cry from the excitement wrestling fans expect.

The @Drumstick Cone is here along with the CONE ZONE for our #WrestleMania Sunday main event! pic.twitter.com/2FQOFjNgPw

— WWE (@WWE) April 21, 2025

We fondly recall the iconic WrestleMania III main event between Hulk Hogan and Andre the Giant, with a Big League Chew mascot entertaining the crowd as Real American blasted over the speakers. However, it soon felt like WrestleMania itself was merely a backdrop for a relentless two-night stream of advertisements. Viewers watching on the ad-supported tier of Peacock faced the most frustration, experiencing commercials replacing crucial pre-match video packages.

I have @peacock premium and I missed out all the promos and got commercials instead yesterday and today for #WrestleMania

— Joe W (@JobeTilT) April 21, 2025

The commercials during wrestlemania are out of control

— THEBehuniak (@THEBehuniak) April 21, 2025

Literally every match and everything that happens at #WrestleMania41 has some different sponsor that they have to read the copy for, which takes time. Then Peacock goes to commercials and we miss stuff. It’s frustrating.#WrestleMania

— Jonathan Cage (@Jonathan_Cage10) April 20, 2025

Checked out Wrestlemania and it’s just 7,406 ads constantly beating into you. The ring covered with ads, the barriers, the turnbuckles, stands next to the announcers, neverending ad breaks, ad reads during entrances, wrestlers on the show dressed like ads, constant ad pop-ups

— Ben in Black (@lifeinrewind) April 20, 2025

I just wish Wrestlemania wasn’t a giant commercial. Giant fatal fury logo in the ring, war raiders walking out in clash of clans cosplay, snickers ad in between matches, xfinity graphics before entrances, announcers talking about slim jims like they’re not reading off a script pic.twitter.com/B4A74Oqs4s

— Em (@moonmin_03) April 20, 2025

Right after the sponsored match is an ad. Ads on the ring, ads on the mat, plugs before the match, commercials on a PPV. AD-A-Mania #WrestleMania

— Michael (@CMichaelonYT) April 20, 2025

Can you stop putting ads on entrances man wtf, why is there a drumstick mascot in a Cody Rhodes entrance #WrestleMania

— Russ’ TD ⚡ (@RussFcb) April 21, 2025

The peacock ads cutting through all of the match promos are actually terrible. #WrestleMania

— BostonSportsExtra (@SportsExtraDG) April 21, 2025

I’ll enjoy the game, but I’m out of WWE as a show. Their flagship event, Wrestlemania, is just one giant advert. There are wrestlers dressed as Clash of Clans characters, a 10-second DJ set for a fighting game, and the ring mat looks like a NASCAR racing suit. Utter dirge.

— BiggusBennus – Ben Austwick (@biggusbennus1) April 20, 2025

The worst part about the main event was the random dirt bike entrance for Cody, & the Nestle Drumstick bit right after. It did a lot to dampen the “big fight” feel. The match itself wasn’t awful but needed The Rock, not Travis Scott. #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/opvscp2yOz

— Trash Talkin’ Tony (@TrashTalkinTony) April 21, 2025

This overwhelming commercial presence comes at a time when WWE is also facing scrutiny for leaving many stars and potentially exciting matchups off the WrestleMania card. Reducing the commercial load even slightly could have created room for additional matches across the two nights. While it’s understandable that WWE and TKO are capitalizing on corporate partnerships, the sheer volume of ads during WrestleMania 41 ultimately hindered the overall experience. Though high levels of commercial presence may be common in NFL or NBA broadcasts, it’s not what wrestling fans are used to. One can only speculate how long until finishing moves or signature moments receive sponsorship; if CM Punk’s “Go to Sleep” were to be sponsored by Mattress Firm, we’d certainly be crossing a new line.