Roman Reigns held a firm grip on WWE's title picture for over four years. "The Tribal Chief" seemed unbeatable, inevitable even. He even beat Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39. However, Rhodes did not give up on "finishing his story,"
On night two of WrestleMania 40, 72,755 fans in Lincoln Financial Field witnessed the end of Reigns' almost four-year reign (1,316 days) as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Rhodes, who left AEW to return to WWE, becoming the true face of the company right away, beat Reigns to win gold.
It was the biggest WWE match of the modern era, as Reigns and Rhodes were titans competing in a coliseum. They knew one another well. Anything was possible with Bloodline Rules thanks to the first night's dramatics. The match kicked up a notch thanks to an Avengers Endgame-like run of appearances from Reigns’ past.
Reigns’ brother Jey came to save Rhodes from interference from brother Jimmy. Solo Sikoa, a thorn in everyone who has faced Reigns’ side, was stopped by John Cena. Cena got confronted by an old enemy and Reigns' cousin, The Rock, who tortured Rhodes and his family for weeks. The Undertaker, whom The Rock and Reigns know well, made his presence felt. Lastly, Seth Rollins, a ghost for Reigns, came out in Shield gear.
MORE: WrestleMania night one Match Grades | Full Card Results
Reigns could have ended the match with Rhodes by focusing on him. However, his hatred for Rollins, who betrayed him ten+ years ago, consumed him. Focusing on Rollins and hitting him with a chair, like Rollins did to Reigns, Reigns was distracted enough for Rhodes to hit Cross Rhodes multiple times for the win.
It was a beautiful moment to end a long but creative story. Reigns’ Bloodline story may not be over just yet, but Rhodes now leads a new era for WWE without a Vince McMahon in it. He truly became undeniable. Anything is possible if you... as The Shield used to say, believe.
FINISHED. THE. STORY. ❤️#CodyRhodes earned that #WrestleMania moment. pic.twitter.com/U5IAnBimgv
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2024
The other Royal Rumble winner, Bayley, beat Iyo Sky to win the WWE Women’s Title. As a former Damage CTRL teammate, Sky got her comeuppance. Bayley, who was carrying a knee injury, dug deep to complete a journey that started after she injured herself years ago.
It's a long time coming for Bayley, one of the most accomplished champions and wrestlers in WWE history.
Logan Paul defied the odds and beat Kevin Owens and Randy Orton to retain the WWE United States Title. Paul didn’t have a viral moment like most matches, but he used his athleticism to get the win. He gets pro wrestling. IShowSpeed got involved but was RKOed for his troubles.
LA Knight and AJ Styles, two former TNA Wrestling stars, had a great match where they pulverized one another for several minutes. Knight, almost fired from WWE at one point, had the crowd on his side the entire night. He beat Styles, gaining momentum for what could be a big 2024.
In a match honoring ECW, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits beat Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar of The Final Testament. Tables, chairs, and kendo sticks got involved. Bubba Ray Dudley, the special guest referee, got involved to help Lashley and The Street Profits win. Snoop Dogg on commentary was the highlight of the match.
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The night started with two title changes. Rollins competed in his second WrestleMania match this weekend, facing Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Title. Injuries from months of putting WWE on his back and from night one’s match against Roman Reigns and The Rock got to Rollins. McIntyre, who used Twitter/X during the contest, landed multiple Claymore Kicks for the win.
However, McIntyre’s hatred for CM Punk, on commentary for the match, overtook his emotions. Punk attacked a gloating McIntyre, and Damian Priest of The Judgement Day finally cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Priest pinned McIntyre to win WWE gold.
Priest is the first Puerto Rican world champion in WWE since Pedro Morales 50 years ago. What does that mean for McIntyre’s contract status with WWE? Will Rollins rest up now?
The Sporting News provided results, match grades, and highlights from night two of WrestleMania 40.
WWE WrestleMania 40 night two full card results
- Cody Rhodes def. Roman Reigns (c) for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title
- Bayley def. Iyo Sky (c) for the WWE Women's Title
- Logan Paul (c) def. Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens for the WWE United States Title
- LA Knight def. AJ Styles
- Bobby Lashley, Angelo Dawkins, and Montez Ford def. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar) in a Philadelphia Street Fight
- Damian Priest def. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Title
- Drew McIntyre def. Seth “Freakin’” Rollins (c) for the World Heavyweight Title