Cody Rhodes finishes story at WrestleMania 40

Edwin
Edwin  - CEO April 7, 2024
Updated 2024/04/08 at 10:59 AM
23 Min Read
Image credit: wwe.com
Image credit: wwe.com

Conquers Roman Reigns on the biggest stage of wrestling

 

 

Despite losing to The Rock and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns alongside Seth “Freakin” Rollins on WrestleMania Saturday, Cody Rhodes got an assist from John Cena and The Undertaker that cleared the path for him to overcome The Bloodline and finally end the epic title reign of The Tribal Chief.

 

 

On WrestleMania Saturday, The Rock & Roman Reigns scored a controversial victory over Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins to make Bloodline Rules official in The American Nightmare’s Undisputed WWE Championship Match against The Tribal Chief on WrestleMania Sunday.

 

 

WrestleMania Results: Quick Hits

WrestleMania Results: Full Details

 

Complete WrestleMania Saturday results

 

 

The Scottish Warrior finally got to bask in the sun by winning a world title in front of the WWE Universe.

 

With CM Punk providing guest commentary and Drew McIntyre and World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins receiving special entrances, the match had an air of excitement and tension unmatched.

 

McIntyre almost stunned everyone into silence as he clattered The Visionary with a Claymore just seconds into the match, but Rollins kicked out.

 

 

After last night’s hellacious tag team match with Cody Rhodes against The Rock and Roman Reigns, the World Heavyweight Champion was nowhere near 100 percent and was nursing an injured knee.

 

McIntyre taunted Punk outside the ring, readying to level Rollins with a Future Shock, but Rollins countered it into a Pedigree. Rollins then hit a Stomp, but his knee buckled on both occasions, and he could not put away McIntyre.

 

With the announce table cleared, Rollins got onto it and landed a monumental Stomp on McIntyre. After Rollins rolled McIntyre into the ring, The Scottish Warrior somehow recovered and hit two devastating Claymores for the three-count.

 

 

Following the match, an emotional Rollins exited up the ramp and appeared to say, “You deserve it, man,” to the new champion, who subtly nodded to The Visionary.

 

McIntyre, however, climbed onto the announce table to gloat to CM Punk. After dangling the title in the face of his nemesis and using D-Generation X’s signature taunt to The Second City Saint, Punk retaliated by pulling McIntyre’s legs out from under him and striking him with his brace.

 

Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank contract and defeated Drew McIntyre to become the new World Heavyweight Champion

 

Right after CM Punk leveled Drew McIntyre, Damian Priest dashed to the ring to cash in his Money in the Bank contract. He drilled McIntyre with the briefcase at ringside before hitting South of Heaven in the ring to become the new World Heavyweight Champion and celebrating with his ecstatic Judgment Day family on top of the stage.

 

In utter disbelief, a dejected McIntyre could only watch from the ring while Punk serenaded him with a sarcastic round of applause from ringside.

 

The Pride def. The Final Testament in a Six-Man Tag Team Philadelphia Street Fight 

 

 

WWE Hall of Famer Snoop Dogg was on hand to provide guest commentary, and Bubba Ray Dudley was the Special Guest Referee for this incredible Six-Man Tag Team, Philadelphia Street Fight.

 

The Final Testament destroyed the Kendo sticks, wailing The Pride with repeated strikes. As They were about to stack up The Street Profits to win the match, B-Fab clobbered AOP with a steel chair until Scarlett took her out with a trash can.

 

Bubba didn’t take long to bring out the glasses after Kross got into the face of the WWE Hall of Famer.

 

With Bubba directing traffic, Ford and Dawkins paid homage to The Dudley Boyz with a Wassssup headbutt. Bubba and The Pride then shouted to get the tables, and Ford hit a vast frog splash through the table to win the match.

 

LA Knight def. AJ Styles 

 

 

In a fast-paced melee between two Superstars who have quickly developed a dangerous amount of animosity, LA Knight blitzed AJ Styles from the start until The Phenomenal One chop blocked him.

 

Knight and Styles attempted to take each other out by using the top rope on multiple occasions, with Knight biting Styles in a gruesome act.

 

Styles then went for an eye rake, but Knight responded with an avalanche German suplex from the top that left both men reeling.

 

The Phenomenal One kept up the fight, however, taking out Knight’s knee by using the ring post.

 

Knight rebounded by exposing the concrete floor, but it backfired on The Megastar, as Styles’s back body dropped him right onto the unforgiving floor.

 

With the count reaching nine, Knight somehow got back into the ring just nanoseconds before the referee counted 10.

 

As Styles went for the Phenomenal Forearm, Knight countered with a BFT attempt, but Styles countered with a rollup for a two-count.

 

After Styles again tried for a Phenomenal Forearm, Knight caught his rival with a devastating BFT to win the match, YEAH!

 

United States Champion Logan Paul def. Kevin Owens and Randy Orton in a Triple Threat Match 

 

 

Randy Orton and Kevin Owens zipped to the ring on a golf cart looking to tee off on United States Champion Logan Paul.

 

KO landed the first big blow with a double cannonball on both opponents.

 

Owens’ attempt at a Swanton backfired as Paul lifted his knees. Paul then hit Owens with a Swanton of his own, followed by a splash onto Orton, showcasing his athleticism.

 

 

Paul again used his brass knuckles, catching The Apex Predator square in the jaw, but The Viper kicked out. Paul hammered KO in the midsection and face with the devastating weapon still wrapped around his fist. Out of nowhere, Orton caught the U.S. Champion with an RKO but could not capitalize.

 

Just as Orton was about to blast Paul with the punt, IShowSpeed, clad in the PRIME bottle outfit, saved Paul from disaster.

 

Orton responded by obliterating IShowSpeed with an RKO on the announce table.

 

The Viper countered the Pop-up Powerbomb into a devastating RKO, but Paul was there to hurl Orton out of the ring. Paul then hit a stunning frog splash on Owens to retain the U.S. Title.

 

Bayley def. IYO SKY to win the WWE Women’s Championship 

 

 

In a highly personal affair, the founder of Damage CTRL took on her former friend and the Superstar who kicked her out of the group she created.

 

Both Superstars took it to each other as Bayley countered SKY’s leap with a spinebuster onto the floor outside the ring.

 

The Genius of the Sky lived up to her moniker, striking The Role Model with a huge moonsault from the top rope to the floor.

 

Despite a bad knee, Bayley drove SKY into the turnbuckle with a sunset powerbomb.

 

Serenaded by the WWE Universe, Bayley kept fighting, even after two debilitating German suplexes from the champion.

 

SKY tried to hit the Over the Moonsault, but Bayley raised her knees, delivering a big blow to the titleholder and more damage to her knee.

 

After SKY locked in a cross-face for a second time, Bayley had nowhere to go before SKY locked in an STF.

 

 

SKY finally hit the Over the Moonsault, but Bayley miraculously kicked out.

 

SKY narrowly avoided a Rose Plant and seemed to be closing in on a win, but The Role Model landed a huge elbow drop.

 

Bayley finally connected with the Rose Plant, becoming the new WWE Women’s Champion in a gutsy performance.

 

Cody Rhodes def. Roman Reigns to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Title in a Bloodline Rules Match 

 

Battling Roman Reigns under Bloodline Rules, Cody Rhodes faced a mountain to finish his story and win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.

 

Rhodes and Roman Reigns took it to each other all over the Linc, fighting through the WWE Universe.

 

 

The Tribal Chief tried to insult The American Nightmare by hitting Rhodes with the Cross Rhodes, but the 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumble Winners were kicked out.

 

Rhodes responded with a Bionic Elbow, looking up to the heavens in tribute to his father Dusty Rhodes.

 

Rhodes turned it around on Reigns, hitting him with a Spear before connecting with the Cross Rhodes. Unfortunately for Rhodes, Jimmy Uso smacked him in the jaw with a superkick before he could hit the second Cross Rhodes.

 

 

Jey emerged to attack his brother and took him out of the equation with a giant Spear off the stage and through a table.

 

Now fighting Reigns one-on-one, The American Nightmare flew through The Head of the Table, Spearing him through the barricade.

 

In shades of last year, Solo Sikoa emerged to Spike Rhodes as The American Nightmare was about to hit his third straight Cross Rhodes.

 

Unbelievably, Rhodes kicked out after Spike/Spear combo.

 

John Cena then came to fend off Sikoa and hit Reigns with an Attitude Adjustment.

 

The Final Boss arrived, however, sending the WWE Universe into a frenzy.

 

Cena tried to take a swing, but The Rock leveled Cena with a Rock Bottom.

 

Decked out in Shield gear and entering to the iconic music, Seth “Freakin” Rollins emerged but was stopped by Reigns.

 

The stadium lights went out, and The Undertaker arrived in the ring to Chokeslam The Rock into oblivion!

 

 

With the match truly off the walls, Rhodes hit Reigns three successive Cross Rhodes to finally finish his story and become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.

 

An emotional celebration followed as Rhodes was joined by his mother, his wife Brandi Rhodes, Randy Orton, Triple H, CM Punk, Jey Uso, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, LA Knight, Cena, Rollins, Bruce Prichard, and Triple H. Many of them embraced The American Nightmare. In contrast, the WWE Universe wholeheartedly embraced their new champion.

 

Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley def. Becky Lynch

 

 

The Women’s World Championship will remain with Rhea Ripley as Mami defeated The Man to kick off WrestleMania XL on Saturday.

Ripley was on a mission not just to defeat Becky Lynch but to humiliate her with an incredible strength advantage. Ever the fighter, Lynch refused to be dominated and fought back in typical Lasskicker fashion.

 

The Man finally gained the upper hand thanks to her resiliency, punctuated by a massive leg drop to the back of the champion’s head, but Ripley’s power allowed her to dump the challenger on her head.

 

 

Lynch managed to lock in the Dis-arm-her on Mami’s injured elbow, but The Eradicator shocked the WWE Universe by deadlifting The Man and slamming her repeatedly onto the mat.

 

Ripley and Lynch traded their best shots, as Ripley locked in Prism Trap and hit a Riptide while Lynch nailed a Man-handle Slam. However, seemingly no move could end the epic bout.

 

Mami and The Man were precariously placed on the top rope, but Lynch’s attempt at a Super Man-handle Slam was countered into a pair of Riptides that delivered Ripley the win.

 

The Awesome Truth and A-Town Down Under def. The Judgment Day, #DIY, The New Day, and New Catch Republic in a Six-Pack Ladder Match to split the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship

 

 

Two new Tag Team Champion duos, The Awesome Truth and A-Town Down Under, captured gold by unlatching two titles.

 

The action came fast and furious early on, highlighted by Tyler Bate’s incredible airplane spin on Finn Bálor as The Judgment Day star was tangled in a ladder.

 

The Awesome Truth and #DIY hatched a plan for each team to grab separate titles, but they were thwarted by A-Town Under, who scaled the ladders to become SmackDown Tag Team Champion.

 

The New Day felt their presence as Kofi Kingston flew off the top of a ladder to take out his opponents, but Austin Theory prevented Xavier Woods from winning the title.

 

R-Truth looked poised to scale the ladder and win the match, but JD McDonagh appeared and knocked him off, and The Judgment Day felt the wrath of The New Day’s steel chair attack.

 

Damian Priest climbed the ladder looking to retain, but R-Truth reemerged, took out his former friend, scaled the ladder, and won the Raw Tag Team Title for himself and The Miz.

 

Rey Mysterio & Andrade def. Santos Escobar & “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio

 

 

WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio teamed up with Andrade to take out his bitter rival Santos Escobar and his son, “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio. Still, they also received a big boost from some Philadelphia favorites.

 

Like he did at WrestleMania 39, Mysterio wanted to beat some respect into his son, but “Dirty” Dom countered his father and gained the advantage for himself and Escobar.

 

The legendary luchador took a hellacious beating from Escobar, but he finally managed to tag in Andrade as El Idolo went to work against their opponents.

 

 

Mysterio nailed a 619 on Escobar as Andrade hit a twisting splash to the outside, but chaos ensued as all members of The LWO and Legado Del Fantasma hit the ring.

 

“Dirty.” Dom went to go for a steel chair, but he was attacked by two masked men, allowing The LWO to regain control. Mysterio then hit a 619 and a splash for the win, with the mystery men revealing themselves as NFL superstars Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles!

 

Jey Uso def. Jimmy Uso

 

 

The City of Brotherly Love was treated to a good old-fashioned battle of brothers as Jey and Jimmy Uso threw down, with YEET overcoming NO YEET.

 

Jey started the action with a bang as he hit his twin with a dive between the ropes before the bell could even ring.

 

The match became emotional as a teary-eyed Jimmy begged for his brother’s hand. Jey immediately regretted his decision of mercy as Jimmy’s nastiness reared its ugly head once again.

 

Jey finally managed to counter his brother into a Spear and hit a Uso Splash to win over his twin.

 

Jade Cargill, Naomi & Bianca Belair def. Damage CTRL – Six-Woman Tag Team Match

 

 

The team of Jade Cargill, Naomi, and Bianca Belair was nothing short of a dream team as they took down Asuka, Kairi Sane, and Dakota Kai of Damage CTRL in a Six-Woman Tag Team Match.

 

Naomi and Belair felt the wrath of the WWE Tag Team Champions, The Kabuki Warriors, as they couldn’t gain sustained momentum.

 

Making her WrestleMania debut, Cargill brought the storm to her opponents by tossing around every member of Damage CTRL. She downed her opponents and also gave her partners enough time to recover.

 

Asuka went for her signature mist attack, but it backfired as she hit Sane. This allowed Cargill, Belair, and Naomi to wipe out their competition, punctuated by a vast Jaded from Cargill.

 

Sami Zayn def. Gunther to win the Intercontinental Championship

 

 

Gunther’s record reign as Intercontinental Champion is officially over as Sami Zayn dethroned the titan at WrestleMania XL Saturday.

 

The brutal offense of Gunther was on full display as he relentlessly chopped and attacked Zayn, including several brutal clotheslines in the corner.

 

Zayn refused to relent to the champion and showed an immeasurable amount of heart, countering Gunther’s signature clubbing blows and sleeper hold.

 

A dropkick and a thunderous powerbomb seemingly won the match for the titleholder, but Zayn again showed the championship grit needed to survive.

 

More power, lariats, and brutal strikes followed, with Gunther even taking time to mock Zayn’s wife sitting at ringside.

 

While Gunther prepared for another splash from the top rope, a defiant Zayn nailed a Helluva Kick and Brainbuster before hitting one final Helluva Kick to win the Intercontinental Title.

 

The Rock & Roman Reigns def. Cody Rhodes & Seth “Freakin” Rollins

 

 

The Tribal Chief and The Final Boss came to Philadelphia to conquer, and that’s precisely what they did by defeating Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins in the main event of WrestleMania XL Saturday.

 

The tension was palpable as Rollins started the match against his former Shield partner, Roman Reigns, all while the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion mocked and berated his former friend.

 

 

The American Nightmare was itching to be tagged in, and The Visionary obliged, giving the WWE Universe a preview of what’s to come on WrestleMania Sunday.

 

The action quickly broke down as all four Superstars battled around Lincoln Financial Field, with The threatening the WWE official to prevent a count-out.

 

Rollins fought valiantly through a knee injury and finally tagged in his partner. The American Nightmare began to clear house, dispatching Reigns with his signature offense highlighted by a Disaster Kick and a Cody Cutter.

 

 

With Reigns isolated, the dynamic duo had the match seemingly won after a Cross Rhodes, but The Rock pulled the referee out of the ring before the three-count. The Rock lined up Rhodes for The People’s Elbow as the action continued, but The American Nightmare countered it with a Cody Cutter.

 

Reigns was set on delivering a Spear, but he miscalculated and instead hit The Rock. Rhodes followed up with a Rock Bottom on The Final Boss through a table while Reigns nearly simultaneously Speared Rollins through the barricade.

 

 

In the end, The Rock whipped Rhodes one last time, planted him with a Rock Bottom, and hit The People’s Elbow to give his team the win. This ensured that the main event of WrestleMania XL Sunday was contested under Bloodline Rules.

 

WWE

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