Wrestlemania 40: Results and reaction from historic WWE PLE
Official WWEWWE fans rejoice as Cody Rhodes has finally finished his story by defeating Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 40. Here is a full breakdown of the two-night event.
It’s not called the ‘Showcase of the Immortals’ for nothing. Wrestlemania is the single biggest professional wrestling event of the year, a spectacle without compare, and effectively an ‘end point’ for months of WWE storytelling.
It’s where the biggest matchups go down, where the biggest crowds convene, and where we get some of the most memorable highlights in wrestling history. And with this year’s event marking the 40th anniversary, Wrestlemania 40 more than lived up to its billing.
Wrestlemania 40: Night 1 results
Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Championship
The sold-out Philadelphia crowd erupted as Becky Lynch and Rhea Ripley made their way to the squared circle to kick off Wrestlemania 40.
With Ripley’s Women’s World Championship on the line, the two women engaged in a fierce back-and-forth battle, and each had their fair share of moments to shine.
Ripley hit Lynch with an onslaught of moves, but “The Man” wouldn’t go down that easily. She kept getting back up, no matter how much damage she took.
Alas, the reigning Women’s World Champion prevailed after nailing her finishing “Riptide” move and finally putting the scrappy Lynch away.
It was another star-making performance for Ripley, as Lynch officially passed the baton by putting over “Mami” on the grandest stage of them all.
Winner: Rhea Ripley
Six-Pack Tag Team Championship Ladder Match
The first-ever six-pack tag team match lived up to its billing by featuring several dangerous spots and multiple jaw-dropping falls.
A Town Down Under quickly won the Smackdown tag team titles before Grayson Waller was sent through a ladder while holding his newly won championship.
Later, three different teams had their hands on the RAW tag team belts, but R-Truth finally got his Wrestlemania moment by tossing Damian Priest out of the ring and retrieving the titles.
The crowd unanimously approved of R-Truth’s victory, marking his first win at the ‘Showcase of the Immortals.’
Winners:
RAW — R-Truth and Miz
Smackdown — Grayson Waller and Austin Theory
Rey Mysterio and Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio and Santos Escobar
Thanks to interference, Dom and Santos held an advantage toward the end of the match, with defeat looking all but certain for Rey and Andrade.
But two masked men stormed the Wrestlemania 40 ring and leveled the playing field by helping Rey and Andrade to victory.
Following the match, Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson revealed themselves to the crowd and it caused a loud pop from every fan in attendance.
Winners: Rey Mysterio and Andrade (plus Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson)
A Battle of Brothers
Jey and Jimmy Uso have been engaged in a long-running feud that finally came to a head at Wrestlemania 40. Although twins, Jey is technically the little brother of Jimmy, having entered the world nine minutes after him.
Jey’s dealt with the shadow of his big brother, along with the looming presence of The Bloodline, for several months, but he finally got over by defeating Jimmy via pinfall at the “Super Bowl” of the WWE.
Fans embraced Jey by chanting “Yeet,” cementing that he, at long last, is now out of his big brother’s shadow for good.
Winner: Jey Uso
Six-Woman Tag Team Match
Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Jade Cargill largely had their way with Damage CTRL, with Cargill emerging as a future main event player via a dominant showing at Wrestlemania 40.
Expect 2024 to be the year that Cargill becomes a household name — if her Wrestlemania performance didn’t accomplish that already.
Winners: Bianca Belair, Naomi, and Jade Cargill
Intercontinental Championship Match
Sami Zayn did his best “Rocky” impression in front of an animated Philadelphia crowd by dethroning Gunther in a massive upset.
Zayn threw everything he had at the reigning Intercontinental Champion, which was too much for Gunther to handle.
The 666-day reign of terror Gunther had on the RAW mid-card is now over. This is Sami Zayn’s story now.
Winner: Sami Zayn
The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins
The Rock and Roman Reigns decimated their foes for much of the fight. Rollins, in particular, was writhing in agony several times due to an early leg injury.
That is until Cody Rhodes came to Rollins’ defense by slapping The Rock across the face and turning the momentum in his favor.
Rhodes eventually hit a couple of “Cody Cutters” and even bloodied the nose of Roman Reigns, but Rock saved the reigning WWE Universal Champion from certain defeat.
As the referee was about to complete a three-count on Reigns, Rock yanked the official out of the ring to preserve the matchup.
Later in the match, Reigns recovered and was on the prowl, seeking to hit Rhodes with a spear. But Rhodes narrowly escaped after Rollins saved him.
Reigns’ spear found a home, but it wasn’t on the intended target. Instead, The Rock was nearly cut in half by the wayward attack.
Alas, The Bloodline would again recover. With Rollins beaten to a pulp, Rhodes was left to deal with Rock and Reigns alone.
After slapping Rhodes with the infamous “Mama Rhodes” belt, Rock completed The People’s Elbow and subsequently pinned Rhodes.
Now, Rhodes’ “fair fight” with Reigns on Night 2 of Wrestlemania 40 is no longer fair. It will be “Bloodline Rules” for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
And Rollins faces an uphill battle against Drew McIntyre, as the reigning World Heavyweight Champion will be far from 100 percent on Wrestlemania’s second night.
Winners: The Rock and Roman Reigns
Wrestlemania 40: Night 2 results
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre opened the second night of Wrestlemania 40 with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line.
McIntyre instantly hit a clearly injured Rollins with his patented “Claymore Kick” as the opening bell rang. He scurried for a cover, but it was thwarted at a two-count.
As the match progressed, Rollins put up a valiant effort. He landed multiple stomps and attempted high-flying attacks from the top rope on McIntyre.
However, after hitting several finishing moves, McIntyre’s final “Claymore Kick” did enough damage to end the match.
McIntyre earned his first world title in front of fans, and most of the packed house in Philadelphia approved of this victory.
However, after the match, McIntyre got into it with guest commentator CM Punk. Then, Damian Priest’s music hit and the crowd lost it.
Priest ran to the ring, cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase, and seized the opportunity by winning his first World Heavyweight Championship.
Winner: Damian Priest
Philadelphia Street Fight
Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits challenged The Final Testament in a six-man tag match featuring Philadelphia Street Fight rules.
Hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg shined with his hilarious commentary while the six superstars put on a show inside the ring.
Lashley and The Street Profits emerged victorious after multiple spots featuring tables, kendo sticks, and other weapons — much to the delight of Snoop Dogg.
Winners: Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles
After months of buildup, the Knight and Styles rivalry reached a boiling point at Wrestlemania 40.
The two former TNA superstars traded blows in a back-and-forth match, but Knight’s BFT sealed the deal, earning him a victory against one of the best wrestlers alive.
Winner: LA Knight
United States Championship Match
Logan Paul defended his belt against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens in a dogfight that featured a surprise appearance from streamer IShowSpeed.
He interfered by luring Orton away from the ring, although “The Viper” got the last laugh by RKO’ing Speed through the announcer’s table.
Still, the distraction paid off for Paul, as he came out victorious, keeping the United States belt around his waist with an assist from Speed.
Winner: Logan Paul
WWE Women’s Championship Match
Iyo Sky and Bayley met in the penultimate match of the evening. The two former allies had a rough falling out a few weeks back, and that bad blood festered in Philadelphia.
Sky controlled most of the match, but Bayley, the big-time fan-favorite, rallied from behind to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
RAW gets a new primary champion for the brand.
Winner: Bayley
Undisputed WWE Universal Championship Match
Both men took their time getting down the ramp as the main event of Wrestlemania 40 was finally set to commence.
Cody Rhodes, flanked by his wife, Brandi, was visibly emotional as his music echoed through Lincoln Financial Field.
The always stoic Roman Reigns slowly walked to the ring, embracing the boo’s and negative remarks from the volatile Philadelphia crowd.
As the match began, it didn’t take long for action to spill outside the ring. Reigns and Rhodes brutalized each other to the enjoyment of the WWE Universe.
Once the two Goliaths returned to the ring, Reigns took over. He controlled the pace of the match for several minutes, but Rhodes was unable to break his stride.
But Cody, as he typically does, scratched and clawed his way back into it. Momentum shifted back and forth many times throughout the scrum.
Complete and utter chaos took over as the Uso’s, Solo Sikoa, The Rock, John Cena, Seth Rollins, and The Undertaker all made cameos during the match, as WWE fans everywhere marked out.
After the dust settled, Rhodes hit three Cross Rhodes and finally, at long last, earned the three-count against Reigns.
Rhodes completes his story and makes good on the promise to his father. A Rhodes family member has now worn the WWE Championship.
Winner: Cody Rhodes
