Cody Rhodes has ended Roman Reigns’ 1316-day title reign as WWE Common Champion in an epic showdown at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia on Monday (AEST).
Reigns had the fourth longest title reign in WWE historical past and victory would have put him on a collision course with The Rock, who helped him to a tag workforce win one the opening day of WrestleMania.
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However Rhodes prevailed, outlasting Reigns within the WrestleMania primary occasion to lastly change into Common Champion and “full his story”.
The match was contested underneath ‘Bloodline Guidelines’, which means no disqualifications.
The loss is revenge for Rhodes after he misplaced to Reigns at WrestleMania final yr and The Rock threatened to chop his storyline quick by leapfrogging Rhodes to struggle Reigns.
In what was an epic finale, Rhodes and Reigns traded blows earlier than a sequence of wrestling legends emerged for some star-studded cameos.
Jey Uso took out his brother Jimmy, whereas John Cena fought off Solo Sikoa.
Cena entered the ring solely to cop a ‘all-time low’ transfer from The Rock.
The lights at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Monetary Discipline went out earlier than The Undertaker appeared out of nowhere and Undertaker choke-slammed The Rock on his again.
Seth Rollins additionally obtained concerned just for Reigns to slam a chair into his again.
WWE inventive director Triple H shook Rhodes’ hand and embraced him after the 38-year-old was handed the Common Championship belt.
Rhodes mentioned his win heralded a “new period’ of WWE.
It’s unclear what the end result means for The Rock, who was set to face off with Reigns in their very own match.
It comes after a banner day for Australian wrestling on the opening night time of WrestleMania on Sunday (AEST), with Rhea Rhipley efficiently defending her WWE ladies’s championship towards Becky Lynch and fellow Aussie Grayson Waller claiming the SmackDown tag workforce championships with accomplice Austin Principle.
Adelaide’s Bronson Reed additionally gained the Andre the Big Memorial Battle Royal on the pre-WrestleMania version of SmackDown.
However all of the speak was about Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock, who made his long-awaited return to professional wrestling — serving to cousin Roman Reigns prevail over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins within the night time one primary occasion.
11.05am – Logan Paul defends title
Logan Paul has defended his WWE United States Championship in a a triple menace match towards Kevin Owens and Randy Orton.
A spotlight got here when Paul launched himself off the ropes, touchdown on Owens earlier than easily transitioning right into a ahead roll and leaping on high off Orton.
The YouTuber sealed victory with one other critically athletic ‘frog splash’ transfer — leaping excessive off the ropes on high off Owens and holding him down for the three-count.
Pat McAfee mentioned in commentary: “My god, have a look at the peak. If there was a roof on this place, Logan might have simply flirted with it.”
Paul entered the world on the again of a Prime truck, and YouTuber IShowSpeed, dressed as a Prime drink mascot, saved Paul mid-fight by pulling him out of the ring simply as Orton appeared to complete him off.
The Rock breaks protocol
There was a shocking second throughout The Rock’s cameo on night time one, when he appeared to make use of his place as a board member on WWE’s guardian firm TKO to threaten the referee.
At one stage he swore on the referee and threatened to have him fired if he ‘counted’ anybody out within the match.
The Rock mentioned: “Take heed to me, for those who rely, you’re fired. You perceive?
“You already know The Rock, I don’t f**ok round. You rely, you’re fired.”
WWE is supposed to be pretty household pleasant viewing and broadcasters had to make use of the mute button in a belated effort to make sure The Rock’s expletives didn’t go to air.
The referee additionally apologised to Rhodes when The Rock punched his tag workforce teammate Seth Rollins in a low blow, telling Rhodes there was nothing he may do about it.
“Oh my god. The Rock simply delivered a deliberate low blow,” the commentator mentioned.
“Chad Patton the official actually went over to Cody Rhodes and apologised to him and mentioned, ‘I can’t do nothing about it’.”
“Chad Patton with a disgusted look on his face, actually helpless at this level.”
The 51-year-old actor has absolutely embraced his villain position since saying his return to skilled wrestling at the beginning of the yr.
The Rock referred to as WWE followers in Utah’s Salt Lake Metropolis “trailer park trash” in a blistering rant at SmackDown in February.
The Rock’s return has divided WWE followers, with many determined to see Rhodes full his story by defeating Reigns to lastly change into world champion after 15 years.
WRESTLEMANIA 40 NIGHT TWO CARD
Undisputed WWE Common Championship: Cody Rhodes def Roman Reigns
WWE United States Championship: Logan Paul def vs Kevin Owens vs Randy Orton
LA Knight def AJ Types
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Drew McIntyre def Seth Rollins
WWE Ladies’s Championship: Bayley def Iyo Sky
Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins def Karrion Kross, Akam & Rezar (Philadelphia Road Combat)
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