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WrestleMania XL Night Two: Cody Rhodes concludes his story

Arin De Castro
TOP PHOTO: Cody Rhodes celebrates winning the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Photo: WWE

TOP PHOTO: Cody Rhodes celebrates winning the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Photo: WWE

With night one wrapped up, you can expect night two of WrestleMania XL to be just as chaotic or more.

If you missed last night, The Rock and Roman Reigns beat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. This means the Reigns vs. Rhodes match will be under The Bloodline rules. In last night’s match, it seems like Rollins will face McIntyre with a knee injury. It’s not looking good for Rhodes and Rollins.

Nonetheless, here’s the recap.

Stephanie McMahon makes her appearance and makes her way to the center of the ring at Lincoln Financial Field. She gives a monologue about seeing the first WrestleMania and how special this year’s WrestleMania is because it is the first one of the Paul Levesque era. She then asks the crowd, “Are you ready?” They obviously responded yes.

“The Cult of Personality” CM Punk joins Pat McAfee, Corey Graves and Michael Cole for commentary as promised, and yes, he makes the Rollins vs. McIntyre match a lot better.

WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins (c) vs. Drew McIntyre

The opening fight is probably the second-biggest match of the day. The hungry Scottish Warrior takes on the injured Seth ‘Freakin’ Rollins. The two had totally opposite entrances. McIntyre had a more traditional and monotone entrance, while Rollins had a very colorful and fun entrance.

CLAYMORE!

McIntyre almost ended the fight not even five seconds into it. Rollins exited the ring to try to recover, but McIntyre continued his onslaught on the battered champion. McIntyre goes back-and-forth with CM Punk, who then gives up his advantage and gets pedigreed by Rollins.

But Rollins shows that he is battered, holding his knee.

The two re-enter the ring, and Rollins almost pins Rollins but kicks out. The two continue to go back-and-forth until McIntyre hits the champ with a backbreaker.

The challenger then attempts another claymore but is caught with a powerbomb, followed by a pedigree and a stomp.

The rivals exchange failed finishers, but McIntyre takes charge once again.

He then taunts CM Punk with his signature pose, then tries a Punks signature move on the revolutionary but gets countered.

CM Punk makes a point that McIntyre is not focused on Rollins even after telling the champion to only focus on him. McIntyre continues to show off in front of Punk, which leads to him getting stomped on the commentary table.

After two claymores, McIntyre finally wins a world championship in front of fans, ending Rollins’ reign.

Winner: Drew McIntyre via pinfall

Drew McIntyre beat Seth Rollins to win the WWE World championship at Night 2 of WrestleMania XL at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com

CM Punk discredits the win because the former champion was battle-damaged. McIntyre then makes his way to Punk and tells him that he will end his career.

“The Cult of Personality” finally gets some action and takes out McIntyre.

Then comes Damien Priest, taking his opportunity and cashes in.

‘Señor Money in the Bank,’ is now ‘Señor World Heavyweight Champion.’

CM Punk applauds, and Priest celebrates with Judgement Day. What an absolute disaster for McIntyre.

Damien Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank suitcase to beat Drew McIntyre to win the WWE World championship at Night 2 of WrestleMania XL at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com

Philadelphia Street Fight: The Street Profits & Bobby Lashley vs. The Final Testament

Snoop Dogg makes his way to the commentary team, basically replacing Punk. Bubba Ray Dudley is also the guest referee for the match.

The match gets straight to business. Tables out, Kendo sticks out.

The Final Testament goes three-on-one against Lashley. ‘The All-Mighty’ was temporarily successful, but with the sticks, The Final Testament took over.

B-Fab and Scarlett get involved. Montez Ford takes flight, Bobby Lashley has his way with Kross but gets interrupted by Scarlett. As expected, there is a lot going on.

After a two-count, Kross gets into Dudley’s face, which ends in a spear by Lashley. Dudley then gives instructions to the Street Profits, which crushes Kross’s manhood.

1-2-3, GET THE TABLES!

The Street Profits bring out the tables once more; Montez Ford takes flight with Kross on the table, ending the fight with a Lashley pinfall.

Winners: Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits

The fight was entertaining but ended a lot faster than I expected. Not complaining, though; it was a cool match.

LA Knight vs. AJ Styles

Before this bout, LA Knight arrives in a Slim Jim mobile. During his entrance, he gives away the car to a fan in the crowd. If I were the fan, I would definitely remove all the branding on the cat.

Back to the match, this heated rivalry finally gets to settle their beef. The two get started right away, not even finishing AJ Styles’ entrance — which happens to be a new theme song.

LA Knight takes advantage of the first half of this fast-paced match. In and out of the ring, the two go.

In the ring, AJ Styles takes control by working Knight’s leg. After a series of clotheslines, this match goes back in favor of LA Knight, almost ending it with a DDT.

LA Knight then changes levels, taking Styles at the top turnbuckle, which leads to Styles retaking the momentum, putting Knights face to the canvas.

Back at the top turnbuckle they go, where Knight chops and German suplexes off the top.

Styles then works Knight’s leg once more by putting him in a calf crusher.

Styles smells blood in the water, so he drives his rival’s knee into the post. Knight then uses his legs to smash Styles’ head in.

Knight removes the padding on the floor and then attempts to powerbomb ‘The Phenomenal One,’ who recovers and flips Knight into his trap.

A failed 450 splash ends on Knight’s knee. The two then go blow for blow and continue the fast-paced match.

Styles then tries to launchpad himself into his rival, but LA Knight takes him off and lands a BFT, ending the bout.

Winner: LA Knight via pinfall

Right after their match, the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2024 was presented to the fans of Philadelphia once more. They also showed the trailer for Windham Rotunda, paying their respects once again.

WWE United States Championship: Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens vs. Randy Orton

With Logan Paul causing problems for both his opponents in the lead-up to WrestleMania XL, it is safe to say he picked some of the worst people he could’ve. He decided to step on the toes of former WWE Universal Champion Kevin Owens and 14-time World Champion Randy Orton. ‘The Maverick’ has some work to do.

Paul enters the match on a truck with his energy drink brand, Prime, all over it. No surprise there.

In Owens’ entrance, the new WWE Intercontinental Champion, Sami Zayn, returns the favor and motivates Owens, telling him that it’s his turn. This is very wholesome. Owen then drives in in a kart.

Orton makes his entrance then Owens backs up on his buggy and forces Orton to get on the kart; Orton obliges — that was awesome.

The bout starts, and Paul exits the ring right away; Owens and Orton then tag-team him. In a newly formed alliance over the last few weeks, Orton and Owens take turns slamming Paul on the commentary table, even having meetings in between.

Back in the ring, its the same story. Paul is absolutely bullying the U.S. Champion.

The two find themselves in a dilemma when they realize there could be only one winner. That’s when Orton attempts to RKO Owens. The two agree to fight and then exchange punches. Paul takes control and takes out both Orton and Owens.

Owens then changes the momentum and superkicks his opponent but almost breaks his back, attempting a Swanton bomb on Paul. The WWE United States Champion then takes flight on both K.O. and ‘The Apex Predator.’

Orton then exchanges blows with Paul; He outdoes Orton but is later powerslammed by ‘The Legend Killer.’

He then DDT’s both Owens and Paul, but loses control. Owens dominates for the next couple of minutes before Orton RKO’s Owens, almost ending the bout.

Paul then gets his brass knuckles and punches Orton.

1-2-NO! Orton kicks out.

Owens sees the brass knuckles and tries to take them off but is unsuccessful and gets taken out.

Bringing his attention back to Orton, Paul tries to hit him again, but he is met with the RKO. The brass knuckles come off and find Orton’s hands, which he gives to the referee.

Orton sets up the punt, but Paul is saved by the Prime bottle mascot, which is revealed to be YouTube streamer IShowSpeed, who gets his face RKO’d into the commentary table.

Paul then mashes Orton’s’ face to the corner of the ring. Back in the ring, it’s pure chaos. A failed frog splash, a stunner, an RKO — but it’s not the end yet. Orton RKOs Owens, but Paul takes ‘The Legend Killer’ out of the ring, which leads to The Maverick landing a frog splash on Owens, retaining his title.

Winner: Logan Paul via pinfall

Side note: IShowSpeed didn’t move the rest of the match, even after. Poor kid.

WWE Women’s Championship: Iyo Sky (c) vs. Bayley

Bayley, the winner of this year’s Women’s Royal Rumble and former Damage CTRL member, will face WWE Women’s champion and current Damage CTRL member Iyo Sky. After weeks of backstage and onstage brawls, a very personal match will find its conclusion.

Unlike the previous fights, this bout managed to get the whole introduction to finish. With revenge on her mind, Bayley asserts dominance at the beginning of the match. Both take turns getting kicked out of the ring.

Bayley dives onto Sky out of the ring and drags her back in, then themselves out of the ring once again. They seem to love staying out of the ring. Like Aj Styles, Sky starts to damage her challenger’s injured knee.

Sky takes control of the match and continues to punish Bayley’s knee.

They go back out of the ring. Bayley throws the champion over the barricade and slams her onto the floor.

Back inside the ring, Bayley takes control and almost takes the title.

Bayley tries to take flight but is taken down and eats a moonsault. Sky continues to dominate and shows her aerial skills. A sunset flip by Bayley nearly ends the match.

Bayley continuously grabs her knee and is German suplexed twice by the champion. Sky then eats a knee, trying to finish the flight. Bayley takes flight herself but is countered by a cross-face submission.

Sky then goes from the cross-face to the STFU. She escapes and hits the champ with the Bayley to Belly, but it wasn’t enough.

A slugfest starts, and Sky tries to end it once more with a moonsault. Bayley kicks out once again, leaving Sky looking for an answer.

After attempting a third over the moonsault, Bayley regains control after a crazy sequence of back-and-forths.

Bayley roseplants Iyo Sky, defeating her former friend.

What an absolute dogfight this was.

Winner: Bayley via pinfall

Bayley is the new WWE Women’s champion at Night 2 of WrestleMania XL at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com

Before the main event, Snoop Dogg makes his way into the center of the ring with the cheerleaders of the Philadelphia Eagles. The WWE Hall of Famer announced the attendance for the weekend, which is 145,298 fans.

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns (c) vs. Cody Rhodes

It all comes down to this. Will ‘The American Nightmare’ finish his story and finally beat the WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns? Cody Rhodes has all the odds against him, especially with the match being under The Bloodline rules.

According to WWE’s math, with this match, The Tribal Chief breaks Hulk Hogan’s record for most main event WrestleMania bouts, doing it ten times.

The bell rings, and the two face off and listen to the crowd like last night.

A confident Reigns, takes charge of the aggressive Rhodes, even taunting the challenger.

Rhodes finally strikes after leading the champion into spearing the corner pillar. The two-time Royal Rumble winner tries to take the table out but The Tribal Chief puts it right back.

‘The American Nightmare’ tries to bring Reigns back into the ring but is blindly hit with a kendo stick.

Reigns takes batting practice with Rhodes’ body but loses control, giving Rhodes leeway to counter and get him into a leg lock. With The Bloodline rules set, Reigns breaks the submission by gouging into Rhodes’s face.

The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion takes the driver’s seat once again. Rhodes retreats into the stands, which leads the rivals to exchange blows. On the platform, Reigns tries to suplex his challenger, but it’s reversed.

Rhodes then leads Reigns back into the ring; Rhodes tries to go for a cutter but is caught and power-bombed.

Reigns then starts choking Rhodes on the ropes and claims that the WWE is his company. The Tribal continues to dominate; however, Rhodes still shows signs of life.

The rivals exchange boots and strikes and end their exchange with clotheslines to one another. After they both get up, the bombs continue to be exchanged, but this time, Rhodes takes advantage. He hits Reigns with a disaster kick but fails to pin.

Rhodes tries to use a cutter against The Tribal Chief, but Reigns catches him and hits him with a Cross Rhodes. Not enough to win it.

With a series of jabs, Rhodes regains the driver’s seat and elbows the champion. Rhodes starts preparing the commentary table, but little does he know it is for his demise. He is powerbombed into the table and gets dragged into the ring, only to eat a Superman punch. Not enough, either.

A failed rock bottom leads Reigns to get a taste of his own medicine as Rhodes spears him. Rhodes is about to hit Reigns with Cross Rhodes, but here comes Jimmy Uso. Superman Punch, here comes Jey Uso. The twins run to each other, leading to Jey spearing Jimmy off the stage.

In a guillotine, Rhodes forces Reigns out of the ring, then ‘The American Nightmare’ spears Reigns into the barricade.

Rhodes gets The Tribal Chief in the Cross Rhodes again. This time, Solo Sikoa saves The Head of The Table. After Rhodes kicks out again, Sikoa helps hit Rhodes with a Samoan Spike and Reigns spear. He kicks out again.

THEN HERE COMES THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME! JOHN CENA!

He takes out Solo and hits Roman with an attitude adjustment, and does the same with Sikoa on the other commentary table.

The Final Boss makes an appearance.

The Rock and John Cena meet in the center of the ring. The Fina Boss Rock Bottoms Cena. The Shield music plays, but Reigns catches Rollins and hits him with the Superman Punch

*The church bell rings*

Undertaker appears and chokeslams The Rock, then disappears.

There are only three people left in the ring: Reigns, Rhodes, and Rollins. The WWE Universal Champion takes out ‘The Revolutionary,’ After being betrayed by Rollins in The Shield days, it seems Reigns took his chance at payback. He goes for the spear on Rhodes, Rhodes catches him, and finally connects with a Cross Rhodes. He finally completes the story. He ends Reigns’ reign of 1,316 days.

Winner: Cody Rhodes via pinfall

To celebrate, Rhodes is met by his wife, his family and his fellow WWE Superstars (Randy Orton, Sami Zayn, Jey Uso, CM Punk, LA Knight, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins and John Cena).

Cody Rhodes and friends at the conclusion of Night 2 of WrestleMania XL at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA, on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Photo by George Tahinos, georgetahinos.smugmug.com

Rhodes takes the time to thank Bruce Prichard and Paul Levesque.

What a show! WrestleMania XL was absolute cinema. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Rhodes and the Paul Levesque era. See you next time.

TOP PHOTO: Cody Rhodes celebrates winning the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Photo: WWE

WRESTLE MANIA XL LINKS

WrestleMania XL Night One: 04/07/2024
5

Summary

WrestleMania XL Night Two had it all. Great matches and an amazing conclusion.

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