The Rhodes Family’s Nightmare, now all a Dream.
The “American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes took on the “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40, to finally ‘finish his story’ and win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Since his return to WWE back in April 2022, Cody Rhodes had set out his desires to win the WWE Championship, that his father, Dusty Rhodes, never won. Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble last year and faced Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39. However, he was unsuccessful due to interference from Solo Sikoa.
Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble again back in January this year and immediately made it clear who he wanted to face at WrestleMania. However, The Rock interfered and used his power of being a part of the Broad of Directors to take Cody’s moment. Making the main event of WrestleMania 40, The Rock vs Roman Reigns.
However, after fan backlash, Cody Rhodes eventually got back his main event of WrestleMania after announcing he chose Roman Reigns at the WrestleMania 4 Kick-off back in February. Whilst also insulting Reigns’ and The Rock’s grandfathers, claiming they would be “ashamed” of them. Leading to Rhodes being slapped by The Rock.
This led up to the main event of WrestleMania Saturday, where Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freaking” Rollins faced “The Final Boss” The Rock and Roman Reigns. With a stipulation that, if Rhodes and Rollins win, there will be no Bloodline interference, but if they lose, the match will be Bloodline Rules. Leading to The Rock pinning Cody Rhodes, making Cody Rhodes’ chances of winning on WrestleMania Sunday, looking impossible.
Cody Rhodes would make his entrance first, alongside his wife, Brandi Rhodes. Cody would wear a special “American Nightmare” mask whilst appearing from the ground. Reigns followed up with a choir and orchestra of his entrance music.
Roman Reigns doing his pose, alongside “The Wiseman” Paul Heyman holding the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship (Credit: WWE).
As the bell rang, Lincoln Financial Stadium echoed with “Cody” chants. Both men would look around the stadium before having a staredown. Just like the year prior. Both men would look for an opening with Rhodes managing to lock Reigns up. Rhodes gaining the upper hand at first. Leading to Reigns going shoulder-first into the ring post.
Cody Rhodes looked to get a table into the ring, however Reigns capitalised and hit Cody with a drive-by. Before sliding the table back under the ring.
It would not take long before the action would spill out into the crowd, as the pair brawled. Until Rhodes hit a suplex. Rhodes sent Reigns back into the ring, and looked for a Disaster Kick, however, Reigns caught Rhodes to perfection and hit a powerbomb.
Roman Reigns hitting a Powerbomb onto Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 (Credit: WWE).
As the match progressed, Cody Rhodes would hit the Disaster Kick for a two-count. Followed by a Cross Rhodes for a two-count once again. The action continued ringside, with Reigns hitting a low blow and a powerbomb to Rhodes. Reigns went onto send Rhodes back into the ring, connecting with a Superman Punch for a near fall.
Rhodes later hit a Cody Cutter as well as a spear of his own, for another near fall.
After the spear, Rhodes hit the Cross Rhodes, whilst looking for a second, he would get hit by a Superkick from Jimmy Uso. However, his twin brother, Jey Uso would come to the aid of Rhodes, as they fought on the entrance ramp, with Jey spearing Jimmy off the ramp onto a set of tables.
Reigns went onto hit a spear, with Rhodes managing to kickout at 2. Reigns would look for the guillotine. Rhodes escaped by driving Reigns out of the ring. Leading to Reigns being speared by Rhodes through the barricade.
Cody Rhodes looked to capitalise by sending Reigns back in the ring and hitting two Cross Rhodes. Rhodes looked for a third however, he was hit with a Samoan Spike from Solo Sikoa. Sikoa would drag Reigns onto Rhodes, with Rhodes kicking out at 2.
They would follow it up with a Spear and Spike combination, with Rhodes kicking out once again. Before John Cena’s music would play, coming in the aid of Cody. Cena would send Sikoa out of the ring, before hitting Reigns with an Attitude Adjustment. Cena followed up with sending Sikoa through the Spanish announcement desk, leading to the “Final Boss”, The Rock making his way out.
The two had a staredown in the middle of the ring. John Cena looked to go for the first blow, however The Rock would deliver a Rock Bottom onto Cena. The Rock took his weight belt off looking to hit Cody Rhodes.
“The Final Boss” The Rock, hitting a Rock Bottom to John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania 40 (Credit: WWE).
However, The Shield’s music would play, with Seth Rollins attempting to hit The Rock with a chair, however, Roman Reigns would spot Rollins and hit a Superman Punch to Rollins. Before The Rock could do anything to Cody, the Undertaker’s gong echoed with Lincoln Financial Stadium going dark.
The Undertaker appeared with the lights coming back on. Undertaker hit “The Final Boss” with a chokeslam before the lights going off and the Undertaker disappearing.
As the lights came back on, the chair from Seth Rollins was left on the ring mat, and Roman Reigns slowly getting up and picking the chair up. Slowly, both Rhodes and Rollins got onto their feet. With Reigns looking at the chair and both men.
Reigns went onto hit Seth Rollins, recalling back to 2014, when Seth Rollins turning his back on The Shield.
Rhodes would then reverse a spear from Reigns, with a kick, before delivering a trio of Cross Rhodes. Pinning Reigns for the three count and finally finishing his story of winning the championship his father never did.
Cody Rhodes raising the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at the end of WrestleMania 40 (Credit WWE).
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