No occasion in wrestling can maintain a candle to WrestleMania relating to massive moments. For 40 years, WrestleMania has produced moments which have outlined not solely the course of WWE however that of the trade as an entire.
This previous weekend’s two-night WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia was no totally different. From Cody Rhodes’ crowning second to R-Reality profitable for the primary time on the WrestleMania stage, the present had one thing for everybody. And, as at all times, the most important moments on the occasion will form the approaching 12 months of WWE storylines.
Given the sheer variety of “WrestleMania moments” over Saturday and Sunday, we sat all the way down to look again on the occasion and decide the 5 finest. Let’s check out our selections.
Cody Rhodes finishes the story
Each WrestleMania has that second, the one that may outline that 12 months’s occasion for the remainder of time. There is not any doubt that second for WrestleMania 40 is Cody Rhodes ending the 1,300+ world championship reign of Roman Reigns, lastly “ending the story” of incomes the Rhodes household the championship they’d by no means held.
The match itself was not one which ranks as the best in WrestleMania historical past, but in addition managed to ship a spectacle worthy of the years of build-up. Everybody knew that Rhodes had the deck stacked towards him with “Bloodline Guidelines” in impact, however Rhodes was bailed out by way of the assistance of Jey Uso, Seth Rollins, John Cena and The Undertaker.
Rhodes’ lengthy, inconceivable journey to the highest of the wrestling world is over. The stink of WWE not pulling the set off on Rhodes beating Reigns at WrestleMania 39 has pale and the true problem now begins. It is arduous to create a babyface the followers totally get behind, however it may be even tougher to take care of the momentum while you do and that babyface lastly vanquishes the dastardly heel champion.
Cody has the ball, now he has to run with it.
Honorable point out right here for The Rock’s surreal return to the ring in the principle occasion of Night time 1, serving to Reigns defeat Rhodes and Rollins, however for the sake of not simply itemizing a number of Rhodes and Reigns matches, we’re lumping that in right here.
Sami Zayn ends Gunther’s record-breaking run
WrestleMania 40 featured a number of feel-good moments throughout the 2 nights. A kind of was Samil Zayn ending Gunther’s record-breaking run as intercontinental champion on Night time 1. Gunther entered the match having held the intercontinental championship for 666 days whereas Zayn’s story was one in every of needing to seek out the arrogance to take down the dominant champion.
Earlier than the match, Zayn was proven speaking to his spouse and youngster earlier than Chad Gable, who had educated Zayn within the weeks main as much as the occasion, informed him he wouldn’t be going out to the ring in assist. It was time for Zayn to face as much as Gunther on his personal and show he might get the job finished. Zayn acquired one ultimate enhance earlier than he went by way of the curtain, with longtime pal Kevin Owens telling Zayn to get it finished.
Zayn went by way of hell within the match, with Gunther brutalizing him with chops, powerbombs and splashes, all whereas taunting Zayn’s spouse. However Zayn could not be stored down, and after firing up, he delivered a collection of Helluva Kicks (and a high turnbuckle brainbuster, a transfer he hasn’t damaged out since becoming a member of WWE) and acquired the pin to win the intercontinental championship for the fourth time in his profession.
This time, Zayn holding the title feels totally different. His earlier three reigns lasted a mixed 172 days and have been typically forgettable. Being given the spot as the person to take down Gunther ought to give Zayn the momentum he was missing on these earlier runs and he has the chance to have a particular run this time round.
Drew McIntyre’s ego prices him dearly
Drew McIntyre had simply received a incredible match towards Seth Rollins to win the world heavyweight championship. McIntyre had finished precisely what he’d stated he would for weeks and received a world title in entrance of a packed stadium, in contrast to when he defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 36 in an empty WWE Efficiency Middle on the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Rollins gave McIntyre his respect and informed the brand new champion he deserved it. It ought to have been an ideal second for McIntyre, however his ego would not permit him to have a good time his victory and transfer alongside. As an alternative, McIntyre went to the commentary desk to taunt CM Punk. McIntyre finally pushed too far and was taken down by Punk, establishing Damian Priest to run to ringside and ship a blow with the Cash within the Financial institution briefcase earlier than cashing in his contract and hitting South of Heaven to finish McIntyre’s reign literal minutes after it started.
It wasn’t deep, advanced storytelling — the very best wrestling storylines usually aren’t — however McIntyre permitting his hatred of Punk to face in the way in which of his personal success was the type of story beat that solely serves to reinforce his character and the eventual matches with Punk down the street.
Bayley will get her WrestleMania second
Bayley had received matches at WrestleMania previously, however there is a distinction between profitable a match on the most important stage in wrestling and really having a “WrestleMania second.” On Sunday, Bayley lastly had that second when she defeated Iyo Sky to win the WWE ladies’s championship.
Bayley and Sky each went all-out to create a incredible match that showcased what each ladies accomplish that nicely. Whereas Bayley has spent the vast majority of current years as a heel, her return to the babyface aspect has been refreshing. As soon as upon a time, Bayley was labeled as somebody who might by no means actually work heel as a result of she was such a pure babyface. She proved that fallacious a number of instances over, however she’s going to at all times been strongest with the followers behind her.
In beating Sky and getting revenge on the Harm CTRL group she created earlier than they threw her to the curb, Bayley lastly has her defining second on the grandest stage of all of them. That stated, it is nearly sure her points with Harm CTRL are removed from finished.
R-Reality and The Miz cap off a enjoyable ladder match
A six-pack ladder match for the undisputed WWE tag workforce titles was at all times a recipe for a enjoyable little bit of chaos. The match delivered loads of loopy moments and massive spots, as anticipated, however it was R-Reality and The Miz flattening the Uncooked tag workforce titles that turned out to be the standout second.
Setting apart his 53 reigns as 24/7 champion, Reality has solely held one title since 2012, a 35-day run as United States champion in 2019. Reality is a fan favourite and beloved within the locker room.
For all his time in WWE, Reality had solely been in three non-battle royal WrestleMania matches in his profession and had by no means had his hand raised on the occasion. So, for Reality to win a championship at WrestleMania in a wild match? That is a sneaky feel-good second in a weekend full of them.