WrestleMania 40: WWE erupts as 1316-day streak broken, The Rock gets destroyed

WWE fans have been treated to absolute mayhem, with a 1316-day title reign ending amid a series of cameos from wrestling legends.

Matthew Sullivan

4 min read

April 8, 2024 - 3:58PM

Cody Rhodes is finally WWE Universal Champion.

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Cody Rhodes has ended Roman Reigns’ 1316-day title reign as WWE Universal Champion in an epic showdown at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia on Monday (AEST).

Reigns had the fourth longest title reign in WWE history and victory would have put him on a collision course with The Rock, who helped him to a tag team win one the opening day of WrestleMania.

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But Rhodes prevailed, outlasting Reigns in the WrestleMania main event to finally become Universal Champion and “complete his story”.

The match was contested under ‘Bloodline Rules’, meaning no disqualifications.

The loss is revenge for Rhodes after he lost to Reigns at WrestleMania last year and The Rock threatened to cut his storyline short by leapfrogging Rhodes to fight Reigns.

In what was an epic finale, Rhodes and Reigns traded blows before a series of wrestling legends emerged for some star-studded cameos.

Cody Rhodes finally defeated Roman Reigns.

Jey Uso took out his brother Jimmy, while John Cena fought off Solo Sikoa.

Cena entered the ring only to cop a ‘rock bottom’ move from The Rock.

The lights at Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field went out before The Undertaker appeared out of nowhere and Undertaker choke-slammed The Rock on his back.

Seth Rollins also got involved only for Reigns to slam a chair into his back.

WWE creative director Triple H shook Rhodes’ hand and embraced him after the 38-year-old was handed the Universal Championship belt.

Rhodes said his win heralded a “new era’ of WWE.

It’s unclear what the result means for The Rock, who was set to face off with Reigns in their own match.

The Undertaker returned against the Rock. Photo: ESPN.

It comes after a banner day for Australian wrestling on the opening night of WrestleMania on Sunday (AEST), with Rhea Rhipley successfully defending her WWE women’s championship against Becky Lynch and fellow Aussie Grayson Waller claiming the SmackDown tag team championships with partner Austin Theory.

Adelaide’s Bronson Reed also won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the pre-WrestleMania edition of SmackDown.

But all the talk was about Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock, who made his long-awaited return to pro wrestling — helping cousin Roman Reigns prevail over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the night one main event.

The Rock comes face to face with John Cena. Photo: ESPN.

11.05am - Logan Paul defends title

Logan Paul has defended his WWE United States Championship in a a triple threat match against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton.

A highlight came when Paul launched himself off the ropes, landing on Owens before smoothly transitioning into a forward roll and jumping on top off Orton.

The YouTuber sealed victory with another seriously athletic ‘frog splash’ move — jumping high off the ropes on top off Owens and holding him down for the three-count.

Pat McAfee said in commentary: “My god, look at the height. If there was a roof on this place, Logan may have just flirted with it.”

Paul entered the arena on the back of a Prime truck, and YouTuber IShowSpeed, dressed as a Prime drink mascot, saved Paul mid-fight by pulling him out of the ring just as Orton looked to finish him off.

Logan Paul defended his US WWE title. Photo: ESPN.

Look, it's a flying YouTuber. Photo: ESPN.

The Rock breaks protocol

There was a surprising moment during The Rock’s cameo on night one, when he appeared to use his position as a board member on WWE’s parent company TKO to threaten the referee.

At one stage he swore at the referee and threatened to have him fired if he ‘counted’ anyone out in the match.

The Rock said: “Listen to me, if you count, you’re fired. You understand?

“You know The Rock, I don’t f**k around. You count, you’re fired.”

WWE is meant to be fairly family friendly viewing and broadcasters had to use the mute button in a belated effort to ensure The Rock’s expletives didn’t go to air.

'You count, you're fired!' The Rock blows up during WrestleMania

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson reacts during a tag team fight with Romain Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin" Rollins. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

The Rock threatens the ref at WrestleMania. Photo: X.

The referee also apologised to Rhodes when The Rock punched his tag team teammate Seth Rollins in a low blow, telling Rhodes there was nothing he could do about it.

“Oh my god. The Rock just delivered a deliberate low blow,” the commentator said.

“Chad Patton the official literally went over to Cody Rhodes and apologised to him and said, ‘I can’t do nothing about it’.”

“Chad Patton with a disgusted look on his face, really helpless at this point.”

The 51-year-old actor has fully embraced his villain role since announcing his return to professional wrestling at the start of the year.

The Rock called WWE fans in Utah’s Salt Lake City “trailer park trash” in a blistering rant at SmackDown in February.

The Rock’s return has divided WWE fans, with many desperate to see Rhodes complete his story by defeating Reigns to finally become world champion after 15 years.