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WWE WrestleMania 40 Night One Results

WWE WrestleMania 40 Night 1 Results

It is finally time for the third major event of Saturday, April 6 following NJPW Sakura Genesis and WWE NXT Stand & Deliver as WWE presents night one of WrestleMania 40 from Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field. 

The card for WrestleMania XL night one is as follows: 

  • Rhea Ripley (c) vs. Becky Lynch - Women's World Championship
  • Damian Priest & Finn Balor (c) vs. #DIY vs. Awesome Truth vs. New Day vs. A-Town Down Under vs. New Catch Republic - Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships 
  • Rey Mysterio & Andrade vs. Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar
  • Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso 
  • Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, & Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane and Dakota Kai)
  • Gunther (c) vs. Sami Zayn - Intercontinental Championship
  • The Rock & Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins


FULL RESULTS BELOW 

Triple H opens WrestleMania 40

Following the United States national anthem, Paul "Triple H" Levesque headed to the ring for WrestleMania 40 to begin what Michael Cole keeps calling the "Triple H Era". This came only minutes after Triple H voiced the "Then. Now. Together. Forever" cold open and Triple H welcomed the fans to a "new era" and WrestleMania XL. 

Rhea Ripley (c) def. Becky Lynch - Women's World Championship 

Following Triple H's opening it was time for the opening contest as Rhea Ripley defended the Women's World Championship against Becky Lynch and looked to continue her one-year-plus reign in the process. Becky Lynch, with passages of her autobiography on her ring gear, initially got in some offence, only for Rhea Ripley to take control and dominate the opening minutes of the opening contest. Lynch fought back after blocking a Frog Splash attempt, hitting a Bexploder into the barricade soon after. A knee to the face from Ripley moments later scored the first near fall of the match.

A trio of Powerbombs from Ripley scored another near fall for the champion and Ripley began getting frustrated as Lynch continued to kick out. The frustration allowed Lynch to take advantage and The Man applied a Disarm-Her in the ropes before Ripley blocked a Leg Drop and applied the Prism Trap submission. Ripley channelled her inner Kurt Angle and dropped to the mat with the Texas Cloverleaf, wrapping her legs around the challenger. Lynch managed to escape after reversing the submission into a pinning attempt.

Upon getting back to their feet, Lynch blocked a Riptide attempt and fired back with a Manhandle Slam, but it was only enough to score a two count. Soon after, Ripley managed to connect with the Riptide and the crowd thought that was it but Lynch kicked out at 2.9. Becky fired back with a Superplex into a Disarm-Her but Ripley powered out and hit an Electric Chair on the outside. One Frog Splash later and the fans thought that was it again, only for Lynch to once again kick out. 

Ripley later blocked an avalanche Manhandle Slam and the champion followed up with a Riptide into the turnbuckle before another Riptide, this time sending Lynch crashing to the mat. One pinfall attempt later and Rhea Ripley recorded the successful title defence. 

Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth) win the Raw Tag Team Championships and A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory & Grayson Waller) win the SmackDown Tag Team Championships in Six-Pack Ladder Match for the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships also featuring  Judgment Day (Finn Balor & Damian Priest) (c), New Catch Republic (Tyler Bate & Pete Dunne), New Day (Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston), & #DIY (Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano)

The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles were on the line in the second match of WrestleMania with the title belts suspended on different hangings above the ring. Tyler Bate hit the first big spot of the match, decking Finn Balor with an Airplane Spin while holding the ladder. R-Truth then received a hot tag from The Miz and Truth proceeded to hit a Five Knuckle Shuffle and Attitude Adjustment to Finn Balor before he pinned Balor for a win in his mind. Next #DIY in D-Generation X-inspired gear hit Priest with a Sweet Chin Music and the Angel Wings. 

Out of nowhere, A-Town Down Under pushed the ladders over, taking out #DIY and Awesome Truth. Grayson Waller then scaled the ladder and captured the SmackDown Tag Team Championships. While still holding the new belts, New Catch Republic powerbombed Waller through a ladder on the outside. 

Later, Xavier Woods hit his Super Elbow Drop across the ring onto Ciampa, who was draped across a ladder. Kofi Kingston took out everyone on the outside with a Dive from the ladder to the floor. This seemingly left Xavier Woods free to win the Raw Tag Team Titles but Austin Theory appeared from out of nowhere to knock him from the ladder. Theory then looked set to win but he ate a Burning Hammer from New Catch Republic. Pete Dunne was taken out soon after following a One Final Beat through the table from Johnny Gargano. Tyler Bate was then flattened by Tommaso Ciampa following an Air Raid Crash from the top of the ladder.

This left R-Truth with a free run at the belts but JD McDonagh appeared from out of nowhere and hit Ron Killings with an Olympic Slam from the ladder, much to the annoyance of the fans inside Lincoln Financial Field. JD McDonagh and Finn Balor looked set to win but they were taken out with steel chair shots from New Day before JD McDonagh absolutely ruined himself with a tumble from the top of a ladder through a pile of tables on the outside. 

At this point, Damian Priest entered the match and took out New Day with Razor's Edges. With the ladder about to buckle, The Miz knocked Priest down but not far enough as they tumbled from the ladder. Having removed the crumbling ladder, Priest climbed a new one and was about to win but he was sent back to the mat by R-Truth, who followed up with an Attitude Adjustment on Priest to the floor.

With the crowd behind him, R-Truth scaled the ladder and, after almost falling, retrieved the Raw Tag Team Championships. 

Rey Mysterio & Andrade def. Dominik Mysterio & Santos Escobar

Some tandem offence from Rey Mysterio and Andrade in the opening moments, hitting a double-stacked Crossbody from the top turnbuckle to the floor to take out Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio. Rey then looked to beat his own son with a belt, something that hasn't been acceptable for decades, but Dominik blocked the belt with a Superkick. This led to a long section of the heels on top, working over Rey Mysterio. 

Rey eventually made the hot tag to Andrade and the former La Sombra channelled his wife Charlotte Flair and hit a Moonsault to the outside. The heels took control again, though, before Zelina Vega got involved, taking out Elektra Lopez with a Moonsault. The LWO and Legado Del Fantasma then brawled, with the spot ending after Cruz Del Toro was fired like a catapult to take out Garza and Berto. 

The heels then looked set to win but two giant masked men in Rey Mysterio masks pulled a steel chair away from Dominik Mysterio and tossed Dirty Dom back into the ring. A 619 to Santos and Dom was followed up by Andrade's finisher to Dom before a Frog Splash from Rey to Escobar picked up the win for the babyfaces.

The babyfaces celebrated after the match as the behemoths were revealed to be Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Jey Uso def. Jimmy Uso 

Brother vs. Brother next at WrestleMania and Jey Uso wasted no time, attacking Jimmy before the bell even rang. Jey was soon knocked down by Jimmy, though, and the Bloodline Uso dominated the opening moments following a Hip Attack and proceeded to hit Superkick after Superkick before he did the YEETS to mock his brother. 

Jey fired back with a Superkick of his own before a right-hand exchange was met by opposing "YEET" and "NO" chants. Even more Superkicks followed before opposing Enziguiris. Another Superkick and another one. So many Superkicks. A Superkick Party some would say. Jey reminded Jimmy they were twins, as if he'd forgotten, followed by more Superkicks and a Jumping Superkick. 

Jey told Jimmy to get up, with Jimmy knackered after five minutes of wrestling. Jey went for another Superkick but Jimmy put his arm up and Jey, like an idiot, stopped. Jimmy told Jey he was sorry for everything and asked for his brother's forgiveness. Jey, like an idiot, looked set to forgive his brother but Jimmy suckered him in with a Superkick and Uso Splash. That looked to be it but Jey got his shoulder up at two. 

Jimmy went for something and Jey hit a Spear and followed up with an Uso Splash of his own to mercifully end the match. 

Jade Cargill, Bianca Belair, & Naomi def. Damage CTRL (Asuka, Kairi Sane, & Dakota Kai)

The heels dominated the opening minutes following an Elbow Drop to the outside to Naomi from Kairi Sane. The former TNA Knockouts World Champion was worked over for the next several minutes by Damage CTRL before the heels next worked over Bianca Belair after The EST briefly hit some offence. Next, it was Jade Cargill to enter the match, much to Damage CTRL's fear. Cargill made quick work of Damage CTRL, hitting a Michinoku Driver to Dakota Kai but Asuka and Kairi broke up the pin.

Asuka next went for the mist but accidentally caught Kairi. A whip from Belair's braid and the KOD took out Asuka before Jade Cargill decked Dakota Kai with Jaded for the win. 

Sami Zayn def. Gunther (c) - Intercontinental Championship

Before the match, Sami Zayn spoke to his wife and son as his son told the friend of El Generico that he could do it. Chad Gable then told Sami Zayn that he would face Gunther on his own because he could do it on his own all along. As the camera followed Sami making his entrance, Kevin Owens was at Gorilla and hyped up his best friend for one of the biggest matches of his life. Could Zayn complete his own Rocky story, though? 

If the opening moments were anything to go by, no. Zayn repeatedly tried to hit any sort of offence, only to be flattened by Gunther with German Suplexes, European Uppercuts, and Chops as duelling chants filled Lincoln Financial Field. More Chops and European Uppercuts followed from Gunther until Zayn hit his first bit of offence with a Lariat, only for more Chops to be delivered by Gunther. Sami fired back with Exploder Suplexes before a massive Clothesline from Gunther for a near fall. 

A Tornado DDT from Sami put him back in the match and Zayn went for the Helluva Kick but Gunther blocked it and the champion then blocked a Blue Thunder Bomb attempt before Gunther locked in a Sleeper. Zayn escaped and went for the Helluva Kick again but Gunther blocked it again with a Shotgun Dropkick and followed up with a Powerbomb. Zayn managed to kick out, much to Pat McAfee's shock. 

Gunther hit a Helluva Kick of his own as Zayn collapsed into Gunther's arm, who laughed at Sami's wife while she was sat at ringside. This lit a fire in Zayn, who managed to fire back with a Helluva Kick, finally connecting with the move. The referee's hand failed to hit the mat for a three-count, though, as Gunther kicked out. Zayn set up for another Helluva Kick but he simply ran into a Lariat from Gunther, who followed up with two Powerbombs. That looked to be it but Zayn managed to get his shoulder up at 2.9. 

Gunther proceeded to shout at Zayn's wife some more before he Chopped, Slapped, and Kicked the challenger. Gunther continued to dominate the in-ring action as Zayn went glassy-eyed. Some more shouting at Zayn's wife followed before one more Powerbomb. Michael Cole urged the referee to wave off the match as Gunther connected with a Splash, enjoying himself. The Intercontinental Champion hit another Splash and told Zayn's wife to throw in the towel. Before Gunther could hit a third Splash, Zayn hulked up, hit a Helluva Kick and hit a top rope Brainbuster. 

With Gunther staggered, Zayn hit a third Helluva Kick before a fourth one. As Michael Cole asked if you believe in miracles (calling back to the Miracle on Ice), Zayn made the cover to end Gunther's historic reign as Intercontinental Champion. In the process, Zayn became a four-time Intercontinental Champion. 

The Rock & Roman Reigns def. Cody Rhodes & Seth Rollins

Main event time and the Codyvator made its grand return for the biggest show of the year for WWE. Seth Rollins had a giant blue rosette but it's anyone's guess which constituency he's running for in the 2024 UK general election (joke). The Rock then declared the "The Final Boss. Engaged" before his Brahma Bull was lit up in flames and he carried his People's Championship belt to the ring. Different gear for The Rock too with flared trousers and a waistcoat only to rip them off once the bell rang and have his trademark undies and boots on. 

As expected, the main event started very slowly and not much happened for about 10 minutes apart from each wrestler getting in some offence. The match eventually exploded into life, though, as The Rock and Seth Rollins brawled by the PRIME and Cody and Roman fought each other on the ramp. Chad Patton, the official, tried to count but he stopped after The Rock threatened to fire him. This led to brawling through the crowd and The Rock bounced a trash can off Rollins' head while Cody hit a Suplex on Reigns at the top of the stage. The action then headed back to the ring as The Rock continued to berate the referee which provided the distraction for Reigns to attack Seth and injure Rollins' knee. 

The Bloodline proceeded to work over Rollins and his injured knee for a very long time and by 20 minutes in Rollins dodged a Superman Punch but failed to make the hot tag. The Rock then blatantly punched Rollins in the nether regions but Chad Patton, because of The Rock, didn't call for the DQ and apologised to Cody Rhodes. Rollins missed a hot tag after Roman pulled Cody to the floor. The Rock then locked in the Sharpshooter but Cody charged into the ring and bitch slapped Dwayne Johnson. Cody then hit a Hot Shot and Seth connected with a Stomp to finally make the hot tag to Cody Rhodes.

Rhodes decked Reigns with a Disaster Kick and a Cody Cutter but Reigns kicked out at two. Reigns, now bleeding from the nose, stopped a Cody Cutter attempt with a Superman Punch in mid-air. Cody blocked a Spear attempt into a Sunset Flip Powerbomb and followed up with another Cody Cutter before Rollins hit a Frog Splash for a near fall on Reigns. Next it was a Superkick party from the babyfaces before a Stomp from Rollins and a Cross Rhodes. Before Chad Patton could count the three, The Rock pulled the referee out of the ring. 

Reigns took advantage with a Low Blow to Cody before a Spear. The Rock then chucked the referee back into the ring but Cody kicked out at two! Reigns simply locked in the Guillotine Choke and The Rock even held down Cody's legs. Rollins eventually recovered and saved Cody with a Stomp to the face of Reigns to continue the match. 

With The Rock deciding what the rules are, Dwayne Johnson grabbed the "Mama Rhodes" weight belt, shouted at Cody's mam and proceeded to try and whip Cody and failed. Rhodes channelled his inner Dusty Rhodes with a Bionic Elbow but The Rock fired back with a Spinebuster and almost hit the People's Elbow but Rhodes fired back with a Cody Cutter. Rhodes then went for Cross Rhodes but Reigns hit a Superman Punch to Cody. Reigns set up for a Spear and Rollins saved Cody, pulling him out of the way so Roman speared The Rock! Stereo Pedigrees from Cody and Rollins followed but The Bloodline kicked out at two. 

Later, Cody put The Rock through the announce table with a Rock Bottom, only for Roman Reigns to send Seth Rollins crashing through the barricade moments later with a Spear to take him out of the match and leave him knackered for night two. While Cody was getting Rock back in the ring he left himself open to a Drive By from Reigns. With the match effectively a handicap match, Reigns worked over Cody and tried to goad Rhodes. This led to a punching exchange between the night two main eventers until Cody hit two Cross Rhodes and, like an idiot, walked to the ropes before hitting the third one which allowed The Rock to whip Cody with the Mama Rhodes belt. In a repeat of the WrestleMania 39 main event, Reigns followed up with a Spear but he didn't pin Cody, instead tagging in The Rock. 

It was then time for a Rock Bottom and before the People's Elbow, The Rock told Cody's mother this was for her, before he hit the finisher. After that, The Rock pinned Cody Rhodes to end the WrestleMania night one main event with The Bloodline on top. Having won the match, Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship on night two will be Bloodline Rules. 

The match clocked in at 44 minutes and in another callback to WrestleMania 39, Cody looked really sad as The Bloodline celebrated. No rubber chicken this year, though. 

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Aidan Gibbons

Written by Aidan Gibbons

Editor-in-Chief of Cultaholic.com Twitter: @theaidangibbons