Wrestlemania 40 Night 1 is in the books. It was a mixed bag. There was some good, some bad, and some ugly. The tag team match between The Rock and Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins highlighted night 1.
It was the first time since Wrestlemania 29 that The Rock was in an actual match at the Grandest Stage of them all. It was the first time in a long time that Reigns was wrestling on back-to-back nights. The match lived up to the hype. The Rock and Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins to make it Bloodline Rules in the Main Event of Wrestlemania Sunday for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship.
This match had a slow build. It was crazy to see The Rock in the ring and looking in great shape. The challengers did everything they could to ensure it was a fair fight. But we got a preview of Bloodline Rules in Night 1. The Rock told the referee he would fire him if he called for a DQ or countout. So basically, The Rock was doing whatever he wanted in this match.
It appeared things were heading in favor of the underdogs as Rhodes and Rollins hit stereo pedigrees only to get a two count. This was after Roman hit The Rock with a spear to plant a seed. However, after Cody Rhodes put The Rock through a table with the Rock Bottom and Seth was speared by Reigns through the barricade, it was all she wrote for the babyfaces.
From there, Cody was looking to finish Reigns with a third CrossRhodes before the Rock hit him with the Mama Rhodes weight belt. This led to the Rock hitting Cody with a Rock Bottom and a People’s Elbow to get the victory for his team. The Final Boos pinned the underdog to set up Bloodline rules. This also sets up a one-on-one match between these two men.
But it was an all too familiar scene for Rhodes as he was in the ring in disbelief as Reigns and The Rock left Wrestlemania 40 Night 1 with their hands held high.
The Ultimate Underdog Story
Sami Zayn got his moment in the spotlight for the second straight year at Wrestlemania. This time, it was his moment to shine. At Wrestlemania 39, Zayn closed out Night 1, winning the Tag Team Titles alongside his friend Kevin Owens. This time at Wrestlemania 40 on Night, Zayn dethroned the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion Gunther.
Gunther held the title for over 660 days. Zayn worked hard to get this opportunity, up against all the odds. Even Chad Gable did not believe in him. The champion sure did not believe in him, but Gable got him ready. And his buddy KO was there to meet him before he went out for the match. It looked like Gunther was going to squash Zayn. Sami Zayn had his chances, but it appeared Gunther would retain. However, the champion got cocky.
It appeared Zayn was down and out. However, that is when Zayn made his comeback to overcome the odds. He hit the champion with a brain buster before helluva kicks to get the 1, 2, 3 to become the new Intercontinental champion. What a moment for him. And before the match, Gable uttered the words of Apollo Creed: You owe me a favor.
Results:
- Women’s World Title Match: Rhea Ripley Retains over Becky Lynch
- Six Pack Ladder Match for Undisputed Tag Team Titles: Awesome Truth are the new Raw Tag Team Champions, Grayson Waller and Austin Theory are the new Smackdown Tag Team Champions
- Rey Mysterio and Andrade defeat Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio
- Jey Uso defeated Jimmy Uso
- Jade Cargill, Naomi, and Bianca Belair defeat Damage CTRL
- Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn becomes the new Intercontinental Champion, defeating Gunther
- Tag Team Main Event Match: The Rock and Roman Reigns defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Bloodline Rules for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship on Sunday
More must-reads: