WWE WrestleMania 40 night two results, match grades: Cody Rhodes beats Roman Reigns to become champion

(WWE.com)

An epic story can either have a happy ending or end in disappointment. Cody Rhodes has looked to finish his story for over two years with a world title win. He failed to have his happy ending at WrestleMania 39. A year later, Rhodes’ journey ended with the help of some friends.

The result? A beautiful night for pro wrestling.

On night two of WrestleMania 40, 72,755 fans in Lincoln Financial Field witnessed the end of Reigns' almost four-year reign (1,316 days) as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Rhodes, who left AEW to return to WWE, becoming the true face of the company right away, beat Reigns to win gold.

It was the biggest WWE match of the modern era, as Reigns and Rhodes were titans competing in a coliseum. They knew one another well. Anything was possible with Bloodline Rules thanks to the first night's dramatics. The match kicked up a notch thanks to an Avengers Endgame-like run of appearances from Reigns’ past.

Reigns’ brother Jey came to save Rhodes from interference from brother Jimmy. Solo Sikoa, a thorn in everyone who has faced Reigns’ side, was stopped by John Cena. Cena got confronted by an old enemy and Reigns' cousin, The Rock, who tortured Rhodes and his family for weeks. The Undertaker, whom The Rock and Reigns know well, made his presence felt. Lastly, Seth Rollins, a ghost for Reigns, came out in Shield gear.

MORE: WrestleMania night one Match Grades | Full Card Results

Reigns could have ended the match with Rhodes by focusing on him. However, his hatred for Rollins, who betrayed him ten+ years ago, consumed him. Focusing on Rollins and hitting him with a chair, like Rollins did to Reigns, Reigns was distracted enough for Rhodes to hit Cross Rhodes multiple times for the win.

It was a beautiful moment to end a long but creative story. Reigns’ Bloodline story may not be over just yet, but Rhodes now leads a new era for WWE without a Vince McMahon in it. He truly became undeniable. Anything is possible if you... as The Shield used to say, believe.

The other Royal Rumble winner, Bayley, beat Iyo Sky to win the WWE Women’s Title. As a former Damage CTRL teammate, Sky got her comeuppance. Bayley, who was carrying a knee injury, dug deep to complete a journey that started after she injured herself years ago.

It's a long time coming for Bayley, one of the most accomplished champions and wrestlers in WWE history.

Logan Paul defied the odds and beat Kevin Owens and Randy Orton to retain the WWE United States Title. Paul didn’t have a viral moment like most matches, but he used his athleticism to get the win. He gets pro wrestling. IShowSpeed got involved but was RKOed for his troubles.

LA Knight and AJ Styles, two former TNA Wrestling stars, had a great match where they pulverized one another for several minutes. Knight, almost fired from WWE at one point, had the crowd on his side the entire night. He beat Styles, gaining momentum for what could be a big 2024.

In a match honoring ECW, Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits beat Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar of The Final Testament. Tables, chairs, and kendo sticks got involved. Bubba Ray Dudley, the special guest referee, got involved to help Lashley and The Street Profits win. Snoop Dogg on commentary was the highlight of the match.

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The night started with two title changes. Rollins competed in his second WrestleMania match this weekend, facing Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Title. Injuries from months of putting WWE on his back and from night one’s match against Roman Reigns and The Rock got to Rollins. McIntyre, who used Twitter/X during the contest, landed multiple Claymore Kicks for the win.

However, McIntyre’s hatred for CM Punk, on commentary for the match, overtook his emotions. Punk attacked a gloating McIntyre, and Damian Priest of The Judgement Day finally cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Priest pinned McIntyre to win WWE gold.

Priest is the first Puerto Rican world champion in WWE since Pedro Morales 50 years ago. What does that mean for McIntyre’s contract status with WWE? Will Rollins rest up now?

The Sporting News provided results, match grades, and highlights from night two of WrestleMania 40.

WWE WrestleMania 40 night two results, highlights

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of night two of WrestleMania 40!

Night two has begun, and it is warmer in Philadelphia compared to yesterday. Can Cody Rhodes "finish the story" at WrestleMania? CM Punk is going to be on commentary today, at least for the opening match.

Speaking of, the opening match is Seth "Freakin'" Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Title. No more America the Beautiful for WrestleMania. Stephanie McMahon is back! It is the first time she is appearing on TV since the whole Vince McMahon controversy. She says this is the first WrestleMania of the Paul Levesque Era.

Validation: Drew McIntyre finally wins gold in front of fans, dethroning Seth Rollins

McIntyre and Rollins enter the ring for their match with Punk on commentary. McIntyre with a Claymore right away, but only for two. Phew! Rollins out of the ring, and McIntyre went for Rollins' injured knee. McIntyre was distracted by Punk after tweeting during his match and got Pedigreed by Rollins on the floor. A Stomp by only for two. Another Pedigree attempt but McIntyre put an end to Rollins' momentum.

Both traded shots in the middle of the ring. McIntyre tries for a Claymore but gets hit with a powerbomb. Pedigree but Rollins' knee hurt him. A Stomp but again for two. Top-rope Stomp blocked, Claymore blocked, Stomp blocked, Future Shock DDT connected by Drew but only for two. McIntyre teased a Go To Sleep while Punk looked on. Rollins with a rollup, and McIntyre with a Claymore for two.

McIntyre went to commentary and tried to use the announce table. Punk was talking trash. Rollins escaped. He landed a Stomp onto the table. Claymore in the ring, but only for two. Another Claymore and this time McIntyre wins.

What a spotfest. WWE running a play that every promotion does is funny. McIntyre finally won a title in front of fans after being denied an ovation during the pandemic. Great effort by both men, who have worked hard to get to this moment.

Grade: A+

McIntyre crawled to Punk, gloating. Punk just dropped McIntyre, and hit him with the protective armband. Damian Priest came out. He finally looks to cash in his Money in the Bank contract.

Patience is Judgement: Damian Priest cashes in, wins World Heavyweight Title

Priest hit a chokeslam and won the belt. Wow! Priest finally cashed in and won gold.

It took a long time, but Priest has done it. He got his WrestleMania moment. What does that mean for McIntyre's contract?

Grade: A-

Snoop Dogg is doing commentary for the Philadelphia Street Fight, while Bubba Ray Dudley is the guest referee. The fight is Bobby Lashley, Angelo Dawkins, and Montez Ford vs. The Final Testament (Karrion Kross, Akam, and Rezar).

Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits take The Final Testament to the extreme

Street Profits get tables. The Final Testament used kendo sticks on Bobby Lashley. They decimated their opponents with chairs and kendo sticks. Authors of Pain landed a double suplex combination. B-Fab and Scarlett got involved. Lashley hit a Flatliner and a few suplexes to Cross. Ford landed a jumping moonsault over the turnbuckle.

Lashley hit Kross with a chair. Spinebuster onto the chair. Hurt Lock attempt and Scarlett hit him with a kendo stick. B-Fab with a kick and a Russian Leg Sweep through a table. Kross with a suplex to Lashley and a DDT to the chair. Kross yelled at Bubba to count faster, who put on glasses. Spear by Lashley. Bubba Ray helped Lashley and the Street Profits do the Whassup move. "Get the tables."

ECW chant as the table broke in a botch. They got another table and Ford put Kross through it for the win.

That was certainly a match. Not much emotional flavor, but it did have some ECW nostalgia to it. Snoop Dogg was great on commentary.

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Grade: D

LA Knight vs. AJ Styles up next. Styles has new theme music.

WrestleMania, YEAH! LA Knight beats AJ Styles

Knight and Styles attack one another right away, with Styles landing vicious punches. Knight took him out of the ring and bounced him up and down the table. Back in the ring, Styles limited Knight's offense by going after his legs. Knight tried with rollups and clotheslines to the delight of the crowd.

DDT from Knight. In the corner, Styles hit an Electric Chair to the turnbuckle and a few suplexes. Styles on the top rope, but Knight stopped his momentum. Biting Styles, Knight tried to land a suplex off the top. He hit an avalanche, with Styles going inside out. That looked rough!

Calf Crusher by Styles and Knight is in pain. Styles broke the hold and focused on the knee of Knight outside the ring. Knight tried for the Piledriver through the exposed floor, but Styles landed a back body drop to it. Knight beats the referee's count. Styles went for a Springboard 450 but Knight had his knees up. They traded shots in the ring until Styles landed a Pele kick.

Phenomenal Forearm and Styles Clash attempts are blocked. Another forearm attempt and Knight forced him to land in an awkward position. BFT by Knight and he got the win.

The match was going to another zone until the finish. Knight winning was the right move, as he needed the momentum. YEAH!

Grade: B+

The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2024 was presented to the fans. The U.S. Express honored the late Bray White.

A Viral Win: Logan Paul Beats Kevin Owens and Logan Paul, retains U.S. Ttile

Logan Paul defends the WWE United States Title against Kevin Owens and Randy Orton next. Paul came out in a Prime truck with a cannon on it. There is another guy in a Prime bottle. Sami Zayn cheered Kevin Owens on as he entered just as Owens did to him last night. Owens with ECW lighting in his entrance.

Paul told Orton and Owens to fight one another. They grabbed Paul and beat him up. Paul got dropped on the Spanish Announce Table. First Orton and Owens, then Orton again. In the ring, Paul shoved Owens to Orton. Instead of turning on one another, Paul got beaten up. They stomp on Paul. Both tried to pin him and then they realized they both can't win.

Orton tried to land an RKO to Owens. They finally fight one another. Paul with a Buckshot Lariat. A "Gatorade" chant for the Prime owner. Double Cannonball by Owens. Swanton Bomb got countered into knees by Paul. Paul with a Swanton of his own to Owens and a Frog Splash to Orton.

Paul and Orton trade shots, with Paul dropping Orton. Back to Orton and Owens until Paul got back in. Buckshot Lariat attempt blocked. Orton landed a double apron DDT. Superkick by Owens to both men, followed by a splash and Codebreaker combination. Owens up top, and Orton followed. Powerslam by Owens, and a Moonsault to Paul, but only for two. Popup Powerbomb attempt but Orton landed an RKO to Owens for two.

Paul with brass knuckles but Orton blocked it. The former finally hit Orton with them but only for two. RKO to Paul. Orton had the knuckles but gave it to the referee. He tried to go for the punt kick but the Prime bottle pulled Logan out of the ring. Streamer IShowSpeed was in the bottle. Orton is irate and landed an RKO onto a table. Paul attacked Orton and missed a splash. Owens with a Popup Powerbomb to Paul and a Stunner to Orton.

Orton with an RKO off the Popup Powerbomb. Orton sent to the outside, Frog Splash to Owens and Paul retained.

Fantastic match. Logan Paul just gets pro wrestling. Owens looked great while Orton wrestling again after being injured for so long is nice to see. Who is IShowSpeed?

Grade: A

Bayley challenges former Damage CTRL teammate Iyo Sky for the WWE Women's Title next. Bayley, the Royal Rumble winner, is in a major spot after missing WrestleMania a few years ago. A rightful main event in any other WrestleMania that didn't have The Rock in it.

Bayley beats Iyo Sky in an epic match, wins WWE Women's Title

They lock up to start, with Bayley getting taken outside the ring. The crowd chanted "Hey Bayley, will you be my girl?" as is tradition at a big show. Sky used her athleticism, but Nayley landed a big dive to the outside. Bayley's knee was injured, and Sky took advantage. She has a history of knee issues.

Dragonscrew to the knee of Bayley. Sky tried to fly but Bayley landed a slam on the outside. In the ring, Bayley hit a sideslam but only for two. Up top, but Sky dropped her to the floor, injuring the knee further. Sky with a top rope moonsault to the outside.

The crowd continued chanting for Bayley as she landed a sunset flip to the bottom turnbuckle. Small cradle stopped. Her knee gave out, and Sky with a Bridging Suplex, and another. Moonsault attempt but Bayley got her knees up. Elbow drop by Bayley but Sky countered into the crossface. Bayley with a back elbow but Sky recovered with another crossface. Now the STF. Bayley to Belly but only for two.

Sky tried to say sorry but landed a right hand and laughed. Bayley back up and slapped her. Sky slapped her back. Bayley to Belly blocked to a rollup and then a backbreaker. Sky with a moonsault from the top but only for two. Standing moonsault, second rope moonsault, and a top rope moonsault, the latter missed. Sky countered a finishing move but Bayley hit the clothesline. Bayley back up and hit a back suplex, followed by an elbow drop. She finished it off with a Rose Plant for the win.

Fantastic match, with Bayley coming out on top. Babyface Bayley is money. Iyo Sky gets her comeuppance.

Grade: A+

Snoop Dogg announces 72,755 in attendance for night two of WrestleMania. That's 145,298 total if you combine both nights.

The main event is up next. Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Title against Cody Rhodes. Bloodline Rules, meaning anything goes. What surprises can we expect in this match? Brandi Rhodes already made an appearance.

Cody Rhodes "finishes the story," beats Roman Reigns to become champion

It may be the biggest match of the modern era. Charles Robinson is refereeing. The face-off and words exchanged. Rhodes pushed Reigns into the corner, trying to take him off his game. Reigns used his power to his advantage. Rhodes hit the ear of Reigns, taking out his senses. He took a table out but Reigns put it back like a gentleman. Reigns got put through the steps as Rhodes looked at the title. Reigns hit Rhodes with a kendo stick.

"The Tribal Chief" continued to hit Rhodes with the kendo stick. Rhodes got his hands on the stick but missed a shot. Bulldog by Rhodes and a Figure Four. On the outside, Reigns put Rhodes through the crowd. Reigns tried to suplex Rhodes on the outside while on top of a table. But Rhodes reversed to a suplex on the table. Back in the ring, Reigns countered a Disaster Kick to a powerbomb followed by a throwing suplex.

Reigns put Rhodes in a sleeper, talking to him and the camera like it is 2020. Rhodes back in the match, but Reigns landed a PerfectPlex. Reigns took over with his power. Superkick by Rhodes, big kick by Reigns, and they trade off kicks as both men are down. Back up, they traded punches, and Rhodes got momentum with a powerslam. Disaster Kick, but only for two. Cody Cutter countered into a Cross Rhodes by Reigns.

Superman Punch attempt but Rhodes landed Dusty Rhodes' Bionic Elbow. On the outside, Rhodes took a part the announce table. Low blow by Reigns. Powerbomb by Reigns through the table. Superman Punch, but only for two. Spear attempt, but he got caught with the Cody Cutter but for two. Cross Rhodes attempt, but Reigns landed a Rock Bottom that got countered into a Spear by Rhodes. Oh, things are picking up now.

Cross Rhodes hit, then Jimmy Uso interfered. Here we go. Superman Punch. Jey Uso came out and he and Jimmy continued their battle from night one. Jey put Jimmy through tables on the stage. Rollup by Rhodes, Spear by Reigns, but only for two. Sleeper hold by Reigns, but Rhodes put him through the ropes. Rhodes speared Reigns through the barricade.

Rhodes with a Cross Rhodes, and another. He went for a third, but Solo Sikoa hit a Spike. Rhodes kicked out. Sikoa attacked Rhodes and demanded Reigns finish it. Spear and Spike by Sikoa but only for two. John Cena comes out! He took Sikoa out. He gave Reigns an AA. Cena took apart the Spanish Announce Table and put Sikoa through it. The Rock comes out! John Cena and The Rock, together again.

Rock Bottom to Cena. Shield entrance and Seth Rollins came out. Reigns landed a Superman Punch. Rock used a belt, but The Undertaker came out. He chokeslammed The Rock. Reigns and Rhodes the only ones left. And Rollins. Reigns had a chair, and hit Rollins with it, like Rollins did to him years ago. Spear attempt turned into a Cross Rhodes. Another. And a third one. Cody Rhodes has done it. He pins Roman Reigns!

Cody Rhodes has finished the story. An Avengers Endgame-like match to finish a two-year build. Wow. Reigns' past comes back to haunt him. An overbooked match but in the best way possible. It is a new era.

Grade: A+