WWE WrestleMania 40 featured multiple world championship fights, including Bayley challenging Iyo Sky for the WWE Women’s World Title in her first singles WrestleMania battle. Following a loss in the main event of Night 1, Seth Rollins defended his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre.
In the main event, Cody Rhodes attempted to complete his tale against Roman Reigns in a wild and emotional Bloodline Rules Match.
WWE WrestleMania 40 Results on April 7, 2024
- Drew McIntyre def. Seth Rollins | WWE World Heavyweight Championship
- Damian Priest def. Drew McIntyre | WWE World Heavyweight Championship1
- The Pride def. The Final Testament | Philadelphia Street Fight
- LA Knight def. AJ Styles
- Logan Paul def. Kevin Owens and Randy Orton | WWE US Championship
- Bayley def. Iyo Sky | WWE Women’s World Championship
- Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns | Bloodline Rules for the WWE Undisputed Universal Championship
WWE WrestleMania 40 Ticket Sales
- WWE WrestleMania 40 Venue: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Penn.)
- WWE WrestleMania 40 Tickets Distributed: 69,621
- WWE WrestleMania 40 Tickets Available: 31
WWE WrestleMania XL Night 2 Winners And Grades
Stephanie McMahon Kicks Off WWE WrestleMania 40
Stephanie McMahon made a surprise cameo to kick off WrestleMania (with CM Punk still on commentary) to herald the start of “The Paul Levesque Era.” This comes just days after Rhodes allegedly applied for the term “The Renaissance Era.”
The Renaissance Era appears to be an IWC word to refer to this era, similar to the distinction between pro wrestling and sports entertainment.
Stephanie McMahon’s involvement with WWE will be intriguing to see after she was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and started WrestleMania.
Drew McIntyre Def. Seth Rollins, Damian Priest Cashes In
Drew McIntyre and Seth Rollins made fantastic entrances. McIntyre made a Scottish entrance, with bagpipe players playing Roddy Piper’s trademark theme. Rollins was accompanied by a sea of people dressed in bright, loose clothing, reminiscent of a Mardi Gras parade. Rollins saved this for Night 2 after making a normal entrance the night before, and it was well worth the wait.
The match began with an early Claymore Kick and a false finish. Seth then performed an early Stomp. Unlike the WrestleMania 25 main event between Triple H and Randy Orton (which, in fairness, had to follow Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker), spectators were quickly drawn into the bout after the two early finishers.
Seth Rollins sold his leg like crazy, which meant he’d either lose the title to McIntyre or Damian Priest.
The attendance was significantly better tonight at Lincoln Financial Field, which was much warmer.
Drew McIntyre tricked his way to the WWE World Championship with multiple Claymore Kicks. Drew finally had his time, but he couldn’t leave well enough alone and was promptly trolled by CM Punk. Damian Priest won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship by cashing in on Punk’s attack (Señor Money in the Bank).
SEÑOR WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION!!!#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/A7STQ6swzw
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2024
The Pride Def. The Final Testament
Snoop Dogg was the guest commentator for this match, which I’m excited to hear when I see it again on TV. What about the special guest referee? Bubba Ray Dudley.
Fans went crazy when Dudley put on his old-school eyeglasses to taunt Karrion Kross.
This bout really got over in the building, but an otherwise fascinating plunder fight was ruined by chants of “turn the lights off.” Despite the furious cries, the crowd was far more energetic and louder than the previous night.
The Pride vs. The Final Testament Grade: A-
LA Knight Def. AJ Styles
It was obvious when AJ Styles’ new entrance song began to play. Styles makes a beeline for LA Knight days after the two brawled at WWE Media Day.
For the second match in a row, fans chanted “turn off the lights.” I suppose they wanted the ring to be dimmer. I did not mind the lighting.
If WWE keeps playing with these folks and Light-gate lasts long enough, they’ll start chanting for Kevin Dunn.
The “turn the lights off” chants dominated this match, with supporters chanting “ooooh please turn the lights off!” and “[expletive] these lights!” They chanted, “I can’t see!” On the one hand, it’s funny, but on the other, it’s unfortunate that a fantastic WrestleMania feud was jeopardized.
Knight and Styles, both certified professionals, refused to allow the lights take over the contest. They worked their way to a heated finale, with Knight hitting the BFT for the win and a huge pop.
Following the bout, a WWE Saudi Arabia ad was booed for the second night in a row.
LA Knight vs. AJ Styles Grade: B
It's CASH-IN TIME!!!!!!!#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/WuB9CKDDHC
— WWE (@WWE) April 7, 2024
Logan Paul Def. Kevin Owens And Randy Orton
Backstage, Sami Zayn, the new WWE Intercontinental champion, wished Kevin Owens well, just like Owens did the night before.
Logan Paul arrived in a Prime Monster Truck, accompanied by a Prime mascot for the second consecutive year. Kevin Owens, whose KO Logo was updated with an ECW-inspired design, arrived in a more humble golf cart. Owens even offered Kevin Owens a lift to the ring. What a darling.
Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes got along nicely, taking turns knocking up Roman Reigns. The two had a fun moment as they both tried for the pinfall and then started throwing hockey punches at each other.
Fans screamed for drinks like “Powerade” and “water” to mock Logan Paul.
Kevin Owens landed a fantastic moonsault on Logan Paul, right on the Prime logo, resulting in a nearfall. This was followed by another close call when Paul hit Orton with a pair of brass knuckles.
Orton was about to kick Paul in the head, but the mascot protected him before showing himself to be KSI again. Paul ended KSI with an RKO on the table. The table did not break, resulting in chants of “One more time!”
The last sequence was amazing. Owens attempted a Pop-up Power Bomb on Orton, which was countered with an RKO. Paul attempted to throw Orton out of the ring, which Orton countered—but Paul countered the counter, flung Orton out, and landed a Frog Splash on Owens to win.
Kevin Owens vs. Logan Paul and Randy Orton Grade: A
Bayley Def. Iyo Sky
Bayley’s entrance was inspired by the Sphinx’s and Triple H’s WrestleMania 30 entrances.
Bayley used new music that was just as wonderful as her prior music. I miss Babyface Bayley’s theme song.
Iyo Sky’s entrance featured dancers, and we were off to the races. Bayley received the traditional “hey Bayley” chants from the crowd.
Iyo Sky delivered a stunning double-jump dropkick on Bayley, knocking her over the top rope.
Bayley and Iyo jockeyed for position and had to rotate at least four times (do-si-do style). This resulted in Bayley landing a sunset flip powerbomb on Iyo in the corner.
For the final several minutes, the pace accelerated and the audience rallied behind Bayley, resulting in a technical wrestling classic reminiscent of Bret vs. Owen.
Bayley won her maiden singles bout at WrestleMania with a Bayley-to-Belly, followed by a Rose Plant.
Bayley vs. Iyo Sky Grade: B
Cody Rhodes Vs. Roman Reigns
Cody Rhodes made a terrific debut wearing an American Nightmare mask. He was joined by Brandi Rhodes. Reigns kissed the mat, but not the Prime logo.
Roman Reigns made a superstar entrance, which could be his final one this reign.
Click here for a complete recap of the Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns—Bloodline Rules match.
WWE Superstars (including CM Punk and Randy Orton) and Rhodes’ family congratulated the new WWE king following his victory. Rhodes thanked Bruce Prichard and Triple H, both of whom appeared live.