by Roman Reigns entered WrestleMania 39 as the WWE Undisputed Universal Champion and left Sunday night as the champion after an epic battle with Cody Rhodes.
Rhodes was competing for the top prize for the first time in his career, but he was up against the leader of the company who hasn’t relinquished his reign in nearly 1,000 days.
Rhodes walked down the entrance ramp into SoFi Stadium to the tune of “Kingdom” and the crowd chanted as “The American Nightmare” made his way down to the ring. Before going between the ropes, he hugged his wife Brandi Rhodes and his daughter Liberty.
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April 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Roman Reigns puts Cody Rhodes in a guillotine during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Reigns came out with a piano ensemble before his music played and pyrotechnics lit up the stadium. For 945 days, he reigned as champion and now he had to take a chance against a fighter with a wrestling legacy as deep as Reigns’. He came down to the ring flanked by Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa.
When both competitors were announced, there was a palpable buzz in the air. Some of the 80,000 fans cheered for Rhodes as he made his first WrestleMania main event appearance. Others backed Reigns because they hoped his title streak could continue.
“WrestleMania! … Acknowledge me!” Reigns demanded of the SoFi crowd before the match started.
Rhodes took the lead early in the match with a kick while trying to isolate Reigns’ arms. Rhodes came off the middle rope and tried to kick Reigns but was caught and Reigns attacked him, turning the tide of the fight early.
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Rhodes continued to attack after a near knockdown. He suplexed Rhodes and tried to send him to the ground, but it was Reigns who fell to the ground. The fight went to the entrance ramp and that’s where Rhodes dealt most of his damage as he tried to avoid the referee’s 10 count.
But Rhodes would come back and slam Reigns into the ramp. Momentum shifted in favor of “The American Nightmare” for a few moments. But both competitors inflicted as much pain as possible. About halfway through the match, it was still anyone’s game.
Reigns distracted the referee and Sikoa would hit Rhodes with a chair shot. He allowed Reigns to apply a Driveby. He took control and went to work. Sikoa would interfere with Rhodes up front allowing a clothesline from Reigns. Bloodline’s impact on the match was clear and Rhodes had to find a way to overcome it.
“The Head of the Table” went to the announcers’ table and ripped them apart to possibly set up a destructive finish on Rhodes. When Reigns tried to put Rhodes through the table, he countered and flipped Reigns through one of the tables. Advantage, Rhodes, for now.
April 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; The Usos (white shirts) interfere in a match between Roman Reigns (black pants) and Cody Rhodes (navy pants) at Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Rhodes showed his resolve and quickness in the ring. He connected the Cody Cutter and almost got the count of three. Reigns kicked out. As the two got back up, Rhodes tore through the ropes on a suicide pitch while Reigns was outside the ring.
Sikoa got back into the game to play the tie but was expelled from the match.
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Reigns tried to use the weight belt to hit Rhodes, but was hit with a superkick and then a Cross Rhodes. Reigns is ejected before the count of three again. But Reigns got up and tried to gain some momentum. But even after a Rock Bottom, Rhodes still managed to kick.
Fans were hanging on the edge of their seats.
Reigns prepared for the Superman Punch, but Rhodes countered and hit the Pedigree. Rhodes again was about to cover Reigns, but the champion kicked him. When Rhodes got back up, he attempted another mid-rope maneuver, but was caught with a Superman Punch. Still, there is no pinfall.
In another chaotic moment, Rhodes put Reigns in a figure four leg lock in the center of the ring. Reigns would turn around and pin Rhodes, but Rhodes grabbed the rope to break the hold.
Reigns even hit a spear late in the match that looked like it would have put Rhodes out, but it was still to no avail. What else could any of the competitors do?
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Reigns had Rhodes in the guillotine and tried to choke him, but Rhodes got out. Unfortunately, the referee would get caught up in the carnage. Everyone was down. He allowed The Usos to interfere in the match and take out Rhodes. But Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens came to the rescue to even the numbers.
The fight between The Usos and Zayn and Owens would continue in the stands.
Rhodes tried to go for the pin. The ref mustered enough energy to try to count: 1…2…and Reigns was ejected.
April 2, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Solo Siko (jacket) and Cody Rhodes (center) and Roman Reigns (below) during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
The two exchanged blows. The two exchanged kicks. But as it looked like Rhodes would get the upper hand, Sikoa came back and hit Rhodes with the Samoan Spike.
Reigns was victorious in what would go down as one of the most incredible WrestleMania matches in recent memory.
Fans held up a single finger to acknowledge Reigns as the champion.
Roman Reigns celebrates victory during Wrestlemania Night 2 at SoFi Stadium. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)
Here’s how the rest of the card played out on the second night of WrestleMania 39.
- Brock Lesnar defeated Omos by pinfall in a singles match
- Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler defeated Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya and Shotzi and Chelsea Green by submission in the fatal four-way tag team match at Women’s WrestleMania Showcase.
- Gunther defeated Sheamus and Drew McIntyre in a triple threat match to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
- Bianca Belair defeated Asuka via pinfall to retain the RAW Women’s Championship.
- Snoop Dogg with Shane McMahon defeated The Miz by pinfall in a singles match.
- Edge defeated Finn Balor in a Hell in a Cell match.
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