In the annals of sports entertainment, some events are remembered for a single match, while others are remembered for a seismic shift in the industry. WWE WrestleMania 40, billed as the "Showcase of the Immortals," achieved the rare feat of being both. Over two historic nights in Philadelphia, the event not only delivered breathtaking athleticism but also concluded one of the most emotionally charged storylines in modern wrestling history. Night 1: The Rock Returns and a Bloodline Rule Change The story of WrestleMania 40 was dominated by "The Bloodline"—the Samoan dynasty led by Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, his enforcer Solo Sikoa, and their new, shocking ally: Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The "Final Boss," as The Rock dubbed himself, had returned to side with Reigns against Cody Rhodes, the man desperate to "finish the story" by winning the title his father, Dusty Rhodes, never could.
In a match filled with near-falls, nostalgia, and carnage, The Rock pinned Seth Rollins after a low blow and a "Rock Bottom." The Bloodline had won. Night 2 would be a war without rules, heavily stacked against Cody Rhodes. WWE WrestleMania 2024
The main event was chaos incarnate. As expected, "Bloodline Rules" meant a constant stream of interference. Just as Cody seemed to have Reigns beaten, Solo Sikoa appeared and delivered a devastating Samoan Spike. Later, The Rock returned to deliver a "Rock Bottom" and a "People’s Elbow" to Rhodes. Even John Cena, attempting to help Cody, was taken out by Solo Sikoa. The odds were insurmountable. In the annals of sports entertainment, some events
Elsewhere on Night 1, fans witnessed other memorable moments: Rhea Ripley successfully defended her Women’s World Championship against Becky Lynch in a hard-hitting opener, and the legendary Rey Mysterio teamed with his son Dragon Lee to defeat Santos Escobar and "Dirty" Dominik Mysterio. Night 2 was centered entirely on the main event. The atmosphere in Lincoln Financial Field was electric, split between die-hard Cody supporters and those mesmerized by Roman Reigns’ historic 1,316-day reign. Night 1: The Rock Returns and a Bloodline