The biggest spectacle in all of sports entertainment was live from the City of Brotherly Love on April 6 and 7 at Lincoln Financial Field. On a frigid weekend, Philadelphia still showed out and packed over 72,000 screaming fans each night ­-- including my father and I. This was the first WrestleMania in the Paul “Triple H” Levesque era. Paul took over and brought that spark back to professional wrestling that WWE lost many moons ago. 

The main event of night one saw “The Final Boss” The Rock and Roman Reigns take on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. If Rock and Reigns win, the main event on night two is “Bloodline Rules.” The match began with a standoff between Rollins and Reigns, reviving their rich history. They do some technical work, Rhodes and Rock get tagged in and the bout turns to chaos. 

Rock and Rhodes squabble into the seats, while Reigns and Rollins scuffle on the stage. After brutal attacks by all members, Rock puts Rollins in a sharpshooter in the ring, and Rhodes breaks it up with a slap, which gives Rollins time to hit a curb stomp on Rock. Rhodes became the legal man, and quickly hit a “Cody Cutter” on Reigns; trying to double up and hit another, Rhodes is hit with a Superman punch and a spear, which prompts a near fall.

Reigns tried to spear Rhodes but instead hit Rock, which was met with massive cheers and suspense. Rhodes attempted a trio of “Cross-Rhodes” yet was hit from behind by Rock, with the signature “Mama Rhodes” lifting belt, who then hits “The People’s Elbow” for the victory. The Bloodline wins and makes night two Bloodline Rules.  

The night-one main event had a rather obvious finish. As a lifetime wrestling fan, I knew WWE would want absolute chaos with Bloodline Rules the next night. With a predictable finish, this match still hit on every level of technical wrestling with big spots and shocking moments. WrestleMania Night One’s Main Event receives a 4.25 out of 5. 

The main event of night two was what we have all been waiting for: “The Tribal Chief,” Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, vs. “The American Nightmare,” Cody Rhodes, in a match under bloodline rules for the title. Cody Rhodes attempts to “finish the story” while Roman Reigns attempts to retain his title and continue his 1,313-day reign (Get it? Reign.).  

The match began with face-offs and slow-chain wrestling. Roman sheered away from his “five moves of doom” and went deep into his bag, pulling out a “perfect plex” and many different moves he had not done before. Spilling to the outside, Cody grabbed a table but was quickly hit with a “drive-by” kick from Reigns. 

Reigns went to town on Rhodes with a kendo stick. Rhodes gained momentum, trying for a “disaster kick” but was caught with a Superman punch. Reigns went for the ultimate move of disrespect, attempting Cody’s move, the Cross-Rhodes -- Cody kicks at two. The pace picked up with each competitor hitting superkicks on each other.

Reigns would then powerbomb Cody through the announce table, which is legal under bloodline rules. After many finishers and near falls, 22 minutes into the match, we get the first interference by Jimmy Uso, who hits a superkick on Rhodes.

Jey Uso comes to even the odds, brawling with his brother back to the stage. Jey hits a massive spear off the stage, through a table to his brother effectively taking him out. As Rhodes went for the cross-Rhodes in the ring, Solo Sikoa came out and hit the “Samoan spike” on Rhodes. 

The arena was filled with trumpets, red and blue lights, and cheers. It was the “GOAT,” John Cena. Cena rushes the ring, bringing the fight to Solo, eventually hitting the “Attitude Adjustment” through the announce table. Back to the ring, Rock and Cena faced off; the crowd erupted.

Preparing for a big fight, The Rock quickly hits “rock bottom” on Cena, ultimately taking him out of the equation. Rock grabs the Mama Rhodes belt and the surprise of “The Shield’s” music hits. Waiting to see who it could be, Seth Rollins slithers behind Rock but is taken out. Then, the unthinkable happened. *gong*  

The lights go out, and the crowd roars. It’s “the Deadman,” The Undertaker.

For someone named The Undertaker, he sure revived the crowd. Rock looks like a deer in headlights standing off against Taker, who hits Rock with a chokeslam. The lights go out, and Taker disappears. In the ring, Roman holds a chair and is hit with a dilemma. Does he get the revenge on Rollins for stabbing him in the back ten years prior? Does he hit Cody and finish the match? 

Reigns ultimately chooses to strike Rollins, choosing the past over the present. This allows Cody to recover hitting a trio of Cross-Rhodes on Reigns… 1…2…3! Cody Rhodes does it; Cody finishes the story and captures the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. 

This main event was everything I wanted and more. While it was overbooked with run-ins, it was the correct move. The run-ins made the match feel special, like something we have never seen before. As a massive Cody Rhodes fan, seeing him finish his story in person was an unbelievable experience. 

This match was the greatest WrestleMania event ever and received an easy 5 out of 5. 

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