By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
WWE WrestleMania 39 Night Two
Aired April 2, 2023 live on Peacock and pay-per-view
Inglewood, California at SoFi Stadium
Jimmie Allen was introduced by ring announcer Mike Rome. Allen performed “America The Beautiful” on the stage. He stopped and didn’t sing part of the lyrics at one point and then belted our the remainder of the song… The WrestleMania Cold Open video with Kevin Hart aired…
Michael Cole welcomed viewers to night two and then WrestleMania host The Miz and Snoop Dogg were introduced. The duo stood in the ring and Miz fired up the crowd by mentioning Rhea Ripley winning the Smackdown Women’s Championship, and Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn winning the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles on night one. Snoop said it was time to fire it up…
Cole and Corey Graves checked in on commentary and introduced the Spanish broadcast team while Omos and MVP made their entrance. They showed a tale of the tape. Brock Lesnar made his entrance and smiled on the stage. Lesnar got his usual pyro before he headed to the ring…
1. Brock Lesnar vs. Omos (w/MVP). Cole noted that this was Lesnar’s twelfth WrestleMania match. Lesnar smiled and then went for a takedown once the bell rang. Omos stuffed it and tossed Lesnar across the ring. Lesnar smiled and then went for a couple of shoulder blocks, but Omos stayed on his feet.
Omos bodyslammed Lesnar. Once Lesnar stood up, Omos clubbed his back and slammed him again. “You own him,” MVP shouted from ringside. Omos fired shots to the back of Lesnar and then put him in a bearhug. Omos drove Lesnar’s back into a corner of the ring while releasing the hold. Omos played to the crowd and was booed. Omos slammed Lesnar again (welcome to Bodyslam City?).
Omos applied another bearhug. Lesnar fought his way out and then charged at Omos, who chokeslammed him. Cole said Lesnar was being manhandled in a way that he’d never seen before. Lesnar avoided a charging Omos, who hit his head on the ring post casing. Lesnar took Omos to Suplex City with a couple of German suplexes and sold back pain before executing a third.
Lesnar hoisted up Omos for an F5, but his back gave out. Omos went for his finisher, but Lesnar avoided it, hit the F5, and scored the pin.
Brock Lesnar defeated Omos in 4:55.
Afterward, Omos went to ringside and MVP was shown telling him to relax. Lesnar sold back pain as he headed to the back…
Powell’s POV: This was good for what it was and didn’t overstay its welcome. I am surprised that the match wasn’t laid out so that Lesnar had to hit a second F5 just to protect Omos a little more.
After some ads, Cole said that the venue was sold out and roughly 80,000 were expected to be in attendance. Entrances for the four-way showcase tag match took place with Samantha Irvin as the ring announcer. Shotzi’s TCB tank didn’t get a WrestleMania invite…
2. Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler vs. Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan vs. Natalya and Shotzi vs. Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville in a four-way tag team showcase match. Morgan performed a Codebreaker on Deville, who quickly tagged in Natalya. Rodriguez tagged in and was all smiles until Natalya took her down with a head-scissors. Rodriguez came back with a kick.
Natalya tagged Green, who went for a missile dropkick on Rodriguez, who just let Green bounce off of her. Shotzi checked in and went for a pin on Green, but Baszler ran in and broke it up. Baszler tossed Shotzi to ringside where Rousey taunted her.
In the ring, Rodriguez, Natalya, and Morgan performed a triple powerbomb on Baszler. They motioned for Rousey to enter the ring and then they were hit from behind by Green and Deville. Shotzi performed a top rope dive onto Green. Shotzi followed up with a suicide dive onto a couple of heels on the floor.
Green stood on the ropes and then realized that Rodriguez was waiting in the ring behind her. Green opted to dive onto some wrestlers on the floor. Rodriguez picked up Morgan in powerbomb position and tossed her onto the pile of wrestlers on the floor.
Rodrigues stuffed Shotzi’s DDT attempt and then put her down with a fallaway slam. Rodriguez performed her corkscrew elbow drop from the middle rope. Rodriguez set up for her finisher, but Deville made a blind tag and ended up hitting Rodriguez from behind. Deville and Green cleared Rodriguez to the floor.
Shotzi and Natalya showed up behind Deville and Green and worked them over. Natalya and Shotzi hit a Hart Attack clothesline on Deville, but the pin was broken up. Natalya placed Green on Deville and then put them in a double Sharpshooter, which got a rise out of the crowd. Morgan leapt from the ropes and performed a Codebreaker style move on Natalya to break the hold.
Morgan hit a Codebreaker on Shotzi and then followed up with Oblivion. Baszler returned wearing just one boot and broke up the pin. Rousey tagged in and put Shotzi in an armbar and got the submission win…
Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler beat Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan, Natalya & Shotzi, and Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville in 8:25 in a four-way tag team showcase match.
Powell’s POV: The effort was there and the match had a couple of crowd pleasing moments. Rousey was invisible for most of the match, presumably due to the injury that she’s working through. I’m not sure what happened to Baszler when it came to her missing boot.
A Judgment Day video package aired… A video package recapped Bobby Lashley winning the Andre the Giant memorial battle royal on Smackdown…
Bobby Lashley was introduced. He played to the crowd and picked up the giant Dre trophy… A WrestleMania viewing party from Shanghai, China was shown…
Xavier Woods hosted another simulation and was joined by a Hit Row, Tegan Knox, Madcap Moss, Nikki Cross, and Greg Miller. Drew McIntyre won the WWE 2K23 simulation. Woods said McIntyre won 42 percent of the simulations… A video package spotlighted the Intercontinental Championship match…
Powell’s POV: I failed to mention that Tyler Breeze was one of the people who was with Woods in the Saturday simulation.
Titus O’Neil joined the broadcast team and they had some cans of hard lemonade on their table. They set up a video package from the same sponsor that featured Drew McIntyre and Sheamus…
Drew McIntyre made his entrance with his silly sword and he fired himself up on the stage. When he lifted the sword, flames shot off on the stage. Sheamus was accompanied onto the stage by Ridge Holland and Butch, who headed to the back while Sheamus went to the ring. Gunther made his entrance. His Imperium mates Ludwig Kaiser and Giovanni Vinci stood on part of the stage away from the entrance. Kaiser demanded appreciation for Gunther, who then made his entrance. Cole noted that Gunther was on day 296 of his title reign…
3. Gunther vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Sheamus for the Intercontinental Championship. Gunther encouraged McIntyre and Sheamus to go at one another, but McIntyre opted to kick Gunther instead. Gunther ended up on the apron. McIntyre and Sheamus threw punches at one another. Sheamus executed the Irish Curse backbreaker.
Sheamus set up for Ten Beats, but Gunther returned and hit both men. McIntyre ended up at ringside. Gunther chopped the hell out of Sheamus. “Call the police,” Titus said on commentary. Sheamus fired back with forearms. Gunther hit a backbreaker and then put Sheamus in a Boston Crab. McIntyre kicked Gunther, who no-sold it. McIntyre slapped Gunther, who released the hold on Sheamus.
Gunther and McIntyre traded stiff chops. McIntyre got the better of it, but Gunther kicked him off. Sheamus returned and put both men down with European uppercuts. All three men traded strikes. Sheamus got Gunther in Ten Beats position. Sheamus and McIntyre went back and forth hitting Gunther with chops and the clubbing forearms while the crowd counted along, and then McIntyre knocked Sheamus off the apron.
Sheamus hit the Ten Beats and beyond on McIntyre. Cole said Sheamus hit McIntyre 29.5 times, as McIntyre fell to the apron. Sheamus got McIntyre back inside the ring and set up for a Celtic Cross, but Gunther booted Sheamus in the face to break it up. Gunther suplexed Sheamus and ended covering him for a near fall.
Gunther yelled “come on” repeatedly while waiting in the corner for Sheamus to stand up. Once he did, Gunther blasted Sheamus with a wicked clothesline and covered him for another near fall. McIntyre leapt from the top rope and clotheslined Gunther on the way down. McIntyre put Gunther down with a neckbreaker and then suplexed Sheamus onto him in the corner.
McIntyre hit the Future Shock DDT on Gunther. McIntyre kipped up. McIntyre went for the Claymore Kick, but Gunther dropped to the mat to avoid it. Gunther dropkicked McIntyre and then powerbombed him before covering him for a good near fall.
Gunther went up top, but Sheamus cut him off. Sheamus stood on the middle rope and then performed White Noise on Gunther. Sheamus followed up with a Celtic Cross and covered Gunther for a great near fall that the live crowd bought into.
Sheamus put Gunther in a cloverleaf. Gunther reached the ropes, but Cole pointed out that it didn’t matter because Triple Threat matches are No DQ. McIntyre put Sheamus in a sleeper. Sheamus eventually released the hold and escaped the sleeper. Sheamus put Gunther down again and went to the corner.
Sheamus blasted Gunther with a Brogue Kick and had him beat, but McIntyre pulled Sheamus to the floor. “His longtime friend just cost him the title,” Cole said. Sheamus and McIntyre traded punches. McIntyre returned to the ring and knocked Sheamus off the apron and then hit him with a flip dive. The crowd went from chanting “this is awesome” to “holy shit.”
McIntyre brought Sheamus back to the ring and did his countdown. McIntyre went for a Claymore Kick, but Sheamus beat him with a Brogue Kick and covered him for the best near fall thus far. When both men stood up, McIntyre hit Sheamus with a Glasgow Kiss and ended up putting him down with a Claymore Kick. McIntyre covered Sheamus for another awesome near fall.
McIntyre and Sheamus traded punches while on their knees and continued as they got to their feet. They battered one another with clotheslines, but neither man went down. McIntyre clotheslined Sheamus, who bounced off the ropes and hit the Brogue Kick. Sheamus was slow to cover McIntyre, and then Gunther leapt from the top rope to break up the pin. Gunther powerbombed both men and then pinned McIntyre.
Gunther defeated Drew McIntyre and Sheamus in 16:40 in a Triple Threat to retain the Intercontinental Championship.
After the match, all three broadcast team members stood and applauded. Cole said it was a great fight and clarified that it was just that. Gunther posed with the title while McIntyre and Sheamus were down…
Powell’s POV: That’s more like it. The opening matches were fine, but they didn’t feel WrestleMania special to me. This match was a fantastic display of violence. Those three beat the holy hell out of one another and provided some great near falls that had the live crowd believing on more than one occasion. Awesome work from all three wrestlers.
A video package spotlighted the Raw Women’s Championship match…
Asuka’s entrance featured several performers dressed in her masks. Asuka was dressed differently and removed her mask to a big pop before she headed to the ring.
Bianca Belair had a group of dancers sporting their own ponytails performing on the stage.The smallest and seemingly youngest of the dancers performed a wild move and then Belair came out and danced around her before heading to the ring. Cole said the dancers were from the Divas of Compton. Cool entrance…
4. Bianca Belair vs. Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship. Mike Rome delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Belair started the match with a couple of dropkicks. Asuka came back with a cool series of kicks and then bulldogged Belair to the mat before getting up and kicking her again. Asuka covered Belair for an early two count.
Asuka caught Belair standing on the middle rope, but Belair backflipped over her. Belair put Asuka down with a spinebuster for a two count. Belair went for a handspring into a standing moonsault, but Asuka caught her in a submission hold and eventually applied the Asuka Lock. Graves noted that she didn’t quite lock it in and then Belair rolled out of the ring to escape the hold.
Asuka followed Belair to the floor. Asuka went for an armbar, but Belair escaped it. Belair powered up Asuka and put her down with a sit-out powerbomb on the floor. Damn. Belair rolled Asuka back inside the ring and covered her for a two count.
A short time later, Belair went for another handspring when they oddly cut to a wide shot (oops). Asuka caught her and went for another submission hold. Asuka picked up another two count and then threw kicks at Belair. Both wrestlers ended up on the apron. Asuka continued to throw kicks until Belair caught her leg and hit her with a forearm. Asuka fired right back and sent Belair into the ring post casing. Belair returned to the ring.
Asuka tried to suplex Belair from the apron, but Belair avoided it and ran Asuka into the ring post casing. Belair performed a deadlift superplex and then covered Asuka for a two count. Both women traded rapid fire pin attempts. Asuka caught Belair with a kick and covered her for another two count.
Belair avoided an Asuka Lock attempt and rolled her into a pin for a two count. There were dueling chants for the wrestlers and then Belair performed a Blockbuster and followed up with her handspring into the ropes followed by a standing moonsault for a near fall. Belair ate a knee, but she backed into the ropes and then shoulder blocked Asuka, which left both women down for a moment.
Belair went up top, but Asuka cut her off. Asuka climbed up top, but Belair put her on her shoulders. Asuka fought back and they continued to fight for position until Asuka pulled on Belair’s braid and they both ended up in the ring. Asuka performed a Codebreaker and got a near fall.
Belair rallied and set up for her KOD, but Asuka held onto the ropes. Belair bumped into the referee, who remained on her feet, but was spun around. Asuka tried to spray mist that Belair avoided. Belair went for the KOD, but Asuka slipped away and put her in an armbar. Belair powered up Asuka and hit the KOD. Belair covered Asuka and pinned her…
Bianca Belair defeated Asuka in 16:05 to retain the Raw Women’s Championship.
Powell’s POV: A strong match. They went for a lot of unconvincing pins during the first ten minutes, but there was genuine suspense from that point on. I’m not crazy about keeping the belt on Belair simply because they need to make strong heels in the women’s division and this was a chance to do that. This really should have taken place deeper in the show, but I assume they want it to be as dark as possible for the Hell in a Cell entrances.
George Kittle was shown in the crowd again, and then legendary broadcaster Al Michaels was also shown in the crowd… Cole recapped the WrestleMania Saturday main event…
The Miz and Snoop Dogg were in the ring. Miz announced the attendance as 81,395. He said the two-night attendance was 161,892. Miz complained that Snoop put him in a match last night while he was dressed in an expensive suit. Snoop asked if he wanted to do it again. Miz said no and continued to complain. “My bad,” Snoop said. Miz claimed it was his city. Snoop said he had it all wrong. It’s not Miz’s city or his WrestleMania. Snoop pointed to the stage.
Shane McMahon made his entrance. Shane thanked the crowd for the reception he received. “From one OG to another, will you please take care of this brother?” Snoop asked. A referee entered the ring and the bell rang despite Miz’s pleas…
5. Shane McMahon vs. The Miz. Shane threw punches at Miz. Shane did a drop down and a leapfrog spot and clutched his knee. Shane stayed down and was tended to by the referee and a trainer. Snoop entered the ring and punched Miz. Shane was helped out of the ring. Snoop punched Miz a second time. The referee returned to the ring. Snoop did an awful (yet hilarious) People’s Elbow on Miz and pinned him while the referee made the count…
Snoop Dogg defeated The Miz in 2:20.
Powell’s POV: Of all the crazy shit that Shane has done over the years, it was a leapfrog spot that did him in. Here’s wishing him the best. Snoop reaffirmed his status as the coolest man in the world, as they improvised the rest of it and he handled it like a pro.
Snoop shook hands with the broadcast team and then Cole set up a video package for the HIAC match… It looked like entrances for HIAC were about to begin, but they cut to a trailer for some demonic possession film…
The big screen listed Brood Edge and then he was slowly raised from under the stage and had a cool mirror mask and winged cape while Slayer’s “South of Heaven” played. Edge ditched that garb when his Alter Bridge theme played and then he headed to the ring.
Finn Balor made his Demon entrance and had long mohawk style spikes on his headgear. Balor held devices that released smoke as he was shown heading to the ring in slow motion…
Powell’s POV: No luck on sun being down during the entrances, but they were still sensational.
6. Edge vs. “The Demon” Finn Balor in a Hell in a Cell match. The structure was old school rather than the red version they’ve been using in recent years. Balor took Edge to ringside and raked his face against the cage. They quickly introduced a red chair and a kendo stick. Edge knocked Balor off the apron and into the cage structure.
Edge pulled out a few more kendo sticks from underneath the ring and worked over Balor. Edge used two kendo sticks to pin Balor in the corner of the cage and then jumped off the apron and dropkicked him in the gut. The broadcast team said Balor looked like a trapped zombie from The Walking Dead.
Edge pulled a table out from underneath the ring and leaned it against another corner of the cage. Balor had broken one kendo stick and Edge pulled out the other. Balor grabbed Edge and ran him into the ring steps. Balor worked over Edge with chops against the cage.
Back inside the ring, Edge rallied with a DDT. Edge charged Balor, who put him down with a sling blade clothesline. Graves said Balor seemed unaffected by the DDT while playing up his Demon persona. Back at ringside, Balor dropkicked Edge through the table that was set up in the corner of the cage.
A short time later, Edge, who had a welt below his right eye, put Balor down with an Unprettier. Balor came right back. Graves continued to play up how quickly Balor recovered from key moves while working as the Demon.
Edge pulled out a ladder and threw it at Balor, who suffered a hard way cut. The referee stopped Edge from going after Balor once he’d set up the ladder in the corner. Balor received medical treatment while the broadcast team said he was trying to avoid it.
Balor had a burst of offense and hit a Coup De Grace for a near fall. Balor climbed up a ladder, but Edge hit him with a kendo stick. Edge joined Balor on the ladder and then performed an Impaler DDT. Edge made the cover, but Balor kicked out at the last moment.
Edge went back to ringside and pulled out another table, which he then set up inside the ring while Balor was down in the corner. Balor got up and blasted Edge with four kendo stick shots and then placed him on top of the table. Balor beat Edge with the red chair a few times.
Balor teased going to the top rope, then opted to leap onto the cage. Balor climbed halfway up the cage and then leapt for a Coup De Grace, but Edge moved and Balor stomped through the table. When Balor stood up, Edge speared him and covered him for a good near fall.
Edge acted shocked, then picked up a kendo stick and beat Balor with it. Edge traded the kendo stick for the red chair and beat Balor with it. Edge placed Balor’s head over the red chair. Edge rolled to ringside and brought back a second red chair and delivered the Conchairto. Edge rolled Balor over and pinned him…
Edge defeated Finn Balor in 18:10 in a Hell in a Cell match.
Powell’s POV: An wild hardcore spectacle match. The temporary stoppage due to the blood was unfortunate, but they didn’t lose the crowd for long. The entrances set the right tone helped make this feel like a big time WrestleMania match despite the build being so disjointed. Was this Edge’s last WrestleMania match?
A compilation of the WrestleMania Goes Hollywood videos were shown…
Raw Women’s Champion Bianca Belair was interviewed by Kayla Braxton in the backstage area. Belair said it felt amazing to successfully defend her championship. She said Asuka took her to her limit and said she’s an incredible fighter. She was joined by the girls her danced as part of her entrance and they all yelled “EST” in a cute scene…
A video package aired for WWE Backlash in San Juan, Puerto Rico with Bad Bunny as the host… The broadcast team did their tourism plug for Puerto Rico… A video package recapped the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony…
The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023 were introduced individually by Mike Rome. The inductees or their recipients walked onto the stage. Rey Mysterio came out last and walked to both sides of the stage where pyro shot off. Rey greeted each member of the class with a hug or a handshake…
The WrestleMania 40 video aired for the 2024 event that will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Lincoln Financial Field… They cut to a shot from a viewing party in Philadelphia where the fans were chanting “Mania”…
Powell’s POV: The long gaps between matches is likely attributable to the Hell in a Cell construction and deconstruction. I enjoyed the crazy brawl, but I’m not a fan of the effect that the long delay is having on the viewing experience.
Footage aired of Seth Rollins’ entrance from night one, presumably while some Peacock viewers were seeing ads… The Baron Corbin and Miz hosted ad for the daily fantasy sports sponsor was shown again… The corporate sponsor’s ad aired and they were listed as the sponsor of the main event… A video package set up the main event…
Cody Rhodes made his entrance for the main event in his Homelander style jacket. Cody had a moment with his wife, mother, and sister, and held his daughter Liberty before handing her back to Brandi. Cody removed his weight belt and presented it to the (unmasked) son of the late Jon Huber (a/k/a Brodie Lee, Luke Harper), who was identified by Cole on commentary. A nice moment…
Six pianists played on the stage and then the regular version of The Bloodline’s theme played. Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, and Solo Sikoa walked out wearing leis. Reigns held out his hand and Heyman handed hims his second belt. Reigns held it up and then pyro shot off. Cole noted that it was day 945 of Roman’s championship reign.
Cole added that Cody has never main evented WrestleMania, whereas this was the seventh WrestleMania main for Reigns. Cole said he’s the first champion to ever defend the same title in three consecutive WrestleMania main events. He said it’s also the 15th time that a member of the Anoa’i family has main evented WrestleMania.
Cole said only Pedro Morales, Bob Backlund, Hulk Hogan, and Bruno Sammartino had held the world championship longer. “Roman Reigns walks among legends,” Cole said. He also read through the list of big names that Reigns has defeated during his title reign…
7. Roman Reigns (w/Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa) vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Samantha Irvin delivered in-ring introductions for the title match. Referee Dan Engler took the belts and held them up. Heyman, who had a mic in hand, spoke to Reigns. A “Cody” chant broke out. Reigns motioned for the fans to bring it down a notch, then got the mic and said, “WrestleMania, acknowledge me.”
The bell rang to start the match and then Reigns and Rhodes went face to face for a staredown. Roman smiled and backed away and laughed. They locked up. Cody tied up Roman’s arm and then Reigns grabbed the top rope and smiled. Cody caught Reigns with a punch, causing Reigns to roll to ringside. Heyman gave Reigns a pep talk and sternly told Reigns to finish him and then politely added, “My Tribal Chief.”
Back in the ring, Reigns hit Rhodes with a couple of elbows and then played to the crowd. Reigns threw clotheslines at Rhodes in the corner. Cody came back with a nice dropkick and then covered Reigns for a one count. Cole said Cody knew he wasn’t going to get the pin, but he wanted to send him a message.
Cody went for a Disaster Kick, but Reigns caught him and powerbombed him before covering him for a two count. Reigns took control until Cody skinned the cat and then threw Reigns to the floor. Cody went for a kick from the apron, but Reigns caught his leg and swung Cody onto the apron. Reigns tossed Cody onto the entrance ramp. Reigns worked over Cody, who eventually came back with a bodyslam on the ramp.
Cody tossed Reigns back inside the ring. Sikoa pulled a chair out from underneath the ring with it and jabbed Cody’s ribs with it while the referee was focused on Reigns. Roman went to ringside and hit a Drive By kick. Reigns sent Cody back inside the ring and covered him for a two count.
Cody regrouped and ran the ropes, but Sikoa tripped him, which the referee once again missed. Reigns turned Cody inside out with a clothesline and covered him for a two count. Cody continued to sell rib pain. Reigns whipped Cody into the corner and Cody fell to the mat.
Reigns tossed Cody to ringside and followed him to the floor. Reigns cleared the broadcast tables and then slammed Cody’s head on it. Reigns returned to the ring and teased hitting the referee before going back to the table. Reigns stood over Cody on the table and held up his index finger. Reigns set up for a powerbomb on the Spanish broadcast table, but Cody fought him off and backdropped him through the English broadcast table. “Cody’s got a chance,” Cole exclaimed.
Back in the ring, Cody performed his drop down punch and followed up with a powerslam. Cody hit the Cody Cutter and covered Reigns for a near fall. Cody put the boots to Reigns, who rolled to the floor. Cody hit Reigns with a suicide dive. Cody threw Roman back inside the ring.
Sikoa hit Cody with his own weight belt. Cole said the referee heard it and then the referee ejected Sikoa from ringside. “Roman Reigns is alone,” Cole said. Reigns went to ringside and grabbed the weight belt. The referee tried to take it away, but Reigns kept it. Cody superkicked Reigns and then hit him with CrossRhodes and covered him for a good near fall. “This was Cody’s chance,” Cole said.
Reigns came back with a jawbreaker and a headbutt. Reigns clubbed Rhodes’ back and neck. Cole wondered if Cody had his only opportunity to beat Reigns. Roman threw Cody over the top rope, but he skinned the cat again. This time Reigns grabbed him. Cody slipped away, but Reigns hit him with a uranage slam and covered him for a near fall.
Graves questioned whether Cody had what it took to finish the story or if he would fall like so many before him had. Reigns went for a Superman Punch, but Cody stuffed it and put Reigns down with a Pedigree for another great near fall. Cody looked shocked and then fired himself up.
Cody went for a Disaster Kick, but Reigns blasted him with a Superman Punch. Reigns covered Cody for a good near fall. Reigns showed frustration while seated in the corner of the ring. Heyman shouted encouragement to Reigns, who stood up and did his war cry. Reigns went for a spear, but Cody went for a sunset flip and got a two count.
Cody put Reigns in a Figure Four. Cole spoke about Dusty looking down as his son tried to tap out Reigns with the Figure Four. Reigns rolled Cody over to reverse the hold, but Cody grabbed the bottom rope to break it. Cody could be heard telling himself to “fight it.” Cody got to his feet on the apron while Reigns stood up in the ring. They traded punches.
Cody clotheslined Reigns over the top rope. Cody went up top and landed on his feet when Reigns avoided him. Cody ran the ropes and took a big spear from Reigns, who covered him for another great near fall. Reigns showed more frustration over not getting the pin.
Reigns barked at the referee about his count while the broadcast team spoke about Rhodes feeling off emotion. Reigns hit Cody with repeated forearms while Cody was on his back. Reigns got up and barked at the crowd. Reigns motioned that it was about to end.
Reigns put Rhodes in the guillotine. Cody faded and dropped to his knees. The referee checked Cody’s arm, but it stayed up. Cody powered up, but Reigns grapevined him. “This is where the story ends,” Graves said. Cole said Cody was fading. Cody suddenly slipped out of the hold and fired punches at Reigns.
Both men got to their feet. Cody threw a kick that Reigns avoided, which took out the referee. REF BUMP!!! Reigns hit Cody with a Superman Punch, and then Cody bounced off the ropes and fired back. Both men fell to the mat while the referee was down at ringside.
Cody got to his feet and looked to the sky. Cody barked at Reigns to get up. Rhodes set up for CrossRhodes, but Jimmy Uso and Jey Uso arrived and hit Cody with a double superkick. The Usos followed up with their 1D finisher on Cody. The Usos dragged Reigns over to Cody.
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn showed up and cleared the Usos from the ring. Reigns went after Owens, who kicked him and Stunnered him. When Reigns stood up, Zayn hit him with a Helluva Kick. The Usos returned and then they brawled with Owens and Zayn into the crowd.
Cody draped one arm over Reigns as the referee returned and got a close near fall. A “Cody” chant broke out. Cody got to his knees and held his ribs. Reigns got to his knees. Both men traded punches on their knees and as they got to their feet.
Reigns knocked Cody down and went for a Superman Punch, but Cody sidestepped it and then fired Dusty Rhodes style punches and a Bionic Elbow. Cody hit a dropdown punch and then hit CrossRhodes. Cody picked up Reigns and gave him another CrossRhodes. Heyman climbed onto the apron and argued with the referee. Sikoa showed up and hit Cody with a Samoan Spike. Reigns ran the ropes and speared Cody for the 1-2-3…
Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes in 34:35 to retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.
Reigns, Heyman, and Sikoa slowly made their way to the stage. Reigns held up the title belts and then pyro shot off behind him. Cody was shown looking dejected as he sat in the ring. “You are WrestleMania,” Heyman told Reigns… A video package recapped night two to close the show…
Powell’s POV: Forget the outcome for a moment. What a match. There were so many suspenseful near falls and they had me and seemingly everyone in the building believing that Cody was going to win. As for the outcome, it’s not what I predicted, but I have no problem with it. For that matter, I wouldn’t have had an issue with Cody winning either. They had a tough call to make and this stretches out the program. Who wouldn’t want to see a rematch?
Overall, the main event was great, but night two just wasn’t as good as the excellent night one. It was still a very good show, but first two matches didn’t do much for me and the long breaks before and after the HIAC match really slowed things down. That said, I enjoyed the hell out of WrestleMania 39 as a whole and I’m anxious to see what comes next.
I will be back later tonight with Jake Barnett and Will Pruett for a Dot Net Triple Threat audio review of WrestleMania night two for Dot Net Members (including our Patreon patrons). Let me know what you thought of the show by grading it and voting for the best match below.
Is it me or did Jimmie Allen forget the words?
Omos vs Brock Lesnar: I was expecting Undertaker vs Giant Gonzales II, and thankfully I did not get that. They seemed to keep it simple for Omos as he only did basic moves, and that works for him. Those Germans are impressive, but not Gable/Strowman impressive. Simple match with expected outcome that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Omos has an upside with more experience.
Get all the women on the card tag team showcase: It’s time for Sonya to move up the card. I thought she was the standout, and they were all excellent. Great call back to the Hart Foundation. Expected outcome. Here’s hoping that when Ronda and Shayna win the titles, they can finally add some prestige to them.
RIP to all three of these guys chests
This is just an ass kicking. Absolutely beautiful to see.
IC Title Match: Holy shit! My chest hurts. They are showing Sheamus some love this match. Glad to see it. I always thought Sheamus was underrated and underappreciated. Love seeing this resurgence for him. Great strategy by Gunther. Would not mind seeing Gunther break HTM’s record.
Triple threat should’ve been a bit longer,but great match!
Asuka vs Bianca: I was worried about this match. Both characters are one dimensional and Bianca is a stale champion so it needed to deliver in a big way. And it followed the IC title match! That Glam Slam looked painful. Wrong person went over. Asuka’s wrestlemania losing streak continues and she just became ice cold. I would like to see Bianca lose that stupid braid and go heel.
At least they were smart enough to keep the belt on Belair. 5 years on the main roster and I still don’t understand the fascination with Asuka outside of people who like anime and cosplay.
Shane?
Shane-o-mania is running wild!
What the actual hell is going on?
Can Shane McMahon just go away and never come back. Poor Miz had to sell his horrible punches. Despite that, I do hope Shane is okay. I just don’t want to see him as a performer. If Shane was injured, great audible. Now it’s time to give Miz respect after Wrestlemania.
So are they just gonna pretend Shane wasn’t there or did I just imagine that??
Shane Mcmahon just did a Vince Mcmahon
Shane showing up, getting hurt, disappearing, and Snoop getting the win feels like we all had a collective fever dream.
It’s not for you to understand, dude. Her peers frequently cite her as one of the best wrestlers in the business, full stop. And naturally you would connect her with anime. Nothing suspect about that.
GreatestOne. That match was a choice between a giant douche and a turd sandwich. I honestly think now was the time to take the belt off Bianca as she has become incredibly stale. The only thing I can see heating her up is a heel turn.
Auska is the biggest missed opportunity. When she was in NXT she was booked as an unbeatable unstoppable buzzsaw and we all bought into her being an unstoppable unbeatable buzzsaw. If used properly on the main roster, the person who finally ended her streak would have been made. That being said, she is one dimensional and seriously needs a mouthpiece. I hear Vickie’s going to be a free agent soon.
I don’t want to laugh. But Shane getting hurt.. not funny but idk, ironically funny? Either way, Snoop is 100% percent in his element here. I hope they have some plans for Bianca post Mania. She feels somewhat stagnant lately, I think Asuka should have won but no reason Belair can’t get something going for her
Don’t mean to be negative, but the crowd didn’t care who won Drew-Gunther-Sheamus. I’m not sure that’s a good thing for wrestling when the crowd is just cheering scripted violence over being invested in a storyline like last night’s main event.
Hell in the Cell now!! I would have main evened with this one. I guess this means Cody’s winning as WWE usually likes to send the crowd home happy.
Too bad because now is not the time to take the title off Roman. He should retain so there can be drama between him and the Usos. Cody doesn’t need the title to be over. Right now, the person who takes the title off Roman would become an instant star. I’m thinking a called up Bron Breaker, but without that horrible name.
Well I love Asuka, anime and cosplay. She should’ve won. Bianca is beyond stale. Heel turn would do her wonders. This match in contrast to Charlotte and Rhea’s match doesn’t compare.
All kinds of small show/indy stuff works in NXT and doesn’t on the main roster. Asuka is just the latest example of it.
Belair is stale, and should be more over than she is right now, but Asuka is just making a different mistake instead of them hopefully finding someone else to put in the title picture to take the belt off of Bianca. I absolutely agree that Bianca needs to turn heel.
The biggest problem was Belair/Asuka wasn’t nearly as generational or character-driven as Flair/Ripley, and the latter had plenty of both. Asuka’s Old/new/old personae really seem the same, and yeah, Belair hasn’t changed in a year.
And now pivoting back to live, more injuries? Finn’s a trouper, man.
Another armchair wannabe booker. Who do you think you are Tony Khan?
Hey, Brian! How’s the troll business tonight?
Nah, Brian is saying: What the hell are you talking about?
Hell in the Cell: Balor needed to win this one to keep Judgment Day relevant. I would not book a HITC on the same card as that IC match. Somehow, this match is less brutal than the IC match, even with all the weapons. A platform on the cell, how convenient. It was a good match, but I think it would have had more impact if it was not on the same night as that IC title match which came off, to me, as more brutal. Once again, wrong person went over.
I’m a troll. Ok. A couple of malcontents don’t like something it’s bad but I guess they know more than the stadium that was popping for Asuka and Bianca
Getting Riled up over a show…yeah, you got some problems there. Relax and watch it, pal
I was just trolling ya. Table turning. Let’s watch the main event.
I’m not trolling anyone. I just want to watch and enjoy the show and not pick apart and complain about everything. I’m not singling anyone out. I’m just saying
How is Brian a Troll? He asked a simple question and I am not feeling disrespected. I also have nothing against Bianca and Asuka, but they’ve been playing the same character since they debuted. That is not on them, that is on management. I will say it again, no one has been done more dirty than Asuka on the main roster. A close second is Shayna Bazler. I’m really hoping that there is a greater emphasis on the women’s division following Wrestlemania.
On another subject, no one but me has ever played armchair booker?
They are really going all out with the entrances tonight compared to last night it seems like.
The intro to the Rhodes/Reigns match took up more time than the IC championship match
“On another subject, no one but me has ever played armchair booker?”
I think we’ve all done it, but my approach would differ significantly from most internet booking. A lot of the NXT/indie types (Balor, Gargano, Kai, etc.) would never see the light of day except to job for the people with the personality and/or size to be legit stars.
I would start by consolidating down to 1 men’s world title, 1 women’s world title, and 1 men’s world tag title. I think a major part of the bloodline success is that there isn’t another person who can claim to be world champion and there isn’t a second set of tag champs running around.
IC and US titles stay where they are and are defended far more often than the world belt, especially on TV. That’s your old school stepping stone for world title contention. Not sure about keeping the women’s tag titles or not, since there’s still a pretty thin talent roster on the women’s side. Maybe a secondary women’s title that’s Raw exclusive since that show has the extra hour.
From there you start picking your people. The classic approach was to pick 4 people to roll with at the main event, secondary belt, and tag title spots. Today that’s probably 6-8 at each level other than men’s tag. So…6-8 people in world title contention, 4 teams in tag contention, 6-8 in IC and 6-8 in US title contention. As people cool off or just need a break, you consider moving them down. As they heat up you do the opposite.
GreatestOne
For the World: Roman, Cody, Seth, Drew, Bobby, Balor, Edge, Orton, AJ, KO, Sami, Bray
Secondary Titles: Gunther, Sheamus, Braun, Big E, Priest, Dominik, Rey, Theory, Rebuilt Miz, Dijak, Waller, Dragunov, McDonaugh, Knight, Riddle, Nakamura, Solo< Breaker, Reed
Tag Team: Usos, New Day, War Raiders, Alpha Academy, Pretty Deadly, Gallus, DIY, Briggs and Jensen, Creed Brothers, Legado del Fantasma
Women: Belair, Becky, Bayley, Io, Asuka, Charlotte, Ronda, Shayna, Zoey, Raquel, Piper, Meiko
Women Tag: Toxic Attraction, Chance and Carter, Nattie and partner, Kai and Knox, Fire and Dawn, Bliss and Nicki, Riot Squad (Liv and Logan)
I like your list, mainly because Sheamus could float between World, Secondary and Tag titles pretty seemlessly, as could KO, Drew and Sami.
I thought for sure they would go with the ref seeing Solo, restarting the match, and Cody winning.
Gotta respect the balls of sticking with the 1000 day chase since there’s time for that and then possibly moving the belt at SummerSlam.
What a main event but, Of course, we have to get the obligatory ref bump along with the Usos and Kevin and Sami.
I could have done without all the outside interference but at least the right person went over.
Great night of wrestling. Match of the night was that IC title match. My chest is still hurting. Every match tonight delivered. Weakest match was Brock vs Omos and that delivered on spectacle alone. Overall, night one was the stronger of the two shows. Problem is, who’s next for Roman? Is it Lashley or a returning AJ Styles?
Carl
That’s pretty good. There’s some people I wouldn’t use, but the idea is there. It’s what the territories did, on a smaller scale obviously, and even what someone like Verne did before he lost sight of what was getting over in wrestling. Since Raw and Smackdown (and NXT) are almost like different territories within WWE, taking that kind of approach makes the most sense to me.
Jey needs to be the guy to take the strap off of Reigns to bring it full circle.
I was so certain Cody would win but I can’t even be upset about Roman winning. Everything was just set up too perfectly for Cody. Aside from obviously the very real injury last year, he didn’t face too many major obstacles, so it will be good to see him have to work through this. I would have been happy either way. Night 2 was awesome imo, the first two matches brought it down but other than that, very enjoyable Mania overall this weekend.
THe IC match was the match of the night for me, with Reigns/Rhodes second. As much as I love bianca and Asuka, their match was just ok. Couldn’t care less about lesnar/omos but I bet the spectacle was cool in the arena. Women’s tag was ok, too, couldn’t care less about rousey.
curious about Bayley’s future and I’ll watch Snoop drop the Doggy Elbow any day that ends in “y”
I don’t want to see a rematch. Why would I want to watch that again?
Who else would?
I get it. They want Roman to get to 1000 days or maybe they didn’t want to upset the apple cart for the big sale
BUT
Now what? A rematch seems lame. Despite the interference Cody now feels damaged not winning on the biggest stage and winning at say Summerfest seems like a let down
Roman has beaten everyone else who is credible. It’s not Gunther. It’s not Theory. It’s not the Usos/solo. Just don’t know where they go next. But the journey to get there should be fun
The only thing other than Cody that makes sense is looking at how Solo stood over Roman before helping him up. He almost had a look of “how many times do I have to save this guy’s ass?”
I don’t think that’s the right move either, but nobody else is really up there at the moment. There’s 4 months until SummerSlam, so it could just be rebuilding Cody. Either way, they’ve done so much good stuff with the Bloodline that they’ve more than earned the opportunity to ride it a while longer.
Rhodes will fued with a returning Orton (you’ll find out tomorrow) and Reigns will stick to script. He will only lose to THE ROCK. Mark these words.
“On another subject, no one but me has ever played armchair booker?”
I think we’ve all done it, but my approach would differ significantly from most internet booking. A lot of the NXT/indie types (Balor, Gargano, Kai, etc.) would never see the light of day except to job for the people with the personality and/or size to be legit stars.
I would start by consolidating down to 1 men’s world title, 1 women’s world title, and 1 men’s world tag title. I think a major part of the bloodline success is that there isn’t another person who can claim to be world champion and there isn’t a second set of tag champs running around.
IC and US titles stay where they are and are defended far more often than the world belt, especially on TV. That’s your old school stepping stone for world title contention. Not sure about keeping the women’s tag titles or not, since there’s still a pretty thin talent roster on the women’s side. Maybe a secondary women’s title that’s Raw exclusive since that show has the extra hour.
From there you start picking your people. The classic approach was to pick 4 people to roll with at the main event, secondary belt, and tag title spots. Today that’s probably 6-8 at each level other than men’s tag. So…6-8 people in world title contention, 4 teams in tag contention, 6-8 in IC and 6-8 in US title contention. As people cool off or just need a break, you consider moving them down. As they heat up you do the opposite.
This. All of this. Absolutely agree.
This is clearly a family storyline with Roman, he will lose to Jey or Solo only maybe The Rock if they can get him, but Jey or Solo will beat him. Nobody outside of the family will ever beat him.
Not the Rock. That match doesn’t need championships to sell tickets.
Gunther is the man to defeat Roman.
Gunther should win the titles on Raw tonight, clearing the way for a Roman Rock showdown at SummerSlam.
1978. The year which I started watching wwe/wwf/wwwf etc. Now i’m done. Cody losing in the main event made me lose all interest in this promotion. It will be a long time before I ever watch again. Ruined what was otherwise a great show.
OTher than the outcome of 80 percent of the matches over the two nights, the most obvious thing to expect that came through is the reviewer on this site saying how amazing and great the matches were.
Stay angry, Mike. Now go put on your AEW pajamas and call it a night before you embarrass yourself even more.