Roman Reigns lost the Undisputed WWE Univeral Championship title to Cody Rhodes at the main event of WrestleMania 40. Rhodes took some help from some of the WWE veteran wrestlers to pin Reigns in the ring. However, fans speculated that Reigns gave away the win to Rhodes after a camera angle showed him smiling when Rhodes pinned him finally.
Reigns v Rhodes match at WrestleMania saw the Tribal Chief bring along members of his Bloodline faction to the fight. ‘Bloodline Rules’ applied in this match since Rhodes and Seth Rollins lost their tag team match to Reigns and The Rock.
Fans Speculate That Roman Reigns Is Happy For Cody Rhodes’ Victory
For most WWE fans, today’s WrestleMania main event was a night to remember for days to come. Cody Rhodes was put in a tough spot after he lost the tag team match to Roman Reigns and The Rock, allowing for Bloodline’s intervention during his title match. However, little did fans expect John Cena and The Undertaker to show up for Rhodes.
While it was an all-out fight that entertained fans throughout its duration, some fans speculated that Rhodes and Reigns had no bad blood. One fan pointed out that Reigns was even happy that The American Nightmare won the Universal Championship title. He shared a clip of the final moments of the match and shared that he was sure Reigns was smiling when Rhodes was about to pin him and win the match.
Guys, I bet Roman was the happiest tonight that he lost. Why? Because you can see him smiling when Cody pinned him. 🥹 #ThankYouRoman #WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/bEnx1VAOHj
— zaira | CHELLATEEZ (@omegasmone) April 8, 2024
Other fans also agreed, with one sharing that it was the little things from the Tribal Chief that they loved about him. One fan shared that Reigns was probably the nicest guy in the WWE and that he was everyone’s undisputed locker-room leader. Another fan shared that he can now finally rest and recharge after a year leading up to this moment. Some fan reactions read:
He does smile I didn’t catch this earlier thanks
— Anthony (@T9Freak) April 8, 2024
ITS THE LITTLE THINGS…. LOVE THIS SM
— Mr Football oracle (@Futballoracle) April 8, 2024
Now he can rest
— Vectorlli👑🥶 (@victorstone_Aj) April 8, 2024
Man, he's probably genuinely the nicest top guy WWE has ever had. Literally 0 controversies, and everyone's undisputed lockeroom leader 🥹
— 𝗧𝗼𝗽𝗠𝗚☝🏻 🇫🇷⁷ (@TopMGSzn) April 8, 2024
He can finally rest now and recharge
— Kalind (also on Spoutible 🐳) (@NYCKNP) April 8, 2024
Reigns’ loss against Rhodes ends his historic 1316-day title reign as the Universal Champion. It must have come as a relief for the wrestler, as the feat came with added pressure to keep up face each time. Reigns will probably take some time off after the intense matches.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter shared that “one wouldn’t even expect him on a show again until the as yet unannounced next Saudi Arabia show and the 8/3 SummerSlam show in Cleveland.” Meanwhile, Reigns broke the record of Hulk Hogan for the most appearances in a WrestleMania event.
Cody Rhodes v. Roman Reigns — How It Played Out?
During the start of the match, Roman Reigns put Cody Rhodes through the announce table. While Reigns used a Spear on him, Rhodes returned a Cody Cutter and a Cross Rhodes. However, Jimmy Uso came to Reigns’ rescue by superkicking Rhodes. However, he was taken down by Jey Uso, who entered the arena. They had a brutal fight on the entrance ramp, with Jey spearing Jimmy off the stage through a table on the ground.
When Rhodes later gained the upper hand with two Cross Rhodes moves, he was disrupted by Solo Sikoa. He delivered a Samoan Spike on Rhodes, and Reigns followed it with a Spear. Just when Sikoa’s entry almost won the match for Reigns like last time, John Cena came out looking for payback. He hit Sikoa and Reigns with Attitude Adjustments before his rival, The Rock came down for a face-off against him.
The Rock took down Cena with a Rock Bottom. Just when The Rock thought that the match was almost over, the bells tolled, and the lights in the arena went off. When it came back on, The Undertaker appeared inside the ring. He chokeslammed The Rock, and the lights went out again. Once it was turned back on, the ring was cleared of all disruptors, and Reigns and Rhodes remained.
Rhodes blocked a Spear from Reigns and hit him back with a Cross Rhodes. He pinned Reigns down and was soon declared the new WWE Undisputed Universal Champion.
