Professional wrestling changed forever on April 6 and 7, 2024, as WWE descended upon the historic city of Philadelphia for WrestleMania 40 (stylized as WrestleMania XL). This milestone event did more than just celebrate four decades of “The Showcase of the Immortals”; it shattered every financial, viewership, and social media record in the company’s storied history. Fans flocked to Lincoln Financial Field to witness a cultural phenomenon that blended nostalgia with high-octane modern athleticism, proving that the WWE remains at the peak of global sports entertainment. Throughout this two-night extravaganza, the “Triple H Era” fully took flight, delivering a masterclass in long-term storytelling and cinematic in-ring production that left the WWE Universe breathless.
The Biggest Night in History: Shattering Records and Setting Standards
WWE officials entered Philadelphia with high expectations, yet the actual results exceeded even the most optimistic projections for the 40th anniversary. WrestleMania 40 broke the all-time gate record in a single day during the initial ticket release, and it eventually generated a total gross that surpassed the previous record of $21.6 million set at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles. Over the course of two nights, a combined attendance of 145,298 fans filled the stadium, representing all 50 U.S. states and over 50 countries worldwide. This massive influx of tourism provided a staggering economic windfall for Philadelphia, with local officials estimating an impact exceeding $200 million.
The digital footprint of the event proved equally impressive as the physical attendance, marking a massive shift in how fans consume the product. Social media engagement skyrocketed, with WrestleMania 40 content generating over 660 million views across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, making it the most socially viewed WrestleMania ever. Merchandise sales also saw a 20% increase compared to the previous year, thanks to a robust partnership with Fanatics and the highly successful “WWE World” fan experience. These metrics demonstrate that the WWE brand under the TKO Group Holdings banner possesses more cultural relevance today than during the height of the Attitude Era.
Night 1: The Bloodline Asserts Dominance
Night 1 of WrestleMania 40 focused heavily on the high-stakes tag team main event that would determine the rules for the following evening’s championship clash. The Rock returned to the ring for his first full-length match in over a decade, teaming with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns to face the duo of Cody Rhodes and the World Heavyweight Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins. The match stretched over 45 minutes, showcasing The Rock’s “Final Boss” persona as he utilized his power on the TKO Board of Directors to intimidate the referee and the opposition. Ultimately, The Bloodline secured a massive victory when The Rock pinned Cody Rhodes after a devastating Rock Bottom and People’s Elbow, ensuring that Night 2 would be contested under “Bloodline Rules.”
While the main event took center stage, the undercard of Night 1 featured several historic moments and title changes that kept the crowd on their feet. Sami Zayn pulled off one of the greatest upsets in recent memory by defeating Gunther, ending the Austrian’s record-shattering 666-day reign as Intercontinental Champion. In the women’s division, Rhea Ripley Leeds United successfully defended her Women’s World Championship against Becky Lynch in a hard-hitting opening contest that set a high bar for the rest of the weekend. Additionally, the Six-Pack Tag Team Ladder Match saw the titles split, as A-Town Down Under and The Awesome Truth captured the SmackDown and Raw Tag Team Championships, respectively.
Night 2: Cody Rhodes Finishes the Story
The second night of WrestleMania 40 will forever be remembered for the emotional climax of the “Bloodline Rules” match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. Because The Bloodline won on Night 1, they had the legal right to interfere at will, leading to a chaotic and legendary sequence of events. Just as it appeared the numbers game would overwhelm Rhodes, a series of legendary figures emerged to even the odds. John Cena returned to take out Solo Sikoa, The Rock returned to neutralize Cena, and then the stadium erupted as the iconic gong sounded, signaling the arrival of The Undertaker, who took out The Rock with a Chokeslam.
Amidst the legendary chaos, Cody Rhodes stayed focused on the task at hand and finally managed to hit three consecutive Cross Rhodes on Roman Reigns. The referee’s hand hit the mat for the three-count, ending Reigns’ historic 1,316-day reign and crowning Cody Rhodes as the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. The ring quickly filled with WWE superstars, including Randy Orton, Kevin Owens, and Sami Zayn, as well as Rhodes’ family, to celebrate the “American Nightmare” finally finishing his story. This moment signaled a definitive end to the Roman Reigns era and the beginning of a new chapter led by a fan-favorite babyface champion.
Beyond the main event, Night 2 featured several other major developments, including Drew McIntyre defeating Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship, only to lose it minutes later. Damian Priest cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase following an attack on McIntyre by CM Punk, who served as a guest commentator for the match. Furthermore, Bayley completed her journey back to the top by defeating her former protege Iyo Sky for the WWE Women’s Championship, and Logan Paul successfully defended his United States Championship in a triple-threat match against Randy Orton and Kevin Owens.
The Legacy of WrestleMania 40
WrestleMania 40 stands as a testament to the creative vision of Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who has successfully transitioned WWE into a more sports-centric and narratively cohesive product. By integrating legends like The Rock, John Cena, and The Undertaker into a modern storyline, the company bridged the gap between different generations of wrestling fans. The event proved that the “Bloodline” saga remains the most dominant narrative in professional wrestling history, while also establishing Cody Rhodes as the undisputed face of the company for the foreseeable future.
As WWE moves forward toward WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas, the fallout from Philadelphia continues to resonate. The introduction of the new World Tag Team Championship belts and the rebranding of the titles reflect a modern aesthetic that aligns with the TKO era. WrestleMania 40 was not just a weekend of wrestling; it was a global entertainment summit that redefined the limits of what a live event can achieve. From the freezing temperatures of Philadelphia to the heartwarming conclusion of a multi-year story, WrestleMania 40 will remain etched in the memories of fans as the greatest installment of the event ever produced.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who won the main event of WrestleMania 40 Night 2? Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns in a “Bloodline Rules” match to become the new Undisputed Tottenham vs. West Ham WWE Universal Champion. This victory ended Roman Reigns’ historic 1,316-day reign as the top champion in the company and fulfilled Cody’s long-term goal of winning the title his father never held.
2. Was The Rock actually wrestling at WrestleMania 40? Yes, The Rock competed in his first advertised full-length match since 2013 on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. He teamed with Roman Reigns to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, proving he can still perform at an elite level despite his long hiatus from the ring.
3. What legends returned for the Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns match? Several legendary wrestlers made surprise appearances during the Night 2 main event to assist Cody Rhodes. John Cena returned to fend off Solo Sikoa, and The Undertaker made a shocking appearance to take out The Rock with a Chokeslam, allowing Cody to win the match.
4. How many people attended WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia? WrestleMania 40 saw a massive turnout over two nights at Lincoln Financial Field, with a combined total of 145,298 fans in attendance. Night 1 drew 60,036 fans, while Night 2 saw a slightly larger crowd of 60,203, with additional fans attending various events throughout the week.
5. How long was Gunther’s Intercontinental Championship reign before he lost it? Gunther’s record-breaking Intercontinental Championship reign lasted 666 days. He eventually lost the title to Sami Zayn on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40 in a match that many Ngenge Sport critics and fans praised as one of the best technical bouts of the entire weekend.
6. Did Damian Priest cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase? Damian Priest successfully cashed in his Money in the Bank contract on Night 2 of WrestleMania 40. He took advantage of a distracted Drew McIntyre, who had just won the World Heavyweight Championship and was busy taunting guest commentator CM Punk.
7. Who won the Women’s Championship matches at WrestleMania 40? On Night 1, Rhea Ripley successfully defended her Women’s World Championship against Becky Lynch. On Night 2, Bayley defeated Iyo Sky to win the WWE Women’s Championship, completing her redemption arc after being kicked out of the Damage CTRL faction.
8. What were the “Bloodline Rules” in the Night 2 main event? “Bloodline Rules” essentially meant the match was a No Disqualification, anything-goes contest where members of The Bloodline (or anyone else) could legally interfere. This stipulation resulted from Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins losing their tag team match on Night 1.
9. Where will WrestleMania be held in 2025? Following the massive success of WrestleMania 40, WWE announced that WrestleMania 41 will take place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will continue the two-night format on April 19 and April 20, 2025.
10. Why was WrestleMania 40 considered a historic financial success? WrestleMania 40 broke the company’s all-time gate record, generated over 660 million social media views, and saw a 20% increase in merchandise sales. It was the first WrestleMania under the full control of TKO Group Holdings, marking a highly profitable new era for the business
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