WWE WrestleMania 40 night one results, match grades: Roman Reigns and The Rock stand tall, Sami Zayn dethrones Gunther

Daniel Yanofsky

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WWE WrestleMania 40 night one results, match grades: Roman Reigns and The Rock stand tall, Sami Zayn dethrones Gunther image

It will be a hard mountain for Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin’” Rollins to climb on night two of WrestleMania 40 following night one on April 6. Both men got beaten down by Roman Reigns and The Rock in front of over 72,543 fans in Lincoln Financial Field. 

The Rock returned to action for the first time in years, ready to help Reigns defend The Bloodline and the Samoan Dynasty. All four men played it a bit safe until the end, knowing the implications for the second night of “The Grandest Stage of Them All.” The Rock and Reigns were in sync all night, albeit a spear from Reigns to Rock. Despite a miscommunication, Rock landed the Rock Bottom and the People’s Elbow to Rhodes to win the match for him and his cousin. 

As a result of the loss, night two of WrestleMania will see Reigns defend the Undisputed WWE Universal Title against Rhodes in a Bloodline Rules match. Any member of The Bloodline can interfere in the match, including The Rock. Can we expect a wild main event featuring various interferences? What does this mean for Rhodes attempting to “finish the story?” 

The Bloodline had quite a night in Philadelphia, the first Triple H-led WrestleMania. 

MORE: Here are the cheapest & most expensive seats for WrestleMania 40

In a brotherly affair, Jey Uso beat Jimmy Uso. It was an emotional fight, adding to WWE’s history of brother feuds. Jimmy appeared to show remorse for his betrayal of Jey, but it was a ruse. Still, Jey stood tall. The fight was the culmination of a year+ long story featuring cracks in The Bloodline. 

One of the best matches of the evening was Gunther vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Intercontinental Title. It was a Rocky III-like match, with Zayn, the ultimate underdog, against the dangerous Gunther. Gunther showed no remorse to Zayn and toyed with his food while showing off in front of Zayn’s wife. A passionate Zayn pinned Gunther, ending his reign of over 666 days as champion. 

One long reign ended at WrestleMania. Will Reigns’ title reign end as well?

Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi defeated Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane) in a showcase match for Cargill. Jade made her WrestleMania debut, and while she didn’t last long in the ring, she still impressed. Damage CTL will be back at WrestleMania as they support Iyo Sky against Bayley on night two. 

The Judgement Day went 1-for-3 at WrestleMania. 

Rey Mysterio and Andrade beat Rey’s son Dominik and Santos Escobar. Rey had the help of Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson of the Eagles. Dominik is 0-2 against Rey at WrestleMania. 

The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles got split up, and Damian Priest and Finn Balor got dethroned in a ladder match. Austin Theory and Grayson Waller won the SmackDown Tag Team Titles, while The Miz and R-Truth won the RAW Tag Team Titles. At 52, Truth finally won a WrestleMania match. 

MORE: Buy WWE WrestleMania 40 shirts, jerseys, title belts & more via Fanatics

Opening the event was Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch for the Women’s World Title. Lynch worked on the injured arm of Ripley, who tried using her power to take down “The Man.” At one point, she had Lynch in the Electric Chair, and Lynch tried taking her down to the floor, but Ripley held on and dropped Lynch from the outside. 

Ripley needed three Riptides, one to the turnbuckle, to beat Lynch and retain. At just 27, Ripley is a decorated wrestler with a Hall of Fame resume in WWE.

The Sporting News provided in-depth results, highlights, and match grades from night one of WrestleMania 40. 

WWE WrestleMania 40 night one results, highlights

Hello everyone, and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of WrestleMania 40.

It's showtime! Meek Mill welcomes us to the show. 

It is about 50 degrees in Philadelphia. Triple H is here! It is the first WrestleMania without the McMahon's in charge. "Man I live for this," said Triple H.

Rhea Ripley vs. Becky Lynch opens WrestleMania. Lynch's entrance is her book and WWE journey, starting from NXT to main eventing WrestleMania. Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley comes out to a live performance of her music thanks to Motionless in White. 

'Mami' bests 'The Man' as Rhea Ripley retains gold against Becky Lynch

Lynch has strep throat, per Michael Cole. So, that's fun in a temperature of 50 degrees. Ripley used her power to throw Lynch down. Lynch countered with a few kicks and put her through the post. Suplex by Ripley for two. Inside cradle by Lynch following a suplex attempt, but Ripley countered that into a hard suplex. 

Armdrag off the top rope by Lynch and Ripley held the arm in pain, it already hurting initially. Tornado DDT from Lynch. Manhandle Slam attempt failed, but Lynch hit a leg drop from outside the ring. Becksploder to the barricade. Ripley landed a V-Trigger for two. Riptide attempt countered into a backstabber on the arm followed by an armbar from Lynch. Ripley slammed her down twice, and then a sit-out powerbomb for two. 

Headbutt by Ripley and a big boot. An angry Ripley was dropped by Lynch, and a legdrop attempt by Lynch turned into a submission from Ripley. She locked in the bodyscissors into the submission but Lynch got out. Riptide attempt countered into a Manhandle Slam, but only for two. Riptide connected but Lynch kicked out. Ripley went up top, Lynch followed. Suplex turned into a Disarm-her. Ripley with an Electric Chair attempt, Lynch spilled them to the outside, but Ripley held on and hit the E.C. on the floor. Ouch. That was smooth.

In the ring, Ripley with a Frog Splash but for two. Lynch attempted a top rope Manhandle Slam. Ripley countered with a buckle bomb Riptide, followed by a regular Riptide for the win. 

What a match! The women delivered, which was expected. Rhea Ripley is an absolute star. What a way to open WrestleMania. 

Grade: A+

Judgement Day continue WrestleMania as Finn Balor and Damian Priest defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Titles in a ladder match. They face #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth), The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), and A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.

Both Tag Team Titles are separated above ladders. So that means we could potentially get two different champions. Woods is wearing gear inspired by his old Consequences Creed character (and Apollo Creed).

Theory and Waller, Miz and R-Truth win tag team gold

Theory and Waller tried to climb the ladders first, and everyone followed. New Day attempted to grab both, and Priest and Balor stop them. Judgement Day clean house. Bate with an airplane spin with Balor and a ladder on top of him. Bate and Dunne land moonsaults off the top of a ladder on the outside.

Priest took out Bate and Dunn and Miz was attacked by Priest and Balor. R-Truth tried tagging in the match, believing it's a tag team match. He does John Cena's Five Moves of Doom and tries to pin Balor. He is a national treasure. Truth tried to convince #DIY to get one set of belts while he and Miz get the other. Theory and Waller have the SmackDown Tag Team Titles. 

Dunne and Bate put Waller through a ladder. Tables are introduced into the match. Woods goes Coast to Coast with an elbow to Ciampa on the ladder. New Day are on the ladders. Kingston with a Trust Fall to everyone on the outside. Gargano landed a DDT to Dunne through a table on the outside. Ciampa landed an Air Raid Crash to the middle of the ring.

JD McDonagh tried helping Judgement Day. Woods stopped Balor, and Kingston hit him with a chair. McDonagh got put through two tables on the outside. Priest back in and used the chair against New Day. Priest got The Miz to leave him alone. Priest changed the ladder since the other one was broken. R-Truth hit the AA to Priest. Truth climbed the ladder and took down the belts. 

What a chaotic match. We have two new champions, ending Balor and Priest's long reign. Waller and Theory and Truth and Miz being champions is OK, but may not push programming much. Good on Truth for finally winning at a WrestleMania.

Grade: A-

One final match for The Judgement Day at WrestleMania, as Dominik Mysterio teams with Santos Escobar against his dad Rey and Andrade. Andrade replaced Dragon Lee. 

Fly Eagles, Fly: Rey Mysterio, Andrade win thanks to Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson

Escobar landed a knee right away to Rey, wearing Eagles gear. Dominik in the ring and Andrade took over for Rey. Andrade landed an elbow to Dominik. Flying crossbody to the outside, with Rey on top of Andrade. Unique. 

Dominik cleaned house in the ring. Escobar took over and attacked Rey from all angles before Dominik got back in. Rey played the face in peril for an extended time. He hit the Code Red to Escobar. Andrade in the ring now, and he hit a double knee to the corner to the face of Dominik. Moonsault connected. 

Back to Rey and Escobar. 619 connected, and Andrade landed a moonsault to the outside to Dominik. The official got distracted by both factions as L.W.O. and Legado Del Fantasma ran wild outside the ring. 

Escobar tried to get Dominik to use a chair. Two men enter the ring and stop Dominik. 619 to Dominik and Escobar. Rey with a splash for the win. The two men are Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson of the Eagles. 

Another win against Dominik for Rey. Match was good for what it was worth. Jason Kelce could be a pro wrestler if he wanted to be. 

Grade: B

Jey Uso vs. Jimmy Uso is up next. The Bloodline and family explode. The rivalry is almost a year+ in the making. Lil Wayne raps Jey to the ring. 

Yes, Yeet: Jey Uso beats brother Jimmy in emotional match

Jey landed a dive as Jimmy walked to the ring. The crowd is hyped for this one. Jey had Jimmy in the ring and back out. Jimmy finally hit a neckbreaker to slow things down. A corner hip attack by Jimmy connected. Jimmy followed it up by landing superkicks and smack talking his brother. He taunted the crowd, who wanted to chant "Yeet." 

A recovered Jey landed a knee to halt Jimmy's momentum. Dueling "Yeet" and "No Yeet" chants at WrestleMania. They exchange jumping kicks. Trading punches, Jey won the exchange. They traded superkicks and challenged one another. Jey landed more kicks, and Jimmy got rocked. A conflicted Jey landed a jumping kick and Jimmy is down.

Jey tried to land a kick but Jimmy wanted him to stop. The former halted. Jimmy apologized and extended a hand. They shake and Jimmy landed a superkick. Frog Splash, but only for two. Spear by Jey and a Frog Splash for the win. 

It wasn't a technical classic like Bret vs. Owen Hart, which is the reason for the low match grade, but it was a great emotional one. If it was only graded on that, it would get an A+. Jey feeling remorse, Jimmy trying to win via dirty tactics, it just felt right. 

Grade: C+

Up next: Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi vs. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane). It is Cargill's first WrestleMania. 

Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi shine against Damage CTRL

Damage CTRL was dancing to Belair's theme like their opponents were nothing. Naomi with a split leg drop to Sane. Kai distracted Naomi and Sane landed an Insane Elbow from the outside. Sane and Asuka teamed up on Naomi. Asuka and Naomi clash, and Belair later got in to take over. She showed her power and speed against all three members of Damage CTRL. Gutbuster, Spinebuster, and a slam by Belair had all three members down. Belair with a moonsault on all three. 

The crowd wanted Jade, but Kai stopped that from happening. Sane and Asuka team on Belair as the crowd ask for Jade. Here comes Jade to the delight of the crowd. She chokeslammed Asuka and hurt Sane with a backbreaker. Kai got hit with a modified driver. 

KOD attempted, and Asuka tried to mist Belair, who hit Sane. KOD to Asuka. Kai got hit with Jaded for the win. 

The match was a showcase for Jade, who looked like a million bucks. Naomi did her thing and Belair always looks great. Asuka once again loses at WrestleMania. 

Grade: C-

Gunther vs. Sami Zayn for the WWE Intercontinental Title is up next. Zayn is shown with his family. Chad Gable says Zayn will by himself in the match. Says Zayn owes him a favor. Hmm. Kevin Owens hugs Zayn. It was very similar to Rocky III. 

A New Era: Sami Zayn ends Gunther's reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion

Zayn tried to get into a chop fight with Gunther. Not wise. However, he took control, until Gunther landed a German Suplex. Gunther landed a hard chop. He put Zayn on the ropes and stretched him out. Zayn continued to get hit hard and fell with each chop, as his wife looked on.  

Finally, Zayn fought back and put Gunther down. He hate chops but rallied with hard shots. Suplex by Zayn, and another. In the middle of the ring, they both chop the other. Zayn with a Tornado DDT. Helluva Kick attempt turned into a sleeper by Gunther. Blue Thunder Bomb attempt but Gunther hooked in another sleeper. Zayn tried to go to the ropes, but Gunther landed a German Suplex. Exploder in the corner by Zayn. Helluva Kick blocked by a dropkick and a powerbomb, but only for two. 

Helluva Kick by Zayn but only for two. Clothesline by Gunther, followed by two powerbombs. Zayn kicked out again. Gunther lands kicks and chops as he harassed Zayn's wife ringside. Zayn fought back. Clothesline by Gunther and a powerbomb. The referee didn't call for the end of the match. Big splash and Gunther is no longer trying to cover. 

Another splash. Gunther went for another as he talked to Zayn's wife. Zayn pumped himself up. Zayn with a Helluva Kick from the top rope. Brainbuster from the top rope. Helluva Kick. Another Helluva Kick and Zayn wins. 

Was not expecting Zayn to end Gunther's historic win. Gunther got too cocky in the match, leading to his demise. Zayn has another WrestleMania moment. Does Gunther move to the world title picture now?

Grade: A+

It was announced 72,543 fans were in Lincoln Financial Field for night one of WrestleMania.

The main event is up next, as The Rock and Roman Reigns face Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins.

The Rock just came out with the Brahma Bull belt and sweatpants, old school Attitude Era vibes. 

Roman Reigns, The Rock stand tall while Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins enter night two of WrestleMania broken men

All four men size one another up. Rollins and Reigns, former Shield brothers, start things off. Reigns sized Rollins up. Rollins fought back to the surprise of Reigns. Rhodes entered the match, and we are previewing night two of WrestleMania. They traded lockups before Rollins got back in the match. The Rock entered the match to an ovation. 

The Rock outmuscles Rollins before Rollins trolls him. The Rock calls for Rhodes, telling him to "Bring It." Rhodes is in. They trade off lockups, and the crowd is cheering for The Rock, the heel. Rhodes with a right hand and chopped The Rock by the ropes. Rollins in now, and the team up on Rock. Reigns in the match, but the faces cleaned house. All four men attack in the middle of the ring. 

It is chaos outside the ring. Rollins pours Prime to the face of The Rock. "Count and you're fired," The Rock said to the referee who was counting all four men out the ring, using his TKO board member power. 

Rhodes suplexed Reigns on the stage, while The Rock hit Rollins with a trash can. The Rock spit water to the face of Rollins. Rollins put The Rock down with a jumping axe handle. Back in the ring, The Rock tried to hurt the injured knee of Rollins, and used the post to do so. Now back in the ring, Reigns had Rollins in a Sharpshooter, then a Half Boston Crab. Rollins got double teamed by The Rock and Reigns. 

Rollins was the face in peril. Superman Punch attempt by Reigns countered by a Slingblade by Rollins. The Rock landed a low blow to Rollins, but the referee didn't see it. Reigns sent outside the ring, but took Rhodes out when Rollins went for the tag. The Rock locked in the Sharpshooter. The Rock got slapped by Rhodes. Superkick and Stomp by Rollins to The Rock.

Rhodes is in, so is Reigns. Powerslam by Rhodes. Disaster Kick and a Cody Cutter connected, but only for two. Superman Punch by Reigns. Spear attempt, but Rhodes reversed it. Splash by Rollins who is now legal following a shoulder tackle by Rhodes, but only for two. Stomp attempt reversed into a powerbomb. Reigns spear attempt blocked. Rhodes and Rollins with superkicks to Reigns, followed by a Stomp and Cross Rhodes. The Rock pulled the referee out of the ring. 

Reigns with a low blow to Rhodes, and a spear, but only for two. Reigns with a guillotine to Rhodes. The Rock held Rhodes down and the referee couldn't do anything. Front face Stomp to Reigns. The Rock put Rollins out the ring. He brought out a belt towards Rhodes' mom, and tried to use it, but Rhodes blocked. Rhodes used Dusty Rhodes' Bionic Elbow on The Rock. Spinebuster from The Rock, and a People's Elbow reversed into a Cody Cutter. Rhodes is now being booed.

Superman Punch by Reigns. Reigns accidentally speared The Rock. Pedigrees to Reigns and The Rock, but both kick out. Rollins took out Reigns. The Rock spit water to Rhodes, and put him on the Spanish Announce Table. Rhodes landed the Rock Bottom through the announce table, and Reigns speared Rollins through the barricade. 

Drive By by Reigns to Rhodes, now talking trash. They trade shots, and Rhodes landed the Cross Rhodes, and another, and a third one is stopped by The Rock whipping him with a belt. Spear by Reigns and a Rock Bottom. People's Elbow for the win. 

That was a very slow and methodical match, almost as if nobody wanted to try and hurt the other, at least until the end. Some solid moments, but a match over 40 minutes may have been overkill. Good to see The Rock can still take bumps. Rhodes now has to battle the odds on night two. Is Rollins hurt? 

Grade: C

WWE WrestleMania 40 night one results

  • Roman Reigns and The Rock def. Cody Rhodes and Seth "Freakin'" Rollins
  • Sami Zayn def. Gunther (c) for the WWE Intercontinental Title
  • Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, and Naomi def. Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai, Asuka, and Kairi Sane)
  • Jey Uso def. Jimmy Uso
  • Latino World Order (Rey Mysterio and Andrade) def. Santos Escobar and Dominik Mysterio
  • A-Town Down Under (Austin Theory and Grayson Waller) and The Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) def. The Judgment Day (Finn Balor and Damian Priest) (c), #DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa), The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods), and New Catch Republic (Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate) in a Six-Pack Ladder match for the Undisputed WWE tag Team Titles
  • Rhea Ripley (c) def. Becky Lynch for the Women's World Title

Daniel Yanofsky

Daniel Yanofsky Photo

Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.