LAS VEGAS -- At the end of WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, the fans left in anger. The hero Cody Rhodes had been cheated by the Bloodline as Roman Reigns marched on toward his 1,000-day undisputed world championship. What was supposed to be a golden coronation with Hollywood in the backdrop turned into a horror.
At the close of last year’s event in Philadelphia, they left in euphoria. What followed may have been the greatest five minutes in pro wrestling history, when Cody Rhodes—backed by the WWE Avengers—toppled the bad guys and ended the seemingly unstoppable reign. Fans poured out of the stadium, Rhodes and Reigns fans alike, knowing they had just witnessed one of the best main events in history.
On Sunday night in Las Vegas at Allegiant Stadium, as John Cena beat Rhodes for the title, his hand raised high by famous rapper Travis Scott, the crowd was neither furious nor in bliss — there was a confused silence. After the initial rush of cheers that Cena had broken the world championship record of 16 reigns held by Ric Flair, it felt as if the air had been let out of a building that was hanging on every move of the two wrestlers only minutes prior.
Why did Travis Scott saunter down to the ring with a full entrance as both combatants and the referee waited on his arrival?
Where was The Rock, the catalyst to the entire Cena heel turn and the looming big bad who wanted Rhodes most to hail?
Although the match up to the Scott interference wasn't a modern-day Steamboat vs. Savage, the fans were invested. A crowd that had been dead for much of the night came alive on Sunday, largely thanks to one of the best opening runs of matches in WrestleMania history.
But as Scott took his time down the ring, the energy shifted. Rhodes wouldn't hit Cena with the belt. Cena did, and that was that. No. 17 in the books and the record was officially broken. It was the result the stadium wanted, a rainbow-clad sea of Cena shirts taking over every hotel in Las Vegas this weekend, but not in the way it occurred.
There were elements of the match that were fantastic. Rhodes, the obvious younger, faster, and stronger of the two, outmaneuvered Cena, but the veteran used his wits and know-how to stay in it. The fans were invested. The pair were giving it their best. Then it all unraveled — though it left us with the best overall outcome leading into Raw tomorrow.
Cena is a wounded, outmatched champion, but he will do whatever it takes to keep the crown from a generation of stars he sees as unworthy.
The true highlight of this WrestleMania weekend was that new generation taking their place in the ever-evolving main event.
Carmelo Hayes took a massive step in his career by winning one of, if not the best, André the Giant Memorial Battle Royals in company history.
Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams had a triple threat that can stand next to the classic that Reigns, Seth Rollins, and CM Punk put on hours later.
Bron Breakker and Jacob Fatu could main event next year and no one would bat an eye. Dominik Mysterio has gone from footnote to leading man. Tiffany Stratton and Lyra Valkyria established themselves as top stars.
No, John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes will not be joining my Pantheon of greatest WrestleMania main events. But as the company has done time and time again since HHH took over, the once-stagnant feel of the overarching WWE has been replaced by one where you’ll tune in tomorrow to see what’s on the next page of the story.
Seth Rollins is an upgraded version of his Architect self, aligned with a Wiseman who can match his crazed craftiness. CM Punk is reeling after a shocking betrayal by his best friend. Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, the company’s two pillars these past few years, are both wayward in their arcs.
John Cena, on his yearlong retirement tour, is world champion. His initial mission of breaking the title record is done, with his second — leaving with the belt — now the intrigue.
That new generation of talent, along with Cena’s old foes, are now tasked with being the ones to stop him. Whoever does: be it Rhodes, Punk, or one of those emerging young stars, will be given the keys to the kingdom.
Until then, Cena will be patiently waiting. And the fans, whether happy, depressed, angered, or even perplexed by tonight’s finish, will be watching, needing to know what’s next.
