Cody Rhodes Ends Roman Reigns’ Historic Title Run at WrestleMania 40
Roman Reigns’ historic reign as the WWE Universal Champion has finally come to an end on 7th April 2024. After holding the title for an incredible 1,317 days, the Tribal Chief’s time at the top has concluded with a loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40.
Reigns’ second reign as the Universal Champion, which began at WWE SummerSlam 2020 when he defeated Bray Wyatt, was the longest singular reign in the title’s history at 1,316 days. while the shortest record held by Finn Bálor, whose reign lasted a mere 22 hours before he was forced to vacate the title due to injury.
This championship run will go down in history as one of the greatest of all time. Reigns’ transformation from a polarizing figure to the biggest star in the business was nothing short of remarkable.
His decision to turn heel in 2018 helped revive the sport of professional wrestling when it was in a dire state. Reigns spearheaded the industry and ushered in a new golden era.
As Roman Reigns’ record-breaking 1,316-day reign as WWE Universal Champion came to a close at WrestleMania 40, the Tribal Chief and the American Nightmare found himself in a chaotic scene, surrounded by a host of WWE superstars who inserted themselves into the match against Cody Rhodes.
Among those who interfered were: Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso, Solo Sikoa, John Cena, The Rock, Seth Rollins, The Undertaker
At the heart of Reigns’ historic reign was the unbreakable bond he shared with his former Shield teammates, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose (now known as Jon Moxley).
However, he decided to attack Rollins, instead of focusing on defeating Cody, which ultimately led to his downfall. The old wounds from 2014 still ran deep, and it proved to be Reigns’ undoing in the biggest match of his career.
As Reigns was pinned in the ring, there was a rare smile on his face, it was clear that this marked the end of an era. His reign as the Tribal Chief and the head of the table had come to a close.
But what a reign it was – four straight WrestleMania main events, countless classic matchups, and an iron grip on the WWE that will be difficult for anyone to replicate.
Reigns’ title reign saw him become the centrepiece of WWE, a position he held with authority for over three and a half years. His ability to captivate audiences, both as a hero and a villain, was unparalleled, and he leaves behind a legacy that will be spoken of with reverence for generations to come.
While this chapter may be over, the legacy of Roman Reigns will live on. He transformed professional wrestling and elevated the sport to new heights. WWE will undoubtedly feel his absence as the tribal chief, but he has cemented his place as one of the greatest champions in the history of the business.
Thank you, Roman Reigns. Your historic run will never be forgotten.
