Professional wrestling is so many things. But at its core, it is beautiful.
Its beauty lies in its action, its drama, its emotions.
Professional wrestling’s beauty lies on the faces of thousands of fans cheering on their heroes and booing their villains.
And there was no better showcase for how beautiful wrestling can be than Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field. That’s because more than 70,000 people gathered in South Philadelphia to see one thing: the climax of Cody Rhodes’ story.
But the beautiful thing about professional wrestling was that it wasn’t just about Rhodes’ story. There were others, and they all culminated in the most climactic main event in WrestleMania history.
WWE didn’t have to promote Sunday’s match as the “biggest in WrestleMania history” like Vince McMahon did two years ago. The fans’ desire to watch Rhodes defeat Roman Reigns was the only indication anyone needed.
Once the bell rang, WWE delivered.
The main event of WrestleMania 40 was everything it should have been and more. There were cameos from recurring characters throughout the story, call backs to key moments from the past, and there was even a surprise or two.
When Rhodes pinned Reigns to become the new Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, there was a release of emotions from everyone inside Lincoln Financial Field and from wrestling fans across the world.
That is because on Sunday, April 7, 2024, everything the wrestling world had ever hoped for had been fulfilled. They had received or been a part of one of the most storybook endings in WrestleMania history.
If it were an action movie from the 1980s, it may have ended with a freeze frame. While that may sound grossly cliche, it is the type of ending wrestling fans yearn for on an annual basis. They got their wish Sunday night.
When you DO THE WORK, you go from UNDESIRABLE TO UNDENIABLE!#CodyRhodes rules at #WrestleMania XL! pic.twitter.com/5ZzUKCdD3y
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2024
The main event of WrestleMania 40 was professional wrestling executed at its highest level. It’s was what professional wrestling is all about.
What is professional wrestling about?
Professional wrestling is about the journey. It is about telling the story of two men who wrapped themselves in their respective family’s wrestling traditions, but for two very different reasons.
On one side was the prodigal son, who returned to the place where he had a prophecy to fulfill: win the title his father never could.
He came within seconds of accomplishing his goal last year, only to have it snatched away from him.
But like any hero, he dusted himself off and fought his way back.
He overcame obstacle after obstacle in order to find his way back to the same spot he was in one year ago: the main event of WrestleMania.
On the other side was the tyrannical villain, whose motives are rooted in providing for his family — or in this case, his tribe. For 1,316 days, he ruled WWE with an iron fist, running through anyone who threatened his position at the summit of the industry, including his own family if necessary.
However, he always made sure that the family had his back, including the ones with even more influence within the company than him.
It’s just that his villainous ways may have cost him in the end.
TEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.#WrestleMania pic.twitter.com/z6gwSwMNXH
— WWE (@WWE) April 8, 2024
Professional wrestling is about setting that hero and that villain on a collision course that culminates at the biggest event of the year — twice. It is about living vicariously through all of the characters involved and hoping each of them receive what they have coming to them.
Professional wrestling at its best was on full display Sunday night.
Professional wrestling is beautiful.
Professional wrestling is back in WWE.
[lawrence-related id=48395,48390,48254]