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WrestleMania 40 Night Two: Cody Rhodes ‘Finishes the Story’ and Defeats Roman Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship with Run-Ins by The Rock, John Cena & The Undertaker

By Michael Fairman

Published

2 years ago

on

Photo: WWE

If ever there was the best use of the current trendy term “cinema”, night two of WrestleMania 40 was just that, and certainly none more so than the highly anticipated main event between Cody Rhodes and WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns in a “Bloodline” rules match where everything goes and anyone can interfere… and it’s all legal!

Whether you streamed it on Peacock, or were there live at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, these questioned remained as the night began. Would Cody Rhodes finally “finish the story,” a story he began back at WrestleMania 39 when he lost in the main event to Reigns in 2023? Could Cody do what his iconic and beloved father, Dusty Rhodes, never got the chance to do, and become a WWE World Champion? There were so many questions on the line to be answered.

The match was epic drama at its absolute best from the larger than life spectacle with awe-dropping entrances for Rhodes, who was accompanied by his wife, Brandi Rhodes, and “The Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns who came out to a choir singing his theme. If ever there was a good vs evil set-up with so much history and so much build-up, this was it.

Photo: WWE

The in-ring chemistry of Rhodes and Reigns was palpable. Roman will go down as one of the greatest champions of all-time, who’s reactions and facial expressions help heighten the drama and against Rhodes who is the perfect babyface of this era. The match delivered near-falls, specific and crucial story beats, and an abundance of interference that made perfect sense when you map out the storytelling of this battle.

Photo: WWE

As the match wore on, things started to unravel as to who would get the upper hand when an series of run-ins featuring legendary WWE Superstars and “Bloodline” members made their way into, and around, the ring to help Reigns or Rhodes. First, Jimmy Uso superkicked Rhodes in the ring, but then his brother, Jey Uso (who he had wrestled earlier in the night) came after him and took him out with a huge bump on the ring ramp. Next, Solo Sikoa jumped in the ring and Samoan Spiked Cody multiple times; while being frustrated that Reigns couldn’t get himself together to pin “The American Nightmare” for his help.

Photo: WWE

All of a sudden, John Cena’s music hit and down the ramp came the 16-time WWE champion. Cena getting revenge on Sikoa, who sent him packing from WWE last year, threw him through the announce table. All of a sudden The Rock’s theme music hit, and the crowd went wild. Now the two movie stars and two of the all-time biggest WWE superstars were face to face. However, Rock delivered a Rock Bottom and Cena went down.

Photo: WWE

Next, in a stunning moment, “The Shield’s” old theme music hit and Seth Rollins attempted to slide in the ring with a chair but Reigns delivered a superman punch temporarily stopping his momentum. Before The Rock could beat down Cody Rhodes, once again with his belt strap, The Undertaker’s gong sounded and the lights went out. When they came back up, The Rock was turned the wrong way with The Undertaker in the ring behind him. Next, ‘Taker’ delivered a choke slam to The Rock and then was gone before you knew it when the lights went out and the back on.

Now came the poetic justice … the culmination of years of story. With the chair in the ring and Rhodes struggling to get up on one side of the ring, and Rollins struggling to get up on the other side of the ring, The Tribal Chief had a decision to make … who would he hit in the back with the chair? Reigns chose Rollins, allowing Cody to recover delivering three Cross Rhodes to get a three count and become the new WWE Universal Champion by pinning Reigns.

Photo: WWE

In the end, it was Rollins’ message to Rhodes weeks earlier that proved to be the deciding factor. “The Visionary” promised Cody that he would be his ‘shield’, referencing the former clique he had with Reigns and Dean Ambrose. In WWE history, back in 2014, it was Rollins who stabbed Reigns and the group  in the back with a chair shot to the back of Reigns. Knowing that revenge is Reigns’ achilles heel, Rollins set himself up as the ultimate distraction for Cody to become the champ.

As Reigns’ run as world champion at 1,317 days came to an end, he will remain fourth among all-time champions who held the belt the longest following Bruno Sammartino, Pedro Morales and Hulk Hogan.  Social media was abuzz when video was captured of an emotional Reigns and his special counsel new WWE Hall-of-Famer, Paul Heyman near the beginning of the entrance ramp hugging it out after the loss.

Photo: WWE

WrestleMania 40 night two also featured several other outstanding matches including the opening bout between Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntrye for Rollins’ WWE Heavyweight Championship.  In what was probably one of the best entrances of WrestleMania 40 weekend, Rollins showed up with Philadelphia’s Mummers Band playing his theme music. As the Mummers paraded down the ramp with Rollins, he was wearing Mummers-inspired gear and costume. 

Going into the match, Rollins was already in a weakened state with his knee from his previous injury and wrestling in night one with Cody Rhodes against The Rock and Roman Reigns. McIntrye and Rollins hit finishing maneuvers at an exceptionally high rate before McIntyre finally picked up the win.  A dejected Seth, in tears outside the ring, told Drew that he deserved it as he was the better man that night. Rollins’ emotional reaction proved once again why he is one of the best in sports entertainment.

Photo: WWE

In another “poetic justice” moment, a gloating and emotional McIntrye with belt in hand, goes over to the announce table to confront CM Punk who was helping call the match. After he continued to taunt Punk, “The Voice of the Voiceless” loses his temper and removes his arm brace from his tricep surgery and begins to beat down McIntrye.

Photo: WWE

With Drew in a vulnerable state, Damian Priest (the Money in the Bank winner) comes running down the ring ramp and cashes in the briefcase for his opportunity for a championship, and in quick fashion hits the “South of Heaven” choke slam on The Scottish Warrior and ends his very short title reign becoming the new WWE World Champion. CM Punk sat at ringside and applauded Priest’s efforts and there is no love lost between Punk and McIntrye as their feud continues to build.

Photo: WWE

When it was time for the WWE Women’s Championship between the champion Iyo Sky and former head of Damage CTRL, Bayley, it was clear how much love and respect there is for Bayley. That extended to the press box and through Lincoln Financial Stadium,  Would Bayley get retribution for Damage CTRL stabbing her in the back? First, Bayley came out an all-new entrance theme know coining the phrase “Role Model”.

Photo: WWE

As the match wore on, it was high-flying maneuvers from Sky that dominated, however, Bayley survived all that Iyo managed to throw at her and hit a an elbow drop and then a Rose Plant for the three count to become the new champ.  Beloved in the locker room, and coming back to the WWE after sustaining knee injuries requiring surgeries, Bayley was back on top and the crowd couldn’t have been happier.

Photo: WWE

In other match-ups: Logan Paul defeated Kevin Owens and Randy Orton to retain the United States Championship (Paul’s frog splash through the air and the height he achieved was out of this world_. LA Knight defeated. AJ Styles via pinfall, and Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits defeated The Final Testament.

You can check out some of the highlights from Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns main event match below.

Now, let us know, what did you think of the matches on night two of WrestleMania 40? Where does Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns rank as the main event at a WrestleMania? Is it number one? Pretty hard to beat it. Share your thoughts in the comment section.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16

Published

15 hours ago

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July 13, 2026

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General Hospital’s 16,000th episode was packed with little reminders through points in today’s script that the ABC daytime drama series has set another milestone and it paved the way for the return of fan favorite and newly nominated Daytime Emmy Lead Actor nominee Steve Burton (Jason Morgan). The 16,000th episode also introduced viewers to the new surgeon in Port Charles Dr. Tristan Roberts played by Dean Geyer. 

Here are the key takeaways and what went down on the July 13 episode: Tristan and Jason are seated next to each other on a plane heading to Port Charles. Throughout the flight, a beaten up Jason has flashbacks to being thrown into, and being held captive in a cell and tortured. It appears Jason is suffering from some form of PTSD from what he was put through after being dragged out of Port Charles by the WSB months ago.

As the plane prepares to land, Tristan tells Jason there would be a car waiting for him once they land and to enjoy the rest of his life. Later, Tristan arrives at the nurses and doctors hub at GH and approaches Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst). He tells her his name and that he is the new surgeon on staff.

Photo: ABC

A REUNION PLUS A HEAD NURSE DEFENDS SONNY

Meanwhile, at the end of the episode, Jason is outside the Quartermaine boathouse looking bewildered when he runs into Danny (Asher Antonyzyn), who is so thrilled to see his father, and the two hugs each other as tears are shed.

Elsewhere, Elizabeth tells Sonny (Maurice Benard) that he thinks its a great idea for him to get the 16th seat on the hospital board, but when it comes times to convince Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) of that, things go awry when Tracy, Laura and Sonny try to work things out. After Tracy launches into Sonny about killing Alan and Monica’s son AJ, Sonny walks away dejected.

Next, Sonny runs into Elizabeth, where he informs her what happened with Tracy. So what’s a head nurse to do? Elizabeth marches into the conference room and reminds Tracy of all the different donations and ways Sonny has contributed to the hospital from the Stone Cates AIDS wing, to the Michael Corinthos Center for Pediatric Head Injuries as well as his constant support each year for the GH Nurses’ Ball.

Courtesy/ABC

WSB WAR SCARS

Then, in one of the best parts for longtime fans of the series, Elizabeth talks about her legendary grandparents, Audrey and Steve Hardy and she tells Tracy they would have wanted Sonny to have a seat on the board for all the good that he has done for the hospital. After Elizabeth states Sonny’s case, things took a turn and Tracy and Sonny wound up shaking hands as Sonny is board member #16.

In the how great was it to see Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) together scenes department, the pick-up of last Friday’s cliffhanger is played out as the two former lovers fill each other in on what has gone down in their lives in the last several months including Valentin admitting he had been living in Carly’s attic, and Anna realizing she was kidnapped by Cullum, Sidwell and Cassius Faison. During their conversation, Anna sees the hallucination of Peter August (Wes Ramsey) right while Valentin is standing there.

Courtesy/ABC

Later Anna was on her way to saying goodbye to Valentin, when the two share an emotional hug. After Valentin made his exit, Peter reappeared and warned Anna to not let Valentin distract her because she has important work to do. Anna answers, “I know.”

So, what did you think of General Hospital’s 16,000 episode? What do you think is wrong with Jason? What is the important “work” that Anna has to do? Were you glad to see Sonny get a seat on the hospital board, or not so much. Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out the scenes on Jason and Tristan’s long flight to Port Charles.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Jason Returns, Anna and Valentin Reunite

Published

2 days ago

on

July 12, 2026

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This week on General Hospital begins with the ABC soap opera’s 16,000th episode which brings Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) back to Port Charles after being released by the WSB; all thanks to the deal made between Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) and Z (John Oliver).

On the same episode, the upshot of Anna (Finola Hughes) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) coming face to face, and seeing each other for the first time in months plays itself out, and it may not be how you think. Josslyn hopes sending Valentin to the side of Anna, will break up his burgeoning relationship with her mother, Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), but will it?

It appears Valentin has a warning for Anna. In the GH video preview for the episode, Anna is seen saying “How do you know that?” What does Valentin know, and will he be the person that will catch on that she is being haunted by the ghost of Peter August (Wes Ramsey)?

Courtesy/ABC

In addition, look for the debut of Dean Geyer in his role of Dr. Tristan Roberts (named after the beloved late Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio), as he and Britt Westbourne (Kelly Thiebaud) may have a tense exchange or two.

Then, in the aftermath of their argument, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) asks Chase (Josh Swickard) “Did I push you towards Willow (Katelyn MacMullen)?” Is Chase going to admit his fixation with his ex-wife, or reassure his current wife that he is not interested in Willow? Stay tuned.

Finally, Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) is seen talking to someone saying that the idea of this person filling the 16th seat on the hospital board is a great idea. Who is she talking to?

Check out the official GH spoilers for the week of July 13-17 below.

MONDAY, JULY 13
Milestone 16000th episode! Jason returns to Port Charles. Anna receives a warning. Laura’s choice appalls Tracy. Britt makes an accusation. Carly is caught off-guard.

TUESDAY, JULY 14
Jason explains his actions. Kai becomes privy to shocking information. Jordan strikes out. Elizabeth stands her ground. Valentin is suspicious.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 15
Anna seeks answers. Josslyn reveals a secret. Nina and Brennan plot their next move. Curtis voices his gratitude. Gio and Trina get big news.

THURSDAY, JULY 16
Emma and Gio discuss their future. Obrecht lashes out. Anna interrogates Britt. Isaiah interrupts Portia and Curtis. Cody delivers difficult news.

FRIDAY, JULY 17
Carly draws a boundary with Sonny. Valentin makes his feelings clear. Trina and Josslyn clear the air. Lulu cautions Ethan. Nina opens up to Brennan.

So, excited for Steve Burton’s return on tomorrow’s GH as Jason comes home? Are you rooting for Anna and Valentin to get back together, or are you hoping that Carly and Valentin continue their relationship, much to the chagrin of Josslyn? And, what should Brook Lynn do about her husband, Chase, who continually fights for Willow? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section, but first check out the preview teaser from GH for the Monday, July 13 episode below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sidwell Offers Jordan a Way to Get Surgery On Her Face; Will She Cave and Comply with His Demands?

Published

4 days ago

on

July 10, 2026

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On General Hospital, Sidwell (Carlo Rota) and Jordan (Tanisha Harper) finally had it out at the PCPD. The scenes played out on the Thursday, July 9 episode of the ABC daytime drama series.

In story, Sidwell requested a meeting with Jordan. Angered, he wanted to know why she’d given the police the location of his safe house. After months of being undercover, Jordan finally admitted the truth!

Jordan reveals the entire time she was gaining his trust, she was working on the inside at SRE Worldwide, to find evidence against him and bring him down. Snidely, Jenz admitted he’d been suspicious initially of Jordan. However, she eventually won him over, and he saw the value in her being the pretty, public face of his criminal organization to throw everyone off.

Photo: ABC

Trying to make a deal to save his own skin, Sidwell offers to pay for restorative plastic surgery for Jordan’s face, and at the same renowned German clinic that had treated Michael (Rory Gibson) for his severe burns.

Sidwell tells Jordan if she would go to Zurich and empty some bank accounts for him, he will help her jump ahead of the long waiting list to get into the clinic. Defiant and standing up to him, Jordan turns down his offer.

Next, Sidwell threatens her intently, that he’ll find a way to pay Jordan back by making her life miserable. He tells her she will suffer and regret turning him down.

Once she exits the PCPD interrogation room, Jordan takes a deep breath, but brings her hands to the scars on her face from the car crash that injured her.

Is Jordan actually contemplating Sidwell deal to get her into the German clinic? If so, will she be the person to set him free into the world with loads of cash from his overseas bank accounts? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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