WWE Wrestlemania 38 - AT&T Stadium
CODY RHODES vs SETH ROLLINS
A choir takes to the stage to introduce Seth Rollins into the match. They sing the chorus to his entrance music as he walks to the ring in typical Rollins fashion. He stands in the middle of the ring swinging his arms as the crowd starts to sing the chorus of his theme. His arms go from side to side as if he is conducting an orchestra.
As he stands there, Rollins does his signature laugh saying “who’s it gonna be, big man?” and “don’t make me wait” as he awaits his mystery opponent. Pyro then starts up the ramp and stage before the lights go out. Then the familiar words of “Wrestling has more than one Royal Family”. The WWE Universe in attendance erupts as the Kingdom entrance music begins to play. With the camera going back to Rollins in the ring doing his best Joker impersonation, showing his disliking for his opponent.
The camera cuts back to the stage, under the Wrestlemania arch as Cody comes into shot from the bottom to top of the shot slowly. He fills the camera with his familiar looking over the shoulder stance. “AFTER 6 YEARS, HE IS BACK!” said on commentary as the welcome back the son of legend Dusty Rhodes.
Cody makes his way to the ring and stands in the middle of the ramp, opening his arms to pose and let out some of his emotion. The pyro to match this monumental moment for Cody Rhodes, WWE and the wrestling industry. Cody chants fill AT&T Stadium as his entrance music fades out. Both men lock eyes from across the ring as they look ready to go to war with each other.
The match begins as Corey Graves says “Dusty Rhodes star pupil (Seth Rollins) vs his own baby boy (Cody Rhodes)”. The two men go back and forth before a surprise cartwheel in the middle of the ring by Rhodes and seems to mock his old Stardust gimmick. Followed by Graves then again saying “that’s no showboating, that was shedding skin” referring to his former WWE ego but showing he is a different competitor now from what he was.
As the match continues, some good offense from Rhodes as he dives through the ropes leading to a good table bump by Rollins. However, the momentum quickly changes as Seth delivers a buckle bomb to the barricade next to the commentary table.
A near fall for Rollins as he hits a knee to the side of Cody’s head, followed by a Falcon Arrow leading on from the buckle bomb on the outside. Rollins then looks to finish the match as he tries for a stomp, with “goodnight sweet prince” heard from commentary. Referencing Cody’s Prince of Pro Wrestling nickname given to himself on the indies and in AEW. Cody then counters the stomp with a Cross Rhodes with Seth kicking out at 2 ½ .
Both men now on the top rope as the match rolls on. A perfectly executed inverted suplex from the top rope, one of the moves of the match. As the crowd shows their appreciation for both men with a memorable atmosphere in Texas all weekend, especially during this match. A match of which was single handedly told and built up by Rollins in the month leading up to Wrestlemania.
After many near pedigrees, Cody executes a near perfect Cody cutter as he springboards off the top rope, with another near fall to follow. Rollins then follows up with a Pedigree, which is taken from one of his mentors in Triple H. A nice tribute from Rollins to the man who had announced his retirement from WWE just weeks earlier due to health issues. Although, not enough to keep Rhodes down for the 3 count.
The match now looks to be in the final stages as Rhodes hits multiple Cross Rhodes on Rollins. Followed by a note taken from his Father’s play book, he hits a Bionic Elbow, one of his Father’s iconic moves. Along with a final Cross Rhodes which he plants Rollins with, which puts an end to the highly unimaginable match at the start of the year.
Rhodes then celebrates his victory with the WWE Universe, with his Father looking down on him. The American Dream is still kept close to Cody’s heart with the “Dream” tattoo on his chest to ensure he is always with him.
A match of the weekend candidate without a doubt. With most in the stadium as well as at home still in disbelief as the match comes to an end and Cody Rhodes returns to the back. A new era for Cody Rhodes and WWE begins together.
