WWE Wrestlemania Kickoff Live Coverage
WWE Wrestlemania 40 Kickoff coverage from Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena.
They opened with a shot of Lincoln Field in Philly before going to Las Vegas.
They showed footage of Paul Levesque arriving.
They showed footage of Cody Rhodes arriving. There were cheers and some boos.
They showed footage of Paul Heyman and Roman Reigns arriving.
They showed the Rock arriving. It sounded like he was mostly booed.
WWE aired a video package on the 40th anniversary of Wrestlemania with lots of highlights from the past. They said there's a fresh vibe and energy for this year's Wrestlemania.
They looked to have a sizable crowd live.
Michael Cole welcomed everyone to the Kickoff. Pat McAfee, CM Punk and Big E were there. Big E joked here was there to keep an eye on Punk, who goes off. Punk got a massive chant when he was announced. He said he was heart-broken he's injured but was excited to be back here with Michael Cole and the Cole Miners.
Big E was asked how his neck was. He said he's in good health and is really touched by the outpouring of support.
Punk was asked about his triceps and said he's a week out of surgery and isn't 100% yet and isn't happy about that. He said he's not going to wrestle but still has his mouth and is ready to piss some people off.
Pat McAfee was asked about The Rock appearing on his show today. There were boos and some cheers. McAfee mentioned that The Rock said the people who weren't thinking about the "big picture" were Cody Crybabies. Punk joked asking where all these people were in 2013. He said he understands box office but he also knows what it's like to make a name for yourself. Cody and Seth are in that position.
Big E said he was there to beat the drum for Cody. He really reached out to the fans in a human way. He's the guy you want to see crowned and move the company forward.
Backstage, Jackie Redmond confirmed the Rock was in the building. He is very excited to address the media today and cement his road to Wrestlemania.
Byron Saxton interviewed Paul Heyman about Roman Reigns' mood. Heyman said everyone is vying to main event Wrestlemania against Roman Reigns, because where Roman is, is where the main event is. He mocked Byron for asking about his mood.
The panel was asked who Roman wanted to fight. Pat predicted The Rock. Big E predicted The Rock as well. He said Roman wants The Rock but The Rock didn't throw Punk out of the Rumble, it was Cody and it's about who Roman doesn't want.
Triple H
Triple H was introduced and talked up the first Wrestlemania main event. He said over the next 40 years, WWE saw lots of changes, including being the pioneer of PPV and streaming service and the recent $5 Billion Netflix deal. He ran down the stars made by the company over the decades. He said in Philly, they are going to take it to an entirely new level. It's an all new WWE.
Bianca Belair
Michael Cole and Pat McAfee brought out Bianca Belair. She said it was amazing WWE was at Super Bowl week celebrating their own Superbowl. She said Wrestlemania is where she made history against Sasha Banks at Mania 37, then beat Becky Lynch and Asuka at Mania 38 and 39. This year it's different because she's not walking in as champion. She will do anything to get to Wrestlemania. She doesn't know how she will get there but she knows she will be there because you can't spell Mania without EST.
Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch
Next up was WWE World Women's Champion Rhea Ripley. She came out and declared Mami was here. She said they are on the Road to Wrestlemania, the one event that people dream to be a part of. This is Mania 40. She said Bayley chose to turn on her friends and challenge IYO SKY instead of challenging her because she would waste her Mania opportunity. When Rhea is done dealing with Nia Jax, she will be ready for whoever win the Elimination Chamber match. Becky Lynch came out on stage to a big pop. She said you can't have a big time press conference withoutn Big Time Becks and said the Man has come around to Vegas. She promised she would face Rhea for the first time ever, if Rhea can get past Nia. She mocked Rhea saying it doesn't matter who she faces, because Mami is always on top? It does matter, because Becky has made a legendary career out of knocking golden girls out of their top spot. She said Mami is going to learn what it means to be a bottom. Great line! They got in each other's faces but Adam Pearce came out to separate them.
They showed Seth Rollins arriving.
Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes
He came out and said they are on the road to Wrestlemania, promising it would be the biggest of all time. He wanted to know Cody's choice and called him out but instead Roman Reigns came out. Rollins said he was happy to see Roman showed up for work. Roman moed Seth's white shoes. Roman said he wanted to talk about Cody Rhodes, saying he can't make his own choice. He called him Mr. Hesitation. If you wait too long, the moment moves on. He said that now it's Roman's decision. He chooses who faces him in the main event of Wrestlemania.
Roman was about to choose but stopped to listen to the fans chanting for Cody and The Rock.
Roman said he chooses The Rock.
The Rock's music hit and he came out on stage. He hit all his lines and asked Vegas if they thought Roman was going to beat The Rock at Wrestlemania, or whether he was going to beat Roman at Mania. Some cheers and some boos. There were Cody chants and The Rock stopped and listened, looking around. He then asked if they think their match will be the biggest main event in the history of WWE. He got mixed responses. He said he loves the passion. He told the media he was glad they were there.
There was a dueling "We want Cody, No We don't" chant. It was loud enough to make Rock stop.
The Rock welcomed the WWE Universe and everyone watching around the world as well as the Million and Millions of fans....and said he introduces them to the "Cody Crybabies." Lots of boos.
He said he was going to show everyone something very important and cool and he hopes that everyone loves it. He started to get the "WHAT?" treatment. He showed off the Family Tree of the Bloodline. He said at the top of the tree, his grandfather and Roman's grandfather made a blood oath that they would be together forever. He said that if you can't see that as proof of only one dominant royal family in pro wrestling. He said if you can't respect and see it's the biggest match in Mania history, it doesn't matter what you think.
Rock said Wrestlemania 40 in Philly would be the Universal Champion vs. The People's Champion, the biggest main event in the history of professional wrestling, bound by blood.
Roman and Rock clenched fists and even hugged.
Cody Rhodes came on stage and said, "Hold on." He said this was "bullsh**." He said Roman is out here calling the shots and dictating Wrestlemania 40 but it's not his right to call the main event, it is Cody's right. He said he and Rock had a wonderful conversation but he had many wonderful conversations. He has made his decision.
At Wrestlemania 40, in the main event, he chooses Roman Reigns.
Roman said he must be stupid. The Rock match is a done deal. He can go to the Number Two table, the loser bracket.
Last year was Cody's chance and he lost. No one cares for him to end the story, he's embarassing himself and is irrelevant, just like Cody's father.
Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce were now on stage.
Cody asked if it was all about family, what about Jey Uso?
He said that this is all about the Head of the Table, but what does it matter since neither of them have been doing the cooking for two years. He said they've invoked their father before, so Cody will do the same. If their grandfathers were here, they'd be ashamed of Roman.
Triple H is now on stage.
Rock and Roman faced off with Cody.
Rock took the mic. He said he wanted to make something perfectly clear to Cody. If you are talking about Roman's family, you are talking about Rock's blood, ancestors and family as well. Now, we have a problem. He slapped Cody. Seth stepped in. All four argued and Rock offered to fight right now. Cody was removed. Seth told them they don't get to do whatever they want. Rock said he does. Seth said he doesn't give a sh** if Rock is on the board. Seth was removed.
They went to the panel to review what just happened. Punk said Cody was way too diplomatic and that Cody should have punched Rock in the face. He said Cody won the Rumble and it's his shot to call. Big E wondered if they were building to a tag match with two months, he was wondering what happens now. McAfee reviewed everything and it seemed like The Bloodline was doing some flexing.
Big E wondered if we saw both matches over two nights at Wrestlemania.
They weren't officially stating what the Wrestlemania main event was!
