The match, which unfolded at the grandest stage of them all, WrestleMania 40,

saw Rhodes face off against the formidable Roman Reigns,

who had held the championship for an impressive 1,316 days. Reigns, known as “The Tribal Chief,”

entered the ring with his customary dominance, backed by his loyal faction, The Bloodline.

From the outset, it was clear that Rhodes was determined to seize his moment. Despite the odds stacked against him, Rhodes unleashed a flurry of Cross Rhodes maneuvers, each one bringing him closer to victory. The Philadelphia crowd, electrified by the action unfolding before them, erupted in a cacophony of cheers and chants as Rhodes relentlessly pursued the championship.

The climactic moment came when Rhodes executed a final Cross Rhodes, pinning Reigns to the mat for the decisive three-count. The arena exploded in jubilation as Rhodes’s arm was raised in victory, signaling the end of Reigns’s historic reign and the beginning of a new era in WWE.

“This is a dream come true,” exclaimed Rhodes in a post-match interview. “To win the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, it’s beyond words. This is for everyone who believed in me, who supported me along the way. Thank you.”

The victory not only solidifies Rhodes’s place in WWE history but also marks a significant milestone in his career, capping off years of dedication and perseverance. His triumph joins the ranks of legendary WWE champions such as Hulk Hogan, Bruno Sammartino, and Bob Backlund, who have left an indelible mark on the sport.

As WrestleMania 40 drew to a close, fans and critics alike hailed Rhodes’s victory as one of the greatest moments in WWE history. With his name now etched alongside the all-time greats, Cody Rhodes has cemented his legacy as a champion of champions.

For WWE fans around the world, WrestleMania 40 will be remembered not only for its thrilling matches and electrifying moments but also as the night when Cody Rhodes finished the story and became WWE Champion for the first time in his career.