The Rise Of Triple H | Wrestling Timelines

April 7, 2024 - WrestleMania XL

Roman Reigns Cody Rhodes
WWE

At long last - nearly three decades after first joining WWE - the company is Paul Levesque’s. The creative process, anyway; Ari Emanuel is the true boss, as Endeavor CEO, following the merger with UFC under TKO Holdings.

WrestleMania XL is framed, interestingly, as the first show held under what is now labelled ‘The Paul Levesque Era’. It’s notable that SummerSlam 2022 was not celebrated as such.

The timing flatters Levesque. Hugely.

WrestleMania XL is received with jubilation amid a new WWE boom. Cody finishes the story. The Roman Reigns loss underscores the sheer extent to which WWE now commits to satisfying, patient, long-term storytelling. This feeling, that the payoff is immensely gratifying, is doubled as a result of Sami Zayn’s shocking, feel-good win over dominant Intercontinental Champion GUNTHER. Even a wrestler who doesn’t necessarily receive the most interesting creative direction under Levesque, Bayley, enjoys an incredible night. The spectacle is lavish, the atmosphere celebratory, euphoric.

In a smart move, the main event ends when an all-star cast of legends - the Undertaker! The Rock! John Cena! - interfere to clear a fair path to Cody’s rightful triumph. Levesque intelligently pinpoints a way to celebrate WWE’s fictional history, diverting attention away from its creative and real-life troubles under McMahon.

The temperature inside Lincoln Financial Field is freezing, but WWE is white-hot.

But this is pro wrestling. Everybody has a rival.

Travelling back in time momentarily…

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!