The Triple Threader - Apr. 8, 2024
Welcome to the Triple Threader, covering three select stories from the world of professional wrestling.
Cody Rhodes celebrates his monumental WWE Title win. (Courtesy: WWE)
Finished the Story
On an unforgettable WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes finally did what his father, the late great “American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, was never able to do: win the WWE Championship. After multiple interferences that involved the Bloodline, John Cena, The Rock, and the Undertaker, it took 3 straight Cross Rhodes to finally rip the crown away from Roman Reigns after a 1,316 day-stranglehold on the title. The American Nightmare was not the only one who won gold this past weekend. In the Six-Pack Tag Team Title match, A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller & Austin Theory) became the new SmackDown Tag Team Champions, while The Awesome Truth (The Miz & R-Truth) won the Raw Tag Team crowns. Sami Zayn would have his own feat to accomplish the impossible, successfully ending Gunther’s 666-day reign as Intercontinental Champion in a thrilling match that mirrored a cinematic vibe from Rocky IV. This is Zayn’s 4th reign with the gold. Drew McIntyre finally had his championship victory in front of a live crowd, winning the World Heavyweight Title by beating Seth Rollins. However, the sweet taste turned bitter when CM Punk, who was on commentary during that match, attacked the new champion, prompting Señor Money In The Bank Damian Priest to cash in the case, and win his first major world title. Finally, Bayley would turn away Iyo Sky to win her 4th WWE Women’s Championship.
Paul Heyman going to the Extreme for his Hall of Fame speech. (WWE)
Hall of F’N Fame
The WWE Hall of Fame class of 2024 took their place in immortality this past Friday. The headliner was Paul Heyman, as the ECW founder and manager delivered an memorable speech in front of fans in Philadelphia, where his former company gave birth to hardcore wrestling, and paved the way for WWE’s Attitude Era, and many other promotions that followed. Inductees include Thunderbolt Patterson, influential boxer Muhammad Ali, The U.S. Express (Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda), promoter Lia Maivia, and former women’s champion Bull Nakano.
Mark Briscoe celebrates his ROH title win. (Courtesy: Ring of Honor)
Reach for the Sky
On Ring of Honor’s Supercard of Honor, Mark Briscoe defeated Eddie Kingston to win the ROH World Championship, an emotional victory as it took place on the day when his late brother and tag partner Jay won his first ROH world title 11 years ago. Meanwhile, Kyle Fletcher retained the ROH Television crown in a thriller against Lee Johnson, Billie Starkz became the first ever Women’s World TV Champion, and Athena successfully defended her ROH Women’s Title against Hikaru Shida, as she closes in on 500 days as champion.
