Roman Reigns' WrestleMania Triumph Overshadows ESPN's Rankings

The Tribal Chief's victory over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 stands as his greatest moment, not the triple threat match ESPN highlighted.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:10am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the action and drama of a wrestling match, with sharp planes of color and overlapping perspectives conveying the high-stakes confrontation between the two competitors.A cubist interpretation of the epic clash between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, capturing the raw emotion and intensity of their WrestleMania showdown.Los Angeles Today

ESPN recently attempted to rank the greatest WrestleMania main events featuring Roman Reigns, but the article's author argues that their top pick - Reigns' triple threat match against Seth Rollins and CM Punk - misses the mark. The writer believes Reigns' victory over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 is his true defining moment, sparking an emotional firestorm from fans and showcasing Reigns' ability to captivate audiences beyond just wins and losses.

Why it matters

Roman Reigns is one of the biggest stars in professional wrestling today, and his legacy at WrestleMania will be a key part of how he is remembered. Debating and analyzing his greatest moments is important for wrestling fans to fully appreciate the impact he has had on the sport.

The details

The article argues that while ESPN's top pick of Reigns' triple threat match was a strong performance, Reigns' victory over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39 is his true defining moment. The writer believes defeat does not diminish a wrestler's greatness, and that Reigns' ability to evoke genuine emotion from the crowd during his heel victory over the beloved Rhodes is what truly showcases his legendary status.

  • In 2025, Reigns' showdown with Seth Rollins claimed the top spot.
  • At WrestleMania 39 in 2023, Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes.

The players

Roman Reigns

One of the biggest stars in professional wrestling today, known for his dominant run as the Tribal Chief in WWE.

Cody Rhodes

A rising star in WWE who challenged Reigns for the WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39.

Seth Rollins

A longtime rival of Reigns who faced him in a triple threat match at a previous WrestleMania, according to the article.

CM Punk

Also involved in the triple threat match against Reigns and Rollins, according to the article.

Sean Coyle

The ESPN writer who authored the article ranking Reigns' greatest WrestleMania moments.

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What they’re saying

“ESPN's second-place pick, the rematch at WrestleMania XL, was indeed a spectacle. The chemistry between Reigns and Rhodes was undeniable, and the cameos from legends like The Rock and John Cena added to the allure. But it lacked the raw, unfiltered emotion of their first encounter.”

— The writer

“Defeat doesn't diminish a wrestler's greatness; it often enhances it. Think of Steve Austin's iconic loss to Bret Hart at WrestleMania 13, or Shawn Michaels' legendary status despite multiple WrestleMania defeats. These moments define their careers, showing that victory isn't the sole measure of greatness.”

— The writer

The takeaway

Roman Reigns' legacy at WrestleMania will be defined by his ability to captivate audiences and evoke genuine emotion, not just by his win-loss record. His victory over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 39, where he played the hated villain role to perfection, stands as his true defining moment, showcasing his skills as a performer beyond just his athletic abilities.