WWE Birmingham recap in full as Cody Rhodes calls for UK to host Wrestlemania

The WWE kicked off its UK tour with an action-packed event in Birmingham on Wednesday night.

New undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes, fresh from his spectacular win over Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 40, received a hero’s welcome from the sold-out crowd at the Resorts World Arena. ‘The American Nightmare’ defended his title against Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event before getting on the microphone and calling for the UK to host a Wrestlemania in the future.

The electric Birmingham crowd were treated to three title fights in total during the impressive event. The card opened with a fatal four-way clash for the intercontinental belt as Sami Zayn put his title on the line against Finn Balor, Chad Gable, and former champion Gunther. New world heavyweight champion Damien Priest was also in action as he took on Kofi Kingston.

Other star names included Becky Lynch and Drew McIntyre, with the latter taking on ‘Main Event’ Jey Uso. McIntyre may have expected some home support, being ‘The Scottish Warrior’, but was instead subjected to taunting ‘CM Punk’ chants, referencing the rivalry that recently led McIntyre to lose the world heavyweight title at Wrestlemania.

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What Cody Rhodes said

“I think, correct me if I’m wrong, the last time I was here, I said I would like to bring this championship back to the United Kingdom. Well, we did it guys! You guys have been wonderful, I heard you earlier with the very beautiful ‘You deserve it’ chants.

“Please, let me echo the sentiments. Tonight, sold-out; Cardiff, sold-out; Belfast, sold-out; London, sold-out. If anybody deserves anything - I’m going to echo John Cena and say the United Kingdom deserves a Wrestlemania.”

What Drew McIntyre said

Responding to CM Punk chants: “You do know, even if he was healthy, which is never, he would never make a trip to the UK so don’t waste your breath on that idiot!”

Reacting to McIntyre chants after losing to Jey Uso: “Don’t start now, the damage is done Well, Birmingham, I hope you realise, when you go to bed tonight, what you’ve done. That’s why this country’s in the state it’s in right now because of actions like this. So you know what, screw you, I’m going to go back to America. Goodnight, Birmingham.”

Match results in full

Sami Zayn (C) defeated Finn Balor, Chad Gable and Gunther by pinfall - Fatal four-way match for the WWE Intercontinental Championship

Tegan Nox and Natalya defeated Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler by submission

Jey Uso defeated Drew McIntyre by pinfall

Damien Priest defeated Kofi Kingston by pinfall - For the WWE World Heavyweight Championship

Ricochet defeated JD McDonagh by pinfall

Becky Lynch defeated Piper Niven by submission

Cody Rodes (C) defeated Shinsuke Nakamura by pinfall - For the WWE Championship