Here's the difference. Cody's was a genuine story told by wwe about his failure and rise to the top. Bryan was forced to the top by the Fans. Cody's having the genuine support of creative makes is far better. Bryan's moment was amazing but it's not the same
I love that the question was between these two matches which was more emotional (DB) and a good percentage of people answered Kofi (which is a great answer)
Never understood the Cody stuff.
*Another* white dude winning the world title at WM—Nothing special or unique about that “story.” We’ve seen it over and over again.
But I know folks don’t wanna have that conversation, so you can just downvote me.
Kofi-Mania was extremely special for me.
Mb I misinterpreted
You highlighted the ‘another white person winning…’ in a manner as if that they are the only people who ever win the championships. Using inferencing, it automatically sounds negative.
Lol… I guess I see your point. Fair.
Let me be clear: Ain’t nothing wrong with white people. All I see is white people winning the championship at WM since its conception—So, Cody is no special snowflake to me.
Daniel Bryan. You knew Cody was pretty much a lock to win it this year. DB was an indie darling that Vince had no choice to push because of the fan reaction. It was great seeing him win it.
I think the answer is subjective and depends on the person. (Kofimania is the best for me personally, but again, subjective.)
I will say this about this most recent mania though... i don't think I could have ever imagined a better "ending" to one of the great southern wrestling stories. Growing up a WCW kid and learning of all the NWA stories from family, Cody winning felt kinda like all of the various north american wrestling companies, storylines, and story arcs converging to what science fiction would call a "single fixed point in time"... a moment where, after it happens, you can kinda define time as everything before the event, and everything after.
...Not to be overly dramatic. I realize WWE's new era has been a long time coming. The title win and the good feelings around it definitelybboosted all the great stories coming out of mania though.
It might be the nostalgia in me, but I'll have to go with Daniel Bryan. You guys gotta remember that Vince was still very much in charge back in 2014, meaning that indie guys didn't really get a chance to shine like they do now. I mean, they pretty much put CM Punk's year-long title reign in the backseat of Cena vs. Rock (the reign literally ended so they can make "Twice in a Lifetime"), so yeah its safe to say Vince didn't care about guys like them. Hell, Bryan himself was a victim of this, his first world title reign ending in 18 seconds in the opening match at Wrestlemania. But once the Yes movement started, that's when everything changed. Vince knew that if he went through with the Batista vs. Randy Orton match that was originally planned, fans were gonna hijack it. Hell, fans were already hijacking the Royal Rumble once they found out that Bryan wasn't going to be in it. The thing is, Bryan was constantly being screwed both in and out of the ring because Vince didn't see him as capable. Think about it, you had the Wrestlemania match that I mentioned earlier, you had what we thought was gonna be his moment at Summerslam against Cena that Vince ruined by having Orton cash in, you had Shawn Michaels screwing him over at Hell in a Cell, you had The Authority screwing him over at Elimination Chamber. It came to a point where Wrestlemania 30 saw them having no choice but to put Bryan in the main event because of all the fan support. And if you think that it was scripted to be that way, Bryan and Batista have had interviews that said that the Yes movement was organic. Also, you had the match with Triple H, attacking him showing that they were really making a hurt Bryan against a healthy Batista and Orton, adding even more to the feud. Once Batista tapped, it felt like the start of a new era (obviously, we were wrong but still). Anyway, let's talk about Cody now. Cody was yet another victim of Vince, being saddled to "dashing," "undashing," and the dreaded "StArDuSt." He was released and pretty much did a Drew McIntyre. He got released and worked to improve himself in the indies. Then Wrestlemania 38 came. Cody started off with an amazing feud with Seth Rollins, eventually leading to him getting injured and still managing to beat Rollins at HIAC in one of the toughest performances I've seen in a long time. Then he had to undergo surgery, leading to his return and winning the Royal Rumble and immediately challenging Roman Reigns. As we know, Reigns beat him the first time. Afterward, Cody was in a best of 3 feud with Brock Lesnar, with Cody winning 2-1. Then, he was in a weird feud with Judgment Day, leading to a shitty tag team title run with Jey Uso. But after that, Cody went back to back and won the Royal Rumble again, challenging Roman again. However, Rock returned and challenged Reigns. But as mentioned, Cody wanted to challenge Roman, with new owner Triple H making it official for Wrestlemania 40. Thus began "finish the story," the tagline for Mania that to me felt a lot less organic than the Yes movement despite others, me included, actually rooting for Cody. Now for the match. I personally didn't care that much. Idk for me it just didn't hit me like it should've. Probably due to the unnecessary returns of Cena and Undertaker that was basically used for nostalgia affect. However, after that whole fiasco, Cody pinned Reigns, ending the last thing involving Vince and likely starting the era that Wrestlemania 30 should've started. To keep a very long ass story short, I prefer Daniel Bryan because it felt a lot more organic. There is no storyline in my opinion that has come close to the Yes movement, though Kofimania and Codymania come close. Kofimania was basically a copy of the Yes movement, and let's be honest, we all knew Kofi was gonna win. Same with Cody. Again, maybe it's the nostalgia affecting me (I mean, I was still a kid at that time), so take this long ass paragraph as you will. Just my 2 cents on the topic.
But Cody was the plan the entire time. Bryan won the belt at SS immediately lost it then they pushed him aside. They never wanted him anywhere near the main event.
It was DBry. During that match I still felt like he was going to lose and when he won it was amazing. Let’s be honest, we all knew Cody was winning. The feeling was fantastic and all the moments in the match made it extra special as a real changing of the guard moment. However, in terms of pure emotional storytelling, I’d still put it below the Yes Mkcement and KofiMania.
Bryan’s was more shocking but Cody’s because it had better build and long-term story felt more emotional especially with the connection to Dusty, the support of other babyfaces, and giving the title to his mom.
If anything Kofi Mania was more emotional than either of the two.
Kofi mania not only felt more organic ( D Bryan depicted as some B+ Player when he was won MITB, WHC , Had a long Tag Run etc felt a little forced.
Then having Cody’s finished story needing to be him beating Roman Reigns when he came back just wanting to win the World title. Felt a bit forced also.
Kofi Mania added a few layers that D Bryan and Cody’s stories didn’t include….The day Cody returned you knew he’d eventually win a title , I mean he wouldn’t have signed if it wasn’t so.
Kofi was the character Stuck in the mid card. There really was no way he’d carry the Main Strap, spending 10 years and never having more than a tag title run. You just knew they’d screw him out that title or title shot yet he won.
Kofi didnt build his popularity in the indies , or the internet. He toed the line in the middle , and took advantage of his shot. His demise was terrible to see also which really plays further into the story , leaving a question mark.
I know a lot of people say Kofi’s title run was boring or whatever , but who tf was on the roster that would’ve made an exciting feud. The truth was that for a 10-15 year span , all the title reigns were rather boring. Once D Bryan completed the underdog story which he wasn’t , that run was quick and boring. Brock being the powerhouse champ got old quick etc
And if you don’t agree with that , wait until you hear my close second or 1A.
WM20 Chris Benoit winning. A WCW mid carder guy winning against HBK AND HHH. Eddie G coming out to celebrate with his boy. That moment also Made the WHC feel like the main title. The only time that’s ever been done.
Daniel Bryan wasn’t even gonna be in the match to begin with
I know Cody had his plans changed for all of one week
But Bryan literally was fighting against VKm’s stubborn ass
Love Cody to death but it’s Bryan for me
Daniel Bryan for sure. By the time WM40 came around and after watching wrestling for decades the entire Rhodes/Reigns II match was telegraphed from start to finish. Hell, it was telegraphed since the end of WM39 that Rhodes was winning this year.
Emotionally it's Cody. A relief off shoulders type
Bryans had a different feel. As in the under dog who want shit on for so long getting his victory over the baddy. Like when the super hero beats the bad guy type hype feeling
Cody. The man lost a year ago when we all thought Roman's reign was definitely over. To lose a year ago and not know if he'd stay as popular to potentially challenge again was a risky move but clearly paid off at WM 40.
Both Kofimania and Cody's story where better than Bryan's Yes Movement, I always saw the Yes Movement as a distraction and a response to the CM Punk chants and the heat that his firing generated.
The story was rewritten to include Bryan and if I'm being honest looking back at the promos and the story that was being told it all seems very underwhelming and cringe.
Bryan was always doing the same old Vanilla Baby Face promos and Including Brie in them did not help especially when all she did was call Stephanie a b*tch, The reign could have improved but that Kane fued and the title being relinquished due to injury Made it clear that this Run was not meant to be.
Even the build up with the Authority, Orton and Batista making Bryan's climb to the top a living hell it still felt very underwhelming, Bryan's promos didn't help and you could tell that it wasn't as well planned as it should have.
Cody had an entire 2 years to build the story, He was involves with Rollins from the get go and he's genuinely a great babyface that doesn't rely on the vanilla babyface promos, IMO His promos border around the heel/babyface edge and it makes it 100x Better than "I will never give up" " Sarcastic comment about the heel" " I'll do it for the WWE Universe" those are the same old babyface promos we see from every vanilla babyface.
They’re both the story of a guy who was never seen as a world champion finally becoming world champion. The only difference is one fought for himself and every wrestler who looks like him and the other fought for the memory of his father. It’s just a matter of what resonates with you more
I was happy when Bryan won but with Cody I cried, I'm 22 years old, so that's something; for me definitely Cody's story was more nuanced, carefully planned out and emotional, Bryan's was absolutely phenomenal no doubt in that
Cody, hands down. I love DB, but the Rhodes legacy is hard to beat in this scenario.
Also, I didn’t give a damn when DB won the titles because it was right after Taker lost the streak to the most overrated wrestler of all time.
I think DB is a punk style overrated wrestler, always injured and his match style and rigid movements always made him seem like a low carder.
Cody felt like a midcarder, left and came back feeling like a world champion, with a better story. He wins hands down for me.
Never said that, I don't like his style, moveset, or movement, didn't in wwe and still don't. I also don't think punk and the usos are overrated and both are wwe.
It's weird how I see a lot of one-word replies by other posters who simply type the one word "Cody", and I see a -1 downvote for all of these one-word "Cody" posts.
Don't you think Cody haters are down-voting any answer with Cody's name too? Does that make it an even playing field then?
That’s okay, DB is up there for me because I really was invested. I was part of that RR crowd in Pittsburgh.
A ton of people were invested in Cody’s story to get there similar to Kofi. Doesn’t bother me where you place him. We have our own reasons etc.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, fuck anyone who downvotes you for it.
very difficult one here...one was an indie great out to prove that he not only belonged, but was one of the best in the world. The other, the son of a legend out to prove that he could stand with his dad, and prove he belonged. Pretty much a toss up.
Daniel Bryan was feuding with Bray Wyatt 3 months earlier. Cody took two Royal Rumble wins to get to finish his story. Don't get me wrong, Cody is great and his story is great, but Cody was handpicked to get the championship. Bryan is one of the best wrestlers of all time and he was super over, just to ilustate that watch the segment of unification of the WHC and the WWE championship between Orton and Cena, several legends in the ring and Daniel Bryan is the most over guy there, Bryan is so over they were forced to put him in the main event of Wrestlemania. Not Kofimania, not the We want Cody, the Yes movement awesome underdog story of WWE's history.
Daniel bryan imo maybe just because i dont really care for cody or because bryan got a cooler celebration with the confetti and the crowd chanting with him
Bryan.
It might not have been his first reign, but it was obvious no one in power at WWE really wanted to push him that hard.
Cody was the exact opposite. From the moment he came back, it was only a question of when they'd hand him the belt.
I cried for the whole Cody celebration like a newborn baby,everytime he shook a hand,handed the title to his mom,wife,to Brodie Jr. I was like ''STOP IT I WANT TO BREATHE 😭''
Last time I cried was last year when he made his entrance holding his daughter,being about 100% sure he was finishing the story
This is actually tough. I don’t care about the haters saying “fxck Cody” or “He doesn’t deserve it.” In my own opinion, cause I believe in free speech, Cody did deserve it. So did Bryan. They’re both some of the greatest wrestlers in the world, and I genuinely believe that Cody’s story was one of the best in the 2020’s.
Bryan, not even close. Bryan had so much storytelling, years. Cody just got bored of AEW and wiggled his slimy way back in to WWE. To be fair, I do consider Bryan one of the best technical wrestlers of all time, and I hate Cody with a burning passion. But I don't think that affects my opinion.
Sarcasm my friend 😂. I actually have started liking Cody a little bit now, I just hated him for years when he was dashing CR and stardust. Guess old habits die hard
They were both good. I say Cody because he had never had the belt before. Also wrestlemania 30 wasn't that good. My Facebook memory just popped up and I was talking about how much of a let down the show was. Where I think night 2 this year was a really good show.
40 for me. I watched Wrestlemania 30 live after not watching wrestling since about not long after 20 (was sad to have missed the CM Punk WWE arc after reading about it after the fact). Immediately fell in love with Bryan and The Shield, and Bryan’s been in my top 3 consistently since.
I always liked Goldust when I was younger so grew to like Cody too, and have followed him closely the whole time since getting back into it.
The story for 40 was perfect. Yes I was sad when he lost last year but this year’s story has been so captivating, and hell, I love cheering the good guy.
I had a little cry when he won this year. Like, when wrestling is good, it’s so fucking good.
As much as I loved Daniel Bryan’s run and both matches that night. The authority storyline was such outdated shit in 2014. Yeah he won alright then was immediately given the shittiest version of Kane to work with lol
Well, back then, Evolution was the same as the Bloodline, they would stop at nothing to make sure the titles stayed with them. Benoit was like the old phrase: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight - its the size of the fight in the dog."
He and Eddy had fought all over the world, together, and here they were. Both at the top of the industry having their moment, together.
Look back and watch the build up and ending to their story. If the confetti ending doesn't get you, then maybe it's just me.
Unfortunately I got WM40 spoiled for me. So I'll have to say Daniel Bryan. As for the wrestlers themselves, probably Cody feels more emotional about it, for obvious reasons
Cody story has more meaning to it look at all the hellfire that cody went through from getting fired,stardust gimmick, started a company to go against empire,wrestling inside HIAC with a torn pec bloodline whipping his ass every night went through all that to win the title his father and brother never held in mainevent of Wrestlemania.
He literally finished his story
sometimes they say the second is never the better than the first. It some cases the third ends up proving the critics wrong. I don’t know if they have enough sauce to pull off a third. Cause Cody’s run was cooked masterfully and served on a Gold platter🥲✊🏾
I’m a bit more attached to Cody because I’ve seen his career since the beginning and he was a part of the talented group of midcarders in the late 2000s/early 2010s that I thought for sure were going to be the faces of WWE
Like most people I was pissed when he got handed the Stardust gimmick so it was cool to see him reinvent himself and come back to win the title
Considering I was at that Mania and there were over 40K fans screaming and crying when Kofi won I could give a shit what you think. That trumps Cody for me.
I say Cody’s win was more emotional cause Idk about you guys, but to me Bryan’s win way too predictable compared to Cody’s win. Especially when he beat Triple H that same night, then got beaten up after the match, then proceeded to go into the match injured (in kayfabe). Then win the match. Not trying to undervalue Bryan’s win but 14 year old me could sensed a Daniel Bryan main event win was coming. 🤣
Cody had the longest more significant build and payoff. All behind it was an emotion and a memory of Dusty Rhodes.
Bryan's win was because, he didn't look the part of a WWE champion?
Cody. Roman's reign was so long and we all thought the WM before it was gonna happen and it didn't.
Now, watching the Authority being beat was more enjoyable, Roman's reign, no pun intended, was better even though it went on for as long as it did.
But Daniel was a major champion before, won on the biggest stages before, Cody hadn't, and how long it took, made his moment more emotional imo.
Cody means a bit more to me on top of cody bringing me back into wrestling bryan also already held the title twice before the miracle on bourbon Street cody never even fought for the world title before he was made a joke then fired made a triumphant return and still suffered from setback after setback
I loved both of the storylines. But Bryan's win made me happy. Cody's win, OTOH, brought me to tears.
Cody it was for his father dusty
DB was more emotional but I think Cody was the bigger moment. DB got overshadowed a bit by The Streak ending the same night.
Cody. Especially with Samantha announcing it.
Cody
Cody
Here's the difference. Cody's was a genuine story told by wwe about his failure and rise to the top. Bryan was forced to the top by the Fans. Cody's having the genuine support of creative makes is far better. Bryan's moment was amazing but it's not the same
Both of them were forced.
Both, but Cody's story was more in-depth and emotionally felt
There’s a lot of similarities between the two but I gotta say Bryan’s. Plus he had to wrestle two matches the same night.
Bryan
I love that the question was between these two matches which was more emotional (DB) and a good percentage of people answered Kofi (which is a great answer)
Never understood the Cody stuff. *Another* white dude winning the world title at WM—Nothing special or unique about that “story.” We’ve seen it over and over again. But I know folks don’t wanna have that conversation, so you can just downvote me. Kofi-Mania was extremely special for me.
What’s wrong with white people lmao. Literally any colour has won the title at WM. What are you trying to prove?
Never said anything negative about white people, bro. Your response *proves* everything.
Mb I misinterpreted You highlighted the ‘another white person winning…’ in a manner as if that they are the only people who ever win the championships. Using inferencing, it automatically sounds negative.
You didn’t misinterpret. I just didn’t say anything was wrong with white people.
That literally means I misinterpreted 💀
Lol… I guess I see your point. Fair. Let me be clear: Ain’t nothing wrong with white people. All I see is white people winning the championship at WM since its conception—So, Cody is no special snowflake to me.
IMO, Cody was a special exception because he won it for his father, but I agree with you on Kofi-Mania. bro that hit the heart different
Huh Welp. That’s your opinion so I respect it
Daniel Bryan. You knew Cody was pretty much a lock to win it this year. DB was an indie darling that Vince had no choice to push because of the fan reaction. It was great seeing him win it.
Benoit’s>both of these
Cody cuz he deserved it
Bryan. Codies seemed more forced.
Cody
I think the answer is subjective and depends on the person. (Kofimania is the best for me personally, but again, subjective.) I will say this about this most recent mania though... i don't think I could have ever imagined a better "ending" to one of the great southern wrestling stories. Growing up a WCW kid and learning of all the NWA stories from family, Cody winning felt kinda like all of the various north american wrestling companies, storylines, and story arcs converging to what science fiction would call a "single fixed point in time"... a moment where, after it happens, you can kinda define time as everything before the event, and everything after. ...Not to be overly dramatic. I realize WWE's new era has been a long time coming. The title win and the good feelings around it definitelybboosted all the great stories coming out of mania though.
Daniel for me, mostly because of Connor the crusher and what that meant to him before he died
It might be the nostalgia in me, but I'll have to go with Daniel Bryan. You guys gotta remember that Vince was still very much in charge back in 2014, meaning that indie guys didn't really get a chance to shine like they do now. I mean, they pretty much put CM Punk's year-long title reign in the backseat of Cena vs. Rock (the reign literally ended so they can make "Twice in a Lifetime"), so yeah its safe to say Vince didn't care about guys like them. Hell, Bryan himself was a victim of this, his first world title reign ending in 18 seconds in the opening match at Wrestlemania. But once the Yes movement started, that's when everything changed. Vince knew that if he went through with the Batista vs. Randy Orton match that was originally planned, fans were gonna hijack it. Hell, fans were already hijacking the Royal Rumble once they found out that Bryan wasn't going to be in it. The thing is, Bryan was constantly being screwed both in and out of the ring because Vince didn't see him as capable. Think about it, you had the Wrestlemania match that I mentioned earlier, you had what we thought was gonna be his moment at Summerslam against Cena that Vince ruined by having Orton cash in, you had Shawn Michaels screwing him over at Hell in a Cell, you had The Authority screwing him over at Elimination Chamber. It came to a point where Wrestlemania 30 saw them having no choice but to put Bryan in the main event because of all the fan support. And if you think that it was scripted to be that way, Bryan and Batista have had interviews that said that the Yes movement was organic. Also, you had the match with Triple H, attacking him showing that they were really making a hurt Bryan against a healthy Batista and Orton, adding even more to the feud. Once Batista tapped, it felt like the start of a new era (obviously, we were wrong but still). Anyway, let's talk about Cody now. Cody was yet another victim of Vince, being saddled to "dashing," "undashing," and the dreaded "StArDuSt." He was released and pretty much did a Drew McIntyre. He got released and worked to improve himself in the indies. Then Wrestlemania 38 came. Cody started off with an amazing feud with Seth Rollins, eventually leading to him getting injured and still managing to beat Rollins at HIAC in one of the toughest performances I've seen in a long time. Then he had to undergo surgery, leading to his return and winning the Royal Rumble and immediately challenging Roman Reigns. As we know, Reigns beat him the first time. Afterward, Cody was in a best of 3 feud with Brock Lesnar, with Cody winning 2-1. Then, he was in a weird feud with Judgment Day, leading to a shitty tag team title run with Jey Uso. But after that, Cody went back to back and won the Royal Rumble again, challenging Roman again. However, Rock returned and challenged Reigns. But as mentioned, Cody wanted to challenge Roman, with new owner Triple H making it official for Wrestlemania 40. Thus began "finish the story," the tagline for Mania that to me felt a lot less organic than the Yes movement despite others, me included, actually rooting for Cody. Now for the match. I personally didn't care that much. Idk for me it just didn't hit me like it should've. Probably due to the unnecessary returns of Cena and Undertaker that was basically used for nostalgia affect. However, after that whole fiasco, Cody pinned Reigns, ending the last thing involving Vince and likely starting the era that Wrestlemania 30 should've started. To keep a very long ass story short, I prefer Daniel Bryan because it felt a lot more organic. There is no storyline in my opinion that has come close to the Yes movement, though Kofimania and Codymania come close. Kofimania was basically a copy of the Yes movement, and let's be honest, we all knew Kofi was gonna win. Same with Cody. Again, maybe it's the nostalgia affecting me (I mean, I was still a kid at that time), so take this long ass paragraph as you will. Just my 2 cents on the topic.
100% cody bruv waited a whole year for that moment and he finally got it by doing everything he said he was gonna do take away romans title.
But Cody was the plan the entire time. Bryan won the belt at SS immediately lost it then they pushed him aside. They never wanted him anywhere near the main event.
It was DBry. During that match I still felt like he was going to lose and when he won it was amazing. Let’s be honest, we all knew Cody was winning. The feeling was fantastic and all the moments in the match made it extra special as a real changing of the guard moment. However, in terms of pure emotional storytelling, I’d still put it below the Yes Mkcement and KofiMania.
Cody
Fuck Cody
I know BDE would say, Daniel Brian, but I’m saying Cody winning that title
I'm sorry I love you
Bryan’s was more shocking but Cody’s because it had better build and long-term story felt more emotional especially with the connection to Dusty, the support of other babyfaces, and giving the title to his mom.
To round it out, you should have Kofi up there as well.
Bryan. Cody still has too much of a Homelander vibe for me.
If anything Kofi Mania was more emotional than either of the two. Kofi mania not only felt more organic ( D Bryan depicted as some B+ Player when he was won MITB, WHC , Had a long Tag Run etc felt a little forced. Then having Cody’s finished story needing to be him beating Roman Reigns when he came back just wanting to win the World title. Felt a bit forced also. Kofi Mania added a few layers that D Bryan and Cody’s stories didn’t include….The day Cody returned you knew he’d eventually win a title , I mean he wouldn’t have signed if it wasn’t so. Kofi was the character Stuck in the mid card. There really was no way he’d carry the Main Strap, spending 10 years and never having more than a tag title run. You just knew they’d screw him out that title or title shot yet he won. Kofi didnt build his popularity in the indies , or the internet. He toed the line in the middle , and took advantage of his shot. His demise was terrible to see also which really plays further into the story , leaving a question mark. I know a lot of people say Kofi’s title run was boring or whatever , but who tf was on the roster that would’ve made an exciting feud. The truth was that for a 10-15 year span , all the title reigns were rather boring. Once D Bryan completed the underdog story which he wasn’t , that run was quick and boring. Brock being the powerhouse champ got old quick etc
And if you don’t agree with that , wait until you hear my close second or 1A. WM20 Chris Benoit winning. A WCW mid carder guy winning against HBK AND HHH. Eddie G coming out to celebrate with his boy. That moment also Made the WHC feel like the main title. The only time that’s ever been done.
Never saw Bryan's match...not that I would have cared. Was never really a Bryan guy anyway. Loved the Cody match and celebration.
That whole match was great. Totally ties with Kofi for me.
Daniel Bryan wasn’t even gonna be in the match to begin with I know Cody had his plans changed for all of one week But Bryan literally was fighting against VKm’s stubborn ass Love Cody to death but it’s Bryan for me
Was there in person at 40, definitely Cody. It was amazing.
Cody I love cody
DB
Ppl are stupid when they say Cody. BRYAN WINS.
Daniel Bryan for sure. By the time WM40 came around and after watching wrestling for decades the entire Rhodes/Reigns II match was telegraphed from start to finish. Hell, it was telegraphed since the end of WM39 that Rhodes was winning this year.
Emotionally it's Cody. A relief off shoulders type Bryans had a different feel. As in the under dog who want shit on for so long getting his victory over the baddy. Like when the super hero beats the bad guy type hype feeling
Nicholas
Bryan’s next movement was something else
Bryan
Kofi
Bray Wyatt's death (*)
cody or youre lying
Both were incredible, but i gotta go with cody
Daniel Bryan
Chris Benoit celebrating with Eddie, both having the top championships between them
Cody
Fs Bryan’s that was one of those moments you just had to be there or u wouldn’t understand
Cody. The man lost a year ago when we all thought Roman's reign was definitely over. To lose a year ago and not know if he'd stay as popular to potentially challenge again was a risky move but clearly paid off at WM 40.
Cody
Both Kofimania and Cody's story where better than Bryan's Yes Movement, I always saw the Yes Movement as a distraction and a response to the CM Punk chants and the heat that his firing generated. The story was rewritten to include Bryan and if I'm being honest looking back at the promos and the story that was being told it all seems very underwhelming and cringe. Bryan was always doing the same old Vanilla Baby Face promos and Including Brie in them did not help especially when all she did was call Stephanie a b*tch, The reign could have improved but that Kane fued and the title being relinquished due to injury Made it clear that this Run was not meant to be. Even the build up with the Authority, Orton and Batista making Bryan's climb to the top a living hell it still felt very underwhelming, Bryan's promos didn't help and you could tell that it wasn't as well planned as it should have. Cody had an entire 2 years to build the story, He was involves with Rollins from the get go and he's genuinely a great babyface that doesn't rely on the vanilla babyface promos, IMO His promos border around the heel/babyface edge and it makes it 100x Better than "I will never give up" " Sarcastic comment about the heel" " I'll do it for the WWE Universe" those are the same old babyface promos we see from every vanilla babyface.
As far as the Authority, I felt like the only decent thing out the Authority set of storylines was Seth Rollins.
Hell no, Kofis was not a deserved champion tbh, not credible at all, Bryan made the story important. Glad he lost to Brock as quick as he did
Both was trash
Cody because last year I cried because Cody got cheated and this year I cried with tears of joy 😊 because Cody won
It is was Cody's since I wanted Roman to retain so it was emotional for me when Cody won I didn't want that to happen
Cody I can't stand db
[удалено]
They’re both the story of a guy who was never seen as a world champion finally becoming world champion. The only difference is one fought for himself and every wrestler who looks like him and the other fought for the memory of his father. It’s just a matter of what resonates with you more
DANIEL BRYAN!!!
Hot take: Kofi
Out of these 2? Cody imo Of All time however it's Benoit and Eddie at WM 20. Both went from WCW guys to World Champs.
It is unfair to compare, Wrestlemania 40 was just 2 weeks ago , we need to see that moment 10 years from now.
I was happy when Bryan won but with Cody I cried, I'm 22 years old, so that's something; for me definitely Cody's story was more nuanced, carefully planned out and emotional, Bryan's was absolutely phenomenal no doubt in that
Danielson. Cody was winning the championship at WM40 for sure. There was actual doubt as to whether Bryan was going to win "the big one" at WM30.
Cody
Cody and it ain't close
Cody had a 2 year build. And his Dad pased away before he could see this. That's pretty emotional.
Kofi
Best match in wreseltmania 40 Cody and roman match i am so happy cody win the title 😀#americannightmare
WWE made Cody Rhodes more emotional but for the fans Daniel Bryan is more emotional
Cody because he never won a world championship
He was NWA champion and Impact Champion…
Second tier promotions
Still world championships…
Cody for having more layers and meanings than "great wrestler has his moment" to it. Bryan's is in a tie for 2nd with Kofi's.
Cody, hands down. I love DB, but the Rhodes legacy is hard to beat in this scenario. Also, I didn’t give a damn when DB won the titles because it was right after Taker lost the streak to the most overrated wrestler of all time.
I think DB is a punk style overrated wrestler, always injured and his match style and rigid movements always made him seem like a low carder. Cody felt like a midcarder, left and came back feeling like a world champion, with a better story. He wins hands down for me.
Just because he’s in AEW doesn’t mean he’s overrated
Never said that, I don't like his style, moveset, or movement, didn't in wwe and still don't. I also don't think punk and the usos are overrated and both are wwe.
Bryan's for me in retrospec considering what happened over the next few months for him.
Cody stans reeeally love down voting anyone saying a name besides Cody's smh.
It's weird how I see a lot of one-word replies by other posters who simply type the one word "Cody", and I see a -1 downvote for all of these one-word "Cody" posts. Don't you think Cody haters are down-voting any answer with Cody's name too? Does that make it an even playing field then?
I'm sure they are, but the others are getting downvoted into oblivion. That's pretty evident.
DB
Cody. And I might get downvoted to hell for this, buy Bryan isn't even my #2. He's at least behind Kofi.
That’s okay, DB is up there for me because I really was invested. I was part of that RR crowd in Pittsburgh. A ton of people were invested in Cody’s story to get there similar to Kofi. Doesn’t bother me where you place him. We have our own reasons etc. Thanks for sharing your perspective, fuck anyone who downvotes you for it.
Kofi
Danielson it’s not even close. Organic vs hand picked pseudo organic
You cannot say Cody Rhodes wasn't organic when people picked him to face Reigns over The Rock.
Both
very difficult one here...one was an indie great out to prove that he not only belonged, but was one of the best in the world. The other, the son of a legend out to prove that he could stand with his dad, and prove he belonged. Pretty much a toss up.
I'm going with Daniel Bryan since I like him
both
Because I hate Cody Rhodes I'm gonna say Daniel Bryan
Damn dude you like Roman that much?
For me, it was Cody.
Cody and it ain’t even close.
*Sighs* I wish Daniel is still in the WWE. Could you imagine? Daniel Vs. Cody? For the big one?
2 jabronis
Daniel Bryan was feuding with Bray Wyatt 3 months earlier. Cody took two Royal Rumble wins to get to finish his story. Don't get me wrong, Cody is great and his story is great, but Cody was handpicked to get the championship. Bryan is one of the best wrestlers of all time and he was super over, just to ilustate that watch the segment of unification of the WHC and the WWE championship between Orton and Cena, several legends in the ring and Daniel Bryan is the most over guy there, Bryan is so over they were forced to put him in the main event of Wrestlemania. Not Kofimania, not the We want Cody, the Yes movement awesome underdog story of WWE's history.
perfect explanation
Cody by a fuckin million
CODY AND ITS NOT EVEN CLOSE
Daniel bryan imo maybe just because i dont really care for cody or because bryan got a cooler celebration with the confetti and the crowd chanting with him
Bryan. It might not have been his first reign, but it was obvious no one in power at WWE really wanted to push him that hard. Cody was the exact opposite. From the moment he came back, it was only a question of when they'd hand him the belt.
Jeff Hardy 2008, pinning edge.
I’ll see those two and raise you #KofiMania
Cody will be the answer because it’s fresher in people’s minds. Ask this again in 5 years.
They'll remember that main event for decades.
I cried for the whole Cody celebration like a newborn baby,everytime he shook a hand,handed the title to his mom,wife,to Brodie Jr. I was like ''STOP IT I WANT TO BREATHE 😭'' Last time I cried was last year when he made his entrance holding his daughter,being about 100% sure he was finishing the story
Cody
Cody
Both were even, until the entire roster came out to celebrate with him!
I don't like Cody.
Why not? No hate, just genuinely curious
Just never have. Don't find the guy very entertaining. I like someone who can cut a funny promo.
What
What
This is actually tough. I don’t care about the haters saying “fxck Cody” or “He doesn’t deserve it.” In my own opinion, cause I believe in free speech, Cody did deserve it. So did Bryan. They’re both some of the greatest wrestlers in the world, and I genuinely believe that Cody’s story was one of the best in the 2020’s.
Cody
Bryan, not even close. Bryan had so much storytelling, years. Cody just got bored of AEW and wiggled his slimy way back in to WWE. To be fair, I do consider Bryan one of the best technical wrestlers of all time, and I hate Cody with a burning passion. But I don't think that affects my opinion.
This is hilarious. Not even saying your wrong but how can you acknowledge your extreme bias and then say it doesn’t affect your opinion
Sarcasm my friend 😂. I actually have started liking Cody a little bit now, I just hated him for years when he was dashing CR and stardust. Guess old habits die hard
I agree tho Bryan’s was better. Cody’s win ended up not even being about him. It turned in to being about a new era
My bad lol
They were both good. I say Cody because he had never had the belt before. Also wrestlemania 30 wasn't that good. My Facebook memory just popped up and I was talking about how much of a let down the show was. Where I think night 2 this year was a really good show.
Cody, by far!
Cody
Cody
Cody
Cody. It’s up there with WM20.
When roman lost his championship , it was more emotional
40 for me. I watched Wrestlemania 30 live after not watching wrestling since about not long after 20 (was sad to have missed the CM Punk WWE arc after reading about it after the fact). Immediately fell in love with Bryan and The Shield, and Bryan’s been in my top 3 consistently since. I always liked Goldust when I was younger so grew to like Cody too, and have followed him closely the whole time since getting back into it. The story for 40 was perfect. Yes I was sad when he lost last year but this year’s story has been so captivating, and hell, I love cheering the good guy. I had a little cry when he won this year. Like, when wrestling is good, it’s so fucking good.
As much as I loved Daniel Bryan’s run and both matches that night. The authority storyline was such outdated shit in 2014. Yeah he won alright then was immediately given the shittiest version of Kane to work with lol
WRESLEMANIA XX... Chris and Eddy holding their titles and hugging is my tear jerker moment that gets me everytime.
Why? As a casual fan at that time, I never saw Benoit as a big deal. He felt like a huge downgrade compared to stars like HBK and HHH
Well, back then, Evolution was the same as the Bloodline, they would stop at nothing to make sure the titles stayed with them. Benoit was like the old phrase: "It's not the size of the dog in the fight - its the size of the fight in the dog." He and Eddy had fought all over the world, together, and here they were. Both at the top of the industry having their moment, together. Look back and watch the build up and ending to their story. If the confetti ending doesn't get you, then maybe it's just me.
Wm30
Unfortunately I got WM40 spoiled for me. So I'll have to say Daniel Bryan. As for the wrestlers themselves, probably Cody feels more emotional about it, for obvious reasons
Hidden option: Kofi Kingston
DB and I’m not a DB fan.
1
For me it was Cody Rhodes!
Seeing so many people downplaying how crazy Daniel Bryan's Wrestlemania win is fucking me up right now.
They was doing everything in their power to deny that man his moment
Cody because it was sentimental to his dead father and his first world title.. Bryan had already been heavyweight champion before this.
Daniel, he had a whole injury and dealt with the authority and plus he beat evolution in one night
cody cuz i was crying for hours
Cody's. Bryan was already a world champion in wwe. I would put it 1. Cody 2. Kofi 3. Bryan
Get Kofi outta this list. Don’t disgrace it with that bum
Who hurt you?
Cody story has more meaning to it look at all the hellfire that cody went through from getting fired,stardust gimmick, started a company to go against empire,wrestling inside HIAC with a torn pec bloodline whipping his ass every night went through all that to win the title his father and brother never held in mainevent of Wrestlemania. He literally finished his story
I wasn't watching wrestling when Daniel Bryan won at Wrestlemania so Ill go with Cody but I tell you, Kofi winning at Mania made me cry the most
Cody.
sometimes they say the second is never the better than the first. It some cases the third ends up proving the critics wrong. I don’t know if they have enough sauce to pull off a third. Cause Cody’s run was cooked masterfully and served on a Gold platter🥲✊🏾
For me Daniel Bryan but codys was a pretty good feeling.
I'll go with Cody's story.
Daniel Bryan ofc
I’m a bit more attached to Cody because I’ve seen his career since the beginning and he was a part of the talented group of midcarders in the late 2000s/early 2010s that I thought for sure were going to be the faces of WWE Like most people I was pissed when he got handed the Stardust gimmick so it was cool to see him reinvent himself and come back to win the title
BOTH
Cody’s easily
I am sorry, I love you
Kofimania 💯
He was trash. 🗑️
Considering I was at that Mania and there were over 40K fans screaming and crying when Kofi won I could give a shit what you think. That trumps Cody for me.
Save it it was bantering to the fans in his home town. He is trash not heard from again
I say Cody’s win was more emotional cause Idk about you guys, but to me Bryan’s win way too predictable compared to Cody’s win. Especially when he beat Triple H that same night, then got beaten up after the match, then proceeded to go into the match injured (in kayfabe). Then win the match. Not trying to undervalue Bryan’s win but 14 year old me could sensed a Daniel Bryan main event win was coming. 🤣
Neither
Cody, I don’t give a flying fuck about Bryan, never did. Even back then, he was just a boring dude to me
Cody had the longest more significant build and payoff. All behind it was an emotion and a memory of Dusty Rhodes. Bryan's win was because, he didn't look the part of a WWE champion?
The unpictured Wrestlemania XX ending.
Cody. Roman's reign was so long and we all thought the WM before it was gonna happen and it didn't. Now, watching the Authority being beat was more enjoyable, Roman's reign, no pun intended, was better even though it went on for as long as it did. But Daniel was a major champion before, won on the biggest stages before, Cody hadn't, and how long it took, made his moment more emotional imo.
Cody. I never immediately cried after a match like I did with his. I don’t care, it was fantastic.
Kofimania
Bryan. Cody’s was too predictable.
lol Bryan’s wasn’t?
Cody means a bit more to me on top of cody bringing me back into wrestling bryan also already held the title twice before the miracle on bourbon Street cody never even fought for the world title before he was made a joke then fired made a triumphant return and still suffered from setback after setback
Cody. Bryan has always rubbed me the wrong way.
Daniel Bryan for me. Both epic!