WrestleMania 31: Seth Rollins becomes WWE World Heavyweight Champion

Seth Rollins stunned the planet at WrestleMania by becoming WWE World Heavyweight Champion.

The Architect cashed in his Money in the Bank contract midway through the title tussle between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns on Sunday, ensuring the contest became a Triple Threat.

And Rollins prevailed when he clocked former Shield stablemate Reigns with a Curb Stomp, moments after The Juggernaut had floored Lesnar with a spear inside Levi’s Stadium in California.

The Authority favourite, the first man to utilise his Money in the Bank agreement at WrestleMania, had earlier been beaten by Randy Orton in a grudge match, but bounced back in style to pocket the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for the first time.

Rollins’ insertion into the main event in Santa Clara came after Lesnar had dominated a large portion of his singles encounter with Reigns, who had beaten Daniel Bryan at the Fastlane event in February to earn his ‘Mania match.

Lesnar pummelled the Floridian with ample German suplexes and F5s, as well as punches and a devastating clothesline, but found himself unable to pin Reigns in front of over 76,000 fans.

The Beast Incarnate, however, appeared on the verge of defeat before Rollins arrived when Reigns began to turn the tide and administered three Superman punches and two Spears.

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But it was neither Reigns nor Lesnar who left WrestleMania’s showpiece encounter with the gold, as Rollins, who had clutched his Money in the Bank briefcase since winning it from under Dean Ambrose’s nose in June, struck the decisive blow.

The Aerialist’s victory, as well as Big Show’s triumph during the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal on WrestleMania Kick-Off, were bright spots on a mixed evening for The Authority’s head honchos, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

Triple H bested Sting in a contest most memorable for D-Generation X Superstars Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, and X-Pac helping The Game; nWo stalwarts Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash aiding The Vigilante; and both competitors shaking hands once the match had finished.

However, The Cerebral Assassin and his wife were later interrupted by The Rock and UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey while they explained how all of WWE’s success was down to them.

Triple H and McMahon became increasingly irate at their unwanted guests and that led to The Rock pummelling the former and Rousey grabbing the latter’s arm and threatening to carry out severe damage.

The Game and The Billion Dollar Princess emerged relatively unscathed but potential Triple H versus The Rock and McMahon against Rousey bouts now look a lot more likely.

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