The event included matches that resulted from scripted storylines. Results were predetermined by WWE's writers on the Raw brand,[5][6] while storylines were produced on WWE's weekly television show, Monday Night Raw.[7]
On the November 27, 2023 episode of Raw, Becky Lynch stated she had two fights on the horizon.[12] The following week, Nia Jax asked if one of the fights included her, to which Lynch confirmed, referencing when Jax legitimately broke Lynch's nose in 2018.[10] Over the next two weeks, Lynch appeared ready to face Jax, but Jax stated she would fight Lynch on her own terms, ultimately agreeing to face Lynch at Day 1.[3][11]
On December 29, 2023, WWE chief content officerTriple H released a post on X which brought attention to a rumor regarding an unspecified former WWE Champion appearing at Day 1. Triple H suggested fans should tune in to the event's broadcast, and refused to confirm or deny the rumor.[13]
A promo by Cody Rhodes was next. He addressed starting the year stuck on Shinsuke Nakamura “because this should be over,” with Rhodes challenging Nakamura to a match that night. Nakamura appeared on the TitanTron and told Rhodes his story would not end tonight, and that he wanted to give Rhodes one more week to dream.[14][15]
After that, The Miz hosted his talk show "Miz TV", featuring The Judgment Day as his guests. Instead, R-Truth came out and said he was trying to make the Judgment Day likable. JD McDonagh and Dominik Mysterio then appeared and challenged Miz and R-Truth to a tag team match. Miz executed the Skull Crushing Finale on McDonagh for the win.[14][15]
Next, ring announcerSamantha Irvin introduced the former WWE Champion that was previously rumored to appear. After a moment of anticipation, Jinder Mahal made his entrance, much to the dismay of the audience. He cut a negative promo about the United States and its inherent divisiveness and jingoism. This was proceeded by a surprise return by The Rock, who confronted and performed a Rock Bottom on Mahal. After the brawl, The Rock asked the audience if he should sit at "the head of the table", a reference to his cousin, Undisputed WWE Universal ChampionRoman Reigns.[14][15]
In the main event, Seth "Freakin" Rollins defended the World Heavyweight Championship against Drew McIntyre. Rollins went for a suicide dive but McIntyre caught Rollins and hit him with an overhead suplex. At one point, McIntyre went for the Claymore Kick, but Rollins countered it with a sit-out powerbomb for a nearfall. In the climax, Damian Priest appeared and attempted to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, but McIntyre performed a Claymore Kick on Priest and hit Mysterio with an overhead suplex. McIntyre performed a Claymore Kick on Rollins, who placed his foot on the bottom rope to void the pinfall at a two count. Rollins recovered and executed a Pedigree on McIntyre on the announce table. Rollins rolled McIntyre back into the ring and pinned him following a curb stomp to win the match and retain the World Heavyweight Championship.[14][15]
Aftermath
Following Day 1, Drew McIntyre earned a World Heavyweight Championship rematch against Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL after qualifying for the Elimination Chamber match at Elimination Chamber: Perth,[16] which he won by last eliminating Randy Orton.[17] On Night 2 of WrestleMania XL, McIntyre defeated Rollins to win the World Heavyweight Championship. After the match, McIntyre taunted special guest commentator CM Punk, who subsequently attacked McIntyre, allowing Damian Priest to cash in his Money in the Bank contract on McIntyre, ending his reign after only five minutes and forty-six seconds.[18]
The Rock made his next appearance on the February 2, 2024 episode of SmackDown, after Royal Rumble match winner Cody Rhodes announced that he would not challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania XL, implying The Rock would be Reigns' opponent instead.[19] This development drew backlash for disrupting the long-term storyline between Rhodes and Reigns.[20] During the following week's WrestleMania XL Kickoffmedia event, Rhodes announced he would face Reigns and was involved in a confrontation with The Rock, bringing up each other's families, leading to The Rock turning heel by slapping Rhodes in the face and joining The Bloodline, a stable led by Reigns.[21][22] On Night 1 of WrestleMania XL, Reigns and The Rock defeated Rhodes and Rollins in a tag team match, which meant the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match on Night 2 was held under Bloodline Rules.[23] The Rock interfered in the match by hitting John Cena with a Rock Bottom, before he was chokeslammed by The Undertaker. Rollins also appeared to help Rhodes defeat Reigns to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship.[18]
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