Damian Priest Captures WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40

Damian Priest shocked the wrestling world at WrestleMania 40 by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract and defeating Drew McIntyre to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Priest, a rising star in WWE, has now cemented himself as one of the company's top players.

The title victory came with some controversy, as CM Punk interfered in the match to help Priest secure the win over McIntyre. This has led to speculation about a potential angle between Punk and McIntyre in the coming weeks. Veteran commentator Jim Cornette expressed concern over how WWE has portrayed Priest's character since winning the championship, arguing he should be presented more seriously as the top champion.

Despite the criticism, many see Priest's title reign as a significant moment in his career. Former WCW booker Kevin Sullivan, who previously worked with Priest in Ring of Honor, believes WWE is just scratching the surface of Priest's true potential. Sullivan praised Priest's in-ring intelligence, personality, and work ethic, predicting that Priest will one day main-event WrestleMania.

Why this matters: Damian Priest's World Heavyweight Championship victory marks a major milestone for the rising star and solidifies his position as one of WWE's top talents. How WWE books Priest as champion in the coming months will be crucial in establishing his legacy and the credibility of the title.

Priest is set to defend his newly won championship against Jey Uso at WWE Backlash on May 4th. Uso earned the title shot by winning a Fatal 4-Way match on Raw. The high-stakes match will be a major test for Priest as he looks to prove himself as a fighting champion.

The events of WrestleMania 40 have undoubtedly altered the landscape of WWE, with Damian Priest now sitting atop the mountain as World Heavyweight Champion. While some have questioned WWE's presentation of Priest thus far, the company appears committed to establishing him as a top star, as evidenced by his recent contract extension. As Priest prepares to defend his title against Jey Uso at WWE Backlash, the wrestling world will be watching closely to see if "The Archer of Infamy" can cement his spot as the face of WWE.

Key Takeaways

• Damian Priest won WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 40.
• CM Punk's interference led to speculation of a potential angle with Drew McIntyre.
• Veteran commentator Jim Cornette criticized WWE's portrayal of Priest as champion.
• Former WCW booker Kevin Sullivan praised Priest's potential to main-event WrestleMania.
• Priest will defend his title against Jey Uso at WWE Backlash on May 4th.