NEW DELHI: The Rock's return to SmackDown has set the WWE Universe abuzz, as he seemingly steps into the spotlight against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, leaving fans and insiders alike speculating on the sudden change in plans.
Contrary to initial impressions that this might have been a last-minute decision, recent reports suggest that The Rock's showdown with The Tribal Chief was not a spur-of-the-moment call. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, The Rock's in-ring return was part of a deal he signed when joining TKO's Board of Directors. Remarkably, only a select few were privy to this information, shedding light on the confusion surrounding Cody Rhodes' Royal Rumble win and subsequent lackluster follow-up.
"When [The Rock] made the deal on January 3 to come in, that was part of the deal," revealed Meltzer. "But, the belief was that it was Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, and nobody knew, but the deal had been made prior to that. It played out the way they wanted it to play out."
Meltzer highlighted the mystery surrounding Cody Rhodes' Royal Rumble victory, indicating that even within WWE, the decision seemed perplexing. The lack of information raises questions about whether key figures, including Triple H, were kept in the dark about The Rock's decision to return and feud with Roman Reigns.
Despite initial plans, the current trajectory for Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 is reportedly set to see him face Seth Rollins. This development marks a significant downgrade from Cody's original path, particularly after Roman Reigns targeted The American Nightmare in a scathing promo on SmackDown.
The WWE Universe's reaction to this shift has been overwhelmingly negative, with the hashtag #WeWantCody trending on social media over the weekend. Despite the backlash, The Rock's new merchandise collection is currently dominating WWE Shop sales, underscoring the immense popularity and marketability of the Hollywood megastar.
With fans anxiously awaiting further developments, the question looms – could Cody Rhodes still find his way into the highly anticipated clash between The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40? While the chances seem slim, the unpredictability of the WWE storyline keeps fans on the edge of their seats, eager to see how this unexpected twist unfolds.
(Inputs from agencies)
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, and live scores for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Find out how to watch IPL 2025 in Canada and the USA.The TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the ...
Read MoreThe TOI Sports Desk excels in a myriad of roles that capture the essence of live sporting events and deliver compelling content to readers worldwide.
From running live blogs for India and non-India cricket matches to global spectacles featuring Indian talents, like the Chess World Cup final featuring Praggnanandhaa and the Badminton World Championships semifinal featuring HS Prannoy, our live coverage extends to all mega sporting events. We extensively cover events like the Olympics, Asian Games, Cricket World Cups, FIFA World Cups, and more.
The desk is also adept at writing comprehensive match reports and insightful post-match commentary, complemented by stats-based articles that provide an in-depth analysis of player performances and team dynamics.
We track news wires for key stories, conduct exclusive player interviews in both text and video formats, and file content from print editions and reporters. We keep track of all viral stories, trending topics and produce our own copies on the subjects.
We deliver accurate, engaging, and up-to-the-minute sports content, round the clock.
Read Less
Start a Conversation
Post comment