The Rock’s recent stint in WWE leading up to WrestleMania 40 sparked significant buzz as he was rumored to face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship. However, plans evolved, and Cody Rhodes ultimately won the title at WrestleMania 40. Recent reports provide insight into the initial intentions for The Rock’s involvement and how it would impact the broader WWE narrative.
The Rock’s Potential Title Reign
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there were discussions about The Rock winning the championship from Roman Reigns, only to vacate it shortly after due to his Hollywood commitments. This would allow him to maintain his status as “The People’s Champion,” even without the title, as he returned to the movie industry. The proposed storyline involved The Rock stepping into the Reigns-Rhodes feud, potentially altering the course of WrestleMania 40.
While the original plan was for Cody Rhodes to win the Royal Rumble and eventually claim the championship, the idea of The Rock dethroning Reigns was considered. This scenario involved an injury angle, leading to Rock’s title shot and subsequent relinquishment of the belt. The concept was that The Rock would claim the championship, thus breaking Reigns’ historic title reign, but would vacate it due to his Hollywood obligations.
Debate Over the Impact on Cody Rhodes’ Title Victory
Despite the buzz surrounding The Rock’s possible involvement, many within WWE were concerned about the impact this storyline would have on Cody Rhodes’ eventual title win. The fear was that if The Rock won the title from Reigns and then vacated it, it could undermine Rhodes’ eventual victory, as the focus would be on The Rock’s short reign rather than Rhodes’ long-term success.
Those in favor of The Rock’s storyline argued it would add significant star power to WrestleMania 40 and create a unique moment in WWE history. However, others believed that Rhodes needed to be the one to break Reigns’ reign to establish himself as the new face of WWE in 2024 and 2025.
Ultimately, it was decided that Rhodes would defeat Reigns and claim the Undisputed WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, setting the stage for his role in carrying the company forward. The decision to go with Rhodes’ victory emphasized WWE’s commitment to building new stars and ensuring the company’s long-term success.
The Rock’s Return and Future WWE Plans
Ringside News corroborated these reports, indicating that WWE seriously considered The Rock defeating Reigns at WrestleMania 40. The idea originated from The Rock’s camp, though it’s unclear if it came from The Rock himself, his agent Brad Slater, or former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz.
The Rock’s potential return to WWE was fueled by a decline in his Hollywood career and an attempt to reestablish his influence within the wrestling world. Despite the controversies surrounding his WrestleMania 40 involvement, rumors suggest that The Rock’s return for WrestleMania 41 could still be on the table, leaving fans curious about WWE’s future plans for The Great One.
As WWE continues to build toward future events, the ongoing storyline surrounding Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and The Rock will likely remain a focal point. While plans may change, The Rock’s potential involvement continues to generate excitement and speculation among WWE fans.