In the lead-up to WrestleMania 40, the WWE landscape has been dynamically altered with the return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to the squared circle. Originally anticipated to feature a showdown between Roman Reigns and The Rock, plans have pivoted towards an unexpected tag team match involving The Rock, Seth Rollins, Reigns, and Cody Rhodes. While this development has injected an extra dose of excitement into the WrestleMania buildup, it has also stirred up controversy and raised questions about the event’s main attractions.
Initially, WrestleMania 40 was poised to center around a highly anticipated rematch between Reigns and Rhodes. The narrative was simple yet compelling: Rhodes, seeking redemption after being unjustly stripped of the title by Reigns and The Bloodline, earned his shot at retribution by winning the men’s Royal Rumble for the second consecutive year. However, the addition of The Rock and Rollins to the mix has shifted the spotlight away from this pivotal storyline, prompting fans and pundits alike to question the necessity of their involvement.
One of the primary concerns surrounding The Rock’s inclusion in the WrestleMania 40 main event is the potential dilution of the event’s true focus. With the tag team match now occupying center stage, there’s a risk that the significance of the Reigns vs. Rhodes rematch could be overshadowed. This shift in attention may not only diminish the impact of the main event but also detract from the emotional resonance of Rhodes’ quest for redemption.
Moreover, the presence of The Rock and Rollins in the tag team match raises concerns about the potential overshadowing of championship matches at WrestleMania 40. The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship bouts, which should be the pinnacle of the event, could find themselves playing second fiddle to the star power and spectacle of the tag team encounter. This could undermine the prestige and importance of these title matches, which deserve to be the focal point of WrestleMania.
Another pressing issue is the heightened risk of injuries to key competitors participating in multiple high-profile matches over WrestleMania weekend. With Reigns, Rhodes, and Rollins set to compete twice in back-to-back nights, the physical toll and pressure to deliver standout performances increase significantly. Any potential injuries sustained during the tag team match could have serious ramifications for the subsequent championship matches on Night 2 of WrestleMania, potentially derailing months of storyline buildup and impacting the overall quality of the event.
Furthermore, the outcome of the tag team match poses a dilemma for WWE in terms of protecting the momentum and credibility of the superstars involved. A defeat for any of the competitors ahead of their respective championship matches on Night 2 could diminish their standing within the company and weaken the impact of their subsequent performances. This raises questions about the booking decisions and the long-term implications for the characters and storylines involved.
While The Rock’s return to WWE has undoubtedly added excitement to WrestleMania 40, it has also generated controversy and raised legitimate concerns about the event’s main attractions. As the anticipation builds for the Grandest Stage of Them All, WWE must carefully navigate the inclusion of The Rock and Rollins in the main event to ensure that it enhances rather than detracts from the overall experience for fans and competitors alike.