Cody Rhodes made sure that a fan who won a WWE contest got prizes from the company, ten years after the promotion didn’t deliver the goods.
Last month, a Twitter user by the name of Danny marked a whole decade since winning a Tribute to the Troops Holiday giveaway in January 2014. Danny was supposed to receive an event-themed T-shirt and a dog tag set, but never received either of these prizes.
Just realized this week marks 10 full years since I won @WWE’s Tribute to the Troops Holiday Giveaway.
They still haven’t sent me my Tribute to the Troops dog tag set.
They think I’ve forgotten. They think the issue has just gone away. They’re wrong. I will not stay silent. pic.twitter.com/WuiDgPUJE4
Danny’s story caught the attention of Cody Rhodes, who told the fan to check his DMs. This week, Danny gave a positive update on his situation, revealing that Rhodes had sent him a T-Shirt, cap, and ‘American Nightmare’ belt. Danny was thrilled to receive the prizes and finish the story and now hopes to see Rhodes finish his at WrestleMania 40.
How funny it all arrived today…
Apparently the Tribute to the Troops dog tags aren’t a thing anymore (SAD!), but Cody still came through.
At WWE live events, Cody has been competing in Extreme Rules matches and has been gifting pieces of a broken table to those in the crowd. After the final live Raw of 2023, Rhodes went even further and gifted a Christmas Tree to a fan. Speaking of the Holidays, Rhodes made one young fan’s season extra special by sending a signed Cody Rhodes authentic weight belt.
Triple H was present for Cody’s decision at the WrestleMania 40 kick-off press conference. Taking to Twitter, the WWE’s Chief Content Officer made it clear that the decision has been made.
WWE U.S Champion Logan Paul had backed Cody Rhodes in the run-up to the press conference. On social media, Paul shared a video of his reaction to Cody’s decision and The Rock slapping him.
Cody’s fellow AEW alum Amanda Huber spoke highly of Rhodes and is excited to see him finish the story in April.
If you want to know the type of man @CodyRhodes (and @WWEBigE )is, he drove 5+ hours the day after Christmas to be in the room with me to tell Brodie Jon was going to pass.
He held him as he cried. Then he took him to the beach and filed kites.
TNA Wrestling’s Nic Nemeth used some political satire to explain what’s going on with the Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns/The Rock dynamic.
What an insane press conference! Biden appears to be in trouble, not just polling-wise. And quickly forcing an outsider to take his place for 2024, would appear to jump Kamala, (who’s polling even lower than biden)
With Cody Rhodes not challenging for the World Heavyweight Championship, Drew McIntyre is pleased that his quest to win the gold became all that much clearer.
WrestleMania 40 will take over Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 6th and 7th. This year’s Mania event will be a massive one, and they set the stage in Las Vegas.
Seth Rollins came out after Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley had time to speak. Becky Lynch also interrupted Ripley to make it known that she wants to face Mami at Mania.
Rollins didn’t want to waste any time, so he invited Cody Rhodes out. However, Roman Reigns made his way out to the stage instead. As Rollins looked at his former Shield brother, the Tribal Chief raised his title for the T-Mobile Arena crowd.
Seth took a shot at Roman for showing up to work for once, but the Head of the Table wanted to talk about Cody Rhodes. Then Roman Reigns said that Cody didn’t make his decision, so he’s choosing The Rock.
The Rock Makes His Presence Known
Suddenly, The Rock made his way out to add even more star power to the situation. The Rock asked the crowd if they think Roman Reigns will beat him at WrestleMania, and there was a mixed response. Then he asked the same question with himself as the winner to the same mixed reaction.
When The Rock asked if fans think his match with Roman Reigns will be the biggest in WWE history, fans were not happy about that either. After Dwayne Johnson said that he loves the fans’ passion, fans stopped him with “We want Cody” and “Cody sucks” chants.
Johnson got even more boos when he introduced the world to the “Cody crybabies.” Then The Rock started getting tons of “what” chants as he introduced an image of the Bloodline family tree. He also said it doesn’t matter what fans think if they don’t believe that the Bloodline is the best family in pro wrestling.
Cody Rhodes Makes His Announcement
The Rock vs Roman Reigns was then hyped for WrestleMania as fans booed the announcement. Suddenly, Cody Rhodes came out and said, “this right here is bullsh*t.” He didn’t like how The Rock and Reigns were calling the shots, because Cody reminded them that he won the Royal Rumble.
Cody said he made his decision, and he will wrestle Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40. Fans chanted as Reigns said that Cody must be crazy or stupid. He told Cody to go to the #2’s with Seth Rollins. He also said nobody cares about him finishing the story. Reigns said that Cody is irrelevant, just like his father.
Triple H, Nick Aldis, and Adam Pearce came out for backup as tensions raised. Cody told Roman that his grandfather would be ashamed of him if he was here. Then The Rock told Cody, “let me make something perfectly clear to you, when you talk about his family, you’re talking about my family.” It seems that The Rock wasn’t happy with Cody, and they suddenly had a problem.
The Rock slapped Cody across the face, and they needed to be broken up. Seth Rollins also had to be taken off the stage, but he said “I don’t give a sh*t if you’re on the board, you can’t do whatever you want,” as he left.
Now, it appears that Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns is going to happen at WrestleMania, but the story is far from over. Later on, Triple H was interviewed backstage when The Rock walked by, who said, “you’ve got to fix this, let him talk sh*t about our family again, you’ve got to fix this.”
Just this week, a tenured member of the creative team told me, “We have not been told of any change. That doesn’t mean the plan hasn’t changed. Or won’t change. Or this is all a plan anyway. It just means we’re not being told.”
SE Scoops will have continued coverage of the road to WrestleMania. It will likely be a wild ride. Keep checking back for even more updates.
I keep asking about #TheRock's #WrestleMania? plans possibly changing, because that's all fans want at this point.
Last night, a tenured member of the creative team told me straight up: "We have not been told of any change. That doesn't mean the plan hasn't changed. Or won't…
The Rock is in Las Vegas for the WrestleMania kickoff press conference, and fans can’t wait to see what goes down. As #WeWantCody intensifies, it is evident that The Rock’s return to WWE wasn’t a last-minute decision. He also had quite a promo to cut on fans who do not want to see him taking Cody Rhodes’s spot at WrestleMania 40.
Cody won two Royal Rumble matches in a row, and it appeared that he was calling his shot to face Roman Reigns again this year. Then, The Rock returned to re-start a dormant dream match idea, one that he wanted to pull the trigger on this year at WrestleMania. In the meantime, Cody has now said that he landed on a decision for WrestleMania.
The Rock realizes that fans are not happy about this, as he’s noticed his inbox and his mentions on social media. The trends are unavoidable, and WWE fans are blowing up social media with their opinions about this match. It doesn’t seem like The Rock cares, and he’s playing up the heel character.
During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, The Rock called upset fans “Cody crybabies.” Then he mocked “grown ass men” complaining that Cody can’t finish his story. He did so while taking on a baby voice.
The Great One then made it clear that there are three types of people in this situation, but those Cody crybabies definitely took up a majority of his focus.
“At the end of the day, you’ve got the Cody crybabies, you’ve got the Cody fans, and you’ve got Cody himself. And there’s a clear distinction between the three. But, The Rock says this those Cody crybabies who ever 10 tweets they’re shoving a chicken McNugget in their mouth, for every 20 tweets they’re shoving two McNuggets up their ass, The Rock says this: all you’ve gotta do is sit back, shut your mouth, and enjoy the ride The Rock is gonn take your candy asses on. So hashtag that.”
When The Rock Called His WrestleMania 40 Shot
After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.
A tenured member of the creative team later told me, “We have not been told of any change. That doesn’t mean the plan hasn’t changed. Or won’t change. Or this is all a plan anyway. It just means we’re not being told.”
I keep asking about #TheRock's #WrestleMania? plans possibly changing, because that's all fans want at this point.
Last night, a tenured member of the creative team told me straight up: "We have not been told of any change. That doesn't mean the plan hasn't changed. Or won't…
Dwayne Johnson is the only man who can change WWE’s WrestleMania booking plan. He promised that the WrestleMania press conference at the T-Mobile Arena will be historic. Only time will tell exactly how it all pans out in the end, but that “Cody crybabies” line isn’t going to win him many fans.
It appears that The Rock doesn’t care about being a heel. The Rock’s character exists in the first place because he let loose and really started to cut promos on fans. That Cody crybabies line is one that might come up on this road to WrestleMania, as The Rock urges fans to #ShutYourMouth.
WWE’s WrestleMania press conference in Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena tonight will be quite a show. SE Scoops will have coverage of the event.
Cody Rhodes won the 2023 and 2024 Royal Rumble event. He took on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, and while it was thought that he would face Reigns again this year, The Rock stepped into the picture in a big way. All this time, Cody has yet to make a decision about his WrestleMania match.
Cody Makes A Decision
Cody Rhodes posted on his Instagram story to reveal that he has made his big WrestleMania decision. Of course, the choice is whether he will face Seth Rollins or Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
“I’ve made my decision.”
@AmericanNightmareCody
WWE WrestleMania Press Conference In Las Vegas
WWE has a big press conference event scheduled for tonight at 7:00 PM EST. The show will go down in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena, a location that proves how long the company has had these plans in the works.
“They had booked T-Mobile for Thursday with The Rock long ago, like someone there mentioned it in passing. It was, ‘it’s not like you can get T-Mobile Arena four days in advance for something that we’re changing.’ This thing was booked way in advance. This thing was, you know when I mentioned January 3rd, to make a date and have an agreement on January 3rd, there was pretty much an understanding well before that. They kept that one quiet. However it plays out, whatever it is, it’s working.”
Current Status Of WrestleMania 40 Main Event
In case you’re wondering, WWE has not changed their idea about The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. The idea was floated out there by Dave Meltzer that WWE may have Roman Reigns wrestle The Rock on one night and then Cody Rhodes on another night of WrestleMania. I am awaiting confirmation to see whether that option was ever on the table.
I was explicitly told that The Rock acting as a special referee or WWE booking a triple threat match was never on the table for serious consideration. We will have to see what direction they go, but fans should be ready for a wild ride regardless.
WWE fans all over are talking about the WrestleMania main event. The Rock returned to presumably take Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns, and people aren’t happy. Trends started as the WWE Universe is crying for Cody Rhodes to get his spot back, but odds are the match won’t change. If you ask LA Knight, he couldn’t care less.
LA Knight drew a ton of attention in 2023, and he sold a lot of merchandise as well. It’s WrestleMania season, and he is concentrated on securing a good match on the showcase of the immortals. That concentration doesn’t allow him to focus on other people’s matters.
LA Knight Speaks On WrestleMania Main Event
Knight said on Wes and Walker that it doesn’t matter to him who is in the WrestleMania main event match. He’s not in that match, and he is focused on his role at the show of shows, and making the biggest impression he can.
It’s always exciting to have someone like The Rock come back, and fans are engaged. The more eyes that The Rock brings in only means that they will also see Knight in whatever match he lands on the show of shows.
“Doesn’t really make a difference to me. Doesn’t affect me. I’m not involved in it, I don’t care. If any one of them ends up coming out as WWE Champion, then that’s the guy I’m aiming for. Is it always cool to have a guy like The Rock come in? Sure it is. Now you have a major movie star, a major star just in the world. A pop culture icon, you could say. To bring that in, you’re bringing in brand name recognition to where it might bring in extra eyes from the outside who might not otherwise be there.
If that’s the case, okay, I’m not arguing against that. It means more eyes on me, more eyes on SmackDown, more eyes on everything. In that regard, it’s not a bad thing. Some people are going to look down on it, some people aren’t. It’s not for everybody, but that’s the beauty of what we do, there is a little something for everybody. At the end of the day, in my regard, it really doesn’t make much difference to me. If Cody ends up being the champion, Roman Reigns is the champion, The Rock is champion, I’m still gunning for each and every one on them.”
WWE’s Plan for LA Knight at WrestleMania 40
LA Knight does not have a match announced for WrestleMania 40 yet. There are several ways to go with him, and I can confirm that a title match has been one of those ideas. That doesn’t guarantee him a spot in a secondary title match, because there are a lot of options for him.
I was told by a tenured member of the creative team that there are “a lot of matches are being discussed for Mania, that’s one idea, but there are many more, too.” The important part is getting on the showcase of the immortals in the first place, which is something LA Knight aims to accomplish.
WWE has a massive WrestleMania kickoff press conference scheduled for Las Vegas tonight. The event starts at 7:00 PM EST, and we will have full coverage of the show at SE Scoops. Perhaps, LA Knight will be around to jumpstart his own road to WrestleMania 40.
The ‘We Want Cody’ movement has taken hold of WWE’s merchandise department, with the American Nightmare proving to be the promotion’s top seller.
Since returning to WWE, Rhodes has consistently been among WWE’s top merchandise sellers, both at live events and online. In the face of The Rock’s return, Cody has once again come out on top when it comes to merchandise.
Wrestle Features reports that on February 7, Rhodes merchandise made up five of the ten best-selling items on WWEShop.com. Not only does Rhodes have half the field covered, but American Nightmare merchandise holds the top three spots for best-selling merchandise.
The top selling t-shirts on WWE Shop (Feb 7): 1: Cody Rhodes (Claim Your Kingdom, Men's) 2: Cody (Claim Your Kingdom, Women's) 3: Cody (Claim Your Kingdom, Youth) 4: Drew McIntyre (Tombstone) 5: CM Punk (Return) 6: CM Punk (2011 Classic) 7: Jey Uso (Yeet) 8: Cody (Camo Skull) 9:… pic.twitter.com/pddncRkhs6
WWE WrestleMania 40 will take place on April 6, and April 7, from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA. The show will be WWE’s fifth two-night WrestleMania, a format that began during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What has Cody Rhodes had to say about the ‘We Want Cody’ movement…
Fans may be a bit upset about The Rock showing up to take Cody Rhodes’ match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. The match is not set yet, but it appears that things will get locked down in Las Vegas on Thursday. Dwayne Johnson already made the flight, and he’s there.
The Rock Arrives in Las Vegas
The Rock travels in style, and he made it to Vegas a day before his big WrestleMania kickoff event at the T-Mobile arena. He seemed ready for whatever waits for him at the event.
WWE dropped a video of The Rock arriving in Las Vegas to hype the WrestleMania kickoff show event. Obviously, they want a spotlight on The People’s Champion.
The People’s Champion has arrived in Las Vegas! @TheRock is ready for an iconic face-off with @WWERomanReigns tomorrow at the #WrestleMania XL Kickoff live from @TMobileArena.
I previously reported that The Rock called his shot for this WrestleMania match on January 1st when he showed up for the Day 1 episode of RAW. His Head of the Table comment was heard loud and clear.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that WWE actually booked the T-Mobile Arena far in advance. This event wasn’t a late addition to anyone’s schedule.
“They had booked T-Mobile for Thursday with The Rock long ago, like someone there mentioned it in passing. It was, ‘it’s not like you can get T-Mobile Arena four days in advance for something that we’re changing.’ This thing was booked way in advance. This thing was, you know when I mentioned January 3rd, to make a date and have an agreement on January 3rd, there was pretty much an understanding well before that. They kept that one quiet. However it plays out, whatever it is, it’s working.”
Chances of The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 Booking Changing
There has been a ton of negative fan reaction since The Rock’s return. WWE has issued no internal word or memo about how to handle that discontent from fans.
To add a bit to Fightful's report about how WWE is preparing for negative reactions to The Rock.
I was told that "No official plans or memos or directives" have been passed down about how to handle this situation.
When I asked if any of this fan backlash will change these prospective WrestleMania plans, I was told, “there’s no chance in hell.”
After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.
I keep asking about #TheRock's #WrestleMania? plans possibly changing, because that's all fans want at this point.
Last night, a tenured member of the creative team told me straight up: "We have not been told of any change. That doesn't mean the plan hasn't changed. Or won't…
I checked once again, just to make sure that everything was in line. I was told that if there are any changes, then they’re being kept very close to the vest. By all appearance, Roman Reigns vs The Rock is happening.
What happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, but tomorrow’s event at the T-Mobile Arena will certainly help shape WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia on April 6th and 7th. SE Scoops will have more updates as they are made known.
The Rock made his return to WWE during the Day 1 episode of WWE RAW. He called his shot to face Roman Reigns at that time, and that WrestleMania dream match is now set, but it is also a nightmare for some. Ironically, most fans would rather see The American Nightmare instead of Rocky.
WWE’s Reactions To The Rock’s Reception
It was reported on Fightful Select that there is no official mandate on how to handle the anti-Rock sentiment in the fan base right now. At this time, they are taking it on a case-by-case kind of thing, but it is also interesting to note how they handle this situation.
The Rock’s daughter, Ava, is the General Manager on NXT, and the company decided to mute fan reactions when she was on screen. Just her presence brought boos from the NXT Arena crowd.
There was no official mandate on how to handle anti-Rock reactions. It was taken on a case by case basis with the lead producer making the calls. The crowd chants were muted for Ava Raine.
I was also able to confirm that there is no plan in place, memo, or official directive about how WWE will handle negative reactions about The Rock. They are apparently playing this situation by ear.
To add a bit to Fightful's report about how WWE is preparing for negative reactions to The Rock.
I was told that "No official plans or memos or directives" have been passed down about how to handle this situation.
Fans may be very upset at The Rock right now, and they are flooding his mentions on social media. That will not alter their plan, because Dwayne Johnson has been booed before.
The Rock’s $30 million deal to take a seat on the company’s Board of Directors was also connected with this match. I was explicitly told that only one thing can change the company’s direction, and that is The Rock changing his mind.
Last night, a tenured member of the creative team told me straight up: “We have not been told of any change. That doesn’t mean the plan hasn’t changed. Or won’t change. Or this is all a plan anyway. It just means we’re not being told.”
I keep asking about #TheRock's #WrestleMania? plans possibly changing, because that's all fans want at this point.
Last night, a tenured member of the creative team told me straight up: "We have not been told of any change. That doesn't mean the plan hasn't changed. Or won't…
The Rock returned to WWE and took Cody Rhodes’ spot at WrestleMania. WWE is in the middle of a booming period right now, and there is a mindset out there that they simply don’t need him right now.
Seth Rollins Shoots on The Rock
This morning, Seth Rollins appeared on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football show to discuss the WWE WrestleMania 40 situation. He certainly had a lot to say.
It was confirmed that The Rock replaced Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, where he is set to face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. While it’s not 100% confirmed, there’s speculation that Rhodes might challenge Rollins for the World Heavyweight Title at the event.
During the interview, Rollins mentioned that while they acknowledge The Rock’s presence, WWE doesn’t necessarily rely on him, given the company’s consistent profitability.
Rollins expressed his thoughts on The Rock potentially joining the WrestleMania excitement. Rollins acknowledged WWE’s current success, mentioning sold-out arenas and recent major deals with networks like USA and Netflix. He stated that if The Rock wants to be part of this momentum and join him at WrestleMania, he understands. Rollins emphasized his respect for The Rock’s achievements both in and out of WWE but reminded that The Rock would be riding alongside him in this venture.
“Look at the numbers. Look at who’s been on Monday Night Raw for the last ten years more than anybody. It’s me. I get the credit, not him. So he can come in, he can get what he wants. He can take his little piece, and then he can go back to Hollywood and do this thing because we got this thing. We don’t need you. We love to have you, but we don’t need you, big guy.”
What’s Next For The Rock
Roman Reigns vs The Rock is set, and the only thing that could change it at this point is if Dwayne Johnson decides against the match. He’s been booed before, and he doesn’t mind the reaction as long as fans are engaged.
WWE has a WrestleMania kickoff event slated for Las Vegas on Thursday. SE Scoops will have full coverage of the event, no matter what happens.
WWE plans to make Cody Rhodes out as a martyr with this new WrestleMania storyline. “We Want Cody” signs were handed out to the live crowd, but the fact is that the company didn’t expect fans to chant that Rocky sucks.
Rocky Sucks Chants in 2024
Seth Rollins even made a note that he didn’t expect to hear a “Rocky Sucks” chant. Michael Cole made a reference on commentary about how it feels like we’re in 1996. This was a big surprise for those backstage as well, and WWE wasn’t really ready for it.
Wrestle Votes reports that the “Rocky Sucks” chants that occurred last night on RAW caught certain individuals by surprise.
Although the storyline regarding this “viral reaction” was embraced last night, that aspect of it was unforeseen.
I am told the “Rocky Sucks” chants that took place last night on RAW totally threw certain people off. While this “viral reaction” story was leaned into last night, that part of it was something unexpected.
I am told the “Rocky Sucks” chants that took place last night on RAW totally threw certain people off.
While this “viral reaction” story was leaned into last night, that part of it was something unexpected.
Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura squared off in the main event of RAW in a bull rope match. They used the same historic rope that Dusty Rhodes used. It was quite a moment in the ring, but fans still chanted “Rocky Sucks” during the match, one which Cody won. Then Drew McIntyre jumped him right afterward to continue his story.
The St. Louis, MO crowd chanting “Rocky Sucks” during the Cody v Nakamura main event on #WWERAW tonight:
When inquiring whether the company is aware of the fan backlash, it was indeed confirmed. It has become impossible to overlook, given that publications like USA Today, TMZ, and others have already published headlines about fans expressing dissatisfaction with The Rock replacing Cody Rhodes on the showcase of the immortals.
More Reactions After The Rock’s Return
WWE fans have not been shy about voicing their displeasure in seeing The Rock come back to take Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania spot. They also filled the arena with boos this week during RAW in St. Louis when a clip was played of the Great One’s return.
The live crowd in St. Louis, MO booing The Rock during the video package airing tonight:#WWERAW
Many celebrities have commented on the matter, including George Kittle who suggested that they make The Rock a special referee in a Cody vs Roman Reigns match instead. That is not happening, but Triple H noticed the tweet from the NFL player super fan.
Dave Meltzer reported that they agreed on a deal on January 3rd for WrestleMania. Also, The Rock taking a board seat for TKO was a part of the whole thing. The Rock received $30 million in TKO stock with this deal.
It was also made very clear to me that this WrestleMania match is not changing. After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.
The Rock is set to be in Las Vegas on Thursday for the WrestleMania kickoff show, and fans can’t wait to see what goes down. As #WeWantCody intensifies, it is evident that The Rock’s return to WWE wasn’t a last-minute decision.
WWE’s Booking For The Rock Wasn’t Last Minute
Cody Rhodes has not officially lost his WrestleMania slot to The Rock yet, but that is expected. As we previously reported, The Rock is 100% wrestling Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that WWE actually booked the T-Mobile Arena far in advance. This event wasn’t a late addition to anyone’s schedule.
“They had booked T-Mobile for Thursday with The Rock long ago, like someone there mentioned it in passing. It was, ‘it’s not like you can get T-Mobile Arena four days in advance for something that we’re changing.’ This thing was booked way in advance. This thing was, you know when I mentioned January 3rd, to make a date and have an agreement on January 3rd, there was pretty much an understanding well before that. They kept that one quiet. However it plays out, whatever it is, it’s working.”
It was also noted that “it’s business,” and that is the idea. The Rock, although he is upsetting some fans by his mere presence on the card, is set to have this match against Roman Reigns, and that has been the plan for a while.
When The Rock Called His WrestleMania 40 Shot
When I asked if any of this fan backlash will change these prospective WrestleMania plans, I was told, “there’s no chance in hell.”
After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.
Taking to Twitter after this week’s Raw in St. Louis, Rhodes shared his appreciation for the passion shown by the fans at the show. Rhodes also urged fans to trust him as questions remain over what’s to come.
“Though not yet official, it appears The Rock & Roman Reigns are on a collision course perhaps at WrestleMania. [The Rock’s] appearance sparked controversy. Will this match become official? We're going to find out Thursday."
On this week’s Raw, WWE acknowledged the ‘We Want Cody’ movement. Fans also chanted ‘Rocky Sucks’ which prompted Michael Cole to question if we’d traveled back to 1996.
George Kittle’s WrestleMania Solution
During a Super Bowl opening night event, Kittle was asked about the situation revolving Cody Rhodes and the backlash WWE has faced. Kittle, a known wrestling fan, was excited to talk about the situation.
“We’re starting off hot and I love it. That is the question I have been wanting, ooh! So, it’s funny to see everything online, and everybody talking about ‘We Want Cody’ or it’s Roman [Reigns] and The Rock. You know what? I’m a huge Cody Rhodes fan. I like Roman Reigns. The Rock, hey! He coined the term the People’s Tight-End so I’m indebted to The Rock. Huge fan of him.”
Kittle then suggested an idea he’d seen shared by others which would allow for The Rock and Reigns to share the ring, and grant Cody his deserved rematch with the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion.
“I saw this online. Roman shows up, signs the contract. Cody’s on the other side [and] The Rock referees. Wouldn’t that be fun and special? Let’s make it fun and interesting. Now that was not my idea.”
Triple H Reacts
George Kittle isn’t the first person to suggest a solution that could see Cody Rhodes indeed finish his story against Roman Reigns this April. In a tweet, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H was impressed by what Kittle had to say.
Cody Rhodes got emotional acknowledging the outpouring fan support he’s been receiving since last Friday after this week’s episode of Raw went off air.
The American Nightmare defeated Shinsuke Nakamura in a bull rope match in the main event of the Red Branded Show. After the win, however, he was attacked by Drew McIntyre and the broadcast ended with the Scottish Psychopath standing tall.
Drew stayed in the ring after the show ended until Sami Zayn made the save for Cody. After McIntyre retreated, Zayn spoke to Cody and put over the fan support for the son of Dusty Rhodes:
“You told me you hadn’t been looking on your phone so you might not be aware of this but a lot of people have been talking about you this week. Look man, a lot of people have a lot of opinions and a lot of guys back there probably have a lot they’re gonna say to you, but the truth is it doesn’t matter what they have to say to you.
It doesn’t even matter what I think I have to say to you. What matters is what they have to say to you. And I’m pretty sure they’ve got three words for you that I’ve been hearing all week online. Three words that I’ve heard when you guys were walking into the building. Three words that you kept screaming before the show even started. Cody, I think these people have three words for you… [crowd chanting We Want Cody].”
Cody Rhodes Gets Emotional
The former AEW star then addressed the crowd himself. Cody Rhodes mentioned how the unprecedented support of fans has made him an emotional mess and said that it’s all he has wanted since he was a little boy:
“They’re freaking out right now cause I’m bleeding. So I gotta definitely go get it looked at but those three words…well all I can say is this – since I was a little boy who grew up loving everything. For you to want me is special because I have always wanted you. I love you guys so much. I’m sorry I’m an emotional mess.
Please, let’s hear it for the man who came in and just saved my ass, Sami Zayn. It’s been a wonderful night, a long night. I hope all of you come back the next time WWE is here in St. Louis. This crew has done an incredible job. Samatha has done an incredible job. I love you guys all very much. Have a great night, drive safe, be safe. We love you. Good Night.”
WWE heavily leaned into the fan reaction to the SmackDown segment featuring the Rock on Raw this week. However, they used it to sell the upcoming WrestleMania press conference and fans will have to tune in on Thursday to hopefully get some answers about Cody’s future.
PW Insider reported to confirm that The Rock will wrestle at WrestleMania 40. He will take on Roman Reigns as well.
It was reported that, “multiple sources have noted that The Rock is 100% performing in the ring at WrestleMania 40. That is a done deal and, as we noted on Saturday, likely something that was contractually locked in as one of the milestones Rock would be involved in as part of his TKO Board of Directors deal. We were told there is ‘no scenario’ where Rock is not wrestling Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, unless something unforeseen happens, like an injury.”
We previously reported that The Rock’s WrestleMania match was also a part of him taking a seat on TKO Group Holdings’ Board of Directors.
Previous Report About The Rock and WrestleMania
As I previously reported, I asked around about this situation with The Rock. I was told that this is a complete “power play” on Dwayne Johnson’s behalf. Upon asking if this situation is like when he tried to muscle his way into the DC Cinematic Universe with Black Adam, I was told that is a “great analogy.”
So much has gone down in the last 18 hours.
I was told that Seth vs Cody was booked when Punk was injured. A triple threat match with Roman v Rock vs Cody was “never on the table.”
Regarding The Rock, the word for replacing Cody was “a power play.” I was told “It's so heavy”…
When asking if the fan backlash is noticed within the company, that was also confirmed. It’s impossible to ignore at this point, as USA Today, TMZ and more have already run headlines about how fans are upset about The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot on the show of shows.
I followed up after Johnson broke a report saying that WWE is monitoring the situation and things could change with Rock vs Roman.
Yes. WWE realizes that they are in a hole that they need to dig themselves out of.
After asking if any of this fan backlash will change these prospective WrestleMania plans, I was told, “there’s no chance in hell.”
After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.
Rock vs Roman is locked in, but I was told over the weekend that creative has been working on the rest of the Mania card.
Just enjoy the show, even if you think it should be Cody instead of The Rock.
Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes is the new match, something that was booked after CM Punk was taken out of action with an injury during the Rumble match. Now, fans have a much different WrestleMania 40 ahead, and they have yet to warm up to the idea.
WWE Fans Are Not Happy
Fans voiced their displeasure after The Rock returned on SmackDown. They want to see Cody Rhodes finish his story.
WWE fans are very upset about this booking. They hijacked the opening segment of WWE RAW this week with “Rocky Sucks” chants.
“We Want Cody” signs were also handed out in the crowd to add to the drama. No matter how much WWE tries to turn the American Nightmare into a martyr, he isn’t getting that Mania main event against Roman Reigns from The Rock.
The ‘We Want Cody’ movement was in full swing during this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw.
The February 5, 2024, episode of Raw was the first following Cody Rhodes’ decision to step aside and allow The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 instead. This booking has been met with backlash from fans, who believe that Cody’s story should be finished at WrestleMania by dethroning Reigns as Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Despite being considered the ‘People’s Champion’, the fans have turned on The Rock, with the video of his return being WWE’s most disliked video.
In photos shared online, fans displayed signs making it clear that they wanted to see Cody Rhodes challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. It has been reported that these signs were handed out to fans. While it has been speculated online, there is no hard evidence that these signs were created by WWE.
We Want Cody signs at this week’s WWE Monday Night Raw.
The Rock is Booed Yet Again
While The Rock didn’t appear on this week’s Raw, the crowd in St. Louis made their feelings known on the People’s Champion. During the show, a video was played hyping the Great One’s return on last week’s SmackDown. That video was booed by the crowd in St. Louis, a far cry from the response The Rock usually receives.
Seth Rollins opened up WWE RAW this week, and he commented on how big his pop was. Then he mentioned SmackDown and said that he smells what’s cooking. This received a lot of boos from the crowd, and then Rollins said, “I think it sounds like you guys want Cody.”
Rollins said that he wants Cody too, and then fans booed the idea of that WrestleMania match instead of Rhodes vs Reigns. When Cody asked, “what do we wanna talk about?” The St. Louis crowd chanted, “Rocky sucks” and “We Want Cody.” This was followed by even more “Rocky sucks” chants.
Rollins admitted he didn’t expect to hear that chant. Michael Cole asked if it’s 1996 on commentary.’ There were also tons of “We Want Cody” signs in the crowd, which were handed out.
Then, Rollins pressed Cody once again to accept the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania. He wanted to know he’s better than he was when they faced off before.
Seth Rollins asked Cody if he’s going to fight him at WrestleMania, and the fans booed. Suddenly, Drew McIntyre came out to insert himself into the situation. He begged Cody to finish his story, and the fans agreed.
Rollins told McIntyre that he wouldn’t get a match against him for the title, because he’s beat him twice. Then Drew reminded Seth that Cody already beat him three times.
The segment ended with McIntyre nailing a headbutt on Rollins, and then Cody knocked Drew out of the ring. The WrestleMania match with Cody vs Seth was not officially booked, but fans certainly let WWE know how they felt about The Rock.
What Would It Take To Change Roman Reigns vs The Rock at WrestleMania
As previously reported, the match between The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania is confirmed. Despite any fan opinions, The Rock insisted on this contest, and it’s set to proceed as planned.
Due to CM Punk’s injury, WWE adjusted the lineup, resulting in Seth Rollins facing Cody Rhodes instead. The possibility of a triple threat match involving Cody, Rock, and Roman was never considered.
Additional information confirms that the current arrangement is unlikely to change unless The Rock withdraws. This decision has been under The Rock’s control since January 1st, when he first asserted his authority on the Day 1 episode of RAW.
SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story as more information breaks. The Rock is one of the biggest names in entertainment, but that doesn’t seem to sway WWE fans who were set on seeing Cody Rhodes finish his story.
WrestleMania. The Showcase of the Immortals. The Superbowl of Wrestling. The Show of Shows. The Grandest Stage of Them All. The Biggest Sports Entertainment Show of The Year.
If there is one thing that WWE has been consistent about the last 4 decades, it’s selling the story of WrestleMania. With the constant hammering of the importance of the show, they have made it a legend in and of itself.
This legend has reached a point where attending the event is a bucket list item for any wrestling fan and competing on the show is a dream that every aspiring wrestler holds in his heart while entering the squared circle for the first time.
It’s hardly a surprise that Main Eventing WrestleMania is the highest honor in all of Sports Entertainment. The fact that names such as Harley Race, Dusty Rhodes, Eddie Guerrero, Goldberg, and CM Punk have never been in one only shows that it takes the combination of all four – skill, popularity, timing, and luck for a superstar to reach this pinnacle.
Considering all these factors, it’s hardly a surprise that The Rock, someone who has experienced the phenomenon 5 times in his career before, can’t resist the urge to do it one last time before he calls it a career. The big question, however, is if it’s the right time for it?
The Rock vs. Roman Reigns – A Match Made In Heaven?
The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is a WrestleMania Main Event. The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is THE WrestleMania Main Event. There is no arguing this point.
With almost 400 million followers on Instagram, The Great One is far ahead in terms of popularity and global recognition than the next 9 WWE superstars combined. As John Cena likes to say, The Rock is in a whole other universe of his own.
This is not to say that Roman Reigns is any less. ‘The Big Dog’ already possessed all the tools that he needed to become one of the greatest performers when WWE strapped the rocket to his back in the aftermath of The Shield’s breakup.
Since the start of The Tribal Chief era, however, Reigns has shown that he is also proficient in using all these tools together. The work that Roman has put into his character is something that aspiring wrestlers will be studying for a long time to come, to learn what it truly means to achieve a larger-than-life status.
With everything these two individuals have achieved in their respective careers, the impact of a collision between them will be impossible to replicate. It’s almost impossible to argue why this match shouldn’t Main Event a WrestleMania, but that’s the keyword -almost.
Cody Rhodes – An X Factor
Cody Rhodes has proven he’s ready to be the face of WWE and take on all the responsibilities that entails
If there is one thing fans have made clear in the aftermath of the events of Friday, it’s that they will not be giving in to this booking decision so easily, if at all.
But why?
There are many who are confused about the reaction of the fans. After all, The Rock vs Roman Reigns IS the bigger match.
It’s the match that will make the most buzz. It’s the match that will make the most headlines. It’s the match that will make the most money.
Cody Rhodes’ story is not about beating Roman Reigns and even then, he can face Roman anytime down the line, but a match like The Rock vs Roman Reigns only happens…. once in a lifetime.
So why fans are insisting that it should happen this year? Well, it’s because WWE told us so.
If you look at the same time last year, people had many different ideas about who should end Roman Reigns’ undefeated streak. From Seth Rollins to Drew McIntyre and from Sami Zayn to Jey Uso, every contender had a group of fans rooting for them and giving good reasons why their chosen name should be the one that gets the glory.
All this changed however on April 3, 2023.
It was the night after Cody Rhodes’ disheartening defeat at the hands of The Head of The Table the day prior. All the scenarios, all the possibilities that fans had envisioned for the end of Roman’s streak had been used up and for the first time in many months, they had no idea what to expect from this unprecedented run next.
This changed when Cody Rhodes showed up on RAW. While he had worked the whole year to get to Mania 39 and then failed, Rhodes proclaimed that he was not giving up the chase. And WWE let him do so.
While the two stars went on a different path from there, the American Nightmare never lost sight of his bigger goal. From that moment on, the stories of these superstars intertwined in a way that finishing the story became the synonym to ending Roman’s streak.
Match after match, promo after promo, and show after show, Cody worked hard to rebuild the momentum he had lost. And every time he poured his heart into this effort, one more fan bought into his story.
From that moment on, to Royal Rumble this past week, there had been nobody else who fans had in sight to end Roman’s undefeated streak and they had been patiently waiting for the time to come, until plans changed.
The Big Mistake
WWE’s big mistake isn’t booking The Rock vs Roman Reigns, it’s shunning Cody Rhodes on the way to it.
For a whole year and even longer than that, people have bought into the story that Cody is the one. That all the complaints about Roman’s reign have been null, that we are being prepared for a story with as epic of an ending as has been its run.
And now they have gone ahead and changed it.
Hello darkness, my old friend…
It’s important to understand here that people are NOT against a match between Roman Reigns and The Rock. If anything, I’d love to see this showdown and all that it will bring, just not at the expense of the only full-time talent in this mix.
This moment, THIS MATCH, is the one that belongs to Cody.
It’s not so much about making the biggest WrestleMania headline. It’s much more about the people who bought tickets to a house show in a lesser-known city 5 months ago. Who went there not expecting Roman Reigns, or The Rock. They were there to see Cody Rhodes. Now once again, they want to see Cody Rhodes.
What’s next?
Will Cody Rhodes regret his decision?
It’s not like WWE doesn’t know what happens when you test people’s patience beyond the limit. From the Yes Moment! to KofiMania, fans have shown that once the line is crossed, they are willing to go to great lengths to make the company realize their mistake.
Yes, The Rock vs Roman Reigns is still the bigger money match, but the new WWE management now has to decide whether they are willing to trade in the trust of their fans for it.
It wasn’t long ago that pictures of half-empty WWE arenas were a common occurrence, and they were willing to try the most ridiculous of ideas to stop the ratings from falling even further next week – all because they had lost the trust of the fans.
Yes, The Rock is the biggest star on the planet, but if the last few years have shown anything it’s that even the Great One is not invisible.
The failure of the relaunched XFL and the debacle that was the attempted takeover of the DC Universe is still fresh in people’s mind, and now the People’s Champion has to decide if he’s willing to trade in his equity with the only fans that will always welcome him back with open arms otherwise.
Conclusion
WWE can still go ahead with their plans, and as fans, we can’t really stop them. But they won’t be able to stop the fans from reacting to it either.
It’s the one situation where they can’t have their cake and eat it too.
If there is one show The Rock should really be thinking about saving, it’s Elimination Chamber and not WrestleMania.
Over 45,000 fans have bought tickets for the event at Optus Stadium and they’re expecting a grand show. With the absence of notable names such as Seth Rollins and CM Punk, WWE desperately needs to come up with a plan to make the event a success and a half-baked conclusion to the Rhodes vs Roman saga ain’t it. An appearance from TKO’s latest board member, however, could be just the thing it needs.
The Rock needs to realize that a WrestleMania Main Event is not just a match, it’s the personification of the passion that fans hold in their heart. It’s not just about winning and losing, it’s about the dedication that people show by tuning in to episodes of Raw and SmackDown week after week.
For everything he has done for the business, The Rock deserves one last adventure, one final send-off and he deserves it without any controversies. It should be an occasion that fans can cherish for a long time, not something that fans remember as an unjust calamity that came at the cost of hard-working talents.
It’s time that talents coming in for a headline realize that they have to respect the people who have held the fort down in their absence. If not they should be ready to face the consequences. I doubt The Rock wants that for his return match after more than a decade. I doubt Ari Emanuel wants that for the first WrestleMania Main Event under his management.
That’s why I say, The Rock can have his WrestleMania main event, justnot this year.
Cody Rhodes stepping aside and allowing The Rock to wrestle Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 is the hottest topic in wrestling. Trends were jump started, and many fans are a bit upset about the direction that they are going with things.
Fans Upset By WrestleMania 40 Direction
Some people are urging fans to ‘let it play out,’ but the vocal majority of fans on social media are outraged that the American Nightmare will not ‘Finish The Story’ at WWE’s grandest stage for the second consecutive year.
Everybody has an opinion about the matter, including Pat McAfee, who is now back doing commentary on WWE RAW each and every week alongside Michael Cole. This pairing was made once again due to Wade Barrett getting moved to SmackDown after Kevin Patrick was removed from the blue brand and fired.
Pat McAfee’s Take on The Rock vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40
The #WeWantCody debacle went down in the final segment of Friday’s SmackDown. On Monday’s Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, McAfee acknowledged that WWE fans are incredibly pissed that Cody surrendered his ‘WrestleMania moment’ to The Rock the way he did.
Pat McAfee went on to note that he was bummed out, and he does know what’s going to happen moving forward. He loves everyone involved in this booking fiasco, but the overall feeling is that they feel bad for the American Nightmare.
“Now, I love Cody Rhodes. I love The Rock and just love Roman Reigns. So, I’m very torn on this entire thing, but the Internet was not happy. I’m bummed out…. we’re all pretty bummed out for Cody, but also very pumped if this is a Rock-Roman situation. I don’t know what’s going to happen”
What’s Next For The Rock and Roman Reigns
This Thursday, WWE will host a special ‘WrestleMania 40 kickoff’ at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV at the T-Mobile arena. Several top Superstars will be on hand, including The Rock Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley and more.
WWE has yet to confirm The Rock vs. Roman Reigns as the main event of WrestleMania 40, but they’re advertising that Rock and Reigns will have an “iconic face-off” at this free fan and media event.
Fans are not happy about The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot at WrestleMania. Due to this, they are taking to social media and his daughter, Ava, is taking fire.
The Rock’s Daughter Ava Taking Fire From Angry Fans
Ava used to be a member of the Schism faction with Joe Gacy. The faction is now over, and she is onto her next assignment. Even though she is far away from her father’s match with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, fans are still giving her a hard time.
The fan reaction over The Rock taking Cody’s spot at Mania has been immense. The company took fire from all over the place, mainstream outlets picked up the scent of a controversial story. Naturally, everyone is talking about The Rock, and it’s not in a great way.
Ava does not want anything to do with the controversy that her father is in. She logged onto Twitter/X to make it very clear that she just wants to be the General Manager of NXT, and do her job.
can ya’ll just leave me out of this ffs i’m busy running a SHOW
can ya’ll just leave me out of this ffs i’m busy running a SHOW
The Rock’s daughter also replied to let fans know that some are taking this way too far. She said, “death threats over a situation i have nothing to do with … bffr.”
death threats over a situation i have nothing to do with … bffr
It’s hard to believe that fans are reacting this negatively toward The Rock’s WWE return, but this is where we find ourselves today. The circumstances for this match were not there, as many wanted to see Cody Rhodes finish his story.
After asking around, I was told by a source in WWE that there is, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.
The agreement for The Rock to battle Roman Reigns at WrestleMania was finalized weeks prior to Cody Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble. This was not a deal they made public, but it was part of his appointment to TKO’s Board of Directors.
The Rock’s Big WrestleMania 40 Deal
Last month, The Rock was appointed to the TKO Board of Directors. As a component of the arrangement, he acquired complete ownership of the “The Rock” name and received $30 million in company stock.
Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio, that The Rock wrestling Reigns at WrestleMania was also part of the agreement. This deal was made on January 3rd, and that begs the question as to why WWE still booked Cody Rhodes to win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble match.
When (Rock) made the deal on January 3 to come in (facing Roman at WrestleMania) was part of the deal. Why Cody Rhodes won the Royal Rumble is a question that I cannot answer because nobody will answer it for me.
Apart from Nick Khan and Ari Emanuel, very few individuals, if any, were informed about the arrangement for Rock to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania. The prevailing sentiment backstage during the Royal Rumble was that it would be Rhodes vs. Reigns.
I reported on January 28th that, “The only people who really know what is happening with Rock are the people at the very top of the company, and they are all playing it very close to the vest.” This was after Cody Rhodes won his second consecutive Royal Rumble match and punched his ticket to WrestleMania 40.
The only people who really know what is happening with Rock are the people at the very top of the company, and they are all playing it very close to the vest.
WWE now intends to incorporate the negative response to Rhodes being excluded from the WrestleMania main event into the storyline. Dave Meltzer continued to explain that everything played out in this way, but there is no way to tell how the storyline will advance from this point on.
(It) played out the way they wanted it to play out. The plan as of Friday night was Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes and we’ll see how it plays out because now they’re trying to turn it into a story and we’ll see how the story goes.
The Only Way WWE Would Change WrestleMania Main Event Plan
I previously reported that The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot at WrestleMania was seen as a “power play.” When inquiring if this situation resembles his attempt to enter the DC Cinematic Universe with Black Adam, where he wanted to take control of the operation, I was informed that it’s a “great analogy.”
WWE is also well aware about fan backlash. It has become impossible to overlook at this point, with USA Today, TMZ, and other outlets running stories about fans being upset over The Rock taking Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
When inquiring whether the fan backlash could alter the prospective WrestleMania plans, the response was, “there’s no chance in hell.” The only thing that could change the direction for WrestleMania’s main event at this point is Dwayne Johnson changing his mind.
WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes might not have finished his story yet but popular rapper Killer Mike did. However, the good times didn’t last long as he got arrested.
Last month, Killer Mike was spotted standing next to Cody Rhodes at the end of WWE SmackDown in Georgia on January 19. He was seen holding a sign that read “We Finish Our Story on February 4.” Mike was referencing the Grammys as he was nominated for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers,” and Best Rap Album for Michael.
What you know about Hard Times Blues?!!! @codyrhodes said he's bringing the championship home, and come February 4, I'm doing the same with these Grammys.
‘The American Nightmare’ recently won the Men’s Royal Rumble for the second time and fans believed that he will challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. However, it seems that he is not ‘finishing his story’ yet. Rhodes has made the way for The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
While Cody Rhodes is waiting to ‘finish his story’, Killer Mike has finished his story at the Grammys. He won all three awards. However, the celebrations didn’t last long as he was arrested.
Killer Mike arrested
Killer Mike was detained by Los Angeles police after an altercation at the Crypto.com Arena, the venue where the Grammy Awards were held, as per BBC. He was booked on a misdemeanor charge but later released. It has come to light that he is scheduled to appear in court later this month.
This incident occurred shortly after he won three Grammy awards.
There is no love lost between Cody Rhodes and his arch-rival Shinsuke Nakamura.
‘The American Nightmare’ was recently at the end of a brutal attack from the Japanese superstar. Rhodes was involved at Saturday’s live event at Knoxville Civic Coliseum in Knoxville, TN where he faced Nakamura in a Street Fight. It was at the same event that Cody Rhodes shared a heartwarming moment with a fan. Though he came out on top in the match, things didn’t go in his favor when he got backstage.
Rhodes and Nakamura had been involved in a storied-rivalry last year. The two have locked horns multiple times over the last two months, with Rhodes defeating Nakamura on Raw last month. they will face each other yet again.
Shinsuke Nakamura attacks Cody Rhodes
In a video clip captured by WWE, Rhodes can be seen making his way to the backstage area but Nakamura launched a blindsided attacj with his trademark red mist. The 2024 Rumble winner could be seen shown writhing in pain on the ground as the clip ended.
Following this incident, in a tweet, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the announcement that Cody Rhodes will square off against Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope match on Monday. In the past, they have also had a few bullrope matches at live events. However, this will mark the first time that they will collide in a bullrope match on live WWE programming.
Cody Rhodes has been a fan favorite and recently won the Men’s Royal Rumble match and fans had been anticipating him to ‘finish his story.’ However, Rhodes stepped aside to allow The Rock to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. This booking decision met with a lot of flak from the fans. Read more below:
The Rock’s return to WWE brought a big reaction from fans. Interestingly enough, they weren’t leaping with happiness about the Black Adam star’s return to the company, because he was taking away Cody Rhodes’ spot against Roman Reigns on the grandest stage of them all.
John Cena Reacts
John Cena’s Instagram is famous for posting without any captions. The 16x World Champion’s latest post fell into that trend, and the photo he picked spoke 1,000 words for him.
Cena simply dropped a photo of The Rock and Roman Reigns’ stare-down from SmackDown. That one appearance for Dwayne Johnson sparked a huge controversy within the pro wrestling community, and Cena can see that by the comments he received.
Almost immediately, Cena’s post was pounced on by upset Cody Rhodes fans. Tons of fans commented to say that Cena should be posting a photo of the American Nightmare, while others simply replied to say, “We Want Cody.”
The Rock received a very similar reaction with his own WrestleMania hype post last night. Those fans are quite brutal online, and you can check out that story here.
WWE Not Changing Their Plan
WWE fans are expressing their disapproval of The Rock returning to replace Cody Rhodes in a WrestleMania match. While WWE may not have anticipated this reaction, they likely hoped for increased fan support for Cody Rhodes in this situation.
Despite the fan backlash, it appears that the WrestleMania match involving The Rock and Roman Reigns will proceed as planned. Sources indicate to me that unless The Rock withdraws, the match is set in stone, with The Rock having asserted his influence since January 1st, notably during his appearance on the Day 1 episode of RAW, when he called his match with that head of the table reference.
As the story unfolds, SE Scoops will provide ongoing coverage. Despite The Rock’s massive popularity, WWE fans initially anticipated seeing Cody Rhodes face Roman Reigns at this year’s Mania to finish his story.
