More on WWE’s Decision to for The Rock vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, Fan Backlash, & Cody Rhodes Situation

As noted before, this past Friday’s WWE SmackDown show in Birmingham, Alabama featured Cody Rhodes giving up the chance to have his rematch with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40 in favor of letting Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have that match instead.

PWInsider’s Mike Johnson reported that his sources stated that The Rock is “100% performing in the ring” at WrestleMania 40. Those spoken to reportedly stated that there is “no scenario” where The Rock is not wrestling Reigns at the event unless something unforeseen happens such as an injury.

Johnson reported that former WWE lead writer Brian Gerwirtz is currently expected to be backstage at major WWE events going forward and will be involved in WWE’s creative process for the lead up to WrestleMania 40.

In regards to the outpouring support from fans wanting Rhodes to get his rematch against Reigns at WrestleMania 40, Johnson reported that WWE officials have absolutely taken notice of the reaction for Rhodes. Johnson also reported that several within WWE have pushed for the company to lean into it due to their feeling that it will make Rhodes a stronger babyface by playing up the current fan surge into him. Johnson also reported that WWE officials never had any plans to turn The Rock heel nor have it come across that way on WWE programming even if it felt to “smart fans” as if he was maliciously taking Rhodes spot.

Johnson reported that several people spoken to within WWE stated that they can adjust the plan week by week to “make it make sense” in regards to Rock’s match with Reigns and Rhodes’ involvement in the storyline and that they have a long way until WrestleMania. Several of those spoken to reportedly also stated that they believe that the “shock of Rock coming into the storylines can wear off, creative can lock in ways to build everyone as strong as possible leading into Wrestlemania season.” Johnson reported that no one in WWE’s creative end wants any of this to dilute Rhodes’ standing in the company due to them knowing how important he is to the company’s business, including live events and merchandise.

Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp reported that his sources provided additional details.

It was reported that numerous people within WWE had not been told as of this past Friday if Cody Rhodes giving up his spot to The Rock for WrestleMania 40 was a work from the start or not. It was reported that this situation that has been much less clear in the days following.

It was reported that several camps involving Rhodes, CM Punk, Seth Rollins, creative, and producers were not told that “an elaborate, multi-faceted work was the plan” for this past Friday’s show.

Sapp reported that on the day of WWE’s Royal Rumble 2024 event, several people within creative were told that The Rock vs. Reigns was the plan for the top match at WrestleMania. Sapp also reported that merchandise for this match had been in production to promote it.

It was reported that while there were conversations within WWE that Rock vs. Reigns could happen at WrestleMania 40 dating back to January 1st, Rhodes had been under the belief that he was slated to face Reigns at WrestleMania. It was also reported that only a select people were informed during Royal Rumble weekend that the direction for Reigns’ match at WrestleMania had changed.

In regards to Rhodes’ reaction over the changed plans, Rhodes reportedly had told others backstage that he thought the fan reaction would not be the one they were looking for. Rhodes reportedly was also seen as being “somber” backstage over the news.

Those spoken to reportedly stated that this decision to change plans went up to Endeavor’s Ari Emanuel and Mark Shapiro and was even above WWE President Nick Khan and WWE CCO Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

In regards to The Rock and Rhodes’ moment in the ring at this past Friday’s SmackDown show, it was reported that it is currently not known what The Rock said to Rhodes but their fathers were referenced. Rhodes and The Rock reportedly were stated to have a great relationship.

WWE officials reportedly had started production several months on a follow up to last year’s American Nightmare documentary and has had cameras following Rhodes for it. It was reported that some content was filmed for it at this past Friday’s SmackDown show.

It was reported that their sources confirmed that WWE has been monitoring the reactions and have been discussing options for this storyline going forward. Many within the company have noticed a major swing in news coverage than what they had experience over the prior two weeks in regards to the Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit and controversy. WWE officials reportedly did not expect that there would be “Rocky Sucks” chants during Monday’s RAW show.

In regards to the #WeWantCody and other Cody-related signs in the crowd, it was reported that these signs were not planted by WWE to their knowledge. It was reported that talents have been encouraged by WWE officials to tweet their support for Rhodes though.