HUGE Backstage WWE Update On Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns Fiasco
Controversial segment sparks online furor, questions about what led to this decision.
The wrestling world is still trying to assess the fallout from Friday night, when The Rock made a surprise appearance on WWE SmackDown and appeared to take Cody Rhodes' spot facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania XL.
The highly controversial segment, which saw Rhodes passionately state his case for why he needed to win the specific title Reigns carries, and then abruptly say he wouldn't challenge Roman at 'Mania, has sparked huge outcry from fans online and spurred countless questions about how this huge swerve came about in what seemingly was a very simple -- and popular -- story.
Fightful Select reports the current plan for WrestleMania is indeed Rock vs. Roman, and Cody vs. Seth Rollins, though nothing is official, and several in WWE are "cautiously optimistic" that if the initial reaction to the shift in booking doesn't subside, a pivot could be in order.
Sources in creative told Fightful that until recently, the working plan was Rhodes against Reigns in a rematch of the WrestleMania 39 main event, and Rollins facing CM Punk. Obviously, Punk's injury threw a wrench in the works, but Cody vs. Roman seemingly was still on the books.
No one who spoke to Fightful could make sense of the order of everything, but many were hopeful that the company would see the backlash and change directions.
Sources said The Rock had "not only pushed to work the match, some thought he was even pushing to win the match". Several view this as a political move that will result in more money than having Rhodes in the main event, though sources in TKO said this wasn't done out of malice to Cody. Perhaps most interestingly, those sources believe that those involved in the decision-making "underestimated how the patience of the audience has worn thin on the situation".
Sources on WWE's creative team expect Rock's longtime partner and former creative team member Brian Gewirtz to factor heavily into the Brahma Bull's creative going forward. When Fightful reached out to Gewirtz for comment, they were told an interview would need to be approved by WWE.
Reportedly, Cody was informed of the change in WrestleMania plans Friday.
Asked if the change in booking was done to distract from the sex trafficking lawsuit and ensuing scandal involving Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis that has also enveloped WWE, sources told Fightful that The Rock was pushing for this match before the suit -- but it couldn't have hurt to get some positive mainstream press.
The early word is that Rock will try to work a full-length match, but there are concerns about him competing in a WrestleMania main event-length match.
There obviously will be much more on this in the coming days, so stay tuned...