10 Expectations Vs. Reality For WWE WrestleMania 38

5. The Cody Question

Steve Austin Expectation Reality
AEW

Expectation:

They'll botch Cody Rhodes. Surely. They botch everybody else. Why would Cody be any different?

He won't be allowed to blade or set himself on fire anymore. He won't be allowed to cut promos that range from incredible to bemusing because few in WWE are actually allowed to be interesting. And already, the storyline hinting towards his arrival is bad. Seth Rollins can't get a match at WrestleMania. They are literally telling a story about a man they have built as a star for a decade not being enough of a star to appear on a card alongside Austin Theory and Natalya, so how is Cody expected to become a star under this nonsensical approach? The fans only just got that Cody is actually on his way, and that was Chicago. The rest of the "WWE Universe" can't take the hint. How loud can it be?

Reality:

WWE are brilliant at precisely one thing - being incredibly cynical - and putting Cody over as a star attraction is a brilliantly cynical move. Such a move encourages his AEW peers to consider jumping in the future. He'll work an excellent match with Rollins, and delaying his debut is a tremendous ploy: it will make the occasion feel that more surreal and special when it actually happens.

Cody almost has to turn heel quickly - he's the traitor, the man who talked more sh*t about WWE than anybody - so expect some sh*t-eating grin "too sweet" taunts mid-match to gradually draw the ire of the crowd.

If WWE are competent...

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!