10 Upcoming Wrestling Stories That Are Already Doomed
1. Cody Rhodes vs. The Rock
The best version of Cody Rhodes vs. The Rock involves Dwayne Johnson returning to WWE programming as the 'Final Boss', reprising his impeccably imposing pre-WrestleMania 40, becoming WWE's alpha villain from January to April, and putting Rhodes over in a bombastic Undisputed WWE Championship match at 41.
Likelier is something akin to these rejected 'Mania 40 plans.
In the 6 May 2024 Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer wrote:
At one point there was an idea that Rock would win the title from Reigns, and then give up the title to go to Hollywood and end the streak, but always call himself “The People’s Champion,” which is where that idea and belt came in, which was long before the Hall of Fame ceremony. The idea that many were fighting against was the title win, and then Reigns after losing getting it back and then losing again to Rhodes, feeling that would greatly hurt Rhodes’ eventual win, and Rhodes was the guy who was going to have to carry the company in 2024 and 2025.
WWE rightly pivoted back to Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns when Rock emerged on the scene pre-40. In 2025, one of Roman or Dwayne is likely lined up for Rhodes. Either would be the biggest wrestling match of the year. But with Rock, the looming threat of what would surely be a reviled heel victory for the TKO Group director, who holds considerable sway in WWE, would hang like Damocles' sword.
It'd be a remarkable move for a company as in tune with its audience to strap a 52-year-old who almost certainly wouldn't be around to defend the big belt, especially at Cody's expense. Would the 'Final Boss', who now regards himself as wrestling's greatest villain, have the awareness to pivot for a second consecutive year? Or would he mistake wholesale booking rejection for good heat?
There's a good chance we find out in April.