Cody Rhodes, R-Truth Segment SCRAPPED From WWE SmackDown - Backstage Details (WWE News)
Cody Rhodes and R-Truth were on internal plans for WWE SmackDown, but plans changed
A Cody Rhodes/R-Truth segment was initially planned for the first SmackDown following John Cena's shocking Elimination Chamber heel turn before ultimately being scrapped. Now, it's been revealed why.
According to Fightful Select, WWE had planned a backstage interaction between Rhodes and R-Truth, but it never made it to air. When Fightful inquired about the segment’s removal, no clear explanation was given, though speculation backstage suggested it may have undermined the seriousness of Rhodes’ promo. Instead, WWE opted to let Cody’s emotional address stand alone.
The dropped segment would have presumably built on R-Truth’s long-running admiration for John Cena - a storyline thread that dates back over a decade in WWE. While Truth once feuded with Cena as a heel in 2011, even facing him at Capitol Punishment in a cult favourite one month title feud, his character has since become synonymous with comedic moments involving his hero worship of the 16-time world champion. It's been a big part of his online presence too, with him seemingly going through the stages of grief on social media over 'The Champ's betrayal.
Though Cena didn’t appear on SmackDown or the subsequent edition of Raw (or address R-Truth’s admiration, which feels as though it may feature before the WrestleMania showdown with 'The American Nightmare'), he will return to WWE television in a different capacity soon.
The 16-time world champion is set to appear on-screen as a full-fledged heel for the first time since 2003 on the March 17th edition of Monday Night Raw.