The Rock REPLACES Cody Rhodes At WWE WrestleMania 40?!

The Rock returned on WWE SmackDown, and he's taking Cody Rhodes' spot at WrestleMania.

WWE WrestleMania 40 The Rock
WWE

The Rock will replace Cody Rhodes in the main event of WrestleMania 40 vs. Roman Reigns. WWE made that pretty clear on this week's explosive episode of SmackDown, and a lot of fans immediately walloped social media hard to vent their frustrations over Cody not "finishing his story".

Friday's show ended with Cody warning Roman that he's coming for his title...but not at 'Mania. It was confused looks all round until Rocky's iconic entrance track hit and the live crowd popped. Naturally, Reigns sold the moment like his world had just come crashing down.

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The Rock shook hands with Rhodes upon hitting the ring, then whispered something in Cody's ear. That led to a goosebumps-inducing staredown with Roman that felt big time, but it's hard to ignore the obvious: Many fans will be disappointed that two-time Royal Rumble winner Cody won't "finish the story" by winning the belt from Reigns in Philadelphia and avenging last year's loss.

WWE will presumably keep that back for a later date, and clearly view nailing Rocky down to a match vs. Roman as the priority right now. The move has excited many and ruffled some feathers all at once.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.