WrestleMania 40 was anticipated to feature a blockbuster match between The Rock and Roman Reigns, which had fans on the edge of their seats. Hints of this epic battle started circling as early as January, and inside sources indicate it was a definite plan for the big event.
The Rock made a dramatic comeback to WWE, getting involved in the feud between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. The belief was that this would set the stage for a marquee match with Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
Contrary to these expectations, Cody Rhodes emerged victorious over Roman Reigns to become the Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania 40.
Brian Gewirtz from Busted Open Radio revealed that the matchup between The Rock and Reigns started to appear feasible in the fall of 2022, and by a January 1st promo with Jinder Mahal, the stage seemed set for their WrestleMania confrontation. A pivotal meeting in The Rock’s hotel room, attended by Triple H, Nick Khan, and Gewirtz, focused on the intricate details of the potential storyline, particularly in relation to Cody Rhodes’ ongoing narrative.
The brainstorming session late that day brought up the “Head of the Table” concept, which The Rock teased in his promo after confronting Jinder Mahal to a rapturous reception from fans globally. This cemented their decision to pursue this angle, and The Rock declared his involvement by visiting the WWE HQ with elaborate plans for merchandise and championship belts already in motion. According to Gewirtz, by January, The Rock vs Roman Reigns was virtually guaranteed.
“The discussions in the fall started to make it look increasingly likely for The Rock and Roman to face off. It led to that January 1st promo with Jinder (Mahal). At that point, the match became a strong possibility. We had a strategic meeting in The Rock’s hotel room, with discussions involving Rock, Triple H, and Nick Khan. Throughout the dialogue, the ‘Head of the Table’ idea was explored. Although it emerged towards the end of our meeting, it struck a chord. When Rock alluded to it during his promo, the crowd exploded, and the online reaction mirrored that. It was this moment that confirmed our course of action. Rock made the TKO announcement, showed up at WWE HQ with extensive merchandise and title belt plans. It was pretty much a sure thing,” Gewirtz reflected on the meeting and the response to The Rock’s hints about his rivalry with Reigns.
Despite these arrangements, Cody Rhodes triumphed at the Royal Rumble, setting himself on a collision course with Roman Reigns for WrestleMania. Gewirtz pointed out that Cody only discovered the possible matchup with The Rock on the day of the Royal Rumble, adding complexity to their story. Gewirtz suggested that CM Punk winning the Royal Rumble and challenging Seth Rollins would have provided a clearer storytelling path, reserving Cody to “finish the story,” which was altered when he won the Rumble.
“The scenario of Cody winning the Rumble posed challenges. I believed that the most straightforward path, if Rock and Roman were to compete, would be to have Punk win the Rumble and face Rollins. There’s a distinction in storytelling between Cody wanting to conclude his narrative by rightfully winning the Royal Rumble, versus just having a desire. Winning the Rumble shifts the narrative’s dynamics; it goes from a desire to an entitlement. Focusing on Roman would be the next logical step, which Cody did. The original plan, however, would have probably not sat well with many people, to put it mildly. Nonetheless, due to unforeseen changes, like Punk’s injury, we eventually had to shift focus and ended up with the Alabama promo,” he elaborated on the storyline decisions leading up to WrestleMania.
Ringside News has also confirmed that The Rock had been projected to capture the WWE Undisputed Championship, only to later relinquish it back to Reigns. Ultimately, despite the shift of plans, many fans appreciate the WrestleMania 40 outcomes.
What are your thoughts on WWE nearly executing The Rock vs Roman Reigns this year at WrestleMania 40? Share your opinions in the comments!
FAQ
Q: Was The Rock vs. Roman Reigns ever officially announced for WrestleMania 40?
A: No, it was not officially announced. It was discussed and seemed very likely at a point in time, according to Brian Gewirtz.
Q: Why did The Rock vs. Roman Reigns not happen at WrestleMania 40?
A: It’s not entirely clear why the match did not take place, but Cody Rhodes’ Royal Rumble win and subsequent focus on Roman Reigns might have influenced the change in plans.
Q: Was CM Punk mentioned as a potential winner of the Royal Rumble to face off against Seth Rollins?
A: According to Gewirtz, CM Punk winning the Royal Rumble was considered a cleaner storytelling angle that would maintain a distinction between storylines, but this plan did not materialize either.
Conclusion
The anticipation of a WrestleMania faceoff between wrestling titans The Rock and Roman Reigns was palpable among the WWE fanbase. Through a series of strategic discussions and feedback from fans, the match seemed all but confirmed, igniting excitement for what was to be an unforgettable showdown. However, wrestling is as much about the performances in the ring as it is about evolving narratives and sometimes, due to a variety of reasons, plans change.
WrestleMania 40 saw a pivot from that potentially history-making match to other engaging storylines that captivated audiences. While The Rock vs. Roman Reigns remained a ‘what could have been,’ the event’s ultimate journey and outcomes were still celebrated by many. The roads in WWE are ever-changing, and fans can only speculate what the future may hold for such high-profile superstars and the dynamic storylines that define the world of professional wrestling.