The journey to WWE WrestleMania XL was one that had many twists and turns along the way as The Rock planted the seeds to do the Roman Reigns match at WrestleMania XL in January when he returned.
Cody Rhodes won this year’s 30-Man Royal Rumble match where he strongly indicated that he planned to challenge Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania 40. Things changed as Rock pushed for the match instead, something WWE did on television. Once the fans pushed back, Rock decided to pivot with a heel turn and alliance with The Bloodline.
It set the stage for Rock and Reigns to beat Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania XL night one before Rhodes dethroned Reigns as Undisputed WWE Champion. WWE still has plans to do Rhodes vs. Rock, something expected at WrestleMania 41, while also having Rock vs Reigns in the cards for a future date.
As previously reported, there are people in WWE who think the only reason Rock returned to WWE was to benefit his Hollywood career.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Rhodes was always going to get the title despite all of the twists and turns.
Meltzer wrote, “The decision for Rhodes to win the Rumble was to set up a future title match after they would do an injury angle, which would lead to Rock getting the title shot, and Rhodes would get his shot and victory later. 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.”
It was said the idea that many were fighting against within the company was the title win as the feeling if Reigns lost it to Rock only to get it back only to lose it a second time to Rhodes it would greatly hurt Rhodes’ eventual win, and Rhodes was the guy who was going to have to carry the company going forward.
Others felt Rock should not win the title because it should be saved for Rhodes’ big moment.
