The electrifying return of The Rock to WWE TV on SmackDown sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, with the revelation of his rumored WrestleMania 40 clash against Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Universal Championship igniting a firestorm of controversy and debate among fans and industry insiders alike.
Rhodes’ WrestleMania Dreams Dashed:
Amidst the anticipation surrounding WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes found himself at the center of a sudden shift in creative direction. After winning the men’s Royal Rumble match last month, Rhodes was expected to challenge Roman Reigns for the second consecutive year. However, during last week’s SmackDown, the narrative took an unexpected turn as The American Nightmare laid the groundwork for The Rock’s highly anticipated return.
Fan Backlash Mounts:
The revelation that The Rock may challenge Reigns at WrestleMania 40 garnered mixed reactions from the WWE Universe, with many expressing disappointment over the apparent sidelining of Rhodes. The decision to veer from the expected storyline prompted a wave of criticism, with fans questioning the creative direction and expressing skepticism over the perceived star power of The People’s Champion in the current landscape of professional wrestling.
“I don’t think people understand, but, you know, outside of wrestling, I’m talking about that casual fan base now, bro. [The] Rock has lost his luster with a lot of people, and if you don’t believe me, look at the box office for Black Adam, okay,” Russo said. (29:37 – 29:53)
Russo’s Candid Commentary:
In the aftermath of the controversial announcement, wrestling veteran Vince Russo shared his insights on the unfolding drama. On Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Legion of RAW, Russo acknowledged the rationale behind selecting The Rock as Reigns’ next challenger but raised concerns over the potential reception from fans. Russo highlighted The Great One’s recent political choices, suggesting that they may have alienated some of the audience and dampened the impact of his return to WWE.
Future Uncertainty:
As WWE navigates the turbulent waters of fan sentiment and creative decision-making, the fate of the rumored WrestleMania showdown between The Rock and Roman Reigns hangs in the balance. With the WWE Universe divided and voices of dissent growing louder, the company faces a pivotal moment in shaping the narrative of its flagship event. Whether WWE heeds the backlash and alters its course or forges ahead with its plans remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the road to WrestleMania 40 is fraught with controversy and uncertainty.
