The Surprising Shift in Wrestlemania 40: A Deep Dive into the Cody Rhodes Phenomenon

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wrestlemania 40 cody rhodes

In a surprising move, WWE replaced fan-favorite Cody Rhodes with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the much-anticipated Wrestlemania 40 face-off against Roman Reigns. Wrestling analysts predicted that Rhodes would reach his zenith in a final face-off against Reigns, but this was not to be. Fans expressed their discontent on social media, demanding that Rhodes be given a chance to finish his story. The controversy around Wrestlemania 40 showcases the passion and deep involvement of wrestling fans in the narratives that evolve both inside and outside the ring.

The Unexpected Twist in Wrestling Showdowns

WWE recently substituted the popular Cody Rhodes with the charismatic Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the much-awaited Wrestlemania 40 face-off against the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. This unexpected move has left a significant section of WWE enthusiasts disappointed and dispirited. Wrestling analysts were predicting that Rhodes’s journey would reach its zenith in a final face-off against Reigns at the current year’s Wrestlemania. But, the wrestling world was in for a surprise.

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The Unexpected Twist in Wrestling Showdowns

In the enthralling universe of wrestling, where loyalty is perennially shifting, brute strength rules, and high-octane drama is the order of the day, the fans of WWE recently experienced a whirlwind of emotions. What sparked this outrage? It was the unforeseen decision by WWE to substitute the popular Cody Rhodes with the charismatic Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the much-awaited Wrestlemania 40 face-off against the Universal Champion, Roman Reigns. This unexpected move has left a significant section of WWE enthusiasts disappointed and dispirited.

The spotlight had been on Cody Rhodes, the Royal Rumble champion of 2024, who had expressed his desire to compete with Roman Reigns alone. After an impressive comeback to the company in 2022, the now 38-year-old Rhodes overcame numerous obstacles. Wrestling analysts were predicting that his journey would reach its zenith in a final face-off against Reigns at the current year’s Wrestlemania. But, the wrestling world was in for a surprise.

The Dramatic Turn of Events

As the Friday Night SmackDown show ended, leaving fans eagerly waiting for the next twist, the story took an unexpected turn. There were subtle hints that Roman Reigns would instead be pitted against his cousin, “The Rock.” Rhodes made his position known by challenging Reigns on SmackDown, promising the Universal Champion that their saga would end only when he, Rhodes, would snatch away the championship title from Reigns. However, in a surprising twist, “The American Nightmare,” Rhodes, announced that he wouldn’t confront the Universal Champion at Wrestlemania.

The drama heightened when The Rock made a grand entrance to challenge Reigns. This move signaled that WWE had decided to put Rhodes’s story on the back burner and replace him with Johnson. The immediate reaction among wrestling fans was one of disbelief, leading to a significant backlash, primarily on social media platforms.

The Outrage Among Fans

Numerous fans voiced their displeasure, demanding that Rhodes be given a chance to finish his story. A dejected fan, @Philouimette_, tweeted, “Cody Rhodes appeared dispirited. It was clear from the emotionless look on his face. It was obvious that he knew from the moment he and The Rock stood face to face that he was being completely overlooked for the second year in a row.”

The discontent continued to brew. @ProWFinesse’s tweet expressed dissatisfaction in WWE’s decision, asserting, “They actually had Cody Rhodes give up his spot. WWE made their company face look utterly foolish tonight.” At the same time, @TripleFraud regretted, “A few years ago, Rock vs Roman was a legitimate dream match. Now, with Cody Rhodes’ undeniable popularity, that match just became a huge hindrance. WWE just dealt a massive blow to the man who has been the backbone of the company for two years now.”

The decision to substitute Rhodes with The Rock for the Wrestlemania 40 showdown against Reigns is a vivid testament to the unpredictable nature of the WWE Universe. It’s a world that revels in the unexpected, a universe that can have fans cheering at one moment and fuming the next. The controversy around Wrestlemania 40 is proof of the wrestling fans’ passion and their deep involvement in the narratives that evolve both inside and outside the ring. As we move forward, the only thing certain is that we’ll have to wait and see how this story unfolds.

What is Wrestlemania 40?

Wrestlemania 40 is a professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by WWE. It is considered one of the company’s biggest events of the year, featuring top wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brands.

Who was Cody Rhodes?

Cody Rhodes is a former WWE wrestler and the son of legendary wrestler Dusty Rhodes. He won the Royal Rumble championship in 2024 and made a comeback to WWE in 2022 after leaving the company in 2016. Rhodes is known for his popularity among wrestling fans and his impressive storytelling abilities in the ring.

Who is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson?

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is a former professional wrestler and Hollywood actor. He is a popular figure in the wrestling world and has won numerous championships throughout his career. Johnson has also starred in several blockbuster movies, including the Fast and Furious franchise.

Why did WWE replace Cody Rhodes with The Rock?

The exact reason for WWE’s decision to replace Cody Rhodes with The Rock for the Wrestlemania 40 showdown against Roman Reigns is unknown. Wrestling analysts predicted that Rhodes would reach his zenith in a final face-off against Reigns, but this was not to be. Fans expressed their discontent on social media, demanding that Rhodes be given a chance to finish his story.

How did wrestling fans react to the decision?

Many wrestling fans expressed their disappointment and outrage on social media following WWE’s decision to replace Cody Rhodes with The Rock. Some fans felt that Rhodes deserved to be in the main event and saw this as a missed opportunity for the wrestler to finish his story. Others felt that The Rock’s inclusion would overshadow the other wrestlers and take away from the overall event.

What does this mean for the future of Wrestlemania?

The controversy surrounding Wrestlemania 40 showcases the passion and deep involvement of wrestling fans in the narratives that evolve both inside and outside the ring. As we move forward, the only thing certain is that we’ll have to wait and see how this story unfolds. It is unclear what implications this decision will have for future Wrestlemania events, but it is clear that WWE’s decision sparked a strong reaction from fans.

Isabella Schmidt is a Cape Town journalist who chronicles the city’s evolving food culture, from Bo-Kaap spice merchants to Khayelitsha microbreweries. Raised hiking the trails that link Table Mountain to the Cape Flats, she brings the flavours and voices of her hometown to global readers with equal parts rigour and heart.

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