The Rock’s Controversial Return to WWE: Backlash and WrestleMania Main Event Change
The wrestling world has been buzzing with controversy and backlash following the announcement of The Rock’s return to WWE. The 51-year-old legend took to social media to express his gratitude to the fans and Cody Rhodes, but it seems that not everyone is thrilled about his comeback. The Rock is set to take on Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, replacing Rhodes in the process. This unexpected turn of events has left fans divided and questioning the booking decisions made by WWE.
The Rock’s return to WWE has been long-awaited by fans. He is undeniably one of the most popular figures in the history of the sport and has achieved immense success outside of wrestling as the highest-paid actor in Hollywood. His return and the prospect of facing Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania is undoubtedly worthy of the marquee.
However, the way WWE went about booking this match has been met with criticism. Cody Rhodes, who made a shocking return to WWE in 2022, had been vocal about wanting to “finish the story” started by his father, Dusty Rhodes, who never held the WWE championship. Many fans expected Rhodes to defeat Reigns at last year’s WrestleMania, but were shocked when Reigns emerged victorious.
Despite the initial setback, WWE continued to build Rhodes’ story. They deliberately kept him away from Seth Rollins’ newly created WWE World Heavyweight championship and even had him win the 2024 Royal Rumble. Rhodes pointed directly at Reigns after his Rumble victory, indicating that their feud was far from over. Furthermore, Rhodes was prominently featured on the cover of WWE 2K24, with his quest to “finish his story” being a central part of the advertising campaign.
All signs pointed towards a culmination of this storyline at WrestleMania in Philadelphia. However, everything changed when The Rock’s theme music hit. The last 48 hours have been a whirlwind of backlash, with the hashtag #WeWantCody trending on social media platforms. Fans have been booing mentions of The Rock at house shows, and even some contracted talent have voiced their dissatisfaction.
According to Mike Johnson of PW Insider, The Rock lobbied hard behind the scenes for this match and had the support of TKO management. Given The Rock’s international fame and his long-standing relationship with WWE, it’s not surprising that the company was eager to accommodate his wishes. After all, they have been trying to bring him back for over a decade.
However, many fans and critics believe that there were better ways to book this match. WWE’s decision to have Rhodes hand over his father’s dream to The Rock has made him look weak, while The Rock appears to be strong-arming Rhodes. Seth Rollins’ championship now seems like a consolation prize, and Roman Reigns’ title reign has lost its luster.
There were alternative scenarios that could have been explored. For instance, Rhodes could have defeated Reigns at the Royal Rumble or Elimination Chamber, setting up a compelling “Head of the Table” feud between Reigns and The Rock. Although it would have deprived Rhodes of a WrestleMania moment, it seems that WWE ended up doing that anyway.
It remains to be seen if there is a larger plan at play or if this backlash will lead to any changes in the storyline. For now, fans are divided, and the controversy surrounding The Rock’s return to WWE continues to dominate discussions within the wrestling community.
In conclusion, The Rock’s return to WWE and his upcoming match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania has sparked controversy and backlash. While many fans have been eagerly awaiting his return, others are disappointed with the booking decisions made by WWE. The way Cody Rhodes’ storyline has been abruptly changed and the potential implications for other wrestlers have left fans divided. Only time will tell how this storyline unfolds and if WWE can address the concerns raised by the wrestling community.
