WWE WrestleMania 40 Press Conference: The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Roman Reigns Controversy
The WWE WrestleMania 40 Kickoff Press Conference took place on February 8, and it was filled with controversy and surprises. The event started with Roman Reigns referring to Cody Rhodes as Mr. Hesitation and choosing The Rock as his opponent for WrestleMania 40. However, Rhodes challenged Reigns to the main event, leading to speculation about who would actually headline the event.
The Rock’s surprise return to the WWE sparked outrage among fans who believed that Cody Rhodes deserved the spotlight. The legendary wrestler and TKO Board Member, at 51 years old, faced criticism and even chants of “Rocky Sucks.” In response, The Rock appeared on the Pat McAfee show and referred to Rhodes’ passionate audience as “Cody Crybabies.”
The direction of WrestleMania 40 remains uncertain, with wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer unable to predict the outcome. However, the #WeWantCody movement has significantly boosted WWE’s viewership and interest in the event. The WrestleMania Kickoff Press Conference shed some light on the main event picture.
The press conference began with Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Big E, and CM Punk discussing the upcoming WrestleMania. Every mention of The Rock was met with heavy boos and chants of “we want Cody-Rocky Sucks!” The reference to Cody Crybabies also received a negative reaction from the audience.
Triple H made a surprise appearance and talked about the history of WrestleMania, from its inception to its current status as a global phenomenon. He promised that this year’s event would be like nothing fans had seen before, leaving them eagerly anticipating what’s to come.
Bianca Belair, who made history at WrestleMania 37 by headlining alongside Sasha Banks as the first Black women to do so, spoke about her upcoming match in the Elimination Chamber. She teased going after a championship and received cheers from the crowd.
Rhea Ripley, who described herself as the most dominant women’s champion of all time, was met with a great ovation and chants of “Mami.” She promoted her match against Nia Jax in Australia and expressed her readiness to face whoever comes out on top. Becky Lynch then appeared, and the two engaged in a lively discussion about a potential matchup between them.
The highlight of the press conference came when Cody Rhodes and The Rock were announced as the headliners for WrestleMania 40 against Roman Reigns. Seth Rollins attempted to introduce Rhodes but was interrupted by Reigns. This led to a confrontation between Reigns and Rollins, with Reigns calling Rhodes “Mr. Hesitation.” In response, Reigns declared that he would choose his opponent for WrestleMania, and he chose The Rock.
The Rock made his entrance, dressed in all black, and accepted the challenge. While he received cheers initially, the crowd quickly turned against him. The Rock introduced the press and the millions watching at home to the “Cody Crybabies,” which resulted in loud boos. He showcased his family’s Bloodline Tree, which only fueled the jeers from the audience.
Rhodes then made his appearance to massive cheers and expressed his frustration with the situation. He made it clear that it was not Reigns’ decision to choose his opponent at WrestleMania. Rhodes announced that he had made his decision and chose to face Roman Reigns in the main event. The crowd erupted in cheers, leaving Seth Rollins standing on the sidelines, forgotten.
A heated exchange between The Rock and Seth Rollins followed, with profanity-laced arguments and a skirmish breaking out. The crowd booed The Rock as he left the building, making it WWE’s most memorable press conference to date.
Following the press conference, The Rock and Triple H had a backstage confrontation, hinting at the wild road to WrestleMania that lies ahead.
The WWE WrestleMania 40 Press Conference was filled with drama, surprises, and controversy. The announcement of Cody Rhodes facing Roman Reigns in the main event, along with The Rock’s involvement, has left fans eagerly anticipating the event. With tensions running high and the stakes raised, WrestleMania 40 promises to be an unforgettable spectacle.
