Brian Gewirtz discusses WWE changing plans.
Cody Rhodes won the 2024 Royal Rumble and immediately pointed at Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, signifying that's who he would challenge at WrestleMania 40.
On the February 2 episode of WWE SmackDown, Cody seemingly stepped aside, saying he would take everything from Reigns, but not WrestleMania. He then gave way to The Rock, who confronted Reigns to close the show. Fans weren't thrilled with the decision and "We Want Cody" trended on social media during the following weekend,
At the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff, Cody inserted himself back into the picture, saying he was challenging Reigns at WrestleMania 40.
"Would the fans be as adamant Cody needs to finish his story if he didn't win the Royal Rumble?" Brian Gerwitz asked in a feature on ESPN. "Once he won the Royal Rumble, then I think there was a certain element of, 'Hey, don't screw with us now.' You can't dangle the Royal Rumble win and then take it away. And I think everyone, Rock included, was like, 'Yeah, they're right. We should continue this story as it naturally would play out if this were real life.' If this were real life and he won the Rumble and he didn't win last year's WrestleMania, there's literally no logical reason -- even though you could try to make one up -- why he wouldn't want to face Roman and win the title."
Gewirtz is a former WWE writer who now works with The Rock at Seven Bucks Productions. He has been back at WWE alongside The Rock since "The Great One" returned to WWE television.
Cody Rhodes will indeed challenge Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40 for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. That match will take place on night two.
The Rock will team with Reigns at night one to face Rhodes & Seth Rollins.
