WWE’s highly anticipated WrestleMania program featuring Roman Reigns and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has been in the works for over three years. Reigns, who returned to WWE in August 2020 after battling leukemia and dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic, has been rebranded as the villainous leader of the famous Anoaʻi wrestling family. This new character, known as the “Tribal Chief” and “Head of the Table,” has been met with both commercial and critical success, propelling WWE to its best boom in years.
The storyline practically writes itself: Reigns, as the “Tribal Chief,” must defend his title against The Rock, his on-screen cousin. This match-up between the leading stars of Hollywood and professional wrestling promises to be the biggest event WWE has seen in years. Reigns has remained undefeated since his return and has held the Universal Championship for an impressive 1,254 days, making him one of the longest-reigning champions in WWE history.
While the crowd at the event was excited for The Rock’s return, online fans and wrestling journalists were less thrilled. Many critics argue that The Rock’s involvement overshadowed Cody Rhodes, who had won the Royal Rumble and seemed destined to challenge Reigns for the title. The negative response to The Rock’s return has garnered attention from mainstream news outlets, including ESPN and USA Today.
It’s understandable that some die-hard WWE fans were hoping to see Cody Rhodes face Reigns. Cody is a beloved figure in the wrestling community and has been part of a compelling storyline where he seeks to capture the title that his father, Dusty Rhodes, never won. However, the mainstream appeal of a match between The Rock and Reigns far surpasses that of Cody. The Rock’s popularity extends beyond wrestling and reaches a much wider audience.
Additionally, a match with The Rock is time-sensitive due to his busy Hollywood schedule. While Cody can have his moment in the future, The Rock’s availability is limited. WWE had the opportunity to book this match, and despite the backlash, it was a logical decision from a business standpoint.
There have been speculations that WWE booked The Rock to divert attention from Vince McMahon’s resignation amid allegations of sex trafficking. However, these claims are unsubstantiated, and it is unlikely that The Rock’s return was a deliberate distraction. The storyline surrounding Cody’s win and subsequent loss of his WrestleMania match is part of the scripted entertainment that WWE offers its fans.
As the event approaches, WWE has two months to generate excitement and sell fans on the match between The Rock and Reigns. While past big matches have sometimes disappointed, WWE has the opportunity to deliver an unforgettable showdown. It is within the realm of possibility for WWE to make changes to the match card to please disgruntled fans, but it is hoped that they stick with the original plan. On the surface, booking The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is the right move for both business and the storyline.
