Earlier this month, the main event of WWE WrestleMania XL looked uncertain. Despite Cody Rhodes setting up a rematch with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns on The Grandest Stage Of Them All by winning the Men’s Royal Rumble, The Rock seemingly overruled Rhodes during his surprise appearance on the February 2nd edition of SmackDown – leading to a huge fan outcry on social media. Almost a week later, however, Triple H silenced all doubts by confirming Rhodes and Reigns would headline WrestleMania.
Earlier reports on the situation claimed that Reigns vs. Rock was set as the WrestleMania XL main event before Rhodes even won the Royal Rumble as part of The Rock’s deal to join the TKO Group Holdings board was for the match to take place. The company then went ahead with the divisive February 2nd segment in order to drum up fan support for Rhodes in a similar fashion to Daniel Bryan on the road to WWE WrestleMania XXX exactly a decade ago.
Now, new details have come to light on the company’s original plans for the second match between Reigns and Rhodes if Reigns vs. Rock had in place for WWE WrestleMania XL. Dave Meltzer reports in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Rhodes did not know about plans for Reigns vs. Rock until the night of the Royal Rumble. There, he was told that his Rumble win would set up a rematch with Reigns later this year, and therefore the post-match build teasing a rematch wouldn’t be a swerve for fans.
Where WWE’s new plans leave The Rock at WWE WrestleMania XL is currently unclear. Many have speculated, based on the confrontation at the WWE WrestleMania XL Kickoff earlier this month, that The Rock could headline night one by teaming with Reigns to take on Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
Rhodes and Rollins are set to appear at WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth tomorrow where they will appear on The Grayson Waller Effect.