The Cody Rhodes Story Thread (IT'S OVER)

[mc74]

Cody being reduced to carrying Dwayne's bags. Sad, and what a f***ing waste after all that build.

[markymark]

As you saw with the finish of last night’s WWE Friday Night Smackdown, unless there is yet another major change in plans, Cody Rhodes will not be “finishing the story” at Wrestlemania 40 in Philadelphia, PA.

Numerous WWE sources have concurred that the decision to go with The Rock vs. Roman Reigns Mania weekend, expected to be officially announced this Thursday in Las Vegas for the Philly event, was a push by The Rock to move into the Mania main event, backed by top TKO Group Holding execs.

While WWE had been expertly building to a Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns rematch, some sources believe it was done by Johnson to, as one source stated, “save Wrestlemania” after CM Punk and Brock Lesnar, for very different reasons, were taken off the board from the biggest weekend of the year.

Others believe that Rock pushed for the move and likely would have no matter what, given his massive $30 million stock payday is, in part, contingent on him hitting certain milestones. Sources familiar with the situation believe one of those milestones was Johnson returning to the ring this year and that Johnson pushed for the match to happen sooner than later with the idea he felt Reigns vs. The Rock was the far bigger attraction for the company,

So, it’s very possible that no matter who was injured or not, Cody vs. Reigns would not have taken place because The Rock was back in the game and the most important members of company management were going to acquiesce to Dwayne Johnson’s ideas.

With Johnson’s power as a member of the TKO Board of Directors, his Hollywood standing and the backing of Ari Emanuel, Nick Khan and others, the decision was made to go with Rock vs. Reigns as the headline bout, believing it would be a greater attraction for the mainstream and also help push some positive momentum for the company.

One source compared it to Johnson’s attempts to take over the overall creative for the DC film franchise, noting that he came in originally as an actor to portray Black Adam, but by the time that process was done, had changed the original trajectory for the plans from playing the opposition for Shazam!, instead pushing that Adam should have his own film so he could eventually be set up to face Superman instead and even went over the heads of executives to their superiors to get ideas approved. Johnson’s long-game was to gain control of the entire DC film franchise, only to lose that attempt when Warner Bros. Discovery gave that power instead to James Gunn and Peter Saffron.

But, in WWE, there isn’t going to be anyone that’s not going to at least consider Dwayne Johnson’s ideas. PWInsider.com is told this wasn’t done to target and politic Cody out of his main event out of malice, but out of the belief that Johnson was the best idea to make money now and respect his new position with the company’s parent company. This was a strategic move to give Johnson more political power overall and to show Endeavor’s faith in his involvement and that even Paul Levesque, who has done an admirable job as the Chief Creative Officer, would "lose that power struggle with Johnson at this point", as one source surmised.

One source confirmed to PWInsider.com that former Senior Vice President of Development at Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, Brian Gewirtz will be in the mix as the voice representing Johnson in the WWE Creative process going forward. There are some who believe Gewirtz, who at one point was one of the longest tenured WWE Head Writers, will be around physically at least for major shows going forward, could even be there as a “Plan B” if Endeavor ever needs to pivot WWE's direction and go with a Johnson-backed creative team down the line.

One WWE talent privately wondered to PWInsider.com this morning if perhaps Johnson was going to be the plan all along but he hadn’t committed until late in the game, which made them wonder where CM Punk would have been positioned if he hadn’t torn his tricep, and whether that injury prevented Punk from learning he too, would have lost that Wrestlemania main event slot. There’s no way to ever know that but it was something that has to be pondered given how quickly WWE turned the Wrestlemania creative direction for Johnson.

As far as the future for Cody, the current plan is for him to face Seth Rollins at Wrestlemania 40, a direction change that a lot of readers we’ve heard from resent given that he’s been pushing to “finish his story” all year, that finishing that story was in reach after a Royal Rumble win and that even the WWE 2K24 video game (which Cody is on the cover for) is themed in part around fans “finishing” their own story. For Rhodes, as a character, to then have that moment in reach and not choose Reigns for Wrestlemania is as silly as Han Solo throwing away the keys to the Millenium Falcon and leaving it behind. Beating Seth for a title doesn't end Rhodes' story, especially since he's publicly stated that he needs to win the title his father held and had taken away for the story end - and the lineage of that belt is carried by Paul Heyman to the ring for Roman Reigns in 2024. I i don’t think anyone, especially privately, would deny that within WWE, forces beyond Rhodes’ control changed the board game - and that’s the reality of the new WWE. The old rules don’t matter and Endeavor is going to do what they believe will maximize their business, and their choices may indeed prove to be correct, even if they are unpopular with the audience that has been ravenously following Cody and supporting him the last several years.

The reality is this: while the story was primed to climax at Wrestlemania 40, there were already some in the company openly talking about the idea of Cody winning the World Heavyweight Championship and then challenging the winner of Roman vs. Rock for Summerslam in a title unification bout so that Cody could finally, really, we promise this time, finish the story.

That sounds nice in theory but given there is a young audience currently in love with the WWE product and in Rhodes in particular, not giving them what they want - a Rhodes vs. Reigns showdown that they have been all but promised for a year, is quite the creative choice and leap - and one that could prove to be the moment where WWE disenfranchises some of their fans. For all the things that upset fans in the last week, rightfully, about the company, none of the complaints were about the storylines, but overnight, that has changed drastically.

Several years ago, WWE fans in Philadelphia rejected a Roman Reigns Rumble win because they wanted Daniel Bryan. Even with The Rock making a surprise return to endorse him, Philly booed what was forced upon them. Now, in 2024, WWE has primed Cody Rhodes and will instead walk back into Philly with Rock vs. Roman. Under any other circumstance, that’s a spectacle and an attraction that most fans would celebrate, but in this instance, WWE may have booked themselves into the one scenario where fans don’t want it - because they wanted WWE to finish the story they had already expertly written.

In 2014, WWE found themselves in a bind when CM Punk walked out of the company. They had no choice but to go with Daniel Bryan, who the audience badly wanted to be the main eventer that year, and it led to some great moments at Wrestlemania 30 when the company just embraced what the audience wanted. This year, the company has done the opposite. They had the hero the audience wanted to embrace and then removed him from that great moment the audience wanted. Whether they will attempt to rectify that for the fans that are let down this morning, possibly by reconfiguring plans again to maneuver Cody back in the mix with Rock and Reigns or just stay the course they have now laid out remains to be seen, but three things are obvious.

One, this may prove to make Cody the modern day equivalent of what Daniel Bryan, a star that the audience mobilizes for and gets behind because they are so sympathetic for him.

Two, for a portion of the WWE audience today, it doesn’t matter what The Rock’s name is. To them, based on the overnight reaction, if the name isn’t Cody, it’s not going to matter, because that's not the story they want to see.

Three, to another portion of the audience, it will matter that Dwayne Johnson is the main eventer, because it's The Rock. That's what Endeavor and The Rock are counting on - that Johnson's star power will empower the company to the biggest Wrestlemania of all time.

Once more, what happens behind the scenes is as suspenseful as anything that plays out inside the squared circle.

SOURCE: PWINSIDER

[Lizuka #BLM]

So in conclusion Rock is a massive f***ing piece of shit and the company is actively made worse by having him as part of it.

Guaran-goddamn-tee if that is indeed how he's spinning it then come the day of the show he's going to insist on winning.

[ben:friendship frog]

The fact that egomaniac thinks he's "saving Wrestlemania" says it all.

As miserable as this all is, I fear it's only gonna get worse with him and Gewirtz pushing for power. Just f***ing terrible.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

WrestleMania is essentially sold out and it's not on PPV. How does the Rock being there make them more money? Perhaps through sponsorships but I can't imagine this one match is enough to drastically change that calculation.

[kingoftheindies]

Rock using the Vince fiasco as a coup to take power creatively is not something I had on my bingo card

[mc74]

What a f***ing farce. You know what? I'm glad Mania is in Philly this year because if there's a crowd that will absolutely shit on this match, it's this one.

[kingoftheindies]

also bad timing, but this tweet is kind of funny

[SkullTrauma]

blonde hair and a shit tattoo doesn't hide the fact that all the Rhodes family talent ran down the crack of his mom's ass when he was conceived. F Cody and his lame ass story.

[Gus Richlen: Ruffian]

Feb 3, 2024 10:36:48 GMT -5 J is Justice said:

The worst thing about this is that people are now turning on Ava, lol.

That's not fair to her because she has nothing to do with this situation whatsoever.

["Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik]

"The reality is this: while the story was primed to climax at Wrestlemania 40, there were already some in the company openly talking about the idea of Cody winning the World Heavyweight Championship and then challenging the winner of Roman vs. Rock for Summerslam in a title unification bout so that Cody could finally, really, we promise this time, finish the story."

If that happens, this version of the World Heavyweight Championship will go down as one of the most useless titles ever created.

[The Captain]

Dwayne to Cody backstage last night.

[Lizuka #BLM]

Feb 3, 2024 11:14:35 GMT -5 "Evil Brood" Jackson Vanik said:

"The reality is this: while the story was primed to climax at Wrestlemania 40, there were already some in the company openly talking about the idea of Cody winning the World Heavyweight Championship and then challenging the winner of Roman vs. Rock for Summerslam in a title unification bout so that Cody could finally, really, we promise this time, finish the story."

If that happens, this version of the World Heavyweight Championship will go down as one of the most useless titles ever created.

Also f*** you Damian Priest I guess.

[thechase]

Little wonder Roman went so hard on burying Rollins on SD if they're considering already retiring the WHC

[cornettesracket]

So reading that very interesting PWinsider report, I have one overriding reaction to it, and it’s “are you f***ing kidding me ?” I’ve said hogan is the king of the egomaniacs in wrestling, and I stand by that, but Dwayne Johnson is coming up the inside rail fast to win that race.

[Fake Jesus]

what's hilarious to me is the Rock is a dude from an era they can't even f***ing reference anymore because its main character is the fella with a Big Daddy V buttplug and a burning desire to see Johnny Ace bang his own daughter

[Gus Richlen: Ruffian]

Feb 3, 2024 10:59:25 GMT -5 markymark said:

*very long thing from PWInsider that I'm shortening just so it doesn't become a scrolling nightmare, sorry markymark

OK, so not good news there but again, gonna wait it out since things can still change.

With that said, I remember when Rock came out in 2014 and utterly dumped on Rusev in a promo and I was just about the only one saying that it was an outright burial and most everyone else was saying, "No, no, he's getting the rub from being in there with The Rock!" And Rusev's tenure up until he left was disappointment, and I didn't even like Rusev. So Rocky having a massive ego, making shit about him, oh it goes back a long ways.

I'm still thinking it changes but if it doesn't, Dwayne Johnson should be the one to blame here.

[cornettesracket]

Why do I have sympathy for triple h in all this rock horseshit ?

[Goldash #BLM]

That report is emblematic of why wrestling will forever have its hot and cold eras. It's because the egos behind the curtain make it so.

HHH is no saint, and I still don't believe he's in the clear amongst all the mess happening in Stamford. But, sheesh, this reads like more of a takeover by Dwayne.

Gewirtz being the "plan B" sounds like the vultures circling overhead. I personally don't mind him, at least in comparison to Russo or the other big-time WWE writers of the past, but man. Looks like we might be seeing some major upheaval, and very soon.

[polarbearpete]

Not sure if posted yet but PWInsider:

As you saw with the finish of last night’s WWE Friday Night Smackdown, unless there is yet another major change in plans, Cody Rhodes will not be “finishing the story” at Wrestlemania 40 in Philadelphia, PA.

Numerous WWE sources have concurred that the decision to go with The Rock vs. Roman Reigns Mania weekend, expected to be officially announced this Thursday in Las Vegas for the Philly event, was a push by The Rock to move into the Mania main event, backed by top TKO Group Holding execs.

While WWE had been expertly building to a Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns rematch, some sources believe it was done by Johnson to, as one source stated, “save Wrestlemania” after CM Punk and Brock Lesnar, for very different reasons, were taken off the board from the biggest weekend of the year.

Others believe that Rock pushed for the move and likely would have no matter what, given his massive $30 million stock payday is, in part, contingent on him hitting certain milestones. Sources familiar with the situation believe one of those milestones was Johnson returning to the ring this year and that Johnson pushed for the match to happen sooner than later with the idea he felt Reigns vs. The Rock was the far bigger attraction for the company,

So, it’s very possible that no matter who was injured or not, Cody vs. Reigns would not have taken place because The Rock was back in the game and the most important members of company management were going to acquiesce to Dwayne Johnson’s ideas.

With Johnson’s power as a member of the TKO Board of Directors, his Hollywood standing and the backing of Ari Emanuel, Nick Khan and others, the decision was made to go with Rock vs. Reigns as the headline bout, believing it would be a greater attraction for the mainstream and also help push some positive momentum for the company.
…

But, in WWE, there isn’t going to be anyone that’s not going to at least consider Dwayne Johnson’s ideas. PWInsider.com is told this wasn’t done to target and politic Cody out of his main event out of malice, but out of the belief that Johnson was the best idea to make money now and respect his new position with the company’s parent company. This was a strategic move to give Johnson more political power overall and to show Endeavor’s faith in his involvement and that even Paul Levesque, who has done an admirable job as the Chief Creative Officer, would "lose that power struggle with Johnson at this point", as one source surmised.

One source confirmed to PWInsider.com that former Senior Vice President of Development at Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions, Brian Gewirtz will be in the mix as the voice representing Johnson in the WWE Creative process going forward. There are some who believe Gewirtz, who at one point was one of the longest tenured WWE Head Writers, will be around physically at least for major shows going forward, could even be there as a “Plan B” if Endeavor ever needs to pivot WWE's direction and go with a Johnson-backed creative team down the line.

One WWE talent privately wondered to PWInsider.com this morning if perhaps Johnson was going to be the plan all along but he hadn’t committed until late in the game, which made them wonder where CM Punk would have been positioned if he hadn’t torn his tricep, and whether that injury prevented Punk from learning he too, would have lost that Wrestlemania main event slot. There’s no way to ever know that but it was something that has to be pondered given how quickly WWE turned the Wrestlemania creative direction for Johnson.
…

The reality is this: while the story was primed to climax at Wrestlemania 40, there were already some in the company openly talking about the idea of Cody winning the World Heavyweight Championship and then challenging the winner of Roman vs. Rock for Summerslam in a title unification bout so that Cody could finally, really, we promise this time, finish the story.

www.pwinsider.com/article/179954/so-what-happened-to-the-wrestlemania-main-event-picture-the-rock.html?p=1