The road to WrestleMania 39’s Undisputed WWE Universal Championship match between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes was paved with controversy, with new details emerging about the match’s infamous finish. According to sources close to the situation, Triple H was initially opposed to the original plans for the main event, which had Cody Rhodes emerging victorious.
A Planned Upset
Initially, Rhodes was set to dethrone Roman Reigns and claim the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 39. This storyline change was reportedly pushed by a select few within the WWE creative team, who had been advocating for a fresh face to reign supreme. However, as the event drew closer, the plans began to shift.
Sources have revealed that Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer, expressed concerns about the impact of Rhodes’ championship win on the company’s long-term plans. With Rhodes and Reigns’ feud still in its infancy, the possibility of Reigns retaining the title and continuing their rivalry may have proven more beneficial to the WWE’s creative trajectory.
Vince McMahon’s Involvement
The decision to delay Rhodes’ championship win was allegedly made with the approval of Vince McMahon, who has been known to take a hands-on approach to the company’s creative direction. According to sources, McMahon was sold on the idea of Reigns retaining the title, which would allow the WWE to continue building momentum behind the Tribal Chief’s storyline.
“Vince’s vision for Roman Reigns as the top dog has been clear for some time now,” said a WWE insider. “He saw this as an opportunity to further cement Reigns’ status as the top champion and set up a potential rematch for Rhodes at a later date.”
Cody Rhodes’ Reaction
Cody Rhodes’ reaction to the last-minute change in plans remains a closely guarded secret within the WWE. However, sources have revealed that Rhodes was initially disappointed by the news, feeling that he had been misled about the chances of winning the title.
“Cody was genuinely surprised by the decision to delay his title win,” a source close to Rhodes revealed. “He had been working tirelessly to build momentum around his character and was confident that he had the support of the creative team. When he found out that the plans had changed, he was understandably disappointed.”
The Fallout
The controversy surrounding the main event finish has left many within the WWE fraternity questioning the creative decisions made by the company’s leadership. While some have praised the WWE for thinking outside the box and creating an unpredictable storyline, others have expressed disappointment at the lack of transparency surrounding the decision.
“The WWE’s creative team has always been known for taking risks and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in professional wrestling,” said a veteran WWE insider. “However, in this case, the decision to delay Cody Rhodes’ title win has left a sour taste in many fans’ mouths. The WWE needs to be more transparent about its creative decisions and provide more context to its audience.”
A New Era for WWE?
The controversy surrounding WrestleMania 39’s main event has sparked a wider conversation about the WWE’s creative direction and the impact of its decisions on the company’s long-term success. As the WWE looks to the future and plans for upcoming events, it remains to be seen whether the company will continue to take risks and push the boundaries of what’s possible in professional wrestling.
One thing is certain, however: the WWE’s creative team will be under intense scrutiny in the coming months as they look to rebuild trust with fans and deliver on the promises made during WrestleMania 39. With the company’s future hanging in the balance, the stage is set for an epic struggle between creative vision and fan expectation.
Note: The quotes and information provided in this article are based on sources close to the situation and should be treated as speculative in nature. The WWE has not officially commented on the controversy surrounding the main event finish.