BY SACNILK

The culmination of the WrestleMania XL Press Event left fans hungry for more, thanks to a dramatic and contentious finale. A skirmish erupted between The Rock and Cody Rhodes when the former took offense to Rhodes invoking his ancestor's name, resulting in a slap heard around the wrestling world. As the event ended, a visibly infuriated Rock demanded that Triple H "rectify" the situation.## This explosive conclusion has whipped fans into a frenzy, eagerly anticipating tonight's SmackDown broadcast. However, their hopes for immediate fallout from the press event may be dashed. According to PWInsider.com, Cody Rhodes is confirmed to be in Charlotte, the location of SmackDown, but there's no sign of Roman Reigns attending the show.## While The Rock's appearance remains unconfirmed, a glimmer of hope shines through with the expected return of Randy Orton to SmackDown after his absence last week.## Although fans might be disheartened by the potential lack of a showdown between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns tonight, they can take comfort in knowing that Rhodes will undoubtedly address the controversial incident at the press event. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

It seemed clear Cody wanted to fight Roman after winning the Rumble. But Rollins messed things up, confusing Cody. Then, Rock stole Cody's WrestleMania spot. ## Rollins was talking about his match at the press event when Roman interrupted, saying he'd fight Rock instead! Rock got booed but announced the biggest Mania match ever - him vs. Roman. ## But Cody wasn't done, He crashed the party, saying the Rumble winner chooses the main event, and he chooses Roman. oman raged that Cody blew his chance. But when Cody mentioned their ancestors wouldn't approve, Rock got mad and slapped him. ## Following the conclusion of the show, taking to Twitter Triple H announced that Cody Rhodes would be challenging Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40. ## Decision made. @CodyRhodes gets the chance to finish his story when he challenges @WWERomanReigns in the main event of #WrestleMania XL. pic.twitter.com/A12apAnELf— Triple H (@TripleH) February 9, 2024 ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

The Rock has just fueled the fire by cutting a promo on fans of Cody Rhodes during his recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. ## The People's Champ electrifed the WWE Universe last Friday night on SmackDown, locking eyes with the Tribal Chief after Cody Rhodes unexpectedly surrendered his championship opportunity.## While an initial roar erupted for The Rock's iconic theme, Cody's departure elicited a more tempered response from the audience. Over the weekend, the tide turned online, with fans passionately advocating for Cody, making "We Want Cody" a trending topic. ## While appearing on the show, The Rock dropped the following statement; ## “I expected, we expected it because it’s right there & you go back & again you like to think ‘Hey I got my finger on the pulse’, we all try to keep the finger on the pulse, ultimately what the fans want & what they’re saying & often times, in sports, entertainment, anywhere, there’s a wave of noise that happens right out of the gate, that you just wanna pause for a second, let’s not make any rash decisions, let’s wait & see how it all shakes out & see what happens from there so just a matter of waiting, so now…was not surprised at it, did expect it but here’s the fun part, love Cody, love his passionate fans, then there’s the other passionate Cody fans & their called ‘Cody crybabies’, these are grown ass men, ‘Cody’s gotta finish his story’, it’s like..wait a second hold on, ‘hey dad you wanna go outside & play catch w/me?! Not now Cody’s gotta finish his story & I’m upset, wife comes in ‘hey honey you wanna go have s***x, ‘not now Cody’s gotta finish his story!’”. ## It should be noted that, during the show, The Rock also confirmed that he would be wrestling Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania.## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

The big decision is in for Cody Rhodes! ## After winning the prestigious Royal Rumble, he holds the power to choose his WrestleMania 40 opponent: the dominant Roman Reigns (Undisputed WWE Universal Champion), the fierce Seth Rollins (WWE World Heavyweight Champion), or even someone else entirely. ## On SmackDown, Rhodes laid down the gauntlet for Reigns, vowing to "take everything" but delaying their clash until beyond WrestleMania. The twist? He then ushered in the legendary Rock, setting up a potential dream match between him and Reigns at the grandest stage. ## Meanwhile, Rollins hasn't been shy about lobbying for Rhodes' attention. This Thursday's WrestleMania 40 press conference promises fireworks as all four powerhouses converge - Rhodes, Reigns, Rock, and Rollins. ## … pic.twitter.com/zZjd1wOZZb— WrestlePurists (@WrestlePurists) February 8, 2024 ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Discontent rumbles on amongst wrestling fans following the news that Cody Rhodes' anticipated "storyline completion" at WrestleMania 40 is being sidelined. The decision to have The Rock challenge Roman Reigns instead, despite Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble, has drawn significant backlash towards both The Rock and WWE. ## As it turns out, the Rock's involvement was a closely guarded secret, known only to a select few including Triple H, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel, and WWE President Nick Khan. This revelation further fueled fan frustration, who feel blindsided by the shift.## Fans have made their voices heard loud and clear: chants of "Rocky Sucks" erupted during Raw, various supportive hashtags have dominated social media for days, and live events continue to erupt in cheers for Rhodes. ## In a novel form of protest, fans are driving up sales of Rhodes' new t-shirt design on WWE Shop, sending a clear message of dissatisfaction with the booking change. ## Cody Rhodes has the top-selling t-shirt on WWE Shop right now. pic.twitter.com/bfaDSWykE0— Andrew Ravens l WrestlingNews.co (@Andrew_Ravens) February 7, 2024 ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Wrestling veteran Justin Gabriel recently revealed a past altercation with current star Cody Rhodes. During his stint with WWE (2008-2015), Gabriel squared off against Rhodes multiple times, most notably in early 2012.## On Rene Dupree's podcast, Gabriel recounted a "tiff" with Rhodes that escalated to a physical confrontation. Apparently, Rhodes' creative input led to changes in storylines, which didn't sit well with Gabriel.## "Cody and I had a bit of a disagreement, nothing major," Gabriel clarified. "He changed some storylines with creative, which I wasn't thrilled about. Long story short, we ended up throwing punches. We settled it quickly, though. I doubt he even remembers."## Gabriel described initially mistaking Rhodes' aggression for a joke, leading to a push in self-defense. He then realized the seriousness of the situation, but his laughter further fueled Rhodes' anger. Thankfully, WWE legends Mark Henry and Booker T intervened before things got out of hand.## "I thought he was messing around at first," Gabriel said. "He swung at me, so I instinctively pushed him back. I'm no stranger to a fight, so my reflexes were quick. When I saw he was serious, I panicked a bit. But I just laughed it off, which apparently made him even madder. Luckily, Mark and Booker stepped in before things got ugly." ## This anecdote offers a glimpse into the high-pressure world of professional wrestling, where emotions can sometimes boil over. Fortunately, both individuals moved on without holding grudges. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

WWE was expecting to make Cody Rhodes a bigger babyface by having him replaced by The Rock at WrestleMania. ## While speaking on the latest edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE had anticipated elevating Cody Rhodes as a prominent babyface by orchestrating his replacement with The Rock at WrestleMania. The intention was to mold Cody Rhodes into a figure akin to Daniel Bryan, fostering a narrative where he would emerge as a martyr and gain increased support as a beloved character. ## There was an anticipation that the audience would rally behind Cody, empathizing with him as the victim of an unjust situation. However, it remains unclear whether the WWE foresaw Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson receiving boos from the crowd, as obtaining a clear answer on this matter has proven elusive. The planned storyline involved the reaction to Cody's perceived injustice, with the expectation that fans would sympathize with him and passionately support his cause, ultimately firming his status as a beloved babyface. ## "They were expecting Cody Rhodes to turn into Daniel Bryan. They were expecting to make Cody Rhodes into a martyr and make him a bigger babyface out of that. ## "Were they expecting the people to boo Dwayne? I don't know, because I've asked that one and haven’t gotten a straight answer. The reaction for Cody, about Cody getting screwed and people getting behind Cody, that was part of the story. That was absolutely expected." ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

At the "Road to WrestleMania" event in Knoxville, Tennessee, WWE's most coveted talent, Cody Rhodes, experienced a post-match beatdown. ## In the night's main event, Rhodes engaged in a fierce Street Fight against his longstanding adversary, the "King of Strong Style," Shinsuke Nakamura. Despite Rhodes emerging victorious, Nakamura, unwilling to accept defeat easily, plotted his retaliation. ## Caught on camera and swiftly circulating online, footage revealed Nakamura lurking backstage, anticipating Rhodes' arrival. With a glint of retribution in his eyes, Nakamura unleashed his trademark "red poison mist," dousing the "American Nightmare" in agony and leaving him writhing on the floor. ## In response to the dramatic turn of events, WWE has officially announced a showdown between Cody Rhodes and Shinsuke Nakamura in a Bull Rope Match. This highly anticipated clash is set to take place on tomorrow night's edition of Monday Night Raw, broadcasting live from St. Louis, MO. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

The saga of Cody Rhodes' unfinished business has captivated wrestling fans, only to leave them fuming after a recent twist.## His triumphant return promised a showdown with Roman Reigns, but last year's near-victory felt like a missed opportunity. WWE capitalized, building anticipation for another shot at glory in 2024.## However, Cody's path to redemption has been littered with hurdles. Finally, winning the Royal Rumble seemed to clear the way. But on SmackDown, a bombshell: The Rock emerged, stealing the spotlight and leaving Cody seemingly sidelined.## Predictably, fans erupted. The Rock's return video became the most disliked on WWE's YouTube channel, a clear sign of disapproval. ## With this backlash, could WWE backtrack on WrestleMania plans? Mike Johnson of PWInsider weighs in: "They have the flexibility to pivot, even back to Cody vs. Roman. But will they? Gut feeling says Rock vs. Roman, but the negativity might force a rethink. They're definitely watching the fan response." ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

The potential replacement of Cody Rhodes by The Rock in WrestleMania's main event has set the wrestling world ablaze, igniting diverse reactions from both backstage talent and fans. While fans have voiced their vehement disapproval, the backstage response appears more nuanced. ## According to Fightful Select, some within WWE see this as a welcome distraction from the negative press surrounding Vince McMahon's scandals. "At least with this," one source commented, "there can be positive buzz, and some rationale behind it. Last week's coverage was brutal." Another source hinted at a preference for appearing incompetent rather than malicious given the current climate.## However, not everyone is averse to the potential Rock-Roman Reigns showdown. Some talents view it as a WrestleMania enhancement, generating excitement and potentially attracting even more support for Cody Rhodes. "Rock vs. Roman is a Mania-worthy match," another source stated. "Fans are hyped, and Cody will still get a big match. This might even rally fans behind him even more."## Speculation suggests that The Rock, known for his concern about public perception, might address the situation directly. "If I know him," one source said, "he'll likely address this head-on, managing public opinion."## Stay Tuned TO Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

WWE appears to be grappling with the aftermath as hordes of self-proclaimed Cody Rhodes fans flood in to protest the decision to replace him against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. ## Real-time tension reached a boiling point after this Friday's edition of SmackDown, where Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns initially shared a segment. Rhodes dropped a bombshell, announcing his intention to challenge Roman for the title, but not at WrestleMania; instead, he handed the opportunity to The Rock. ## The Rock made a shocking appearance, engaging in a staredown with Roman Reigns for a continuous 3 to 4 minutes, seemingly confirming their showdown at WrestleMania 40. The immediate furor wasn't evident during the show, but post-show, fans ignited the "We Want Cody" trend, intensifying to over 100,000 posts. ## Join the fervor, HERE!. Rhodes's current trajectory has shifted from Roman to Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. ## It's noteworthy that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Roman Reigns are slated to face off at an open-to-the-public fan and media event – WrestleMania XL Kickoff – live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Thursday, February 8, at 4 p.m. PT. ## #WeWantCody is now trending with over 100,000 posts. pic.twitter.com/gSvGZ03Bi1— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) February 4, 2024 ## #wewantcody is the number 1 trend. 😀 I think someone fucked up Friday night. pic.twitter.com/rXvMomP31s— CTriplette (@manofthetown) February 3, 2024 ## A legally blind person only came at wwe house show to see @CodyRhodes 😳 #WeWantCody pic.twitter.com/LO56wtXG9B— 𝔻𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞 (@TeamCody__) February 4, 2024 ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...

BY SACNILK

Following Smackdown's conclusion, it appears Cody Rhodes won't "finish his story" at WrestleMania 40. Multiple WWE sources confirm the decision to pit The Rock against Roman Reigns was pushed by The Rock, backed by TKO Group Holding executives.## While WWE built towards a Rhodes-Reigns rematch, some sources believe Johnson intervened to "save WrestleMania" after CM Punk and Brock Lesnar were sidelined. Others posit Rock pushed regardless, given his $30 million stock payday partly contingent on hitting milestones, likely including a match this year. He believes Reigns vs. Rock is a bigger attraction.## Therefore, regardless of injuries, Rhodes-Reigns might not have happened. With Rock back, key management acquiesced to his ideas.## Leveraging his board position, Hollywood fame, and executive endorsements, Johnson secured the main event, aiming for broader appeal and positive company momentum. One source likened it to his DC film franchise attempts, initially portraying Black Adam, but eventually pushing for his own movie and facing Superman, even bypassing executives. Though he didn't gain complete control, WWE won't easily dismiss his ideas.## PWInsider.com assures this wasn't malicious towards Rhodes, but based on maximizing profits and respecting Johnson's new position. This strategic move empowers Johnson and shows Endeavor's faith in him, even over Paul Levesque's creative leadership. Gewirtz, Johnson's former associate, will represent him in WWE Creative.## Some wonder if Johnson was always planned but committed late, leaving Punk's potential WrestleMania position uncertain. Whether his injury prevented him from learning his fate is unknown.## Rhodes is currently slated to face Seth Rollins, frustrating readers as he's been pushing to "finish his story" all year, culminating in a Royal Rumble win. Even the WWE 2K24 cover, featuring Rhodes, revolves around fans "finishing" their stories. For his character, to have that moment in reach and not choose Reigns seems illogical. Beating Rollins doesn't complete his story, especially since he openly stated needing to win the title held by his father, carried by Heyman for Reigns.## While no one denies external forces altered the scenario, this reflects the new WWE, where old rules don't apply, and Endeavor prioritizes maximizing business, even if unpopular with loyal fans.## Interestingly, some discussed Rhodes winning the World Heavyweight Championship and then challenging the winner of Roman vs. Rock for a title unification at Summerslam, allowing him to "finally" finish the story.## But given the young audience's enthusiasm for Rhodes, not fulfilling their desired Rhodes-Reigns showdown, a story expertly built for a year, is a risky creative decision that might alienate fans. While recent complaints focused on other issues, this storyline shift has drastically changed perspectives.## In 2014, facing a similar situation with CM Punk's departure, WWE embraced the audience's desire for Daniel Bryan, leading to memorable WrestleMania 30 moments. This year, however, they've done the opposite, removing the desired hero and moment from the fans. Whether they attempt to rectify this situation by bringing Rhodes back into the mix with Rock and Reigns, or continue on the current path, remains to be seen. ## Stay Tuned To Sacnilk...