Iconic Face Off Between Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns on SmackDown Means Nothing to WWE Fans After Cody Rhodes Blunder

Cody Rhodes was set for an exciting WWE arc ahead of his 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble win. As he won the match, he signaled that he was gonna challenge Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship title. However, Rhodes pulled a rather ironic move that fans did not expect at yesterday’s Smackdown.

While he makes it clear that he wants to challenge Reigns for the title, he gave up the opportunity to face Reigns at WrestleMania XL and offered it to Dwayne Johnson/ The Rock. This move did not make fans happy and are now criticizing WWE and Rhodes for pivoting away from what fans want to see.

Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns’ Face-Off Feels Forced

Everybody was talking about Cody Rhodes and his historic 2024 Royal Rumble victory after he won it last year too. Cody Rhodes seemed to be in revenge mode as he stared down at Roman Reigns after his win. He had lost to Reigns at WrestleMania 39 after Solo Sikoa interfered during the match. Fans were hoping that Rhodes would finish this arc with him challenging Reigns for a rematch at WrestleMania XL.

However, at yesterday’s Smackdown, Rhodes surprised everyone when he decided not to face Reigns at the upcoming WrestleMania. Instead, he set up a match between Reigns and Dwayne Johnson/ The Rock. This was completely unexpected and it went against what was set up at the end of the Royal Rumble match.

Rhodes’ fans were not thrilled with this and felt that he was sidelined to promote the match between the cousins. They were disappointed, feeling that it made no sense and was a mistake on Rhodes’ part to do something like this. Here are some of the reactions on X,

Cody right now pic.twitter.com/2DIqmJuXP5

— Dat (@DatDaDatty) February 3, 2024

I mean … that’s the biggest match possible

But also … why? I’m so fucking confused, why did Cody introduce him and leave ??? 😭😭

— Alex (@xAlexTHFC) February 3, 2024

I SPEAK FOR EVERYONE WHEN I SAY WE DONT WANT THIS SHIT

— 𝗛𝗨𝗦𝗦 〽️ (@CookedByHurts) February 3, 2024

This is why WWE is garbage lol. They really aren’t gonna give us Cody vs Roman over The Rock smh.

— FACELESS ART 📽 (@Facelessart305) February 3, 2024

CODY FANS DEAD 😭😭😭😭

— cris (@DeportesConCris) February 3, 2024

While this move has garnered criticism, there may be a secret plan that Rhodes and Johnson have cooked up. For now, this seems like a total cop-out of what was to be a very exciting match. Johnson can no doubt bring a lot of hype and charisma to the table but the payoff would have been far greater if it was the Rhodes vs Reigns match that everybody was clamoring for.

CM Punk Wants Cody Rhodes to Finish His Story

Cody Rhodes and CM Punk were the last men standing in the recent Royal Rumble Match. Rhodes managed to defeat Punk and emerged victorious. Since then, it was revealed that Punk suffered a torn triceps during the match and will not be able to attend WrestleMania XL.

Rhodes and Punk appeared together backstage after the revelation and Punk is seen telling Rhodes “Finish Your Story, Bro” on X. Punk is referring to Rhodes’ rematch with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed Universal WWE Championship Title. He was set for a rematch against Reigns at WrestleMania XL.

However, it seems Rhodes’ story will take its time as he gave up the opportunity to face Reigns at WrestleMania XL. He instead set up a match between Dwayne Johnson/ The Rock and Reigns. It remains to be seen how Rhodes manages to finish his story in the future.