The Rock and Roman Reigns will clash in the main of WrestleMania 40.
The Great One returned to WWE on the February 2nd edition of Friday Night SmackDown to confront the Undisputed Universal Champion and set up their long-rumoured match. Yet despite the mega-money match-up being a generational dream match, the decision to insert The Rock at the expense of Cody Rhodes has been met with heavy backlash from fans.
The video segment in which Rhodes revealed he would not be using his Royal Rumble victory to challenge Reigns in Philadephia to allow The People’s Champion to face the Tribal Chief is now the company’s most disliked video on YouTube. Over on other social media platforms, the hashtag #WeWantCody trended worldwide and according to Fightful Select, the decision was not a popular one backstage either.
The outlet reported they have reached out to “over three dozen contacts within WWE across all departments” and revealed the decision to run the match “was universally panned from those we spoke with.”
The site went on to state that several performers told them the decision was “something the vast majority didn’t want” and “just doesn’t make sense in any capacity.” One member of the creative they reached out to said “it’s undermining one of the biggest stories we’ve ever told and turning off a lot of our fans.’
The Rock has responded to the negative feedback from WWE fans
The Hollywood star took to social media to thank the fans in attendance for their reaction while noting that he is also aware of the backlash and loves the passion.
FEEL the mana ✨🤯
So f#%king blown away by this insane energy from the People. Undeniable – and one of the loudest ovations I’ve ever experienced in my career.
Thank you Birmingham, Alabama, thank you WWE, thank you to the man himself, Cody Rhodes – and most importantly, thank you to the People.Our connection is unbreakable and our bond is ELECTRIC.
~ People’s Champ
ps, tough skin, love the passion