Fans may be a bit upset about The Rock showing up to take Cody Rhodes’ match against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. The match is not set yet, but it appears that things will get locked down in Las Vegas on Thursday. Dwayne Johnson already made the flight, and he’s there.
The Rock Arrives in Las Vegas
The Rock travels in style, and he made it to Vegas a day before his big WrestleMania kickoff event at the T-Mobile arena. He seemed ready for whatever waits for him at the event.
WWE dropped a video of The Rock arriving in Las Vegas to hype the WrestleMania kickoff show event. Obviously, they want a spotlight on The People’s Champion.
The People’s Champion has arrived in Las Vegas! @TheRock is ready for an iconic face-off with @WWERomanReigns tomorrow at the #WrestleMania XL Kickoff live from @TMobileArena.
The People's Champion has arrived in Las Vegas!@TheRock is ready for an iconic face-off with @WWERomanReigns tomorrow at the #WrestleMania XL Kickoff live from @TMobileArena. pic.twitter.com/RvY5vVNTzb
— WWE (@WWE) February 7, 2024
When The Rock vs Roman Reigns was Booked
I previously reported that The Rock called his shot for this WrestleMania match on January 1st when he showed up for the Day 1 episode of RAW. His Head of the Table comment was heard loud and clear.
During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that WWE actually booked the T-Mobile Arena far in advance. This event wasn’t a late addition to anyone’s schedule.
“They had booked T-Mobile for Thursday with The Rock long ago, like someone there mentioned it in passing. It was, ‘it’s not like you can get T-Mobile Arena four days in advance for something that we’re changing.’ This thing was booked way in advance. This thing was, you know when I mentioned January 3rd, to make a date and have an agreement on January 3rd, there was pretty much an understanding well before that. They kept that one quiet. However it plays out, whatever it is, it’s working.”
Chances of The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 Booking Changing
There has been a ton of negative fan reaction since The Rock’s return. WWE has issued no internal word or memo about how to handle that discontent from fans.
To add a bit to Fightful's report about how WWE is preparing for negative reactions to The Rock.
I was told that "No official plans or memos or directives" have been passed down about how to handle this situation.
— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 7, 2024
When I asked if any of this fan backlash will change these prospective WrestleMania plans, I was told, “there’s no chance in hell.”
After asking around days later, I received an additional note that said, “No chance this changes unless The Rock backs out. This has been The Rock calling the shot since January 1st.” That is when Rock showed up on the Day 1 episode of RAW and made his first head of the table comment.
I keep asking about #TheRock's #WrestleMania? plans possibly changing, because that's all fans want at this point.
Last night, a tenured member of the creative team told me straight up: "We have not been told of any change. That doesn't mean the plan hasn't changed. Or won't…
— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 7, 2024
I checked once again, just to make sure that everything was in line. I was told that if there are any changes, then they’re being kept very close to the vest. By all appearance, Roman Reigns vs The Rock is happening.
What happens in Vegas is supposed to stay in Vegas, but tomorrow’s event at the T-Mobile Arena will certainly help shape WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia on April 6th and 7th. SE Scoops will have more updates as they are made known.