Reported Details About Potential Winner Of Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns At WrestleMania 39
The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes emerged as the winner of the 2023 Men’s Royal Rumble match, securing his spot to main event of WrestleMania 39. Cody Rhodes issued a challenge to The Tribal Chief Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Despite fans’ expectations that Rhodes might dethrone Reigns, it is not certain. Roman Reigns has held the WWE Universal Championship for over two years and it was once believed that the company wanted to protect his title for a potential match against The Rock at WrestleMania 39, but currently, that match is no longer on the table.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cody Rhodes was not the top choice to challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania this year. In fact, he was not even the second option. The company had intended for Reigns to face The Rock or Steve Austin, but both declined the match. This suggests that WWE does not have a strong commitment to Rhodes winning the WWE Championship.
”The fact WWE wanted Dwayne Johnson in the spot, and even contacted Steve Austin for the spot, tells you they weren’t married to the idea of Rhodes having to headline the show or win the title, at least from Reigns.”
Dave Meltzer further noted that the narrative surrounding Cody Rhodes’ return was centered around his eventual achievement of winning the WWE Championship, a feat that his father Dusty Rhodes was unable to accomplish. However, the plan was not specifically to have this occur at WrestleMania.
”Plus, the entire storyline that brought Rhodes to WWE did almost have to result in him winning the title his father never could win. But that didn’t have to take place at Mania, just had to take place at some time,” stated Meltzer.
Reported Reason Why Edge vs. Finn Balor Rematch Didn’t Happen At Royal Rumble 2023
Edge made a highly-anticipated return to WWE after nearly three months, kicking off the Royal Rumble with his participation in the men’s match. Previously, rumors had swirled that he would be in a different bout, but according to Dave Meltzer, Edge was unavailable due to filming commitments for a TV series.
Edge has been involved in a storyline with The Judgment Day for several months, after he was written off WWE programming following a grueling “I Quit” match against Finn Balor at Extreme Rules 2022.
Initially, plans were in place for Edge and Balor to have a rematch inside Hell in a Cell at the Royal Rumble. Rumors of the match between “Brood Edge” and “Demon” Finn Balor in a Hell in a Cell encounter gained traction online a few weeks prior to the event as WWE finalized the Royal Rumble card.
However, according to this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Triple H and his team ultimately decided against the proposed Hell in a Cell showdown as Edge was busy filming the Disney+ series, “Percy Jackson and The Olympian.” Edge has been cast in the role of Greek God Ares in the show and was unavailable to build towards a Royal Rumble rematch against Balor.
“The reason the at one time talked about Brood Edge vs. Demon Balor Hell in a Cell match at the Rumble didn’t happen is because Edge was filming a television show until this past week and thus couldn’t do the WWE television to build up the match. He was filming “Percy Jackson and The Olympian,” a Disney + series where he will play Ares, the Greek God of War.”
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