The Rock vs Roman Reigns

I am going to try really hard not to rant. I will also attempt to resist the impulse to resort to Attitude Era level trash talk. So I'll just say that I am pissed. Royally pissed. (An unnecessary Key and Peele reference to calm my nerves.)

How the Match makes Perfect Sense

The Rock vs Roman Reigns has been a dream match since Roman took on the Tribal Chief/ Head of the Table persona. The Rock is one of the best WWE Superstars of all time and hands down the biggest WWE superstar of color. He reached the pinnacle of the WWE and as much as "Hollywood" seems to be a problem for WWE fans right now, The Rock's transition into an action star has immensely benefited the WWE since The Scorpion King. It is also very interesting how fans have embraced people from other industries like Logan Paul, Bad Bunny, and Pat McAfee but are having a hard time with The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment coming back home to main event WrestleMania 40. When I say it's "very interesting", I mean it's completely idiotic and very disrespectful.

An Equally Disrespectful Component

Maybe I've blocked it out because I'm so offended for The Rock but I don't recall there ever being such an overwhelmingly negative reaction for any other beloved legends return. WWE has always understood and taken advantage of the incomparable pop of a legend's return to the ring. They have always used it because the fans eat it up. Every. Single. Time. Goldberg returns and temporary Championship runs were welcomed from what I remember. And I'm sure his return took away opportunities from younger guys who deserved a chance at the gold. There have also been countless legends who should've no longer been wrestling, but we accepted/celebrated their return and just prayed they'd get through their matches alive. The Rock is not that. In the same breath, he is 51 years old and he wants to have and give an iconic match at WrestleMania XL. We can still smell what The Rock is cooking and it ain't burnt. Be grateful.

Back to why the match makes Perfect Sense

Roman's grandfather considered The Rock's grandfather his blood brother, ipso facto The Rock and Roman Reigns are cousins. So The Rock challenging Roman's reign over the Bloodline faction correlates pretty well with common sense. Even though Roman Reigns has held the Universal Championship for over 3 years, The Rock is the biggest star of the 3rd generation of Samoan wrestlers. So it could be argued that although Roman Reigns is "Head of the Table", the "Table" is in The Rock's house. Roman has not had a better storyline for a match in a really long time. Roman's recent matches have really only made sense for his opponents. The man said it, he's in "God Mode." In my opinion, Roman needs to fight The Rock. The only man to be in 3 generation vs generation matches (winning 2 out of 3), one where he was the wrestler in his prime and two where he was older wrestler.

The Sacrifice of Cody Rhodes

I completely agree that The Rock vs Roman Reigns is unfair to Cody Rhodes. Especially the way storyline unfolded. Cody winning Royal Rumble back to back years and announcing he was choosing to fight Roman again, then withdrawing from that fight so Roman and The Rock could main event WrestleMania 40. I get it. Cody deserves to have the moment he has worked for and wants at WrestleMania. I remember going to my first live wrestling event when Cody was teamed up with Hardcore Holly and knowing that Cody was special. Great Passion. Amazing Talent. Already was creating an in-ring style, which a lot of young wrestlers struggle to develop. The WWE does what it always does and underutilized the good talent that they had. Cody made every character he had during his first WWE run, work. He bought in to the characters and delivered for the fans but he was never going to get the push. Cody leaves WWE and puts in even more work, strengthening his skills with New Japan Pro Wrestling. Later he becomes the face of WWE first real competition in years, AEW. Cody makes his triumphant return to WWE as the American Nightmare. We lose our minds. He is back to fulfill his destiny. To get the title that the WWE somehow had the audacity to not have over the shoulder of the late great Dusty Rhodes at least once during his time wrestling with them. We're talking the American Dream baby, one of the best to ever do it. So I honestly thought Roman's reign would end at WrestleMania 39 and Cody would begin his. It didn't. The luxury of being a heel at the top is that the boos and cheers sound the same, so Roman winning when the fans want someone else to still works.

This Actually Opens The Door for Something Great for Cody

Physically and athletically Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes is a more interesting match than Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes. Also Cody gets to lean completely into Baby Facedom, which the fans will be totally behind. Or he could do something unexpected at WrestleMania and into a turn Stone Cold type- heel. The type of heel that doesn't get booed. (Obviously excluding when Stone Cold turned heel-heel and was working with the McMahon's.) Also Seth's belt is no less the caliber of Roman's. The World Heavyweight Championship and Universal Championship are equal. Yes, waiting for what you want sucks when you've waited long enough but so many great wrestlers have been subjected to it.

Extra Tidbits... that are Valid Points

Fans have the right to be disappointed but you don't have the right to disrespect or disregard a legend. So cut it out.

As far as I know The Rock and Roman Reigns match will be the first time 2 men of color will be fighting in the main event match of WrestleMania. The WWE has always dropped the ball in terms of representation. I'll give them that over almost 10 years there has been a real improvement and clear effort from the WWE to showcase and utilize the talent of Black, Asian, Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and women wrestlers which has been really refreshing and inspiring.

***

I think I should state that I acknowledge the Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, Roman Reigns. But it goes without saying but that I'll be rooting for The Brahma Bull, The People's Champion, The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment, The Rock.

It has always been a dream of mine to go to the Showcase of the Immortals. I would say someday. One year. Before January 1st 2024(when The Rock blatantly called out Roman) I thought The Rock would fight Roman. Better yet I felt it. January 3, 2024 I bought tickets to my first WrestleMania with a credit card I won't be paying off for awhile.

I know I'll be crying... a lot. I am hoping I don't pass out. And I am praying nobody near me boos The Rock. I was going to say that I'd tell them to shut their mouth and know their role cause I will layeth the smacketh down on their Jabroni-pie eating- roody poo- candy ass. But to be honest I'll either be too transfixed on the match or passed out in my chair because there was too much electricity.