WrestleMania season is underway and as we prepare for the first Monday night raw On Netflix and other upcoming WWE events, rumors are circulating about what’s in store for WrestleMania 41. If last year’s speculation wasn’t chaotic enough, it looks like another main event will largely depend on what Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wants to do.
The Rock and his absurd People’s Championship were last seen on WWE programming in October, and we’ve been speculating about when he might return to the brand. Maybe we have an answer, thanks to Wrestling Observer Newsletterin which Dave Meltzer pointed out what the current main event of Wrestlemania 41 is in case The Rock is not available and is not willing to have a match (via f4wonline.com):
So, for WrestleMania, reports of Rhodes vs. John Cena are accurate as things stand right now. The concept of Cena challenging one of the two champions in an attempt to break the so-called record of 16 reigns that he and Aptitude share has been a concept in the works for months.
It would be the ultimate “showdown,” having the new WWE hero taking on the old one. We’ve also reported on speculation that it will be Cena who makes Rhodes finally turn around and become a villainous champion in the future, as well as speculation that John Cena will win the Royal Rumble and challenge Gunther for his title, so what should it be? do we believe?
According to this rumor, there are still many possibilities on the table and everything will be cut back to The Rock. If The Brahma Bull capitalizes on wanting another WrestleMania main event, the plan will likely change, but it’s apparently unclear if that will happen at this point, as Dave Meltzer talked about how Cena originally intended to compete for the Heavyweight Championship:
At first it was the Uncooked title since Rhodes vs. Rock would be for the other title and the Individuals belt. This isn’t set in stone because whatever Rock wants to do, he can probably do it. I know people expect me to appear on the show. (WrestleMania 41) in some way. As for wrestling on the show, I even know people at the top who are hoping for it, but it’s not a sure thing and you would think that the January 6 Netflix show would kick off the season and give the signal. Rock could make another match even though the WWE Title vs. Singles Title was what he wanted after Mania.
Having reported all of this, I should point out that while pro wrestling rumors are usually accurate or successful during the regular parts of the calendar year, WrestleMania season is often a game of chance. Last year there were all sorts of rumors circulating about who was doing what and who was earning what, and in fact it almost seemed like some rumors were being spread to deliberately spread misinformation. So should we believe this theory or just take it with a grain of salt?
I’m on the fence because I remember Dwayne Johnson’s supposed contract agreements when he joined the TKO Board of Directors, giving him influence over WWE. It was substantial enough to almost derail a rematch between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns if it hadn’t been for a massive fan movement that led him to back down on the request for a match with Reigns. I can certainly believe that the main event of WrestleMania, for now, anyway, is once again at Johnson’s discretion, and there are apparently multiple backup plans in case some circumstances change.
For now I’m just saying let’s wait for the first one. Monday night raw on Netflix on January 6 and see what that suggests regarding WrestleMania 41. It should be an exciting night for the streamer and wrestling fans, and I hope it lives up to the hype after waiting so long time.
