SmackDown Concludes with Cody Rhodes Deferring WrestleMania 40 Main Event to Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
February 2, 2024
SmackDown’s most recent episode came to an eventful end last night, as Cody Rhodes, the Royal Rumble winner, made an unexpected decision to step back from his pursuit of the WWE Universal championship. His purpose? Enabling Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to go head-to-head with Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 40.[1]
Disparate Opinions Emerge Among Wrestling Fans
In the aftermath of the unexpected announcement, Wrestling enthusiasts have taken to the internet to express their varying emotions. While some welcome the angle introduced, others remain critical. The WWE will have the opportunity to win over those who are on the fence, along with some of the dissenters as time progresses.[2]
Press Conference to Ignite Anticipation
A monumental press conference regarding the upcoming match will be held on Thursday, February 8. Fans and media will have the chance to witness an iconic face-off between The Rock and Roman Reigns at the WrestleMania XL Kickoff event.[3]
Event Details:
- Date: Thursday, February 8
- Time: 4 p.m. PT
- Venue: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas
- Doors Open: 2:30 p.m. PT
- Event Entry: Free
- Event Sponsor: Pizza Hut
The conference will feature appearances and interviews with The Rock, Roman Reigns, and WWE Chief Content Officer, Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Notable personalities, Cody Rhodes, Seth “Freakin” Rollins, Bianca Belair, and Rhea Ripley will also be present. The WrestleMania XL Kickoff event will be hosted by Monday Night Raw commentators Michael Cole and Pat McAfee, and will be streamed live on various WWE platforms, including Peacock.[3]
Exciting VIP experiences for WrestleMania XL Kickoff are available for purchase through exclusive partner, On Location, at https://onlocationexp.com/wrestlemaniaxlkickoff. Witness unimaginable showdowns, promising to make WrestleMania XL a record-breaking event to remember![4]
Mark your calendars! WrestleMania XL will be held on April 6 and 7 at 7 p.m. ET, streamed live on Peacock. This grand extravaganza will spread its splendor across two events and promises unforgettable moments at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.[5]
A Noteworthy Afternoon in Vegas
Given the remarkable reaction the closing segment received, as well as the ongoing controversy surrounding Vince McMahon and the WWE’s sex abuse allegation scandal, the forthcoming press conference in Vegas holds the promise of an extraordinary and highly eventful afternoon. This holds especially true for the main eventer, The Rock, who holds the additional distinction as a member of the TKO Board of Directors, the parent company of WWE.[6]