Original pitches for Cody/Cena Mania feud

[Chris]

From the Observer:

“During the day, when they were putting the show together, this segment was listed as coming after the Trish Stratus & Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae tag match."

“The segment as laid out would have Rhodes turn Rock down, but Cena wouldn’t be involved and would win the chamber. The plan was that the Cena turn with Rock would have been saved for WrestleMania’s finish. The idea is that once the decision was made, during the day, to do it on this show, then obviously it had to go on last.”

“This angle was art imitating life to a degree. Dwayne Johnson legit, when he wasn’t going to wrestle, and decided to be a part of the Mania build, wanted to be aligned with Rhodes with Rhodes going heel.”

“Rhodes turned down the idea, and they went to Cena as the second choice.”

 

[O-Blaze]

Would have been better had the heel turn just happened at WrestleMania. but oh well.


But this also goes to show, Cody just doesn't want to be a heel.

 

[Chris]

Would have been better had the heel turn just happened at WrestleMania. but oh well.


But this also goes to show, Cody just doesn't want to be a heel.

I'm conflicted there. The moment itself would have been bigger bc it's Mania for sure, but man this build is WAY better than it would have been otherwise, I'm not sure what I value more

 

[Dale]

Would love to know more details on that because while I understand Cody (and probably WWE for that matter) turning down going heel, it's wild to me that Cena would be the second option.

 

[O-Blaze]

I'm conflicted there. The moment itself would have been bigger bc it's Mania for sure, but man this build is WAY better than it would have been otherwise, I'm not sure what I value more

Yeah I mean for sure this build will be better with it going this way.

it just would be hilarious the whole time me saying Cody better win, and all that...just for me to flip and be fine with Cena winning cause he turned heel lmao.

 

[Samoa Looch]

What other option woulda been there if it was supposed to be Cena v Cody the whole time? WWE doing a Face v Face in the Mania Main Event? Nah... they are not creative enough for that.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

Would have been better had the heel turn just happened at WrestleMania. but oh well.


But this also goes to show, Cody just doesn't want to be a heel.

This is what I'm saying. If the idea is for Cena to win, you save the turn for the finish. Then you get a heel champion run.

Seems like Rock just wanted to be part of the build. So it better be good when he shows up.

 

[O-Blaze]

What other option woulda been there if it was supposed to be Cena v Cody the whole time? WWE doing a Face v Face in the Mania Main Event? Nah... they are not creative enough for that.

I think not even doing one on one would've been good. Have someone else sell their soul and Rock uses his power to add them into the match.

 

[Ricky Smarks]

I'm conflicted there. The moment itself would have been bigger bc it's Mania for sure, but man this build is WAY better than it would have been otherwise, I'm not sure what I value more

I'm also conflicted, but mainly because I want Cody going over regardless and the story works better for that if he's once again fighting from behind.

 

[Deadd2009]

if the Rock wanted to be part of the build in general, why not...you know...wrestle?

 

[Ricky Smarks]

if the Rock wanted to be part of the build in general, why not...you know...wrestle?

Don't get me started.

 

[O-Blaze]

if the Rock wanted to be part of the build in general, why not...you know...wrestle?

Because......reasons

 

[Ricky Smarks]

Cody and Rock is where the money is and hopefully Rock decides to do it next year at 42.

 

[Dale]

if the Rock wanted to be part of the build in general, why not...you know...wrestle?

Because he got pulled back in for re-shoots or something apparently, hence why he's not wrestling.

 

[Deadd2009]

Because......reasons

Unless he's filming a movie in between these appearances and they told him he cant wrestle out of fear of getting hurt and putting the movie in jeopardy, him being there just to be there makes no sense. This isnt like a cameo where Austin or Hogan or whoever comes out and does their finisher, this is being part of the main storyline on Smackdown.