The WrestleMania 40 landscape has undergone unexpected changes with the return of The Rock, impacting plans for Roman Reigns’ potential opponents. WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry has shared his thoughts on the Busted Open podcast, suggesting that Reigns could be involved in two significant matches during the event.
Henry envisions a scenario where, on Night 1, The Rock challenges Roman Reigns for the coveted “Head of the Table” title. Following what is expected to be a challenging encounter, Henry proposes that on Night 2, Cody Rhodes steps up to vie for the championship. Taking advantage of the potential fatigue from the previous night’s match against The Rock, Rhodes could emerge victorious and become the new champion, creating a memorable and satisfying moment for fans.
However, not everyone is in favor of Reigns participating in two matches at WrestleMania 40. On the Taking You to School podcast, Tom Prichard voiced his dissent, arguing that the Tribal Chief should stick to just one match during the event. Drawing an analogy to a Super Bowl tournament, Prichard emphasized the physical toll of consecutive matches and expressed reservations about the feasibility of such a scenario.
Roman Reigns, with a remarkable title run exceeding 1200 days as the Tribal Chief, has become a central figure in WWE. While the specific opponent for his WrestleMania 40 match remains uncertain, the eventual moment of him relinquishing his title promises to be iconic and leave a lasting impact on the WWE universe.
Becky Lynch, a cornerstone of WWE, has had a prolific career featuring various match types, including WrestleMania main events and Royal Rumble triumphs. She’s held multiple titles across Raw, SmackDown, Tag Team, and NXT Women’s Championships, but the Elimination Chamber has eluded her so far.
During a recent Casual Podcast conversation with Brad Tate, Becky expressed her eagerness to finally step into the Elimination Chamber, eyeing a chance to win and headline WrestleMania once again. Her absence from this year’s premium live event led her to contemplate the opportunity, pondering the potential to conquer this unique match type and pave her way to the grandest stage of them all.
Adding intrigue, Becky Lynch’s name joins the list of participants set for this year’s Royal Rumble, heightening expectations about her potential victory in this anticipated event.
On a recent Raw episode, Becky faced off against Nia Jax, marking their clash after a five-year buildup. This rematch echoed their prior encounter where Nia caused Becky to bleed, an incident that stemmed from a heated exchange during Survivor Series’ initial invasion when Becky represented SmackDown.
Becky’s journey, filled with championship conquests and iconic moments, now leaves her eagerly eyeing a coveted Elimination Chamber entry to further solidify her storied career in WWE.
WWE Superstar Logan Paul made his presence felt on this week’s SmackDown, observing the final round of the United States Championship tournament, which showcased Santos Escobar and Kevin Owens.
Both Owens and Escobar delivered a stellar performance while Paul joined the commentary team. Owens emerged victorious with a Stunner, earning the right to challenge Paul for the US title at the 2024 Royal Rumble. Post-match, Logan Paul engaged in verbal sparring, provoking Owens, who swiftly responded by landing a punch, flooring the champion.
In a backstage moment, The Maverick was seen tending to an icepack on his face, crossing paths with WWE SmackDown Superstars Austin Theory and Grayson Waller, who, akin to Paul, had previously encountered Owens’ impactful punch.
There’s speculation in the wrestling community about this trio potentially forming a united front as the ultimate heel faction, with their common adversary being Kevin Owens.
The WWE Universe shared reactions, suggesting potential faction names and whimsical tag team combinations involving Logan Paul, Austin Theory, Grayson Waller, and even Dominik Mysterio.
Humorous faction names like “Unlikeable Pricks” and “Douche R Us” for the trio were popular among the discussions.
Adding to the excitement, WWE Hall of Famer Triple H built anticipation for the impending US Championship match at the Royal Rumble, urging fans not to miss the clash between Logan Paul and Kevin Owens.
Fan anticipation is soaring for the Royal Rumble event, where Owens is set to take on Paul for the US Championship, promising an electrifying showdown.
During the latest SmackDown event, Paul Heyman hinted at a potential showdown between Roman Reigns and a former WWE Champion, CM Punk. Heyman, speaking on behalf of Reigns, mentioned the numerous contenders who’ve challenged The Tribal Chief and ended up on the losing side.
The buzz around Heyman’s promo suggests a blockbuster match between Reigns and CM Punk, with speculation growing that they might headline SummerSlam 2024, possibly competing for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship. Punk had recently hinted at a feud with his past opponent on the blue brand.
Punk, absent from SummerSlam since his memorable bout against Brock Lesnar in 2013, has been making appearances, including a near run-in with The Bloodline’s locker room, fueling speculation about his future plans.
Next Monday, CM Punk is set to appear on RAW, likely continuing his storyline leading up to the 2024 Royal Rumble. Although currently without an opponent on television, that might change when he appears on the red brand next week.In other events
at SmackDown: New Year’s Revolution, Roman Reigns, along with Solo Sikoa and Jimmy Uso, disrupted a Triple Threat number one contender’s match involving Randy Orton, AJ Styles, and LA Knight. The Bloodline created chaos in the ring, setting a tense atmosphere.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis informed Paul Heyman ringside that at the 2024 Royal Rumble, Reigns would face the three men in a Fatal 4-Way Match. However, Reigns, through Heyman, expressed his dissatisfaction, wanting Heyman to “fix this,” indicating his reluctance to accept the challenge Aldis presented.
The backstage interaction between Reigns and Heyman regarding the match announcement is captured in a WWE Digital Exclusive video.
For deeper insights into why AJ Styles might become the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at the 2024 Royal Rumble, click here.
WWE’s Monday Night Raw hosted a spectacular episode last time, and fans are hoping for another thrilling installment this week. The buzz is around the anticipated return of CM Punk and an upcoming title match.
But that’s not all; there’s also a big showdown scheduled involving **Cody Rhodes**. Expectations are high for some surprising twists during this week’s Raw. Here, we discuss five shocking elements that might unfold on this week’s WWE Raw:
5 – Possible Appearance of Jinder Mahal in WWE Raw
Jinder Mahal made a comeback to Raw last week, engaging in a segment alongside The Rock. His heel performance during this segment was well-received by fans, setting a memorable tone for The Rock’s return. Speculations suggest WWE might reward Mahal with a match this week, and fans are curious about his potential opponent.
4 – Tomasso Ciampa vs. Finn Balor Could End in Disqualification
This week on WWE Raw, Tomasso Ciampa is set to face Judgment Day’s member, Finn Balor, in a singles match. There’s a significant stipulation tied to this bout. If Ciampa triumphs against Balor, he might earn a shot alongside Johnny Gargano to challenge Balor and Damian Priest for an undisputed tag team championship.
Ciampa’s superior performances might bring him close to defeating Balor. However, WWE might intervene, causing a disqualification to prevent Ciampa from securing the title opportunity.
3 – Cody Rhodes Could Overpower Shinsuke Nakamura on WWE Raw
Cody Rhodes has been embroiled in a long-standing feud with Shinsuke Nakamura. The personal animosity between them has intensified, with the American Nightmare increasingly incensed by the Japanese superstar. This indicates that Rhodes might aim to dominate Nakamura during their clash, possibly shocking fans with a straightforward victory.
However, Rhodes, being a top-tier superstar, might also surprise everyone by overpowering Nakamura in the match.
2 – Seth Rollins Might Encounter New Challenger for Royal Rumble on WWE Raw
Last week on Raw, Seth Rollins defended his World Heavyweight Title against Drew McIntyre. Though Rollins faced a tough fight from McIntyre, the latter’s match distraction by Damian Priest and Dominik Mysterio allowed Rollins to secure the win.
It seems McIntyre is now out of the title picture, and Rollins may await a new challenger for his title at Royal Rumble 2024. This change could be unveiled as WWE kicks off the Red brand, creating a new rivalry for Rollins.
1 – Potential Showdown between CM Punk and Drew McIntyre Segment on WWE Raw
CM Punk is set to return via this week’s Raw, and his segment might entail discussions about the Royal Rumble match and The Rock’s comeback. A few weeks back, McIntyre confronted Punk backstage on Raw.
Considering McIntyre’s dissatisfaction with The Best in the World’s return, he might interrupt Punk’s segment, setting the stage for a verbal altercation. This could lead to McIntyre announcing his entry into the main event of Royal Rumble and marking Punk as his potential target. After the altercation, fans might witness both declaring their entries into the main Royal Rumble match.
Kevin Owens: Clash with Logan Paul for the US Championship at Royal Rumble 2024
In the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble 2024, US Champion Logan Paul is set to defend his title against Kevin Owens. This match was officially confirmed during the New Year’s Revolution episode of SmackDown. Prior to the much-anticipated showdown, Kevin Owens has issued a warning to Logan Paul.
During the first episode of SmackDown in 2024, Owens delivered a knockout punch to Logan Paul, setting the stage for their upcoming championship bout. Reflecting on the attack, Owens stated, “Controversy? Every fight starts when you have different emotions. I’m glad I punched him in his foolish face during the New Year’s Revolution, and now I get the chance to do it again at the Royal Rumble. After defeating him, I’ll proudly reclaim the US Championship as a Canadian.”
Sharing his thoughts on the match against Logan Paul, Owens declared, “You can see he’s busy with things other than focusing on WWE. I don’t want to know what he was doing at that time. I just want to make it clear that I will defeat Logan Paul and bring back the honor of this title as a Canadian.”
Recently, Kevin Owens emerged victorious in a significant match on WWE SmackDown. Logan Paul had previously announced a tournament to determine the number one contender for his championship. In the finals of this tournament at SmackDown New Year’s Revolution, Owens faced Santos Escobar and secured the win, earning the coveted spot as the number one contender for the US Championship.
As the WWE universe eagerly awaits the Royal Rumble, the anticipation surrounding the clash between Kevin Owens and Logan Paul continues to build. The question remains: How will WWE book this high-stakes match?
Cody Rhodes: The Unfinished Tale and Wrestling Veterans’ Advice
WWE superstar Cody Rhodes is determined to script his journey to becoming a world champion, but his pursuit faced a setback last year when he couldn’t overcome Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Despite not currently challenging Reigns, recent hints from The Rock about the undisputed WWE Universal Championship have ignited discussions. Notably, former WWE manager Jim Cornette and veteran Dutch Mantel have shared their insights, urging caution for Cody.
Jim Cornette, known for his profound understanding of wrestling, advises Cody to bide his time. He emphasizes that Cody, having previously suffered defeat at the hands of Roman Reigns, should be cautious about facing a potential second loss. Cornette believes that this could raise questions about Cody’s credibility. In the Drive Thru Podcast, he states, “Cody has to end his story with Roman Reigns, and for that, he has to defeat Reigns. The Rock vs. Roman Reigns is the highest paying match right now. Cody, you don’t want to be the second wrestler to defeat Roman Reigns.”
WWE veteran Dutch Mantel echoes similar sentiments, suggesting that Cody Rhodes avoiding a confrontation with Roman Reigns would be a wise decision. Sharing his thoughts on Smack Talk, Mantel aligns with Cornette’s perspective, reinforcing the idea that Cody should carefully consider his next move.
In a recent WWE video where superstars shared insights about underrated moves, Cody Rhodes revealed his focus on bringing back old moves. He highlighted several underrated maneuvers, including the drop kick, swinging neck breaker, and short-arm scissor. As Cody navigates his career, the wrestling community remains keenly observant, waiting to see how his story unfolds in the unpredictable world of WWE.
In 2016, the intense storyline between Charlotte Flair and her father, Ric Flair, took an unexpected turn on Raw. After losing the Raw Women’s Championship to Sasha Banks, Charlotte was visibly upset with her father’s show of respect to Sasha. Initially embracing him, Charlotte stunned the WWE Universe by delivering a resounding slap to Ric Flair, marking a dramatic shift in their relationship.
2. Shane McMahon’s Rebellion Against Vince McMahon:
The McMahon family saga reached new heights after WrestleMania 15 in 1999, as Shane McMahon sought control of the company. Aligning with a faction that included Triple H and Test, Shane’s rebellion was later revealed to be orchestrated by none other than his father, Vince McMahon. In a moment of heated confrontation, Shane unleashed his anger by slapping Vince in front of a live audience, solidifying his defiance and control over the WWE.
3. Dominic Mysterio’s Betrayal of Rey Mysterio:
In the gripping storylines of 2022 and 2023, the tumultuous relationship between Dominic and Rey Mysterio took center stage. Dominic’s continuous torment of his Hall of Famer father reached a boiling point on WWE SmackDown. During a heated exchange between The Judgment Day and LWO, Dominic shocked everyone by slapping Rey Mysterio, setting the stage for a deeply personal conflict between father and son.
These jaw-dropping moments showcase the blend of family dynamics and intense drama that makes WWE a captivating spectacle for fans worldwide.
Should Happen: Roman Reigns vs The Rock – A Mega Spectacle for WrestleMania 40
1. Unprecedented Profit Potential:
The clash between Roman Reigns and The Rock, both hailing from the illustrious Anoa’i family, is a dream match for WWE fans. Boasting multiple world championships and global popularity, the star power of these cousins guarantees a record-breaking crowd attendance at WrestleMania 40. The financial windfall from this match could potentially run into crores, making it a lucrative prospect for WWE.
2. Culmination of the Iconic Bloodline Storyline:
The Bloodline storyline, rooted in the Anoa’i family legacy, has been a pivotal narrative in WWE. A showdown between Roman Reigns and The Rock, the two key figures in The Bloodline, would be the zenith of this gripping saga. This match, being the climax, deserves the spotlight as the main event of WrestleMania 40, ensuring that its significance is not diluted on any other stage.
Should Not Happen: Cody Rhodes’ Missed Opportunity
1. Cody Rhodes Deserves His WrestleMania Moment:
Cody Rhodes, having returned to WWE at WrestleMania 38, has been groomed as one of the company’s top babyface superstars over the past two years. Fans resonate with his journey and his aspiration to fulfill his father’s dream of becoming WWE Champion adds an emotional layer. Denying Rhodes a championship match at WrestleMania 40 due to The Rock’s arrival would be an unfortunate missed opportunity for him to etch his place in WWE history.
2. The Rock’s Limited Availability:
While The Rock’s presence in a WrestleMania match would undoubtedly be iconic, his busy schedule with movie projects and other commitments raises concerns about his long-term availability. A one-off match at WrestleMania 40, concluding with him potentially going on a break again, might not be the ideal scenario for WWE. To ensure a sustained and engaging storyline, considering Roman Reigns vs Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania and reserving The Rock’s clash for a later event, such as Elimination Chamber 2024, would be a more pragmatic approach.
Charlotte Flair, the WWE superstar, is currently on the sidelines recovering from an injury sustained during a match against Oska on the December 8, 2023 episode of SmackDown. Unfortunately, The Queen faced defeat in that bout and incurred significant injuries to her ACL, MCL, and meniscus, leading to her recent surgery.
Updating fans on her recovery journey, the former WWE Women’s Champion shared a glimpse of her initial rehabilitation on social media. She posted a video of her first day of rehab, showcasing her dedication to getting back in top form. Check out Charlotte Flair’s Instagram story for more details.
Reports indicate that Charlotte Flair may need approximately nine months to recuperate fully. This timeline hints at a potential return to the ring around October this year, barring any setbacks. Regrettably, this means she will miss major events like the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.
Having recently inked a new contract with WWE, Charlotte Flair is set to remain a pivotal part of the company for the foreseeable future. Her renewed deal also solidifies her status as one of the highest-paid stars in the WWE roster. As fans eagerly await her return, it remains uncertain when The Queen will grace the WWE ring once again.
