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WrestleMania 40 Build Full of Twists–and Turns

Over the past two weeks, the story has pivoted in a very compelling manner

Justin Barrasso

WrestleMania 40 Build Full of Twists–and Turns
WrestleMania 40 Build Full of Twists–and Turns /

SI.com’s Week in Wrestling is published every week and provides beneath the surface coverage of the business of pro wrestling.

The Build to WrestleMania Featuring Unpredictability

This past Monday, Seth Rollins cut one of the best promos in the 31-year history of Raw.

Rollins removed his shades, took a more serious point of view, and explained why Cody Rhodes needs to be the one to defeat Roman Reigns. Considering this is Rhodes against Reigns, Paul Heyman, Solo Sikoa, Jimmy Uso, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, he even offered to be Rhodes’ “shield”.

It was also a smart pivot from Rollins’ promo from just two weeks ago, where he attempted to convince Rhodes that he should wrestle him for the world heavyweight championship at WrestleMania 40. That appeared to be the plan, a massive power move by The Rock, who was returning to take the main event spot against Reigns.

Two weeks ago on SmackDown, Rhodes even said that while he was coming for Reigns, it wouldn’t be at WrestleMania.

Fortunately, WWE is listening to their fan base.

There is an excitement in WWE’s build to WrestleMania, and it has only increased since the WrestleMania Kickoff event last week in Vegas. Much of the excitement is in the unknown, as it remains unclear just how the card will shake out at WrestleMania. And for that matter, there are plenty of questions surrounding the build leading up to it.

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

Does Rock vs Rollins take place in Perth at Elimination Chamber? Will we see Rhodes wrestle twice at WrestleMania, defeating both Rock and Reigns–who ultimately cost each other their respective bouts? And would that mean Roman-Rock would be saved for a different show?

So many options exist for WWE. Somehow, not booking Rock to win the Royal Rumble has turned into a positive. And though Rock overshadowed Reigns at the event last week in Vegas (when was the last time that happened to Reigns?), Heyman and Reigns will have an opportunity to correct that this Friday on SmackDown.

A telling moment during last week’s Kickoff event, highlighting all of this unpredictability, took place as the on-stage part came to an end. As the show shifted back to the broadcast panel, The Rock remained on the stage for a few extra moments, seemingly waiting for a moment that never came.

Courtesy WWE
Courtesy WWE

Philadelphia is the perfect location for WrestleMania 40. Just like 25 years ago, when Steve Austin and The Rock redefined the company with their WrestleMania XV main event, it is time to once again follow that same strategy.

The biggest match for WrestleMania is Reigns-Rhodes. That doesn’t mean The Rock isn’t the bigger star, but it is an insult to the entire locker room carrying the company when someone–anyone–returns for one night in the most significant match of the year. Austin was smart about how he handled it, main-eventing the first night two years ago. But it’s altogether different when it comes to the second night. Considering that neither Rock nor Reigns will be on Raw or SmackDown in the weeks following the event, ending WrestleMania with those two feels hollow.

SmackDown should help gauge the direction of WrestleMania. Even if it should end with Rhodes getting his hand raised and finishing his story, how we get there is anyone’s guess.

The (Online) Week in Wrestling

  • The Hangman Page-Swerve Strickland match from Dynamite was outstanding.
  • Tony Khan announced that AEW is coming to Boston in March for its “Big Business” themed edition of Dynamite. This is expected to be the debut of Mercedes Moné, and it could also feature Kazuchika Okada, making it a must-see night for AEW.
  • There was a lack of transparency from Anthem, TNA’s parent company, over the dismissal of company president Scott D’Amore. Unless different information is revealed, this appears to be a major loss for TNA–and numerous talent from the company have expressed genuine frustration over the firing.
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  • The fields are starting to become set for the men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches later this month. While Becky Lynch appears to be a lock for the women, the men’s field offers more of a question.
  • Bryan Danielson wrestled a classic over the weekend with Zack Sabre Jr. Would anyone be opposed to one more world title run for Danielson? And, on the same subject, I’ll be surprised if Zack Sabre Jr. isn’t IWGP world heavyweight champion by the end of the summer.
  • New Japan’s cage match was wildly entertaining, and it ended appropriately with David Finlay standing tall against longtime rival Will Ospreay.
  • A tragic story involving Billy Jack Haynes.
  • Only in pro wrestling.

Sting wins tag team gold

Sting and Darby Allin reached the pinnacle of their success together last week, winning tag titles from Ricky Starks and Big Bill on Dynamite.

While temporary, the title change is necessary.

Sting and Allin have been unstoppable together as a tag team. The pairing of the two has been one of Tony Khan’s best ideas. They have genuine chemistry together, and the partnership has benefited both men.

Since they are undefeated, it only makes sense that they would make a run at the tag titles. And the finish was memorable–a spear by Starks was reversed into a Scorpion Death Drop. In a few weeks, with Sting retired, we will no longer see that, so it was especially uplifting to watch it take place last week.

Even if Sting doesn’t need a title, it adds more stakes to the match against the Young Bucks next month at Revolution. It is Sting’s farewell match, but putting a belt on the line will give the Bucks more to antagonize after they finish Sting’s career.

The Bucks are at their best as heels. And, as Sting’s career comes to its end, this feels like the beginning of a very entertaining run for the Bucks.

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Justin Barrasso
JUSTIN BARRASSO

Justin Barrasso has been writing for Sports Illustrated since 2014. While his primary focus is pro wrestling and MMA, he has also covered MLB, NBA, and the NFL. He can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com and followed on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.

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