SUMMARY
- Previously, it was reported that Cody Rhodes would be facing Roman Regins at WrestleMania 40.
- There has been speculation that Dwayne Johnson might replace Rhodes to face Reigns.
The Rock has been making headlines in the wrestling industry since he returned to WWE at the New Year’s Day RAW. He was rumored to take on Roman Reigns for a long time, but when Cody Rhodes won the Rumble, fans wanted him to finish his story. But in the light of recent events, Johnson is believed to be replacing him in the main event, and people are not happy about this.
Matthew Joseph Cardona Jr., popularly known as Matt Cardona, is an American professional wrestler. He currently wrestles at Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), which is an independent professional wrestling promotion based in New Jersey. Matt Cardona has performed for a long time in WWE under the ring name Zack Ryder.
Matt Cardona says WWE is starting to feel like it’s back in it’s 2011 era pic.twitter.com/vdf7Fb3Mjx
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) January 4, 2024
After leaving the Stamford-based promotion in 2020, he has made a big name in the independent circuit. In the most recent event of GCW’s ‘Coldest Winter’ event, he faced another former WWE superstar, Nic Nemeth, also known as Dolph Ziggler. The event was really hyped, as it was nostalgic for both superstars. Matt Cardona was seen wearing Zack Ryder-themed attire.
Matt Cardona takes a shot at The Rock.#GCWColdestpic.twitter.com/saKvPJBfrX
— meraWRESTLING (@meraWRESTLING) February 4, 2024
In the pre-match promo, Matt was seen taking a dig at famous WWE superstar ‘The Rock’. It is a well-known fact that people are not so happy about The Rock replacing Cody Rhodes from the main event at WrestleMania 40 just two months before it.
Cardona said, “I am the face of GCW! I can’t just let some part-timer come in here and steal my spot! You think you’re The Rock or something, bro?” The crowd was seen erupting at this as their loved superstar took a jibe at the ‘Brahma Bull’.
Matt Cardona also mocked Cody Rhodes for not being able to finish the story
The pre-match promo from Cardona didn’t stop taking a dig at The Rock. He further said, So why don’t you do yourself a favor and just lay down, let me get the 1-2-3, so I can finish my story?” mocking ‘The American Nightmare’.
NIC NAC! pic.twitter.com/c5EZx11c63
— Ryan Satin (@ryansatin) February 4, 2024
Matt Cardona seemed to taunt Cody Rhodes about how he had yet again failed to finish his story. After the promo, both superstars had an excellent match where Ryder at one point hit Nemeth with a ‘Rock Bottom’. Finally, Nic emerged victorious after he delivered ‘Cross Rhodes’ and ‘The Danger Zone’ to Matt.
The Rock is replacing Cody Rhodes at the main event of WrestleMania 40
In the February 2, 2024, edition of SmackDown, Cody Rhodes was seen confronting Roman Reigns. He told the ‘Tribal Chief’ that he would come after him but not at WrestleMania. He then talked about how he took counsel from numerous individuals before making this decision.
Rhodes said that one of the individuals he talked to knew Roman very well and introduced The Rock. After this, ‘The People’s Champion’ came into the ring and greeted Cody with a handshake and hug. After this, he had a staredown with the ‘Big Dog’, confirming their feud.
The Rock also wrote about it on his X profile, where he mentioned that “there’s only one head of the table,” which confirmed that he will be replacing Cody Rhodes in the main event at WrestleMania 40.