The Rock’s Attitude Era Throwbacks Hint at What’s to Come on WWE WrestleMania Sunday

Cody Rhodes finishing his story at WrestleMania 40 was never going to be simple, especially once The Rock walked back through that door.

In fact, The Great One stole the show in the main event of Night 1, spearheading a dominant showing for Roman Reigns’ Bloodline.

But it sure doesn’t feel like that story will repeat itself on Night 2 when Reigns defends his Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against The American Nightmare.

It’ll be all about Rhodes’ story taking control of WWE programming—with a splash of Attitude Era style.

It sounds somewhat strange to say an international star whose roots start in pro wrestling like Rock surpassed expectations. But one didn’t have to look far online to see jokes about him looking gassed or not able to keep up with the new wave.

It didn’t help that all of this was a pivot after severe fan backlash to his initial urge to outright main-event ‘Mania.

So much for that idea that he can’t go, though.

Rock was, to borrow heavily from his word bank, electrifying. He hit all the timed beats well, played up storylines, threatened the livelihoods of officials and even did a stunning job selling a Spear and otherwise.

One might even argue it was the legend’s best match in two decades.

B/R Wrestling @BRWrestlingThe Rock pins Cody Rhodes 😳

(via @WWE) pic.twitter.com/kUID3JuFCw

There was an executive Rock slant to the whole thing, with a dash of a can-go shocker that made for a stunning, 44-plus-minute tag team match. Not bad for a pivot after the fan backlash.

However, that authority twang to Rock’s character, well, fans can be forgiven for thinking an infamous anti-authority figure by the name of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin walks back through the door to take care of that on Night 2.

Because that’s where this whole thing seems to be headed. The Bloodline’s triumph means “Bloodline Rules” govern the main event between Rhodes and Reigns.

That’s positioned as a massive positive for The Tribal Chief. He’ll have Rock. He’ll slap Jimmy Uso out of a funk after his loss to Jey Uso. Fan favorite Solo Sikoa will be there. Probably others.

What WWE wants fans to think right now, though, is that Rhodes is isolated and at his most vulnerable. His ally, Seth Rollins, is hobbled and battered going into a title match of his own on Night 2 that he seems likely to lose at the hands of Drew McIntyre (just another example of the fantastic, well-layered storytelling across multiple matches and nights going on by the strong Triple H-led creative team).

But this is all about callbacks at this point. That means anyone who has brushed shoulders with The Bloodline, Rock included. There’s undoubtedly going to be Jey Uso to counteract Jimmy, and Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn figure to get in on the action.

90s WWE @90sWWEI’m “I’ve seen The Rock main event WrestleMania in 4 different decades” years old pic.twitter.com/opKvbspK4P

And as for The Rock? Maybe we’re looking at an appearance from John Cena. And it sure feels like that glass is going to shatter, probably when The Great One interferes with a referee and robs Rhodes of his big win for the umpteenth time.

Even if it doesn’t get that outright wild, a quick interference by Triple H himself to take Rock out of the equation would push a behind-the-scenes power struggle on the executive level that other Superstars could play out in the ring over the coming weeks and months.

WWE @WWEWHAT A MOMENT.@TheRock & @WWERomanReigns are victorious at #WrestleMania! pic.twitter.com/m3EqwZFHZf

All of this presumes, of course, that Rhodes will actually win. There’s some understandable allure to Reigns retaining again, dusty finish or not, so his title can keep being the big-fight attraction compared to the Raw title or so that he can get that much closer to Hulk Hogan’s third all-time mark.

Maybe, when the proverbial dust settles, we’re looking at Rock betraying Reigns or The Tribal Chief stealing a win. Either way, fans should expect chaos.

Of the good variety.

For some fans, all of this might smack of impending overbooked silliness. And in a way, it is. But toppling the multi-year, best modern pro wrestling story ever takes some delicate puppeteering to end properly.

If Saturday night was any sign—fueled by a hater-quieting showing from The Rock in all facets—then fans can simply throw their hands up, trust WWE and enjoy the show.