The WrestleMania 40 Kickoff press event has to be one of the most chaotic events organized by the promotion. Fans were excited about this event as many big announcements were to be made today. While there were no fights inside the ring today, fans were still on the edge of their seats. After a massive backlash from fans following the announcement of Dwayne Johnson taking up Cody Rhodes’s WrestleMania 40 spot, it looks like WWE was able to win their fans back with this event.
The big slap at WrestleMania 40 Kickoff
One of the ‘main events’ for the day was the announcement of who will be facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. The announcement was made with Seth Rollins, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Roman Reigns, and Cody Rhodes on stage. The segment started with Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins exchanging some barbs following which Johnson showed up.
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OH IT'S GOING DOWN. 🫢@TheRock just slapped @CodyRhodes at the #WrestleMania XL Kickoff. pic.twitter.com/nN0MTYIoRk
— WWE (@WWE) February 9, 2024
Following that, Johnson pulled up the Anoa’i Family tree, explaining to fans the legacy he shares with Roman Reigns. Following that, he shook hands with Reigns and this triggered Rhodes who had just entered the stage.
Johnson called out Rhodes’ father and Rhodes did the same which prompted Johnson to slap him. This caused everything to descend into chaos and the fans went wild both in person and online. Fans couldn’t stop talking about the segment. It looks like they cannot wait to know what happens next.
Y’ALL ARE COOKINGGGGG
— RJ (@ResonantJustice) February 9, 2024
A couple of fans believed that this has to be one of the best events ever organized by WWE. While some called it “masterful storytelling” some called the segment between the four stars one of the biggest segments ever. One fan also called this segment “cinema.”
all jokes aside this has to be the biggest segment wwe has had in years
WOW.
— The Wrestle Plug (@wrestleplug_) February 9, 2024
Roman Reigns put The Rock in Cody's way so Cody couldn't challenge Roman at WrestleMania. They are both trying to protect The Bloodline. This is MASTERFUL Storytelling.
— Vincent Heart (@VHeart87) February 9, 2024
This is cinema. Good lord
— Cory (@Cory_Hays407) February 9, 2024
A few fans were excited to see “Heel Rock” make his return to WWE. They believe that this massive shift in storytelling will help Rhodes “finish his story” along with Johnson being able to main event WrestleMania.
What’s going down is the Rock finally turns heel again!!! I miss these days!!!! Let’s gooooo
— Metovic.eth (@0xDeadEye) February 9, 2024
We got Heel Rock, Cody got to finishing the story. BIG W
— Kelvin Mandala Putra (@KelvinMP_WWE) February 9, 2024
While it has been announced that Cody Rhodes will be facing Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, it looks like fans now want a different dream match. Following the words exchanged between Rhodes, Rollins, Johnson, & Reigns, fans want to see all four participate in a Tag Team Match. Fans want to see The Samoan Stars face off against Rhodes and Rollins. While some want it for WrestleMania 40, few believe that it would work wonders for the upcoming Elimination Chamber.
Give us a tag team match before Mania, Rock & Roman vs Cody & Seth.
— Doug (@sigmapoet1914) February 9, 2024
The Rock and Roman ve Seth and Cody at elimination chamber
— Stephen (@Stephen__NHS) February 9, 2024
One fan decided to share the reactions of Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and Roman Reigns’ Wiseman, Paul Heyman. It looks like the two were just as shocked as the fans were after seeing Johnson slap Rhodes.
The reaction from Paul Heyman & @HeymanHustle @ScrapDaddyAP #Wrestlemania 😂🤣 pic.twitter.com/FzovQCpQpj
— Jeff Ferrara🎥📸 (@JFerraraF18) February 9, 2024
Even WWE’s partner and streaming platform Peacock shared their reactions to the slap.
my face watching the slap: 😱
— Peacock (@peacock) February 9, 2024
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One fan believes that this has to be the best marketing tactic used by WWE. Fans could not stop talking about the main event now according to this fan.
This is the best way to get people talking about this main event. Excellent marketing
— 🌊🌴KG🌴🌊 (@XxiKGixX) February 9, 2024
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What was your reaction after seeing Dwayne Johnson slap Cody Rhodes? What do you think will happen next? Let us know in the comments below.
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