The Rock’s Reaction to Cody Rhodes Backlash; Joey Swoll at Mania; WWE Rumors on Perez

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Bleacher Report catches you up on the latest news from the WWE Universe.

The Rock Supportive of Rhodes’ Story Behind the Scenes

While The Rock’s on-screen character has gone to great lengths to stand in the way of Cody Rhodes en route to WrestleMania 40, he apparently has a far different view of Cody’s ascent in actuality.

Speaking to ESPN’s Marc Raimondi and Mike Coppinger, The Rock’s longtime personal writer and senior vice president of development for Seven Bucks Productions, Brian Gewirtz, provided some insight into how The Rock feels about Cody’s story:

“Would the fans be as adamant [that] Cody needs to finish his story if he didn’t win the Royal Rumble? Once he won the Royal Rumble, then I think there was a certain element of, ‘Hey, don’t screw with us now!’ You can’t dangle the Royal Rumble win and then take it away.

“I think everyone, Rock included, was like, ‘Yeah, they’re right. We should continue this story as it naturally would play out if this were real life,’ If this were real life and he won the Rumble and he didn’t win last year’s WrestleMania, there’s literally no logical reason—even though you could try to make one up—why he wouldn’t want to face Roman and win the title.”

After Rhodes won the men’s Royal Rumble match, all signs pointed toward him challenging Roman Reigns for the undisputed WWE Universal Championship in the main event of WrestleMania for a second consecutive year.

However, on the ensuing episode of SmackDown, Rhodes seemingly stepped aside to allow The Rock to challenge Reigns instead.

Fans voiced their displeasure in the days that followed, and Cody reversed course at the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff press conference and chose Reigns as his WrestleMania opponent, leaving fans wondering whether WWE pivoted or if it was the plan all along.

Whatever the case, WWE has built a hugely compelling storyline coming out of it with The Rock turning heel and joining The Bloodline.

Last week on Raw, The Rock beat Rhodes to a bloody pulp in what was one of the most captivating WWE angles in recent memory.

The Rock and Reigns will team up to face Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the main event of Night 1 of WrestleMania 40 on Saturday, followed by Rhodes facing Reigns for the title in the main event of Night 2.

While the build toward Reigns vs. Rhodes last year. was good, The Rock has injected new life into the story, and as a result, it will be an even bigger deal if The American Nightmare prevails.

Joey Swoll coming for Theory, Waller at WrestleMania

Superstar social media influencer Joey Swoll suggested Tuesday that he intends to show up at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia this weekend and step up to Austin Theory and Grayson Waller.

Swoll has millions of followers on TikTok thanks to his videos on gym etiquette, and earlier this week, he responded to a video posted by Theory and Waller:

In the video, Theory and Waller are filming themselves working out at the gym, and after someone walked in front of the camera, A-Town Down Under berated them and called them an “idiot.”

Joey Swoll @TheJoeySwoll

Anyone can get it, even a @WWE superstar. pic.twitter.com/czCBcWaZsF

Swoll expressed his displeasure with their actions, said he would end their career and urged WWE to make a confrontation between them happen.

In a subsequent video posted on Tuesday, Swoll made it seem as though he will indeed be at WrestleMania, telling Theory and Waller that he would see them on the Grandest Stage of Them All:

Joey Swoll @TheJoeySwoll

UPDATE* It’s ON… Wait for the end. @WWE @GraysonWWE @_Theory1 @CMPunk pic.twitter.com/Rjqea5wk6M

Theory and Waller are two of the cockiest heels WWE has to offer, and their abrasive attitudes have garnered them plenty of enemies in recent months.

Their talent is undeniable, though, and it was on full display when they qualified for the six-way ladder match for the undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania by beating Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, followed by The Street Profits.

Since Theory and Waller are already booked for WrestleMania, it is fair to wonder if Swoll may potentially get involved with the tag team ladder match.

Even if he doesn’t, he could potentially confront them after the match or in a backstage segment.

WWE is always looking to get new eyes on its product, and involving someone with a huge social media following like Swoll in WrestleMania could lead to non-wrestling fans wanting to check out the show.

Roxanne Perez’s Potential Reportedly Praised Backstage

Ahead of her NXT Women’s Championship match against Lyra Valkyria at NXT Stand & Deliver on Saturday, WWE officials are reportedly firmly behind Roxanne Perez and her development into a top member of the women’s division moving forward.

According to Fightful Select (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News), Perez has left a “lasting impression” on WWE officials during one-off appearances on the main roster, and she has been praised for being “professional beyond her years.”

Although it can be argued that the 22-year-old Perez is already more than ready to make the move to the main roster, Fightful noted that there is support to keep her in NXT for the time being so that she can continue to develop her new heel character.

On top of that, some are reportedly pushing for her to beat Valkyria at Stand & Deliver and become a two-time NXT women’s champion.

Perez is a natural fan favorite, but she has excelled since going the heel route, and she seems to be gaining confidence with her promo ability.

She was already a top-notch in-ring performer, but The Prodigy truly seems to be putting it all together and becoming the complete package.

Perez’s first title reign perhaps wasn’t as fruitful as most hoped it would be, but if she gets another chance to hold the NXT women’s title, it seems likely that she will make the most of it.

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