The Cody Rhodes WWE storyline was heavily influenced by the decisions of Vince McMahon and Triple H in the lead-up to recent WrestleMania events. Their involvement behind the scenes decided crucial outcomes for main event matches involving Roman Reigns, impacting the championship landscape and fan experience.
Behind-the-Scenes Decisions That Defined the Championship Journey
As anticipation grew for matches between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania on two occasions, new insights have emerged regarding the roles of both Vince McMahon and Triple H. Reports indicate that Roman Reigns himself suggested a plan for his victory at WrestleMania 39, which both McMahon and Triple H supported, seeing it as a move that would serve the business best.
This led to the conclusion of the story one year later in Philadelphia, where Cody Rhodes achieved a milestone by becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania XL. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Vince McMahon opted to alter the original trajectory of the Roman Reigns-Cody Rhodes storyline. This change, while unexpected, proved beneficial for WWE’s business strategy and audience engagement.
Triple H, at first, was not in favor of McMahon’s change. He envisioned marking his tenure by crowning Cody Rhodes as the emblematic champion of his creative era in the promotion. Despite his initial resistance, Triple H ultimately chose to support the unified direction, recognizing that this path would benefit the promotion and its fans in the long term.
Had Triple H’s original outlook prevailed over Vince McMahon’s directive, WrestleMania XL may have unfolded differently, potentially preventing fans from witnessing Cody Rhodes’ triumphant title victory and narrative closure at the event in Philadelphia.
Potential for a Third High-Stakes Clash at WrestleMania 42
Looking ahead, there is speculation about another significant chapter in the Cody Rhodes WWE storyline. Earlier in the year, Roman Reigns experienced a significant betrayal when Paul Heyman, known as The Wiseman, allied with Seth Rollins. Together, Rollins and Heyman formed The Vision on WWE’s red brand, setting off a new feud between Reigns and this group under Triple H’s creative direction.
The creative direction was disrupted after Seth Rollins sustained an injury in Perth, resulting in his absence from WWE events since the 2025 Survivor Series. This incident altered the original booking plans, prompting speculation that Roman Reigns will challenge Cody Rhodes for the championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Reports indicate that the management is likely to arrange a third title match between Roman Reigns—dubbed The Original Tribal Chief—and Cody Rhodes, known as The American Nightmare, in 2026 at WrestleMania 42. The anticipation now lies in how Reigns will position himself as a contender for the title ahead of the marquee event in Las Vegas.
Long-Term Impact on WWE’s Storytelling and Championship Picture
The evolving Cody Rhodes WWE storyline demonstrates the significant influence of leadership decisions on the direction of WWE’s marquee events. Figures like Vince McMahon and Triple H continue to shape not only the trajectories of top stars such as Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and Seth Rollins, but also the broader narratives that captivate audiences on the road to major events like WrestleMania.
As fans look forward to future installments, including a potential third match at WrestleMania 42, the creative interplay between executives and wrestlers will remain a decisive factor in shaping championship legacies and the overall excitement surrounding WWE’s premier storylines.
