The WrestleMania 39 main event decision, where Roman Reigns retained the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship by defeating Cody Rhodes, has stirred significant discussion among WWE fans and insiders. This unexpected outcome has been a topic of debate, especially as it affected the trajectory of the championship and the careers involved, making the focus keyword—WrestleMania 39 main event decision—central to ongoing conversations about WWE creative direction.
Revealing the Origin of the Controversial Finish
Recent details from Wrestling Observer Radio, as reported by Dave Meltzer, have provided new perspective on how the main event’s result came to be. According to Meltzer, the plan to postpone Cody Rhodes’ championship victory wasn’t solely a decision made by Vince McMahon. Instead, the creative pitch originated from Roman Reigns, with support from Paul Heyman. The strategy behind this choice aimed to amplify future storytelling potential by having Rhodes’ eventual triumph carry greater meaning.
“It was Roman Reigns’ call… Vince had to approve it,”
Meltzer said.
“But Roman Reigns was the one who went to Vince with the idea, and pitched the idea that it would be better, would be more meaningful if he didn’t win the first time, we’d build do a bigger win the second time. And, explained it. I think Heyman with Reigns did that. I think they were very persuasive.”
– Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
Meltzer further explained that, though Paul Levesque (known as Triple H) held the title of Chief Content Officer during this period, Vince McMahon remained the ultimate authority. Every major creative decision, including the WrestleMania 39 main event outcome, still required McMahon’s sign-off. The logic presented by Reigns and Heyman revolved around the belief that a delayed victory for Rhodes would be more dramatic and satisfying for fans at a later date.
Vince McMahon’s Role and Leadership Dynamics
According to Meltzer’s analysis, Vince McMahon’s involvement in WWE’s creative direction extended well beyond his executive title. Even with Levesque managing daily creative tasks, McMahon retained the final say on pivotal moments.
“I think that the argument is very strong, with the benefit of hindsight, that they were right, because the second year was much bigger than the first year, but it was Vince’s,”
Meltzer noted.
“Vince made the call, and Levesque was on board with the call, but Vince was the one who made the call. He had final say the whole time he was the chairman of the board again… he was in charge of the company, and he remained having the final say. Even though Levesque was in charge of creative Vince still had the final say until Ari Emanuel removed Vince from having the final say.”
– Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
This chain of events demonstrates that while collaborative ideas from Reigns and Heyman influenced the process, ultimate control rested with McMahon until his removal from creative decision-making by Ari Emanuel, marking a significant change in WWE’s power structure.
The Shift of Creative Power and Ongoing Absence of McMahon
Meltzer clarified that the decision to relieve McMahon of creative authority came before the public learned of the Janel Grant lawsuit. Since his removal, McMahon has been absent from WWE programming and events.
“This is before the Janel Grant lawsuit,”
Meltzer explained.
“And when that came out, he was gone… he wasn’t around. He still hasn’t been around, in the sense [that] he didn’t even go to John Cena’s farewell show. He hasn’t been at any show.”
– Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Radio
This transition of leadership has been significant for WWE’s creative team, as the company adapts to a new dynamic without McMahon’s daily oversight, with Levesque and other figures steering storylines into a new era.
Long-Term Impact on WWE Storytelling
The revelation about who truly influenced the WrestleMania 39 main event decision has added a new layer of understanding for fans and industry observers. What was initially seen as a polarizing creative call is now viewed through the lens of long-term strategy, with the subsequent success of WrestleMania 40 serving as validation for Reigns’ and Heyman’s pitch. The decision set up an extended story arc that has resonated in WWE’s modern history, shaping the roles of key names like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, Vince McMahon, Paul Heyman, Paul Levesque, and others involved. As leadership shifts within WWE, the effects of this pivotal creative moment continue to influence how fans experience championship narratives.
