Follow us on Google News

Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed

CM Punk came back to WWE after a decade at the Survivor Series Premium Live Event last year and he had a mission in mind – to main event WrestleMania 40. That is no longer happening as he is out of action due to a triceps injury. Interestingly enough, he already knew The Rock would steal Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania 40 spot as well.

CM Punk during his WWE return

After turning to WWE television last year, CM Punk has engaged in a war of words with the likes of Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre and most recently – ‘The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes. Their most recent promo segment foreshadowed what happened on Friday Night SmackDown this week as well.

Roman Reigns Looks Annoyed After WrestleMania Match With The Rock Slips Out of His Hands With Cody Rhodes Winning the Royal Rumble

The Rock Ended Up Taking Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania 40 Spot

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, recently appointed as one of the board members of TKO Group Holdings, is set to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. Originally expected to be between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, the Royal Rumble winner, Rhodes decided to step aside on SmackDown this week. Despite earning his spot by winning the Royal Rumble for the second consecutive year, Rhodes relinquished his opportunity to face Reigns, giving it to The Rock.

Cody Rhodes made the announcement on SmackDown, stating he wouldn’t challenge Reigns at WrestleMania. Instead, he revealed that he spoke with someone familiar to Reigns, and then The Rock made his shocking return. The Rock and Rhodes shared a handshake and a hug, and after a whispered conversation, Rhodes left the ring. WWE also promoted a WrestleMania 40 press conference for Thursday evening, February 8, in the final moments of the show.

Roman Reigns Looks Annoyed After WrestleMania Match With The Rock Slips Out of His Hands With Cody Rhodes Winning the Royal Rumble

John Cena and CM Punk Can Bring Joy to WWE Fans at Royal Rumble Amid Disturbing Vince McMahon-Janel Grant Allegations

Unsurprisingly, this decision was met with a lot of hate and jeers, as fans wanted Cody Rhodes to finish his story, which he was not able to at WrestleMania 39 against Roman Reigns last year. We’ll have to see if there is still a chance of Cody Rhodes getting his reception arc.

CM Punk Was Aware The Rock Would Take Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania Spot

DuringCM Punkand Cody Rhodes’ epic promo segment on the go-home edition of Monday Night RAW prior to the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event last month, CM Punk told Cody Rhodes that he knew what was going to happen to Rhodes. Punk then explained how a much bigger Superstar, The Rock, ended up taking his spot just before he was at the finish line. This foreshadowed what just happened to Cody Rhodes this week.

11 years later Cody is getting the CM Punk Road to Wrestlemania Experience but 10x worse.Sick to my stomach.pic.twitter.com/Z34V1N1rAp

The Rock and Roman Reigns during their iconic staredown

”Well allow me to give you the full road to WrestleMania CM Punk experience. Cody Rhodes, you have carried this company on your back for a soul crushing two years, and you’re right around the corner and they hand you the cover of WWE 2K video game. And right when you’re about to cross the finish line and finish your story, oh wait what’s that in the distance? It’s a much bigger Superstar that hasn’t been around in a very long time, coming to take it all away from you.”

This year’s Wrestlemania will take place on April 6th and April 7th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Lincoln Financial Field. For better or worse,The Rock will be facing off against Roman Reignsat WrestleMania 40 this year.

John Cena and CM Punk Can Bring Joy to WWE Fans at Royal Rumble Amid Disturbing Vince McMahon-Janel Grant Allegations

Subhojeet Mookherjee

Articles Published :499

Subhojeet Mookherjee is a Freelance Entertainment Writer for FandomWire. A lover and expert in all things movies, games, TV shows, music and more. I’ve been in the writing business for over five years now, covering various topics all over the world. I love engaging in deep conversations with like-minded people.

More from Subhojeet Mookherjee

“It was my choice”: John Cena on a Major WWE Decision Many Fans Still Don’t Agree With

“This is not a Bear Gryllls survival show”: Squid Game: The Challenge Allegedly Forced Players to Play in Bone-cracking Cold, Made Them Keep Their Jackets Open

“The livelihoods of creators must be ensured”: Netflix’s Predatory Scheme Forced Squid Game Creator into a Laughably Low Paycheck While the Streaming Giant Made at Least $900M

When Is Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black: Season 2 Releasing?

The Darkest Star Wars Movie Is Proof Robert Pattinson’s Batman Can Work in James Gunn’s DCU

Spider-Man: Brand New Day – How the 2008 Comic Arc Could Shape Tom Holland’s Next Movie

One Piece: Why Luffy’s Final Fight Will Break Shonen (& It Won’t Be Against Imu or Blackbeard)

‘Bachelor in Paradise’ Season 10 Episode 9: Release Date and What to Expect

NYT Strands July 20, 2025 Hints and Solution

CM PunkCody RhodesThe Rock

CM Punk and Cody Rhodes before the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event