In a surprising turn of events, the general public is now supporting Logan Paul as he proudly declares his decision to back Cody Rhodes amidst the recent developments in WWE’s WrestleMania 40 storyline.
The controversy began when The Rock made a dramatic return to WWE on the latest episode of Friday Night SmackDown, confronting Roman Reigns and setting the stage for a potential match at WrestleMania 40. This move sidelined Cody Rhodes, who had been gearing up for a showdown with Reigns, stirring a wave of discontent among fans and industry insiders alike.
The situation has sparked a significant backlash from the WWE Universe, with many voicing their support for Cody Rhodes. Fans have expressed their frustration through social media, with WWE’s YouTube video of The Rock’s return garnering a record number of dislikes. At a recent live event, a video featuring The Rock was met with boos, a stark contrast to the usually enthusiastic response from fans.
We want Cody.
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) February 4, 2024
Amidst the controversy, WWE United States Champion Logan Paul took to Twitter to express his solidarity with Cody Rhodes, posting “We Want Cody,” a surprising sentiment that seems to have resonated with fans over the weekend. This public display of support from Paul is a big deal given his past association (and beef) with The Great One and his significant clout as a social media personality. Paul’s stance has garnered attention on platforms such as Reddit, where users have praised him for his bold move, with many highlighting that Paul has little to lose by speaking out due to his independent success outside of WWE.
The WWE’s decision to prioritize The Rock over Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 40 following Vince McMahon’s disgraceful resignation and CM Punk’s injury has been met with criticism. A report from Fightful indicated that nearly 40 people from various departments within the WWE expressed confusion and disapproval of the decision, suggesting that The Rock and TKO executives may have underestimated the fans’ investment in Cody Rhodes’ storyline.
The backlash raises questions about WWE’s direction going forward now that a member of the TKO board of directors can affect years-long storylines in a snap of a finger. Many are now keeping a close eye on its potential impact on the locker room morale. If the negative reaction continues to blow over, especially if it manifests in live events, it could force the WWE to reevaluate The Rock’s appearance in WrestleMania 40.
The upcoming press event on February 8, which is open to the public, is a critical moment, potentially offering insights into WWE’s response to the unfolding controversy.
With only one more PLE in Elimination Chamber: Perth, scheduled for February 24, to go before WrestleMania 40 in April, wrestling fans will be following this closely to see how WWE will navigate the backlash and whether it will lead to significant changes in the WrestleMania 40 lineup.
