During SmackDown a couple of weeks ago, Cody Rhodes stepped aside for The Rock to take his place at WrestleMania. The idea from there was for the Brahma Bull to face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, with the American Nightmare challenging World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
Fans rejected the idea and WWE has since given Rhodes his match back. As for The Rock, it currently looks like the plan is for him to team up with Reigns on the first night of WrestleMania to face Cody and Seth in a tag team match (meaning Roman would make history by headlining both nights of the Show of Shows).
In the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, it's said Triple H originally considered shooting an injury angle on the night Rhodes gave up his spot. The Bloodline was going to take Rhodes out, with The Rock then announced as his replacement at the WrestleMania Kickoff.
This came after Triple H was essentially forced into inserting The Rock into the WrestleMania main event, though The Game is said to have "scrambled" to keep Rhodes in the mix and hoped to bring him back to challenge Reigns somewhere down the line. However, CM Punk's injury is a big part of what led to WWE realising it still needed Cody on the 'Mania card.
Plus, Rhodes challenging Rollins instead of Reigns was deemed to be nonsensical if he'd been able to return from injury before WrestleMania took place.
Triple H came up with the idea to have Cody give up his spot to The Rock, hoping the babyface's endorsement would placate any upset fans. No one could have anticipated the overwhelmingly negative reaction, though, and an audible was subsequently called which saw both Dwayne Johnson and his longtime writing and producing partner Bryan Gewirtz agreeing he had to turn heel.
WWE planned to have Rhodes challenge Rollins - which is why they came up with those video packages highlighting the World Heavyweight Championship's importance - stand here wasn't going to be a Men's Elimination Chamber match. Now, there will be, with Rollins' new challenger decided in Perth, Australia.
Both The Rock and Reigns will appear during tonight's episode of SmackDown and we're expecting to learn more there about how this rivalry will progress. Having Reigns, Rollins, and Rhodes all pull double duty at WrestleMania is a bold move, albeit one which should generate plenty of fan interest.
Stay tuned for updates as we have them.