Backstage News On WWE Teasing Cody Rhodes Will Challenge For The World Heavyweight Title At WrestleMania 40

With the news that CM Punk is set to miss WWE WrestleMania XL after tearing his triceps during the Royal Rumble, it looks as though WWE could instead pivot to resuming the Seth Rollins/Cody Rhodes feud, but this time with the World Heavyweight Championship on the line.

During the January 29 episode of Raw, Rhodes was set to formally announce his plans for Mania when Rollins came to the ring to propose he face him instead of Reigns. Rollins later posted a video package on social media asking Rhodes if he wanted to go for ‘The Ultimate Warrior’ championship (WWE title), or the ‘Ric Flair’ championship (World Heavyweight).

Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio suggested that WWE are willing to take their time on WrestleMania creative following Punk’s injury, and the expected cancelling of plans for Brock Lesnar, whilst Rollins’ participation itself is still up in the air.

As to why Rhodes didn’t answer Rollins on Raw, Meltzer said that “the idea is they can build up for a week or two and pop a big rating for Cody’s decision,” with Rhodes subsequently announcing he will be in the building for WWE SmackDown on February 2.

Rhodes won the men’s Rumble for the second year on the spin on January 27, with it assumed that Cody will face Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at Mania, and finally ‘finish the story’.

H/T: Cageside Seats