John Cena finally turned heel, with a lot of integration from the Rock.
The Rock appeared at the end of Elimination Chamber to help with the John Cena heel turn, in a very protected secret that launches Cena and Cody Rhodes into WrestleMania season.
Internally, the segment was listed as third, and reported by numerous outlets. It running at the end of the show wasn't a last minute change, and it was simply placed third internally to protect the Cena heel turn. As a reminder, we report what is on the rundown, and note that they are subject to change. We have no stock in what goes on in what order.
WWE went to great lengths to keep it secret, with Triple H noting that he had the truck lay out so he could handle everything with the turn as only a few need to know people were aware it was coming. The company ended up protecting it well, as it came as a shock to many in the company.
John Cena and Cody have known that the plan was for the two to wrestle at WrestleMania. Thus far we've not heard that there are plans for The Rock to wrestle at the show. In the fall, WWE creative were told to create plans as if The Rock wouldn't be wrestling at the show. Much of the Rock's creative and the planning behind it is provided to WWE staff and creative on a need to know basis. As he pointed out he typically collaborates with Brian Gewirtz and Triple H directly.
Those that we asked said that the poster that dropped on Friday was "100 percent intentional foreshadowing" and that Travis Scott was planned to be a part of the angle at that time. WWE had planned well over a month for Travis Scott to come in for this show, but we don't know if he was specifically planned for the angle for that long.
There were few details on exactly how long the angle has been firmly planned -- whether it goes back to Cena announcing his tour, through Bad Blood, Raw on Netflix premiere, or anything. Much of Rock's creative has been on a "need to know basis," and Cena's involvement with WWE this year hasn't required much creative briefing across the board. When we asked about The Rock's appearance at Bad Blood, nobody had been told specifically that was to set up this, but believed it could have been a pitch that far back, as Cena/Cody was in creative plans shortly after that.
However, there were others that believed that there was some intentional vagueness to fit in whatever The Rock could possibly be involved with moving forward.
Most we spoke to tonight in WWE believe the Rock will be at WrestleMania in Vegas, but that was far from confirmed. We've heard nothing to lend to what he'd do there.
Of note, there were two writers listed internally for the segment -- Ed Koskey and Brian Parise. There was no producer listed. However, considering the nature of the Elimination Chamber rundown being intentionally out of order, its best to not take that as gospel.
John Cena is not advertised for the next two episodes of Raw, and The Rock said he'll be flying to Africa tonight.
We're told that contrary to rumors, Drew McIntyre was never the plan to win this match.
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last week?
