Fantasy booking The Rock's path to facing Roman Reigns at WWE WrestleMania 40

The wrestling world erupted with excitement when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made a surprise return to WWE SmackDown, leaving fans buzzing with the anticipation of a potential in-ring comeback and the long-dreamed-of clash with the undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns.

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Prior to his electrifying return, The Great One dropped a bombshell during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, confirming that his bout with The Tribal Chief was initially "locked in" for WrestleMania 39. However, the match failed to materialize, leaving fans yearning for more.

The Rock and Reigns engaged in a tantalizing back-and-forth, which, while thrilling, didn't provide the concrete announcement that fans were desperately craving. As the clock continued to tick, the question emerged: How could WWE make this dream match happen without unraveling three years of intricate storytelling?

To make this a reality someone else might shine

In the fantasy booking realm, the road to the epic showdown between The Rock and Roman Reigns takes an unexpected turn. The Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, often at the heart of such clashes, doesn't take center stage this time. Instead, another star is poised to shine.

To pave the way for this monumental encounter, The Tribal Chief must relinquish his championship to another formidable competitor: The American Nightmare, Cody Rhodes. While it may not have the grandeur of WrestleMania, the Royal Rumble serves as an ideal backdrop for Rhodes to stake his claim.

The Fallout

With Reigns suffering a historic defeat, the following Friday on SmackDown should be nothing short of explosive. Reigns points fingers, casting blame in every direction. He singles out Jimmy Uso, Solo Sikoa, and even his loyal advocate, Paul Heyman.

Just when fans least expect it, The Rock makes another jaw-dropping return. This time, he stands eye to eye with the man everyone anticipates he'll face next. Instead of praise, he delivers a searing critique, accusing Reigns of letting down his family and WWE.

The Rock's words cut deep. He calls out Reigns for his ego and manipulation of those close to him, declaring that The Bloodline's supremacy should have lasted for decades. Instead, it crumbled because of The Tribal Chief's self-centeredness.

Family Divide

In a shocking turn of events, Reigns orders Sikoa and Uso to attack, but they walk out, disheartened by the verbal onslaught. When Reigns attempts to defend his honor, he succumbs to the iconic Rock Bottom and the thunderous People's Elbow.

In the aftermath, The Rock should make sparing appearances. While his SmackDown return delivered record-breaking ratings and social media buzz, overexposure could tarnish the specialness that initially fueled the frenzy.

A Challenge Accepted

A pivotal moment unfolds as Reigns unleashes a brutal beatdown on The Rock, convincing the legendary figure to accept his challenge for a showdown between The Bloodline at WrestleMania.

With championship gold no longer the focal point, the match is a marquee main event, capable of concluding either Night 1 or 2 at Lincoln Financial Field, offering fans the epic encounter they've yearned for.

In this fantasy booking, the legacy of Cody Rhodes is realized, WWE potentially secures its most lucrative match to date, and the storyline remains faithful to the narrative that has unfolded since August 2020. The dream match fans have longed for finally takes center stage, no championship needed as this match would be greater than any championship match WWE has to offer.