Top five alternate WWE main event matches if The Rock cannot compete at WrestleMania 41

The Rock showed up for the first time after WrestleMania 40 at the conclusion of Bad Blood 2024, sparking excitement among fans. However, neither Roman Reigns nor Cody Rhodes has acknowledged his appearance in the subsequent shows, suggesting that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is still a while away from making his WWE return.

While there’s speculation that he might finally make his return at Survivor Series or in the Royal Rumble, screwing either The OTC or The American Nightmare or maybe both, another rumor has been circulating online. According to Dave Meltzer, The Rock won’t be present at WrestleMania 41 due to his suddenly busy schedule. However, this seems unlikely, given his appearance at Bad Blood.

A fan asked The Rock about this rumor on social media, and he responded by telling the fan not to believe in any of that “BS.” This suggests that The Final Boss will indeed be present and likely compete at WrestleMania 41.

Nevertheless, considering his busy schedule as the biggest movie star in the world, there’s always a possibility that he might not make it to the main event. In that case, here are five alternative main event matches that could headline the show:

Cody Rhodes vs Randy Orton

If we’re not getting The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania, then this is the match that makes the most sense. WWE is slowly but surely planting the seeds for an eventual heel turn for Randy Orton, and he’ll have all the reasons to punt Cody’s head off after Cody shook hands and teamed up with the same Roman Reigns who put him on the shelf for two years.

This will also tell the perfect master vs. disciple story. They have the star power, they have the story, and if not Cody vs. The Rock, then this is the next best thing.

Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns 3

The third match of this trilogy could take place at WrestleMania 41 in the main event spot if The Rock is missing WrestleMania this year. The match is otherwise rumored to headline Royal Rumble 2024 and act as an instigator that will eventually set up The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes or The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 41, with The Rock interfering in some way or form in the match.

However, if The Rock is missing WrestleMania, WWE might have to pivot and have Cody Rhodes vs. Roman Reigns for the third time at Mania 41. To really make this work, Cody Rhodes will have to turn heel, which is unlikely given the very short window he’ll have to do so.

Gunther vs Brock Lesnar

In the most recent episode of Monday Night Raw, Brock Lesnar was mentioned on two occasions by Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes, suggesting how both men have slayed the beast in the past. Given that we got a face-off between Lesnar and Gunther in the 2022 Royal Rumble, and we had Gunther vs Brock Lesnar planned for Mania 40, but WWE had to pivot due to the allegations, we might get the dream match in the main event of this year’s Mania.

This is another one of those matches that has the star power needed to headline an event as big as this. Also, Gunther vs Brock Lesnar is one of WWE’s biggest marquee dream matches, and having it for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of WrestleMania will not only elevate Gunther to the next level but also do wonders for the prestige associated with the World Heavyweight Championship.

John Cena vs Gunther

If John Cena indeed wins his last Royal Rumble, which is taking place this year, and challenges for the World Championship, and WWE is going to go forward with the plan of giving him his seventeenth world title victory on the grandest stage of all, then the main event of WrestleMania will be the perfect spot to do so.

While I still think this match is going to main event Night One of WrestleMania, with The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes/Roman Reigns taking place on Night Two, if The Rock isn’t available, the match is big enough to take place as the main event of Night Two as well.

While John Cena can challenge Cody Rhodes for the WWE Undisputed Championship, it really doesn’t seem likely, given the entire Bloodline saga, followed by Kevin Owens, Randy Orton, and Roman Reigns all ready to pounce on the champion. However, Gunther vs. John Cena might be the play that Triple H wants to run at WrestleMania 41.

CM Punk vs Stone Cold Steve Austin

With all due respect to Seth Rollins, economically speaking, Seth Rollins vs CM Punk isn’t a match big enough to close a WrestleMania. And even though this is the rivalry that we are probably getting on this year’s Mania between Punk and Rollins, chances are it will be taking place somewhere in the middle of the card, or main event Night One if somehow the World Heavyweight Championship is involved in the picture, which I don’t think WWE will be taking off Gunther before WrestleMania.

But talking about a match big enough to close the show based on the sheer star power of the two men, two faces of rebellion that essentially Defined their generations, a dream match for all wrestling fans: CM Punk vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin is just that. If we are ever going to get this match, now is the time for it.

Stone Cold came back to the main event of WrestleMania 38 with Kevin Owens, and he was able to take a few strong bumps and put on an entertaining show. The match between Punk and Austin won’t be good, and no one expects it to be. But it’s not like WWE hasn’t had stinker mania main event matches before. But this is a match that people actually want to see, and they will happily consume whatever they get in-ring.

The promos building up to the match are going to be epic. I know the chances of this happening are negligible, but both men have mentioned that they want to work with each other once, and if WWE can convince Stone Cold to come back for this one last match, I don’t see a reason why it shouldn’t be in the main event of WrestleMania 41.

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