The Rock’s WrestleMania 41 Plans Shift: How CM Punk Changed WWE’s Creative Direction

One Big Thing

WWE’s WrestleMania 41 plans underwent major changes after CM Punk’s Survivor Series appearance, leading The Rock to suggest a John Cena-centered event instead of his anticipated match with Cody Rhodes.

Key Details

• CM Punk replaced Seth Rollins at Survivor Series 2024
• WWE fast-tracked the Rollins vs. Punk storyline
• Plans shifted to consider Roman Reigns vs. CM Punk
• The Rock proposed making WrestleMania 41 about John Cena

Direct Quote

“The seeds were planted when they took Seth Rollins out of the match [at Survivor Series]. Since then, things have very much changed,” reports Billi Bhatti on the Dirty Sheets Backstage podcast.

Why It Matters

This creative shift impacts:

• The main event structure of WrestleMania 41
• Cody Rhodes’ anticipated storyline completion
• WWE’s long-term booking strategy
• Fan expectations for the biggest show of the year

By The Numbers

• WrestleMania 41 will span 2 nights
• The Rock hasn’t had a full match since 2016
• John Cena’s last WWE appearance was in 2023

What’s Next

WWE must finalize their WrestleMania 41 card as the event approaches, with multiple top stars’ roles still unclear.

The Bottom Line

WWE faces a crucial decision between following their original Rock vs. Rhodes plan or pivoting to a John Cena-focused event.

What do you think about WWE potentially changing their WrestleMania 41 plans to focus on John Cena? Share your thoughts in the comments below.