From a writing 101 position - it immediately twists the plot and ups the stakes.

Cena aligning with the Rock puts Cody under significantly more threat. And on the flip side, it shows Cena’s desperation.

And you have an immediate thesis/antithesis dynamic with a dramatic arc.

From a non-analytical fan standpoint, a gut feeling approach - it was just damn cool! 😎 

Agreed! I loved it.

Sometimes the Rock's segments are unnecessarily long, but don't think that was the case here. About 15 minutes for a segment involving the biggest babyface of the last two decades turning heel seems appropriate. I really doubt many people were yawning through this one.

No doubt it is more interesting from a creative standpoint. Whether or not it is best for business is another matter.

Well, the surprises keep on coming... They always say anything could happen in the WWE, but this is the first time its felt that way in quite a while.

Triple H took those "too predictable/always plays it safe" allegations personally.

True! I think aside from a few windows like the era of rebellious CM Punk, it has probably been since about 2003 or early 2004. 2004 was the year of Eddie and Benoit’s title reigns, and these felt much more predictable than previous champs. There was still some crazy stuff like the whole Snitsky thing, but generally the show changed from “anything can and will happen” to something like “unexpected stuff can happen, but it probably won’t” around this point. In 2003, Goldberg’s debut marked what might have been the last really surprising thing to happen in WWE, and the end of Austin and The Rock who both left after Wrestlemania 2003 - apart from the beer bash stuff with Austin and that brief stint with Rock and Foley in early 2004 Foley during Wrestlemania season.

IMO, the end of the Attitude era, the change to brand extensions, the attempt to appeal to some of the more mainstream trends in demand by audiences by eliminating much of the unexpected and uncomfortable - as some younger people and their parents (I’d guess mostly people outside of the younger Gen X and older millennial crowd) on the Internet have shown, it seems to upset them when the unexpected happens. In my experience, a lot of younger people don’t like the unexpected (some love it, but it seems those sorts are the exception to the rule) - they’ll read the whole spoiler of a film before they consider watching it or watch these YouTube videos of how a TV show is supposed to go, and then melt down when the actual doesn’t match these YouTube video fan theories or previous adaptations. What caused the shift? I don’t know, but my guess is general timidness (possibly from the helicopter parenting trend that took off in the 1990s, and kids not getting themselves into danger nearly as often, so they don’t acclimate) but this has become a generation of grown adults who are afraid to knock on doors or answer the phone… and this isn’t even an insult, many younger people fully embrace their timidity! :D

But! I’m in the “please surprise me!” Demographic, and I think it makes a better show for the people in the arena attendance too.

OK, watching NXT.
Cora Jade was going for the ropes, and slipped off, and she tried again a minute later, and hopped right back down. She gets thrown to the corner, and hit (by Jordynne Grace) and then Grace suddenly backs off, and the red ends the match due to injury.
Hope she’s alright, she didn’t get back that long ago from ACL surgery.

If they do the following , I would love it


Wrestlemania Night 1 Main Event

Rock + Cena VS Cody + CM Punk (If Rock and Cena wins, it will be Rock and Cena VS Cody) - CM Punk and Cody wins

Wrestlemania Night Main Event

Cena VS Cody - Cena wins


CM Punk can main event finally
Cena wins 17th title

Cody can try to redeem himself for the next few months and get his title back from Cena at Summerslam.


Also Punk vs Seth next week will end with Roman Reigns interfering which will lead to Roman vs Seth (possibly making it CM Punk VS Seth vs Roman)

Asis the Street Profits juice themselves to oblivion during their hiatus? They seem to have suddenly gained a lot of muscle and athleticism as they aged into their mid-30s.

Likely gonna be Street Profits VS DIY vs Motor City Machine guns at WM (possibly pre-show)

Perhaps add another team in the mix as well.