The recent success of WrestleMania 40 has been a topic of much discussion, with Triple H receiving widespread acclaim for his role in orchestrating what many fans and critics are calling one of the greatest WrestleManias in the history of WWE. As the mastermind behind the event, Triple H’s efforts have not gone unnoticed, and he has been showered with praise for his contributions. However, questions have been raised about the true architect of the event’s foundation, leading some to wonder if there was another influential figure responsible for setting the stage for such a monumental success.
Indeed, there was another key player behind the scenes: Vince McMahon, the former chairman of WWE. Despite Triple H’s exceptional handling of WrestleMania 40, it was a strategic decision made by Vince McMahon a year earlier that primed the event for its exceptional outcome. This pivotal decision revolved around the involvement of Cody Rhodes, a superstar whose trajectory was carefully planned by the WWE management.
The climax of WrestleMania 40 was marked by Cody Rhodes’ victory, where he was crowned the Undisputed WWE Champion during the main event of Night 2. This moment was the culmination of a storyline that had been altered from its original course. Initially, Rhodes was slated to win the title at WrestleMania 39, but after internal discussions and a final decision by Vince McMahon, which was also supported by Triple H, the plan was changed. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter shed light on the internal consensus, stating, “Regarding the perception from the outside that it was Vince who made the call not to put Rhodes over at last year’s Mania, a call which now internally has been credited for the record-setting nature of this year’s show, Vince did have the final say at the time. But it was noted Levesque agreed to that as well, and it would have happened either way.”
This decision not only led to a memorable match at WrestleMania 39 but also heightened the WWE Universe’s anticipation for Rhodes’ eventual triumph. Vince McMahon’s absence from the direct planning of WrestleMania 40 does not diminish the fact that his earlier decision laid the groundwork for its success. Furthermore, this strategic move was not just about delaying Rhodes’ victory; it also served to elevate another WWE superstar, Jey Uso. The decision to keep Roman Reigns as champion was part of a broader strategy to transform Jey Uso into a major singles star and a significant draw for merchandise sales. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that this was a collective decision by Vince McMahon, Triple H, and WWE management, who believed that the storyline would be stronger if it unfolded over an extended period.
Looking back, the strategic planning paid off. Jey Uso has emerged as a top superstar in WWE, and Cody Rhodes’ storyline reached a satisfying conclusion with his victory at WrestleMania 40. With Triple H now steering the WWE ship into a new era, fans are eagerly anticipating the future developments and storylines that will unfold under his leadership.
