The collision course has been set. The Rock and Roman Reigns will face off in a match at a WWE Premium Live Event (PLE). There are still several questions that must be answered, though. All that this feud has had in terms of WWE-sanctioned build is a wink-wink moment at the end of The Rock’s promo on Raw and Paul Heyman responding on behalf of Roman Reigns on SmackDown. What should WWE do with this feud that has been rumored for so long and is finally taking form? The first edition of the Creative Control Card series will look at the different routes this feud can take and what route it should take.

Option 1: Rock vs. Roman at Elimination Chamber

The Rock and Roman Reigns facing off at Elimination Chamber seems like the obvious move. Cody Rhodes is on track to finish the story in Philadelphia at WrestleMania 40. While his objective is to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, it has been strongly implied part of “the story” is defeating Roman Reigns. It makes no sense to stray from that path. After Reigns retains at the Royal Rumble, that opens the door for him and Rock at Elimination Chamber.

Reigns is the obvious pick to win the match. A question I ask when looking at hypothetical booking situations is “who gains what from winning at what PLE?” Let’s run this thought exercise quickly.

The Rock has nothing to gain by winning that match, much less the title. His legacy is not in question if he loses to Reigns. Regardless of whether or not The Rock loses to Roman Reigns, it will still draw high viewership numbers.

Roman Reigns, meanwhile, has everything to lose should he fall to The Rock. A loss, particularly to a semi-retired wrestler, would be an awful look for Reigns. It would also diminish a Cody Rhodes win at WrestleMania, for the title or otherwise.

The safe outcome is Reigns vs. Rock acting as a filler episode of sorts in the story of The Bloodline, with Reigns going over a legend of the industry. Having this match at Elimination Chamber also legitimizes Elimination Chamber as a PLE and Australia as a wrestling market.

Option 2: Rock vs. Roman at WrestleMania

This match at this PLE has dominated the rumor mill for the better part of two years. Will the multiple years of internet rumblings come to fruition? They should not. Just because a match is “WrestleMania-worthy” does not mean it has to happen at WrestleMania (see Roman Reigns vs. John Cena at No Mercy).

Cody Rhodes’ work since returning to WWE has earned him the right to main event back-to-back WrestleManias. He made the most out of all he was given last year, elevating himself, Jey Uso, and many others. There is no other person that Roman Reigns should face at WrestleMania.

The Rock wrestling– much less beating– Roman Reigns at WrestleMania is incorrect on so many levels. The Rock winning would only benefit himself. The only way Rock leaves Philadelphia the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship is if he exercises Hulk Hogan degrees of backstage politicking to get the outcome he wants. He won’t, though. The Rock knows full well he can elevate the current generation of talent without looking bad himself. He doesn’t need WrestleMania, he doesn’t need the title. Therefore, this will not and should not happen.

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