Cody Rhodes Was Led To Believe He Was Going To Win Marquee WrestleMania Match

That's according to WWE Hall of Famer, DDP. DDP is a close friend of Rhodes and often accompanies him to the ring as a part of his entourage for big matches. Speaking to Chris Van Vliet, DDP revealed that the initial plan at WrestleMania 39 was for Rhodes to beat Roman Reigns and become WWE Champion.

"He was told he was going over that first time, for a long time. Then things started to change, and they do. They just change," DDP explained. The former WCW Champion implied that he didn't know the plan had changed until he was on his way to the ring, adding, "I would never believe something as big as that was going to happen until I was on my way to the ring and there was no way they could change it."

That is the nature of WWE booking, even in big matches like this. While we're all sitting at home, convinced we know how a match is going to pan out, those in charge of making those decisions have not only considered every option, but they've changed their minds countless times. So many fans would have assumed Reigns retaining was a given, but right up until the last moment, that wasn't the plan.

DDP Never Thought Rhodes Losing At WrestleMania 39 Was The Wrong Decision

DDP didn't provide this peak behind the curtain to throw shade at WWE in defense of his friend. Quite the contrary. It sounds like Rhodes was downbeat about the decision change, at which point DDP explained that if he loses, that will just make the fans want it more.

That's an easy thing to claim you said in hindsight, and as frustrating as some found it to see Reigns on top for another full year, the payoff was flawless. Rhodes finally got his big win at WrestleMania 40 in a match that was magnitudes bigger and better than the main event a year prior. Run-ins from John Cena, The Rock, and The Undertaker, and a crowning moment for Rhodes that will go down as one of, if not the best ending to a WrestleMania in WWE history.