The Rock is back–but he isn’t needed in the main event

The Sunday Notes feature results and analysis from Bad Blood, which included an outstanding Hell in a Cell match–and the return of Bill Goldberg

The Rock returned at Bad Blood/WWE

The Sunday Notes run every week.

The Rock is back. But he is in the way.

Who ever would have thought that?

Despite being one of the biggest stars in the world, The Rock is no longer the top attraction in pro wrestling. WWE is currently powered by Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. There is a distinct tension, chemistry, and competitiveness between the two–and it was on full display during the main event of Bad Blood when the two teamed together for the first time in their storied careers.

Following the main event, The Rock returned. Wearing his People’s Champion belt that he gifted himself last spring, The Rock effectively took the spotlight off Rhodes and Reigns. He didn’t enter the ring, nor did he engage in any sort of physicality, but the message was clear: The Final Boss is back.

Rhodes and Reigns have headlined the past two WrestleManias, and there is every reason to believe they will do it for a third time at WrestleMania 41 next April. Except there is a third piece that is intent on altering that puzzle, and that is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

None of this is to imply The Rock shouldn’t come back; in fact, it’s the opposite. Pro wrestling is far more compelling, interesting whenever he is back (especially with his videos on social media). But the main event no longer belongs to him, especially when it comes to WrestleMania.

Shortly before The Rock’s return, Jimmy Uso also came back. His return was overshadowed by The Rock, but it marks an important step in the reunion of the original Bloodline.

Here are the results from Bad Blood:

• CM Punk defeated Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match

• Nia Jax defeated Bayley to retain the WWE Women’s Championship

• Damian Priest defeated Finn Balor

• Rhea Ripley defeated Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan by disqualification

• Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns defeated Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu

And here are my takeaways:

• Call me old school, but the champion should always come out last.

So it grinded my gears when Cody Rhodes made his entrance before Roman Reigns. Both are mega stars, and it wouldn’t have hurt Reigns in any way, shape, or form had he come out first.

But this match was far more about Reigns than it was about Rhodes. That was also clear in the finish, when Jimmy Uso returned and gave an assist to Reigns before he speared Sikoa for the win.

Reigns and Uso made their way back to the ring after the match to defend Rhodes when he was getting attacked by Tama Tonga and Tanga Loa. That led to a fascinating moment when Reigns handed the world title to Rhodes, which is when The Rock’s music hit and he appeared.

Roan Reigns handed the title back to Cody Rhodes/WWE

For now, though, it appears Rhodes will continue his story with Kevin Owens–who had an altercation with him after the show went off the air.