Backstage Update on WWE’s Original Plans for Matches at WrestleMania 41 & Reasons for Changes Made to Some

A recent trailer for WWE’s upcoming new WWE Unreal series on Netflix was notable for a brief shot featuring a list of potential matches for WrestleMania 41 being scribbled on a whiteboard. Monday’s episode of The Pat McAfee Show featured Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the guest and was notable for Johnson pulling back the curtain on the process of WWE’s creative plans for the John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes build and match at WrestleMania 41.

Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that the whiteboard shown in the WWE Unreal trailer had captured early-stage booking concepts for the card of WrestleMania 41. It was reported that this board featured a mixture of some potential matchups plans that were more serious than others and talent being listed more than once due to WWE officials evaluting various scenarios for them. One top talent spoken to in 2023 reportedly had joked in late 2023 that many plans seemed to be at the “mercy of Dwayne.”

In regards to The Rock’s comments on the Pat McAfee show, it was reported that The Rock corroborated prior reports about there were no immediate plans for a John Cena heel turn as of this past October’s Bad Blood 2024 event. The Rock reportedly also had confirmed the reports that his involvement in this past March’s Elimination Chamber 2025 event until about a month before and same for the direction for both him and Cena being put together during that time. The Rock reportedly also confirmed reports about how he had advocated for a heel turn for Cody Rhodes. It was reported that WWE officials held internal talks as far back as this past November for a Cena vs. Rhodes match at WrestleMania 41 but neither Cena nor Rhodes was originally planned to turn heel at that stage.

In regards to the listing of a The Wyatt Sicks vs. Judgement Day matchup on the whiteboard, those spoken to reportedly stated that Bo Dallas’ abscense due to an injury had put those plans on ice. It was reported that some talent who would have been involved had not even been approached about that potential matchup prior to plans being shifted.

In regards to the listing of a potential Jade Cargill vs. Nia Jax matchup on the whiteboard, it was reported that Cargill’s injury situation was the reason why WWE officials pivoted towards a different direction for Cargill involving Naomi.

In regards to the Charlotte Flair vs. Tiffany Stratton match for the WWE Women’s Championship, it was reported that WWE officials had been considering plans for that match by this past December.

In regards to the listing of a potential tag team match of Flair & Becky Lynch vs. IYO SKY & Asuka, it was reported that this match never made it to the talent pitch phase. WWE officials reportedly were also considering a separate creative direction for Lynch at the time. This listing reportedly did confirm that WWE officials were considering a tag team match for Asuka at WrestleMania 41 for their return plans for her at the time.

In regards to Gunther vs. Jey Uso, it was reported that WWE officials had internally penciled in this match for WrestleMania in around mid-January.

In regards to the whiteboard hinting at potential debuts and returns for WrestleMania 41, it was reported that besides Joe Hendry, WWE officials had also considered Aleister Black and Rusev making their official returns at the event but ended up preferring to hold off on their returns until after WrestleMania due to long-term creative plans for them.

It was reported that those spoken to also confirmed a prior report from Bodyslam.net about Randy Orton had pushed for Hendry to be his mystery opponent after his match against Kevin Owens was pulled due to Owens’ neck injury.

In regards to the Chad Gable vs. Rey Mysterio and Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens matches planned for WrestleMania 41, it was reported that those plans had been locked in well of advance of the show. WWE officials reportedly had working plans for AJ Styles to face off against Logan Paul as far back as prior to Styles being sidelined with a foot-related injury.