Elimination Chamber was a game changing event as the show ended with John Cena turning heel and aligning himself with The Rock. Cena won the men’s Elimination Chamber match then proceeded to team up with Rock and Travis Scott as they beat Cody Rhodes down.
Ahead of Elimination Chamber it was reported that The Rock’s segment with Cody was set to take place after the Trish Stratus & Tiffany Stratton vs. Nia Jax & Candice LeRae match, but ultimately it ended up closing the show.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that very few people know what happened as the segment was originally listed after the tag match during the day while the show was being put together. Just before the show the segment was moved to last. Many people, including producers weren’t aware, and were surprised when the show went to the Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens match.
It was being said among people in the inner circle after the show that the segment as laid out would have seen Cody decline The Rock’s offer, but John Cena wouldn’t have been involved.
Cena would still win the Elimination Chamber match with original plans calling for the heel turn and alliance with The Rock to be saved for the finish at WrestleMania 41. The idea was that once the decision was made to have John Cena turn at Elimination Chamber the segment had to go on last.
It was noted that the top few people in WWE could have been swerving their own people in the company, and the heel turn was always planned for Elimination Chamber, but many of the key people were reportedly told that it was a late change.
Cody Rhodes is set to address the events that played out at Elimination Chamber this week on Friday Night SmackDown. Fans will still have to wait a little longer to hear from John Cena as his next scheduled WWE appearances is set for Raw on March 17.