Buying or Selling Latest WWE Rumors on Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, Rock Saga and More

The official start to the road to WrestleMania 40 managed to amplify the always-hyped pro wrestling rumor mill in a way most probably wouldn't have predicted.

After all, this week's WrestleMania kickoff event kept the main event of the biggest show of the year an open-ended affair with no questions answered. So it goes when The Rock expects to challenge Roman Reigns, only for Cody Rhodes to come out and stake his claim to the match, too.

That's hardly the only thing going on in pro wrestling, either. There's still Royal Rumble fallout to analyze, big free agents potentially finding new homes and more.

In an effort to help fans keep pace at the busiest time of year, here's a look at the must-know rumors and whether they should buy or sell on each item.

Triple H Always Knew the Plan

There has been plenty of speculation and buzz from outside WWE that Triple H, in fact, didn't know about The Rock coming in to main event 'Mania, hence his booking Cody Rhodes to win the Royal Rumble.

But according to Wrestling Observer's Dave Meltzer, Triple H was always in the know about the plans.

It sure meshes well with what fans saw at the kickoff event, with Rock essentially siding with Reigns for family reasons and talking down to Triple H during the broadcast.

Some might argue that everything they saw at the event was a giant pivot. Change of plans or not, it's pretty hard to imagine that Rock just strong-armed his way back into WWE without the head of creative being clued in so that he could plan accordingly.

Verdict: Buying

WWE Didn't Expect Negative Reaction to Rock

Along those same lines, again, it's pretty hard to believe those in charge of the puppet strings at WWE didn't know how things would unfold around the 'Mania main event.

Rhodes is so over with fans right now that it wound up getting Rock booed, culminating in "Rocky Sucks" chants, an Attitude Era throwback, during promos and matches he wasn't even present at over the past week.

According to WrestleVotes (h/t Randall Ortman of Cageside Seats), some were "totally thrown off" by those chants.

But WWE didn't get to this point of a new golden era by misunderstanding modern audiences. A part-timer Rock, a Hollywood PR Rock, convincing Rhodes to give away his main event at 'Mania after his second Royal Rumble win was always going to be on the receiving end of boos.

Verdict: Selling

Mercedes Moné's Destination Has Been Set for a While

Now might be a great time to stop selling on the Mercedes Moné-to-AEW rumors, right?

According to Fightful Select (h/t Ortman), Moné has actually been under contract with AEW since January.

There's no reason not to buy this one, really. Tony Khan's major announcement this past week was the 'Big Business" show coming up on March 13. The name itself seems obvious, but less so than the "$$" as part of the logo—another wink and nod to observant fans, much as Superstars on camera were hinting at CM Punk for weeks before his return to pro wrestling, as one notable example.

With WWE's Royal Rumble in the past and this event announced, it's safe to think this one has been in the works.

Verdict: Buying

Kickoff Event Numbers Were a Disappointment

By most accounts and especially just by looking at the fan reaction the day after, the 'Mania kickoff event in Las Vegas was a major success for WWE.

What's interesting, then, is hearing Meltzer (h/t Steve Carrier of Ringside News) report that the roughly 3,000 in attendance fell short of the numbers the company had projected.

It feels like a sell, though, considering it was a smaller event that was seemingly announced late. Not only that, it took place on a weekday at 4 p.m. PT. Super Bowl festivities or not, everyone seemed to know that even a casual fan draw like The Rock wasn't doing anything other than talking into a microphone.

Given the reaction and how loud the fans who showed up were, it's hard to buy WWE expected much more, nor should it be deterred from doing something similar in future years.

Verdict: Selling

No Bloodline vs. Rhodes and Rollins Tag Match

Given the open-ended nature of things surrounding Reigns right now as we exit the kickoff event, it's understandable if some fans expect there to be a tag match in the near future.

On paper, the Bloodline—Reigns and Rock—taking on Rhodes and Seth Rollins would make some sense.

But according to Meltzer (h/t Ortman), that's not in the cards, not even for the upcoming Elimination Chamber in Australia.

Easy buy.

Rollins is still on his way back from injury and they won't want to risk his 'Mania availability. There's nothing to say Reigns and Rock will even be at that show, and the latter needs time to keep getting back into in-ring shape.

A tag match isn't an impossibility, but it's hard to imagine we see these four interacting in an actual match sense before 'Mania.

Verdict: Buying

Uso Plans for 'Mania?

Right now, The Usos feel very much in flux, like one or both of Jimmy and Jey could get involved in the Rock-Reigns saga for 'Mania.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Ortman), Jey and Jimmy remain on track for a singles match at 'Mania, though.

On one hand, it feels like a buy simply because the two have openly talked about it being a goal of theirs.

On the other, though, WWE hasn't done much to build that up and time will run out quickly. And Jey remains a super-over solo act who might be destined for bigger things, especially with the hints of a big match against Gunther for the Intercontinental title already presented.

Verdict: Selling

Rock Embraces Boos?

Before the kickoff event, there was some question amongst fans if The Rock would actually turn heel, or if the distaste from fans would clash too much with his greater public image and cause issues.

Apparently not—Meltzer (h/t Ortman) said that Rock couldn't care less about getting booed, so long as he's drawing as much money as possible.

Considering Rock is now on the board and how WWE performs directly impacts him, this is a simple buy.

Even if he isn't back often, Dwayne Johnson's love for the business has been palpable and any negative reaction of his to becoming the bad guy in the eyes of fans is undoubtedly part of the act, now.

Verdict: Buying