Severe issue with WWE's plans for The Rock might have forced the company to cancel storyline, veteran says (Exclusive)

WWE looked prepared to build a potential match between Roman Reigns and The Rock at WrestleMania 40 after the latter's shocking return on SmackDown a few weeks back. However, things have changed in the last few days as the company is now teasing another showdown between The Tribal Chief and Cody Rhodes, and former WWE manager Dutch Mantell believes this could be due to an issue with The Brahma Bull.

Last night's edition of SmackDown saw The American Nightmare come face-to-face with the man he failed to beat at WrestleMania 39. While no words were exchanged between the two, it certainly felt like a program between them was imminent down the line.

Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling's SmackTalk, Dutch Mantell stated that he feels something happened with The Rock for WWE to change the direction of the potential WrestleMania main event.

“Something happened that we don’t know about, and it happened with Rock, that’s where it happened. Because, Cody was gonna be there anyway, I think they wanted and they painted the whole picture that it’s gonna be Roman and The Rock at WrestleMania and that’s what I come away with, as you guys do, right? Everybody thought that’s what they painted and then something happened and it changed it all. But at least they can switch it to a guy that they know can produce, and has already been there, so I don’t think they are really perturbed about it," Mantell said. [1:05:41 - 1:06:28]

You can check out the complete SmackDown results and highlights by clicking here.

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The Rock's daughter Ava was seen with Paul Heyman on WWE NXT

Paul Heyman showed up on this week's star-studded edition of NXT, where he was in Bron Breakker's corner for his match against Carmelo Hayes. However, Roman Reigns' Special Counsel was also seen chatting with Ava during a backstage segment and was seen pointing to The Bloodline logo on his phone's back cover.

This comes a few days after Ava was asked by Joe Gacy to choose her separate way and that she already has a family in WWE. All these teases seem to be hinting at the rising star joining Roman Reigns' faction on the main roster.

It has also been reported that Ava potentially joining the heel faction could lead to the dream feud between The Rock and Roman Reigns. However, The People's Champion has not shown up in WWE since his one-off appearance on SmackDown last month.

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Do you think we could get to witness a potential showdown between The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40? Sound off in the comments section below!

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If you use any quotes from the first half of this article, please credit SmackTalk and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.