The World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania 41 drew heavy criticism from fans and critics alike, with many calling it one of the weakest matches on the card. The spotlight match, featuring Jey Uso, failed to live up to expectations, and behind the scenes, it turns out that the original plan looked very different.
In WWE’s Unreal series on Netflix and a recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Paul Heyman opened up about the original direction the company had intended for the biggest show of the year and how it drastically changed.
Roman Reigns vs Rollins, Punk vs Gunther Were on the Table
According to Heyman, early ideas for WrestleMania 41 were far more ambitious. “The original idea for this year’s ’Mania was Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins, Gunther vs. CM Punk. I think Cody and Cena was always the path,” Heyman revealed. “We also discussed, at some point, do we do Cody vs. Roman III? That would’ve been interesting, too. We explored all options.”
The company eventually considered combining storylines into a Triple Threat for the World Heavyweight Title, as Reigns and Punk’s dynamic was seen as incredibly compelling.
Jey Uso Was a Late Addition Not Originally in WWE Title Plans
Heyman made it clear that Jey Uso was not part of the original title picture. In fact, his involvement stemmed from Michael Hayes, who pitched Jey as the surprise Royal Rumble winner. This pivot altered WrestleMania’s direction significantly. Originally, John Cena or CM Punk were front-runners to win the Rumble and headline Night 1.
Instead, WWE went with Jey, riding his momentum despite reservations from within.
Fatal 4-Way Was Scrapped in Favor of Triple Threat
The plan for WrestleMania’s Night 1 main event was initially a Fatal 4-Way match involving Rollins, Gunther, Punk, and another top star. However, changes late in the process led to a Triple Threat, which many now believe weakened the storytelling and in-ring quality. As Heyman hinted, not all last-minute changes lead to magic.
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Karan Singh Rathod is a dedicated sports journalist known for his sharp attention to detail and flair for storytelling. With over a year of experience in writing and editorial work, he blends thorough research with compelling narratives to deliver engaging sports content. A passionate follower of football and cricket, he starts his mornings with a newspaper to stay updated with sports, fashion, and current affairs. Outside of journalism, Karan enjoys traveling and discovering new destinations.
