WWE has been announcing superstars for its upcoming Road to WrestleMania, European tour leg, and right now, it looks like March 17th is going to be one hell of a show as currently advertised for Monday Night Raw are John Cena, Cody Rhodes, and CM Punk with rumors that the Rock could possibly appear as well.
If the Rock does indeed show on St. Patrick’s Day in Brussels, this would be just the second-time ever all four of these men worked the same non-PLE style of event. The first was of course, Raw’s Netflix debut where Punk wrestled Seth Rollins, Cena kicked off his farewell tour, and the Rock played buddy-buddy with Rhodes. Flash forward two months and it looks like these four men might share a ring again, only this time with their stories much more intertwined.
WWE European Tour – Brawl in Brussels
John Cena and the Rock Have Some ‘Splainin to Do
It was the low blow heard ’round the world. Cena, after hugging Rhodes who had just told Rock to go you-know-what himself, turned his back on everything he spent his entire career building. The heel turn was epic and unexpected as Cena and the Rock didn’t just beat up Rhodes, they humiliated him. Cena used Rhodes’ watch, a gift from the Rock mind you, as brass knuckles. He took out Rhodes with a mic to the face. He battered and bloodied the man and when all was said and done, stood with his foot on his neck, the world championship in Cena’s hands.
Following the heinous attack and shocking turn, Cena sat down for the post-show press conference, detached the mic from its stand, dropped it on the ground and dipped. He hasn’t been seen since. According to the Rock, Cena was finishing filming up a movie that would keep him off screen for a while. In storyline, Cena doesn’t need to give a reason for his absence. He’s the Rock’s guy now it seems, and as Michael Cole said to Rhodes, that means getting to show up when he wants, where he wants.
March 17th on the European Tour will be Cena’s first date back in a WWE arena since his actions (short of him showing up un-announced before that). Whether the Rock is by his side or not, this will be the first chance we have to hear Cena explain his actions. Or refuse to explain them. Or say nothing. Everyone is waiting with bated breath for that first heel Cena promo and it looks like, it will be on St. Patrick’s Day in Brussels on the WWE European Tour. If the Rock is by his side, Cena may let the Final Boss do much of the talking, which would be quite the heel move to not give the people want they want. Cena’s iconic catchphrase was “Never Give Up,” but at Elimination Chamber, he gave up….gave up his soul that is. How he and Rock proceed is anyone’s guess, but one thing is certain, anytime these two share a ring going forward is going to be electrifying.
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk Will Want Revenge
Turns out you don’t get to tell the Final Boss to go you-know-what himself and get away with it. The Rock wanted Rhodes’ soul but Rhodes was adamant that he already gave his soul to the ring, the fans, and the people in the back. In no uncertain terms, he did what Punk told him to do. Took Rock’s offer, shined it up real good, and then shoved it back up the man’s, to quote Punk, “part-time Hollywood candy ass.” Needless to say, that decision didn’t go very well for Rhodes, who now has two very powerful enemies to contend with if he hopes to keep his title at WrestleMania 41.
Rhodes is set to appear on this week’s SmackDown and likely will address what happened at Elimination Chamber, but March 17th will mark the first time he and Cena (and possibly Rock) are in the same arena following the events of the chamber. There is no doubt that if Cena is in the ring, Rhodes won’t be far behind. Expect absolute fireworks in Brussels on the WWE European Tour as these two clash, physically or verbally or both.
And then, you throw Punk into the mix. While John Cena’s heel turn had much more of an impact on Rhodes’ WrestleMania 41 journey, its seeds also impacted Punk’s. Sure, Cena may have won the Elimination Chamber without becoming the Rock’s guy but we’ll never know that and neither will Punk. All Punk knows is that Cena put him in an STF, causing him to pass out, and seemingly taking away any hope of his WrestleMania main event.
Punk made it perfectly clear on Monday how much he absolutely despises both men and how he wanted to tell them that to their face. There is a good chance in Brussels at the WWE European Tour, he’ll get that chance.
Rhodes, Punk, Cena, and Rock – A Combustible Foursome
What if…both these stories collided? Think about it. Punk, well he made his thoughts on both Cena and the Rock undeniable on Monday. It’s obvious he doesn’t like them anymore than Rhodes does. It would be too much to hope for that we’d get a blockbuster tag team match of Rhodes/Punk vs Rock/Cena outside of anything other than WrestleMania 41, but there’s nothing to say these four can’t share the ring and get into an explosive verbal brawl. On the Road to WrestleMania, expect the unexpected. Believe the impossible. And if all four of these guys are on the same card, look out…Might as well give this show a special name, WWE European Tour, Monday Night Raw: The Brawl in Brussels.
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