Roman Reigns, a WWE superstar, has finally revealed the reason behind his abrupt departure following his loss to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XL. According to Reigns, he had a pressing engagement that required his immediate attention, and he couldn’t afford to waste any more time socializing backstage. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Reigns explained that Rhodes’ post-match celebration lasted a while, and he needed to head home.
Reigns’ comments were made in response to Rhodes’ claims that he didn’t notice Reigns anywhere backstage after the match. Rhodes had stated that he didn’t see Reigns in the Gorilla position, which is the area where wrestlers typically gather to discuss their next moves. Reigns acknowledged that Rhodes’ statement was accurate, but attributed it to his own priorities. “There’s no need. But if you want to sit out there and babyface for four hours, then I ain’t waiting, you know what I mean?” Reigns said.
Reigns’ comments suggest that he was frustrated with the amount of time Rhodes was taking to celebrate his victory. “What’s waiting? You know what I’m saying, I mean what kind of time are we talking about here?” Reigns asked. He also emphasized that he didn’t live in Philadelphia, where the event was held, and thus had a long journey ahead of him. “There’s some jet fuel to be burnt and I had to go,” he said.
Reigns’ departure was a suprise to fans and observers alike, as it was unexpected given the significance of the match. Rhodes had defeated Reigns to become the new Undisputed WWE Champion, and fans had expected a prolonged celebration and reactions from both men. Instead, Reigns seemingly vanished, only to reemerge several months later at SummerSlam 2024, where he received a massive pop from the crowd.
Reigns’ comments have sparked debate about the value of post-match celebrations and the importance of showing respect to one’s opponents. Some fans have praised Reigns for prioritizing his own needs and schedules, while others have criticized him for being unsportsmanlike and uncaring. Regardless, Reigns’ explanation offers a Look into the behind-the-scenes world of professional wrestling, where stars like himself and Rhodes are constantly juggling multiple responsibilities and commitments.
In the end, Reigns’ departure from WrestleMania XL was likely a result of his own priorities and needs, rather than any snub or disrespect towards Rhodes. As he said himself, “I don’t live in Philly,” and he had other obligations to attend to. While fans may have been disappointed by his sudden departure, Reigns’ comments offer a more nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in professional wrestling.
