WWE Plot Twists On The Road To WrestleMania Nobody Saw Coming

The Road To WrestleMania is often one of the most enjoyable, exciting, and unpredictable periods of the WWE’s yearly calendar. The build up to WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas has offered very much of the same, giving us the perfect opportunity to take a look at all most major instances where WWE swerved fans during these months.

The following are moments that shocked fans, flipped the Road To WrestleMania on its head, and changed storylines in unexpected ways. Whether it be heel or babyface turns, upset title changes, a legit change in WWE’s plans, or something more, these moments were all wild.

Batista Robs John Cena

The WWE Title Changed Hands

• Cena won the WWE Title at Elimination Chamber
• Vince McMahon made him defend it immediately
• Batista won the WWE Title

John Cena winning the WWE Championship and dethroning Sheamus was already a big change on the Road To WrestleMania 26, but when Vince McMahon emerged and told Cena to defend the title immediately, fans were in for a shock.

Batista defeated Cena with ease, surprising the audience and throwing a massive twist ahead of WrestleMania. Cena and Batista then engaged in a fresh feud, with Batista showcasing great talent as a heel champion.

Jey Uso Wins The Men’s Royal Rumble

One Of The Most Shocking Winners Ever

• John Cena and CM Punk were the favorites
• No one thought Jey Uso stood a chance
• His win was a massive plot twist for WrestleMania

The expectation was for John Cena and CM Punk to challenge for respective world titles at WrestleMania, with no one having any doubt that one of these two was going to win the Royal Rumble.

However, Jey Uso last eliminated Cena in a massive shock and plot twist, completely going against the expectations of fans. The Road To WrestleMania was up in the air after this result.

Edge Competes In Two Chamber Matches

Edge Made History In 2009

• Edge was WWE Champion heading into No Way Out
• He ended the show as World Heavyweight Champion
• The landscape of WrestleMania 25 changed

Edge pulled out a wild twist at No Way Out 2009, losing his WWE Title in a shock result before then going on to enter the other Elimination Chamber match and winning the World Heavyweight Championship.

This completely changed the build to WrestleMania 25, creating a program out of nowhere between Edge and John Cena. It was a very unique circumstance that has never been repeated, and likely never will.

Shawn Michaels Costs The Undertaker

Michaels Interfered In The Elimination Chamber

• Undertaker was the World Heavyweight Champions
• Michaels was obsessed with a rematch
• He cost Undertaker, allowing Chris Jericho to steal the title

Shawn Michaels’ obsession with a rematch against The Undertaker led him to desperate measures, interfering in the Elimination Chamber in one of the most memorable finishes to a Chamber match ever. He appeared from the steel grate, kicking Undertaker and allowing his hated rival Chris Jericho to win the title in a major shock.

Many fans had expected Undertaker and Michaels to battle over the title by some hook or crook, but Michaels had other ideas, setting up their Streak vs. Career match at WrestleMania 26.

The Rock Becomes The Final Boss

The Rock’s Heel Turn Was A Massive Surprise

• WWE planned for The Rock vs. Roman Reigns
• Negative fan response led to WWE changing plans
• The Rock turned heel and Cody Rhodes got his moment

WWE misjudged the fan reaction to throwing Cody Rhodes out the door and booking The Rock vs. Roman Reigns instead. This led to a massive swerve as The Rock turned heel, aligning with Roman Reigns and becoming his captivating ‘Final Boss’ character.

This made for one of the most exciting and hottest Road To WrestleManias for many years. The Rock’s heel persona helped to elevate Rhodes even more as a babyface as he went on to win the WWE Championship in a wonderful moment.

Mick Foley Returns

Foley Came Out Of Retirement

• Foley had ‘retired’ from the ring
• The original WrestleMania plans were Rock vs. Triple H
• Things changed and the WWE Title match became a four way

Mick Foley retired from the ring in the lead up to WrestleMania 16, so when he was brought out as Linda McMahon’s choice to compete in the WWE Championship match, it was a big twist and changed the entire landscape of the title match.

The Road To WrestleMania 16 featured plenty of plot twists, with Big Show getting himself involved too after The Rock’s feet legit hit the floor first in the Royal Rumble match.

Eddie Guerrero Beats Brock Lesnar

Guerrero’s Title Win Was A Great Moment

• Lesnar was reigning WWE Champion
• Goldberg interfered to cost him
• Guerrero won at No Way Out 2004

When titles change hands on the Road To WrestleMania, it is often a big shock, and that certainly the case at No Way Out 2004 when Goldberg ran in to cost Brock Lesnar the WWE Title, allowing Eddie Guerrero to pick up the pieces and win his first world title in a crazy moment.

Many fans would have predicted the WWE Title match at WrestleMania 20 to be Lesnar vs. Goldberg, but a big plot twist took place as it ended up being Guerrero vs. Angle instead.

Andre The Giant Turns Against Hulk Hogan

Two Friends Became Enemies

• Hogan & Andre had been close friends
• Andre decided he wanted the title
• He turned heel on Hogan

WrestleMania 3 was a special event, mostly due to the marquee match between Hulk Hogan and Andre The Giant. In the lead up to WrestleMania, Andre The Giant issued a challenge to Hogan, turning heel in the process in a big plot twist.

Hogan was heartbroken as his friend decided the title and WrestleMania was more important. This set the stage for a mega match at the show with Andre playing the role of dominant monster heel wonderfully well, elevating HulkaMania to new proportions.

The “Yes” Movement Takes Full Swing

WWE Changed Plans Due To The Fans

• The main event for WrestleMania was originally Batista vs. Randy Orton
• The audience only wanted to see Daniel Bryan
• WWE changed plans in a big plot twist

Daniel Bryan was originally planned to face Sheamus at WrestleMania. CM Punk’s exit then led to Bryan facing Triple H instead. However, due to the overwhelming fan support for Bryan, the ‘Yes Movement’ took hold of WWE and forced the company into changing their plans.

Bryan’s match with Triple H was changed so that the winner got a spot in the main event, leading to Bryan eventually winning. This twist in the tale felt so huge due to the fact that it was authentic and real, with WWE being forced into listening to the fans.

John Cena Turns Heel

One Of The Biggest Shocks Ever

• Many thought John Cena would never turn heel
• Cena sold out and attacked Cody Rhodes
• This was a major plot twist for WrestleMania 41

Perhaps the biggest ever twist on the Road To WrestleMania came at Elimination Chamber 2025 when John Cena finally turned heel for the first time in over two decades, selling out and attacking Cody Rhodes in an insane moment.

The reality of a heel Cena was unimaginable, and it made for a wild plot twist as he would go on to challenge Rhodes for the WWE Championship.