Backstage details on Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes working together ahead of WWE Bad Blood - Reports

The WWE Universe has been buzzing in a major way for weeks over the sudden pairing of rivals Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes. Despite the backlash, the storyline has produced a few strong viral moments, and sources are now revealing additional backstage details on the second-generation superstar.

The Original Tribal Chief and The American Nightmare will team up for the first time at WWE Bad Blood 2024. In Reigns' first match since being dethroned by Rhodes at WrestleMania XL, both stars will face Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu in a tag team match. The pairing of Roman and Cody led to immediate social media backlash, but the duo recently filmed a promo at the Georgia Institute of Technology, also known as Georgia Tech, and the heavily praised vignette served as a bit of a redeemer.

There was a strong buzz within WWE on Friday before the Georgia Tech face-off aired on SmackDown, according to a report from Fightful Select. The top-notch production seemingly factored into decisions surrounding the Bad Blood main event as officials knew which match they wanted to headline the PLE at that point.

Backstage sources previously noted that Paul Heyman played a key role in the Georgia Tech segment. While The Wiseman was the director for Cody and Roman, PWInsider reported that he was joined on-site by WWE's Senior Director of Content & Development Jeremy Borash, and Director of Long Term Creative Rob Fee.

Borash was the producer for the Reigns and Rhodes face-off segment. Borash and Fee often collaborate on various segments and projects like the one fans saw on SmackDown, with more integration on these productions as of late.

Borash, who spent three years with WCW and two years with WWA before a sixteen-year run with TNA Wrestling, has become Triple H's preferred lead for on-location segments like this. He was described as the WWE Chief Content Officer's "doyen" for these on-site productions.

Heyman was said to be "intricately involved" in the Georgia Tech filming. It is no secret that the WWE Hall of Famer has been heavily involved in all of Reigns' creative plans for a few years now, and this segment, as well as Roman's return storyline, has been no different.

The face-off segment from the latest episode of SmackDown has received immense praise on social media, but the rave reviews have continued within WWE as well. It was confirmed that filming was done earlier in the week at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field on the Georgia Tech campus.

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The updated lineup for WWE Bad Blood 2024

WWE is less than two weeks away from hosting the first Bad Blood Premium Live Event since 2004. The big event will take place on Saturday, October 5, 2024, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

Bad Blood 2024 is expected to feature several surprises, but the latest change is that Dominik Mysterio will be in a shark cage during the Women's World Championship match between Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan. Below is the current lineup for the upcoming PLE:

1. Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa - Tag team match
2. CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre - Hell in a Cell match
3. Liv Morgan (c) vs. Rhea Ripley - Singles match for the Women's World Championship (Dominik Mysterio will be locked in a shark cage)
4. Nia Jax (c) vs. Bayley or Naomi - Singles match for the WWE Women's Championship
5. Damian Priest vs. Finn Balor - Singles match

Sami Zayn vs. Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship is still rumored for Bad Blood 2024. Jax's challenger will be decided on SmackDown when Bayley takes on Naomi in a number-one contender's match.

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