WrestleMania 29, held in 2013, is remembered for many iconic moments and unforgettable matches, but it also holds a lesser-known story: a scheduled eight-person tag team match involving Cody Rhodes, Nikki Bella, and others that was unexpectedly canceled. Recently, both Rhodes and Bella opened up about the disappointment and impact of that match being scrapped, offering fans a rare glimpse behind the scenes of WWE’s biggest event.

The Match That Never Happened

The match slated for WrestleMania 29 featured a star-studded lineup: Cody Rhodes, Aron Stevens, and The Bella Twins—Nikki and Brie—on one side; opposing them were Tyrus, Matt Bloom (Tensai), Naomi, and Ariane Andrew. This eight-person tag was set to deliver a dynamic clash blending established talent with rising stars. But just moments before going out to the ring, the competitors were informed through the Gorilla position (the backstage WWE production team) that their match was being cut entirely from the card.

The Cut’s Reasoning: Time or TV?

Reflecting on this shocking moment, Cody Rhodes revealed that there was a conspiracy theory circulating that the match was deliberately removed because WWE wanted to hold it back for storyline purposes related to the reality show Total Divas. However, Nikki Bella offered her perspective and believed the decision was simply a matter of time constraints during the live show broadcast.

Nikki stated, “If it was cut solely so that it could be featured on Total Divas, that would really upset me.” This comment underscored her frustration over what felt like the sidelining of their hard work for television programming reasons rather than in-ring priorities.

The Emotional Toll of Being Cut

Both Rhodes and Bella revealed that the moment they were told their match was canceled was one of profound disappointment. Nikki described the experience as “the worst walk of shame” she’s ever had, emphasizing the emotional sting of having a big WrestleMania moment taken away at the last second.

Rhodes admitted it was a pivotal moment for him, saying it was the first time he seriously considered leaving WWE. The emotional weight of being cut from such a high-profile event caused real doubt, but both Rhodes and Bella reflected on it with some humor looking back—Rhodes quipped, “So it’s funny that we’re laughing about it now,” to which Nikki replied, “Yeah, because it was not funny back then.”

Rhodes also commented on the feeling of the loss, “No one will ever understand it unless you’re us in that feeling… At that time, our biggest moment just taken right from us.”

Behind the Scenes: What Really Happened?

According to multiple sources, the primary reason for the match being cut was simply due to the overrun of other key matches on the WrestleMania 29 card. High-profile bouts such as CM Punk versus The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar versus Triple H went longer than expected, forcing WWE management to make difficult decisions to stay on broadcast schedule. Unfortunately, the eight-person tag involving Rhodes and Bella became the casualty of those timing adjustments.

A WWE insider revealed, “WrestleMania is notorious for running long, and 2013 was no different. The Rhodes Scholars and Bella Twins match was exciting but, sadly, had to be sacrificed to keep the show moving on time. It wasn’t about anyone’s standing — just brutal time cuts.”

Looking Back: What If?

Had the match taken place, it might have added an energetic dynamic to an already star-studded WrestleMania event and increased the in-ring exposure of talents like Naomi and Ariane Andrew. Fans have speculated whether this could have changed the momentum for some performers or opened new storyline possibilities.

However, both Rhodes and Bella emphasize that the absence of their WrestleMania 29 moment never defined their careers. Nikki Bella’s return to WWE programming leading up to the all-women’s premium live event Evolution further showcases how her resilience has helped her thrive despite past setbacks.

Legacy and Moving Forward

While the canceled match remains a disappointment that both talent and fans still remember, it also highlights the complexities of WWE’s live event scheduling and production realities. It’s a reminder that behind the scenes, even the biggest stars face unpredictable challenges.

Sources close to Cody Rhodes revealed, “Moments like this build character. Cody and Nikki were crushed, but they used the experience as motivation. This is a big reason why Cody worked so hard to become a mainstay and top star in WWE.”

For Nikki Bella, the match is part of a broader narrative of perseverance and passion for professional wrestling, both inside the ring and beyond.

If quoting, please credit the interview from ‘What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes’ with H/T to Fightful for the transcriptions.