On Friday night, pro wrestling fans witnessed an unforgettable face-off between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This wasn’t just a typical WWE promo—it was a watershed moment that may have redefined storytelling in professional wrestling. The level of cinematic presentation displayed marks a potential turning point for the medium.

The Evolution of “Cinema” in WWE

The term “cinema” has become shorthand in pro wrestling for any display of good storytelling or strong acting. It’s been a rallying cry for the current era of WWE, overseen by Paul Levesque (Triple H). But what does this “cinema” really mean for professional wrestling?

The Friday night promo between Reigns and Rhodes featured a cinematic aesthetic, defined by its unique visual presentation and storytelling techniques. WWE has been experimenting with camera and lens choices that diverge from the more traditional approach of past eras. The promo appears to have been shot with cinema-quality cameras, possibly an Arri Alexa, or even modern mirrorless cameras capable of capturing rich depth of field and dynamic range.

The use of anamorphic lenses—or at least a simulated look—further enhanced the experience. Anamorphic lenses compress the image and then stretch it to create a unique, wide frame, producing distinct lens flares and out-of-focus highlights. The J.J. Abrams-style lens flares were a prominent feature of the promo.

The Sound of Silence

Another key aspect of this groundbreaking promo was the sound design—or rather, the lack of it. WWE promos are usually filled with the noise of live crowds, entrance music, and “what” chants. In this instance, the silence spoke volumes. Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes delivered their lines with crisp clarity, free from the usual fanfare. This quiet setting allowed them to convey emotion not just through their words, but through subtle facial expressions and body language.

This promo felt like an evolution of the storytelling methods developed during the WWE Thunderdome era, where there was no live audience to react. In that setting, performers had no choice but to focus on their acting chops, as every sound and nuance was amplified. Now, with the return of live crowds, WWE has chosen to allow performers like Rhodes and Reigns to thrive in more intimate, cinematic settings, far removed from the chaotic atmosphere of an arena.

Breaking the Tropes

This promo did more than just offer a fresh take on WWE’s visual and auditory presentation—it shifted the way the story was told. Rather than relying on the tired “can they coexist” trope that has dominated wrestling for decades, this was a more introspective, character-driven piece. Neither Reigns nor Rhodes addressed the camera directly, allowing their dialogue to flow naturally, without the usual tropes. It was reminiscent of iconic face-offs from cinema, like Robert De Niro and Al Pacino’s scene in Heat, or the Joker and Batman’s confrontation in The Dark Knight.

This new cinematic approach to wrestling promos finds its roots in previous groundbreaking work, from Matt Cardona’s post-WWE social media presence, to Being The Elite, to Lucha Underground. The Rock’s social media promos earlier this year signaled the start of this shift, but Friday night’s promo between Reigns and Rhodes took it to a whole new level.

Looking Ahead

The promo between Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes was more than just a clash of wrestling superstars—it was a masterclass in modern storytelling, one that embraced elements of cinema that WWE has rarely explored before. It allowed fans to delve deeper into the psyche of these characters, particularly Reigns, whose journey since his return has been marked by subtle shifts in character.

As WWE continues to evolve, this could mark the beginning of a new era in how wrestling promos are produced. The visual and auditory choices made here, from the lens selection to the minimalist sound design, pushed the boundaries of what a wrestling promo can be.

It’s an exciting time to be a wrestling fan, and promos like these show just how much more potential there is for storytelling in the industry.