According to Fightful Select, WWE officials decided several weeks ago that Roman Reigns would retain the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship over Cody Rhodes.
It was said that there were multiple people within WWE that knew Rhodes was booked to lose. The report also notes the plan for Reigns vs. Rhodes had been planned since last summer. There were pitches also made for Rhodes and Cena to enter a program together.
Fightful Select also claims in their report that when WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was in charge of creative, there were no plans for Reigns to drop the championships. WWE Chief Content Officer and Head of Creative Triple H, went forward with the plan to have Rhodes compete in the match. There were people reportedly within WWE last week who had defended the idea of Reigns retaining.
Fightful Select said WWE sources and a representative were asked if WWE Chairman Vince McMahon was involved in the decision to have Roman retain, but they all claimed Vince had no say in it.
Fightful Select concluded by saying a lot of the interference during the match had not been told to talent, referees, and ringside staff until Sunday.