On the February 2nd edition of Friday Night SmackDown, Cody Rhodes stirred controversy by relinquishing his WrestleMania 40 main event position to The Rock, drawing significant criticism. However, the narrative unexpectedly shifted during the WrestleMania 40 kickoff press conference, introducing a notable amount of drama to the storyline. A lot has happened since then, as The Rock essentially sold out to Roman Reigns, and a major prediction for Rhodes’ future has now come true.
Fans are excited about a potential clash between The Rock and Roman Reigns, but they didn’t want it to overshadow Cody Rhodes’ storyline. Initially, it seemed that way on Friday Night SmackDown, but fortunately, things have taken a positive turn leading into WrestleMania 40. However, fans should still manage their expectations.
The Rock Almost Decimated Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania 40 Plans
According to information from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cody Rhodes was initially informed that he would face Roman Reigns in the fall, with no mention of The Rock’s involvement until a later point, despite an agreement made on January 3rd.
Meltzer explained, saying, “Any interview he did about concluding the story before the Rumble was with the idea that he was definitely in the match, even with the Rock rumors circulating.”
Allegedly, Rhodes learned about The Rock’s participation on the day of the Rumble, even though the original plans were for him to win the Rumble match. He was also informed that a match against Reigns would still happen later, suggesting that the post-match buildup wasn’t intended to surprise fans but rather to set the stage for a future encounter.
Never Seen Before Picture Of Dwayne Johnson And Cody Rhodes Ruins Their Intense Rivalry For WWE Fans
Dave Meltzer added, “He learned on the day of the Rumble that Rock was facing Reigns, even though he was winning the Rumble. He was also told that they would be going to Reigns against him later, so all the post-match stuff building that match wasn’t there to surprise people as much as to build a later match. However, the fact that it was not going to be Reigns vs. Rhodes was kept secret from almost everyone (obviously, a few knew) because Rock wanted the angle the next Friday to be a surprise.”
Certain individuals within WWE were already aware of these changes before Cody Rhodes, but the details remained confidential until the WrestleMania 40 press conference.
The Rock Acknowledged Roman Reigns On SmackDown And Confirmed WWE’s Prediction For Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns and The Rock kicked off SmackDown on FOX this week, showcasing The Bloodline in rare form, and Dwayne Johnson prepared to unleash his charisma on the blue brand. Before The Rock’s entrance, Roman threatened to leave due to unfavorable fan reactions, expressing displeasure with being booed. Paul Heyman hyped up The Rock’s introduction after a commercial break.
Upon The Rock’s entrance, he engaged with the crowd, playfully questioning their decision to boo him. He delivered a scathing promo, mentioning Phoenix’s reputation for cocaine and meth use. Amid “Die Rocky Die” chants, he declared pro wrestling cool again and dismissed Cody Rhodes as not cool.
The Rock then addressed Cody Rhodes’ challenge, emphatically saying “no.” He playfully teased the crowd, particularly the “Crack Head Karens” and “Meth Head Marys,” stating they couldn’t handle his “22 inches,” referring to his biceps.
Dwayne Johnson continued to mock Cody Rhodes for proposing such a big match and countered with an offer. Night One of WrestleMania 40 would feature The Rock and Roman Reigns vs. Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. If the faces win, The Bloodline won’t be ringside for the Universal Title match on night two. If the heels win, Bloodline rules apply for their Universal Title match.
The Rock announced they’d be in Dallas for SmackDown next week to hear the response firsthand. The segment concluded with Roman Reigns requesting acknowledgement, and The Rock obliged, acknowledging Reigns as his Tribal Chief, leading to a significant crowd reaction and subsequent “You Sold Out” chants.
With this announcement, WWE’s prediction for Cody Rhodes that he would square off against The Rock in a tag team match at the Showcase of The Immortals has come true. Only time will tell if The Rock and Roman Reigns will end up beating Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40.
