The Moment The Rock Saw Cody Rhodes In A Whole New Light
Cody Rhodes has provided some insight into when The Rock might have looked at him differently on the road to WrestleMania 40.
The word “pivot” has been used to describe WWE’s creative process going into WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia. That’s because, at one point, WWE had plans to do Roman Reigns against The Rock for the Undisputed WWE Universal Title. However, WWE chose to pivot away from that and went with a different plan that saw the Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes challenge Reigns at WrestleMania Sunday just like one year earlier.
After plans changed, The Rock went heel as “The Final Boss” aligning with Reigns as The Bloodline duo would go on to headline WrestleMania 40 against Cody Rhodes and the former World Champion Seth “Freakin” Rollins.
At WrestleMania 40 Saturday, The Rock & Reigns beat Cody & Seth, which led to the Bloodline Rules match between Cody & Roman at WrestleMania 40 Sunday. Despite the odds being stacked against him, Cody Rhodes got some help and found a way to beat Reigns to become the WWE Champion for the first time.
During a discussion with Jimmy Traina on the SI Media Podcast, Cody explained the moment when The Rock really realized how popular Cody was with the WWE Universe.
“There was a moment, in the ring, live, happening in real time where Seth and I came down through the people to confront the Tribal Chief and Final Boss. I got a big kick out of seeing them see us. I’ve given a lot of respect to The Rock, and will certainly continue to do so, but I think he didn’t know who I was as a player. I think in the moment, he saw, ‘Geez, they’re all doing the WOAH. He’s signing autographs on the way down here.'”
“It’s a different type of individual than perhaps he maybe saw a picture online or one clip. We base so much off GIFs and social media. That moment, right before I slapped him, and I brought that slap, that moment was a nice moment amongst myself and Seth and our place in all this.”
Cody Rhodes Will Learn His WWE Title Challenger On Smackdown
While The Rock has moved away from WWE for now to continue his Hollywood career, The Rock told Cody that he would be coming for him when he returns and Cody made it clear that he was ready for him.
As for the more immediate future, Cody will make his first Undisputed WWE Championship defense against either LA Knight or AJ Styles at WWE Backlash on May 4th. That’s because Styles & Knight will have a match on the April 19th Smackdown to determine who goes on to face Cody for the most prized possession in the company.