Why The Rock’s WWE Return Caused Unhappiness Backstage

The Rock is back in WWE but his last-minute arrival on SmackDown and uncertain road to WrestleMania 41 have upset some.

The Rock appeared on the February 21 edition of SmackDown where he confronted Cody Rhodes. Speaking about the doors he could open for Rhodes and touting his relationship with TKO boss Ari Emanuel, The Rock spoke as if he was every bit The Final Boss.

Telling Rhodes that he wanted him to be his champion, The Rock harked back to when he was Vince McMahon’s “corporate champion” in 1998. The Rock then told Rhodes he didn’t want the WWE Title for himself, instead he wanted Rhodes’ soul.

Rhodes will have to answer The Rock’s rather unusual demand at Elimination Chamber. That show will see a Chamber match take place with the winner expected to still challenge Rhodes for his WWE Title at WrestleMania 41. Although The Rock’s involvement has cast doubt on that.

The Rock Leaves People In WWE Unhappy

Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer explained that there are people in WWE unhappy with how things have played out since The Rock returned as plans had been in place and now they seem to be going back to the drawing board:

I know that there’s definitely people not happy with the way they had a game plan and the game plan completely changed this last week. But it’s probably only changing for a couple of people. I guess we’ll find out Saturday if they change from Cody vs. Cena, and I don’t know where he [The Rock] fits in.

The Rock has noted his issues with Cody Rhodes don’t need to culminate in a match so it could be the case that The Great One never gets in the ring with The American Nightmare.