WWE Dropped Plans For The Rock Vs Cody Rhodes Several Months Ago

It’s increasingly likely that The Rock won’t compete at WrestleMania.

At the end of Raw following WrestleMania 40 in 2024, it appeared that the table had been set for a huge showdown between The Rock and Cody Rhodes 12 months later. The Great One pinned Rhodes on night one of the event, and on Raw, the path to a match at WrestleMania 41 was all but laid out.

However, despite several teases, it appears the match won’t now take place. Instead, it’s been reported that Rhodes is heading for a match with John Cena. Meanwhile, another potential Rock opponent Roman Reigns, is set to face Seth Rollins and CM Punk.

This was followed by claims that several people within WWE were angry at The Rock at Bad Blood, as despite closing the show, he’d already told the company he wouldn’t wrestle at WrestleMania.

WWE Moved On From The Rock

Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer confirmed that the plan for Cena to face Rhodes was put into place as far back as October. Although he’s not mentioned in this section of the report, this means plans involving The Rock were off the table by that point.

Rhodes vs. John Cena, with Cena winning in the Elimination Chamber was the plan since probably October or November for one of the main events with the story of Cena going for the record 17th world title.

Meltzer later reiterated that it appears likely Rock won’t compete at WrestleMania 41, although he could still appear on the show in some capacity.

It certainly appears no Dwayne Johnson. That’s not a for sure because it could be kept quiet but there are no hints or indications of it anywhere and that’s been the general belief since September.

Despite his absence from WWE television, a different report has claimed The Rock is still impacting the creative of an NXT star. As noted in the report, WWE is set to talk up the relationship with the Hollywood megastar and his daughter Ava who is the current NXT General Manager.

This will include new merchandise and playing-up links to her legendary father and his “Final Boss” persona.