Ex-WWE Writer Compares The Rock’s Rivalry With Cody Rhodes To Star Wars
A former WWE writer has high hopes for The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes.
It’s widely believed The Rock will face Cody Rhodes at Wrestlemania 41 after a rivalry developed between the pair in early 2024. While Rock originally returned as a babyface and Rhodes stepped aside to offer him his spot in the match with Roman Reigns, fans rejected the story, and the Hollywood star turned heel.
The Rock later beat Rhodes from pillar to post on Raw, before pinning him in the main event of WrestleMania 40 Saturday. The pair then teased a showdown on the Raw after WrestleMania.
While discussing Rock’s return and new rivalry with Rhodes on the Masked Man Show, Brian Gewirtz compared the action to Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in Star Wars.
“This was probably some of the most fun Rock has ever had, not only as a performer in WWE, but period, in Final Boss mode. We always envision that ending of WrestleMania and the Raw After WrestleMania as somewhat of the equivalent as Darth Vader at the end of Star Wars getting spun out, but not killed.
The babyface had their moment and big medal ceremony, and Darth Vader is checking his shit, making sure it’s okay and ‘this ain’t over yet’ and ‘you have no idea what’s coming next.’ There is a lot of Darth Vader-Luke Skywalker to Rock and Cody Rhodes. He’s not his father or anything, but there are a lot of parallels to that. That’s, I feel, going to continue. He flat out set it. ‘Your story with Roman is over, ours is just beginning,’ and then he handed him the thing and we’ll see where that goes.
There is definitely a difference between the usual ‘I’m going to go make a movie and maybe I’ll return’ to this lingering presence over Dwayne Johnson on the TKO Board of Directors and The Rock essentially now existing in the space that is WWE, who can drop a Final Boss promo on Instagram anytime he wants in relation to a storyline, or tweet something.
I don’t think it’s going to be a regular occurrence, but I do think it’s going to happen and it’s great because he’s in it, and by extension, I’m in it too. We’re all so happy how this run turned out because it’s a hell of a lot more interesting and fun and unpredictable than had we just gone Rock vs. Roman, babyface vs. heel.
I’m sure that would have been good, too. We had some fun ideas for that, but this new direction, nothing is out of bounds in terms of ‘why don’t we suggest this.’ ‘Yeah, let’s try it and do it.'”
The Rock Isn’t Holding WWE Documentary “Hostage”
During the same interview, Brian Gewirtz denied The Rock was holding up the release of a WrestleMania 40 documentary.
The film will focus on The Rock’s return to WWE in early 2024, his story with Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes, and the run-up to WrestleMania. The documentary was originally scheduled to premiere on April 10th but didn’t appear, and there’s no word on when it’ll finally see the light of day.
This led to speculation the hold-up was down to The Rock who was making sure he was shown in a positive light, and the film told the story he wanted to tell.
H/t to Fightful