Cody Rhodes wasn't going to step aside.
Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men's Royal Rumble, and immediately called his shot to face Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania XL. Cody seemingly stepped aside on the February 2, 2024 episode of WWE SmackDown, giving his spot to The Rock.
Though the path wasn't direct, Cody and Roman did meet in the main event of WrestleMania XL Sunday, and the story between The Rock and Cody is not finished.
"I grew up a huge fan of The Rock. I have a lot of respect for The Rock. Maybe more than anybody in any locker room. When I made eye contact with The Rock for the very first piece of business we ever did, I got an instant understanding of who he is. He's not a movie star. He's not a potential Presidential nominee, which would be great at this point. He's not a businessman with all these partnerships. When I looked at him in the eyes, I saw exactly what he is. He's a pro wrestler. He's a pro wrestler who understands the nature, 'I like this crowd. I'm going to get them really excited. Then really upset. Then as excited as they've ever been. Then I'm going to get them to tell their friends to come back.' At that moment, I had the utmost respect for him because in my heart, that's how I feel. I could do a bazillion other things, but I'm a wrestler. To see that from the biggest movie star on the planet, it's a lot of respect," said Cody on The Pivot.
Cody and Rock first got in the ring together in February 2013 when The Rock unveiled the new WWE Championship.
On WrestleMania XL Saturday, Rock teamed with Roman to defeat Cody & Seth Rollins.
"Where we would butt heads is in the idea that you could just come back in the midst of a story that was taking place and just because you're The Rock, you can step into the starting lineup and take WrestleMania for yourself. A lot of people said, 'He's The Rock. He can do whatever he wants.' I saw a podcast with two wrestling heads talking and they said, 'I'm sure Cody is fine stepping aside for WrestleMania and doing it later in the year.' In my mind, I'm thinking, 'That's insane.' That's the Super Bowl of what we do. The last day of WrestleMania, the last match, it's our literal Super Bowl. The idea that somebody thought I would be cool with it. They don't know me. That's nonsense. I worked my whole life for this. Rock should know I wouldn't be cool with it. Maybe that's an understanding him and I have. He found out, I'm not cool with it. That's a good thing. You know who wasn't cool with The Rock? Steve Austin. They made magic together. They rubbed together so much it created diamonds. I do have a lot of respect for him," said Cody.
At the Raw After Mania, Rock handed Cody back a gift and said that their story isn't finished.
Cody is the reigning Undisputed WWE Champion, and will compete at WWE Money in the Bank when he teams with Kevin Owens & Randy Orton to face three members of The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa).
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