Cody Rhodes headlined both nights of WrestleMania 40 earlier this year in a feud with Roman Reigns and The Bloodline faction that eventually evolved into a rivalry with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Despite earning a shot at the WWE title with his win at the Royal Rumble, there was initially doubt that Rhodes would challenge Reigns as it seemed The Rock would be in the main event. However, The Rock ultimately main evented Night 1 of WrestleMania in a tag-team match with Reigns against Rhodes and Seth Rollins. Rhodes went on to win the WWE Undisputed Championship over Reigns on Night 2 of WrestleMania, but the reason behind his sudden push into the main event is still a mystery to most fans.
In an interview on “The Pivot,” Rhodes expressed his respect for The Rock as a fellow wrestler, but also made it clear that he was not going to step aside for him in the WrestleMania main event. Rhodes emphasized that WrestleMania is like the Super Bowl for WWE, and he had worked his whole life for that moment. He mentioned that The Rock understood his stance, citing the example of The Rock and Steve Austin creating magic together despite initially butting heads. The Rock reportedly told Rhodes at a “Monday Night Raw” after WrestleMania that he would see him when he returned, indicating that their rivalry was not over.
Since winning the WWE Undisputed Championship at WrestleMania, Cody Rhodes has had multiple title defenses and continued to face off against The Bloodline faction, now led by Solo Sikoa. Despite the challenges he faces, Rhodes remains the champion and is set to participate in a 6-man tag-team match at Money in the Bank against Sikoa, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa. He will be joined by Randy Orton and Kevin Owens on his team for the event. Rhodes’ head has been on a swivel ever since his encounter with The Rock, as he navigates his way through the WWE landscape.
The decision to push Cody Rhodes into the main event of WrestleMania 40 and have him defeat Roman Reigns for the WWE Undisputed Championship remains a topic of speculation among fans. Rhodes’ story leading up to the event and his subsequent title defenses are set to be explored in WWE’s documentary, “WrestleMania XL: Behind the Curtains,” which is scheduled to air on Wednesday night. While Rhodes respects The Rock, he made it clear that he was not willing to step aside for him in the WrestleMania main event, standing his ground as a competitor who has worked hard for his place in the spotlight.
Cody Rhodes’ journey from the Royal Rumble victory to the main event of WrestleMania showcases his determination and resilience in the face of challenges and unexpected twists in his storyline. As he continues to defend his WWE Undisputed Championship and face off against formidable opponents like Solo Sikoa and The Bloodline, Rhodes remains a dominant force in the WWE landscape. The upcoming 6-man tag-team match at Money in the Bank will test Rhodes’ skills and teamwork abilities as he collaborates with Randy Orton and Kevin Owens against their opponents. Following his encounter with The Rock, Rhodes’s focus remains on solidifying his position as a top competitor in WWE.
