Cody Rhodes has opened up about the situation heading into WWE WrestleMania XL.
The Rock teamed with Roman Reigns vs. Rhodes and Seth Rollins, which was the WWE WrestleMania 40 headliner of night one, where the heels went over. The next night, Rhodes won the Undisputed WWE Universal Title from Reigns. The Rock and others got involved.
Originally, Rhodes was going to take on Reigns for the title after winning the Undisputed WWE Title with no involvement from The Rock, but The Rock returned in January and pushed behind the scenes for a singles match with Reigns, where Rhodes would have to have his bout with Reigns at a later date. Cody vs. The Rock is in the works after WWE teased it on the post-WrestleMania edition of Raw as WWE hopes to do the match at WrestleMania 41 as long as Rock’s schedule allows it.
While speaking with The Pivot Podcast, Rhodes discussed the situation with WrestleMania XL. Rhodes said he has a lot of respect for Rock, and when they first made eye contact, he understood who he was: a pro wrestler who knows how to get a reaction from fans.
“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 even 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. To get to Sunday, 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 that 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.”
Rhodes added that when The Rock returns, something he hopes will happen in the next year, he will be dialed in for Rock.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
