The Rock came out to a huge pop with a new version of his theme song on tonight’s SmackDown. The Rock announces that finally…WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans. WrestleMania 42 will take place on April 11 & 12, 2026 at the SuperDome.
He turned heel mid-promo and trashed the fans, and then called out Cody Rhodes. Rock hugged Cody and gave him a kiss. Rock said the fans love Cody. Rock said he meant it when he thanked him for carrying the company on the RAW Netflix premiere. Rock said Cody is a great WWE Champion, but he wants Cody to be more than that – Rock wants Cody to be “his” champion. Cody said he’s “their” champion, referring to the fans.
Rock said Cody has millions of followers on Instagram, but he has half a billion. Rock said he can make all of Cody’s dreams come true – if he becomes his champion. Rock said the one thing he’s never had, is a brother, and Cody can be that. The Rock pointed out that Cody said “f**k that” to the plan of The Rock vs. Roman Reigns last year and then slapped him, and you don’t get away with that – and that’s why Cody is special.
The Final Boss told Cody to think about it and give him an answer at Elimination Chamber on March 1st, as he’ll be there too. Rock told Cody that he doesn’t want the WWE Championship, he wants Cody’s soul.
Drew McIntyre tweeted the following after this segment:
“There is no escaping the Bloodline vortex.”
During the post-SmackDown press conference, Rock said this storyline with Cody never has to culminate in a match, and that is what excites him – as they can create a lot of unpredictable situations from this story without ever having a match.
Here’s what The Final Boss said:
“In the world of pro-wrestling, everything culminates in a match. What I love about the character of The Final Boss and Cody Rhodes, is it’s not about the Title, it never has to culminate in a match.
I think to have a storyline and two characters that are very popular, to never have to get in the ring for a match, and have this compelling and off-putting thing ‘he wants his soul’, what does that mean? I loved every moment.”
Rock also revealed that he drank tequila with Cody backstage after their segment.
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