The February 21 episode of SmackDown saw The Rock step into the ring with Cody Rhodes, but instead of a clear message, fans were left trying to figure out what just happened.
Throughout the segment, The Rock jumped between acting like a villain and a hero, leaving many unsure of his true intentions. At one point, he even offered Cody and his family everything they ever wantedif Cody agreed to become The Rocks champion. Rhodes, calling himself the peoples champion, looked stunned for much of the exchange.
Then came the line that threw everyone for a loopThe Rock demanded Codys soul and told him he had until Elimination Chamber to think about it.
Inside WWE, the reaction was just as mixed as it was on social media. According to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, one person backstage mocked The Rocks constant character shifts, comparing it to Paul Wights legendary reputation for turning between face and heel repeatedly.
Another WWE source told Meltzer that The Rocks promo actually hurt Cody Rhodes credibility, saying they felt it really diminished the Undisputed WWE Champion rather than building him up.
The Rocks return to SmackDown was reportedly a last-minute decision, coming together just days before the episode aired, catching many in the company by surprise. After the show, The Rock hinted that this storyline with Cody Rhodes wouldnt lead to a match, leaving even more questions about where this is all going.
Was The Rocks promo a misstep, or is this all part of a bigger plan for Wrestle Mania 41? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
