What does The Rock’s return mean for Cody Rhodes story?

The People's Champion showed up on this week's Smackdown episode which left fans in many speculations.

The Rock vs Roman Reigns has been teased for years, especially after Roman Reigns's "Tribal Chief" gimmick. For the past three years, there has been a lot of speculation and rumors around The Rock's return. However, the Greatest One has finally returned to WWE on the latest episode of SmackDown in Denver.

Before his return, The Rock appeared on the Pat McAfee Show expressing his wish to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia next year. Although The Rock's return made the millions happy, it is not so happy news for "The American Nightmare" Cody Rhodes.

How The Rock's return affect Cody Rhodes

Cody Rhodes was one of the top contenders to dethrone Roman Reigns as the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania 39 this year, but he came up short. Cody didn't have the rematch for the title and got stuck with obstacles. As Cody vs Roman II has been speculated for WrestleMania 40, The Rock returned and he might pick up a fight with Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania 40 as he spoke on the Pat McAfee show. However, Cody desperately needs to win the championship and finish the storyline, but The Rock's return could spoil the plans.

Will Cody Rhodes' storyline be delayed yet another year? Cody Rhodes extending his storyline for another full year might spoil his credibility and recognition.

Cody Rhodes can turn his focus to the World Heavyweight Championship instead of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, as he already teased challenging Seth Rollins for the World Heavyweight Championship. This could still finish his storyline as his father's dream was only to win the World Championship, no matter which title.

Dutch Mantell of Smack Talk has spoken about how Cody Rhodes will be impacted by The Rock's return on this week's episode.

Dutch Mantell on Smack Talk, 

“Well, if you put Cody Rhodes in against Roman, he's already lost one time. You'd have to switch the title then, you'd have to. By that time, Cody, he'd be deader than 6 o'clock. If you put The Rock in there, a single match is easier to book than a return because you're not basing it on anything. If I was booking, I would book Rock and the man, the Head of The Bloodline together. So you're not doing the same thing as before. It's brand new to the people and I don't think they'd be able to call it."

If you were a booker, whom do you book against Roman Reigns for WrestleMania 40? Share your thoughts on Comments.