Did The Rock accidentally spoil WWE's long-term plans for Cody Rhodes?

Cody Rhodes lost to John Cena at WWE WrestleMania 41

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson insists he didn’t derail Cody Rhodes’ championship trajectory or WWE’s long-term plans by skipping WrestleMania 41 & he says he only wanted to plant seeds for future stories while letting John Cena’s historic moment shine.

During his Pat McAfee Show appearance, Rock explained that after six weeks building the “sell your soul” angle with Cody Rhodes, he felt his “Final Boss” persona had done its job, so he stepped aside for Cena’s record-setting 17th world title win.​

“I loved the finish of the match. I would have finessed things a little differently on how they got there but that’s just me creatively,” he said.​

He skipped WrestleMania 41 not out of spite but because his part was done and he had other commitments. “There are other commitments that I have,” Rock explained. He didn’t want to clog up the story or distract from John Cena’s big win.​

“They know when I come to them… I lay this out, and I say, ‘Hey, here is how I really feel it should go. But then, where do we go?’ There are other commitments that I have,” Rock said

Cody Rhodes to turn heel “down the line”, reveals The Rock

Far from spoiling Rhodes’ run, Rock says his soul-selling subplot was a deliberate “temperature check” to see if fans would embrace a future heel turn for Cody.

“Let’s get a temperature check on this… and you come to find out that there were a lot of fans saying, ‘Sell your soul,’” he explained. “Not turning heel soon, but eventually, down the line, I like the idea of that because Cody is a smart and intelligent guy, a ring general.”​

Some critics felt the lack of Rock’s interference and Travis Scott’s surprise involvement made Rhodes’ loss feel flat.​ Yet, The Rock counters that by pulling back, he gave WWE creative room to build Rhodes organically.

“You give him a reason to turn not based on titles, but it’s his soul and what that means, that affects generations. It’s transcendent beyond pro wrestling.”

Rock also stressed he didn’t want to steal John Cena’s thunder. “The spotlight should just be on, in my opinion, John [Cena] 17 heel champion,” he said. Cena’s record 17th title is the real headline.​

By stepping aside, Rock says he fueled WWE’s next chapters. Cena’s heel turn now has weight. Rhodes’ arc has mystery. And fans are buzzing about who’s next.​

In the end, The Rock wasn’t a spoiler. He was a storyteller, that’s how The Rock feels. Fans, do let us know in the comments how you feel about what The Rock had to say on spoiling Cody Rhodes’ title run & maybe even WWE’s future.

For more updates, follow Khel Now Wrestling on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram & Whatsapp.