A stunning new WWE rumor suggests that The Rock was hoping he would be part of turning Cody Rhodes heel instead of John Cena.
The professional wrestling industry got one of its most shocking moments last week when the unthinkable happened. After 20 years as one of the business’s most successful and lucrative heroes, John Cena sold his soul and turned to the dark side.
Related: WWE Smackdown Preview (March 7, 2025) – Cody Rhodes Addresses John Cena and The Rock
At the end of Elimination Chamber 2025, The Rock and Cena showed their cards. And revealed a stunning alliance that was cemented with a brutal beatdown on WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes. It was the culmination of a story that started two weeks before. When “The Final Boss” offered to make Rhodes an even bigger star if he handed over his soul.
While Cena’s stunning turn energized wrestling fans, it seems The Rock wanted the storyline to go in a different direction.
The Rock pushed for Cody Rhodes’ heel turn ahead of WrestleMania 41
“Dwayne Johnson, when he wasn’t going to wrestle, and decided to be a part of the Mania build, wanted to be aligned with Rhodes. With Rhodes going heel,” Dave Meltzer revealed in a new Wrestling Observer Newsletter. “There are those in the company who believed the only thing that could have hurt the company would have been a Rhodes heel turn at this time.
“The feeling is that this current crowd is Cody’s crowd. There is the argument that you don’t mess with a successful formula.”
That certainly would have been a stunning moment if Cody Rhodes had accepted the offer. And turned on the fans that have been so devoted to him. However, this is still a business and “The American Nightmare” is the company’s most marketable star. As well as one who appears on WWE content weekly. It makes sense why they passed on such a bold decision in 2025.
Related: Stone Cold Steve Austin Offer Update On Potential Return to Help Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41
