The idea of The Rock versus Cody Rhodes is the kind of blockbuster match that gets any wrestling fan talking, a main event worthy of the biggest stage. But recent events have soured that excitement for some, raising questions about whether The Rock’s approach to WWE storytelling is creating a narrative mess with no clear resolution in sight.
The speculation around the match, which was first teased over a year ago, kicked into high gear again with The Rock’s return to the company in January. However, instead of laying the groundwork for a WrestleMania feud, he publicly praised Rhodes in a moment that felt more off-the-cuff than in-character before promptly departing again to focus on his movie plans.
This is the core of the criticism. The Rock involved himself, and even brought rapper Travis Scott into the picture for a WrestleMania main event, without a planned conclusion. By his own admission, his focus is on Hollywood, which leaves a massive WWE storyline dangling and feels like a repeat of past booking fumbles, such as when John Cena turned heel to join a stable with two partners who are no longer even with the company.
The biggest question now is whether The Rock’s blockbuster, movie-centric schedule can ever truly align with the week-to-week grind of building a satisfying wrestling feud. Or will this potential dream match forever remain a “what if,” a casualty of a storyline that was started with no endgame in mind?