WWE planning major match for Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, says veteran

WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray discussed potential opponents for Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, suggesting John Cena as a viable alternative to The Rock. The discussion arose following The Rock’s recent appearance on RAW, where he delivered an out-of-character promo and shared a moment with both Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

During the Busted Open podcast, Bully Ray analyzed the business potential of various matchups for Rhodes:

Based on business, abso-freaking-lutely. See, I’m gonna answer you now from the business end of it. Because, as a fan, I love Cody and Punk. As a fan I love Cody and Cena. As a fan, I love Cody and Roman. As a fan, I love Cody and Rock. All of those matches interest me in one way, shape, or form. Put a gun to my head, I’m going Cody-Rock. Now, let’s talk, like I said, business. John Cena-Cody Rhodes business-wise? Absolutely.

The multi-time Tag Team Champion highlighted that viewers would tune in to see if Cena could break Ric Flair’s World Title record:

People will be tuning in. People will want to see on many different levels, whether I’m live in the arena that night, whether I’m watching on pay-per-view or Peacock or Netflix or wherever the hell this thing is carried. People will want to see if John Cena is going to ‘break the record’ that I think that Cena holds already.

The Rock’s WrestleMania Status Update

According to Fightful Select, WWE creative is proceeding under the assumption that The Rock will not compete at WrestleMania. The previously teased match between Rhodes and The Rock is no longer planned, with WWE moving forward with Rhodes vs. Cena instead.

The two filmed content at the Moana 2 premiere, but this material may not be used. Their recent RAW segment effectively concluded any potential storyline between them.