Backstage details behind The Rock and Cody Rhodes segment on WWE SmackDown have been learned via a new report.
On Thursday, February 20 The Rock shocked the wrestling world by announcing that he would be appearing on the following night’s episode of SmackDown in New Orleans.
Just over a month after The Rock hugged Rhodes during the Raw Netflix premiere on January 6, last night’s SmackDown saw The Rock lay down an ultimatum for The American Nightmare – asking Cody to be “his Champion” before proclaiming that he wanted Rhodes’ “soul”.
Rock would then announce that he would be appearing at the Elimination Chamber in Toronto on March 1, and that is the night he wants an answer from Rhodes regarding his proposal.
With the segment leaving many fans puzzled as to what’s going to happen next and how The Rock will factor into Rhodes’ WrestleMania 41 plans, Fightful Select has provided some backstage details behind the segment between the two on SmackDown.
According to the report The Rock’s appearance was something creative was informed of just a few days ahead of SmackDown, with it being a ‘shock’ to many in the company.
The late nature in which creative learned of The Rock’s return led to a change in what was originally planned for SmackDown and Cody Rhodes, with the WWE Champion being pulled from a scheduled six-man tag team match between himself Braun Strowman & Damian Priest against Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu & Tama Tonga.
Fightful’s sources within WWE noted that this change came together “very late” and even they haven’t been told the next direction things are going to take after The Rock’s return.
Cristian Scovell, who typically writes Cody Rhodes’ segments, was listed as the writer for the face-to-face between Rhodes and Rock, with Michael Hayes producing, however, it was noted that Rock does not have to follow scripts.
Fightful noted that they are still working to find out what WWE’s creative direction will be now that The Rock is back and how his return will impact the plans for WrestleMania 41.
John Cena vs. Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship has long been reported to be the plan for WrestleMania, with a three-way between CM Punk, Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins also rumored for the show.
We will provide further updates on WWE’s plans for Rhodes and The Rock as they become available.
After SmackDown, The Rock addressed his feud with Cody Rhodes and suggested that a match between them may not be the direction their story is set to go down – click here for his full comments.
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