The Rock made his big return to SmackDown on Friday night and he officially announced that WrestleMania 42 will take place from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans in 2026.
The Final Boss then called out Cody Rhodes and he told The American Nightmare that he wants him to be “his champion.” Rock then went on to tell Cody that more than anything he wants his soul, and he expects Cody to give him an answer at Elimination Chamber.
The Rock kicked off a feud with Cody Rhodes last year on the road to WrestleMania 40, and it appears that the feud is set to continue following this week’s episode of SmackDown. During the SmackDown post-show press conference The Rock addressed his feud with Cody Rhodes, and he said that it never has to culminate with a match.
“To me, it just becomes something that’s unpredictable. In the world of pro wrestling, everything will culminate in a match. What I love about this character of the Final Boss and Cody Rhodes, it’s not about the WWE title, it never has to culminate with a match.”
“I think to have a storyline and two characters that are very popular, to never have to get in the ring for a match, and have this very compelling and off putting thing, he wants his soul, what does that mean? I loved every moment of it, and Cody did too. We had a few tequilas after tonight.”
Heading into WrestleMania season it’s been heavily rumored that Cody Rhodes will be facing John Cena on the Grandest Stage of Them All this year. When The Rock announced that he would be appearing on SmackDown this week there was a lot of speculation regarding how things would play out, but judging from The Rock’s comments it doesn’t sound like he’s looking to step into the ring at WrestleMania 41.
H/T WrestleTalk.com