The storyline between The Final Boss and Cody Rhodes has many layers to it, but the recent “I want your soul” comment from The Rock brings an essence of the “Corporate Champion” story he was once involved in with Vince McMahon.
The Rock Becomes The Man That Mentored Him
If you grew up watching wrestling in the ’90s, then The Rock’s latest promo with Rhodes, where he wants him to become his champion, should sound somewhat familiar. It was late 1998 when co-founder & former Chairman of WWE McMahon created “The Corporation.” The first move they made was to have a world champion as the face of the faction, which was none other than The Rock. They deemed The Rock as their “Corporate Champion” to take down their nemesis at the time, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
As McMahon did with The Rock in the late 90s into the early 2000s, The Final Boss is promising Rhodes everything he can dream of in exchange for his “soul.” The Rock did it in 1998, and he was able to become a mega star, so he feels as though Rhodes is the perfect candidate at this point of his career to do the same for him. The difference is that The Rock is using today’s environment (Rock is part of the Board of Directors & is friends with WWE, TKO & Netflix CEOs) to lure Rhodes in, as seen on last week’s Smackdown. Rhodes is rightfully conflicted about what he should do, which makes for some great storytelling.
The Rock Was In Character When Fans Thought He Wasn’t
When the WWE premiered RAW on Netflix in January, The Rock came out in Final Boss attire, but he was all smiles. This was contrary to the character he portrayed during that iconic January through April 2024 run that broke so many records. He dapped up the Netflix and TKO executives and went to the ring to cut a promo. His words and actions were of the Board of Directors Dwayne Johnson than anything else. Fans were confused and felt he single-handedly undid the buildup of the six months. Johnson also shouted out Rhodes, who was in the front row and thanked him for carrying the company on his back.
This was the origin of The Rock’s genius storytelling. Yes, The Rock was in Board of Directors mode, not as a real person but as this character who thrives on having the power to do things his way whenever he wants to. This is why when he started to tell the story via his promo with Rhodes on Smackdown, it all made sense and the puzzle pieces were now being connected. The Rock used his polarizing figure as a way to disguise the story he was telling until he was ready for you to know. That is some next-level stuff, and only a few people in the history of the business could pull it off, and The Rock happens to be one of them.
How Does The Rock, Cody Rhodes & Elimination Chamber Play Out
There are a few different ways this all plays out. The first would be taking a chapter from the film The Karate Kid III, where the character Silver pretended to be Daniel’s friend but secretly was trying to break him so that he could change him from the goody two-shoe character and force him to lose his “title.” The Rock would be Silver, and Rhodes would be Daniel.
In the end, Rhodes would face CM Punk at WrestleMania 41, where The Rock would cost Rhodes the title. This would be the favor that Paul Heyman owes Punk, who would turn heel during the match, but it won’t come unpunished as Roman Reigns would spear The Rock setting up a Summer Slam: New Jersey main event, which is two nights for the first time ever. Rhodes would feel betrayed and upset at himself for falling into the trap while begging forgiveness from the WWE Universe. This would also start another “chase” of the title for Rhodes.
Another way is that Rhodes turns down The Rock at Elimination Chamber, and that forces The Final Boss to use his power to make the main event a triple threat between himself, Rhodes, and Punk for the world title. Towards the end of the match, Reigns would come down to help The Rock while the referee is knocked out but instead spears him and Punk. Reigns would then put Rhodes on top of The Rock which allows Rhodes to win. The Rock would be pissed as his plan was ruined by his cousin, leading to a match at SummerSlam.
Last but not least, Rhodes accepts The Rock’s offer and heads to WrestleMania with him by his side to face CM Punk. Reigns comes down and spears Rhodes to help Punk win the title, Heyman favor cash in, as he turns heel and laughs at Rhodes with The Rock at the end of the match. Then you can have Reigns vs. Punk at SummerSlam night one, with Rhodes facing The Rock on night two.
Final Thoughts
Regardless of how all of this plays out, The Rock has once again used his legendary storytelling abilities to send the fans down a rabbit hole which he controls the direction of and dictates when we should all see the opening in this case, the big reveal. We are definitely in WrestleMania season so fans need to buckle up because this ride will be full of some twists and turns.
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