Cody Rhodes Addresses What The Rock Gave Him on RAW After WrestleMania 40

Cody Rhodes climbed the top of the mountain at WrestleMania 40 when he defeated Roman Reigns to win the Undisputed WWE Title and achieved a life-long dream. But as one story culminated, another one wrote its first chapter on the RAW after WrestleMania.

In a memorable segment, Rhodes was confronted by Roman’s cousin, The Rock who congratulated him on his triumph and declared that he would return to take him down. In the closing moments, The Rock handed something into Cody Rhodes’ hand that remained a mystery since.

During a recent interview with Busted Open Radio, the Undisputed WWE Champion opened up about the subject, revealing his attempt to extend an olive branch to The Rock and his Seven Bucks team. He acknowledged that the gesture, which was more than just symbolic, was intended as a sign of respect for their accomplishments. Rhodes expressed his disappointment when The Rock did not view the gesture positively and returned it.

“It wasn’t a dollar. It was certainly more expensive than that. I tried to make a positive overture, an olive branch to The Rock and the Seven Bucks team because I have an immense respect for what they’ve done. They set the table so that I can eat at it. He did not feel that that was a positive overture and handed it back to me. That’s the best I can give you Bully but I was pretty heart-stricken over the fact that it came back but if anything, like Triple H told me, it’s not fun and games for these guys. They’re coming for you and you either get ready or you don’t.”

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Cody also conveyed a sense of internal conflict regarding The Rock, reminiscing about being a huge fan of the People’s Champion and wanting to see that come back. Rhodes noted that the version of The Rock that returned was a formidable, gritty opponent, much different from the persona he admired growing up.

“If we’re looking at Star Wars parallels, I feel like we’re maybe past Jedi at this point. Here’s the struggle I have with a person like The Rock. I know it’s underneath there. I know inside is the People’s Champion. I was the biggest Rock fan growing up. I know he’s in there. That’s not what returned. We got the Final Boss. We got the cursing. We got an unbelievably gritty and formidable, if you look at just his size compared to most wrestlers of the day, in terms of his athletic ability and his size. I just wish the relationship had been different and I can’t sit here hoping for that forever. I can’t sit here saying man I’d like to bring the real People’s Champion back. I really would because I think that’s what’s underneath there. But perhaps The Rock is too far gone.”

While there were rumors about a possible Cody Rhodes vs The Rock match possibly for WrestleMania 41, The Final Boss’ current plan for The Show of Shows remains uncertain. So we will have to wait for his return to television programming to unfold the next chapter in his rivalry with The American Nightmare.

What are your thoughts on Cody Rhodes addressing The Rock returning his gesture of appreciation on RAW? Sound off in the comments!