Cody Rhodes has not confirmed that a one-on-one match with The Rock was ever formally planned, but he believes the WWE icon may not be finished as an in-ring performer.
Speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Rhodes was asked directly whether he was ever supposed to wrestle The Rock in a singles bout. Rather than offer a definitive answer on any past creative discussions or unannounced plans, Rhodes stressed that the situation depends on what The Rock wants to do next. In Rhodes’ personal view, however, there could still be more than one major match remaining for The Final Boss.
“I think personally he has a couple of matches probably left to do,” Rhodes said. “I think that personally, but I also know looking at WrestleMania 40 ... He could easily say that was a great final piece as a performer in a wrestling ring. That’ll be up to him.”
Rhodes’ answer leaves the door open without presenting a Rhodes vs. Rock match as something guaranteed. That distinction matters. The Rock’s WWE schedule has always been governed by his own availability, and his appearances have historically been treated as major events rather than routine parts of the weekly television calendar. A match with Rhodes would be one of the company’s biggest possible attractions, but Rhodes acknowledged that only The Rock can determine whether he wants to wrestle again and, if so, who the opponents would be.
For more background on this topic, read Cody Rhodes Sees Six or Seven More Years in WWE, Says He Does Not Want to Wrestle Into His 50s.
WrestleMania 40 created unfinished business
The Rock’s return to serious in-ring action at WrestleMania 40 gave WWE a clear foundation for future possibilities. On the first night of the event, The Rock teamed with Roman Reigns against Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The match carried enormous stakes for the following night’s Undisputed WWE Universal Championship main event between Rhodes and Reigns, while also bringing together several of the most important figures in modern WWE.
The Rock scored the deciding fall over Rhodes in that tag team match. That result remains central to the story between the two men. Rhodes ultimately completed his long pursuit of the championship when he defeated Reigns on WrestleMania Sunday, but The Rock had already established a direct victory over him in one of the biggest matches of the weekend.
For The Rock, WrestleMania 40 was especially notable because it marked his first serious return to the ring in more than a decade. His performance alongside Reigns demonstrated that he could still operate at the highest-profile level, even as the match was built around spectacle, personality, and the larger Bloodline conflict. It also made fans immediately consider the possibilities of a singles encounter with Rhodes, particularly after the two had shared so much tension during the road to WrestleMania.
Rhodes’ latest comments reflect the uncertainty that has existed since then. A WrestleMania match can be both a comeback and a farewell, especially for a performer with The Rock’s accomplishments and outside commitments. Rhodes understands that possibility. He noted that The Rock has already given a great deal to WWE, including through his role on the board, and could view the WrestleMania 40 appearance as a fitting final chapter inside the ropes.
The possibility of Rhodes vs. Rock remains significant
Even without an announced match, Rhodes versus The Rock remains one of WWE’s most compelling potential marquee attractions. The story has personal, professional, and symbolic layers. Rhodes has become one of the defining champions of his generation, while The Rock is a global star whose wrestling legacy includes being one of WWE’s most recognizable figures across multiple eras.
There is also no shortage of material for a rivalry. The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 win over Rhodes provides a straightforward competitive hook. Their interactions in the following year gave the issue a more personal dimension, with The Rock wanting Rhodes’ soul. That language made it clear that the conflict was not simply about wins and losses or a title opportunity. It placed Rhodes in a story involving values, influence, and the pressure that comes with being WWE’s central champion.
Rhodes did not suggest that those developments guarantee a payoff in the ring. Instead, he explained why a match with The Rock is such an obvious aspiration for any wrestler. “I don’t think any wrestler would ever look you in the eye and tell you they wouldn’t want a match like that,” Rhodes said.
That statement speaks to The Rock’s unique standing. A match with him would not merely be another prominent premium live event bout. It would be a career-defining opportunity for an active WWE talent, particularly one such as Rhodes whose own journey has been built around legacy, reinvention, and eventually reaching the top of the company.
The Rock’s next move is still unclear
The Rock has not wrestled since WrestleMania 40. His most recent television appearance came at WWE Elimination Chamber 2024, when Rhodes rejected The Rock’s demand for his soul and was immediately attacked by John Cena. The segment added another striking turn to the broader story surrounding Rhodes, The Rock, and WWE’s top-level power dynamics, but it did not provide a timetable for The Rock’s next in-ring appearance.
That lack of clarity is why Rhodes was cautious when asked about a singles match. There is a major difference between recognizing the appeal of a match and confirming that it is on the schedule. Rhodes did the former while avoiding the latter. He neither ruled out a confrontation nor claimed to know whether one is coming.
The Rock has several conceivable directions if he does return for another match. Rhodes is an obvious choice due to their prior WrestleMania encounter and later storyline tension. Reigns is another figure with an enormous shared history, both as a member of his family and as the man he aligned with at WrestleMania 40. Yet Rhodes did not speculate on specific pairings. His point was broader: The Rock may have more to offer in the ring, but the choice belongs to The Rock.
That is an important reality for WWE as well. The company can build around long-running stories and leave threads available for future use, but an attraction on The Rock’s level requires timing that works for all sides. Rhodes’ status as a leading star ensures he would be a natural candidate should WWE decide to revisit their rivalry, but the comments offer no indication that a date, event, or agreement has been finalized.
Rhodes keeps the focus on possibility, not certainty
Rhodes’ measured response is consistent with the position he now occupies in WWE. He can speak credibly about the importance of facing a legend such as The Rock, but he also recognizes that not every dream match becomes reality. The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 return may stand as a one-match return, or it may ultimately become the beginning of another short run of headline bouts.
Either outcome would fit Rhodes’ description. The Rock could decide that his WrestleMania 40 performance, in which he defeated Rhodes alongside Reigns, was the final in-ring statement he wanted to make. Or he could choose to pursue more matches, potentially including the unresolved issue with Rhodes.
For now, Rhodes has made his personal view clear without overstating what he knows. He sees the possibility of The Rock having “a couple” of matches left, and he has no doubt that wrestlers would want the chance to share the ring with him. Whether that opportunity becomes Rhodes’ next major chapter with The Final Boss remains entirely undecided.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.