Cody Rhodes OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED the Main Reason The Rock Wanted His Soul, Not His Belt
On February 24, 2025, the wrestling world is still reeling from the electrifying events of last Friday’s WWE SmackDown, where Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returned to the ring in New Orleans and dropped a bombshell on Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. In a segment that blended corporate power plays with bizarre personal undertones, The Rock made it clear he wasn’t after Rhodes’ championship belt—a prize long coveted by many—but something far more intimate: his soul. Now, Cody Rhodes has officially confirmed the peculiar subtext behind The Rock’s cryptic demand, revealing it ties into a cheeky, fan-driven joke about his physique, specifically his “big and sexy” backside, which took center stage during their surreal encounter.
The episode, held at the Smoothie King Center, kicked off with The Rock announcing WrestleMania 42’s return to New Orleans, a reveal that had the crowd buzzing. But the night took a wild turn when he called out Rhodes, the reigning champion who’s held the Undisputed WWE Title since defeating Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40. What followed was a 15-minute promo that veered from heartfelt praise to unsettling proposition. The Rock, flaunting his TKO Board of Directors status, embraced Rhodes with a hug and a kiss on the cheek—an oddly tender moment that raised eyebrows. He praised Rhodes’ reign, noting their newfound friendship and even their mothers’ bond, before pivoting to his true intent. “I don’t need your belt,” The Rock declared, stroking Rhodes’ cheek again. “I need your soul. Follow me, and you’ll have everything—bigger than the champion.”
Fans were left scratching their heads, but Rhodes, speaking yesterday on a WWE digital exclusive, shed light on the bizarre exchange. “Look, The Rock’s a showman, right? He’s playing a game here,” Rhodes said, smirking. “He’s not after the title; he’s after something else. And yeah, I’ve heard the chatter—apparently, my ‘big, sexy butt’ is what’s got him hooked. It’s wild, but it’s The Rock. He’s turning this into a spectacle.” Rhodes’ candid admission confirmed what had been a running gag among fans on social media, where his physique—particularly his well-defined posterior—has become a playful point of obsession since his return to WWE in 2022. The Rock’s physical gestures on SmackDown, paired with his soul-stealing rhetoric, seem to have leaned into this jest, amplifying it into a storyline hook.
The Rock’s pitch was steeped in promises of grandeur. As a Hollywood titan with half a billion Instagram followers, he positioned himself as a gateway to Rhodes achieving unparalleled fame. “You’ve got millions,” he told Rhodes, “but I can take you to my level.” He urged Rhodes to be “his champion,” a brotherly ally under his wing, rather than the people’s champion Rhodes has vowed to remain. The catch? Rhodes has until the Elimination Chamber event on March 1 in Toronto to decide. The Rock’s parting words—“I want your soul”—lingered ominously, but Rhodes’ revelation suggests a lighter, albeit absurd, twist: The Rock’s fixation might just be a theatrical riff on Cody’s viral physical appeal.
This isn’t the first time Rhodes’ backside has stolen the spotlight. From his American Nightmare gear accentuating his frame to fans dubbing him “Big Sexy” on X, it’s become a quirky footnote in his championship narrative. The Rock, ever the master of mind games, appears to have seized on this, blending it with his “Final Boss” persona to unsettle Rhodes and captivate the audience. During a post-SmackDown press conference, The Rock doubled down, calling the storyline a “white whale unicorn” that doesn’t need a match to thrive. “It’s not about the title or punching—it’s unpredictable, weird, fun,” he said, grinning. “Cody and I had tequilas after. He gets it.”
For Rhodes, the champion who clawed his way to the top after a decade-long odyssey, this curveball tests his resolve. On SmackDown, he stood firm, insisting he’s the fans’ champion, not The Rock’s pawn. Yet, his playful acknowledgment of the butt joke shows he’s not above leaning into the absurdity. “If he wants my soul—or whatever he’s calling it—he’s got to earn it,” Rhodes quipped. “I’m not handing over anything, belt or otherwise.” The exchange has fueled speculation about a potential heel turn, with some imagining a “Corporate Cody” bowing to The Rock’s influence. Others see it as a red herring, a psychological ploy leading to a WrestleMania 41 showdown.
The wrestling community is split. Some fans revel in the campy drama, with one X user posting, “The Rock kissing Cody’s cheek and chasing his soul over that iconic backside? Peak WWE.” Others question the logic, wondering how Rhodes didn’t shut it down outright. Regardless, the buzz is undeniable, drawing eyes to Elimination Chamber, where Rhodes’ answer could shift his trajectory. As Gunn’s *Superman* looms and Cavill’s Bond rumors swirl, Rhodes stands at his own crossroads, proving that in WWE, even a big, sexy joke can become a soul-stirring saga.
