The Big Picture

The wrestling industry is built on unfinished business, but no modern rivalry has captured the imagination like the collision between Cody Rhodes and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. What began as a corporate takeover blossomed into a blood feud that re-wrote the rules of WWE's main-event scene. This is the definitive, opinionated ranking of the ten moments that defined their warfare, separating the pivots from the booking mistakes.

The Top Ten Moments Ranked

10. The Ariel Helwani Show Interview

Cody Rhodes laid the groundwork for the future of this rivalry by appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show to address his tension with the Final Boss. As Wrestling Inc reported, the former champion outlined two distinct paths for their story, highlighting either a Hollywood crossover or a traditional in-ring showdown. This ranks tenth because it is a media appearance rather than an in-ring segment, yet it remains essential context. It sits below his Royal Rumble win because it lacks physical stakes, but it proves their story remains open.

9. Cody Rhodes Wins the 2024 Royal Rumble

Rhodes secured his second consecutive Royal Rumble victory in January 2024 by eliminating CM Punk after a grueling 28-minute performance. The win gave him the right to choose his WrestleMania opponent, and his immediate finger-point at Roman Reigns in the skybox set the road to Philadelphia in motion. This ranks ninth because while it was the catalyst, The Rock was not physically present to share the spotlight. It deserves this spot because it established Cody's bargaining power against corporate intrusion.

8. The Bad Blood Staredown

The Rock made a shocking return at the end of Bad Blood 2024, standing on the ramp and staring down Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns after their tag team match. The Final Boss raised three fingers in a cryptic gesture, sending a jolt of energy through the arena and keeping the threat alive. This ranks eighth because it was a spectacular visual teaser that promised a massive payoff. However, the decision to follow this with months of silence was a booking mistake that cooled down the momentum, ranking it below the Memphis concert.

7. The Rock Concert in Memphis

The Rock revived his iconic musical format on SmackDown in Memphis, delivering a scathing acoustic performance that mocked Rhodes' fans and family. Blending his classic charisma with his corporate heel persona, The Rock proved he could still command a live microphone better than anyone. This ranks seventh because it successfully established the petty, vindictive nature of 'The Final Boss' character. It ranks above the Bad Blood return because it was a full segment of character development, but falls below the SmackDown step-aside segment due to the lack of historical controversy.

6. Cody Steps Aside on SmackDown

In one of the most controversial segments in SmackDown history, Rhodes confronted Roman Reigns but announced he would not challenge him, allowing The Rock to take his spot. The visual of Cody looking dejected while The Rock shook hands with Reigns triggered a nuclear backlash online, birthing the 'Cody Crybabies' movement. This ranks sixth because it was a booking mistake that nearly destroyed Cody's two-year build. It sits here because the resulting fan outrage is the only reason the rivalry became a historic success.

5. WrestleMania XL Night 1 Tag Match

The Rock and Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in a physical tag team match that lasted over 44 minutes. The match was a slow-burning epic that saw The Rock abuse his power by threatening to fire the referee, eventually pinning Cody after a People's Elbow. This ranks fifth because it established the 'Bloodline Rules' stipulation for the following night. It ranks above the SmackDown step-aside segment because of its physical execution, though the sluggish middle portion keeps it below the Las Vegas press conference.

4. The Las Vegas Press Conference Slap

The entire trajectory of WrestleMania XL changed in Las Vegas when Rhodes rejected the corporate match, chose Roman Reigns, and insulted the Bloodline's lineage. The Rock took the insult personally, stepped up to Cody, and delivered a physical slap that cemented his heel turn and alliance with Reigns. This ranks fourth because it was the precise moment the booking team successfully pivoted the storyline to align with fan sentiment. It ranks above the tag match because of its shock value, though it falls short of the post-WrestleMania confrontation.

3. The Raw After WrestleMania XL Confrontation

The Raw after WrestleMania featured a tense confrontation where The Rock stood in the ring with Cody, demanded to hold the Undisputed WWE Championship, and handed him a mysterious object. The Rock warned the new champion that while Cody's story with Roman was finished, their personal story was just beginning. This ranks third because it perfectly established the long-term, slow-burn nature of their unfinished business. It ranks above the Las Vegas slap because it set a narrative hook, though it lacks the visceral violence of the Chicago assault.

2. Backstage Parking Lot Assault

The Rock delivered a brutal beatdown to Rhodes in the pouring rain in Chicago, leaving Cody bloody and bruised against a production truck. The Rock wiped Cody's blood onto his custom 'People's Championship' belt, shouting insults at Cody's mother in a segment that felt dangerously real. This ranks second because it was the most effective, visceral piece of television WWE has produced in the modern era. It ranks above the post-WrestleMania confrontation because it gave the feud its physical identity, falling just short of the ultimate payoff.

1. WrestleMania XL Night 2 Title Win

Rhodes completed his historic journey by defeating Roman Reigns in a chaotic, 31-minute Bloodline Rules match that featured run-ins from John Cena, Solo Sikoa, and The Undertaker, who chokeslammed The Rock. Cody hit three consecutive Cross Rhodes to win the Undisputed WWE Championship, celebrating with the active roster in the center of the ring. This is the undisputed number-one moment because it represents the ultimate emotional payoff of Cody's career. It ranks above the parking lot assault because it was the crowning achievement that validated the entire two-year storyline.

Honorable Mentions

While these ten moments defined the rivalry, several other interactions deserve recognition. The Rock's initial return on the Day 1 edition of Raw in January 2024 set off early speculation about his championship ambitions. Additionally, their backstage verbal exchanges during the spring highlighted the deep-seated tension that remains unresolved.

  • The Rock's impromptu SmackDown promos where he single-handedly drove television ratings and social media engagement.
  • Cody Rhodes' passionate promo on Raw where he questioned The Rock's authority as a board member of TKO Group Holdings.
  • The Rock presenting his custom People's Championship to Cody's mother at ringside during the WrestleMania entrance.

The Ultimate Verdict

The rivalry between Cody Rhodes and The Rock has redefined the boundaries of modern sports entertainment. Whether they choose the Hollywood path of media crossover or the traditional in-ring path of physical warfare, the story remains unfinished. The active roster must continue to perform in the shadow of this conflict until The Final Boss decides to return.