WrestleMania 41 was an incredible spectacle, however the principle occasion on Sunday evening left followers feeling slightly disenchanted. The Rock was the catalyst for John Cena betraying Cody Rhodes on the Elimination Chamber, however he hasn’t been seen since. Based on The Rock, it was within the story’s finest curiosity to distance himself from Rhodes and Cena.
Rhodes rejected The Rock’s request for his “soul” in March, after which Cena seemingly accepted The Rock’s provide. The “soul” plot was by no means clearly defined, although it could possibly be extrapolated that The Rock was providing his affect and leverage in alternate for his private world champion. Nonetheless, Cena’s reference to The Rock was by no means expanded on. On Tuesday, Johnson argued it was finest to pause the story factor he first launched and as an alternative watch WrestleMania from dwelling.
“We have established this concept of Cody’s soul, we will at all times come again to it, I did really feel — and I made the decision, I do not need to be concerned in that (Cena’s chase for 17),” Johnson advised “The Pat McAfee Present” after Mania. “Step again and let ‘The Closing Boss’ step again into the shadows. Let all that highlight go on John. Let it go to Cody. Let’s not make it about Cody’s soul or John’s soul. Let’s let them do what they do.”
Johnson gave Cena’s villainous flip the identical reward as Hulk Hogan’s well-known flip in 1996, when Hogan shaped the New World Order with Kevin Nash and Scott Corridor. The Rock claimed to talk with Cena and Rhodes in regards to the change within the inventive route.
“I referred to as John and spoke to him,” Johnson mentioned. “I referred to as Cody and I mentioned, I feel The Closing Boss’s work is completed. We simply pulled off the best angle within the historical past of professional wrestling — aside from Hulk Hogan turning heel. I mentioned, that is superb. We now have six weeks. Now, let’s construct and also you guys crush it. I will be proper there with you and I am at all times right here if you happen to want me, however I feel it is best for The Closing Boss to not be concerned in that end.”
The Rock claimed a cellphone name from TKO and Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel was the catalyst to his involvement. Emmanuel advised The Rock that ticket gross sales have been gradual and that Chamber may gain advantage from a serious second previous Mania.
“He mentioned, ‘We want assist at Elimination Chamber. Ticket gross sales are slightly gradual. Past that, we have discovered that Elimination Chamber has develop into the pay-per-view that is fascinating and followers are having enjoyable, but it surely’s additionally the conduit to WrestleMania. How will we create an Elimination Chamber that individuals should tune in to see? Proper now, we do not have that.’ He requested if ‘The Closing Boss’ would present up.”
Johnson credited WWE chief content material officer Paul Levesque for making the decision to set off Cena’s character shift. Although Johnson determined to not get entangled bodily at WrestleMania, he nonetheless advocates for The Rock buying Rhodes’ soul later.
“I used to be an advocate for [turning Rhodes]. Not turning Cody heel quickly, however finally down the road,” Johnson mentioned. “I like the concept.”