How The Rock’s WrestleMania 40 Intervention Became a Lightning Rod
In the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 40, WWE fans were certain of one thing: Cody Rhodes, the “American Nightmare,” would finally get his shot at Roman Reigns’ WWE Undisputed Universal Championship. Having just won his second straight Royal Rumble, Rhodes had the momentum, the story, and the crowd on his side[3]. It was set to be the feel-good crescendo to a two-year saga until The Rock decided to take “The People’s” spot for himself[1].
Fresh off his appointment as a TKO Group board member, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson re-emerged in WWE with the kind of power and influence only a Hollywood icon and corporate executive can wield. Within weeks, he positioned himself directly into the WrestleMania main event, claiming his “Head of the Table” storyline with Roman Reigns, effectively nudging Rhodes aside[1]. Fans, however, were not willing to let Rhodes’ story be hijacked so easily.
The Birth of “The Final Boss” and the Viral #WeWantCody Movement
The Rock’s sudden insertion into the title picture was met with immediate backlash. Social media exploded with the #WeWantCody hashtag, as the WWE Universe voiced their displeasure with a rare, unified clarity. The Rock, once the unshakeable fan favorite, found himself cast in a new light: as a corporate villain, a “Final Boss” who had betrayed the fans’ trust for personal gain[1]. He leaned into the heat, dubbing Rhodes’ supporters “Cody Crybabies” and ramping up his Hollywood persona to cartoonish, heelish extremes[1][3].
“There wasn’t a single person backstage who didn’t feel the electricity in the building shift,” said a WWE insider who requested anonymity. “You could see the moment the crowd decided The Rock wasn’t the hero anymore and he knew it. He sensed it. That’s when he decided to double down and embrace the most polarizing version of himself in years.”
A Conflict for the Ages: The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes
The tension reached its peak in Las Vegas during the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff, where The Rock and Cody Rhodes faced off in a confrontation that shattered WWE’s previous streaming records[2]. The Rock slapped Rhodes a moment replayed endlessly online and the feud became personal, not just for the wrestlers, but for millions watching at home[2][4].
“It was one of those rare moments in wrestling where reality blurs with storyline,” said another backstage source. “The Rock is a board member, Cody felt like he was on the verge of something, and the fans were making their voices heard in ways WWE didn’t expect. The response was organic and massive.”
WWE’s Mid-Story Course Correction
Faced with overwhelming fan demand, WWE did something increasingly rare in modern wrestling: they pivoted. The original plan Rock vs. Reigns, period was revised. WrestleMania 40’s main event became a two-night affair, with the tag team match of Rock & Reigns vs. Rhodes & Seth Rollins headlining Night One, followed by Rhodes finally getting his rematch against Reigns for the title on Night Two[3]. The result was a best-of-both-worlds approach, but the journey was anything but smooth.
“We’ve been in situations where the fans take control, and you just have to go with it,” Seth Rollins commented publicly, referencing the grassroots momentum behind Rhodes. “For Cody, I don’t think he expected it. But once you see how much people believe in you, you don’t want to disappoint them.”[3]
The Rock’s Heel Turn: Accidental Genius or Forced Response?
The Rock’s transformation into “The Final Boss” wasn’t scripted as a heel turn. It was a reaction both to the fans and to the backstage reality. “The Rock had almost no choice but to become the bad guy,” noted ESPN’s behind-the-scenes reporting. “He became the bad guy at the behest of the masses.”[3] This organic heel run was a throwback to the wrestling territory days, where crowds, not writers, often dictated the direction of a feud.
According to sources close to The Rock, the Hollywood megastar was stunned by the intensity of the fan revolt but quickly recognized the storytelling gold mine before him. “He was initially surprised by how quickly the crowd turned, but he’s a student of the business,” said the insider. “He knew leaning into the hate would create an unforgettable WrestleMania. He wasn’t wrong.”
WrestleMania 40: A Weekend for the Ages
The revised WrestleMania 40 lineup delivered in spades. Night One saw Rock and Reigns defeat Rhodes and Rollins in a chaotic, star-studded tag bout, with interference, drama, and a classic heel vs. babyface dynamic[6]. Night Two was all about Rhodes’ redemption: the “American Nightmare” finally conquered Reigns in a match that also featured surprise appearances by John Cena, The Undertaker, Rollins, and The Usos, delivering the kind of spectacle WWE fans crave[1].
For all the controversy, the WrestleMania 40 main event exceeded expectations precisely because The Rock’s heel turn and Cody Rhodes’ rise became about more than just the title they became about the fans’ voice, the art of pivoting, and the raw unpredictability of professional wrestling.
The Legacy of The Rock’s “Mistake”
In retrospect, The Rock’s decision to insert himself into the main event and then double down on the backlash might have seemed like a misstep at first a rare miscalculation from one of the business’s most astute performers. But it ultimately provided WWE with the most organic, emotionally charged storyline in years.
What could have been a disaster turned into a landmark event, with The Rock cementing himself as a generational villain and Cody Rhodes ascending to the top of WWE, all thanks to the overwhelming will of the fans. As one veteran WWE writer put it, “Sometimes, the best stories happen when the boys in the back listen to the people in the seats.”
What’s Next for The Rock, Rhodes, and WWE?
The Rock’s “Final Boss” persona may not be a one-off. With WWE clearly willing to adapt to fan sentiment, and The Rock’s Hollywood career still in high gear, the potential for more surprise appearances and unscripted moments is greater than ever. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania triumph has solidified his place as the new face of WWE, proving that persistence and a little help from the fans can pay off in the biggest way possible.
Bottom Line for Fans and SEO
For wrestling fans searching for the inside story of WrestleMania 40, The Rock’s heel turn, or the rise of Cody Rhodes, this was a rare chapter where the fans wrote the script. The #WeWantCody movement, the social media firestorm, and the WWE’s willingness to pivot show just how powerful viewer engagement can be in the digital era.
The message is clear: In professional wrestling, the audience is no longer just along for the ride. Sometimes, they’re the ones driving the bus and when names like The Rock and Cody Rhodes are involved, the destination is nothing short of WrestleMania history.