WWE Wrestlemania XL descended into chaos as Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson slapped Cody Rhodes in the face during the launch of the event in Las Vegas.
The Rock, also known as Dwayne Johnson, gave WWE rival Cody Rhodes a slap in the face during the Wrestlemania XL launch in Las Vegas. Rhodes had come out to criticize The Rock and Roman Reigns as they shared a hug before announcing their plan to fight at the famous event.
Rhodes interrupted Reigns and The Rock’s friendly moment, announcing that he chose Reigns as his opponent after winning the Royal Rumble. He then insulted Reigns and Johnson’s family. In response, The Rock slapped Rhodes on the left cheek, warning him, “I will slap the s*** out of you again.”
Seth Rollins tried to back up Rhodes, who was visibly angry and had to be held back. The Rock seemed ready to lunge at him, but they ended up trading words instead of blows.
Rhodes and Rollins were escorted off stage, leaving The Rock and cousin Reigns being booed by fans. The chaos and unexpected interaction left fans confused about which fight would take place at Wrestlemania.
Backstage, Triple H, the WWE Creative Director, admitted he was unsure about what matches were now planned. There was no clarification from the man who makes the matches either. Moments later, Johnson confronted Triple H: “Have him talk s*** about our family again?” He then ordered the boss: “Fix it or we will.”
Johnson stormed off, dropping an F-bomb that riled up the crowd. Earlier, he faced off against Reigns on stage as the Samoan three-year WWE undisputed universal champion announced the main event for Wrestlemania XL. He promised the “biggest ever main event” in the sport’s history. But it was more friendly than fight-like between the second cousins.
But when Rhodes interrupted and questioned the fight and the Samoan dynasty, tempers flared. Fans booed when The Rock’s name was mentioned. Others shouted back “Rocky”, “Rocky” “Rocky”. Johnson seemed to enjoy the mixed reactions. Thousands of fans were at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas for the Wrestlemania XL Kick Off show.
The atmosphere was buzzing inside the arena as matches for Wrestlemania were announced. The fights will be in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7. Punk said Rock’s inclusion in the fight was like having “the prime quarterback ” back in the game. Triple H, head of creative content, told fans the fight would take WWE to “a whole new level”. Fans met stars like Bianca Belfair, Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch.
