Cody Rhodes opened up about the intense backstage conflict leading up to WrestleMania 40, describing the situation as
“as real as anything that has ever happened in the business.”
The ongoing tension involved himself, The Rock, and Roman Reigns during the final preparations for WWE’s biggest event of 2024.
After winning the 2024 Royal Rumble, Cody celebrated while pointing to Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, who was watching from a skybox. Initially, plans had The Rock facing Reigns at WrestleMania 40, but Cody stepped aside for The Rock to take the spotlight. However, fan backlash forced WWE to change course, turning The Rock into a villainous figure known as The Final Boss, while Cody ultimately earned the chance to defeat Reigns in the WrestleMania 40 main event on Sunday.
The Explosive Press Conference that Set the Stage for WrestleMania 40
On February 8, 2024, during a highly charged press conference in Las Vegas, Cody interrupted The Rock and Roman Reigns, visibly clashing with both wrestlers. Cody declared that he had changed his mind and would not step aside as previously planned. The confrontation escalated, resulting in The Rock slapping Cody and a scuffle that symbolized the mounting real-life tension just days before WrestleMania 40.
That same weekend, in a tag team bout, The Rock and Roman Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, with The Rock pinning Cody in what appeared to be the Rock’s final match, pending any future decisions.
Cody Rhodes’ Unexpected Shopping Trip During Tense Backstage Moments
In a revealing episode of his podcast What Do You Wanna Talk About?, featuring WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch, Cody shared key details about the days leading up to the infamous press conference. He admitted that the conflict was genuine and WWE likely made some quick decisions right before the confrontation unfolded on stage.
Cody described trying to manage the stress by taking a shopping spree throughout Las Vegas. He was searching for a tie bar but ended up purchasing gifts at Tiffany’s for his wife Brandi, his daughter Libby, and even a wedding band. He recalled being called back to the building amid the turmoil and stepping into a scene filled with shouting, including Hunter, better known as Triple H, and other key figures involved in the backstage heated moments.
“That’s as real as anything that has ever happened in the business…everything that was going on in that situation. I was doing my best to deal with conflict. Part of me dealing with conflict is I’m doing alright, I’m in Las Vegas and I’m gonna go on a shopping spree. And all I was trying to do was find a tie bar. Just a bar to go across the tie. I went to every store I could possibly go to, I did everything, I walked into Tiffany’s, I got stuff for (wife) Brandi, I got stuff for (daughter) Libby, and then they had this wedding band, so I’ll get that.” —Cody Rhodes, Wrestler
“And then by the time I got it, it was ‘Hey, please come to the building.’ And I came to the building and the rest is history. He had the green suit on – your husband – and he was out there yelling and Hunter’s yelling. I remember he’s in that ridiculous green suit. The giant family tree was on the wall.” —Cody Rhodes, Wrestler
During the podcast, Cody also quizzed Becky about a watch he gifted to her husband, Seth Rollins, whom Cody has both teamed and wrestled with numerous times. Becky admitted hesitantly that she was a poor liar when denying that Seth had lost the watch, adding a lighthearted moment amidst the otherwise tense conversation.
Wrestling Schedules and Future Prospects for Cody Rhodes
Currently, Cody Rhodes is recovering after Drew McIntyre delivered a Claymore Kick on the August 8th edition of SmackDown. This injury may delay a potential WWE Title rematch between Cody and Drew McIntyre, although no official announcement has been made. Cody’s commitments outside WWE, including involvement with the upcoming Street Fighter movie, could influence the timing of any future matches.
Other Wrestling News Highlights
In related wrestling updates, AEW stars Adam Copeland and Christian Cage are preparing to address their recent reunion within the promotion. Meanwhile, Mercedes Mone expressed surprise over a British sausage ahead of her match with Toni Storm in Scotland.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has shared news regarding a personal loss, while John Cena is set to headline a new WWE event as he nears the end of his wrestling career. Brock Lesnar’s next three opponents have become a focus for wrestling analysts following his match with Cena.
Concerns about wrestler welfare continue as a top WWE Superstar admits they will never be physically 100% again. Naomi, after announcing her pregnancy, broke character to openly discuss her WWE future. Finally, Dave Meltzer suggested that Chris Jericho should consider returning to WWE as his future in AEW becomes uncertain.
The Impact and Future of Cody Rhodes WrestleMania 40 Conflict
The backstage events surrounding WrestleMania 40 highlighted the complex mix of scripted drama and real-life tension within WWE. Cody Rhodes’ decision to step back and then reclaim his spot demonstrated the fluid and often unpredictable nature of wrestling storylines. The entire incident added a layer of authenticity that energized fans and shifted the trajectory of WrestleMania’s biggest matches. Going forward, this conflict may influence how WWE navigates high-profile match announcements and backstage dealings, especially with stars like The Rock and Roman Reigns continuing to shape the company’s future.
