5 WrestleMania 41 matches for Cody Rhodes if The Rock cannot make it
While fans may want a WrestleMania 41 showdown between The Rock and Cody Rhodes, The Final Boss may not be able to participate in April. His schedule as one of the world's biggest movie stars keeps him busy year-round.
Rocky's return at the beginning of January 2024 paced out the following few months until WrestleMania 40. The Rock appeared on episodes of RAW and SmackDown and wrestled on Night 1 at The Show of Shows.
It was in the tag team match that he pinned Rhodes after copious amounts of interference and cheating. If The People's Champion cannot compete at WrestleMania 41, the next five matches would be perfect for Cody Rhodes.
#5. CM Punk is still looking for a WrestleMania main event
If Cody Rhodes and Gunther are both still Champions in April, CM Punk could be on the opposite side of the ring from either man. Punk was the runner-up in this year's Royal Rumble, losing to Rhodes.
It was in the Rumble where Punk's triceps was injured. Due to the ailment, he missed out on the chance to finally main-event WrestleMania.
After participating in the feud of the year with Drew McIntyre, The Best in the World enters the 2025 Royal Rumble as one of the favorites.
Should he get his first Royal Rumble victory, Punk could opt to face Rhodes. They've teased a showdown a few times, and it would be a blockbuster match for WrestleMania 41.
#4. Randy Orton has loads of history with Cody Rhodes
Once The American Nightmare returned to WWE, it was only a matter of time before he crossed paths with Randy Orton. The two worked with each other numerous times in the mid-2000s. Rhodes also considers Orton his mentor.
The two former Legacy members have allied several times in 2024. Rhodes's inability to accept Kevin Owens' feelings inadvertently led to The Viper getting attacked by The Prizefighter.
When Orton returns to the ring, he can snap on his friend and student. It would give WrestleMania 41 a title match steeped in history and one where Rhodes could believably lose the title.
#3. John Cena's Retirement Tour at WrestleMania 41
John Cena is still currently tied with Ric Flair at 16 World title wins. He's competing at WrestleMania 41 and will most assuredly have at least one more chance to win a 17th Championship before retiring.
Whether it comes at the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania 41, or later in 2025, expect The Leader of Cenation to challenge Rhodes before he retires. The two could share a passing-the-torch moment since they battled each other during the prime of Cena's career.
Cena must face a huge opponent in his final match for WWE, and few stars are currently as big as Cody Rhodes.
#2. Does WWE book a third-straight match with Roman Reigns?
An easy but boring option for Rhodes at WrestleMania 41 would be yet another showdown with Roman Reigns. Reigns main-evented the show enough already and doesn't need the honor again in 2025.
The Rock's absence may force bookers to make a safe yet uninspired decision to book a rubber match. Some fans don't care and would welcome another showdown between the two top stars.
With so many other names deserving of such a huge honor, however, WWE should opt for a different opponent. It still doesn't mean that The Head of the Table won't get a shot to win back the Undisputed WWE title.
#1. Battling former friends turned enemies in a triple threat
WWE has posited Kevin Owens as delusional and 100% at fault for everything that has happened to him over the last four-plus years.
Roman Reigns and the Bloodline tormented and brutalized him during that time. However, their actions have mostly been absolved by everyone simply because they want Reigns to be cheered.
Randy Orton didn't listen to anything Owens tried to say, either, and ended up taking a piledriver. When The Viper returns, he may have a huge chip on his shoulder. He might blast Owens but could also do the same to Rhodes.
To finally end the ongoing drama, WWE could book Rhodes against two people who battled by his side throughout most of 2024. The foundation for a potential match is already there, and Rhodes wouldn't have to be pinned to lose the title.