Cody Rhodes picks his favorite moment with The Rock at WrestleMania XL

There was a specific moment when Cody Rhodes, also known as “The American Nightmare,” realized just how formidable his opponent, “The Final Boss,” truly was.

This revelation came during a recent interview with SI Media Podcast host Jimmy Traina. Reflecting on his rivalry with Seth “Freakin’” Rollins leading up to WrestleMania XL against The Rock and Roman Reigns, Rhodes pointed to a moment that stood out to him.

It happened on the March 8, 2024 episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown on FOX.

“There was a moment, in the ring, live, happening in real time where Seth and I came down through the audience to confront the Tribal Chief and Final Boss,” Rhodes recalled. “I could see the reactions on their faces. I’ve always respected The Rock, and I will continue to do so, but I don’t think he fully grasped who I was as a player.”

He added, “In that moment, I believe he realized, ‘Wow, they’re engaging with the fans, signing autographs on their way down here.’ Seeing us in person was a different experience compared to just seeing a picture or a clip online. We often form opinions based on GIFs and social media snippets. That moment, right before I delivered that slap, was a significant one for me and Seth in the context of our journey.”

For the full interview, you can listen on Apple.com. Credits to Fightful.com for transcribing the quotes mentioned above.