Has The Rock crossed the line? Hollywood star shows off new belt engraved with Dusty Rhodes’ passing death on SmackDown

The Rock gave his last words to Cody Rhodes ahead of their confrontation at Elimination Chamber in Canada this weekend.

Has The Rock crossed the line? Hollywood star shows off new belt engraved with Dusty Rhodes’ passing death on SmackDown

The Rock and Cody Rhodes (via @WrestleOps/X)

This week’s SmackDown delivered a heated confrontation between Cody Rhodes and The Rock ahead of Elimination Chamber. The American Nightmare stepped into the ring to address the WWE Universe one final time before his showdown with The Final Boss at the Rogers Centre. However, tensions escalated when the Hollywood megastar took things too far, invoking the late Dusty Rhodes in their exchange.

In a satellite promo, The Rock delivered a chilling message to Rhodes ahead of their confrontation. He urged The American Nightmare to ensure he doesn’t break his heart. However, the moment took a shocking turn when The Great One unveiled a weight belt engraved with Dusty Rhodes’ death date. He declared it would be his gift to Rhodes when he sells his soul at Elimination Chamber.

YouTube video

In addition to that belt, The Final Boss also presented the Undisputed WWE Champion with a Ford truck to lure him to sell his soul. However, Cody looked visibly tense following such an exchange with the TKO board member. In fact, when Michael Cole asked him what he planned to do, Rhodes dodged his questions with no such explanation at all.

FS Video

With Elimination Chamber on the horizon, all eyes are on The Prodigal Son as he prepares to answer The Rock’s challenge. It has been a tense week for Cody, and many, including his former rival Seth Rollins, believe he won’t sell his soul. However, if Rhodes were to make that fateful decision, it would go down as one of the most shocking moments in WWE history.

CM Punk gave his piece of advice to Cody Rhodes ahead of his confrontation with The Rock

CM Punk, one of the most experienced figures in the WWE locker room, appears to have insight into The Rock’s true intentions. This week on SmackDown, The Second City Saint confronted Cody Rhodes to share his perspective. He offered advice before Rhodes could even consider making a deal with The Great One.

CM Punk and Cody Rhodes
CM Punk and Cody Rhodes (via WWE)

In a backstage segment, Punk warned Rhodes to be cautious of The Final Boss. He made it clear that he had no love for the Hollywood icon and preferred to stay miles away. However, The Best in the World took an unexpected approach, urging Rhodes to accept The Rock’s offer. But rather than submitting, he wanted Rhodes to use it against The Final Boss and send him back to Hollywood.

It was an expected stance from The Straight Edge Superstar, given his well-documented disdain for Dwayne Johnson. With a storied history against The Great One, speculation had been brewing that if Rhodes refused the offer, the Chicago-born star might step up instead. However, after this segment, that possibility seems highly unlikely.

Related: “Remember when Brunson got in,” Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton reveals Triple H was ‘scared’ to let him compete in the Royal Rumble