“Not Real”: Cody Rhodes’ Botched Pre-WrestleMania Move on Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Spotted by Fans Amid Ongoing Feud

A word that Chris Jericho hates to hear is “Botch.” However, fans love that word and love searching for it with a microscope. A botch is when a move doesn’t go as planned, and the wrestlers must improvise or ignore it. These are often seen in every wrestling promotion and have gained a life of their own through the web series: Botchamania. Despite the precautions and years of experience, even professionals like Cody Rhodes can botch a move on someone like Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.

While most botches are insignificant, some can cause actual harm to the person on the receiving end of it. Here is one that eagle-eyed fans caught ahead of WrestleMania XL.

Cody Rhodes air kicks Dwayne Johnson during their final encounter ahead of Mania

Despite the Rhodes vs The Bloodline saga being over, the promos and build-up will be talked about for months to come. In absolute stellar storytelling, WWE immaculately paced themselves with the Rhodes and The Rock. In their build-up to Night #1 of Mania XL, the duo faced off only twice, with Johnson coming out on top both times. However, during the second encounter, fans noticed something that pulled the rug of kayfabe from under them.

During the April 1 episode of RAW, Seth Rollins faced Solo Sikoa in a Bloodline Rules match. Near the end, The Final Boss came out to lay the SmackDown on Rollins. However, to his surprise, the American Nightmare was in the arena and came out for the save. Fans were excited as the previous RAW episode saw the WWE Universal champion beaten to a pulp by The Rock. This was going to be an epic showdown ahead of Mania.

Unfortunately, as the 2024 Royal Rumble winner entered the ring and took The Brahma Bull by surprise to the corner with a fury of punches, he made a botch. In what was supposed to be a kick to The Rock’s abdomen, fans noticed Rhodes’ foot never connected. Despite this, Dwayne Johnson sold the move.

This led to fans taking to social media to vent their frustration.

Fans call out the botch on social media

As any wrestling fan knows, the WWE is scripted. However, more realism is required in a match of this caliber, which was the main event of the Grandest Stage of Them All. When a social media page on Instagram posted the segment in slow-mo, fans expressed frustration with the product and Rhodes.

One fan did try to defend the whole point of the WWE. It is scripted.

“WWE is scripted ✅ E of WWE means entertainment…. WWE – world wrestling entertainment… It is not real ❌🙌”

However, it did not stop from trolls and other fans dissing the segment.

“Wrestlers❌ Actors✅.”
“Attack 💯 %damage 0%”
“WWE ❌ UFC ✅”
“Wireless kick”

They even pointed out how Rhodes didn’t deserve the hype after botching such a simple move.

“Cody doesn’t deserve this hype. (Proved)”
“I think they give money to the audience those who are chanting”
“100% scripted show😂🙌”

Many fans believe the new era the WWE is in will harken back to the realistic matches of the Attitude Era.

“I really thought wrestling has changed 😮”
“If wwe was real Roman reigns would still be here”

What did you think of the botch? Did you notice it the first time? Tell us in the comments down below.

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