Rumors of The Rock’s return to WWE ran rampant ahead of the Royal Rumble with WrestleMania 39 just around the corner. However, the wrestling legend did not return as other stories flourished.

That’s why Cody Rhodes thinks «The Granddaddy of Them All» doesn’t need The Rock to perform at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on April 1-2.

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Cody Rhodes speaks during a press conference after the WWE Royal Rumble at the Alamodome in San Antonio on January 28, 2023. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

«With all the respect in the world to one of the GOATs, The Rock, it seems like the options we have here within the roster are even better because of the storylines that are going on,» the 2023 Royal Rumble winner told The Daily Mail. «A story about ending something that started in 1978, seven years before I was born, and another story about the true tragedy of being welcomed into The Bloodline and then what you saw unfolds.

«I think with the amount of time between now and WrestleMania, it’s important that I keep my eyes on WrestleMania, fighting directly for the WWE Undisputed Championship and, as you hinted, it may not be against Roman Reigns.»

Dwayne "The rock" Johnson once raised presidential aspirations, but now says it's "off the table."

Dwayne «The Rock» Johnson once raised presidential aspirations, but now says that’s «off the table.» (RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC images)

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Rhodes winning the 30-man Royal Rumble meant he has a shot at Reigns for the championship. First, Reigns will fight Sami Zayn at WWE’s Elimination Chamber event on February 18.

«Now I don’t know if anyone can beat Roman Reigns, I really don’t know, but for me, it’s about picking up the chip,» he added. “I love the melodrama, I love the heaviness in these stories that play out in our industry, but I am very simply a man looking for a belt.

Cody Rhodes celebrates after winning the WWE Men's Royal Rumble match at the Alamodome in San Antonio on January 28, 2023.

Cody Rhodes celebrates after winning the WWE Men’s Royal Rumble match at the Alamodome in San Antonio on January 28, 2023. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

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«I am looking for a championship title belt, the most important in our world, the greatest of all, not only in the WWE bubble but in all bubbles, and to be the first to say how Rhodes did it, and he did it. I did». It wasn’t Dusty Rhodes, and it wasn’t Dustin Rhodes; It was Cody Rhodes.»