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The WWESmackDownalways brings something exciting to the table, and this week’s episode was no different. During the final moments of the episode, Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins were seen accepting Dwayne Johnson’sWrestleManiachallenge, and the show went off-air. However, before the episode could end, Cody Rhodes stepped up to Dwayne Johnson and whacked him across his face.

As the crowd erupted into a frenzy, the closing credits rolled in, and the show went off-air, and fans did not get to see how Dwayne Johnson retaliated. The slap from Cody Rhodes comes a few weeks afterWrestleMania XLKickoff, where The Rock slapped his fellow wrestler. While Cody Rhodes got his payback, what actually happened that made him lose his cool?
Cody Rhodes Gets His Revenge on Dwayne Johnson
On 8thMarch, fans of WWE got to witness a moment that made them jump up on their seats. During the episode ofSmackDown,Cody RhodesandSeth Rollins confronted The Rock andRoman Reignsand thus began an intense showdown. In the end, Rollins revealed that the duo had accepted their challenge to a tag team match set to take place at the upcomingWrestleMania 40.
Later on,Dwayne Johnsontakes a dig at the age difference between Rhodes and his siblings and calls him a mistake. This was enough to tip the American Nightmare off the edge, and he just couldn’t keep the frustration inside him any longer. Rhodesslapped Johnsonstraight across the face, and the latter went stumbling backward.

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Here’s what The Rock said to Rhodes that prompted the physical response from the wrestler:
“Isn’t it true that you are the youngest of the three (siblings). And isn’t it true that your sister was a cheerleader for the Dallas Cowboys. And isn’t it true that your brother is a Hall of Famer, a future Hall of Famer? And you’re twenty years younger than your siblings, is that right? You know why? Because you were a mistake.”

And then came the brutal response. Rhodes certainly got his revenge on Johnson, who was the firstto slap himat theWrestleMania 40media event that took place in Las Vegas.
Fans React to Dwayne Johnson Getting Slapped
It goes without saying that Rhodes’ slap caused an uproar on the Internet, with fans having various things to say about the moment. However, most WWE fans seemed to be on Rhodes’ side and were quite satisfied with how he reacted to The Rock’s insulting comments about him and his family.
Cody Rhodes Went Through an Awkward Process for WWE 2K24
Taking to X, here’s how fans reacted to Rhodes laying a hand on Johnson:
Look what happened to The Rock he got bitch slap by Cody Rhodespic.twitter.com/WW0Xw4boSa

— William Power (@williamx73x)Jul 27, 2025
I’m sure the citizens of Maui are applauding this slap.
— Walking Boss (@SteveHa81334631)August 25, 2025
What a SLAP 👋#SmackDown#CodyRhodes#TheRock#RomanReignspic.twitter.com/huctOFLCI3

— Navas Khan (@navazkhan85)August 04, 2025
Mid life crisis comment on point.. Finally someone said it to him.
That slap was great by Cody
— Dj Sef (@DjSefRemix)June 12, 2025
Rock deserves the slap
— Christian 💚 (@imchrisclemente)July 14, 2025
Clearly, they all loved it! Unfortunately, no one got to see The Rock’s retaliation to the slap as the end credits rolled in. However, there is no doubt that thanks to Rhodes’ actions, the upcomingWrestleMania 40event is going to be like no other.
WrestleMania 40begins on August 22, 2025.
Mishkaat Khan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2258
A connoisseur of all things horror, fantasy, and the occasional chick flick, Mishkaat has been penning pieces for FandomWire since 2022. She started off as an intern and has worked her way up to a Senior Writer with over 2000 articles to her name.Outside of entertainment, she has also written well-researched medical content as a freelance writer and has experience in social media management.When not writing, you may find her relaxing with a romance novel and a tall glass of iced coffee in her hand or watching re-runs of ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Office.’