At the Elimination Chamber, The Rock reportedly wanted Cody Rhodes to turn heel and align with him, but Rhodes declined, leading to John Cena turning heel and aligning with The Rock instead, setting up one of the most shocking heel turns in WWE history with Cena becoming a bad guy.

Speaking on "Busted Open Radio," WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray took issue with the line, pointing out that it was McMahon who brought Rhodes back into the company in 2022. Not only that, but he was being heavily pushed under McMahon, who didn't step down as WWE CEO until months after Rhodes had returned at WWE WrestleMania 39.