When The Rock walked out in a surprise appearance to interrupt Cody Rhodes on Monday, it felt like the world shifted: The superhero of the people just witnessed the arrival of his ultimate supervillain.
While The Great One is clearly taking some inspiration from his own brief superhero run as Black Adam, this presentation works well in a WWE setting.
Rhodes is trying to be the top babyface in wrestling and is a larger-than-life figure rising to the top.
The Great One is his ultimate foil, the big man in his way who will do anything to smack him back down.
This is all spectacular storytelling for the long-term angle that will eventually lead to The Rock facing Rhodes one-on-one.
However, WWE may be moving a little too fast as The Rock has quickly and decisively eclipsed Roman Reigns at the top of the heel ladder.
The Tribal Chief was the top star in WWE until recently, but both Rhodes and Rock have surpassed him as of late. It has made Reigns come off as a warm-up act for the real match everyone is clamoring to see.
Even The American Nightmare seems to be losing his grip on the top spot. Rock is on the show most weeks these days, and what he does feels more important than anything else with or without Reigns or Rhodes.
