Fans hoping for fresh insights on WWE’s Elimination Chamber, which heads to Toronto on March 1, and WrestleMania, set for April 19 and 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium, have a lot to chew on. Dave Simon, Ben Simon, and Champion Pro Wrestler Johnny North dove into everything going on after the Royal Rumble, plus the latest RAW, SmackDown (which was still on the air during the show), and AEW happenings—including Dynamite and last week’s AEW Grand Slam in Australia.
The biggest curveball was The Rock showing up with a mysterious deal for Cody Rhodes. While the angle sounded strange, it stirred excitement for next week’s Elimination Chamber, especially with The Rock announcing he will appear live in Toronto. Below is a look at the key discussions from the crew and the live audience on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, and Kick. If you missed the show, watch the replay on one of those platforms or listen to the audio podcast wherever you get your podcasts.
Table of Contents
The Rock’s Return: Cody’s Soul on the Table?
The most shocking moment for the hosts was The Rock—also called The Final Boss—confronting Cody Rhodes and suggesting Cody align with him at a deep personal cost. As soon as it happened, Dave Simon exclaimed:
“I think that the rock is trying to buy Cody’s soul.”
Johnny North added his read on the situation:
“It felt like he’s trying to recruit Cody to be his corporate champion,”
“…as The rock is now the director of WWE.”
Dave joked that it all sounded like The Rock was inviting Cody into some kind of secret Hollywood party circle, leading to a discussion of “Illuminati stuff.” The crowd on the show’s chat lit up, too, with many finding it darkly hilarious. Regardless of the comedic spin, The Rock’s speech was serious. He claimed to hold major power as part of TKO’s board, teased the idea that he essentially “owns WWE,” and wants Cody to be “his champion” at a level beyond typical WWE storylines.
It's not always about the title, it's about the story.@TheRock #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/Y1gIZmjIpY
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
Why Cody?
Cody is on a hot streak as a top babyface, but The Rock openly told him to “sell your soul.” The Rock even touched Cody’s cheek in a weird final moment, leaving the hosts asking if it was some symbolic gesture. Whether or not Cody plays along, The Rock gave him until Elimination Chamber in Toronto to decide. Dave quipped:
“If you’re going to the chamber in Toronto, you just got yourself a rock appearance.”
Nobody knows if it leads to a Cody heel turn or sets up The Rock vs. Cody. Johnny North hopes Cody accepts The Rock’s deal for a shift in character. Others think we might see Cody refuse, sparking a full rivalry at WrestleMania. Either way, it’s a fresh turn of events that overshadowed the rest of SmackDown.
WWE Since the Royal Rumble
What the?!
— WWE (@WWE) February 22, 2025
The Street Profits are causing CHAOS! 😱#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/OUbQjHZYlc
Outside The Rock’s spotlight, the hosts spent time on the fallout from the Royal Rumble as RAW and SmackDown continue to build new feuds. Audience members in the live chat asked about everything from the tag team scene (DIY vs. Pretty Deadly) to women’s division matchups that didn’t happen. Dave summed up a significant frustration:
“Pretty Deadly looked like they were about to win, then the Street Profits messed it all up.”
Tag Team Turmoil
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa (DIY) took on Pretty Deadly, but the match turned chaotic when the Street Profits attacked. The abrupt interruption confused the hosts. Dave felt it robbed Pretty Deadly of a deserved win and teased a more significant multi-team angle from now on.
Meanwhile, the conversation jumped over to segments from SmackDown’s main event and random cameos that never materialized. One fan named Ryan Katz in the chat said they were disappointed they didn’t get a Naomi and Liv Morgan matchup that had been hyped.
Women’s Division Shake-Ups
Another hot topic was Nia Jax, who surfaced again to attack Tiffany Stratton and Trish Stratus in a bizarre brawl. Dave said:
“Nia Jax really looking like she was protecting Trish … maybe cousin Dwayne told her to.”
Johnny blasted Nia’s ring work, indicating that Jax hasn’t improved much despite frequent TV time. Fans in the chat had similar concerns, wondering why WWE features Jax so heavily.
On RAW, Roxanne Perez picked up a surprise win, fueling speculation about the Women’s Elimination Chamber match. Names like Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Naomi, and Raquel Rodriguez are also in the mix. If Belair loses her tag-team pursuit with Naomi, fans think she might face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania. Others see Liv Morgan as a leading candidate.
It was a Timeless moment when Toni Storm addressed the fans as #AEWDynamite is on-demand on the TBS app and @sportsonmax pic.twitter.com/SB8IO6Qcnk
— AEW on TV (@AEWonTV) February 20, 2025
AEW Updates: Dynamite, Grand Slam, and Storm’s Timeless Promo
AEW had its highlights, including last week’s Grand Slam in Australia. Matches featuring stars like Kenny Omega, Will Ospreay, and the Motor City Machine Guns got Dave raving. However, some of the most significant story points came from AEW Dynamite.
MJF and Hangman Page: A Strong Rivalry
Dynamite opened with a promo from AEW World Champion MJF and “Hangman” Adam Page that set the tone for a potential collision. Both guys argued about who the real main character of AEW is, and Dave thought it was excellent:
“Hangman is the heart and soul. MJF is the top villain. That’s how I see it,”
he said, praising the dynamic as the good-guy/bad-guy core the promotion needs.
Toni Storm: The Best in the Business?
Toni Storm had the hosts buzzing after she reclaimed the AEW Women’s Championship at Grand Slam and cut a “timeless” promo on Dynamite. Dave called it a must-see:
“She’s not just really good; she’s the best ever. She’s the best ever.”
He joked it was over-the-top praise, but Toni Storm continues to deliver top-level performances, blending comedy and serious wrestling skills. Everyone saw it as proof that AEW’s women’s division can stand out when characters and stories click.
Thunder Rosa’s Awkward Run-In
AEW isn’t without flaws. A messy sequence on Dynamite featured Thunder Rosa running out with a chair to confront Penelope Ford and Megan Bayne, but nobody knew what to do. They just stood, froze, then had a half-hearted tug-of-war over the chair. Taz even commented on-air:
“What the hell is… this is wild,”
Trying to cover for the confusion. Johnny said:
“They put their hands out like, ‘stop, you can’t do that,’ and nobody knew who was going to swing.”
Many fans blame a rumored lack of production meetings in AEW. Dave couldn’t believe a multi-million dollar promotion might fail to gather for a quick pre-show briefing. He hopes they fix slip-ups like that because it hurts an otherwise strong brand.
The Road to Elimination Chamber in Toronto
The Elimination Chamber arrives on March 1 in Toronto, and The Rock’s appearance ensures a can’t-miss element. Cody’s decision on The Rock’s proposal will be the central talking point, but there’s also the Men’s Chamber bout. The field consists of John Cena, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Damien Priest, and Seth “Freakin’” Rollins.
Who Advances to WrestleMania?
- CM Punk: Johnny North picks him to win, saying Punk vs. Cody is the strongest possible main event.
- John Cena: Some believe Cena is destined for one last title chase, though there’s talk he might face Logan Paul instead.
- Logan Paul: He’s the wildcard who always stirs trouble.
- Seth Rollins or Damien Priest: Dark-horse contenders for fans who want something new.
Whatever happens, Dave thinks the biggest question is whether The Rock orchestrates a big Cody angle that steals the spotlight. Will Cody turn heel, side with The Rock, and destroy any Chamber winner who challenges him at WrestleMania? Plenty of fans in the live chat suggested that scenario might overshadow the match result.
WrestleMania in Paradise, Nevada
WrestleMania itself lands at Allegiant Stadium on April 19 and April 20, 2025. This two-night event might feature The Rock in some capacity, although it’s unclear if he will wrestle or back someone like Cody. Roman Reigns’s angle also lurks since The Rock ignored him entirely with his focus on Cody. Johnny North pointed out that Reigns might not take that lightly:
“We’ll see what comes up with Roman, but he might want to fight The Rock for ignoring him.”
Others guess The Rock is done feuding with Roman and sees more long-term potential in a Cody alliance. It all hinges on Cody’s choice in Toronto.
Key Takeaways
- Cody Rhodes vs. The Rock?
The Rock’s request for Cody’s soul was the biggest swerve. Fans are eager to see whether Cody embraces or refuses it at Elimination Chamber. - Men’s Elimination Chamber Match
John Cena, CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, Logan Paul, Damien Priest, and Seth Rollins battle for a WrestleMania shot. Johnny North expects CM Punk to triumph. - Women’s Division Spotlight
Will Bianca Belair chase singles gold again, or will someone like Liv Morgan take on Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania? Nia Jax remains puzzling with awkward brawls. - AEW Positives and Pitfalls
Toni Storm nails it weekly with her “Timeless” gimmick, while MJF and Hangman Page shine on the mic. Contrasting that, Thunder Rosa’s run-in fiasco underlined the importance of proper production coordination.
Conclusion
Between The Rock’s cryptic challenge to Cody, the swirling stakes of Elimination Chamber, ongoing WWE storylines, and AEW’s mix of brilliant promos and embarrassing slip-ups, pro wrestling fans have a lot to chew on. Cody’s ultimate direction remains the biggest piece of the puzzle. Will he risk his moral ground to rise higher than ever in The Rock’s “Hollywood plan,” or remain the fan-loving champion?
For all the hosts’ unfiltered takes, check out the replay on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, or Kick, or get the audio podcast on your favorite app.
