The Rock expected the hate from possible WrestleMania match, calls out 'Cody crybabies'

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson hears all of the displeasure with his possible WrestleMania match, including from the "Cody crybabies."

The Rock joined "The Pat McAfee Show" in Las Vegas on Thursday, just hours ahead of the WrestleMania 40 kickoff press event, where it is expected that a match against Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns will be announced. The Rock opened up by confirming he has been training in the ring for an upcoming match.

McAfee, who just returned to the company as the broadcast announcer of "Monday Night Raw," asked The Rock if he expected the social reaction that happened when he appeared on "Friday Night Smackdown" this past week, indicating he'd face Reigns at WrestleMania instead of 2024 Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes. Rhodes faced Reigns at WrestleMania 39 in 2023 in a losing effort, but fans expected the Royal Rumble win would lead to him "finishing the story" by winning the title he set his eyes on ever since his return to WWE in 2022. This led to disapproval of The Rock stepping in place of Rhodes.

The Rock reiterated that no match has been made official, but he did expect the negative reaction from fans.

"We expected it because it's right there," he said. "We all try to keep the finger on the pulse. Ultimately, what the fans want and what they're saying. Sometimes, oftentimes, as you guys know, in sports and entertainment and anywhere, regardless of the vertical of business you're in, there's a wave of noise that happens right out of the gate, that you want to just pause for a second. Let's not make any rash decisions, let's wait and see how it all shakes out, and see what happens from there. It was just a matter of waiting. I was not surprised at it, I did expect it."

The Rock then talked about how he's known Rhodes and his family for years, going back to his dad being friends with Rhodes' dad, Dusty Rhodes, and going to their house often to train. He said he "loves Cody" and his passionate fans, but then went in on "the other passionate fans."

"They're called the 'Cody crybabies.' These are grown-(expletive) men that are 'Cody's gotta finish his story,'" The Rock said while mocking them. He continued to say how these are people obsessed with Rhodes, but they are different from Rhodes himself and some of the better fans.

The Rock then delivered a message specifically for those 'Cody crybabies' using one of his signature catchphrases in promo meant for WWE.

"The Rock says this, all you got to do is sit back, know your role, shut your mouth and enjoy the ride that The Rock is going to take your candy (expletive) on. So hashtag that," he said. "Hashtag shut your (expletive) up, hashtag Cody crybabies."

Regardless of what side WWE fans lean on when it comes to the WrestleMania main event, a decision is likely to be made official Thursday night.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: The Rock expected negative reaction from possible WrestleMania match