Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returned at WWE Bad Blood 2024 after Jimmy Uso helped Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns defeat Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.
The Rock came out, counted 1, 2, 3, and had an intense staredown with Cody, Roman, and Jimmy before heading to the back.
Speculations regarding The Rock’s potential participation at WWE WrestleMania 41 intensified to the extent that The Final Boss himself addressed his status for next year’s flagship pay-per-view event.
Since WrestleMania 40, there has been a prevailing expectation that The Rock would face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41. The rumors surrounding this matchup escalated following The Rock’s surprise appearance at WWE Bad Blood 2024.
As we previously reported here on eWn, The Rock was not slated to compete at WrestleMania 41 next April, and the Hollywood star conveyed that he would be unable to participate in the match.
Thereafter, The Rock replied to an Instagram comment on his post, stating, “Don’t believe any of that bull****.”
This past Monday, rumors surfaced that the WWE creative team is working under the assumption that The Rock won’t be part of WrestleMania 41.
The report further highlights that this remains a “realistic notion,” with the understanding that circumstances may change concerning The Rock, similar to his recent appearance at Bad Blood 2024 earlier this month.
The Rock’s participation in the pay-per-view event was reportedly intended to get him on camera, without any significant storyline or direction that WWE aimed to advance.
WWE was allegedly unaware that The Rock would show up at the event until the week prior, which is purportedly why the Drew McIntyre vs. CM Punk Hell in a Cell match opened the show instead of closing it. The Rock was around all day at the event and arrived at the venue in clear view in his truck before it started.
Moreover, The Rock has a hectic Hollywood schedule. He recently finished filming a live-action adaptation of Moana, where he will return as Maui.
Furthermore, Cody Rhodes and The Rock “filmed something” during the premiere of Moana 2. The details on whether it will be released remain unknown.
WWE remains a priority for The Rock, and he is expected to appear sporadically.
