Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will make his WWE in-ring return tonight at WrestleMania 40 (Night One), where he will team with Roman Reigns to face off against Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes.
In a recent interview with ESPN ahead of WrestleMania 40, The Rock discussed the evolution of his character into The Final Boss, the negotiations for WrestleMania 39 that ultimately fell through, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On evolving into the Final Boss: “I would categorize the evolution into Final Boss as when opportunity meets the willingness to listen, truly listen. You can hear fans, but there is a difference between hearing and listening. There is also a difference between hearing, listening, and action. In this case, when the idea of Rock vs. Roman Reigns was the main event idea that was going to happen at last year’s WrestleMania, it was converging nicely, we were having discussions, myself and Nick Khan. That was coming together, and that wasn’t meant to be.”
On the WrestleMania 39 negotiations happening with Vince McMahon and not Nick Khan: We decided to put the pencils down. Not with Nick Khan, but with Vince McMahon. I suggested to Vince, let’s put the pencils down for now and maybe we can return to this at another time. As I started to come back and structured a new deal and agreement with Ari [Ari Emanuel], the goal was then, ‘Let’s put on the biggest WrestleMania of all time between the Rock and Roman Reigns. Let’s do that.’ As we started to put that on its feet, the fans started to voice their concern, which is one of the best parts about our business.”
On fans voicing their concerns for WrestleMania 40: “When the fans voice their concerns, whether it’s five, five thousand, or five million. You can listen, you can choose to truck through it, or you can choose to take action and serve them properly. As we started to put the whole thing on its feet, a moment came, I felt like it was a critical moment, I remember calling Nick and Ari. ‘I have this idea, I don’t think we should truck through this. The thing that bothers me most is that there are a group of fans who are upset. I don’t know what the answer is, but how about this as an idea. Why don’t we go with this incredible storyline between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. This idea of finishing his story is one the fans have invested in, we as a company have invested in that too. Rock and Roman can wait. However, what if The Rock turned heel? What if The Rock not only turned heel, but I was able to present a version of The Rock that was 10.0.’”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson Returns to WWE at WrestleMania 40
Wrestling fans around the world are buzzing with excitement as Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson makes his highly anticipated return to the WWE ring at WrestleMania 40. The electrifying superstar will team up with Roman Reigns to take on the formidable duo of Seth Rollins and Cody Rhodes. In a recent interview with ESPN, The Rock shared insights into his character’s evolution, the negotiations for WrestleMania 39, and his decision to listen to the concerns of fans.
One of the most intriguing aspects of The Rock’s return is his transformation into “The Final Boss.” When asked about this evolution, he explained that it was a result of opportunity meeting his willingness to truly listen. He emphasized the difference between hearing and listening, stating that he took action when the idea of facing Roman Reigns at last year’s WrestleMania fell through. The Rock acknowledged that the discussions were progressing well but ultimately didn’t materialize.
Interestingly, The Rock revealed that the negotiations for WrestleMania 39 were conducted with Vince McMahon, rather than Nick Khan. However, he mentioned that they decided to halt the discussions temporarily. The Rock suggested to McMahon that they put the pencils down and revisit the idea at a later time. It was during this period that he worked on a new deal with Ari Emanuel. The goal then became to create the biggest WrestleMania of all time, featuring a match between The Rock and Roman Reigns.
However, as plans for WrestleMania 40 started taking shape, fans began expressing their concerns. The Rock highlighted the importance of fan feedback in the wrestling business. He stated that when fans voice their concerns, whether it’s a small or large number, it is crucial to listen and take action accordingly. Recognizing the discontent among some fans, The Rock had a critical moment where he proposed an alternative idea to Khan and Emanuel.
The Rock’s idea involved a captivating storyline between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. He believed that finishing Rhodes’ story, which fans had invested in, would be a compelling direction for the event. The Rock also suggested turning heel, presenting a version of himself that was 10.0. This unexpected twist would add a new layer of excitement and anticipation to WrestleMania 40.
As fans eagerly await The Rock’s return, the interview with ESPN provides a glimpse into the thought process and decision-making behind the scenes. The Rock’s willingness to listen to fans and adapt his plans demonstrates his commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience for wrestling enthusiasts. With his larger-than-life presence and undeniable charisma, The Rock’s return to the WWE ring promises to be a highlight of WrestleMania 40.