Want more wrestling news, rumors, and results? Be sure to visit PWInsider.com and PWInsiderXtra.com.
Since we have gotten a lot of emails about The Rock's return to WWE tonight, I figured I'd just gather them all here as opposed to waiting for my next Q&A, which wouldn't run until Thursday:
When did WWE and Rock come to an agreement for him to return?
They didn't. Rock is on the Board of Directors. Technically, he is never gone. Plus, Rock has stated many times in media appearances that when WWE came to Netflix, he would be around regularly, making those comments as far back as January 2024 when the Netflix-WWE deal was made official.
Is this part of the $13 million WWE just paid The Rock?
No, that was part of the deal he made last year for stock as part of his role as a member of the Board of Directors and making appearances for the company. That $13 million in stock was already on the books to for him, to be given to him when the shares accrued, the same as any other exec with a similar deal.
I saw it somewhere that The Rock would miss Raw and Wrestlemania because he was shooting Moana 2 or had to do reshoots?
Moana 2 finished shooting in late November 2024 in Hawaii. There has been no additional shooting done on the film, that we have heard, except possibly some quick pick-up shots, which are usually minor things done to add to a film in the editing process. However, given the film was done with principal photography and the holidays were over the last six weeks, it's doubtful Disney even has a completed original edit of the film at this point. THAT would mean no test screenings yet for audiences - which would mean no internal notes on what needs to be corrected/ edited/fixed from the shooting perspective.
Johnson himself has said he's done with work on the film, but that doesn't mean there won't be some re-shoots needed with him - but there's zero chance they have taken place yet. However, as someone who used to work in that world, I CAN tell you that when a top star or principal is released from the film to move on to other endeavors, like Rock would have been, that means when they need him to come back, they work around HIS SCHEDULE. You aren't trapped at a Studios' behest being called back to do things, especially when you are a star at The Rock's level with lots of others projects you are working on. Rock was in Los Angeles for the Golden Globes yesterday. If he was released from the film, Disney just can't call him and tell him he's needed on set and he HAS to fly back to Hawaii. Not how that world works. They work around him, not the other way around. If he has/had WWE baked into his schedule, Mickey Mouse can't pull him away without figuring out the logistics. If Rock was working on another film, Disney couldn't pull him off set to do their stuff. It works the same with WWE.
In asking around with friends in the entertainment world, the only major film project shooting in Hawaii so far this month is a forthcoming Dave Bautista-Jason Momoa comedy.
What is Rock doing at Wrestlemania?
I don't believe there has been a set plan on that. Here is the reality: Whatever he wants to do is what Rock will end up doing. If he wants to wrestle Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns and relays to Ari Emanuel "This is what I want to do", then Paul Levesque and creative will pivot towards working with him on that vision. Anyone who tells you anything else is wrong. WWE is part of Hollywood now more than ever, and Hollywood tries to make its stars very happy, because they want to be in business with them. WWE today is about, even more than ever, making money. The ownership believes Rock will make them money.
If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!
Bang On Casino
