Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter has weighed in on the speculation surrounding Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s potential involvement in WWE programming, especially with WWE Raw debuting on Netflix on January 6. Meltzer believes there’s a strong chance The Rock could make an appearance on the episode, which will likely have one of the largest audiences for a wrestling show since the ’80s. While he has not been officially informed of The Rock’s appearance, the hype surrounding the event, combined with the fact that WWE has reportedly penciled Rock in for a role at WrestleMania 41, has led many to believe he could return to the spotlight.
There has been speculation about The Rock’s involvement in WrestleMania 41, with some reports suggesting that he would face Cody Rhodes for both the Undisputed WWE Championship and the People’s Championship. However, Meltzer noted that this plan might no longer be on the table, as WWE is now reportedly moving towards a Rhodes vs. John Cena match instead. The Rock’s commitments to the live-action Moana movie, with reshoots reportedly on the horizon, have also raised questions about his availability.
If The Rock does appear on Raw on January 6, Meltzer believes he could have a prominent role, potentially setting the stage for his road to WrestleMania 41. Given The Rock’s creative influence within WWE, whatever plans he wants for his involvement at WrestleMania will likely come to fruition, regardless of WWE’s other ongoing storylines.
As for The Rock potentially wrestling on Raw, Meltzer suggested that it’s a possibility, although it’s far from confirmed. He also acknowledged that The Rock’s fitness for an in-ring return could be a factor. While Raw on January 6 already has a stacked card, with fans comparing it to a Premium Live Event-level show, having The Rock wrestle would further elevate the episode.
In terms of who The Rock could face, Meltzer pointed out that although Rock wants a match with Cody Rhodes eventually, Rhodes is not scheduled to appear on Raw and is instead preparing for a ladder match at the Royal Rumble against Kevin Owens. This leaves the possibility open for The Rock to find a different opponent for his return on January 6, creating further intrigue as the build to WrestleMania 41 heats up.