The new Netflix era of RAW begins next month but will Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson be among the huge names appearing on that debut episode? If so, we'd expect the stage to be set for him to compete at this year's WrestleMania.
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes surely remains a top contender for his opponent, though it seems far more likely that we'll finally get to see the Final Boss take on the OTC, Roman Reigns (especially as the latter is a babyface and there's a new, heel Bloodline).
However, if Dave Meltzer is to be believed, WWE and The Rock still haven't figured out a role for him at the Show of Shows.
"He had not committed to do the main event match on the show when I reported that he had not committed to do that and other bouts were being talked about. Which to those involved at the time internally was a hell of a big deal. He still had not several weeks ago, the last time I was told directly, hence no advertising of him for the show. I haven’t heard a change but that subject hasn’t been broached with more for a few weeks. From day one I wrote it’s up to him and he can change his mind at any time."
We'd be shocked if The Rock doesn't have a match at WrestleMania in Las Vegas, though it will depend on his Hollywood schedule and how well he coped with last year's tag team main event.
For what it's worth, Rhodes recently said, "Well, I mean this, and I don’t mean this in a smart-aleck-type way, but Rock is the director of the board, the man that is the final boss. Dwayne Johnson is different from the final boss. His outside-the-box thinking with Nick Khan and Triple H is part of WWE’s record era, part of this WWE Netflix era."
"So whether he’s in the ring or not, he is very much still involved with what happens at 41. I know when he comes back, I know who he’ll come looking for, I know what to expect," the American Nightmare added. "But what I can say about WrestleMania 41 is: keep the rumors going, keep them churning, enjoy the discourse, but I think what you will get will surprise you all."
Reigns has also expressed interest in potentially facing his cousin on the Grandest Stage of Them All. "Dwayne’s always going to be in that role. He’s always going to be a guy that just magnetizes and makes the broadcast even bigger. So if that’s the case, and that the people want it, that’s what’s cool."
"If Dwayne can’t come in and just, boom, this is how it is brother, then that’s when you know you’re cooking up with some really good ingredients, and I think that’s why he is tied in the way he is," he continued. "That’s why he’s a part of the board and a part of everything the way he is because we’re at an unprecedented time right now. Business is great, and we just want to continue to push things up."
"So if that’s what the people want, and the People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen. I guess that’s a testament to the hard work, the collaboration and the storytelling and all the equity we put into this thing," Reigns concluded.
As always, stay tuned for updates as we have them.