An early update has emerged on Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s status for WrestleMania 40, following his absence from this year’s show.
It was reported last year that WWE had pencilled in Roman Reigns vs The Rock as the main event of WrestleMania 39. It was noted that the match would only go ahead if The Rock had time in his schedule to train for a return to the ring.
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This match ultimately didn’t happen, with reports in January stating that The Rock didn’t feel like he had the time to get into ring-shape ahead of the April 1-2 event.
It has recently been speculated that WWE has something planned for the Hollywood star at WrestleMania 40, given that he couldn’t wrestle at this year’s show.
In the main event of WrestleMania 39 Sunday, Roman Reigns instead faced Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes, defeating him in a result that was surprising to many.
Per Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, there is a possibility that The Rock will appear at WrestleMania 40 in 2024, with The Rock reportedly ‘leaving a crack in the door open’ when turning down WrestleMania 39.
Clarifying that The Rock hasn’t committed to any dates with WWE, Meltzer noted:
“Reigns had pretty much gone through everyone at the top tier on the roster, and with the exception of GUNTHER or, of course, The Rock.
“Dwayne Johnson, when he turned down this year due to schedule, did leave a crack in the door open about possibly doing Philadelphia at WrestleMania 40 next year, but that was far from a commitment and certainly nothing anyone should count on happening.
“There didn’t appear to be another new challenger on the horizon.”
WrestleMania 40 will take place on April 6-7, 2024, emanating from the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania