The Rock WrestleMania match update is making headlines as WWE reportedly negotiates a record-breaking offer to feature Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a match at WrestleMania 43, set for Saudi Arabia in April 2027. While speculation has circulated about The Rock’s return, new reports clarify his WWE future and the extraordinary financial stakes involved.
Dwayne Johnson’s last WWE appearance in the ring came at the main event of WrestleMania 40 Saturday in 2024, where he and Roman Reigns joined forces to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, with Rock getting the pinfall over Rhodes. The following evening, Cody Rhodes captured the WWE Championship for the first time, marking a historic back-to-back event for WWE fans.
In March 2025, The Rock made headlines once again at the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, helping John Cena and Travis Scott beat down Cody Rhodes after Cena’s shocking heel turn. Although his role was pivotal in that story arc, The Rock subsequently disappeared from WWE programming, barely referencing the company in his public appearances and on social media throughout 2025.
Saudi WrestleMania 43 Sparks Intense Negotiations and Massive Offer
In September 2025, WWE revealed that its premier event, WrestleMania 43, would be hosted across two nights in Saudi Arabia in April 2027—a first for the region, despite Saudi Arabia’s well-established reputation as a destination for major WWE PLEs. This announcement immediately ignited speculation, with multiple reports indicating that Saudi hosts were determined to secure The Rock’s participation, regardless of cost.
Reports from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer intensify the intrigue, highlighting the unprecedented scale of the negotiations:
“The impression is that the final payment number for the show will be affected by whether or not they get The Rock in the main event. The idea is that the individual payoff for Johnson would be multiple times that of any pro wrestler for any event in history.”
This suggests that the financial package being discussed for The Rock’s involvement would outpace any wrestling payout previously recorded, reflecting his star power and the significance WWE places on his potential return for this global spectacle.
No Appearance Set for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas
Despite recurring rumors each spring, The Rock is not slated to appear at WrestleMania 41, scheduled for April 19 and 20, 2026, in Las Vegas. Industry insiders, including Andrew Baydala, have concluded that Johnson is not expected to take part in any capacity this year. Baydala addressed the swirling speculation directly:
“Before these ‘rumors’ get wild again- The Rock is NOT wrestling at this year’s #WrestleMania. The ‘big offer’ under discussion is for next year’s Mania 43 in Saudi Arabia, and there appears to be hesitation about proceeding, given that The Rock knows it would most likely be his last match.” — Andrew Baydala
This sentiment underscores the complexities surrounding The Rock’s decision, as the 52-year-old must weigh what could be a final in-ring appearance against accelerating opportunities in his acting career.
The Rock’s Hollywood Commitments and Competitive Awards Race
Away from WWE, Dwayne Johnson has focused on blockbuster film projects, earning his first Golden Globe nomination for “The Smashing Movie.” The success of this role has positioned him as a contender for an Oscar nomination, elevating his celebrity status and likely contributing to his caution over committing to a physically demanding wrestling return.
Long-Term Outlook: What’s Next for WWE and The Rock?
With almost two years remaining until WrestleMania 43, negotiations between WWE and The Rock’s camp remain fluid, and fans can expect new developments as the event draws closer. The possibility of Johnson stepping back into the ring for a record-breaking payday and a grand sendoff remains enticing, not just for WWE stakeholders, but for fans worldwide.
Should The Rock ultimately participate, it would elevate the global stature of the WrestleMania brand and cement the 2027 event as a pivotal chapter in both his career and WWE history.
Before these "rumors" get wild again-
The Rock is NOT wrestling at this year's #WrestleMania. The "big offer" under discussion is for next year's Mania 43 in Saudi Arabia, and there appears to be hesitation about proceeding, given that The Rock knows it would most likely be his… pic.twitter.com/fostjw6pRT
— Andrew Baydala (@AndrewBaydala) January 2, 2026
