In the world of professional wrestling, WWE’s flagship show “WrestleMania” is nothing short of spectacular, comparable to the Super Bowl in its grandeur and significance. This past April, WrestleMania 40 reached unprecedented heights, thanks in part to the electrifying return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. In an unforgettable storyline, The Rock aligned with his blood cousin, Roman Reigns, to face off against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
The two-night extravaganza kicked off with a high-stakes tag team match where The Rock and Reigns emerged victorious against Rhodes and Rollins. This victory set the stage for the main event on night two, a Universal Title match under “Bloodline Rules” between Reigns and Rhodes. In an epic 33-minute showdown, Rhodes triumphed over Reigns, ending his record-breaking reign of over 1,300 days as champion.
However, this storyline also sowed the seeds for a brewing feud between Rhodes and The Rock, fueling rumors of an even bigger clash at WrestleMania 41. In a tantalizing interview with ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, The Rock hinted at the potential for the biggest match in WrestleMania history. “We’re on the 1-yard line to create the biggest WrestleMania of all time and the biggest match of all time at WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas. I’ll just leave it at that, Final Boss style,” he teased.
The Rock’s Wrestling Comeback and Training Camp
The Rock’s return to the ring at WrestleMania 40 was nothing short of monumental. Pinning Rhodes in the tag title match, this marked Johnson’s first full match before a live audience since his WWE title loss to John Cena at WrestleMania 29 in 2013. While The Rock is renowned for his incredible physical fitness, he acknowledges that being in “wrestling shape” is a different challenge altogether.
“I felt like that was a representation and a reflection of what I was feeling because as you know, in pro wrestling, there is no take two, you get one night, one shot, and one opportunity,” Johnson said. He emphasized the immense pressure and expectations leading up to WrestleMania, likening it to going the distance in a marathon. “I also had something to prove to myself,” he continued. “It’s always you vs. you. So that’s something to prove to myself that I can do it and put in the work and put in the training camp and rely on my dance partners in the ring in Cody and Seth and Roman as we all relied on each other.”
The Rock’s Unconventional Road to Recovery
Despite his impressive comeback, The Rock’s journey hasn’t been without its setbacks. While filming the MMA biopic “The Smashing Machine,” Johnson sustained a major injury, revealing a massive, fluid-filled bump on his elbow, which he humorously compared to a “cantaloupe.” Addressing his 396 million Instagram followers, The Rock shared his unique approach to dealing with the injury.
“Anytime your film is called The Smashing Machine, well, you’re kind of going to get smashed up,” he joked, showcasing the significant swelling on his elbow. Although the pain was manageable, Johnson admitted that he needed to wait for the swelling to subside or the fluid to be drained before he could undergo an MRI to assess the extent of the damage. Reflecting on his father’s wisdom, he said, “A day without pain is like a day without sunshine, boy.”
In his Instagram video, Johnson showcased his unconventional healing method – a glass of his own Teremana tequila, which he dubbed his “favorite anti-inflammatory.” He acknowledged the balance required in his intense training camp, given his age and previous injuries, stating, “At times I would go 50% and 50% is better than nothing.”
Emotions and Legacy
Returning to the ring after a decade was a profoundly emotional experience for The Rock. A third-generation performer, Johnson has a storied wrestling heritage with his father, Rocky Johnson, and grandfather, “The High Chief” Peter Maivia, paving the way. The Rock’s own legacy is indelible, having propelled WWE into mainstream pop culture in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
“I was very nervous about it, and the anxiety level was at a nice clip going in,” Johnson admitted. The immense pressure to deliver, especially under the weight of his legendary status, was palpable. “Even in the world of fictionalized professional wrestling, you still have 75,000 people out there, and you still got to perform for 30 minutes, 45 minutes, sometimes an hour. I got out there, and it was the same thing.”
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Looking Ahead to WrestleMania 41
As WWE fans eagerly anticipate WrestleMania 41, the potential match between The Rock and Cody Rhodes looms large. Scheduled for April 19 and 20, 2025, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, this event promises to be even more monumental. The Rock’s recent comments about the immense pressure and the possibility of creating the biggest WrestleMania ever have only heightened the excitement.
While Johnson’s massive elbow injury might have raised concerns, his determination and unconventional recovery methods reflect his unwavering commitment to returning to the ring. WWE fans around the world are on the edge of their seats, waiting to see if The Rock will once again electrify WrestleMania with his larger-than-life presence.
