The Rock Returning On Tonight's WWE SmackDown, Triple H Says 'Everything Could Change In An Instant'

In a surprise announcement, The Rock will appear on tonight's edition of Friday Night SmackDown from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dwayne Johnson tweeted: "Bold and disruptive. Unpredictable and dangerous. The Final Boss returns, LIVE on #SmackDown tomorrow at 8ET/7CT on @USANetwork."

Deeper plans for The Rock have since been hinted at by WWE Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, who stated in a press release:

"Strap in. When The Final Boss shows up at this time of year, the audience knows absolutely anything is possible. Everything could change in an instant."

If this means The Rock will be wrestling at WrestleMania 41 after all is unknown. Dwayne Johnson reportedly told WWE at some point before Bad Blood in October 2024 that he wouldn't be able to work WrestleMania and it emerged in late 2024 that WWE were moving forward with Mania creative with the impression that The Rock wouldn't be performing at the event.

The Rock's last WWE appearance was on the Raw Netflix premiere on January 6, 2025 when he quashed his feud with Cody Rhodes and crowned Roman Reigns as his Tribal Chief. The original plan for WrestleMania 41 was The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes.

Further speculation has suggested The Rock may appear on SmackDown to announce the Superdome in New Orleans as the location of WrestleMania 42. The city is the frontrunner to host 2026's WrestleMania.

Cultaholic is now on WhatsApp! Follow us here. Sign up to the Cultaholic Wrestling Newsletter now.