Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Furious Over Leak Revealing His WrestleMania 41 Absence (WWE News)

The Rock won't be at WWE WrestleMania 41 - and ISN'T HAPPY about the information leaking...

WWE Bad Blood 2024 The Rock
WWE

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was reportedly "mad" that news of his absence from WWE WrestleMania 41 leaked in advance.

Dave Meltzer reported as much on Wrestling Observer Radio today (4 February). When wrestling media started reporting on The Rock missing 'Mania 41 in November and December, Meltzer "kind of heard" that 'The Final Boss' was upset, as he didn't want the information getting out.

"I bet he does the show now just because he's so mad that everyone is reporting it," commented one of Meltzer's sources.

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Additionally, Meltzer stated his belief that if Johnson was free of other commitments, he'd be working WrestleMania. The 52-year-old still loves professional wrestling and wants to be part of this specific period of it.

Reshoots for the live-action version of Moana clashing with WrestleMania 41 (19 and 20 April in Las Vegas, Nevada) have been speculated as the reason for Rock missing the biggest wrestling show of the year. Johnson reprises his role as Maui for the film, which is expected to release on 10 July 2026.

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Cody Rhodes had been Rock's rumoured WrestleMania 41 opponent before the news that Johnson wasn't going to make the show. The duo's bitter, bloody rivalry started as an extension of Cody's rivalry with Rock's cousin, Roman Reigns, last year. On WrestleMania 40's first night, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins before Cody dethroned Roman as WWE Universal Champion the following night.

Rock teased a future match with Rhodes on the Raw after 'Mania 40, handing 'The American Nightmare' a still-known trinket and hinting at coming after Cody's title in the future. This was effectively blown up during Raw's 6 January Netflix premiere, when Rock, appearing as a babyface after turning heel as 'The Final Boss', praised Rhodes, ending their beef.

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For now.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.