Original Plans For The Rock At WWE Survivor Series 2021 REVEALED

New details on The Rock, WWE Survivor Series 2021, Red Notice, the egg, and more.

by Andy H Murray
The Rock
WWE

Despite never being advertised for the show, The Rock was one of the biggest talking points coming out of WWE Survivor Series 2021 last weekend, as the promotion made the absent legend the star of the show to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut with the company.

In an update on the matter, Andrew Zarian writes for Figure Four Online/The Wrestling Observer that Dwayne Johnson was originally supposed to be at the pay-per-view, but plans changed in September.

Zarian was informed in July that Survivor Series would feature heavy promotion for Rocky's then-upcoming Netflix movie, Red Notice. That the event was also Rock's 25th anniversary and would follow NBC renewing Young Rock and the Ruthless Aggression docuseries' second season airing meant the timing aligned well, with WWE also hoping that Johnson would appear on the following night's Raw too.

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This changed in September. Rock's filming schedule (and the quarantining restrictions imposed by travel) meant he could no longer appear at Survivor Series. WWE still had a financial obligation for the Red Notice promotion, however, and this is why they continued - even without Dwayne.

WWE resolved the curious case of Vince McMahon's stolen Cleopatra egg (a prop from Red Notice) on Raw, when Austin Theory was revealed as its Survivor Series thief.

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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.