Report: WWE Planning GAME-CHANGING Return At Royal Rumble 2023

Is WWE about to pull-off the biggest return it could possibly do at Royal Rumble 2023?

The Rock Royal Rumble
WWE

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson returning to WWE and winning the 2023 men's Royal Rumble match has at least been discussed by the promotion.

This is per Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Should he win the Rumble, The Rock would then face Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, cementing a dream match that the promotion and its fanbase have seemingly been chasing for years.

Meltzer writes that Johnson's Rumble involvement started as a "what if?" scenario. WWE officials were pondering the perfect 'Mania scenario, agreeing that nothing they could pull off would be bigger than The Rock. The prospect has since been talked about behind the scenes. Whether or not it'll happen is another matter, however, as it would depend on Johnson's schedule, availability, and whether or not he'd want to do it.

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WrestleMania 39 takes place in Los Angeles, California, which Johnson has previously indicated would be his preferred location to face Reigns. There had originally been a belief that schedule-permitting, Rock would likely work his last match on the show against Reigns, his family member.

At this stage, the matter is a "discussion and nothing more", with WWE considering it a "pie-in-the-sky as a surprise No. 30 entrant and winning [the Royal Rumble]."

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For now, it's one to file in the "Rumours" folder, though there is no bigger match WWE could conceivably deliver at 'Mania than Reigns vs. Rock.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. 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.