As speculation swirls about whether Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will ever return to the WWE ring, veteran wrestler Bully Ray offered a grounded perspective on the legendary performer’s current priorities and future involvement. During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray emphasized that The Rock, affectionately known as “The Final Boss,” no longer needs wrestling to fuel his career and life, given his overwhelming success in Hollywood. Yet, he also pitched a heartfelt idea for a symbolic send-off that could bring closure to some unfinished narrative threads — one tied intimately to John Cena’s impending retirement.
The Rock’s Shift from Wrestling to Hollywood
Bully Ray underscored that The Rock’s focus remains firmly on his booming film career rather than returning to the squared circle anytime soon. Having established himself as one of the biggest movie stars globally, The Rock arguably doesn’t require professional wrestling to maintain his legacy or public relevance.
“I don’t think The Rock would want to cloud anything up in Hollywood right now by coming back to pro wrestling,” Bully said, explaining that it seems the former WWE Champion has everything in Hollywood aligned to his liking and no longer needs wrestling for the purposes it once served him[1].
This assessment aligns with recent observations of The Rock’s physical transformation—marked by a significant weight loss in preparation for intense acting roles—and his continued involvement with high-profile film projects, including work with Martin Scorsese[3]. These commitments seemingly push WWE appearances further down the priority list.
The Idea of a Final Goodbye Linked to John Cena’s Farewell
Despite acknowledging The Rock’s lack of immediate wrestling plans, Bully Ray believes there is still “spilled milk to clean up” in terms of unresolved storylines connected to The Rock’s WWE tenure—particularly the arc involving John Cena’s surprising heel turn earlier in 2025.
Rather than The Rock stepping back into the ring for a definitive final match, Bully envisions a joint farewell moment that respects both stars’ storied careers. His idea: The Rock returns to WWE shortly after Cena’s last match as a symbolic gesture—offering closure rather than reigniting old rivalries.
The veteran laid out a scenario that might capture fans’ attention: a final match pitting Dom (short for Dominik Mysterio or another intriguing opponent) against John Cena, followed by The Rock making a poignant appearance to close the chapter[1].
Context: John Cena’s Retirement Tour and The Rock’s Role
John Cena’s career-ending run in WWE has been one of the company’s major storylines throughout 2025, seeing him achieve the historic feat of becoming the first-ever 17-time world champion. His recent heel turn shocked fans and briefly linked him to The Rock as an accomplice—though The Rock’s physical absence from WWE programming during this storyline limited its full impact[2][4].
Cena has largely avoided revisiting the storyline’s nuances or The Rock’s role in it, choosing instead to focus on the excitement of his remaining matches. Meanwhile, backstage sources and fans alike have lamented The Rock’s absence, seeing it as a missed opportunity to elevate Cena’s farewell tour to even greater heights[4].
Behind the Scenes: WWE Insider Insights
According to a WWE insider familiar with creative planning, “There’s always been talk about giving The Rock one last iconic WWE moment, especially linked with Cena’s retirement. The challenge is aligning schedules—The Rock’s film career isn’t just busy; it’s a full-time commitment. So any return [would] be very carefully timed, symbolic rather than competitive.”
They added, “Bully’s idea has merit. A joint send-off after Cena’s final match could be the perfect way to honor both legends without asking The Rock to sacrifice his Hollywood momentum.”
Why The Rock’s Potential WWE Return Matters
For many fans and industry observers, The Rock represents a bridge between wrestling’s past and present—a global icon who helped catapult WWE to mainstream attention. His involvement in any storyline, especially near an era-defining retirement like Cena’s, naturally draws massive interest.
Moreover, a final goodbye from The Rock would serve multiple purposes:
Providing narrative closure: Resolving lingering storyline elements organically.
Honoring legacy: Celebrating the careers of two of WWE’s biggest stars in a memorable way.
Fan satisfaction: Addressing long-standing fan desires for The Rock to reappear meaningfully in WWE one last time.
The Rock’s immense Hollywood success positions him uniquely; he can afford to be selective about his wrestling appearances, which may elevate the significance of any eventual return exponentially[1][3].
What Fans Can Expect Next
At present, there is no confirmed date or official announcement regarding The Rock’s WWE return. Current signs suggest that a major return is unlikely in the immediate future due to his acting commitments. However, given John Cena’s closing chapter unfolds throughout late 2025, the window for a thoughtful send-off remains open.
WWE is known for capitalizing on nostalgia and legacy moments, so insiders expect discussions around The Rock’s involvement — even if limited — to intensify as Cena’s retirement approaches its culmination.
Final Thoughts
While The Rock doesn’t need to wrestle anymore, according to Bully Ray, the possibility of one final, meaningful WWE send-off involving John Cena is a compelling narrative that could resonate deeply with fans. It’s less about the wrestling itself and more about the symbolic passing of the torch between two modern wrestling legends.
As one WWE source on the creative team put it, “It’s not about The Rock proving anything. It’s about respect, closure, and giving the audience something unforgettable to remember.”
Wrestling fans hoping for The Rock’s return might need patience, but the opportunity for a storied farewell remains a tantalizing prospect, potentially making the end of John Cena’s WWE journey even more historic[1][4].