Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson responds to speculations about his WWE WrestleMania 43 participation
(Courtesy : WWE via Getty)
The Rock has been absent from WWE programming since February 2025.
One of the biggest names in the entertainment industry, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, has been absent from WWE programming since the iconic and infamous heel turn of John Cena at Elimination Chamber 2025. However, his absence hasn’t stopped fans from discussing potential matches and speculating about a possible return.
Fans have also been speculating about his involvement in WrestleMania 43, as reports hint at a possible in-ring return for the Final Boss, with talks reportedly underway between WWE and Saudi officials.
For the first time ever, WrestleMania will take place in Saudi Arabia
The 43rd edition of WrestleMania in 2027 will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This marks the first time WrestleMania will cross the Atlantic Ocean and only the third time it’s being held outside the United States, with the previous two being WrestleMania 6 in 1990 and WrestleMania 18 in 2002, both hosted in Toronto.
Amid speculations from fans, The Rock recently sat down with Raffi Boghosian of Raffi Talks. During the conversation, he addressed the speculations and rumors surrounding his involvement in the PLE next year.
The Rock expressed excitement about WrestleMania as a major global event, highlighting the opportunity for WWE athletes to participate. He also added that his conversations about the event have been positive. However, Johnson didn’t really give a clear answer, creating more intrigue among fans.
“I’m excited for the brand of WrestleMania, I’m excited for the Kingdom because that is a big show. I’m also excited not only for the brand, but I’m excited for our athletes to be able to participate in an event like that, and that is a global event,
And so I can’t wait. In terms of the conversations I’ve been having, it’s all good. It will always be good.”
WWE’s events in Saudi Arabia have historically featured some of the promotion’s biggest names, including Goldberg, Kane, The Undertaker, and Shawn Michaels. The interest in bringing The Rock back inside the squared circle will always be there, and his recent comments will only fuel speculations.
Saudi Arabia is currently gearing up for the 2026 edition of the Royal Rumble PLE. The 39th installment is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, 2026, and will be held at King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of Riyadh Season.
What did The Rock say about his WrestleMania 43 participation?
During a recent interview with Raffi Talks, He expressed excitement about WrestleMania as a major global event and added that his conversations about the event have been positive. However, Johnson didn’t really give a clear answer, creating more intrigue among fans.
When and where will WrestleMania 43 take place?
The 43rd annual WrestleMania will take place as a two-night event in 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of Riyadh Season.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.