For years, WWE fans have longed to see more of The Rock inside the squared circle. While he has made sporadic appearances over the past decade, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has always been busy with his Hollywood career, business ventures, and other major commitments. However, 2025 has turned out to be an entirely different story.
Surprisingly, The Rock has now made more WWE appearances this year than both John Cena and Roman Reigns. This sudden surge in activity has left fans buzzing with speculation. Why is he back? Is this leading to a major storyline? Could this be his last big WWE run? Let’s break it all down.
### **Why Has The Rock Made More WWE Appearances in 2025?**
While Cena and Reigns have had limited schedules, The Rock’s frequent presence in WWE this year is unprecedented. Here are some key reasons why he is back more often than expected.
#### **1. A Long-Awaited Feud with Roman Reigns**
For years, WWE fans have been clamoring for a dream match between The Rock and Roman Reigns. Ever since Reigns adopted the “Tribal Chief” persona and declared himself the Head of the Table, speculation has been rampant about a potential showdown between the two real-life cousins.
Many thought this match would happen at WrestleMania 39 in Hollywood, but it never materialized. Now, in 2025, it seems like WWE is finally pulling the trigger. The Rock’s frequent appearances indicate that he may be building toward a major clash with Reigns, possibly at WrestleMania 42 or even sooner.
#### **2. WWE’s New TV Deal and Business Expansion**
Another major factor could be WWE’s lucrative new TV and streaming deals. With fresh partnerships bringing in billions, WWE might be using The Rock to boost ratings and attract new audiences. Having one of the biggest movie stars in the world appear frequently on WWE programming is a massive draw, especially as the company looks to expand its global reach.
With John Cena focusing on Hollywood and Roman Reigns appearing less frequently due to a lighter schedule, The Rock could be stepping in to help maintain WWE’s momentum.
#### **3. A Final Run Before Retirement?**
At 52 years old, The Rock is still in phenomenal shape, but time is not on his side when it comes to in-ring competition. If he ever wanted to have one final extended run in WWE, now would be the perfect time.
WWE might be preparing for The Rock’s farewell storyline, giving him multiple matches before he finally hangs up his boots for good. His frequent appearances in 2025 suggest that he may be gearing up for a series of high-profile bouts before retiring from active competition.
### **How Does This Compare to John Cena and Roman Reigns?**
While The Rock has been making more appearances than expected, John Cena and Roman Reigns have been largely absent in 2025. Here’s how their situations compare:
#### **John Cena’s Limited WWE Schedule**
John Cena, much like The Rock, has transitioned into a full-time Hollywood career. His appearances in WWE have become rare, with only brief returns for special events. Although Cena has expressed his love for WWE and his desire to return whenever possible, his film commitments have kept him away for most of 2025.
Unless WWE books a major storyline involving Cena, it’s unlikely that he will have a significant presence this year. Fans may have to wait until WrestleMania season for a possible return.
#### **Roman Reigns Taking a Step Back**
Roman Reigns has been WWE’s top guy for the past few years, but in 2025, he has been noticeably absent from weekly programming. After holding the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship for an incredible reign that lasted over three years, Reigns finally lost the title in 2024. Since then, he has taken on a part-time schedule similar to Brock Lesnar.
With The Rock making more appearances, WWE might be strategically keeping Reigns off TV to build anticipation for a blockbuster confrontation between the two.
### **What Could This Lead to?**
With The Rock’s increased presence in WWE, there are several potential outcomes that could shake up the company in 2025.
#### **1. The Rock vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42**
The most obvious and highly anticipated scenario is a match between The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 42. This bout has been teased for years, and with The Rock appearing more frequently, it seems more likely than ever. WWE could be positioning this as the biggest WrestleMania main event of the decade.
#### **2. A Shocking Heel Turn?**
While The Rock has always been a beloved figure in WWE, what if he turned heel? With Roman Reigns already established as a dominant character, WWE could flip the script and have The Rock betray the fans, setting up an intense family feud. This would add an extra layer of intrigue to his storyline and create a compelling narrative leading into WrestleMania.
#### **3. The Rock Winning One More Championship?**
Could The Rock be eyeing one last championship run? While it seems unlikely, WWE has a history of giving legends one final title reign before retirement. If The Rock sticks around long enough, he could challenge for the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship or even the World Heavyweight Championship.
### **What Does This Mean for WWE’s Future?**
The Rock’s presence in 2025 is reshaping the WWE landscape. His involvement brings nostalgia, excitement, and mainstream attention to the product. However, WWE must also balance his appearances carefully to ensure that the younger generation of talent doesn’t get overshadowed.
If The Rock is indeed preparing for a major match, WWE needs to capitalize on this momentum and deliver a storyline that will live up to the hype. Whether it’s against Roman Reigns, a younger star, or a returning legend, The Rock’s 2025 WWE journey is shaping up to be one of the most exciting storylines in years.
### **Conclusion: The Rock’s Unexpected WWE Takeover**
The fact that The Rock has made more appearances in 2025 than John Cena and Roman Reigns is a major surprise for wrestling fans. Whether this leads to a long-term storyline, a historic WrestleMania match, or one final championship run, one thing is certain—The Rock is back, and WWE is more electrifying than ever.