The Rock isn’t expected to be part of any major WWE storyline as WrestleMania 43 plans take shape.
Per WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, WWE’s creative team is working under the assumption that the “Final Boss” won’t be available for their top plans.
WrestleMania 43 is set for 2027 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the event will be held outside North America. WWE has not announced exact dates for the show but has confirmed the weekend will take place in April.
The report comes just days after Nick Khan revealed on The Varsity with John Ourand that WWE is already working on WrestleMania 43’s creative plans. Khan noted that injuries could still lead to changes.
Back in August, Dave Meltzer pointed to another obstacle for a Rock return on Wrestling Observer Radio. Filming for Fast Forever, the final Fast & Furious installment, is expected to begin in December, which would make a Rock match at WrestleMania 43 “very unlikely.”
Rock has not appeared on WWE programming since Elimination Chamber 2025, when he was part of John Cena’s heel turn. He last wrestled on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, teaming with Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
As we also reported this week, the current belief backstage is that Roman Reigns vs. Oba Femi is being built for the Sunday main event at WrestleMania 43, though the match has not been confirmed.