The Rock has announced his next WWE appearance date.
With ‘The Road to WrestleMania’ officially started, The Brahma Bull appeared tonight on the 21st February episode of SmackDown and made a historic announcement. The Rock announced that WrestleMania 42 will be held at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 11 and April 12, 2026.
However, that was not all. Soon, inviting Cody Rhodes out to the ring, The Final Boss asked a very specific question to The American Nightmare. Acknowledging Rhodes’ win over his cousin Roman Reigns last year, Dwayne Johnson boasted about his position in TKO, before offering Rhodes a handsome proposition.
Praising his courage to stand up for himself last year, when Johnson had almost confirmed his plans to face Reigns at Mania 40. Impressed by his attitude, The Final Boss asked Rhodes to be ‘his champion’, hinting at a ‘corporate champion’ run.
Offering Rhodes some time to think over the proposal, The Rock announced his next appearance date. With the People’s Champion slated to appear next at the Elimination Chamber PLE in Toronto on March 1, 2025, Rhodes is expected to have a prepared response by that date.
Pointing toward Rhodes’ chest, Johnson claimed he wanted ‘that’. While Rhodes referenced it to be his title, The Black Adam actor brushed aside the championship comment, and claimed it to be Rhodes’ ‘soul’.
The segment concluded on a tense note, as fans wonder if The American Nightmare will sell his soul to the management, and embrace his heelish side.
The Rock’s Short Notice SmackDown Appearance Required A Few Changes
The People’s Champion appeared on the 21st February edition of SmackDown on a very short notice. The Rock’s return to television was reported the night before on February 20th. With limited time available for show adjustments and creative modifications, the promotion reportedly underwent a strategic re-planning process.