A seasoned WWE manager shares insights on how the company could plan Dwayne Johnson‘s much-anticipated return. The Rock recently made a grand comeback on Monday Night RAW, reaffirming his status as one of WWE’s all-time biggest stars. 

Fans are now buzzing with curiosity about his ultimate goal. According to a long-time manager, WrestleMania 40 this year should be the target. Let’s take a look at the advice a veteran manager has for WWE regarding Dwayne Johnson’s renewed interest in the company.

Long-time manager advises WWE on Dwayne Johnson’s next booking

The Rock’s surprise return to Monday Night RAW on the Day 1 edition created a major buzz. He made a stunning comeback, confronting Jinder Mahal and teasing a potential showdown with Roman Reigns. Jim Ross, a long-time supporter and part of The Rock’s journey, shared his thoughts on his Grilling JR podcast.

Ross expressed surprise at The Rock’s return but emphasized the need for him to win over the fans if he were to face Roman Reigns. He said, “I wouldn’t be surprised, wholeheartedly, but to some degree, yes. I think he’s gotta earn it, if he’s gonna wrestle Roman Reigns, is Rock going to be a fan-favorite? He needs to do something, I think, other than just show up, even though he’s got the star power to show up.” Recognizing The Rock’s star power, Ross highlighted the significance of having him in a storyline. 

He further added, “Now, how they get to the end result, the end result has gotta be WrestleMania, obviously. Doesn’t take a strategist to figure that one out. But we’ll see how it works out.” He speculated on a potential WrestleMania destination.

Ross stressed the strategic journey ahead, suggesting a possible stop-off before WrestleMania and even pondering the chance of two matches involving The Rock. Overall, he underscored the value of having The Rock committed to specific times as a significant win for WWE.

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As for the ultimate face-off with Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, only time will reveal the outcome. The decision to keep The Rock’s recent appearances a secret was also discussed by WWE.

WWE decided not to mention Dwayne Johnson’s appearance in advance

WWE keeps The Rock’s comebacks a surprise for a reason. His recent unannounced return on Monday Night RAW, after nearly four years away, echoed a similar surprise appearance on Friday Night Smackdown last year. Despite no advance notice, The Rock stole the show with a People’s Elbow on Austin Theory, prioritizing the live crowd’s reaction over TV ratings.

Insiders, including Dave Meltzer in WON, reveal that The Rock values the fun and excitement of surprising the audience more than strategic business decisions. Speculation is high for The Rock’s potential appearance at the upcoming Elimination Chamber event, with Australian officials actively pursuing it. Fans eagerly await to see if a clash between The Rock and Reigns will unfold this year. Only time will reveal the outcome of this speculation.

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What do you think about Jim Ross’s advice for WWE? Let us know in the comments section below.