Shutterstock
WrestleMania 39 – or otherwise known and marketed as WrestleMania Goes To Hollywood – may have been and gone, but everybody who knows anything about the WWE is that anything can happen at any time.
The RAW after WrestleMania is normally one to watch out for as it is usually a show that features a number of shocks and iconic moments. This year’s left a lot to be desired by fans as Brock Lesnar’s attack on Cody Rhodes was something that many had felt was predictable or were simply left unimpressed by.
Nonetheless, before the main event over the weekend of April 1 and 2, there were a number of rumors circulating that had fans feeling a little excited and hopeful of it happening. Rumors involving Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Randy Orton making an appearance in the ring were being made, especially as the PPV was taking place near Hollywood.
Why Were There Rumors About ‘The Rock’?
Two of the biggest superstars of different eras to have ever performed in a WWE ring, ‘The Rock’ and Orton are two athletes that many would love to see square off inside the squared circle and have a little program together.
We have already seen ‘The Rock’ perform at WrestleMania since making the switch to Hollywood and become a mega movie star as he took on John Cena at WrestleMania XXVIII, and at WrestleMania 29 before going on to make sporadic appearances at various events over the years.
He has since announced that he has retired from in-ring competition, having made the decision back in 2019, but the industry has proven to be a “never-say-never” business and if the right opportunity were to come along, then who knows what Rocky might decide to do.
Of course, he spends a lot more of his time on a movie set at the moment and with WrestleMania having been in Hollywood, it was thought that this year’s event would have been the perfect time for him to return. But, with so much on his plate, that might not have been something he wanted to entertain.
As well as his busy film schedule, he has also been tipped to be in the running to be the next US President. According to sport betting Canada websites that offer novelty betting markets, there is a feeling that he is a potential contender should he consider running in the future.
He is a popular figure and one that many believe The Rock can have an impact if in power, but whether he decides to run is something that remains to be seen. Additionally, he is a face that is known around the world and one that has managed to command respect wherever he goes because of what he has managed to achieve throughout life.
Why Is Orton Considered As Part of the Rumors?
For many, Orton had made perfect sense to make a return and a comeback that would have the arena buzzing and popping off. One way to do that would to have had ‘The Viper’ return against ‘The Rock’ in a segment.
Orton has not been seen since May 2022, when he suffered an injury to his back that has kept him out of a ring for almost a year. He has been a stalwart of the industry in the modern era just as much as ‘The Rock’ had been during his time, and there are not many that have had the longevity of the man with the RKO.
Could WrestleMania 40 be an occasion?
While it is very easy to argue that the previous WrestleMania would have been ideal for both to make a long-awaited comeback, that did not happen. However, could we still see one happen in the future?
If the latest from Johnson is anything to go by, there may not be too much to get excited about. He has already made a return seemingly questionable, as he has distanced himself from making a return at WrestleMania XL (40). According to reports, he is “far” from committed to working at the event that will be held in Philadelphia at the Lincoln Financial Field next April, thus seemingly plunging anything happening into doubt.
For Orton, it would appear likely that he would be back earlier than that, and be thrown into a new story. Whether that be a continuation of his last one, or something completely new, we will have to wait and see what the writers decide to create for him.