The convergence of paths between The Rock and Roman Reigns in WWE has brought forth a mysterious dynamic, oscillating between animosity and a recent semblance of partnership. Despite the intrigue of a potential feud, it wasn’t an idea initially entertained by The Great One.
Since transitioning to focus on his acting career in 2004, The Rock made sporadic returns to WWE, often playing the role of a face. In the latter part of his career, he effortlessly garnered crowd support, a skill Roman Reigns struggled with initially. T
his recognition didn’t escape Dwayne Johnson, who, in a 2014 interview with Chris Van Vliet, dismissed the idea of facing Roman Reigns at the time, citing that it wouldn’t make sense as his cousin wasn’t the company’s top heel. While playfully expressing annoyance when questioned about returning as a heel, Johnson acknowledged the fans’ enjoyment of such a turn.
Fast forward a decade, and the WWE landscape has undergone significant changes. Roman Reigns has been the company’s top heel for four years, and intriguingly, The Rock has also embraced a heel persona. The evolution of their paths culminated in a face-to-face encounter last week.
The sporadic returns of Dwayne to the company typically involved him attacking a heel while maintaining a face persona. However, recent events suggest a deviation from this original plan in 2024. The potential matchup between Dwayne and Roman at WrestleMania 40 sparked fan outrage, prompting Johnson to initiate a character change on the Pat McAfee show just before the WWE’s Press Event in Las Vegas.
During the show, The Brahma Bull took shots at Cody Rhodes and his fans, referring to them as “crybabies” who find satisfaction in tweeting. Encouraging them to sit back and quiet down, Dwayne hinted at taking them for a ride.
The turning point occurred at the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff Press Event when Roman initially chose to face his cousin. However, their plans were disrupted by Cody Rhodes, who insinuated disappointment from Roman’s grandfather. Offended, The Rock slapped Rhodes, leading to a brawl. The Black Adam actor, alongside Reigns, marched backstage and instructed Triple H to “fix it,” adding another layer to the evolving storyline.
