Amidst the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike,Dwayne “The Rock” Johnsontook time out of his busy schedule to make an appearance onWWE SmackdownFriday night on FOX. He appeared alongside Pat McAfee, as the pair were in Colorado earlier today to do a live version of McAfee’s podcast, an hour away from whereSmackdownemanated live from the Ball Arena in Denver.
McAfee made his way to the ring first to welcome the crowd toSmackdown, and was quickly interrupted by WWE superstar, Austin Theory. After the two traded barbs, Johnson was introduced by McAfee, much to the surprise of the Denver crowd who lost their collective minds. Johnson and Theory went back and forth, with Johnson controlling the crowd as only he can do. After a ‘People’s Elbow’ by both The Rock, and McAfee, it was over.
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The Rock and McAfee on WWE
The Rock hasn’t been seen on WWE TV since August 08, 2025, when he made an appearance onSmackdown’s20th anniversary special. On McAfee’s podcast today, he did mention that there were plans in place for him to face his cousin, Roman Reigns, at Wrestlemania 2023, but plans could never be nailed down to make that happen. With the recent merger between WWE and the UFC to form TKO Group Holdings, there is a chance we could see that match take place in Philadelphia at Wrestlemania 40.
I’m saying that that’s a potential too. I’m open. I’m open. But again, let’s figure out what that is. The fans deserve something just incredible and unprecedented.
With no end in sight to the WGA/SAG-AFTRA strike, stars like Dwayne Johnson have been filling their calendars with other promotional appearances. He’s not the only WWE superstar to transition to Hollywood that’s back in a wrestling ring, as John Cena returned to the company on August 02, 2025, with a number of dates booked over the coming months.
After his cameo inFast X, Dwayne Johnson is set to appear next inRed One, a Christmas action film directed by Jake Kasdan. The ensemble cast includes Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Liu, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, J. K. Simmons, Nick Kroll and Kristofer Hivju.He’ll return to theFast and FuriousfranchiseinFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Reyes, a spin-off that will focus on Johnson’s character of Luke Hobbs, and his rivalry with Jason Momoa’s character of Dante Reyes.
