The Rock to return to WWE a week before WrestleMania 42 and form a new trio faction? Exploring SmackDown possibility

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After the negative reaction, WWE is reportedly reworking plans for the Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes rivalry. The creative team could decide to fill the gaps in logic by introducing The Rock as the mastermind behind the Orton-McAfee alliance.

The NFL legend has hinted at a massive surprise for this week’s episode of SmackDown. McAfee could reveal that The Final Boss is behind the whole operation, and together, they will “save the business.” Involving The Great One would immediately give McAfee’s inclusion a clear purpose.

The decision to involve McAfee reportedly came directly from TKO. It has caused friction within the company, as the Triple H-led creative team is frustrated with TKO’s interference in creative decisions. These rumors were subtly mentioned on television as well by Rhodes and CM Punk during their promos on SmackDown and RAW, respectively.

Given The Rock’s position on the TKO board of directors, his inclusion would connect the dots in the storyline. Moreover, The Final Boss has unfinished business with The American Nightmare. During the legend’s last appearance on television at Elimination Chamber 2025, Rhodes refused to “sell his soul” to him.

The Great One has the motivation to go after the QB1, and he has power at his disposal to make Rhodes’ life a living hell. Therefore, The Brahma Bull’s introduction could give the storyline new life and a concrete direction.

To boost excitement for WrestleMania 42, The Rock could return on this week’s SmackDown as Pat McAfee’s surprise and announce himself as the ultimate mastermind. That said, this scenario is only based on speculation, and nothing has been confirmed.

Shawn Michaels clears the air about real-life issues with The Rock

During an appearance on the 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony podcast, Shawn Michaels opened up about the alleged real-life issues with The Rock. HBK denied the rumors, saying they have been blown out of proportion.

“He didn’t like me (laughs). I will say this, there’s a big kerfuffle in the wrestling business about me and Hunter doing stuff to him and being mean and stuff like that. All of it way blown out of proportion, none of it even accurate. But those things when he was younger were fed a lot. But again, later on, and to this day we get along and we talk about stuff,” he said. (H/T: WrestleTalk on X)

It will be interesting to see if The Final Boss makes his WWE return before WrestleMania 42.