Triple H Addresses The Rock WWE WrestleMania 39 Status

WWE

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H has addressed The Rock’s status for WrestleMania 39.

In the lead-up to Royal Rumble 2023, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding The Rock’s status for the April 1-2 event.

While some had speculated that the Great One would win the Royal Rumble and go on to face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, The Rock ultimately didn’t compete in the Rumble bout.

During the post show press conference, Triple H opened up about the relationship between WWE and The Rock.

Also poking fun at previous reports that The Rock will miss WrestleMania 39 because he doesn’t have time to train for an in-ring return, Triple H said:

“Apparently he can’t get in shape in time. That’s what all you tell me (laughs). He looked pretty jacked, I thought. I saw Black Adam the other day and I didn’t think it was the uniform.

“He’s incredibly busy. I can say this, as a guy that, we grew up as two young kids fighting each other for the spot and having battles over it and, in the best way, pushing each other.

“We all were in that time. I know, for him….I was at a large Emmy event a few years ago and there was a poster of him. I think he was about to drop the People’s Elbow on me.

“He was standing over me in this photo and it’s a hyper-focused incredibly detailed picture. As I’m looking at the picture, I realized he had goosebumps all over him, standing over me.

“I took a picture of it and sent it to him. I said, ‘You don’t get this in Hollywood, do you?’ It’s a rush, but after the 12th time you’ve done that take, probably not as exciting as the first couple.

“There is nothing like this, nothing. I know for him, and I know his family and background, there is a part of him that, if he could be here for this and for this WrestleMania in Hollywood, he would turn over every stone and walk through fire to be able to do it, if he could.

“I just don’t think it’s on the cards. Then again, I don’t know. We always have conversations with him because he loves it so much and we’d love for him to be a part of it.

“He’s the biggest star in Hollywood and maybe the most recognizable person on the planet. Why wouldn’t we want him to be part of it? This is his home. It’s an open invitation.

“We don’t lock the door. He has an open invitation to walk through it anytime he wants, but he’s incredibly busy. I think that respect factors both ways. He wouldn’t want to do it unless he could absolutely do it.

“There is no way he would show up here and half-ass it. There is no way he would show up here and not come in and want to put every single thing he had into it to make it the best it could possibly be.

“Unless he could do that, it won’t happen. He knows the door is open and when he has the time and availability to do it, he can come in and electrify everybody.” 

The Royal Rumble match was ultimately won by Cody Rhodes, who eliminated GUNTHER in the final moments of the bout to punch his ticket to WrestleMania 39.

Click here for a list of all of the surprise entrants in both Royal Rumble matches.

Transcription via Fightful.

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• Triple H
• WrestleMania
• The Rock
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