Triple H on The Rock at WWE WrestleMania: ‘I just don’t think it’s in the cards’

WWE chief creative officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque said “I just don’t think it’s in the cards” with regard to a possible WrestleMania 39 appearance by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.

Speaking at the Royal Rumble press conference following Saturday’s event, Triple H was asked about whether or not The Rock would be appearing at WrestleMania 39 on April 1 and April 2 at SoFi Stadium. 

“He can’t get in shape in time, that’s what you all tell me,” Levesque joked, before answering the question in earnest. 

“”He’s incredibly busy…”

“…There’s a part of him that if he could be here for this WrestleMania in Hollywood, he would turn over every stone and walk through fire to be able to do it. I just don’t think it’s in the cards.”

Levesque said that due to a mutual respect between The Rock and the company, he would not expect an appearance unless The Rock could devote himself fully to the experience.

“That respect factor both ways, he wouldn’t want to do it unless he could absolutely do it, you know? There’s no way he would show up here and half-ass it, there’s no way he would show up here and not come in and put every single thing into it to make it the best it could possibly be. So unless he could do that, it won’t happen.”

Triple H said that the door remains open for appearances by The Rock in the future, and that the company has an open door policy for Johnson. 

“We always have conversations with him because he loves it so much, and we’d love for him to be part of it. He’s the biggest star in Hollywood, maybe the most recognizable person in the planet. This is his home. He has an open invitation. We don’t lock the door… but he’s incredibly busy.” 

“But he knows the door’s open and when he has the time to walk through it he can come in and electrify everybody.”

Other notes from the presser:

  • Triple H stated that Saturday’s Royal Rumble event was the highest-grossing Rumble in history, with the most advertising revenue in the event’s history. 
  • Levesque also said that more than 100 media members were on hand for the Rumble, a number more akin to a WrestleMania.
  • Triple H noted that WrestleMania 39 has already set the all-time gate record for WrestleMania without a single match announced for the card. 

Full video of the press conference including comments from Rhea Ripley, Bray Wyatt, and Cody Rhodes: