Bully Ray believes Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson may have one more major WWE match in him, and he sees the prospect as more than a nostalgia attraction. In assessing The Rock’s current physical condition and the unresolved possibilities surrounding his WWE return, Bully argued that a properly built farewell match could still be realistic — potentially on a historic scale.
The Rock last wrestled at WrestleMania 40, where he teamed with Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night One main event. It was his first full-length match in more than a decade, and the performance placed him in a demanding environment alongside three active top-level WWE stars. The Rock and Reigns won that match, with the result helping set the stage for Rhodes’ eventual victory over Reigns in the WrestleMania Night Two main event.
That weekend did not merely function as a cameo for The Rock. He was a central figure in WWE’s largest story, aligned with Reigns as part of the Bloodline conflict and working a match that required more than a brief sequence of signature moves. For Bully Ray, the fact that The Rock was able to operate effectively in that setting supports the idea that another match is possible if he chooses to prepare for it.
Bully Ray points to The Rock’s current build
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray said that The Rock’s body composition could actually make a return to the ring more manageable than it may have been during periods when Johnson carried considerably more muscle mass.
For more background on this topic, read Drew McIntyre Reveals NJPW Talks Nearly Changed His WWE Return in 2017.
“With all of that muscle that he’s taken off, it’d be a lot less strain on him in the ring. Do I think he could get back into the ring in the shape that he is now? Yes I do.”
The observation is rooted in the physical demands of professional wrestling. Conditioning for a wrestling match is different from looking imposing in a movie role or maintaining a bodybuilding-style physique. A lighter frame can ease the strain placed on knees, hips, the lower back, and cardiovascular endurance, particularly for a performer returning after a long absence.
That does not eliminate the difficulty of a potential comeback. The Rock is one of the most recognizable entertainers in the world, with a schedule shaped by major film and business commitments. He also would be approaching any future match after years away from a regular in-ring routine. But WrestleMania 40 showed that he could train for a high-profile assignment and contribute meaningfully when the occasion called for it.
Bully’s position is not that The Rock should return for an extended run. Instead, it is that there remains a clear argument for one final match designed as a definitive moment. WWE has long made retirement matches feel larger than ordinary events when the story, opponent, and venue align. The Rock’s stature would make any announced final bout an immediate global attraction.
A retirement-match setting of extraordinary scale
Bully Ray believes the proper presentation could push beyond the conventional boundaries of a WWE stadium event.
“I do think there is a Rock retirement match, in front of like a hundred and fifty-thousand people.”
Whether a crowd of that exact size is feasible would depend on the venue configuration and WWE’s event plans, but the larger point is clear: Bully sees The Rock’s farewell as something that could be marketed as a once-in-a-generation spectacle. Few names in wrestling possess the crossover recognition required to make that kind of ambition plausible. The Rock has remained an internationally known figure well beyond wrestling, while his WWE identity still carries enormous emotional value for longtime fans.
A final match would also have to be built around the right story. The Rock’s return at WrestleMania 40 brought him directly into the Anoa’i family conflict, where his association with Reigns added fresh tension to the Bloodline saga. Even though The Rock has not remained continuously involved in a WWE storyline since the subsequent creative direction changed, the connection between the two men remains a major unresolved possibility.
The central appeal of The Rock versus Reigns is obvious. It would place two of the biggest stars ever associated with the family against each other, while blending generations of WWE history. Reigns established himself as “The Tribal Chief” during one of the most dominant championship reigns in company history. The Rock became a generational icon during the Attitude Era and later transformed into one of entertainment’s most successful crossover stars. Their collision has the built-in scale of a family battle, a legacy match, and a rare attraction all at once.
Roman Reigns remains the obvious opponent
Bully Ray specifically framed a potential Rock-Reigns match as an opportunity WWE should not allow to disappear. In his view, failing to make that match happen would amount to leaving a landmark encounter on the table, comparable in missed-opportunity terms to the long-discussed but never realized match between The Undertaker and Sting.
The Undertaker versus Sting has remained a frequent example in wrestling discussions because both men were defining figures of their respective eras, yet injuries, timing, and the realities of their careers prevented the matchup from taking place. Bully’s comparison underscores how rare it is for two wrestling figures with this degree of name recognition to have a logical story and enough remaining physical credibility to meet in the ring.
There are, of course, complications beyond desire. The Rock’s availability is the most obvious. Any match would require substantial advance planning, both to accommodate Johnson’s outside commitments and to give him time for the training necessary to perform at the level expected of a WrestleMania-level main event. Reigns’ WWE status, scheduling, and creative direction would also shape whether the timing is right.
The story itself would need a reason beyond simply presenting two famous relatives. WWE already demonstrated at WrestleMania 40 that The Rock can be used as a major character within the Bloodline world. A renewed conflict could address family leadership, the legacy of “The Tribal Chief” identity, or the consequences of their previous alliance. Whatever route WWE might take, the eventual match would need a narrative strong enough to meet the scale of the names involved.
The Rock has not closed the door on WWE competition
One reason a final match remains possible is that The Rock has not officially retired from wrestling. He has also not been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, milestones that often signal a more formal closing chapter for a legendary performer. Neither step necessarily prevents another match, but their absence leaves room for the idea that his in-ring story is not fully finished.
His WrestleMania 40 performance also changed the conversation. Before that match, questions about a Rock return centered on whether the gap since his prior bout was too wide and whether a major singles match would be practical. The tag-team main event did not answer every question, but it established that Johnson could still work in a marquee environment after dedicated preparation.
That is why Bully Ray’s assessment carries a measure of logic. The Rock does not need to wrestle frequently, nor would anyone reasonably expect him to return for a full-time schedule. One carefully planned match, constructed around his strengths and protected by an enormous presentation, is a different proposition entirely. WWE has the production scale to make it feel momentous, and The Rock has the star power to make casual audiences pay attention.
For now, a Rock retirement match remains speculation rather than an announced plan. No opponent, event, or date has been confirmed. Still, the combination of WrestleMania 40 evidence, The Rock’s unfinished WWE legacy, and the lingering possibility of a clash with Reigns means the conversation is unlikely to disappear.
If The Rock does wrestle again, the standard will be exceptionally high. It would not just be another celebrity appearance or a quick reunion with his past. It would be expected to serve as a final statement from one of WWE’s most influential performers. Bully Ray’s view is that Johnson can still physically reach that moment. The remaining question is whether WWE and The Rock will decide that the long-awaited matchup with Reigns is the right way to deliver it.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.