Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s public tribute to the late PAC reportedly generated surprise within WWE, not because Johnson chose to honor the wrestler, but because of the language he used in extending support to All Elite Wrestling, Tony Khan and the promotion’s wider community.
PAC’s death has prompted tributes from across professional wrestling, with AEW dedicating time to remembering one of its defining performers on the previous week’s episode of AEW Dynamite. Johnson, a WWE legend and a member of TKO Group Holdings’ Board of Directors, followed with a lengthy video message on Instagram in which he addressed PAC’s family and spoke warmly about AEW.
In that message, Johnson referred to Khan as his “good friend” and praised AEW as a growing company that works hard to help move wrestling forward. The tribute was widely viewed as a compassionate response during a difficult period for PAC’s loved ones and colleagues. It also stood out because Johnson occupies a prominent formal role in the corporate structure connected to WWE.
While there has been no public WWE statement addressing Johnson’s video or any internal reaction to it, a report on Wrestling Observer Radio stated that multiple people in WWE were surprised by the wording of the tribute.
For more background on this topic, read Eric Bischoff Questions Whether WWE Fans Will Travel To Saudi Arabia For WrestleMania 43.
The Reported WWE Reaction
Discussing the matter, Dave Meltzer said the issue was not Johnson’s decision to offer condolences. Rather, the reported surprise centered on his decision to explicitly recognize AEW’s work and its place in the wrestling landscape.
“Were there people in WWE who were very surprised at his wording and what he said, especially with him being on the TKO Board of Directors? Yes, okay?” Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio. “They were very surprised.”
Meltzer did not state that WWE officials were angry with Johnson, and he stressed that the situation should not be interpreted as a problem with the act of recording a tribute video. He suggested that Johnson may or may not have informed others in advance, while noting the freedom Johnson has as one of the most influential figures associated with WWE and TKO.
“He can do whatever he wants, you know what I mean?” Meltzer said.
The key distinction, as presented in the discussion, was between mourning PAC and positively characterizing AEW. Johnson’s comments went beyond a brief expression of sympathy. By speaking supportively about Khan and AEW’s contribution to wrestling, he delivered a message of recognition toward a company WWE has regularly treated as a marketplace rival.
“Not that he did the video or anything like that, but the wording of the video, where he praised them and essentially gave them the stamp of ‘Yeah, you guys are good for business and work hard, and you’re helping make wrestling,’” Meltzer said. “It’s not the message that I think the company wants out.”
That account remains an external report rather than an officially confirmed WWE position. Neither WWE nor TKO has publicly commented on the reported internal surprise, and Johnson has not publicly addressed any reaction to his message.
Why Johnson’s Words Drew Attention
Johnson’s standing makes any public remarks about wrestling promotions notable. He is one of WWE’s most recognizable stars of all time, a former world champion whose mainstream success has made him one of the industry’s biggest ambassadors. His position on the TKO Board of Directors adds another layer to that visibility, connecting him to the parent organization overseeing WWE.
For that reason, his decision to offer praise for AEW carried a different weight than a typical social-media tribute. Johnson was not merely naming PAC’s employer while discussing the wrestler’s career. He openly offered encouragement to the company and its president during a period of mourning.
There is also an important human context behind the reaction to the video. PAC built a career that crossed major promotions and international scenes, and his impact cannot be confined to one company. He was a prominent part of AEW programming, but he was also known to wrestling fans from his time in WWE as Neville, as well as for his work before and beyond those nationally televised stages.
Johnson’s remarks reflected that broader reality. The wrestling industry is competitive, but losses of major performers regularly bring together people who otherwise operate in different companies, eras and professional circles. In this case, Johnson chose to make that unity a central part of his public message.
AEW Continues to Mourn PAC
AEW has already paid tribute to PAC on AEW Dynamite, with the show recognizing the late star while the company and its roster continue to process the loss. The promotion is also entering a busy stretch on its event calendar, with Grand Slam: Paris and WrestleDream among the major shows ahead in the coming weeks.
As of now, AEW has not publicly responded to Johnson’s Instagram video. That absence should not necessarily be read as a statement in itself, particularly as the company focuses on memorializing PAC and supporting those closest to him.
The broader response from across wrestling has underscored PAC’s significance. He was regarded as an exceptional in-ring talent, with a style that blended speed, intensity and technical precision. His presentation, whether as PAC or Neville, made him a distinctive figure on television, and his contributions extended well beyond individual match results or championship reigns.
AEW’s decision to air a tribute also demonstrated the depth of his connection to the promotion. The company has used its programming to acknowledge a performer whose work helped shape its identity during key periods, while those who shared locker rooms, rings and travel with him continue to remember him.
A Rare Public Moment of Inter-Promotional Respect
Modern wrestling companies compete for viewers, ticket sales, media attention and talent. WWE and AEW in particular are often framed through that competitive lens, and public comments between figures associated with the two organizations can quickly become a subject of scrutiny.
Johnson’s tribute did not attempt to blur the reality of that competition. Instead, it placed grief and respect ahead of it. His choice to acknowledge AEW’s efforts, offer support to Khan and recognize the promotion’s role in PAC’s life made the video more notable than a standard condolence message.
That is also why the reported surprise from within WWE has become a story. The account from Wrestling Observer Radio does not establish that WWE took action, issued a directive or formally objected to Johnson’s statement. It simply indicates that some people were taken aback by a high-profile TKO board member using such direct and positive language about AEW.
Whether any further public response emerges remains to be seen. At present, the more significant point is the purpose of Johnson’s message: honoring PAC and extending compassion to the people and promotion grieving him.
Professional wrestling’s rivalries can dominate discussions on ordinary days. In the aftermath of a loss, however, the focus has shifted to PAC’s family, friends, peers and fans. Johnson’s comments, and the attention surrounding them, serve as a reminder that the bonds created through wrestling frequently run deeper than the competitive divisions between companies.
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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.