Randy Orton Drops Massive The Rock Bombshell Amid His WWE Absence

WWE Superstar Randy Orton has delivered ‘The Rock’ comment that fans have been waiting for.

The Rock has not appeared on WWE programming since the 2025 Elimination Chamber, where he asked Cody Rhodes to become his champion and sell his soul. After Rhodes refused to “sell his soul,” John Cena shockingly turned heel to align with The Final Boss.

With WrestleMania 42 now in the books, reports are circulating that WWE and The Rock are targeting WrestleMania 43 in Saudi Arabia, which would mark his return to one of the company’s largest stages. That extended absence left a storyline vacuum heading into the ‘Mania 42 season, and WWE leaned into it deliberately.

When Randy Orton turned on Cody Rhodes and began referencing a mystery caller, the name on everyone’s lips was The Rock, especially given the unresolved bad blood between The Final Boss and The American Nightmare.

The reveal came on April 3, 2026, when Pat McAfee emerged from behind Cody Rhodes to attack him, confirming he was the mystery caller and announcing that he was disgusted with WWE’s direction and aligned with Orton to “save the business.” After Orton failed to win the Undisputed WWE Title at WrestleMania 42, McAfee publicly addressed the outcome, saying Cody Rhodes proved himself to be the right man and that the business “doesn’t need to be saved after all.”

Randy Orton on hitting RKO on The Rock

Randy Orton’s RKO is often considered one of the most dangerous finishers in WWE. During an interview with The Schmo during ‘Mania week, The Legend K*ller was asked which star he wants to RKO that he hasn’t hit yet. The Viper revealed that, despite hitting many people with the move throughout his career, The Rock is still not among them.

I’ve RKO’d everybody who wants to RKO, man! I RKOed Meat Loaf! I’ve RKOed everybody I wanted to RKO, but I haven’t RKO’d The Rock, and if, for some reason, all the stars were to align, Stone Cold is on that list, but I think The Rock would be at the top, for sure! [H/T ITR Wrestling]

With Orton failing to emerge victorious and capture the Undisputed WWE Title, it will be interesting to see what’s next for him heading into Backlash Premium Live Event.

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