The One Relationship That Brought The Rock Back To WWE
The Rock is back in WWE and not just in the ring, and now the star has revealed that one relationship led to his incredible comeback.
The Rock joined TKO’s Board of Directors in early January 2024 ahead of his return to the company on TV where he has been a firm fixture ahead of WrestleMania 40.
The Great One will compete on the grandest stage of them all once again when he teams up with Roman Reigns to take on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. But one relationship within WWE may have held the key to all of this taking place.
The Rock Pays Tribute To WWE President Nick Khan
Speaking to ESPN, The Rock discussed the one key relationship that led to his WWE return and admitted to philosophical differences that stopped him from making his return to the company in 2023:
I was excited to work with [Nick Khan], Ari and Mark Shapiro to help expand the WWE/TKO business to new heights. That relationship that I have with Nick has certainly helped propel a lot of this forward. Even though things didn’t work out philosophically for us to get the deal done for WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium, that allowed this incredible opportunity for Cody Rhodes to come in. And as we are feeling and sensing and hearing from his passionate fans … what an incredible opportunity for him.
Nick’s an excellent leader, astute businessman and sharp dealmaker because he’s an innovative collaborator, big-picture thinker, and has the capacity to recognize epic, disruptive opportunities for brand-building.
Nick Khan has been with WWE since 2020 and is widely seen as the person who led the company’s approach to being taken over by Endeavor. Following the Endeavor completing its takeover of WWE in September 2023, Khan took on the role of WWE President.