The Rock’s WWE Absence Allegedly Due To Backstage Issues

The Rock has been absent from WWE since March.

Although he seemingly played a role in John Cena’s heel turn at Elimination Chamber when he signaled to the 17-time champion to attack Cody Rhodes, The Final Boss has since been on hiatus.

The TKO board member’s absence from WrestleMania sparked rumors about his relationship with the company, especially WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H.

After the Show of Shows, The Rock appeared on The Pat McAfee Show to explain his absence from the premium live event, claiming he did not want to steal the spotlight from Cena and Rhodes, who battled for the Undisputed WWE Championship.

He also stated that he returned ahead of Elimination Chamber at Ari Emanuel’s request only to boost ticket sales for the show.

Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Legion of RAW, former WWE head writer Vince Russo disclosed that he believes backstage issues between The Rock and the company are behind his absence. He noted that the problems might have stemmed from WWE disregarding The Rock’s pitch to turn Cody Rhodes heel.

Ever since Rock was on McAfee’s show, you have not heard from him. I am talking about the stake Rock has in this company. He has not put out one tweet about any of these shows.

Rock used to promote the show. It’s clear, Rock wanted to turn Cody heel. That’s what he wanted to do. I think there’s a lot going on in the company. Because for Rock to not promote the show, in any way, shape, or form, you gotta read between the lines. He’s not putting Cena over, he’s not saying anything about the WWE.

The Rock And Triple H Reportedly Aren’t On The Same Page

Former WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman has previously discussed The Rock and Triple H’s relationship earlier in their careers, claiming they disliked each other.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter recently reported on the situation between The Final Boss and The Game. He claimed they are not always on the same page.

They have different viewpoints on many things. They are at times on different pages. Levesque is entrenched. He was the person in charge with the company doing record business…

But it was noted by those well aware of the situation on the inside that while people think Johnson has the edge being close to Nick Khan, the reality is in the big picture, Levesque has gotten what he wanted. Johnson didn’t beat Reigns for the title and then relinquish it to the people as a babyface.

Rhodes didn’t turn heel. Johnson wasn’t even involved in the Mania (41) build (albeit that was his choice) after the night of the Cena turn.