Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is not just a Hollywood star or an icon of wrestling; It is a strategist that has managed to move its pieces to conquer power positions in two of the largest entertainment industries: the DC (DC) and WWE film universe.
His ascent is no accident, but the result of an calculated ambition that, although impressive, has generated controversy and resistance among fans. Next, let's break down how Johnson has tried to mold these franchises in his image and likeness, and why his plans have not always come out as expected.
The art of taking control
Johnson is not formed with being a face on the screen; He wants to be the brain behind decisions. In the DCU, his arrival to Warner Bros. was not only as an actor, but as a political operator who made his way to the high command. He managed to obtain creative control, a feat that allowed him to influence the direction of the franchise. Its objective was clear: to position itself as the center of the DC universe, facing nothing less than Superman, the iconic face of the brand, to establish its character, Black Adam, like the new Pilar.
In WWE, his strategy was similar. Taking advantage of its proximity to Ari Emanuel, CEO of Endeavor (the parent company of Tko Group, owner of WWE), Johnson secured a position on the board of directors of TKO. This movement not only gave him financial influence, but also a significant weight in creative decisions, even exceeding the power he had in the DCEU. With this position, The Rock is not only a superstar; It is a puppeteer who seeks to handle the threads of the show.
The dream of being the “rude type”
In both franchises, Johnson has tried to present himself as the definitive “rude man”, facing the main faces to consolidate his domain. In the DCU, his plan was to turn the universe into a scenario where Black Adam reigned, challenging Superman to demonstrate that he could be the new narrative axis. However, this egocentric approach collided with the resistance of fans and the complexity of a franchise that does not revolve around a single character.
In WWE, its goal was similar, but the context was different. At the beginning of 2024, Johnson tried to face Roman Reigns, who had dominated the company as the undisputed champion. A fight between The Rock and Reigns in Wrestlemania 39 would have been well received, but 2024 was the year of Cody Rhodes. The fans, with their overwhelming support, chose Rhodes as the new face of the WWE, forcing Johnson to turn to a role of villain (Heel). When Rhodes dismissed Reigns and became the champion, The Rock changed his approach: now his rival to win was Cody.
The Master Plan: Cody as a villain
Johnson not only wanted to face Rhodes; He wanted to redefine him. For months, it was clear that The Rock was looking for Cody to take a drastic turn and become Heel, a villain who betrayed the values that made him loved by fans. Johnson's vision seemed taken from a series like The Boys: Cody as an uncontrolled Homelander, a champion who, in his eagerness for power, ends up destroying the company he represents. In this scenario, The Rock would position himself as the Stan Edgar of the WWE, El Salvador who intervenes to defeat the “Codylander” and restore the order, probably in an epic confrontation in Wrestlemania 42.
However, this plan ran into two insurmountable obstacles: Triple H, WWE's creative chief, and Cody Rhodes himself. Triple H, known for his long -term vision, was not willing to sacrifice the popularity of Rhodes to please Johnson's whims. For his part, Cody remained firm in his role as hero (Babyface), refusing to give in to The Rock pressure. This rejection left Johnson in an awkward position, and his absence in
Wrestlemania 41 is a reflection of that frustration
Why did The Rock stay out of Wrestlemania 41?
The surprising absence of The Rock in Wrestlemania 41, despite having played a key role in the Heel of John Cena in Elimination Chamber, is no accident. Johnson had orchestrated an angle in which Cody rejected “sell her soul” at the end Boss, which led to dinner to betray Rhodes and become a villain for the first time in 22 years. However, The Rock's original plan did not include Cena became the center of history. According to reports, Johnson decided to step back to leave the focus at Cena and Rhodes, but his lack of presence in the biggest event of the year left fans confused and disappointed.
In addition, there is a personal factor: Johnson has already defeated Cena in the past (Wrestlemania 28 and 29), so he faced him again did not offer him the same narrative attraction. His true goal was Cody, and not getting this to turn to Heel, The Rock lost interest in the current arch. His appearance at The Pat Mcafee Show days after Wrestlemania, where he defended his decision not to participate and criticized the detractors, only fueled the speculation of tensions behind the scene.
What's still for The Rock?
Despite the stumbling blocks, we must not underestimate Dwayne Johnson. His influence on the Junta de Tko and his ability to reinvent themselves say that he will try again in the WrestleMania 42 season. Rumors suggest that he could look for a confrontation with Roman Reigns, taking advantage of the narrative of family rivalry and the desire to reigns to retire in the coming years. Alternatively, he could resume his crusade against Cody, insisting on the Heel turn that he did not achieve in 2025.
What is clear is that The Rock does not give up easily. His ambition to control the course of franchises, either on the big screen or in the quadrilateral, makes it a polarizing figure. For some, he is a visionary who raises entertainment; For others, an opportunist who puts his ego before the stories that fans want to see. Meanwhile, triple H and Cody Rhodes have shown that, although Johnson has power, the voice of fans and creative integrity remain impossible to ignore.
The question now is: What new trick will The Rock take your hat for Wrestlemania 42? Only time will say it, but one thing is safe: the end Boss has not finished cooking.
