Backstage news regarding The Rock’s appearance on the February 21st 2025 edition of WWE Smackdown

As seen during the February 21st 2025 edition of WWE Smackdown, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said he wanted Cody to be HIS champion and told Cody to make a decision at the Elimination Chamber PLE. Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com noted the following about the segment…

“We are also told the involvement of The Rock was literally something that happened last night [Thursday] and internally, the company shifted plans to pivot towards his appearance. This was not something planned far in advance, at all.”

According to Fightful.com, the creative changes for Smackdown came together very late and even those within WWE are uncertain about the future direction. The impact of Rock’s return on future plans is still being determined and a top talent had even joked to Ibou of Self Made PW that Wrestlemania’s direction “was at the mercy of Dwayne.”