Below are a couple of top WWE news stories of the day, featuring The Rock and Alexa Bliss.
• The Rock won’t be wrestling at WrestleMania 41, and he’s reportedly furious about how the news became public. While early reports suggested a potential match against WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, those plans are officially scrapped. Contrary to assumptions about scheduling conflicts, The Rock was more upset about his status being leaked.
Responding to the rumors last year, The Rock commented on Instagram, “Don’t believe any of that bullsh*t.” However, Dave Meltzer revealed on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE knew as early as October, right after Bad Blood, that he wouldn’t be available. Meltzer explained, “I was pretty much told right after Bad Blood… someone brought up to me, in a very negative term, what he did… He ain’t gonna wrestle Cody at WrestleMania. He ain’t gonna wrestle at WrestleMania.”
Meltzer added that both The Rock and his agent Brad Slater had informed WWE of his decision, which left some frustrated given his high-profile appearance at Bad Blood. “The people who know this are not happy… he went in there and stole the end of the show just to do that,” Meltzer noted. “Dwayne gets to do what Dwayne wants to do, and everyone has to live with that.”
Despite backstage tensions, there was lingering hope he might change his mind. Meltzer said, “I kind of heard, ‘Oh my god, Dwayne’s mad that everyone’s reporting it. He doesn’t want this out.’” One source even speculated, “I bet he does the show now, just because he’s so mad that everyone’s reporting it.”
While The Rock won’t be wrestling, he could still appear at WrestleMania 41 in another role.
• Alexa Bliss made a surprise comeback to WWE at Royal Rumble 2025, entering the Women’s Royal Rumble match after contract negotiations with WWE had temporarily delayed her return.
According to Fightful Select, Bliss finalized a new 5-year contract with WWE, alongside Paragon Talent’s Mojo and Steve Kaye. The deal was signed on Saturday, and Bliss was brought in shortly after.
WWE had already prepared merchandise for her return weeks in advance, as she was initially planned to make her comeback on RAW in San Jose in mid-January.
PWInsider reports that Bliss will be part of the RAW roster moving forward.
