Editing Dwayne Johnson (section)

==== The Final Boss (2024–present) ====
{{See also|The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|l1=The Bloodline}}
[[File:The Rock and Roman reigns and Seth Rollins at WMXL (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|200px|The Rock and [[Roman Reigns]] face to face with [[Cody Rhodes]] and [[Seth "Freakin" Rollins]] at [[WrestleMania XL]].]]
It was teased that a former [[WWE Champion]] would be appearing on the [[WWE Day 1 (2024)|Day 1]] edition of ''Raw'' on January 1, 2024; the unidentified champion was at first revealed to be [[Jinder Mahal]], who insulted the crowd before being interrupted by The Rock in his first live appearance on ''Raw'' since 2016.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Raw results (1/1): Powell's live review of Day 1 with Seth Rollins vs. Drew McIntyre for the World Heavyweight Championship, Rhea Ripley vs. Ivy Nile for the Women's World Championship, Becky Lynch vs. Nia Jax|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/01/wwe-raw-results-1-1-powells-live-review-of-day-1-with-seth-rollins-vs-drew-mcintyre-for-the-world-heavyweight-championship-rhea-ripley-vs-ivy-nile-for-the-womens-world-championship-becky-ly/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=January 1, 2024|access-date=January 1, 2024|archive-date=January 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102010745/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/01/wwe-raw-results-1-1-powells-live-review-of-day-1-with-seth-rollins-vs-drew-mcintyre-for-the-world-heavyweight-championship-rhea-ripley-vs-ivy-nile-for-the-womens-world-championship-becky-ly/|url-status=live}}</ref> The two brawled and The Rock emerged victorious, after which he asked the crowd if he should sit at "the head of the table" in a direct reference to [[Undisputed WWE Universal Champion]] [[Roman Reigns]], his relative whose nickname is "The Head of the Table".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/01/01/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-appears-on-day-1-wwe-raw-asks-crowd-if-he-should-sit-at-the-head-of-the-table/|title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson appears on Day 1 WWE Raw, asks crowd if he should sit at the 'head of the table'|date=January 1, 2024|last=Thompson|first=Andrew|work=[[POST Wrestling]]|access-date=February 5, 2024|archive-date=February 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240205085955/https://www.postwrestling.com/2024/01/01/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-appears-on-day-1-wwe-raw-asks-crowd-if-he-should-sit-at-the-head-of-the-table/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Boone |first=Matt |date=January 2, 2024 |title=Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Makes Surprise Return At WWE Raw: Day 1 |url=https://wrestlingheadlines.com/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-makes-surprise-return-at-wwe-raw-day-1/ |access-date=January 2, 2024 |website=Wrestling Headlines |archive-date=January 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102031832/https://wrestlingheadlines.com/dwayne-the-rock-johnson-makes-surprise-return-at-wwe-raw-day-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock also appeared on the February 2 episode of ''SmackDown'', where he confronted Reigns after [[Royal Rumble (2024)|Royal Rumble]] winner [[Cody Rhodes]] decided against choosing Reigns as his [[WrestleMania 40]] opponent to allow The Rock to face Reigns.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Barrasso |first=Justin |date=February 2, 2024 |title=The Rock Returning for WrestleMania |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/news/the-rock-returning-for-wrestlemania |access-date=February 3, 2024 |website=Sports Illustrated Wrestling News, Analysis and More|archive-date=February 3, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203034032/https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/news/the-rock-returning-for-wrestlemania |url-status=dead }}</ref> This was met by intense backlash from fans who wanted Rhodes to face Reigns; the [[WrestleMania XL]] media event on February 8 thus saw The Rock align himself with Reigns, chastise Rhodes for reversing his decision not to choose Reigns as his WrestleMania opponent, and slap Rhodes for speaking out against the [[Anoaʻi family]] (of which The Rock and Reigns are both members), thus turning heel for the first time since 2003.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/127613-the-rock-volvera-a-su-personaje-heel-de-hollywood | title=WWE quiere traer de vuelta al personaje 'Hollywood' the Rock | work=Solowrestling | date=February 12, 2024 | access-date=March 13, 2024 | archive-date=March 13, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240313105535/https://solowrestling.mundodeportivo.com/new/127613-the-rock-volvera-a-su-personaje-heel-de-hollywood | url-status=live | author1=Solowrestling }}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/02/08/wrestlemania-xl-kickoff-press-conference-live-coverage-cody-rhodes-announces-his-decision-the-rock-roman-reigns-seth-rollins-rhea-ripley-bianca-belair-and-triple-h-appear/|title=WrestleMania XL Kickoff press conference live coverage: Cody Rhodes announces his decision, The Rock, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, and Triple H appear|date=February 8, 2024|last=Powell|first=Jason|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=February 8, 2024|archive-date=February 17, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240217032828/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/02/08/wrestlemania-xl-kickoff-press-conference-live-coverage-cody-rhodes-announces-his-decision-the-rock-roman-reigns-seth-rollins-rhea-ripley-bianca-belair-and-triple-h-appear/|url-status=live}}</ref> As WWE's chief creative officer [[Triple H]] was being interviewed backstage over what had just transpired, The Rock and Reigns walked by and told him to "fix it" or they would, though Triple H would later appear on ''SmackDown'' to stand by Rhodes' decision.<ref name="auto2"/>

[[File:The Rock in 2024.jpg|thumb|upright=1|The Rock with "the People's Championship" at the [[WWE Hall of Fame (2024)|2024 Hall Of Fame]] ]]
On the February 16 episode of ''SmackDown'', The Rock officially joined Reigns' faction [[The Bloodline (professional wrestling)|The Bloodline]]; he also debuted a new persona that incorporated facets of his arrogant "[[#Hollywood Rock (2003)|Hollywood Rock]]" incarnation from 2003, such as insulting the audience, wearing gaudy expensive clothes, and entering the arena to a new entrance theme that began with his heroic character's music before transitioning into his "Hollywood Rock" music.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_IqiDsEldI|title=FULL SEGMENT — Rock and Reigns lay the SmackDown on the WWE Universe: SmackDown, Feb. 16, 2024|date=February 16, 2024|work=WWE YouTube|access-date=February 16, 2024|archive-date=April 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240402222859/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_IqiDsEldI|url-status=live}}</ref> He then appeared on the March 1 episode of ''SmackDown'', where he gave his new character the nickname of "[[Boss (video games)#Final boss|The Final Boss]]" and issued a challenge to Rhodes and [[Seth "Freakin" Rollins]]: if they beat him and Reigns in a tag team match at WrestleMania Night 1, Rhodes' championship match against Reigns on Night 2 would be free of interference from The Bloodline, but if Rhodes and Rollins lost, the championship match would be contested under "[[No disqualification match|Bloodline Rules]]". Rhodes and Rollins accepted the challenge the following week. On the March 25 episode of ''Raw'', The Rock attacked Rhodes backstage, leaving him beaten and bloody in the parking lot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Beaston |first=Erik |title=WWE Raw Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights From March 25 |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10114330-wwe-raw-results-winners-live-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-march-25 |access-date=October 14, 2024 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en |archive-date=November 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241127213112/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10114330-wwe-raw-results-winners-live-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-march-25 |url-status=live }}</ref> During the 2024 [[WWE Hall of Fame (2024)|WWE Hall of Fame]], The Rock received a "People's Championship" from [[Muhammad Ali]]'s wife Lonnie, which he would begin carrying over his shoulder whenever he appeared onscreen.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ewy4jDf_Tr8|title=The Rock receives the People's Championship from Lonnie Ali: 2024 WWE Hall of Fame highlights|date=April 5, 2024|work=WWE YouTube|access-date=April 5, 2024}}</ref> In the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania XL, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Rollins.<ref>{{Cite web |title=411MANIA |url=http://411mania.com/wrestling/slimmers-wwe-wrestlemania-xl-night-one-review/ |access-date=April 7, 2024 |website=Slimmer’s WWE WrestleMania 40 Night One Review |archive-date=April 7, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407044946/https://411mania.com/wrestling/slimmers-wwe-wrestlemania-xl-night-one-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref> During the Night 2 main event between Reigns and Rhodes, multiple people interfered on behalf of both men; The Rock appeared and hit [[John Cena]] with a Rock Bottom after the two stared each other down, but [[The Undertaker]] then appeared and chokeslammed The Rock. Rhodes went on to defeat Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rathi |first=Ishaan |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Cody Rhodes Wins Undisputed WWE Championship In Match Filled with Surprises at WrestleMania 40 Sunday |url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/04/07/cody-rhodes-wins-undisputed-wwe-championship-in-match-filled-with-surprises-at-wrestlemania-40-sunday/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=Ringside News |archive-date=April 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240408025749/https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/04/07/cody-rhodes-wins-undisputed-wwe-championship-in-match-filled-with-surprises-at-wrestlemania-40-sunday/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The following night on ''Raw'', The Rock interrupted Rhodes' celebration to congratulate him and reveal that he would be leaving for a while, but would be coming after Rhodes when he returns; this allowed Johnson time off to film the biopic ''[[The Smashing Machine (2025 film)|The Smashing Machine]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOqwZwh4wPo|title=FULL SEGMENT: Cody Rhodes and The Rock's story has just begun: Raw highlights April 8, 2024|date=April 8, 2024|work=WWE YouTube|access-date=April 8, 2024|archive-date=April 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409052440/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOqwZwh4wPo|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-a24-s-smashing-machine-starring-rock-set-begin-filming-may-1 | title=Report: A24's 'The Smashing Machine', Starring the Rock, Set to Begin Filming on May 1 &#124; Fightful News | access-date=May 23, 2024 | archive-date=May 23, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523133812/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/report-a24-s-smashing-machine-starring-rock-set-begin-filming-may-1 | url-status=live }}</ref> During his hiatus, [[Solo Sikoa]] became the new leader of The Bloodline, starting the Bloodline Civil War.<ref name="SmackDown04122024">{{cite web|last=Barnett|first=Jake|title=WWE Friday Night Smackdown results (4/12): Barnett's review of the appearances of new champs Cody Rhodes and Bayley, Triple Threats for a shot at the WWE Universal Championship|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/12/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-4-12-barnetts-review-of-the-appearances-of-new-champs-cody-rhodes-and-bailey-triple-threats-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-universal-championship/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|access-date=April 12, 2024|date=April 12, 2024|archive-date=May 18, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518041802/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/04/12/wwe-friday-night-smackdown-results-4-12-barnetts-review-of-the-appearances-of-new-champs-cody-rhodes-and-bailey-triple-threats-for-a-shot-at-the-wwe-universal-championship/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BacklashFrance">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Backlash France results: Powell's live review of Cody Rhodes vs. AJ Styles for the WWE Championship, Damian Priest vs. Jey Uso for the World Hvt. Title, Bayley vs. Naomi vs. Tiffany Stratton for the WWE Women's Title|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/04/wwe-backlash-france-results-powells-live-review-of-cody-rhodes-vs-aj-styles-for-the-wwe-championship-damian-priest-vs-jey-uso-for-the-world-hvt-title-bayley-vs-naomi-vs-tiffany-str/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=May 4, 2024|access-date=May 4, 2024|archive-date=May 5, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240505144507/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/05/04/wwe-backlash-france-results-powells-live-review-of-cody-rhodes-vs-aj-styles-for-the-wwe-championship-damian-priest-vs-jey-uso-for-the-world-hvt-title-bayley-vs-naomi-vs-tiffany-str/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Six months later, in the main event of [[Bad Blood (2024)|Bad Blood]] on October 5, Rhodes and Reigns teamed up to face members of The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa and [[Jacob Fatu]]) from which Reigns had been ousted, defeating Sikoa and Fatu with the help of a returning [[Jimmy Uso]]. Following the match, The Rock returned and stood at the top of the entrance ramp, where he silently counted to three and made a [[List of gestures#Made with other body parts|throat slashing gesture]] to Reigns, Rhodes, and Uso before leaving.<ref name="BadBlood2024">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Bad Blood results: Powell's review of Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu, CM Punk vs. Drew McIntyre in a Hell in a Cell match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/05/wwe-bad-blood-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-and-cody-rhodes-vs-solo-sikoa-and-jacob-fatu-cm-punk-vs-drew-mcintyre-in-a-hell-in-a-cell-match/|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=October 5, 2024|access-date=October 5, 2024|archive-date=October 6, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241006115412/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/05/wwe-bad-blood-results-powells-review-of-roman-reigns-and-cody-rhodes-vs-solo-sikoa-and-jacob-fatu-cm-punk-vs-drew-mcintyre-in-a-hell-in-a-cell-match/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Rock returned on the [[WWE Raw premiere on Netflix|''Raw'' premiere on Netflix]] on January 6, 2025, thanking Rhodes for all his work as the face of the company and hugging him. Later that night, The Rock embraced Reigns after the latter defeated Sikoa to reclaim his Ula Fala and Tribal Chief title.<ref name="RawpremiereNetflix">{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Raw results (1/6): Powell's live review of the Netflix premiere with CM Punk vs. Seth Rollins, Solo Sikoa vs. Roman Reigns in a Tribal Combat match, The Rock, John Cena, Logan Paul|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/01/06/wwe-raw-results-1-6-powells-live-review-of-the-netflix-premiere-with-cm-punk-vs-seth-rollins-solo-sikoa-vs-roman-reigns-in-a-tribal-combat-match-the-rock-john-cena-logan-paul/|work=[[Pro Wrestling Dot Net]]|date=January 6, 2025|access-date=January 6, 2025}}</ref> The next night at [[NXT: New Year's Evil (2025)|New Year's Evil]], The Rock made his first appearance on the [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] brand.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McPherson |first=Chris |date=2025-01-09 |title=Dwayne Johnson's Special Appearance on WWE NXT Earns Biggest Ratings in Five Years |url=https://collider.com/dwayne-johnson-wwe-nxt-ratings/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Collider |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2025-01-08 |title=NXT's 'New Year's Evil' Draws Show's Biggest Viewership in Five Years |url=https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/nxt-new-years-evil-ratings-cw-1236270377/ |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref> He sought advice from his daughter, NXT general manager [[Ava (wrestler)|Ava]], and spoke to [[Ethan Page]]. In a promo that closed out the television special, he addressed criticism towards his actions the night before on Raw.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mueller |first=Doc-Chris |title=WWE NXT New Year's Evil 2025 Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction and Highlights |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10149977-wwe-nxt-new-years-evil-2025-results-winners-live-grades-reaction-and-highlights |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-01-08 |title=The Rock Addresses Criticism Of His Raw On Netflix Promo During NXT Appearance |url=https://www.si.com/fannation/wrestling/wwe/the-rock-addresses-criticism-of-his-wwe-raw-on-netflix-promo-during-nxt-appearance |access-date=2025-01-10 |website=Wrestling On Fannation |language=en-US}}</ref> On the February 21 episode of ''SmackDown'', The Rock made an appearance to announce that [[WrestleMania 42]] will take place in [[New Orleans, Louisiana]], where ''SmackDown'' was being taped. The Rock also called out Cody Rhodes, where he offered to elevate Rhodes as a star in exchange for Rhodes' loyalty and cryptically stated that he wanted Rhodes' soul.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-22 |title=WWE SmackDown live results: The Rock returns |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/results/wwe-smackdown-live-results-the-rock-returns-2/ |access-date=2025-02-22 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}}</ref> On March 1 at [[Elimination Chamber: Toronto]], Rhodes refused The Rock's offer, who responded by signalling Elimination Chamber match winner John Cena to attack Rhodes, leaving him beaten and bloodied in the assault.<ref>{{cite web|last=Powell|first=Jason|title=WWE Elimination Chamber results: Powell's live review of Cody Rhodes responding to The Rock's offer, two Elimination Chamber matches, Kevin Owens vs. Sami Zayn in an unsanctioned match|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/03/01/wwe-elimination-chamber-results-powells-live-review-of-cody-rhodes-responding-to-the-rocks-offer-two-elimination-chamber-matches-kevin-owens-vs-sami-zayn-in-an-unsanctioned-match/|date=March 1, 2025|work=[[Pro Wrestling Dot Net]]|access-date=March 1, 2025}}</ref>