Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s influence extended behind the camera for WWE’s upcoming Netflix docuseries, Unreal, as his team reportedly provided feedback and notes for the episodes in which he appears. The five-part series, set to premiere on July 29, is co-produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and NFL Films, promising an unprecedented look into the company.
Johnson is featured in the fourth episode, which focuses on John Cena’s heel turn at the Elimination Chamber event earlier this year. While WWE’s Head of Creative, Triple H, provides narration and an introduction for the series, new reports from Post Wrestling confirm that Johnson’s team was involved in shaping the presentation of the narratives involving him.
This revelation of creative input on a historical documentary comes amid recent reports of real-life backstage tension between The Rock and Triple H. Sources in early June indicated the two have “different viewpoints on many things” regarding the company’s creative direction. Despite Johnson’s position on the TKO Board of Directors, reports from Dave Meltzer suggest Triple H has largely maintained control over major creative decisions, including having Cody Rhodes challenge Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40 instead of The Rock.
The on-screen angle The Rock orchestrated at Elimination Chamber, where John Cena turned heel on Cody Rhodes, was a major storyline that was left unresolved following The Rock’s subsequent absence from programming leading into WrestleMania 41. The lack of a conclusion to this angle, along with his character’s perceived inconsistencies, drew criticism from some viewers. Johnson has previously stated that his actions are part of a “long gamer” plan developed with Triple H’s creative team.
With the Unreal docuseries set to revisit these events in late July, former WWE personality Jonathan Coachman has predicted that The Rock will return to television around the same time. Citing “good authority,” Coachman believes Johnson will come back to resolve the unfinished storyline with Cena and Rhodes, suggesting the premiere could coincide with his on-screen reappearance.