Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will not be returning at Survivor Series, despite weeks of online speculation. A report released on September 26, 2025, confirmed that his absence is directly tied to ongoing Hollywood commitments, and that there are no internal discussions in WWE regarding his involvement with the event.
According to Fightful Select, the rumors originated from AI-generated stories and were quickly dismissed. The outlet stated that “nobody in WWE has heard that” a return was planned.
Johnson’s continued distance from WWE programming mirrors his earlier decision to skip WrestleMania 41. His current schedule includes demanding work on the Mark Kerr biopic The Smashing Machine, which is already generating Oscar buzz, and preparations for a crime film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt. His notable 60-pound weight loss, first revealed at the Venice Film Festival, is tied to these roles rather than an in-ring comeback.
The Rock has not appeared on WWE television since the Elimination Chamber PLE in March. That night, Cody Rhodes told him to “Go f–k yourself,” setting up an angle that culminated in John Cena’s first heel turn in over 20 years.