Speculation regarding a surprise appearance from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at today’s WWE Clash in Paris is running high after the superstar posted a video on social media from Venice, Italy. The Instagram post, shared on Saturday, August 30, showed Johnson on a boat, a location that is approximately a two-hour flight from Paris. The proximity has convinced many fans that “The Final Boss” is in Europe for the premium live event.
Adding to the theories is a phrase Johnson used in the video: “act like you’ve been there.” Fans have interpreted this as a possible hint of his impending return to WWE programming for the first time since Elimination Chamber earlier this year.
A potential storyline for his return could directly involve John Cena, who is scheduled to face Logan Paul at the event. One scenario being discussed suggests The Rock could appear after the match and use his real-life authority as a member of the TKO Board of Directors to “fire” Cena. This would serve as retribution for Cena recently turning babyface and betraying their alliance. Such a move would be a major development in Cena’s ongoing retirement tour.
The conflict between the two stems from events in early March at Elimination Chamber, where The Rock orchestrated Cena’s heel turn on Cody Rhodes. However, after that event, The Rock disappeared from television, missing an expected appearance at WrestleMania 41. He later stated he stepped away to keep the focus on the Cena and Rhodes feud.
This isn’t the first time rumors of his return have surfaced in recent months. In the lead-up to SummerSlam in early August, initial reports indicated he was not scheduled to appear, but last-minute chatter within WWE suggested he could be involved. Although photos placed him near the event’s location in New Jersey, he did not appear. Instead, on the episode of SmackDown just before SummerSlam, John Cena turned face and publicly referenced The Rock’s unexplained absence.
Despite the current speculation, The Rock is not officially advertised for Clash in Paris, and some fans have expressed skepticism online, suggesting his European trip may be a coincidence. The event card already features several major contests, including:
- John Cena vs. Logan Paul
- A Fatal 4-Way for the World Heavyweight Championship between Seth Rollins, CM Punk, LA Knight, and Jey Uso
- Roman Reigns vs. Bronson Reed
In an interview published on August 28, WWE Hall of Famer JBL stated he would “bet everything” on The Rock returning to the ring again, citing Johnson’s love for performing. However, JBL also suggested a return might not happen until the buildup to WrestleMania in 2026. For now, the wrestling world watches Paris to see if “The Final Boss” makes his presence known today.