When Triple H and The Rock shot an angle during a backstage promo segment on last year’s anniversary edition of WWE SmackDown, there was an understanding that it would lead to a WrestleMania match involving the two.
The reason Triple H vs. The Rock didn’t happen at WrestleMania 31 earlier this year was because The Rock’s schedule was not going to allow him to go through with it. Rock was busy with a long list of media obligations tied to his role in the current box office smash, “Furious 7.” As it turned out, Rock was able to fly to Santa Clara on the day of the event for a promo segment, but nothing more.
When the realization that Rock wouldn’t be able to work a match became clear, that’s when the idea of Triple H vs. Sting became the new direction. When that was decided, it was agreed that HHH would win the match with Sting, keeping him strong and in position heading into WrestleMania 32 to work the originally planned match with The Rock.
As things stand now, Triple H vs. Rock is still the match WWE hopes to promote as one of the special attraction main events for next year’s WrestleMania, however it’s dependent upon a number of factors, most of which remain to be seen, such as Rock’s movie schedule for the next year.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)