Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson recently made a blockbuster return to WWE, but the Final Boss is now mourning the loss of his beloved pooch Hobbs. On Instragram, Johnson shared that Hobbs, named after his Fast & Furious franchise character, passed away this week. Though Johnson and his family have been left “numb over this loss,” they are grateful for the love Hobbs gave them and that “he didn’t suffer long” before passing away “quietly and bravely in the night.”
Johnson’s comments reflect the deep connection he had with the dog and is sadly not the only name in wrestling to have loved a furry family member. In October 2024, Cora Jade shared that her dog Stitch had died after previously going missing. Mere months earlier, ‘Joe Gacy ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin shared that his cat Lefty had passed away, leaving Pancho, another pet, upset. Austin rectified this by adopting a kitten named Macho, with the moniker coming from fellow WWE Hall of Famer ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage.
The Rock will be a part of this weekend’s Elimination Chamber PLE in Toronto, where he hopes to get the ‘right answer’ from Cody Rhodes. During the February 21, edition of WWE SmackDown, The Rock confronted Rhodes, who he hopes will agree to be the Final Boss’ Champion.
We here at SEScoops would like to share our condolences to Johnson and his family over the passing of Hobbs.
The worlds of Hollywood and WWE met at the 2025 Golden Globes, as WWE NXT General Manager Ava joined her iconic father, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. The Rock presented the Best Supporting Female Actor award to Zoe Saldaña (Emilia Pérez) alongside Moana 2 co-star Auli’i Cravalho.
Later, Ava and The Rock mingled with the Emilia Pérez cast, including Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Benny Blanco. Ava is no stranger to the Golden Globes, as she previously served as a Golden Globe Ambassador in 2018, well before her WWE career began. She later joined WWE in 2020 and is now a regular on NXT programming.
Though Moana 2 missed out on the Best Animated Movie award, The Rock’s presence left a lasting impression. WWE’s Final Boss got a huge laugh from the crowd as he joked that his chest hair was repurposed for Timothy Chalamet’s mustache.
After a successful outing at the Golden Globes, The Rock will be a part of this week’s Raw, the first episode of the red brand’s Netflix era. Ava will also have a busy week with NXT New Year Evil set to take place this Tuesday, January 7, featuring a stacked card from the silver brand.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Rock and Ava as the father-daughter duo continues to shine both in and outside of pro wrestling.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is an internationally recognized star and spent the holidays bringing some festive cheer to children in London. On social media, WWE’s Final Boss shared footage of his surprise appearance at Hamley’s toy store, where every child received a £100 gift certificate, courtesy of their ‘Uncle Dwanta.’
On X, Johnson reminded his followers about the importance of maintaining positive relationships in the face of adversity.
“We gotta be careful, there’s so much unhealthy toxicity out there on social media, and I’ve always tried to fly above it and not get pulled down into the sludge – and use my social influence/power for the good stuff. The stuff that makes a real positive impact in people’s lives. Life can be tough for a lot of folks, so let’s bring as much joy as we can to people. For me, it’ll always be the best part of fame. We gave a ton of cash away to every kid in this toy store for Christmas.
“Awesome day and cool to chop it up afterwards with my team – we’re grateful to have these special experiences ? Special shout to Hamleys in London (world’s oldest and biggest toy store) for letting us come in and deliver a little joy – and a lot of chaos ? Merry Christmas ya filthy animals and chase the good stuff ??
We gotta be careful, there’s so much unhealthy toxicity out there on social media, and I’ve always tried to fly above it and not get pulled down into the sludge – and use my social influence/power for the good stuff. The stuff that makes a real positive impact in people’s lives.… pic.twitter.com/E3lN8TrdIv
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson continues to dominate Hollywood and WWE alike, now adding another record-breaking accolade to his name. According to Deadline, Johnson’s new holiday film Red One shattered records with 50 million worldwide viewers in its first four days on Prime Video. The previous record-holder was Road House.
Red One follows Callum Drift (Johnson), the head of North Pole security, who assembles an elite team after Santa Claus (J.K. Simmons) is kidnapped. The film also stars Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, and Lucy Liu. It debuted on Amazon Prime last weekend after a brief theatrical run.
This accolade is just the latest for Johnson, who continues to be one of the most successful names in Hollywood. Johnson recently made history by topping the box office with both Moana 2 and Red One. This marks the first time an actor has had two #1 films in the same month, a testament to his Hollywood dominance.
Meanwhile, in WWE, The Rock has been notably absent since his surprise appearance at WWE Bad Blood in October. However, anticipation for his return is high, particularly as Raw prepares for its Netflix debut. This week’s Raw featured, what some considered a subtle hint: a Rock-themed production truck spotted during a backstage segment where Adam Pearce discussed the January 6, show.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who continues to electrify both in and out of the ring.
This list highlights movies featuring professional wrestlers that are currently in theaters or at various stages of production. From Hollywood veterans like Dwayne Johnson and John Cena to current WWE and AEW stars breaking into acting, wrestling talent continues to shine on the big screen.
With a growing number of WWE wrestlers signing with Paradigm Talent Agency for representation, this list is sure to expand in the future. Bookmark this page and check back for updates.
Dwayne Johnson – Red One
Status: In theaters
Release Date: November 15, 2024
Notes: The film features Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as Callum Drift, North Pole security head, teaming up with Chris Evans’ character to save a kidnapped Santa Claus. Directed by Jake Kasdan.
Nathan Jones – Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Status: In theaters
Release Date: May 23, 2024
Notes: Nathan Jones reprises his role as Rictus Erectus. Directed by George Miller, this movie acts as both a spin-off prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road and an origin story for Furiosa, portrayed by Anya Taylor-Joy.
Dave Bautista – The Killer’s Game
Status: Post-production
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Notes: Starring Dave Bautista as Joe Flood, the storyline revolves around a hitman diagnosed with a terminal illness. Co-stars include Sofia Boutella, Terry Crews, Pom Klementieff, and Ben Kingsley.
Drew McIntyre – The Killer’s Game
Status: Pre-production
Release Date: September 13, 2024
Notes: Drew McIntyre plays Rory Mackenzie in this film, which also stars Dave Bautista. Directed by J.J. Perry, the storyline follows a hitman, Joe Flood, who learns of a misdiagnosed terminal illness and takes a hit out on himself.
Dwayne Johnson – The Smashing Machine
Status: Post-production
Release Date: December 2024
Notes: A biographical drama about MMA fighter Mark Kerr, co-starring Emily Blunt. The film wrapped filming in July 2024.
Roman Reigns – Good Fortune
Status: In development
Release Date: December 2024
Notes: A heist comedy directed by Aziz Ansari. The cast includes Keanu Reeves, Keke Palmer, and Seth Rogen. The storyline follows Reeves’ character, a guardian angel, who takes on odd jobs for a rich man played by Rogen.
Dave Bautista – The Last Showgirl
Status: Post-production
Release Date: January 10, 2025
Notes: Directed by Gia Coppola, this drama stars Pamela Anderson as Shelley, a seasoned Las Vegas showgirl facing a pivotal moment in her life. After her long-running show, Razzle Dazzle, ends its 30-year streak on the Strip, Shelley must navigate an uncertain future. WWE alum Dave Bautista co-stars, and the film explores themes of reinvention and resilience. Distributed by Roadside Attractions.
Chris Jericho – Dark Match
Status: Post-production
Release Date: January 31, 2025
Notes: Directed by Lowell Dean, this movie features a cast including Sarah Canning, Michael Eklund, and Steven Ogg. It follows a small-time wrestling company that encounters a dangerous cult in a backwoods town. Jericho is also an executive producer.
MJF – Happy Gilmore 2
Status: Post-production
Release Date: March 1, 2025
Notes: MJF plays one of Adam Sandler’s sons in Happy Gilmore 2, which also stars Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald. MJF is also involved in another project titled Stranglehold.
John Cena – Matchbox
Status: In development
Release Date: TBD
Notes: Produced by Skydance and Mattel Films, known for the successful Barbie movie. Details about co-stars and the storyline are not available yet.
Charlotte Flair – You Lose You Die
Status: Pre-production
Release Date: TBD
Notes: A horror/thriller where Charlotte plays Ms. Perfect, a sociopathic tech expert running a dark web show.
Kurt Angle – Biopic about Kurt Angle
Status: In development
Release Date: TBD
Notes: Directed by Ian and Eshom Nelms, this film focuses on Kurt Angle’s life, including his Olympic achievements and wrestling career. It is described as having a “Rocky”-style inspiration and is expected to start filming in 2024.
Disney’s Moana 2, featuring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, has made waves at the box office since its release on November 27th.
The family-friendly adventure scored an incredible $225 million over the five-day Thanksgiving holiday, including $139.7 million during the three-day weekend. Its global debut tallied an impressive $389 million, with a $165.8 million international opening. The film claimed the top spot in every market except China.
A Record-Breaking Release
Moana 2 shattered numerous records in its opening week. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the highlights include:
Biggest 5-Day Debut of All Time
Biggest 5-Day Thanksgiving Earner of All Time
Biggest 5-Day Thanksgiving Nationwide Opening
Biggest Global Opening of All Time for an Animated Film
Biggest Walt Disney Animation Three-Day Debut of All Time
Biggest Black Friday Gross of All Time
Biggest Thanksgiving Day Gross of All Time
Biggest Opening Day for a Walt Disney Animation Title
A Historic Moment for Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne Johnson made history by simultaneously topping the box office with Moana 2 and Red One. This marks the first time an actor has had two #1 films in the same month, further solidifying his dominance in Hollywood.
Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, the animated sequel brings back Auli‘i Cravalho and Johnson as Moana and Maui. Returning cast members Rachel House (Tala), Temuera Morrison (Chief Tui), and Nicole Scherzinger (Sina) are joined by newcomers Hual?lai Chung, David Fane, and Rose Matafeo as Moni, Kele, and Loto.
WWE’s Final Boss Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson continues to be a force on the big screen by reaching an incredible movie milestone this week. As confirmed by Deadline, Johnson saw not one, but two movies reach #1 in their theatrical openings in November 2024 with Red One and Moana 2. Red One, an Amazon MGM Studios production, opened with a $32.1 million gross, while Moana 2 has the potential to hit $200 million over five days.
Having two films reach #1 in the same month is certainly a massive accolade for the Brahma Bull, whose success doesn’t stop there. Moana 2, a sequel to the 2016 film, has delivered the best Thanksgiving opening of all time, Deadline adds.
No other star has pulled off two #1 films in the same month, the report adds, though some did come close, including:
Chris Pratt (Super Mario Bros. Movie/Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3)
Chris Hemsworth (The Avengers/Snow White & The Huntsman)
Tom Hanks (Toy Story 2/The Green Mile)
These A-List talents came close, but only Johnson has been able to deliver two #1 films in the same calendar month. The Brahma Bull is also working on a live-action adaptation of the first Moana film, with fans recently catching their first glimpse of the WWE icon as Maui.
Amid Johnson’s Hollywood dominance, wrestling fans continue to await his return to WWE following his return in the closing moments of Bad Blood. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on The Rock who continues to be a leading man in Hollywood and WWE.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a memorable appearance at the Hawaiian premiere of Disney’s Moana 2, joined by his daughters, Jasmine (7) and Tiana (5). The trio spoke with Terri Seymour from Extra, where Jasmine and Tiana enthusiastically shared their experiences as “Moana-Be’s” contributing to the film.
Jasmine humorously gave her father some recording booth advice, prompting “The Final Boss” to joke, “Two minutes of acting and already better than Daddy.” Both daughters expressed their love for Maui’s new song, “Can I Get a Che Hoo?” from the sequel’s soundtrack, showing their excitement for their dad’s iconic role. Listen here:
Moana 2’s Empowering Message
Johnson emphasized the empowering message of Moana 2, highlighting its importance for audiences of all ages. He shared how the movie inspires viewers to rise above challenges and believe in themselves: “It empowers little ones and big ones all at the same time,” he explained.
The actor also reflected on the deeply personal journey of filming Moana, mentioning that he recently wrapped production for the live-action adaptation of the original movie in Hawaii. Recalling his teenage years in the same area, he said:
“It’s a full circle moment… 15 miles that way, I was getting arrested when I was 15 years old… to now be able to come and bring live-action Moana here.”
Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, along with WWE Raw stars Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, attended the premiere of Moana 2 at the Lanik?honua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii on November 21.
The reason behind so many wrestling stars at the premiere? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprised his role as Maui in the film, the shapeshifting demigod who accompanies Moana on her journey.
Moana 2 is set to release in theatres on November 27, but premieres are being held in various locations. In Hawaii, Cody Rhodes attended the event with his wife Brandi and their three-year-old daughter, Liberty. You can check out the family’s photos below:
Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were also there with their four-year-old daughter, Roux. WWE President Nick Khan was in attendance too, and so was Disney CEO Bob Iger. The Rock, who is currently filming the live-action Moana in Hawaii, was present at the screening.
During the premiere, Johnson shared a touching moment with his mother, Ata, and showcased a traditional dance that highlighted the cultural and family themes central to the Moana films.
Though the live-action Moana film is still years away (set for July 2026), a sneak peek of the live-action version of Maui, played by Johnson, was recently shown.
In related news, Cody Rhodes recently commented on The Rock’s role at WrestleMania 41, suggesting he could play a key part in the event. Meanwhile, Seth Rollins was rumored to appear in the latest trailer for Captain America: Brave New World, though he denied the speculation, saying the masked character who resembled him was not him.
WWE Hall of Famer Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs has advised Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson from entering politics, especially given the ongoing toxic climate. Sitting down with Going Ringside, Jacobs, the current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, argued that Johnson would only hurt his brand if he entered the political ring.
“Everybody likes Dwayne, no matter where you are in the political spectrum, because he’s a great entertainer… gotta remember that no matter what you say in politics, 50% of the people are just gonna knee-jerk disagree with you.”
Johnson has yet to enter politics but it is something that WWE’s Final Boss has been mulling over for some time. Examples include:
The premise of Young Rock was Johnson recapping his life and formative years during a campaign for President.
During the 2020 presidential election, Johnson endorsed Joe Biden, who defeated Donald Trump in November of that year.
While several wrestling names have entered politics, including Jesse Ventura, Matt Morgan and Trump’s pick for Education Secretary Linda McMahon, it remains to be seen if Johnson makes the move. While Jacobs is against the idea, and Johnson himself has said running for the highest office is off the table, we all know that politics, like wrestling, is an unpredictable game.
Movie fans have caught their first glimpse at Dwayne Johnson as Maui in the live-action adaptation of Disney blockbuster success Moana. Johnson will portray Maui in the film, the same character he voiced in the 2016 Moana animated film.
First Look at Dwayne Johnson in Disney's live action Moana, set to be released in theaters on July 10, 2026.
The Rock reprises his role as Maui, while Catherine Laga'aia will portray Moana pic.twitter.com/SEJB6fiTY5
Moana’s live-action adaptation is scheduled to land in cinemas in July 2026 and will see Catherine Laga?aia in the titular role. The film is expected to follow the plot of Moana (2016,) which sees a Polynesian chief’s daughter search for a mystical relic to save the island she calls home.
Fans won’t have to wait until 2026 to see Johnson as Maui, as the actor will voice the character once more for Moana 2, a sequel to the initial animated film. Moana 2 will release on November 27, 2024, and sees Auli?i Cravalho and Johnson return to voice Moana and Maui.
The Rock And WWE
While Maui is a fun-loving, easy-going character, Johnson has been anything but since his transformation into the heel ‘Final Boss’ earlier this year. The Rock returned to WWE TV at Bad Bloodin a tense staredown with Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns. Talk continues to grow about The Rock being at WrestleMania 41, with the Brahma Bull decrying “bull****” reports that he has told WWE he won’t make the show.
Whether he’s handling business in the ring, providing his voice for major animated projects, or electrifying in person on the big screen, Dwayne Johnson remains a leading man in entertainment. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Johnson, both in the ring and on the silver screen.
WWE’s final boss and Hollywood A-Lister Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has once again shown his generous side by giving the kids at the LA Watts Empowerment Center a brand new bus. On Instagram, Johnson shared a video of the special gifts to the kids, many of whom have never left their neighborhoods or enjoyed a fun day at the beach.
The kids will be traveling in style in their custom-made bus to a cinema to see Johnson’s new movie Red One, as he also gifted them tickets with popcorn. The kids also received $100 gift cards as the Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment’s generosity knows no bounds.
The Watts Empowerment Center in Los Angeles aims to help children, youth, and families within Watts Housing Projects. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Dwayne Johnson and his major moves, both in and out of the world of entertainment.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is honored to remain a fixture of WWE today, and is proud that his family still has a place at the table of Sports Entertainment. Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to promote Red One and Moana 2, WWE’s resident Final Boss addressed how WWE has changed since he got his start.
“My grandfather and my dad used to wrestle up here at [Madison Square Garden] in the ‘70s, and here I come along, not trying to screw anything up with their legacy. Then all of a sudden, the business has grown into what it’s grown into. TKO now owns WWE, and I have the honor of sitting on the board of TKO. What a full-circle moment.”
Johnson also reflected on his return to WWE in 2024 and his leading role in WrestleMania 40 and the shows preceding the two-night spectacle.
“I had such a great time. Cody and Seth and Roman, it was just wild. I grew up in that world of pro wrestling. There’s nothing like when that music hits and the crowd goes crazy.”
When Fallon suggested that Johnson feels at home when he’s performing, the A-lister said it was a “good way to put it.”
It’s unclear when The Rock will return to WWE screens after his most recent appearance in the closing moments of Bad Blood 2024. That segment did make clear that The Rock is far from finished with Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns, who aligned on the night to defeat Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from The Rock and his career both inside and outside the world of wrestling.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has shared his appreciation for being part of WWE once again, amid his commitments to TKO’s Board of Directors. Sitting down with LAD Bible to promote his new movie Red One, Johnson delighted in being able to bring his star power to WWE events.
“Any opportunity I can to go back and not only make appearances, but help to expand the company, whether domestically or globally, I always go back. It’s also part of my obligation that I happily do.”
Johnson is closing in on 30 years as part of WWE after making his in-ring TV debut as Rocky Maivia at Survivor Series 1996. While the company hs changed considerably since then, Johnson remains grateful for all that wrestling has given him.
“I came along in the 90s and wrestled for Vince into the 2000s, so there’s some real connective tissue that goes back generations, and for that I will forever be grateful. It provided me a platform and a way to express myself in ways that nothing else would allow, other than acting.”
Johnson joined TKO’s Board of Directors in January of this year, which the ‘Final Boss’ called “just another way that I could help the company grow.” Whether it’s representing WWE on TKO’s Board or stunning fans with a surprise appearance at WWE Bad Blood, Johnson remains steadfast in his duties to the company.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Johnson who continues to electrify, whether it be on the big screen, in the ring, or in the boardroom.
The Rock took an admirable babyface turn today on social media to make sure people are being cognizant of their mental health.
It’s World Mental Health Day and ‘The People’s Champion’ took to the people to make the fans aware of how depression can hit anyone. The Rock shared his own personal experience with that.
“I got wobbly and I was spinning and I was struggling. I woke up, I saw gray.
“I’m used to being alone because I was born an only child, but there’s a difference I learned over the years of being lonesome and lonliness.”
The Rock said he was reaching out to people by midnight and sought some support. Dwayne Johnson shared a story of how a friend of his hung himself in a jail cell. He says it’s important to check in on others, but sometimes more important to check in on yourself.
“I’ve been there, if you’re going through it, reach out. That’s your superpower.”
Mental Health Check In.
The power of checking in on our loved ones, friends and even strangers’ mental health can mean the world of a difference, if they’re struggling.
And if you’re struggling, spinning, wobbly and just can’t quite catch your breath – you gotta reach out and… pic.twitter.com/LqAk07bkmC
The Rock sure has a superpower when it comes to creating buzz for WWE. ‘The Final Boss’ returned to the company last week to close out Bad Blood, confronting Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns after the unlikely duo teamed up against Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu.
Earlier in the day, Rocky took to social media to make it known that’s he’s far from done when it comes to confronting old nemesises. Bad Blood was The Rock’s first appearance since he made his exit on the WWE Raw after WrestleMania XL.
The latest trailer for ‘Red One’ starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Chris Evans has dropped.
The story is about Santa Claus (Code Name: RED ONE) being kidnapped and the North Pole’s Head of Security (The Rock) has to team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Evans) in an action-filled quest to save Christmas. Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel and J.K. Simmons are also part of the cast.
The latest trailer also hints at some fun Christmas-themed elements including toy stores providing back-door portals to the North Pole. The trailer starts with a team of intruders using Tasers and the group is led by Lucy Liu, who kidnapped Chris Evans’ bounty hunter character on a top-secret mission to rescue Santa Claus alongside Dwayne Johnson.
“I’m not gonna like you,” Evans said after meeting Johnson. “I can tell right away. Out of everyone here, I like you the least.”
The trailer also features high-intensity action-packed battle sequences and a villainous Kiernan Shipka, who is seemingly aware of the whereabouts of the Red One.
Seven Bucks’ regular collaborator Chris Morgan has penned the screenplay. He previously collaborated with the company on multiple projects in the Fast & Furious franchise. Producers on the film include The Detective Agency’s Kasdan and Melvin Mar, Morgan representing Chris Morgan Productions, and Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson from Seven Bucks Productions. The Detective Agency’s Sky Salem Robinson has also co-produced.
‘Red One’ is an original story by Seven Bucks Productions’ President of Production Hiram Garcia. Amazon MGM Studios secured the story after a bidding war and the film is set to hit the theatres in the United States on November 15. It will be released worldwide via Warner Bros Pictures in the same month.
Meanwhile, fans have also caught a glimpse of The Rock in Disney’s Moana 2.
Japanese sensation Giulia was blown away by the reaction she received at NXT Stand & Deliver, which she thought must’ve been for someone else. Speaking to Creators, Giulia recalled the ovation at the NXT event over WrestleMania weekend.
“I didn’t think they were cheering for me. When I stood up, the whole venue was like, ‘Whoaaaaaa!’ so I thought, ‘Maybe some amazing celebrity has come?’… I was like, ‘There’s no way people would cheer for me this much!’ The scale is different from Japan, and I was just like, ‘Did someone come? Dwayne Johnson?'”
WWE reportedly intends to bring Giulia in via NXT with plans to push her strong from the very start as “the female face of the brand.” One source has claimed that Giulia’s role in NXT will surpass what Asuka achieved during her tenure which saw the Empress hold the NXT Women’s Title for 510 days.
Aside from her NXT Stand & Deliver appearance, Giulia has been referenced in WWE a handful of times already. This includes NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez claiming that she, not Giulia, is the best in the world after retaining her title over Thea Hail at Great American Bash (Week One.)
WWE’s Female Signings
Should she compete for WWE, Giulia will be part of something of a renaissance with the hiring of female talent. Stephanie Vaquer, who dethroned Giulia as NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, has signed with WWE mere days after appearing at AEWxNJPW: Forbidden Door. It has also been reported that DELTA has signed with WWE. The Australian wrestler reportedly impressed during tryouts in Perth over Elimination Chamber weekend in February of this year.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson surprised attendees of D23 with an appearance to reveal the latest trailer for Disney’s Moana 2 animated film. The ‘Final Boss’ of WWE was at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and danced with others on stage.
After the performance by Johnson, fans saw the newest trailer for Moana 2 which was later shared online. Johnson, as Maui, appears half way during the trailer and delivers quips amid clips of action scenes from the film.
Moana 2 follows on from 2016’s Moana and sees Johnson return as the voice of Maui, a legendary demigod who works alongside Moana (Auli?i Cravalho) to recover a missing relic that she believes will save the people of her island. Much like its predecessor, Moana 2 takes inspiration from Polynesian myths.
Another Moana Project
Moana 2 won’t be Johnson’s only project related to the popular Disney franchise, as he will also be starring in a live-action remake of the first film. Johnson will reprise his role as Maui, hardly a surprise given that like the demigod, he too is an impressive specimen. Catherine Laga‘aia will portray Moana herself, replacing Cravalho in the role. The live-action Moana will follow a trend of other animated projects brought to life by Disney including The Little Mermaid, Aladdin, The Lion King, and Cruella. Live-action adaptations of Lilo & Stitch and Hercules are also in the works.
Johnson’s Other D23 Announcement
Dwayne Johnson wasn’t at D23 just to promote Moana 2. During the event, it was confirmed that a Monster Jam project is in the works and that The Rock will be involved.
MONSTER JAM PROJECT HAS JUST BEEN ANNOUNCED AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE ROCK IS THE LEAD AND DEVELOPING THIS 🤯 #D23pic.twitter.com/cnjm1HFI2C
During the conference, Johnson shared his love for motorsports and monster trucks and said he wants to create something that is “immersive and fun.” A logo was shown for the projects well as some of the trucks that’ll make up Monster Jam.
The United States Army reportedly spent a fortune on Dwayne Johnson’s UFL, but it didn’t work out well for the military branch. Military.com reports that the U.S. Army spent $11 million on the UFL with the hope of driving up enlistments. Despite this mammoth effort, the “high-dollar, high-profile deal likely didn’t lead to a single new Army recruit. In fact, the partnership was so poor that it “may possibly have had a negative impact on finding new enlistments” according to internal documents and emails.
The deal between the UFL and the Army was supposed to feature Johnson as a “pseudo brand ambassador” with social media posts by WWE’s Final Boss valued at $1 million each. It’s reported that the Army expected five posts, but Johnson only made two posts. The deal also included UFC players wearing Army branding during games.
In a statement, Laura DeFrancisco, a spokesperson for the Army’s marketing end said “We are in the process of working with the UFL to determine the final cost.” The Army is seeking to regain $6 million of its $11 million payment into the partnership.
The UFL was launched in December 2023 following the merger of the XFL and the USFL. Johnson, alongside business partner Dany Garcia, purchased the XFL in 2020 after Vince McMahon’s attempt to revive the league was snuffed out by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This failed partnership with the Army does not reflect well on Johnson, who has faced a series of business shortfalls in recent years, including Black Adam, a film he’d been closely tied to for years, bombing at the box office, and the cancellation of NBC’s Young Rock. It’s been reported that some in WWE believe Johnson’s return to WWE has been an effort to break a ‘losing streak’ by returning to an industry he knows he will be successful in.
Both The Rock and Logan Paul have their respective ties to politics, particularly in 2024, and a hypothetical was pitched for the two stars to be on the presidential ticket.
On “The Good Guys” podcast, co-hosts Josh Peck and Ben Soffer pitched the notion of ‘The People’s Champion’ becoming ‘The People’s President.’ Not only that, but what if ‘The Final Boss’ appointed WWE United States Champion Logan Paul as his running mate?
“Do you think if The Rock ran with Logan Paul as his running mate, they would win?
“I think that if The Rock ran with Helen Keller as his running mate, he would win.
“If The Rock ran with anybody, he would win. I think Logan would hurt his chances.
“That’s how much of a shoe in The Rock is by himself. Nobody’s ever asked The Rock for his political affiliations. He is separate of party.
“He is just the quintessential perfect human. He’s perfect.”
Someone who doesn’t think The Rock is perfect is Cody Rhodes as the two stars had quite the confrontation during WrestleMania 40. However, whenever it comes to politics The Rock has decided not to take a side this election year. Back in 2020, The Rock ended up endorsing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, but in an interview earlier this year, expressed his disappointment in doing so. A lot of people have been clamoring for the Final Boss to run for the highest office in the land — and he hasn’t ruled it out.
The connections between wrestling and politics are endless. Logan Paul just had 45th US President and WWE Hall of Famer Donald Trump on his Impaulsive podcast. Meanwhile, former WWE President Linda McMahon was recently named a top donor to Trump.
Mercedes Mone loves the WWE, but she says they were difficult to deal with when she was offered a role in The Mandalorian.
Speaking on HOT 97 in promotion for AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, the former Sasha Banks talked about her time under the Star Wars banner as Koska Reeves, and how WWE wasn’t as enthused with her being in a galaxy far, far away.
“I love WWE but they tried so hard to not make me do the Mandalorian and put me on house shows when I was supposed to film.”
Mercedes noted that WWE would put her on house shows to further complicate her Mandalorian aspirations.
“It was pulling teeth just to get on that show.”
So happy they didn’t succeed in stopping her and she’s in a good place now, absolutely crazy. pic.twitter.com/4yoHl0giHz
Someone who is familiar with pulling teeth is Mone’s next big rival in AEW, Britt Baker, DMD. Mone secured a solid victory against Stephanie Vacquer on Sunday before Baker walked out to make clear she has her eyes on Mercedes multiple gold.
In the past, WWE garnered a reputation for not being supportive of talent outside the “WWE Universe.” Even back when Batista first got casted as Drax The Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy franchise, WWE didn’t do any promotion for the film despite the fact that “The Animal” made his return for WrestleMania XXX.
Another talent familiar with WWE stonewalling their silver screen aspirations was The Rock. Aside from his WWE film projects, WWE didn’t exactly herald The Rock’s initial rise stardom until he came back into the company fold. On the flip side of that, The Rock had to distance himself a little from his pro wrestling past when he tried his hand at Hollywood.
Circumstances may be greatly different in WWE without Vince McMahon at the helm. With The Rock now on the TKO Board Of Directors and Triple H being more open-minded, Mone and other modern talent could be getting the WWE support from outside ventures.
Wrestling fans and moviegoers alike have caught their first glimpse of Disney’s Moana 2 starring WWE’s very own Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
Moana 2 follows on from 2016’s Moana and sees Johnson return as the voice of Maui, a legendary demigod who works alongside Moana (Auli?i Cravalho) to recover a missing relic that she believes will save the people of her island. Much like its predecessor, Moana 2 takes inspiration from Polynesian myths.
This week, a teaser trailer for Moana 2 was shared online. Maui appears in the closing moments of the trailer and shows off his shapeshifting abilities, transforming from a shark into a bird and eventually into his human guise. The demigod converses with Moana and teases eating her pet pig and the returning chicken HeiHei (Alan Tudyk.)
The Rock’s Very Different Project
Moana 2 isn’t the only big project in the works for Dwayne Johnson. The Final Boss of WWE is also currently working on The Smashing Machinewhich will tell the tale of MMA fighter Mark Kerr. Johnson will play Kerr in the film which will delve into his career as well as his personal struggles with substances.
The Smashing Machine is certainly a change from the norm for Johnson, who typically sticks to family-friendly films (Moana, The Jungle Cruise) or high-end blockbusters like The Fast and the Furious franchise. Currently, there’s no confirmed date for when fans can expect The Smashing Machine in cinemas.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson continues to impress outside of the ring as the Final Boss of WWE now has two Guinness World Records to his name.
Johnson shared the news on Instagram in a video to the tune of Also Sprach Zarathustra, better known to wrestling fans as the theme of Ric Flair. In the video, the Brahma Bull shared that he is now the most followed actor on TikTok with 77.4 million accounts (and counting) following the TKO board member.
This isn’t the only record that Johnson can lay claim to. In the video, he reveals that he is the most followed man from the United States on TikTok. This accolade puts the WWE megastar ahead of the likes of Will Smith, the Jonas Brothers, Lil Nas X and others. In the caption for his video, Johnson reflected on his World Records and had some tips to remain humble in spite of success.
Johnson is currently working on The Smashing Machine, a biopic about the life and struggles of Mark Kerr, a pioneer in the world of MMA. The film is being produced by Johnson’s Seven Bucks company and will be distributed by A24.
In the world of wrestling, The Rock is currently absent but has confirmed that he will be returning. During the post-WrestleMania Raw, The Rock confronted Cody Rhodes and vowed to return to confront the WWE Champion. It is unclear when the Final Boss will be back but it has been reported that there are no major plans for Rhodes until Rock and Roman Reigns return to TV.
Wrestling fans and moviegoers alike have been granted their first look at Dwayne Johnson in the upcoming The Smashing Machine biopic.
The new film is based on Mark Kerr, a former wrestler and MMA fighter who in addition to his fights in the ring, fought personal demons as well. Johnson will play Kerr in the film while his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt will portray Keers’ wife Dawn Staples. The film is being produced by Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and will be distributed by A24. Benny Safdie (Oppenheimer, Uncut Gems) is directing, writing and co-producing.
Kerr (Johnson) in the ring while Dawn (Blunt) watches him from ring-side.
The film marks quite the shift for Johnson who is more commonly associated with family-friendly projects such as Moana or action-packed blockbusters like the Fast and the Furious franchise. In January 2024, Johnson told Variety of his desire to stretch his acting chops further.
“I’m at a point in my career where I want to push myself in ways that I’ve not pushed myself in the past. I’m at a point in my career where I want to make films that matter, that explore a humanity, and explore struggle [and] pain.”
Johnson will have the chance to do just that in the role of Kerr. The MMA fighter, now 55 years old, has faced addiction to painkillers, brought on in part due to the ‘no holds barred’ style of early mixed martial arts competition. The Smashing Machine was released as a documentary in 2002 and expectations are high for the new film that is currently without a release date.
Brian Gewirtz was heavily involved in The Rock’s notorious 2024 return to WWE, and confirms matters were supposed to be a little different between ‘The People’s Champion’ and Cody Rhodes.
Speaking on “The Masked Man Show”, the former head WWE writer talked about the notorious segment on SmackDown where Cody Rhodes relinquished his WWE Undispusted Universal Championship title shot to The Rock. Rhodes stoicly shook hands and hugged The Rock, appearing to putting his story on pause. However, the fans feedback made it become the most disliked video in WWE YouTube video history and an audible was called.
Gewirtz said that all that was supposed to come across quite differently than originally planned.
“Cody, it was supposed to be, in some form, ‘Yeah, f***in’ A! Go get em Rock! You’re going to get your ass kicked, Roman! Let’s do this!’ and this uplifting promo. Instead, he looked like someone shot his dog in the face in the parking lot. Just look at his expression. By the way, someone else, even when the team wins, looks forlorn and upset and despondent. [New York Knicks] Julius Randle [laughs].”
Gewirtz didn’t think that demeanor helped matters, but made clear he understood where Rhodes was coming from regarding his feelings on the decision, stating that ‘The American Nightmare’ was one of the realest people he’s ever met. He feels that the fans felt that.
“They felt like ‘he doesn’t mean a word of this. This is being forced for him to say.’ He’s despondent.”
Please credit “The Masked Man” and h/t to Fightful for the transcription.
