Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has now also announced his appearance for the historic first WWE RAW on Netflix on Monday. Another legend is also expected to be involved.
WWE’s long-standing TV flagship in the US is switching from linear television to the streaming world – with the greatest possible theatrical thunder.
On Monday night, the first Netflix episode of the show Monday Night RAW will air. And in addition to numerous big matches, megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is also scheduled to appear. And according to consistent media reports, legend Hulk Hogan will also make a guest appearance for the first time in a while.
WWE: The Rock at the first Netflix RAW!
Johnson, who has been a shareholder in WWE parent company TKO for a year, casually announced via social media on Sunday that he would be in Los Angeles on Monday to “make history” with WWE.
The appearance of the wrestling and Hollywood idol is eagerly awaited and should give an indication of whether he can be expected in April for the WWE’s annual highlight WrestleMania 41.
Johnson made his first WWE appearance in years at last year’s WrestleMania and then clearly indicated that he would be targeting WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in the near future.
At the beginning of October, Johnson made a surprise appearance at the end of the Badd Blood show and gave both Rhodes and his former ally Roman Reigns threatening looks. Since then, there have been conflicting reports about how things will continue.
Is there a WrestleMania match after all?
Longtime scene expert Dave Meltzer reported in his Wrestling Observer Newsletter after Badd Blood that Johnson had allegedly convinced WWE that he would not have time for a WrestleMania match this year.
It is unclear whether this is still the case. In his latest newsletter, Meltzer reported that there are now people “at the top” of WWE who “expect” a WrestleMania match for Johnson in Las Vegas.
If The Rock is not available, a WWE title match between Rhodes and John Cena is said to be the plan. Cena, who followed Johnson to Hollywood, has announced his farewell tour of WWE for this year and could still ascend to the sole record of champion with a 17th win of a major world title, ahead of Ric Flair. Cena has also been announced for the first Netflix RAW.
Hulk Hogan apparently also booked
In addition to Rock and Cena, Hulk Hogan is also supposed to be on RAW, as reported by Meltzer and before him by the podcaster Chris Featherstone, who has also been well informed in the past. At 71 years old, a wrestling comeback by Hogan – whose relationship with WWE has been changeable since the racism scandal of 2015 – will no longer be an issue, but his presence is likely to only further emphasize the event character.
The historic RAW match card includes a clash between CM Punk and Seth Rollins, the “Tribal Combat” between Roman Reigns and Solo Sikoa for the leading role in the Bloodline clan (to which The Rock is also connected), and a Last Woman Standing Match between WWE Women’s Champion Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley.
Also in on the action will be AEW-transferred Penta El Zero Miedo, who is set to make his debut on RAW.
