Dwayne Johnson caught wrestling fans off guard Monday night when he traded blows with WWE wrestler Jinder Mahal in a surprise appearance on the latest episode of “Raw.”
The star also known as The Rock appeared to tease an in-ring return by suggesting that he wants to sit at “the head of the table” — a not-so-subtle nod to his real-life cousin and Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, Roman Reigns, who calls himself the “Head of the Table.”
Monday’s “Raw” cameo was Johnson’s second such WWE appearance in the last six months (he also appeared on “SmackDown” in September), and curiously comes just as WWE kicks off the road to “WrestleMania,” the pro wrestling equivalent of the Super Bowl.
The Rock versus Reigns, who is in the midst of a record-breaking 1,000-plus day title reign, is a dream match WWE fans have been anticipating for years.
But teasing his loyal WWE fans isn’t the only eyebrow-raising career move Johnson has made of late, as he tries to recover from the box-office failure of the comic book movie “Black Adam” in 2022.
Johnson’s turn as antihero Black Adam grossed $393 million worldwide, but according to Variety, the movie needed to make $600 million to turn a profit.
Johnson spent plenty of time hyping the superhero flick, claiming it would change the power hierarchy in the DC Universe. “Black Adam” even included a mid-credits scene teasing a showdown with Henry Cavill’s Superman.
But months after the film’s release, new DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran announced their plans for a rebooted DC Universe, which doesn’t include Black Adam.
It must have been a blow to Johnson, who has been circling the role since 2007, per SlashFilm. To explain how long “Black Adam” had been in the works: 2007 was the year the first iPhone went on sale. Ouch.
But the combination of a wrestling comeback and a slate of new projects could be just what Johnson needs to give his career a shot in the arm.
During his promo battle with Mahal on “Raw,” the star joked about his 2017 movie “Baywatch” being bad. Is Johnson self-aware about some of his questionable movie choices over the last decade?
That could be why the actor has joined independent studio A24’s “The Smashing Machine” from “Uncut Gems” co-director Benny Safdie. Johnson is set to play former wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the biopic. A24 has already deemed it “The Rock’s move into his most dramatic project and role yet.”
In recent years, A24 has produced some of the most original and buzzy movies and television series in Hollywood, including “Moonlight” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” both of which scooped the Oscar for best picture, and the HBO drama “Euphoria.” No wonder Johnson would want to align himself with the indie darling.
Last year, Johnson also announced his return to one of the biggest franchises he’s starred in: “Fast & Furious.” The news was a surprise because the “Hobbs & Shaw” star previously parted ways with the main series following a feud with leading man Vin Diesel.
Johnson briefly reprised his role as Luke Hobbs in the “Fast X” post-credits sting, later confirming that he’s signed on for a Hobbs-focused stand-alone movie that will lead into a sequel to “Fast X.”
Seeing how Johnson’s recent career pivots pay off will be interesting.
Nostalgia is in, and returning to WWE and the “Fast & Furious” franchise could reingratiate Johnson with his longtime fans.
Combine that with the tantalizing prospect of Johnson, best known as an action star, in an A24 movie, and perhaps we might see the star stretch his acting range and impress new fans.
A Dwayne Johnson dramatic era? It may sound implausible, but Johnson once reinvented himself from a pro wrestler to a bonafide Hollywood star. Don’t count him out just yet.
We’ll be watching and waiting to see what The Rock is cooking.
