The Rock is only a few days away from returning to the squared circle for his first match in over a decade.
Rock works full-time. WWE days began to dwindle in 2002, with him missing the second half of 2003 due to acting commitments and only working one match in 2004, before going on hiatus from WWE for several years.
In 2011, The Rock returned to host WrestleMania 27, where he helped The Miz retain the WWE Championship, costing Cena the title. They later teamed up to defeat The Miz and R-Truth at the November Survivor Series.
The Rock defeated Cena at WrestleMania 28 in Miami, Florida, and the following year, at WrestleMania 29, Cena defeated The Rock to win the WWE Championship in New Jersey. Rock sustained several injuries during his last match.
ESPN has an in-depth piece on Rock’s return, which provides some insight into his training as WWE ships two rings to him – one in Los Angeles and the other to his home in Hawaii. While in Los Angeles, he trained with NXT’s Gallus, which included Mark and Joe Coffey, and they had simulated matches.
Along with referee Chad Patton, WWE producers Michael “P.S.” Hayes and Bobby Roode assisted Rock in his preparations for the match. WWE Medical oversaw the rehearsals to ensure they were conducted safely.
“Suplexes, a launch off the top rope, a catch, like bodies hitting bodies,” Rock said. “It’s things like that that you have to do and have to prepare for. And you’re getting bruised up, you’re hitting the ropes. It comes back fairly quick. … It’s like riding a bike.”
