The atmosphere was electric when Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson made his much-anticipated return to WWE during the February 21, 2025 episode of SmackDown, hosted at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Amid cheers, he officially announced the upcoming WrestleMania 42, slated for April 11 and 12 of 2026, confirming the Crescent City's significant role as host for this colossal event for the third time.
"WrestleMania is coming back to New Orleans!" The Rock exclaimed, clearly thrilled to engage with the fervent fans. New Orleans had previously hosted WrestleMania 30 in 2014 and WrestleMania 34 in 2018, with the Superdome being the chosen venue for all three events. The city's rich culture and history have made it a favorite among wrestling fans as well as the WWE organization.
Interestingly, The Rock revealed during the post-show press conference his original intentions to announce this great news at the Super Bowl earlier this month. "We were going to be part of the Super Bowl and make the announcement... but we’re here now, and the improvements made to the Dome played a great factor..." he explained, reflecting on the hiccups faced along the way. It appears there was something truly special about sharing this news directly with the New Orleans crowd.
This year’s WrestleMania marks another evolution, as it will be the first two-day event hosted at the Superdome, indicating WWE's commitment to engaging fans with top-tier entertainment. The bouts scheduled for WrestleMania 41 only add to the excitement, with The Rock's return lending even greater anticipation to the upcoming wrestling calendar.
Following the venue announcement, The Rock engaged directly with Cody Rhodes, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, asking him to be "his champion." His bewildering proclamation—"I want your soul"—did not come without consequence and rapidly heightened intrigue around not only Rhodes's upcoming decision but the full narrative arc involving The Rock. "I want to bring Cody Rhodes out and offer him...you are our champion and you are amazing, but I want so much more for you..." The Rock noted, hinting at his desire for Rhodes to embrace the path of the Final Boss within WWE.
After the SmackDown segment aired, there has been much discussion among fans and experts alike about what this means for Cody Rhodes. Previously embroiled with the likes of Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, Rhodes achieved notable success at WrestleMania 40 before taking some time off. He’s now confronted with The Rock’s powerful offer, which raises substantial questions about his integrity and future direction, especially as he prepares for the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event shortly.
What would it mean for Rhodes to align himself fully with The Rock? The storyline has taken unexpected turns, emphasizing The Rock's ability to change the dynamics of WWE without ever stepping onto the ring, showcasing the finesse of pro wrestling storylines. "...in this wild and crazy world of pro wrestling... everything will culminate to a match, but this storyline is special—it never has to culminate to one" The Rock stated. It's rare to have such depth where matches aren't the main focus yet growth and self-discovery are central themes.
Fans eagerly await the Elimination Chamber event, set to take place on February 17, 2025, where the future of Cody Rhodes will be significantly impacted by whichever path he chooses. For now, he’s under the watchful eye of The Rock, expressed vividly during the SmackDown engagement. Rhodes will have intertwining decisions, including defending his Championship against the winner of the Men's Elimination Chamber Match featuring formidable opponents like John Cena, Seth Rollins, and others, all vying for the title and glory at WrestleMania 41.
The stakes have never been higher, and with The Rock re-entering the WWE arena as the most powerful figure, the intricacies of each character will play out over the coming weeks. Speculation runs rampant: Will Cody take the leap and accept The Rock's offer? How will this affect his legacy? Come 2026, only time will reveal the impacts of this complex relationship as WWE gears up for its most significant event of the year once again.
Clearly, just when fans thought they couldn't be more excited, The Rock proves to be the ultimate showman, blending nostalgia, drama, and high-stakes storytelling. WrestleMania 42 promises to be not only a spectacle but perhaps one of the most emotionally charged events yet, as it intertwines legendary personalities, crafter narratives, and history-filled moments.