The Rock in secret talks over blockbuster wrestling return next year for WWE title showdown
WRESTLING hero turned Hollywood megastar Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is in secret talks to return to the ring for Wrestlemania 2023.
And The Rock's comeback would likely see him challenge current WWE Champion Roman Reigns for his title at Sofi Stadium in Los Angeles in April.
The US Sun can reveal Johnson and his team are keen for a fight in the Hollywood themed event, but are dealing with schedules and money deals.
Reigns, who is Johnson's second cousin on his father's side of the family, would welcome a rumble.
Talks have been "ongoing for months" with Johnson, who carved his entertainment career as The Rock in the 1990s and 2000s.
A WWE business associate told us: "The WWE have had continued conversations with The Rock and The Rock's camp on getting him to appear and perform at WrestleMania 39.
"The Rock is very interested but with his massive schedule, he is trying to figure out what he would be able to do as he would have to also set aside appearances before WrestleMania to build up whatever he was going to do.
"One exciting aspect of LA would be the Hollywood connection to Dwayne's story.
"He has become one of the biggest stars in the movie business so to have him pay tribute to his past while in Hollywood would be a touching story.
"And the match they hope to set in motion is one to savour for fans - The Rock against Roman Reigns.
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"It is a match that fans have been clamoring for for a very long time, it is a match that would make sense in storylines that the WWE have been doing with Roman Reigns. It would make complete sense for this match to happen."
"The WWE is also considering inducting The Rock into their WWE Hall of Fame on the same weekend.
"They want to honor The Rock to the fullest and make WrestleMania weekend as special as it could possibly be. Triple H, who is in charge of creative, is pushing for this to happen, especially in LA."
Johnson officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling in August 2019.
Two months later he appeared on Smackdown's 20th anniversary show.
Appearing as a guest on Logan Paul's IMPAULSIVE podcast this week, Reigns said he's ready if the opportunity to face The Rock presents itself.
The WWE star said: "They keep trying. Everybody keeps trying on this one. I don't book the show, bro. I'm up for anybody."
"If it works out, then I'm ready.
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"It seems like it's been that way. All the big names, all the big stars, whether they're from our business, the movies, to the internet now,
"I've been in a really cool groove where these things have kinda just come to me, so I hope they'll just continue to do that."