Brian Gewirtz Denies The Rock Couldn't Get Into Ring Shape For WWE WrestleMania 39

For the longest time, it seemed that all roads were leading to Roman Reigns vs. The Rock at WrestleMania 39, with a true Bloodline showdown earmarked to have been one of the biggest Mania main events in history.

As 2022 rolled into 2023, expectations were tempered as to a Rock Mania appearance, with all doubt seemingly removed when Cody Rhodes won the 2023 Royal Rumble to set up a championship clash with Reigns at the ‘Showcase of the Immortals’.

When reports stated that The Rock would not be ready for WrestleMania, rumours suggested that ‘The Great One’ had passed on a match with Reigns due to not being able to get ring-ready in time for such a marquee bout. However, former WWE writer and SVP of Development at Rock’s Seven Bucks Productions Brian Gewirtz shot down such a notion on the Bill Simmons Podcast:

"A source tells him [Dave Meltzer], 'The Rock is not going to make it to WrestleMania because he feels he doesn't have time to get into match shape.' I know that it is not the case. That is not the reason, whether it happens or doesn't happen, I know it's a line. Then, it just took a life of it's own where, all of a sudden, everyone reading it on the internet and Twitter takes it as fact, to the point where Roman goes on the Tonight Show and tells Jimmy Fallon, 'I understand Rock made a statement and doesn't have time to get into ring shape.' I'm watching this like, 'What? What statement? Show me the statement. There is no statement.' This is a quote that some stooge reported to a wrestling insider newsletter and now it's written in granite and stone. That's the stuff that drives me nuts," said Gewirtz.

The Rock famously came out of retirement to face John Cena at WrestleMania XXVIII in 2012, injuring his hamstring in the process. Rock would wrestle Cena again at WrestleMania 29, reportedly tearing his abdominal and abductor muscles and suffering a hernia.

H/T: Fightful