Highlights

• The possibility of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson returning to WWE TV during the SAG-AFTRA strike seems unlikely due to concerns about it being a "bad look" for a prominent actor to participate in an entertainment program while others in the industry are without pay.
• Rumors of The Rock appearing at SummerSlam fueled excitement among fans, but the verbal exchanges with Grayson Waller didn't lead to a significant storyline development.
• As the biggest star in Hollywood, The Rock needs to prioritize setting a good example and supporting the Screen Actors Guild. He has already supported workers facing financial challenges and cannot simply jump to WWE for a huge payday amidst the ongoing labor disputes.

Fans who were hoping the SAG-AFTRA strike in Hollywood was going to open the door for former WWE stars who aren't busy making movies to return to WWE got some unfortunate news regarding at least one major icon. Specifically, the much-anticipated possibility of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gracing WWE television amid the strike appears to have hit a roadblock.

The strike, which triggered speculation about a potential window for The Rock's return to the ring, seems to have raised concerns, particularly among his business partner and former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz. Gewirtz's comments on The Ringer's Cheap Heat podcast, shed light on the situation. He expressed the view that it would be unfavorable for a prominent actor, like The Rock, to participate in an entertainment program during a strike period, given that others in the industry are currently without pay. Specifically, he noted, it would be a "bad look for a prominent actor". This perspective underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding labor disputes within the entertainment sphere.

Rumors of The Rock's potential appearance at SummerSlam had ignited excitement of a possible return, fueled in part by an online exchange of words with current WWE star Grayson Waller. Waller, who appeared on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani on July 24, hinted at The Rock's "technically" unemployed status due to the ongoing strikes and encouraged his presence at SummerSlam. He also referenced The Rock a number of times on social media and during episodes of SmackDown.

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Despite the verbal exchanges between Waller and The Rock leading up to the Aug. 5 premium live event, their interactions didn't culminate in a significant storyline development. They probably never will, at least, not for some time.

The Rock Needs To Side With The Screen Actors Guild

Arguably the biggest star in Hollywood, The Rock needs to be a leader and set a good example. Because the ongoing issues have significantly disrupted film and television production, with many projects halted, he can't simply jump to the next thing that offers him a huge payday like WWE would. He's already demonstrated his solidarity by contributing funds to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation, supporting workers facing financial challenges amidst the unrest and ongoing negotiations with studios.

As fans yearn for The Rock's triumphant return to WWE, the intricate intertwining of labor disputes, entertainment commitments, and ethical considerations presents a complex backdrop that means fans will just have to wait a little longer.