THE Rock’s WrestleMania headline extravaganza will be scripted in his favor and to maintain his money-spinning brand, a bodybuilding expert has claimed.
He guaranteed Dwayne Johnson would be “worried” participating in the massive event despite likely spending over $1 million to protect his world-famous physique.
Skip Hill told The U.S Sun that Dwayne Johnson (seen in 2012) knows getting any injury at WrestleMania 40 would be incredibly bad, which will be a worryCredit: Getty – Contributor
Dwayne may have pulled back his workouts a little to ensure his body is recovered instead of growing bigger and leaner, said an expertCredit: Instagram/therock
Dwayne, 51, arrived in Memphis at a Smackdown event in March.
A clip shared on his Instagram page showed fans screaming “Rocky.”
The six-foot-four star stood in the ring before headlining at WrestleMania on Saturday and at Lincoln Financial Field.
“Usually, every single week, The Rock comes out here, and he tortures and scorches every city that he is in,” Dwayne shouted.
“But tonight is different,” he added.
“Finally, The Rock has come back home,” he said before sitting on a chair and singing using an auto prompt.
Bodybuilder Skip Hill claimed Dwayne would be “worried” ahead of April 6.
The Rock and WWE Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns will muscle up against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in Philadelphia.
If The Rock and Roman Reigns win, then Reigns’ world title match against Rhodes will be a Bloodline Rules match.
“I will be shocked if WrestleMania 40 is incredibly physical,” Hill told The U.S. Sun.
“Dwayne has put a lot on the line, which means the scripting will favor him.
“He knows getting any injury would be incredibly bad, which will be a worry.
“It would be devastating because maintaining his physique is vital to his brand.
“This is more about the slamming, suplexes, and bouncing on the mats, which is usually brutal.
“He also needs to think about his joints, back, hips, and shoulders and moving around at his age in the ring.
“I would not be surprised if the storyline were to play out in which he is not beaten into oblivion in any way.
“I anticipate his role not being very physical.
“This applies to slams and jumping off and into the ring.”
A bodybuilder said Dwayne’s time (seen here in 1999) at WrestleMania will not be as physical, which applies to slams, jumps off, and into the ringCredit: Alamy
Fans watched Dwayne through February and March at Smackdown and Raw events across the US.
The movie star posted clips and images on Instagram of crucial moments in Texas, Arizona, and New York, to name a few.
“Can’t wait to hear the glass shatter at Mania,” wrote one fan on Thursday.
“Man can’t barely walk now he is done,” added another.
The Rock (seen here in March) will have a storyline at WrestleMania where he is not beaten into oblivion in any shape or form, said a bodybuilding expertCredit: Rex
Hill claimed Dwayne would have spent over $1 million protecting his precious body in the run-up to WrestleMania.
“In your 50s, you have less cartilage between your vertebrae,” he explained.
“If Dwayne was going to be taking any slams, there are a lot of nerves in between those vertebrae.
“Cartilage keeps those nerves from getting irritated. There is a risk of herniating or slipping a disc during the match.
“Dwayne would have bought in extra people to minimize impact.
Dwayne’s body will be insured and so the cost would be beyond what the rest of us can comprehend.
Skip Hill
“His team would have to double because of his age and the potential for injury.
“He would have a team exclusive to him leading up to this match, and they will be on call 24/7.
“Celebrities insure themselves much like the rest of us insure our vehicles.
“For Dwayne’s body to be insured, the cost would be beyond what the rest of us can comprehend.
“This is why he likely would pay his team over $1 million to minimize the risk of injury.
“He will have been getting soft tissue work to ensure he is not even going to pull a muscle.”
10
When The Rock went into the ring in Memphis in March, he sang using an auto promptCredit: WWE
The Rock’s last WWE match was against Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32 in 2016.
Before that, he appeared in WrestleMania 29 when he battled against John Cena in 2013.
Then he injured his abdomen and got a hernia.
Since then, Dwayne’s fitness regimen has included split workouts and eating six times daily.
The father of three alternates between chest, legs, arms, back, and shoulders, with days six and seven being rest days.
Dwayne’s physique is impressive in his 50s.
Skip Hill
Dwayne sustains 60 minutes of cardio five times a week.
He includes training his abs and calves two or three times a week at the beginning of each workout.
“I hit my cardio on an empty stomach — which has kept my metabolism nice and tight,” he told Mens Health in 2022.
Dwayne (seen here in 2012) would need to be careful at 51 taking any slams as there are a lot of nerves in between the vertebrae, said Ken HillCredit: Getty
According to ESPN, the mega star set up a training camp and ring for his WrestleMania 40 appearance.
“You’re getting bruised up, you’re hitting the ropes. It comes back fairly quick. … It’s like riding a bike,” he said in an interview.
Hill assured Dwayne was in peak condition for his age. He said his body looked “impressive.”
“Dwayne is in great shape for his age, and his physique is impressive in his 50s,” he said.
This match is all about the ring, the moves, the storyline, and the script.
Skip Hill
“We can see he is in perfect cardiovascular condition and continues with his weight training.
“For WrestleMania, this has probably not changed much at all.
“He may have pulled back a little to ensure his body is recovered instead of growing bigger and leaner.
“This match is all about the ring, the moves, the storyline, and, in this case, the script.”
Dwayne’s (seen here in 2000) last WWE match was against Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32 in 2016Credit: Alamy
Dwayne (seen here in March) is in great shape for his age at 51, said a bodybuilding expertCredit: WWE
Dwayne focused on acting and business ventures during his WWE hiatus.
The Californian-born wrestler is now worth a massive $320 million.
As a teenager, he started using weights in the gym alongside his father, wrestler Rocky Johnson.
Following a stint playing football, Dwayne joined the WWE cast in 1996.
In 1999, he starred in Star Trek: Voyager and movies like The Mummy Returns.
When he ends up in the ring on Saturday, I guarantee Dwayne will be worried.
Skip Hill
Wayne’s Instagram feed also shows many images and clips promoting his new skincare brand, Papatui.
In one, he can be seen delicately smoothing cream on his skin ahead of the Oscars.
“Outside of his other work, brands, and business, there is nothing bigger than The Rock,” added Hill.
“Getting him back for WrestleMania is a big deal for the WWE
“But when he ends up in the ring on Saturday, I guarantee Dwayne will be worried.
“His body is worth so much money these days.”
Dwayne joined the WWE cast in 1996 after a stint playing footballCredit: WWE
Skip Hill claimed Dwayne (seen here in March) would be worried about going to WrestleMania