Is The Rock showing up at The Royal Rumble? With the WWE's next PLE just two weeks away, a new rumor claims "The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment" could show up at the 27 January show and punch his ticket to WrestleMania 40.

Dave Meltzer is reporting:

“Punk and Rhodes are the obvious favorites to win, with Gunther, Knight and Rock following. The idea of Rock as a surprise Rumble entrant coming in late and winning was discussed for past years when there was an idea of him headlining Mania. So while nobody has advertised it and it probably wouldn’t happen, I wouldn’t reject it as a possibility. Obviously this is completely up to Dwayne Johnson. The usual protocol is that one world title challenger would win at the Rumble and the other at Elimination Chamber.”

H/T 15 January 2024 Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Interestingly, this isn't the first time fans have heard this rumor. In 2023, fans watching The Royal Rumble waited patiently as the various competitors entered the Men's Royal Rumble, waiting to see if the WWE would set up the much-rumored Rock vs Roman match for WrestleMania 39. Although The Rock told fans his schedule didn't allow him to train properly for a WrestleMania match, that didn't stop fans from hoping.

Now, it's looking more likely that The Rock will throw down with Roman. To his credit, "The People's Champion" has been upfront with his fans when it comes to wrestling Roman, never letting them on. As mentioned, he told fans in 2023 the match wasn't happening but given the WWE's habit of hiding its plans with disinformation, not everyone bought The Rock's comments. This year, some fans are more inclined to believe it could happen as The Rock's comments at Day 1 strongly suggest a match with Roman is coming.

When Could Rock vs Roman Happen?

If the match happens as believed, when and where will it happen? WrestleMania 40 seems like an obvious answer but as WrestleLamia has noted, it all depends on The Rock's schedule. Another location that's been discussed is Perth, Australia, this February when the WWE holds Elimination Chamber. A Rock vs Roman match in Australia could be huge and it could keep things open for Cody Rhodes vs Roman Reigns at night two of "The Showcase of the Immortals."

However, Dave Meltzer is reporting that The Rock vs Roman won't happen in Australia:

Regarding the Reigns vs. Rock match, while I presume it’s WrestleMania (and could possibly be a three-way with Rhodes but I don’t think that will come out until many weeks from now), what we did have confirmed is the Australia rumors aren’t accurate. Reigns is not even scheduled for the show. He’s never been advertised and there are no plans for him for that date right now

H/T 15 January 2024 Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The Rock vs Roman can still happen at Elimination Chamber if the WWE decides that's the best location for the match (particularly if it's the only time The Rock can work).

Where do you think The Rock vs Roman should happen (if it happens?).

Photo Credit: WWE