Amidst $5 Billion Netflix Deal, Is Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Avoiding Showing Up on Raw?

In the opening segment of the latest edition of WWE SmackDown, the show returned to a familiar format, as The Bloodline dominated more than 30 minutes of the blue brand’s airtime. The Rock challenged 2024 Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins to a tag team match at WrestleMania Night 1 against himself and undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, a match with multiple stipulations affecting the title fight between Reigns and Rhodes on Night 2.

And on the latest edition of RAW, Rhodes and Rollins accepted the challenge. But have you wondered why it’s been a long time since Johnson last appeared on the red brand? The rivals are going to and fro with one issuing a challenge on SmackDown and the other responding on RAW. What could be the reasons?

Netflix wants to see other talents on the show

Making his high-profile return to professional wrestling has given many wrestlers the opportunity to work with The Rock, with one of the first to step into the ring with him being Jinder Mahal, who was introduced as a phony to Triple H’s surprise as a major WWE champion returning on “WWE Raw Day 1.” And that did lead to him later getting a title shot against Seth Rollins.

So maybe it is possible that Netflix wants to see what other stars are created on RAW that will require the Rock’s boost. Because we all know that if the Rock appears on both shows, he will be the one stealing away all the limelight from the other talents on the show.

The WWE wants a deal for the blue brand as well

It is not unknown by now that Raw will begin airing on Netflix next year as part of a massive streaming rights deal worth more than $5 billion. Netflix will be the exclusive home of Raw in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, among other territories, with more countries and regions being added over time. So with such a major deal for the red brand, maybe the WWE wants the blue brand to find a similar deal.

Read More: Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins Confirm Face-Off With Dwayne Johnson and Roman Reigns Before Their WrestleMania XL Match – EssentiallySports

That could be the reason why the Rock has been made an exclusive for SmackDown so far. The Rock alone brings up major viewership for the WWE and keeping him just on the blue brand will make fans tune in to watch the show as they can only find him there.

Trying to avoid a confrontation before WrestleMania

Well, this one is fairly simple. The WWE loves slowly building up their mania main event storyline. We were earlier teased with the idea that Rollins might join Rhodes before that idea came to fruition. Now even Jey Uso might be coming for Jimmy Uso to help Rhodes win. So with slow buildup, it allows for WWE to build anticipation amongst fans for the eventual blockbuster match-up.

So that could be the reason why they are keeping both parties apart. Since, with tensions so high, the security and locker room won’t be able to avoid a clash between the two. What do you think? Could there be other reasons as well? Let us know in the comments!

Read More: “Public Friction Now”: Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson & Triple H’s Real Life Heat Exposed Ahead of WrestleMania XL Match – EssentiallySports