"The Final Boss" is ready for his showcase on "The Grandest Stage of Them All" this weekend.
The Rock recently spoke with ESPN to promote WrestleMania XL this Saturday and Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, PA., where he joins forces with WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns to take on Cody Rhodes and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth "Freakin'" Rollins in the night one main event.
During the discussion, "The Final Boss" spoke about his training for his in-ring return after several years away from the squared circle, why he decided to return to WWE after so many years away, as well as his future in WWE after WrestleMania XL wraps up.
Featured below are some of the highlights from the interview where he touches on these topics with his thoughts.
On what he’s been doing in training: "Suplexes, a launch off the top rope, a catch, like bodies hitting bodies. It’s things like that that you have to do and have to prepare for. And you’re getting bruised up, you’re hitting the ropes. It comes back fairly quick. … It’s like riding a bike."
On working hard for the Wrestlemania match: "Fortunately for me, very lucky in that I became somewhat of a ring general where I see the circumference of the ring and where I need to be usually timing wise. Because timing is really important in our business of wrestling. So, just putting in the work, training, the diet begins, which always sucks. And taking the falls and just getting my ass kicked every day. So, we’ll see how it goes."
On why he came back now: "I was excited to work with [Nick], Ari and Mark Shapiro to help expand the WWE/TKO business to new heights. That relationship that I have with Nick has certainly helped propel a lot of this forward. Even though things didn’t work out philosophically for us to get the deal done for WrestleMania 39 at SoFi Stadium, that allowed this incredible opportunity for Cody Rhodes to come in. And as we are feeling and sensing and hearing from his passionate fans … what an incredible opportunity for him."
On his future in WWE: "I’m not off the board after WrestleMania. I’m still on the board, and I will always be a part of this. And we are in it now. This is our thing and will forever be our thing."
Check out the complete interview with The Rock at ESPN.com, and make sure to join us here on 4/6 and 4/7 for live WWE WrestleMania XL results coverage from Philadelphia, PA.
