WWE WrestleMania 2016: Predicting the Rock's Involvement at Marquee Event

At WWE WrestleMania 2016, The Rock will play the role that Seth Rollins did last year—the center of the swerve that elevates the main event.

With as much as WWE has hyped his appearance at the event, one has to assume that it will be hugely significant. It's hard to imagine all this buildup over his mystery part in the WrestleMania puzzle will lead to him just warming up the crowd.

For one, WrestleMania is too starved for star power thanks to a good portion of the roster heading to the surgeon's table in recent months. WWE needs The Rock to make an impact. 

The Rock himself has hinted at doing something memorable. He posted on Instagram (NSFW language): "Been working on a surprise or two for months now for the most important part of the show—the fans."

In early 2016, he promised to "electrify Dallas like never before" in an Instagram post.

All that doesn't sound like a simple promo is in the works. Expect WWE Creative to have a choice spot for him as the event unfolds.

Jim Ross envisions a similar scenario to the opening of WrestleMania XXX.  

The Hall of Famer wrote on his blog: "Seems like no-brainer booking to feature Steve Austin, The Rock and John Cena in the ring together at 'Mania in an entertaining piece of business. The fans would love it and creative type should never avoid an automatic 'pop.'"

That's too much of a repeat of a moment that happened just three years ago, though. And even if WWE has that scene in mind, the safe bet is that his night won't be over there.

The most likely scenarios involve him having a bigger role, one that would help launch emerging stars further upward.

Aiding The New Day

When The New Day goes to battle with The League of Nations at WrestleMania, the trio will be one man short. The tag team champs are up against a four-man squad. 

And with WWE clearly now trying to shift The New Day's momentum as heels into babyface love, it makes sense that the group would get a helping hand from The Rock.

Court Bauer, a former member of WWE Creative, predicts that's how WWE will utilize The Brahma Bull. In an interview with Wrestling Inc, Bauer said: "I think it's going to be a New Day for the Rock. I think he's going to help those guys out, because they're a man short on that deal, and I think it's a cool way to give those guys a rub." 

The New Day and The Rock's verbal sparring session from this January could act as a precursor to that alliance.

Maybe Big E and company earned The Rock's respect that night. Maybe The Great One sees a bit of himself in them and wants to see them flourish.

Either way, it wouldn't be the first time that WWE has leaned on past stars to try to facilitate The New Day's babyface turn. Edge and Christian joined forces with the champs at Fastlane.

The biggest question mark about this scenario, though, is whether WWE would use its Rock card on a hot act that resides on the midcard. The Rock, even when just stepping in for a moment, is more headliner material.

Backstage Antics

The least attractive and least creative option is to let The Rock loose and have him interact with other wrestlers backstage.

WWE knows that The Rock will entertain. This would provide some fun moments in between matches and help fill out the show, a la what he did before his match at WrestleMania XX.

A number of tempting possibilities are up for grabs. The Rock could encourage Sasha Banks, tease a future showdown with Brock Lesnar or congratulate The Usos on a big win.

In an attempt to put his face all over WrestleMania, it's likely WWE has him do a bit of this in addition to featuring him in a more direct role in one of the bouts.

But using him in backstage interactions doesn't feel like a sufficient use of The Rock. And would his popping up in the locker room for a comedy bit really constitute the kind of big surprise that most fans will be expecting?

Count on The Rock to play a part in the Roman Reigns' story.

The Key to Reigns' Turn

Reigns' ascension to top babyface status has been marked by resistance. Jeering comprises the soundtrack to what is supposed to be the story of a hero conquering a corrupt authority figure.

As much as WWE wants Reigns to succeed in this role, it has to realize that it's better off not going against the grain anymore. Turning Reigns heel is inevitable. Much of the audience already loathes him.

On the WINC Podcast, former WWE writer Vince Russo offered up a scenario where The Rock comes to Reigns' aid, only for the younger star to attack him. He said of the idea, "I don't know what they could possibly do to get more heat on him than that."

Russo is spot on here. That is the ultimate ticket to turning Reigns and to ending WrestleMania with a moment that leaves fans buzzing and best harnesses The Rock's star power.

WWE has tried to use The Rock the other way, having him fight alongside Reigns at the 2015 Royal Rumble to try to transfer some of The Great One's popularity onto his distant cousin. That certainly didn't work.

Going the opposite direction, however, would be a crafty move. As adored as he is, The Rock is the ideal springboard for Reigns' climb to the top as the lifeless body he steps on in order to grab the brass ring.