The Rock is just days away from returning to the squared circle for his first match in over a decade.
Last match
Rock’s full-time WWE days started to dwindle down in 2002 before missing the second half of 2003 due to acting gigs and then only working one match in 2004 before being on hiatus from WWE for several years.
The Rock returned to be the host of WrestleMania 27 in 2011, where he cost Cena the WWE Title by helping The Miz retain the championship. They later teamed up to beat The Miz and R-Truth in November at the Survivor Series.
The Rock beat Cena at WrestleMania 28 in Miami, Florida, and then the next year at WrestleMania 29, Cena beat The Rock to win the WWE Title in New Jersey. Rock suffered several injuries in his last match.
ESPN has an in-depth piece about Rock’s return, which gave some insight into his training as WWE shipped two rings for him – one in LA and the other to his home in Hawaii. While in LA, he trained with NXT’s Gallus of Mark and Joe Coffey, where they had simulated matches.
Training
WWE producers Michael “P.S.” Hayes and Bobby Roode were also used to help Rock train for the match alongside referee Chad Patton. WWE Medical oversaw the rehearsals to make sure it was run safely.
“Suplexes, a launch off the top rope, a catch, like bodies hitting bodies,” Rock said. “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.”
Check out the full article here.
