The Rock rebuts reports after praising AEW and Tony Khan in PAC tribute video

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on October 4, 2026 responded to reports about WWE’s reaction after he praised All Elite Wrestling and AEW president Tony Khan while paying tribute to PAC in a video. The response addressed a report that some people within WWE were surprised by his wording given his role on the TKO Board of Directors.

In the tribute video, The Rock publicly praised AEW and called Tony Khan a friend while remembering PAC as an exceptional professional wrestler. He expressed condolences to PAC’s family, the AEW locker room and his WWE colleagues, described the professional wrestling community as close-knit and acknowledged AEW’s growth as a promotion.

Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that some WWE personnel were “very surprised” by The Rock’s comments, particularly because of his position with TKO. The report prompted public reaction and further discussion inside wrestling circles.

The Rock replied to the report with a post addressing Jonathan Cruz, and his response was shared on Instagram by Cruz (@clutchwrestling). In that reply The Rock wrote: “you are right, brother and humanity matters to me. I was born into this business and I have seen it all, but when one of our own passes away, I don’t care nor do I see “our competition.” I care about the wrestlers and how it affects them. I’ve been there. To me, humanity matters most.”

In his reply The Rock rejected the notion his comments should be interpreted strictly through a corporate lens and stressed personal respect in the wake of a peer’s death. His message said personal respect and humanity take precedence over promotional rivalries when a wrestler dies.

Another WWE Hall of Famer, JBL, also offered praise for Neville and said Vince McMahon had bigger plans for the wrestler. PAC’s passing briefly united performers and promotions that normally compete with one another.

Although Rock is not making regular appearances on WWE PLE events or shows, the megastar continues to make special, part-time appearances and returned to the ring for matches as recently as 2024.

PAC, real name Benjamin Satterley, competed in WWE as Neville. Neville won the Cruiserweight Championship twice and captured the NXT Championship and the NXT Tag Team Championship once.