WWE reportedly reacted after The Rock praised AEW in Instagram tribute to PAC
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson paid tribute to PAC in a video shared on his Instagram account, reported on October 3, 2026, in which he praised AEW, and WWE figures reportedly registered surprise at his wording, Dave Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio.
PAC’s death prompted widespread reaction across the wrestling community and Johnson posted a short video explaining PAC’s wrestling background. In that clip the Final Boss described professional wrestling as a close-knit community united by its passion for the squared circle, remembered PAC as an exceptionally talented performer and expressed sympathy to PAC’s family, Tony Khan, AEW’s locker room and WWE colleagues. Johnson concluded the message by thanking PAC for his memories, performances, and impact on wrestling fans.
On Wrestling Observer Radio, Garrett Gonzales asked Dave Meltzer about Johnson’s tribute and the backstage response inside WWE; Meltzer said: “Rock and Nick Khan are close. I do not believe that that has changed. Were there people in WWE who were very surprised at his wording and what he said, especially with them being on the TKO board of directors? Yes. Okay. They were very surprised.”
Meltzer said he was unsure whether WWE President Nick Khan had been informed about The Rock’s remarks and argued that, even if Khan had known, he would not have the authority to stop Johnson from praising AEW President Tony Khan. Meltzer also stated that no one, including the WWE President, can dictate what The Final Boss says publicly.
Discussing the phrasing of the tribute, Meltzer added: “Not that he did the video or anything like that, but the wording in the video, you know, where, you know, he praised them and, you know, essentially gave the stamp of, yeah, you guys are good for business and work hard and you’re helping make wrestling. Not the message that I think that the company wants out, you know, not, you know, the idea of him doing the video. I don’t, you know, no one’s gonna be mad at that. But, yeah, the wording. People brought it up to me. Yeah, yeah.”
Johnson has not been a regular presence on WWE pay-per-view events or weekly programming, instead making special, part-time appearances; the article notes he returned to the ring for matches as recently as 2024.
There are no concrete plans for The Rock’s return to in-ring action as of October 2026, though the piece reports speculation about a possible return at 2027 PLE events.