In a recent development, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s tribute to the late PAC reportedly raised some eyebrows within WWE due to the way he spoke highly of AEW during the video.
Following PAC’s passing at the age of 40 on September 27, The Rock published a video on Instagram paying tribute to the erstwhile WWE and AEW star.
During a recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com discussed the reaction within WWE to Johnson’s comments. Per Meltzer, some people in the company were particularly surprised by The Rock openly praising AEW, specifically given his position on the TKO Board of Directors.
“Rock and Nick Khan are close. Additionally, i do not believe that has changed. Were there people in WWE who were exceptionally surprised at his wording and what he shared, particularly with him being on the TKO board of directors? Yes, okay. In a connected development, they were very surprised, and nick may not have been. He may have told Nick ahead of time. He can do whatever he aims to. Maybe he didn’t.
Not that he did the video, though the wording in the video, where he spoke highly of them. Essentially gave the stamp of, ‘Yeah, you guys are commendable for business and work hard, and you’re helping make wrestling.’
That’s not the message I think the company aims to out. No one’s going to be mad at him doing the video, but the wording, people brought it up to me.”
Meltzer stressed that the covered surprise was not over Johnson choosing to honor PAC. Rather the language he used when discussing AEW and its contribution to the wrestling industry.
Johnson has served on the TKO Board of Directors since January 2024, making his public comments about WWE’s primary competitor particularly notable to those within the company who reportedly spoke about them with Meltzer.