Has ‘The Rock’ finally come back to the WWE? Dwayne Johnson leaving Hollywood?

Valentine’s Day is about expressing love to the ones we care about. Well, WWE gave its passionate fans the ultimate gift of love….The return of The Rock! Dwayne Johnson took a break from his movie star world and dawned ‘The Rock’ persona in a WWE ring, for the first time in 7 years. By entering the realm that launched his entertainment career, the questions surrounding his in-ring promo, has the internet and Hollywood doing the proverbial buzzing.

Questions on whether Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is possibly jumping off the big-screen and back into Vince McMahon’s (owner of the WWE) ring will invade numerous comment boards over the next few days.  And everyone will have a theory. 

Here's a few things to consider...But if you're a fan, checkout Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's promo on RAW.

First off, Dwayne Johnson’s film career has been successful thus far. Sure he’s picked a few tough-to-swallow scripts (Tooth Fairy), but the guy has always garnered praise from critics and audiences for going all-in on his performances. So a comeback to the ring seems very unlikely. But as they say in pro wrestling, “Never say never.” (Wrestling had that trademark line first Justin Bieber).

During the February 14th episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, Dwayne Johnson paused in the middle of his Rock-like promo to address the people as himself. He thanked them and said that, “he is back.” Truth is, the storyline the WWE is working with him, is he is to be the host of Wrestlemania 27 in Atlanta, GA on April 3rd. At this point, that is all anyone knows.

It would benefit WWE greatly if Dwayne Johnson did work some type of regular schedule again as 'The Rock'. Ratings from that era - prior to Johnson’s full-time switch to film - was arguably the most prosperous time for the WWE. Since then, the ratings dropped around 50% and have not grown in the last couple years.

With that said, over the last 7 years, many people within the WWE - including Johnson - said his in-ring days are more-or-less done. Being one of the most popular WWE performers of all-time, people felt he sold-out by not ever making appearances on the company’s flagship show. Despite all the yearning from fans and the WWE, Johnson seemed content being away from a live-audience and a rigorous travel schedule. His goal was to cultivate his talent as an actor, so he could be versatile and avoid the type-casting associated with most pro wrestlers.

Having a film career requires one to be healthy. Especially if they want that said career to last. It may seem that wrestlers never get hurt, but that is not the case my friends. Being in Tampa - where an abundance of professional wrestlers reside - I’ve come across many of them at events and in gyms. Some of these guys are barely able to get in and out of a car these days. And we’re not talking about the senior-citizen crew. It’s the guys whose career was cut short during their prime, stemming from damage done in the ring.

Factoring all of that into the equation, unless Dwayne Johnson really wants to commit himself to solely being a pro-wrestler once again, chances are his deal with WWE will be over once Wrestlemania passes by. Then again, a quick glance over at IMDb.com shows that Johnson only has one more film on the docket for 2011 (Arabian Nights). Usually an actor of his caliber would have future projects already lined up and they would be listed on IMDb‘s site. He could easily step away for a three months and still keep a part-time schedule with the WWE. It’s a common move that has been done before.

Right now, it’s all speculation.  Which is fun for both industries and the fans. As far as Dwayne Johnson’s career is concerned, no matter which path he chooses, he will succeed on either platform. Hollywood is lacking charismatic tough guys these days, so someone may have to pony-up if Johnson does have his sights on returning to the ring in some capacity. Or as he put it during his 15 minute promo on Monday Night Raw…“Home.”

Let the teasing begin!

What would you rather see? The Rock working a regular schedule in the WWE or Dwayne Johnson acting in major studio productions?