In a thrilling episode of WWE SmackDown on February 21, 2025, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson electrified fans with a series of monumental announcements and performances. The evening began with The Rock’s entrance, which featured a dynamic remix of his iconic theme song, enhanced by the legendary New Orleans rapper, Lil Wayne. This collaboration paid homage to the vibrant musical heritage of New Orleans, the host city for the event.

The Rock’s entrance was met with resounding applause as he made his way to the ring. Once there, he officially announced that WrestleMania 42 is slated to take place at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on April 11 and 12, 2026. This marks the third time the city will host WWE’s flagship event, following WrestleMania 30 in 2014 and WrestleMania 34 in 2018.

THE ANNOUNCEMENT WAS PLANNED FOR SUPER BOWL

However, when speaking at the post-show press conference the People’s Champion revealed that the major WrestleMania announcement was initially planned for the Super Bowl but didn’t happen as intended.

“We were — and I’ll share this with you,” Rock began. “We were going to be part of the Super Bowl and make the announcement at the Super Bowl that we were coming here to New Orleans. We had a couple of hiccups that we couldn’t make that happen. But in any event, we’re here now and the improvements made to the Dome played a great factor into what we’re doing.” h/t to 411mania.com

THE ROCK PAYS HOMAGE TO LIL WAYNE

This is where I recognized that Mania 42 is going to New Orleans for the 3rd time ugh lol.

Toronto can' t get one huh? Toronto haven't had one since the logo had a F in it.

— Boy123Jim (@Boy123Jim) February 22, 2025

Following the show, The Rock addressed the media at a press conference, where he elaborated on his decision to collaborate with Lil Wayne for his entrance music. He expressed deep admiration for Lil Wayne’s artistry and his significant contributions to the music industry. The Rock emphasized that incorporating Lil Wayne’s unique style into his entrance was a tribute to the rich cultural tapestry of New Orleans and a celebration of the city’s influence on music and entertainment.

“This is Lil Wayne’s city. I love Kendrick that’s my guy, I love the NFL, and I love the Super Bowl, I loved his performance. So, it was my way of showing love to the OG of New Orleans and that’s Lil Wayne”

-The Rock on why he came out to “The Block Is Hot” by Lil Wayne pic.twitter.com/Lg3QHZ8Jac

— Public Enemies Podcast (@TheEnemiesPE3) February 22, 2025

The Rock’s return to SmackDown and his partnership with Lil Wayne not only set the stage for an unforgettable WrestleMania announcement but also underscored the profound connection between WWE and the cultural essence of its host cities. Fans eagerly anticipate the grandeur that WrestleMania 42 promises to deliver in the heart of New Orleans.