On the February 21, 2025, episode of WWE Friday Night SmackDown in Louisiana, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returned as The Final Boss persona, walking out to a new entrance theme featuring New Orleans’ very own Lil Wayne.
The entrance theme began with the classic “If ya smell” line and shifted to Wayne’s 1999 hit “Tha Block Is Hot,” which features fellow American rappers B.G. and Juvenile.
In the post-show press conference, the wrestler-turned-actor explained why he chose to remix the song and shared his love for one of the most influential hip-hop artists of his generation, “I’ve always been a big fan of Lil Wayne. I’ve always been a big fan of Louisiana hip-hop from Master P, Juvenile, Birdman, 504. All of those guys […] Those are my influences. I love all of those guys. I felt like, we’re coming to New Orleans.”
The future WWE Hall of Famer also delivered the electrifying announcement that New Orleans will host WrestleMania 42, the company’s biggest annual two-night event, on April 11 and 12, 2026.
He also called out current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, whom he crossed paths with last year during Rhodes’ feud with his cousin, then-champion Roman Reigns, at WrestleMania XL in Philadelphia. However, they seemed to have become friends after meeting in the ring at WWE Raw’s Netflix premiere earlier this year.
But strangely, now that The Rock is part of WWE’s Board of Directors, his current persona as “The Final Boss” takes it to another level, asking WWE’s top star to be more than just a great champion — but his champion. This seems to mirror a storyline from the late ’90s when The Rock sold out and became a “corporate” champion for former WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
Watch the WWE Smackdown segment featuring The Rock walking out to his new entrance theme below: