While The Rock gave an explanation on The Pat McAfee Show about his absence and why, his response only seemed to make the story more convoluted and confusing. In a recent episode of his podcast "Kliq This", WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash gave a much more simple answer: He's filming a movie, and his director, Martin Scorsese, didn't want the star to get hurt again.

Kevin Nash Connects The Rock’s Absence to Hollywood Commitments

The Last Time Rock Wrestled While Filming, He Got Hurt

With The Rock's absence from WrestleMania 41 being the biggest takeaway from Night 2's main event, which saw John Cena beat Ric Flair's record and win his 17th WWE Championship by beating Cody Rhodes, fans took to social media and their platforms to discuss the potential reasons why. However, Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer and host of the podcast "Kliq This", said it boiled down to something easier: he's filming a new movie.

Rock couldn’t show up because Rock was filming a [Martin] Scorsese film. The last time Rock showed up before Hercules, he tore his pelvis bone and cost production $10 million. He can say whatever he wants, ‘I didn’t want to F up John Cena’s moment.’ He didn’t have the option. Scorsese was not gonna let him.

Rock, one of the most popular movie stars in Hollywood as well as one of the most in demand, was recently announced as attached to the new Martin Scorsese film, which will also star Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt. Rock, who before WrestleMania XL hadn't performed in a WWE ring in over a decade, could put the production in serious jeopardy with an unintended or unexpected injury.

Why a Scorsese Movie Could Keep The Rock Out of the Ring

Injuries Equal Delays Equal Big Expense Problems

Although The Rock was a major component of the John Cena heel turn and the making of the WrestleMania 41 main event against Cody Rhodes, an injury due to any in-ring work could cause catastrophe for the Martin Scorsese project, which is currently in development. To Nash's point, the last time Rock competed in a ring before WrestleMania XL was in 2013 against Cena, and Rock had a pelvis tendon injury, requiring emergency triple-hernia surgery right before his 2014 film Hercules began filming, which cost production $14 million in delays.

An injury to The Rock right before the shooting of a Scorsese film could have massive consequences for him financially and in his career, and it is unlikely that either Scorsese or the insurance companies who work on the film would allow him to participate in the ring, even in an ancillary position out of fear of injury that could cost them millions. While Nash's opinion may be wrong, and The Rock perhaps had the option to show up at WrestleMania 41, fans continue to await answers on the storyline implications of Cena selling his soul. Considering his involvement with Scorsese, it feels unlikely to see Rock back in, or around, the ring anytime soon.