Handlung

Thirty years after the ring of the first bell, Rocky Balboa comes out of retirement and dons his gloves for his final fight against the reigning heavyweight champ Mason 'The Line' Dixon.

When he loses a highly publicized virtual boxing match to ex-champ Rocky Balboa, reigning heavyweight titleholder Mason Dixon retaliates by challenging the Itallian Stallion to a nationally televised, 10-round exhibition bout. To the surprise of his son and friends, Rocky agrees to come out of retirement and face an opponent who's faster, stronger and thirty years his junior. With the odds stacked firmly against him, Rocky takes on Dixon in what will become the greatest fight in boxing history, a hard-hitting, action-packed battle of the ages.—Shawn Ashley

Rocky Balboa is a longtime retired boxer and remembered by most as one of the greatest boxing champions in the world. He now lives back in the skids of Philadelphia but manages a good life including running his restaurant Adrian's, helping an adult Little Marie and her son Steps, and saying hello at any opportunity to his estranged son Robert. After seeing a virtual fight of Rocky in his prime vs. heavyweight champion Mason "the Line" Dixon, Rocky's interest in fighting sparks again and he plans to fight in local clubs. Mason Dixon and his managers have a different agenda though, with a plan to pit Rocky vs. Mason in real life for a publicity act to regain Mason's lost respect from his fans. Finally agreeing to Mason Dixon's proposal, Rocky prepares to step in the ring for one last time.—commanderblue

A widower of many years now Rocky has fallen into a routine of looking back to his past. A coincidental meeting with a girl that is now all grown up gets him back on track. Rocky always wanting to help those that he cares about lends a hand out for her and her son. Rocky now owns a small restaurant in the heart of Philly, he finds himself telling stories to those that ask about old fights and taking photos with his fans. Paulie, his wife's brother shows him an ESPN exclusive about a virtual fight between reigning undefeated heavy weight champion of the world Mason "The Line" Dixon. The virtual bout intrigues everyone with Rocky "the Italion Stallion" as the winner. Rocky feels like he needs to get back in the ring not for a title shot, but for some local fights that will satisfy his love of the game. When Rocky is approached by Dixon's managers Rocky can't turn the semi charity event down. After tying things back up with his son, Rocky, Duke (his former trainer), Paulie, and Rocky Jr. get to work training the still in shape former 2 time heavy weight champion of the world. You'll be inspired by the heart vs skill bout of ten amazing rounds.—RCG_Sk8ter_

15 years have passed (1990-2005) since Rocky's last fight. Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) is now a retired boxer. Rocky owns an Italian themed restaurant in Philadelphia named after his beloved wife Adrian who passed in 2002. Rocky regales the restaurant patrons with tales from his past. Their son, Robert (Milo Ventimiglia), has entered the corporate world. Rocky also battles personal demons involving his grief over Adrian's death and his eroding relationship with his son Robert, now a moderately successful young corporate accountant.

Robert feels resentment about living in the shadow of his famous father. When Rocky meets Robert at work, Robert's boss drools over Rocky. Robert feels that the only identity he has is that of Rocky's son.

Paulie, Rocky's best friend and brother-in-law, continues to support him whenever he can, but is guilt-ridden over his past poor treatment toward his late sister and accuses Rocky of living in the past. Rocky and Paulie visit Adrian's grave from time to time, but Robert does not accompany them.

Rocky meets Marie (Geraldine Hughes) a bartender at the Lucky Seven tavern. Back in 1975, she was a young teenager who Rocky admonished her to quit smoking and walked her home to keep her away from the neighborhood gangs. Rocky befriends Marie and tries to provide a role model for Stephenson / Steps (James Francis Kelly III) her son who was born out of wed lock. Steps father was from Jamaica. Rocky's relationship with Marie quickly blossoms over the following weeks and he meets and bonds with Steps, providing him with a much-needed buffer for his anguish. Rocky takes Steps to the pound and together they adopt a dog that Steps names Punchy. When Rocky's assistant at the restaurant goes on maternity leave, he invites Marie to work there as the hostess and barmaid.

Dixon reigns as the undefeated yet unpopular heavyweight world champion, often ridiculed for having never fought a true contender. This leads to tension with the public and his promoters and encourages him to return to his roots: the small gym he first trained in and his old trainer, who sagely tells him that, inevitably, he will earn back his respect through a true opponent that will test him by fighting back. ESPN televises a computer simulation of a fight pitting Rocky (in his prime) against the current Heavyweight champion, Mason "The Line" Dixon (Antonio Tarver), likened to a modern-day version of The Super Fight - that ends in a disputed KO victory for Balboa, further riling the champ. The TV commentators are critical of Dixon who they say has never been in a long drag out brawls. He has never had to scrap and dig his way out of trouble.

In contrast, the simulation inspires Rocky to take up boxing again. Paulie (Burt Young) doesn't want to be part of it. Pennsylvania Athletic Commission grants him a license when Rocky accuses them of acting in bad faith, with intention of refusing license even after he passed all tests.

Dixon's promoters pitch the idea of holding a charity exhibition bout at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas to bolster Dixon's floundering popularity. In the middle of this chaos, Paulie is laid off from his job. Dixon's managers urge him to fight Rocky as nobody wants to see Dixon fight the nobody's anymore. When they speak to Rocky, Marie encourages him to take his last shot. With some hesitation, both men agree to the match, creating a media buzz that stabs at Rocky's age and Dixon's credibility.

Robert later makes an effort to discourage Rocky from fighting, blaming his own personal failings on his father's celebrity shadow. Rocky rebukes Robert by saying "Let me tell you something you already know. The world isn't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is going to hit as hard as life. But it isn't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get it and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But you got to be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you isn't where you want to be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that isn't you! You're better than that!"

The next day, father and son meet over Adrian's grave and reconcile. Robert has quit his job to be at Rocky's side. Rocky sets straight to training with Apollo Creed's old trainer, Tony "Duke" Evers (Tony Burton), who quickly surmises that the aging Rocky can only compete by building his strength and punching power as much as possible. The strategy is to develop hard punches "hurt bombs" to knock Dixon out early.

On the day of the match, Dixon easily dominates the first round, only to injure his left hand on Rocky's hip in the second. Rocky then makes a dramatic comeback, knocking Mason down, and surprising the audience with his prowess and chin despite his age. The two combatants beat each other severely throughout the full 10 rounds, ending with both men still standing, although Rocky gets the last punch.

Rocky thanks an appreciative Dixon for the match and tells him that he is a great champion, while the audience applauds the two fighters. The result is announced as Rocky exits the ring with his family and friends: a win for Dixon by a close split decision, but Rocky does not mind the outcome, and the crowd gives him a final standing ovation.

Rocky returns home and visits Adrian's grave again, thanking her for helping him in spirit. During the end credits, there is an acknowledgment of the iconic status the Rocky series has achieved, through a montage of people following in Rocky's footsteps, charging up the front steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.