The former World Heavyweight Champion Rocky Balboa serves as a trainer and mentor to Adonis Johnson, the son of his late friend and former rival Apollo Creed.

Rocky Balboa, now in his late fifties and retired from boxing, lives a quiet life as a widower, Adrian Pennino having died from cancer four years prior. He now runs a small but successful Italian restaurant named after her, where he regales his patrons with stories of his past. He also battles personal demons from his grief over Adrian's death, the changing times, and his eroding relationship with his son Robert, a struggling corporate employee. Paulie Pennino, Rocky's brother-in-law, continues to support him whenever he can, and is guilt-ridden over his poor treatment towards his late sister.