Finally, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is back in WWE!
Ahead of the September 15th episode of SmackDown, it was reported that both Pat McAfee and Dwayne Johnson would be in attendance at the show in Denver, CO. The two were fresh off a blockbuster interview, with Johnson appearing as a guest on The Pat McAfee Show.
As it turns out, not only were both men in attendance, they would make shocking appearances on the broadcast itself. McAfee delighted the Denver crowd by making his entrance to start the show, his first appearance in the company since defeating The Miz at WrestleMania 39.
He was soon confronted by his WrestleMania 38 opponent Austin Theory. After calling Theory disrespectful to the wrestling business as well as to the fans in attendance, McAfee had another surprise: the return of The Rock, who entered to a thunderous ovation.
After Rock greeted his adoring fans, he turned his attention to Theory, who had the audacity to interrupt with The Great One’s own catchphrase, saying “it doesn’t matter what The Rock says.” Rocky countered, saying it does matter what he says, and it also matters what the people say. He then asked the crowd if they wanted to see him “beat this jabroni’s a**.”
Theory’s bravado was short-lived, and in the end he received a People’s Elbow from not only Rock, but also Pat McAfee. Video of the grand return can be seen below.
The Rock’s return has garnered huge preliminary ratings for SmackDown, leading to a 36% increase in the 18-49 key demographic versus last week’s episode!
THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S SHOW..
BAH GAWD THAT'S @THEROCK'S MUSIC#SmackDAHN#SmackDownpic.twitter.com/KJbmDb2qBp
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 16, 2023
In recent news, Pat McAfee spoke about how quick the segment with The Rock came together.
The Rock Teased A WrestleMania 40 Match With Roman Reigns
Rock’s return comes just hours after dropping a major tease for WrestleMania 40. During his interview on The Pat McAfee Show, the Hollywood megastar dropped the major news that a match between himself and Tribal Chief Roman Reigns was “locked in” for WrestleMania 39 before creative plans didn’t come to fruition before teasing that they could face off at WrestleMania 40.
“So we got really really close, but we couldn’t actually nail what that thing was, so we decided to put our pencils down, and then we agreed, hey listen. There’s a merger coming up, eventually that will happen. There’s WrestleMania in Philadelphia… [crowd reacts as Rock raises his eyebrow]”
McAfee asked Rock what he was saying, and the Hollywood megastar said he’s “open” to competing on the Grandest Stage of Them All in 2024.
“I’m saying that’s a potential too. I’m open, I’m open, but again, let’s figure out what that is because the fans deserve something just incredible, unprecedented, and not only that, but I also want to deliver to the locker room, to the boys and the girls back there working their a**es off. What can we do to put them in a position where they’re part of something that is a new change, a new era in this world of pro wrestling.”
Recently The Rock shared his thoughts on the WWE and UFC merger.
h/t TJR Wrestling