Backstage Reaction To The Rock's WWE Return

The Rock made his return to WWE on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown in New Orleans, first announcing the location of WrestleMania 42, before then calling out Cody Rhodes and heavily hinting that he wanted Rhodes to become a corporate champion.

The return of The Rock came together very late, only being announced earlier in the day prior to SmackDown. When it comes to the reaction to The Rock’s return, Fightful Select provided some insight. Although The Rock’s return was only announced hours ahead of SmackDown, it is noted by Fightful Select that creative was told a few days prior to SmackDown, but it was still “a shock to many in the company”. 

WWE were previously working under the impression that The Rock would not be wrestling at WrestleMania 41, and his appearance at RAW’s Netflix premiere led to many assuming he would not be back any time soon, with it being reported that The Rock himself didn’t know when he’d be wrestling next. The Rock’s return saw a change in plans for SmackDown itself, as Cody Rhodes was pulled from competing in the main event. Fightful Select spoke to some of those in WWE who said that this was a late decision and that even those internally haven’t been informed of the direction the story is taking.

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