Why The Rock's WWE SmackDown Promo Was Censored

The Rock made his grand return to WWE on this past Friday's episode of SmackDown, opening the show in a segment with Austin Theory and Pat McAfee. 

The Great One's promo was heavily edited, however, with WWE's censors working overtime to ensure foul language didn't make it to the air. 

According to Fightful Select, this was not due to the company's current TV-PG rating, rather the censoring was due to possible FCC violations. Fightful added that there is nothing related to the TV-PG rating that actually prevents foul language, as it not enforced in the same way as, for example, the MPAA does for movies. 

The Rock's surprise return did big numbers for WWE, gaining 100 million views across the company's social channels, clips and television in just one day. 

The 51-year-old's appearance has fuelled speculation that the promotion may end up going ahead with the long-rumoured Rock versus Roman Reigns match at WrestleMania 40. 

The People's Champion has said he is 'open' to the idea, having revealed that the bout was at one point 'locked in' for WrestleMania 39.