WWE Backstage Reaction To The Rock's SmackDown Promo Revealed

Following much anticipation, The Rock made his return on Friday Night SmackDown and announced New Orleans as the host city of WrestleMania 42 before a rambling promo segment with Cody Rhodes.

The Rock repeatedly swung from heel to babyface during the segment, during which he largely emphasised that Cody and his family could have everything they ever wanted if Rhodes became The Rock's champion. Cody, who noted he was the people's champion, seemed stunned for much of the segment. The Rock eventually ended by telling Rhodes what he wanted more than anything in the world was Cody's soul, giving him until the Elimination Chamber to think about his offer.

The reaction to the promo on social media was primarily one of confusion and the reception within WWE wasn't wholly positive, with one person telling Dave Meltzer that The Rock turned more times in that segment than Paul Wight did in his career.

"You should have watched that segment and known exactly what's going on and, as one person there told me, 'In one segment he turned more than The Big Show did in his entire career.' Which is an exaggeration but I think he turned three or four times," Meltzer said on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Another person within WWE was also negative about what The Rock's promo did for Cody, telling Meltzer they believed The Rock "really diminished" the Undisputed WWE Champion.

The Rock's return on SmackDown was a late addition to the show, coming together only a few days before February 21, in what was a "shock to many." The Rock hinted following SmackDown that his current storyline with Cody Rhodes wouldn't lead to a match.

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