Heading into Friday night's episode of SmackDown, there was speculation that Black Adam star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson might make an appearance. As we first reported on TheRingReport.com, he did indeed show up, and the Brahma Bull soaked in the adoration of fans as they chanted "Holy sh*t!" with excitement.
After a heated back-and-forth with Austin Theory which saw The Rock reel off a series of stellar one-liners, the up-and-coming heel wrestler attempted to jump the future WWE Hall of Famer only to be put on the map for his troubles.
The Rock then hit him with his signature People's Elbow and got Pat McAfee to do the same, leaving them to celebrate together.
Later in the show, a backstage segment saw John Cena welcome The Rock back to WWE shortly after his own return to the company. Both men find themselves unable to shoot their usual Hollywood blockbusters thanks to SAG-AFTRA strikes, so we're sure the fact they're both part of the wrestling world is no coincidence!
Pro wrestling is free from the strike's restrictions (despite being scripted) and while The Rock's in-ring future is uncertain, Cena looks set to stick around until at least November. In Johnson's case, this surprise return appears to be part of a conceited effort to repair his image after last year's Black Adam.
The irony, of course, is that the movie was a bigger hit than all of this year's DCEU offerings, including Shazam! Fury of the Gods. Perhaps DC Studios should have made that clash with Superman a reality after all?
The movie still flopped, though, and the actor went to war with Warner Bros. before DC Studios decided not to bring him back at the DC Comics anti-hero. During a recent interview, The Rock confirmed he'd been "locked in" for a match with his cousin Roman Reigns at this year's WrestleMania and now seems open to it happening next year instead.
You can read more about why it didn't happen - and what might be next - by clicking here.
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