The Rock makes a stunning return to SmackDown as the WWE legend goes face-to-face with Universal Champion Roman Reigns ahead of potential showdown at WrestleMania
WWE legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson made a surprise appearance on Friday Night SmackDown to face Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
The showdown between Roman and the Rock was certainly the first step towards a highly anticipated match between the two superstars at this year’s WrestleMania.
Earlier in the day, rumors began swirling that The Rock would be appearing on Friday’s show after he was spotted working out at the gym near the arena.
His appearance was set up by one of WWE’s textbook promo segments, which started with Reigns speaking negatively about WWE Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
He was then confronted by Cody Rhodes in a segment that many fans had predicted when the Royal Rumble winner chose Reigns as his opponent, subsequently laying the groundwork for The Rock to appear.
WWE legend Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson appeared on Friday Night SmackDown
The Rock confronted Roman Reigns ahead of their potential showdown at WrestleMania
The two superstars came face to face as the show went off air
Rhodes then shook The Rock’s hand before leaving the ring, as it looked like the opportunity for him to avenge last year’s WrestleMania defeat to Reigns was ripped away from him and given to a much bigger name.
Instead, he’ll now challenge Rollins at WrestleMania – assuming the heavyweight champion can return from his torn meniscus in time for the big show.
As for the two superstars who remained in the ring, Reigns and The Rock stared at each other face-to-face as the show subsequently went off the air.
The Rock last appeared on WWE television in September and was recently appointed to the board of directors following TKO’s takeover of the WWE.
However, that news was largely overshadowed by the dark cloud currently hanging over the organization thanks to the sex trafficking lawsuit against former chairman Vince McMahon.