The Rock returns: WWE star to return on “SmackDown”

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed on Thursday night he will make his triumphant return to “Smackdown” on Friday, a month after he reappeared on WWE programming.

The Rock was thought to have been a main fixture in the road to WrestleMania at the start of the year. For many WWE fans, the road back into the title picture against undisputed WWE champion Cody Rhodes was clear. He seemingly suggested at the Bad Blood premium live event that he was keeping an eye on Rhodes and Roman Reigns.

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UFL owner Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson walks off the field before the game between the Arlington Renegades and the Birmingham Stallions at Choctaw Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on March 30, 2024. (Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports)

For a few months, there was no sign of The Rock returning until he showed up on “RAW’s” debut episode on Netflix. He gave Rhodes his flowers for carrying the company since he won the title at WrestleMania 40. However, that was about it. It made Thursday night’s announcement a bit of a surprise.

“Bold and disruptive,” he wrote. “Unpredictable and dangerous.”

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stands in the ring at the Wells Fargo Center on April 8, 2024 in Philadelphia. (WWE/Getty Images)

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque” also confirmed his longtime counterpart, now a close confidant, would return.

“Strap in. When The Final Boss shows up at this time of year, the audience knows absolutely anything is possible. Everything could change in an instant,” Levesque said in a statement.

What happens then is up in the air.

The Rock famously inserted himself into the title picture between Rhodes and Reigns last season, which culminated in a tag-team match at WrestleMania 40 Night 1 that determined the stipulation for Rhodes vs. Reigns at WrestleMania 40 Night 2.

The Rock, center, and Roman Reigns, right, walk down the ramp before their match against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins during Wrestlemania XL Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6, 2024. (Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports)

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He vowed he would see Rhodes again, but with the “RAW” title picture set and the Elimination Chamber participants squared away to see who will face Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, there does not appear to be a clear path for The Rock if he had a title shot in mind.

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