The Rock’s SmackDown Return Was a “Last-Minute” Decision – The Rock officially returned to WWE SmackDown on February 21, making a major impact just weeks before WrestleMania 41. According to sources, the decision to bring The Rock back was finalized at the last minute, catching many within WWE off guard.
Reports indicate that WWE’s creative team was informed only days before the show, leading to adjustments in the planned lineup. One of the biggest changes saw Cody Rhodes being pulled from his scheduled main event.
During his segment, The Rock made a series of major announcements. He confirmed that WrestleMania 42 will take place in New Orleans, issued an ominous challenge to Cody Rhodes for his “soul,” and stated he will be at Elimination Chamber to hear Cody’s answer.
The long-term direction of these developments remains unclear. Previous plans dating back to late last year had Cody Rhodes facing John Cena at WrestleMania 41, while Roman Reigns was originally slated to battle CM Punk. Later, there were discussions about a triple-threat match involving Reigns, Punk, and Seth Rollins. However, as recently as October, WWE was operating under the assumption that The Rock would not be available for WrestleMania, making his sudden return a major shake-up.
Internally, adjustments were already being made before SmackDown aired, and there is uncertainty about what comes next. The segment was credited to writer Cristian Scovell, with Michael Hayes serving as the producer. However, The Rock has creative freedom with his promos, leaving some to wonder if his repeated use of “f**k” was planned or improvised. The profanity was ultimately censored on the broadcast.
As noted, the segment was met with widespread criticism on social media, with many fans voicing their frustration and confusion over The Rock’s intentions. The unclear messaging and abrupt shift in direction left viewers questioning WWE’s creative plans. With Elimination Chamber approaching, the road to WrestleMania 40 feels more chaotic than ever, with no clear direction in sight.
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The Rock’s SmackDown Return Was a “Last-Minute” Decision
