The September 15th edition of WWE Smackdown may not have featured WWE’s Resident Top Draw, Roman Reigns, or their Biggest Attraction, Brock Lesnar, but it was able to deliver some of the biggest names of all time.
The show opened with the return of multi-hyphenate Pat McAfee talking up the WWE Universe. McAfee’s former WrestleMania opponent, Austin Theory, came out dressed inexplicably similar to Pat McAfee, saying that Smackdown was Austin Theory Live. Pat McAfee corrected Theory, by saying that Smackdown is the people’s show, and you know what that means.
THE ROCK IS HERE!!! 🤯@TheRock #SmackDown pic.twitter.com/fgDocrJ0OL
— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) September 16, 2023
In a surprise appearance, we get Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson making an appearance on Smackdown to an incredibly enthusiastic crowd. The Rock proceeds to please the crowd with his wit, charm, and classic catchphrases finishing the segment with the People’s Elbow on Austin Theory, followed by another from Pat McAfee.
After the first match ends, Pat McAfee and The Rock are talking backstage when John Cena appears, and a playfully tense face-off occurs before The Rock and Cena exchange handshakes and a hug.
The best nights are the ones when we remember we’re all fans.
Welcome home, @TheRock.
Thank you, Denver. C U next week #Smackdown! @WWE @WWEonFOX pic.twitter.com/utOCMV8Pss— John Cena (@JohnCena) September 16, 2023
Later in the night, The Australian Star, Grayson Waller hosts his talk show, The Grayson Waller Effect, and introduces John Cena as his guest. Waller provokes Cena by bringing up Cena’s hairline and losing to Austin Theory at WrestleMania. Cena tosses his hat and shirt preparing for a fight while Waller contends that he’s just interested in talking. However, Jimmy Uso arrives for a verbal back and forth with Cena, leading to Solo Sikoa (Jimmy’s real life younger brother) assaulting Cena. Sikoa and Uso attack Cena until “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles arrives, and he and Cena fight off Sikoa and Uso. Cena hits his “Five Knuckle Shuffle” fist drop on Jimmy Uso to the delight of the crowd and is about to hit the Attitude Adjustment finisher when Solo saves Uso to end the show.
The Rock and John Cena on Broadcast television in separate segments could easily lead to longer term plans for both. The ongoing writers and actors strike frees up both men’s normally busy schedules. Could we eventually see The Rock vs. Roman Reigns at WrestleMania?
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