The Rock Shares Behind-The-Scenes Footage Of WWE Return

Written by James Holder • Published Sep 22, 2023 09:41 EDT
The Rock and Austin Theory on SmackDown

The Rock has given fans a peek behind the curtain at his recent WWE return.

On September 15th, The Rock made a shock return to WWE, walking out on SmackDown to take down Austin Theory. The appearance was The Great One’s first on WWE television since 2019 and was greeted with a monster reaction from those in attendance.

Posting on social media, the WWE legend has now shared a special look at his return, revealing what was going through his mind as he stepped onto the stage.

“Cool look from backstage when my music hits – I’m hyped, focused and locked in, but this stuff makes me smile every damn time I walk thru that curtain. You can feel the MANA here. It’s real. This crowd eruption is one of the loudest reactions I’ve ever experienced in my grateful & lucky career – and these reactions get louder, crazier and more special every time the music hits.

14,000 of you erupted like it was 100,000. Connecting with people is who I am at my core and our connection is hard to explain. I feel it though. It’s electric and emotional. Powerful stuff. ~ People’s Champ.* shout to Jordan Drutman for the phenomenal iPhone work capturing the emotion and mana of this moment.“

The Rock Sends Support To Released WWE Stars

Following WWE’s merger with UFC, the company has let go of more than 100 employees and on September 21st cut a number of main roster and NXT stars. The highest-profile name to be handed their release was Dolph Ziggler who had spent almost 20 years with the sports entertainment giant.

Again on social media, The Rock shared a message of support for those who’d lost their jobs, while praising Ziggler for his WWE tenure.

In 2024, The Rock has posted behind-the-scenes footage of his Day 1 return.