The Rock and Roman Reigns, two of the biggest stars in WWE history, made a surprise appearance on WWE SmackDown on February 16, 2024, sending the fans into a frenzy. The Rock and Reigns, who are cousins in real life, confronted each other in the ring, and teased a possible match at WrestleMania 40.
The Rock and Reigns return to WWE SmackDown
The Rock and Reigns, who have not been seen on WWE television for a long time, returned to WWE SmackDown in a shocking and thrilling segment. The Rock, who is a Hollywood megastar and a WWE legend, came out to a huge ovation from the crowd, and said that he was back to address the WWE Universe, and to announce his next project.
The Rock said that he was working on a biopic about his life and career, and that he had chosen his cousin, Roman Reigns, to play him in the movie. The Rock said that he had seen Reigns’ work in Fast and Furious 9, and that he was impressed by his acting skills and charisma. The Rock said that he wanted to give Reigns the opportunity to portray him on the big screen, and to learn from him.
However, before The Rock could continue, Reigns’ music hit, and the former WWE Universal Champion came out to the ring, accompanied by his manager, Paul Heyman. Reigns, who had been away from WWE since losing his title to Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2023, looked angry and annoyed, and said that he did not need The Rock’s help or approval.
Reigns said that he was the best wrestler and the biggest star in WWE, and that he did not want to play The Rock in a movie, but to face him in a match. Reigns said that he had always been compared to The Rock, and that he had always been in his shadow, but that he was better than him in every way. Reigns said that he wanted to prove that he was the true head of the family, and the true face of WWE.
Reigns challenged The Rock to a match at WrestleMania 40, which will take place on April 7, 2024, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Reigns said that he wanted to end The Rock’s career, and to take his place as the most electrifying man in sports entertainment.
The Rock accepted Reigns’ challenge, and said that he was not afraid of him, but proud of him. The Rock said that he had always loved and respected Reigns, and that he had always supported and mentored him. The Rock said that he wanted to face Reigns at WrestleMania 40, not to hurt him, but to teach him a lesson. The Rock said that he wanted to show Reigns who he really was, and to make him humble.
The Rock and Reigns then had a tense stare down, and exchanged some words, before The Rock delivered his signature catchphrase, “If you smell what The Rock is cooking”. The segment ended with The Rock and Reigns staring at each other, as the fans chanted “This is awesome”.
The Rock and Reigns set for a blockbuster match at WrestleMania 40
The Rock and Reigns’ segment on WWE SmackDown was a huge surprise and a huge success, as it generated a lot of buzz and excitement among the fans and the media. The Rock and Reigns’ match at WrestleMania 40 is expected to be one of the biggest and most anticipated matches in WWE history, as it will pit two of the most popular and dominant wrestlers of all time against each other.
The Rock and Reigns have a lot of history and chemistry, as they are both members of the famous Anoa’i family, which has produced many wrestling legends, such as Rikishi, Umaga, Yokozuna, and The Usos. The Rock and Reigns have also worked together in the past, as The Rock helped Reigns win the 2015 Royal Rumble match, and Reigns appeared in Fast and Furious 9 with The Rock.
The Rock and Reigns’ match at WrestleMania 40 will also have a lot of stakes and implications, as it will determine the legacy and the future of both wrestlers. The Rock, who is 51 years old, and has not wrestled a full match since 2013, will try to prove that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, and to cement his status as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Reigns, who is 38 years old, and has been one of the top wrestlers in WWE for the past decade, will try to prove that he is the best wrestler in the world, and to establish himself as the new leader and icon of WWE.
The Rock and Reigns’ match at WrestleMania 40 will also have a lot of emotion and drama, as it will test the bond and the loyalty of the family, and the respect and the rivalry of the wrestlers. The Rock and Reigns will have to face each other as cousins, as mentors, and as opponents, and will have to decide what matters more to them: family or glory.
Other highlights from WWE SmackDown
The Rock and Reigns’ segment was not the only highlight from WWE SmackDown, as the show also featured some other exciting and interesting moments, such as:
- The continuation of the Elimination Chamber qualifiers, which saw Kevin Owens defeat Dominik Mysterio, Logan Paul defeat The Miz, Shotzi defeat Tiffany Stratton, and Naomi defeat Zelina Vega, to earn their spots in the Elimination Chamber matches for the WWE Universal Championship and the WWE Women’s Championship, respectively.
- The return of Sasha Banks, who had been out of action since losing her WWE Women’s Championship to Becky Lynch at TLC 2023. Banks confronted Lynch, and said that she wanted a rematch for her title at WrestleMania 40. Lynch accepted Banks’ challenge, and said that she was ready to face her anytime, anywhere.
- The debut of Robert Roode, who had signed with WWE after leaving Impact Wrestling. Roode interrupted a promo by Shinsuke Nakamura, and said that he was the newest and the best addition to the WWE SmackDown roster. Roode challenged Nakamura to a match, and said that he would show him why he was the glorious one. Nakamura accepted Roode’s challenge, and said that he would show him why he was the king of strong style.