WWE fans expected the return of a former WWE Champion during the Day 1 episode of RAW. To their surprise, Jinder Mahal made a comeback with a new anti-American gimmick. Then he was suddenly interrupted.
IF YA SMELL…..@TheRock has come back to #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/GVwlc7jpm1
— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024
The Rock Returns during Day 1 WWE RAW
The Rock then entered the scene, generating a massive reaction from the crowd. While there had been speculation about his appearance at the show, it wasn’t definitively confirmed before the broadcast.
The Rock was spotted with WWE CEO Nick Khan previously in the day. Dwayne Johnson was in Pasadena for College Gameday. That is just a couple of hours from WWE RAW’s location of San Diego this week. It was reported by Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select that “when we brought that up to a WWE higher up, they said we made a compelling argument, but wouldn’t confirm or deny.”
During that surprise appearance, The Rock addressed Jinder Mahal, contrasting him with the Iron Sheik and even humorously impersonating the legendary WWE Hall of Famer that we lost last year.
.@TheRock pays tribute to former WWE Champion The Iron Sheik!#WWERaw pic.twitter.com/9lga5ZwlmB
— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024
In response, Jinder Mahal attempted to talk smack about Americans. The Rock proudly declared himself the People’s Champion and an American, which makes us think about all those rumors about The Rock running for US President down the line.
After The Rock continued to insult Jinder Mahal, and his own Baywatch film as collateral damage, The Great One then said that Jinder Mahal is no longer the Modern Day Mahajara, instead, he is now the “day one douchebag.” Yes, fans chanted “day one douchebag” in loud fashion as The Rock directed them to do so.
In an attempt to ambush The Rock, Jinder Mahal started with an attack. However, Dwayne Johnson swiftly retaliated, responding with a series of punches, his spinebuster, and ultimately delivering his iconic People’s Elbow.
The Rock wasn’t finished there, as he picked up the microphone and asked the San Diego crowd if he should sit at the “head of the table” when he goes out to dinner after the show.
??????@TheRock dropped an absolute bombshell on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/Dmqc66tl2G
— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024
The dig at Roman Reigns was obvious, and now we have to wonder if The Rock vs Reigns is actually going to happen in 2024.
The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania was Cancelled Before
WWE had plans for The Rock vs Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39, and it was going to happen, but then things changed for that match. It was never in the cards for WrestleMania 40, but there is always the possibility of a great creative shift if the situation calls for it. The Rock deciding that he can make the time for a return match is definitely a situation that would call for plans changing.
