On Thursday night, it was announced that The Rock would be making his return to SmackDown on Friday night.
Soon after Thursday’s big announcement, WWE issued a press release, with Paul “Paul “Triple H” Levesque saying – “Strap in. When The Final Boss shows up at this time of year, the audience knows absolutely anything is possible. Everything could change in an instant.”
On Friday morning, The Rock took to social media hyping up his return to SmackDown, noting that “The Final Boss is coming to handle business, deliver a big beautiful gift to the city of New Orleans and f— up a certain someone’s life with the Final Boss gospel.”
With the recent rumors that WrestleMania 42 will take place from the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, there has already been some speculation that the gift The Rock is referring to could be announcing WrestleMania for New Orleans in 2026. In addition, The Rock there has been additional speculation that The Rock could confirm tonight what his plans are for WrestleMania 41, which takes place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 20 and 21.
Below is the current lineup for tonight’s SmackDown.
-WWE Tag Team Championship Match: DIY (Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa) defends against Pretty Deadly (Kit Wilson and Elton Prince)
-WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes, Braun Strowman and Damian Priest vs. Jacob Fatu, Solo Sikoa and Tama Tonga
-Judgment Day’s Liv Morgan vs. WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Naomi
-Drew McIntryre vs. Jimmy Uso
-The Rock makes his return
*Live coverage of tonight’s WWE SmackDown will begin at 8:00 pm ET*