WWE promised a former WWE Champion returning on Monday's WWE Raw, and they delivered two.
The Rock returned to WWE TV on the January 1 episode of WWE Raw Day One, interrupting Jinder Mahal.
Mahal came out when the "return of a former WWE Champion" was introduced, much to the disappointment of the crowd and Michael Cole. Mahal ran down America, saying the United States is not United. As Mahal continued to bad mouth America, The Rock's music hit.
The Rock hurled insults at Mahal and defending America, first invoking the Iron Shiek to call him a Jabroni, calling him an asshole, and then getting the crowd to chant "Day One Douchebag." Rock then began to sing a remix of the National Anthem, saying Mahal's balls were not there and that he was going to whoop his ass.
Mahal kicked The Rock, but Rock fired back, hitting a spinebusted followed by a People's Elbow.
After the People's Elbow, The Rock said he was going out in San Diego and asked if he should sit at the booth, at the bar, if he should sit at the Head of the Table, referencing Roman Reigns.
IF YA SMELL.....@TheRock has come back to #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/GVwlc7jpm1
— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024
----------@TheRock has a ---- on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/MVfR4jrxnk
— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024
The People's Champ just laid the smackdown on @JinderMahal ... on #WWERaw!@TheRock pic.twitter.com/2VmBewsMo1
— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024
OH. MY. GOD.@TheRock just delivered an absolute mic drop on #WWERaw! pic.twitter.com/TKMfwDiHa5
— WWE (@WWE) January 2, 2024
This marks The Rock's first appearance on WWE TV since he made a surprise return on the September 15 episode of WWE SmackDown to get into a verbal confrontation with Austin Theory and then lay him out with the People's Elbow.
The Rock was in Pasedena on Monday afternoon to take part in College Gameday ahead of the Rose Bowl game between Alabama and Michigan.
On Friday, Fightful Select reported "Sources within WWE, while speaking vaguely, claimed that the company is "on the one yard line" in landing a former WWE Champion to appear on the show [WWE Raw Day One], and they feel confident they can get the deal done."
Triple H wouldn't confirm or deny the report on Friday evening, just telling fans to "stay tuned."
Fans can find Fightful's coverage of WWE Raw by clicking here. Check out the post-show podcast for a full review of all the action by clicking here.
