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<p>Eight-time WWE World Champion <strong>The Rock</strong> shocked the wrestling world by making a surprise return to SmackDown this past Friday night. His return has shattered the Stamford-based promotion’s social media records.</p>
<p>This past week’s episode of SmackDown took place from the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. The show kicked off with the surprise return of Pat McAfee. As he was addressing the crowd, <a href="https://www.wrestlezone.com/tag/austin-theory">Austin Theory</a> interrupted. </p>
<p>As the former United States Champion claimed that Friday Nights was his show, McAfee revealed that it was the people’s show. Once he was done talking, out came The Rock. <a href="https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1404982-the-rock-returns-on-9-15-wwe-smackdown-pat-mcafee-appears">The People’s Champion came out</a> to one of the loudest pops in WWE history. </p>
<p>He had a confrontation with Austin Theory. In the end, he hit the most electrifying move in all of Sports Entertainment the People’s Elbow. McAfee also landed an elbow of his own on Theory. </p>
<p>WWE recently took to <a href="https://twitter.com/wwe/status/1703756083309789419?s=46&;t=jnKGAq8n5vDVZtB2o7LfYA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Twitter</a> to reveal that the opening segment of SmackDown involving The Great One has surpassed over 103 Million views. This is across all social media platforms. This is one of the highest-viewed segments of this year. </p>
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<h2 id="h-the-rock-thanked-the-wwe-universe">The Rock thanked the WWE Universe</h2>
<p>Following his return to the Stamford-based promotion, <a href="https://www.wrestlezone.com/tag/the-rock">The Great One</a> also shared his gratitude for the incredible response he received from the WWE Universe.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I was – I’m still – completely blown away by this crowd reaction in Denver this past Friday night on SMACKDOWN. <br />My appearance was a ? surprise to everyone and this crowd of 14,000 erupted with the roar of 100,000 strong. <br />Top 5 loudest crowd reaction of my career ????… <a href="https://t.co/IYXcD0yCzN">pic.twitter.com/IYXcD0yCzN</a></p>
<p>— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRock/status/1703505813221036404?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 17, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>“I was – I’m still – completely blown away by this crowd reaction in Denver this past Friday night on SMACKDOWN. My appearance was a surprise to everyone and this crowd of 14,000 erupted with the roar of 100,000 strong. Top 5 loudest crowd reaction of my career<br />(which I was like “holy s***” when I walked out) I’m so grateful and humbled by this.<br />I never take it for granted and “coming home” will always be sacred to me. Thank you my guy PatMac, the talented Austin Theory, @wwe family backstage, Team Rock behind the scenes – everyone who joined us to go ALL IN. But most importantly, thank you with all my love, gratitude and respect, to THE PEOPLE. Our connection is real. Electrifying. ~ people’s champ,” he tweeted.</p>
<p>On the same episode of SmackDown, The Rock and John Cena also had a heartfelt moment as they hugged each other and Cena <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CxO9lz-Mg1j/">welcomed</a> The Great One back home. </p>
<p><strong><em>What was your reaction to seeing The Great One back in WWE? Let us know in the comments section below.</em></strong></p>
<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.wrestlezone.com/news/1405381-wwe-smackdown-viewership-gets-big-boost-thanks-to-the-rocks-return">WWE SmackDown Viewership Gets Big Boost Thanks To The Rock’s Return</a></strong></p>
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The Rock’s SmackDown Return Has Been Viewed Over 103 Million Times
