10 Booking Steps For The Rock's WWE Return
The ways to ensure that the return of The Rock is as big as it possibly can be.
Alongside the futures of CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, the major rumour that is currently appearing everywhere on wrestling sites is that The Rock will be returning home to WWE at Survivor Series. He has been gone from the company for multiple years, last having a match at WrestleMania 32 against Erick Rowan and not appearing physically since October 2019 where he did a segment with Becky Lynch.
Over the last decade, The Rock has established himself as the biggest movie star in the world, becoming one of the last modern actors that can sell a movie based off of name recognition alone. He is one of the most famous people in the world and his return to WWE could be utterly monumental for business if he does indeed make a few appearances and steps back into the squared circle.
However, how should WWE utilise The Rock if he is able to secure a deal to come back? Should he be utilised for pure dream matches, having flashy encounters with younger talent? Or should there be a long term narrative that defines the entirety of his return, giving him one last angle before he goes back to Hollywood?
These are the ten major booking steps to get the best out of The Rock's WWE comeback.
10. A Return After The Main Event Of Survivor Series
If The Rock does make his return on Survivor Series, it should be after the main event of the show, a Champion vs. Champion match between Roman Reigns and whoever holds the WWE Championship at the time. Regardless of who it is (Bobby Lashley still being champion at this point would be excellent) Roman should win with minimal interference, using the Guillotine Choke to make his opponent pass out without submitting after a hard fought battle.
Reigns should cut a promo following the match about being the undisputed number one in WWE, defeating John Cena at SummerSlam and now disposing of the WWE Champion, before The Rock's theme plays to an incredible pop. The Rock walks down to the ring, with a microphone in hand , cutting a promo about how he's proud of his cousin but jokingly talks about Roman never beating him. He offers his hand out to show some respect between family, but Roman refuses and walks to the back as the camera fades to black.
This means that there's a tease for the two locking up in the future, but that there's still respect from The Rock towards his cousin's accomplishments; something that will change rapidly.