Dwayne Johnson may have shifted away from his significant WWE days, but his unexpected return to the ring proved that he remains The Rock at heart.

The audience at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, California erupted with excitement when The Rock made a surprise appearance at WWE Raw on January 1, kicking off the new year in spectacular fashion.

Organizers had hinted at the return of a former world champion, and the crowd’s anticipation was met when Jinder Mahal took the stage, taking shots at The Iron Sheik and other competitors.

However, the surprises continued as Mahal was soon interrupted by the unmistakable sounds of Johnson’s entrance.

The Rock confronted Mahal, defending the late Iron Sheik, who passed away in June 2023, and then proceeded to energize the crowd, teasing a potential showdown with Roman Reigns.

Referencing Reigns’ WWE theme song, Johnson engaged the audience with a playful query: “When The Rock goes out to get something to eat tonight in San Diego, should The Rock sit in a booth? Or should The Rock sit at the bar?…

“Or should The Rock sit at the head of the table?!”

This prompted cheers and applause from WWE fans, who enthusiastically joined in as The Rock delivered his iconic line: “And that’s when I thought, if you smell what The Rock is cooking!”

This appearance marked Johnson’s first return to WWE since SmackDown in September, and fans expressed their eagerness for more.

“This truly is WWE’s Renaissance Era. #WWEDay1,” one fan commented after witnessing The Rock’s surprise appearance.

Another fan shared their excitement, saying: “We’re finally going to get Rock vs. Roman.”

Speculation among fans suggests a potential match between The Rock and Reigns at WrestleMania, and Johnson had previously discussed the broad outline for such an event.

In an interview on The Pat McAfee Show, Johnson revealed that plans were ‘locked’ for a match between himself and Roman Reigns headlining WrestleMania 39. While the exact details were not finalized, the focus was on creating something unprecedented for fans and the business.

Johnson’s tease at WWE Raw indicates that organizers may have successfully worked out the details, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the unfolding events.