[video] behind the scenes footage of The Rock SmackDown return entrance

On a show that already was already set to feature an appearance from 16-time world champion John Cena, the live audience in Denver, Colorado were completely spoilt when The Rock also showed up to open the show in a segment involving Pat McAfee and Austin Theory.
While WWE’s official clips of Rock’s return have shattered company social media records, The Great One recently shared a brand new perspective of the unforgettable moment, filmed via a member of his crew on an iPhone as his music hit.
The footage begins with Rock backstage in Gorilla position, when his iconic music rang out through the Ball Arena, Rock showed a wry smile before making his way out through the curtain.

Rock shared the footage on Twitter alongside a message summarising his feelings on the moment:
Cool look from backstage when my music hits – I’m hyped, focused and locked in, but this stuff makes me smile every damn time I walk thru that curtain;)
You can feel the MANA here. It’s real.
This crowd eruption is one of the loudest reactions I’ve ever experienced in my grateful & lucky career – and these reactions get louder, crazier and more special every time the music hits.

14,000 of you erupted like it was 100,000
Connecting with people is who I am at my core and our connection is hard to explain.
Electric and emotional.
Powerful stuff. ~People’s Champ
* shout to Jordan Drutman for the phenomenal iPhone work capturing the emotion and mana of this moment.

While Rock’s return was a moment to be celebrated for himself and many others, a week later and the company has unfortunately announced the release of several talents from their contracts.
For a full list of talent released from WWE yesterday (September 21) click here.

Cool look from backstage when my music hits - I’m hyped, focused and locked in, but this stuff makes me smile every damn time I walk thru that curtain;)

You can feel the MANA here.
It’s real.

This crowd eruption is one of the loudest reactions I’ve ever experienced in my… pic.twitter.com/VjYk5xaWzF

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) September 22, 2023