WWE Faces Challenges in Allocating Time for The Rock’s Return
WWE fans were treated to a thrilling surprise as The Rock made a return to SmackDown this week. While the appearance was a hit with the audience, there were timing issues behind the scenes that affected the rest of the show’s schedule.
The Rock’s segment, which was already anticipated to be a highlight, ran longer than expected. This isn’t entirely surprising given The Rock’s history of extended segments, a testament to his charisma and ability to captivate audiences. However, this overrun led to several segments and matches being edited to fit the remaining time.
Sources within the WWE creative team revealed that the segment’s extended duration was not anticipated, and the responsibility for this oversight falls on Triple H, Bruce Prichard, Ed Koskey, and Ryan Callahan. They needed to prepare for the segment to run as long as it did.
The Rock’s opening segment, which lasted close to twenty minutes, included Pat McAfee’s time in the ring before Austin Theory and The Rock made their appearances. Given The Rock’s potential involvement in WrestleMania 40 and his openness to a match against Roman Reigns, WWE will need to be more strategic in planning his segments in the future.
