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WWE ushered in a new era of sports entertainment as they moved SmackDown to Friday Night and broadcasted it over the FOX Network for the first time. This was specifically done on the 20th Anniversary of the show, which made the move even more special.
To make the transition seem big, the company overhauled its logo, stage design, and everything else to fit into the changes that were being made.
To ensure they got a huge start to the night, they chose none other than one of their biggest Superstars Becky Lynch to open up the night. While Becky was addressing the WWE Universe, she was cut short by King Corbin, who interrupted Becky until The Rock arrived.
It was a huge moment for the fans to see their childhood wrestling hero arrive, as he joined Becky in a two-on-one showdown against Corbin.
Sportskeeda’s very own Tom Colohue had earlier reported that The Rock was looking forward to working with Becky on SmackDown’s Fox debut, and reported after the show that The Man wasn’t supposed to be a part of the segment at all but was included at The Rock’s wishes.
With that in mind, we will take a look at the 5 reasons why The Rock decided to join Becky Lynch during this week’s SmackDown.
#5 To hike up the ratings
Every single episode from WWE is all about the ratings, similar to every other show in the world. Without ratings, a show wouldn’t even be able to survive past its pilot, let alone go on for over two decades.
This week’s episode of SmackDown was very special in two different ways. It was WWE SmackDown's 20th Anniversary and also the brand’s move to the FOX Network.
To ensure that the ratings of the shows were high right from the opening segment, WWE had already announced a huge match that saw the return of Brock Lesnar to SmackDown’s ring after years.
Apart from that, The Rock was also advertised for the show, but fans weren’t sure what he’d do or say when he takes to the center of the ring.
This prompted WWE to bring out Becky Lynch to open up the night in grand fashion. Over the past couple of years, Lynch has become one of WWE’s biggest female Superstars and achieved things no other women in wrestling has ever achieved.
This was the perfect time for WWE to strike, as they also brought out The Rock to join Becky in a segment that involved the heelish King Corbin. The involvement of two huge Superstars at the beginning of the night was the right step to boost the show’s ratings from the word go.
#4 To hint at her move to SmackDown
Now that SmackDown is on the FOX Network, the company is looking to move some huge Superstars to the blue brand. To ensure this happens immediately, the company has scheduled a WWE Draft which will begin on next week’s episode of SmackDown.
Brock Lesnar is one big name who returned to SmackDown after a long hiatus from the brand and immediately made it big by defeating Kofi Kingston in a short match to take home the WWE Championship.
With FOX eyeing more top active Superstars in the company, it is possible that they also want Becky Lynch to move to the blue brand full-time during the draft before the wildcard rule comes to an end.
Lynch is set to defend her RAW Women’s Championship at Hell in a Cell against Sasha Banks, and this could be the perfect moment for the WWE as they could take the title off Lynch and free her to switch brands while crowning a new RAW Women’s Champion.
Lynch is one of the biggest female Superstars in the entire industry, and her move to SmackDown could well see the brand’s ratings rise as she will immediately fall in the SmackDown Women’s Championship picture.
#3 From one People’s Champion to another
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson gave himself the name 'The Peoples Champion' after seeking permission from Muhammad Ali. One of The Rock’s most iconic moves, The People’s Elbow, is also derived from the same name.
Even though one cannot come up with why The Rock is considered The People’s Champion, he has done a lot for the company and the industry during his long and successful WWE career and has continued to bring more attention to the company during his extremely successful Hollywood career.
With all that in mind, WWE has been looking for a new person to call their champion for some time, and it seems like Becky Lynch is the best candidate who has become The People’s Champion in the past year. This was no less than a passing the torch moment to kick off a new era of SmackDown.
While fans have regularly expressed their anger at Charlotte Flair getting most of the spotlight in the women’s division, we have seen the company listen to the people since the turn of the year, and give fan-favorites like Kofi Kingston and Becky Lynch a chance.
The Rock joining Becky Lynch in the ring certifies that WWE considers her to be someone like The Rock as the two could get on the same page immediately. Maybe Lynch will start calling herself The People’s Champion soon after The Man nickname wears off.
#2 To confirm that she is the biggest star in the industry today
The Rock is arguably one of the biggest, if not the biggest, Superstars who've graced the WWE’s ring. He is also the only one who has had an extremely successful career after parting with the company and made it even bigger elsewhere.
Whenever reports of The Rock’s arrival in the WWE ring starts making the rounds, fans of the company and the Hollywood A-Lister stay glued to their television screens in anticipation of watching the herculean Superstar battle in one more match.
With all that under his belt, it was reported by Tom Colohue that The Rock desperately wanted to share the ring with Becky upon his appearance on SmackDown. He went on to say that even the legends of the sport were interested in sharing the ring with Becky which is a huge achievement for the Superstar.
At a time when WWE has built men like Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Kofi Kingston, and AJ Styles to such a grand level, it is impressive to see that a star like The Rock specifically chose Becky Lynch as her big stage partner.
This not only confirms that Becky Lynch has made it huge in WWE, but also certifies her as the biggest Superstar in the industry today. She has now shared the ring in huge segments with 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena.
#1 To give her The Rock’s endorsement
What can be bigger than sharing the stage with a legend of the sport? Sharing the stage with a legend who specifically wants you next to them.
The Rock’s name is synonymous with that of SmackDown’s and therefore no bigger Superstar could have come as a special guest on the show’s 20th Anniversary and debut on the FOX Network.
At a time when King Corbin interrupted Becky Lynch during her opening address on the show, The Rock came out to team up on the mic against the heel and the two took down Corbin with The People’s Elbow and Rock Bottom.
With that, Becky Lynch seems to have received The Rock’s endorsement, and there is no bigger endorsement she could have gotten on the Blue Brand.
While Superstars are trying to make it big by attacking legends to grow their character, it was an interesting angle to have The Rock come to Becky’s aide and silence Corbin.
The move has not only elevated Becky's stocks in WWE but throughout the industry and made her an overnight sensation. Getting endorsed by one of the greatest in sports entertainment was the last feather Becky needed in her cap, and now she will be worth even more than she already was.
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