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'He needs money': WWE fans thank SAG-AFTRA strike as Dwayne Johnson returns to ring amid Maui fund backlash

Dwayne Johnson made his much-awaited return to the ring after four years on Friday night September 15, on WWE SmackDown in Denver Colorado

DENVER, COLORADO: Fans are speculating that Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson' is in 'need of money' due to SAG-AFTRA strike hitting hard and that is the reason he is back to WWE as he "literally has no gigs coming in."

This also follows a recent backlash he and Oprah Winfrey received over organising 'People's Fund' for Maui asking people to donate for fire victims where fans alleged they contributed very little by themselves despite being the richest stars. 

How long was Dwayne Johnson away from WWE?

The Rock made his much-awaited return to the ring after four years on Friday night September 15, on WWE SmackDown in Denver Colorado, sending fans into ecstasy with crowed cheering "Rocky, Rocky.'"

Johnson last appeared on SmackDown's 20th anniversary in October 2019. 

Hours before appearing in the ring, he appeared on the 'Pat McAfee' show live on the campus of the University of Colorado which had sent rumour mills churning that he would return to the ring. 

McAfee joined Austin Theory in the ring and delivered a speech, calling it “the people’s show.” He then asked the audience, “Do you understand what that means?”

The Rock, also known as The People’s Champ, had a signature move called The People’s Elbow. McAfee hinted at his presence by using these terms.

Then, the crowd erupted in a deafening roar when they heard The Rock’s “If You Smell” theme song. He made a surprise appearance that thrilled the WWE fans.

"Finally, The Rock has come back to Denver!" he announced in the ring. 

How are fans reacting to his WWE return? 

If not all, the majority of the fans on social media are thanking SAG-AFTRA strikes that The Rock was back in the ring. 

"The Rock and John Cena return this month to WWE. I wonder if it has anything to do with the SAG strike? #SmackDown," a user wrote. 

One more wrote, "The Rock is really back THANK YOU SAG STRIKE WE GOT THE ROCK &’ JOHN CENA BACK!!!!!!."

One more wrote. "The Rock is back. Thank you, SAG Strike

"You know the SAG and writers strikes are really hitting hard when John Cena AND the Rock come back to the WWE,' one more wrote. 

Another commented, "As happy as I am to see the rock back on smackdown, he’s only here because of the sag/wga strike and he literally has no gigs coming in. This is a last resort and it kinda feels like a slap in the face. I get it, he’s Dwayne now, he’s not really “The Rock” anymore but damn d***."

Few speculated that WWE turned down his 2023 plan with a user responding, "The Rock turned it down, but now that he can’t work because of the WGA/SAG strikes he’ll take the Wrestlemania payday."

How did Dwayne Johnson respond to Pat McAfee on being asked about having put 'millions and millions' in the 'People's Fund'? 

Pat, on one occasion, asked him about doing a "remarkable thing" in his home state Hawaii putting "millions and millions of dollars" into the People's Fund and it immediately got "scrutinized."

The Rock responded saying, "...the idea was to create a fund... where the money will get directly into their hands."

He said they have changed the game and removed the "red tape" thing. "The money is not going through 15 different organizations. It goes directly to the people," he said.

He revealed the victims are "getting the money next week," which surprised the host and the guests on the panel.