As the old saying by the legendary wrestling commentator Jim Ross goes, “Business just picked up!” On Sunday afternoon, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, aka “The Final Boss,” announced on his social media platforms that he will indeed be at the Intuit Arena in Los Angeles, CA, for the debut of WWE RAW on Netflix. There have been rumors swirling throughout the wrestling industry leading up to the announcement that he would be there, but nothing official has been said until now.
The Rock took a more family approach as to why he would be there, adding to the importance of what is at stake on Monday night between Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns.
“Besides having my three daughters, my Samoan High Chief Title, High Chief Seiuli is one of the greatest honor of my life.
I gave my word and made a commitment 20 years ago to his Highness High Chief Maleatoa Tunamafili II and to our people of Samoa, that I would “leave my boyish ways behind” (well, I try 😅) and carry my Samoan, Polynesian, and Black culture around the world with great respect, pride, kindness, MANA, humility, and warrior spirit. Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan way)
After 20yrs of proudly carrying our culture with me around the world, I can’t wait to soon return back home to Samoa. I already have chills just thinking about it. Until then, I’ll come back home to @wwe tomorrow night as we make history on @netflix and begin a new and exciting era.
Tomorrow night is dedicated to my grandfather, the High Chief Peter Maivia, my grandmother, Lia Maivia and my dad, Rocky “Soulman” Johnson and my ancestors who have ALL paved the way.~ High Chief Seiuli”
This is interesting as the Sikoa-Reigns match isn’t the main event. However, The Rock‘s statement and announcement of his appearance on the show elevated the match’s anticipation and importance even more.
As mentioned on the live stream on Saturday night, Sikoa has been doing a great job as the Tribal Chief, and I’m not so sure the WWE is ready to throw away the time and effort they took in developing him up to this point. Kevin Nash once said that the money is in the babyface chasing the title. For Reigns, there isn’t a title, but the chase for the Ula Fala could be looked at as the same or maybe even more important because of their family roots.
Smackdown Recap, Was Tiffy Time Too Late?, RAW Preview & more https://t.co/INZHzxbVHp
— Abraham Gonzalez (@abeG718) January 5, 2025
There is an opportunity for the WWE to once again get their Rock vs. Reigns match at WrestleMania, but this time, it would mean more, especially if The Rock costs him the match against Sikoa. That would bring a ton of heat on The Rock while making Reigns an even bigger babyface than he already is. The Rock could then make his exit as an active wrestler after WrestleMania.
Regardless of how this could all play out, one thing is for sure: the debut of the RAW on Netflix will be a mega event. Will it surpass the live numbers for one game on the NFL on Christmas (each game did about 24 million)? The way the show’s card is currently stacked up, the WWE has positioned itself perfectly for a run at that number and beyond, especially with the latest news of The Rock being at the show.
Discover more from Fights Around The World
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
