Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Pat McAfee make SmackDown appearance in Denver

The Deion Sanders effect is REAL. With ESPN‘s “College GameDay” in Boulder for No. 18 Colorado vs. Colorado State Saturday, Pat McAfee decided to make a trip down the road in Denver for WWE “SmackDown.”

But McAfee didn’t come alone.

After Austin Theory interrupted him, McAfee brought out backup in the form of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the eight-time WWE Champion and famed actor. And just like that, “The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment” had a sold-out crowd at Ball Arena in a frenzy.

😱😱😱@TheRock is here!!!!!!!#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/f9L07kvw1Y

— WWE (@WWE) September 16, 2023

With The Rock scheduled to be the guest picker on “College GameDay” Saturday, it just made too much sense for the 51-year-old to show up on “SmackDown” for the first time in nearly four years. And not only did he show up, but he proceeded to get the crowd to chant in unison “you are an ass—-” to Theory after he disrespected “The People’s Champion.”

After trading a few barbs with the upstart talent, who then threw a few punches his way, The Rock eventually decided enough was enough. The Rock quickly gained control and dropped the People’s Elbow on Theory. McAfee joined in with one of his own to end the segment.

Later on in the show, one of his biggest WWE rivals, John Cena, confronted him backstage. The two, who shared the ring together at WrestleMania 28 in Miami and WrestleMania 29 in New Jersey, came face-to-face. But now a decade removed from their classic encounters, there was no fight to be had on this night — only respect. The two shook hands as Cena welcomed The Rock home.

The Rock drops major tease for WrestleMania 40

How long until he comes back home, being WWE, is the big question. Based on his comments on McAfee’s show Friday, WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia this upcoming April seems like a real possibility. After a match with Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns didn’t materialize at WrestleMania 39 in Los Angeles, The Rock said he’s open to going head-to-head with the “Tribal Chief” at Lincoln Financial Field.

“There’s WrestleMania in Philadelphia… I’m saying that that’s a potential too so I’m open,” The Rock said, via Post Wrestling. “But again, let’s figure out what that is because the fans deserve something just incredible and unprecedented and not only that, I always wanna deliver to the locker room and the boys and the girls back there that are working their asses off.

“What can we do that can put them in position to be a part of something that is a new change and era in this world of pro wrestling? Again, Vince [McMahon] is a big picture thinker as you [McAfee] know and this is why we’ve gotten along for years. Just try to think big picture.”