The Rock Returns 2015 "Royal Rumble"

In the day leading up to the 2015 “Royal Rumble” pay-per-view, rumors ran rampant about Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson returning to WWE.

The day prior to the event, on Saturday, Jan. 24, The Rock revealed he was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the location of the year’s January pay-per-view. On the next day, reports surfaced confirming The Rock’s tease. Within the reports, it was noted that The Rock may very well headline WrestleMania 31, with either John Cena or Brock Lesnar.

The rumors would ring true, as The Rock did return to WWE at the 2015 “Royal Rumble” in what seemed to be a “save” tactic by the company.

Johnson was brought in to help save face for Roman Reigns, who was booed relentlessly upon entering the match, just like Batista was in 2014.

WWE knew this may happen, as Reigns was poised to win the Royal Rumble Match. After he successfully won the Battle Royal, he was attacked by Big Show and Kane. The Rock would come in to make his cousin’s save.

However, the tactic did not prove worthwhile, as while The Rock received an amazing response upon his entry into the ring, when the smoke cleared, and it was just he and Reigns in the squared circle, the crowd again took to jeering both men.

The last time The Rock appeared on WWE programming was on the Oct. 6 showing of “Monday Night Raw.” Surprising the WWE Universe, The Rock returned, batting heads with Rusev and Lana. After verbally combatting the two, Rock threw Rusev out of the squared circle.