Shockwaves continue to ripple throughout the wrestling world after the closing segment of the February 16 episode of Friday Night SmackDown as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is now officially aligned with his cousin, Roman Reigns, and the dominant family-centric faction, The Bloodline. This seismic shift punctuates the start of The Rock's dramatic heel turn, which first began when he slapped Cody Rhodes to end the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff Press Conference, injecting himself into a storyline that was already rife with endless possibilities even before he joined.
Gone was the "People's Champ" we knew and loved. In his place stood a vengeful megastar, fueled by the thwarted dream of a WrestleMania clash with Reigns. His promo oozed villainy, laced with insults for the Salt Lake City crowd and barbs aimed at Cody Rhodes, Reigns' WrestleMania opponent.
This new transformation culminated in The Rock adopting a slightly different variation of the Bloodline's signature salute, leaving no doubt about his allegiance.
Reminiscent of his earlier runs as "Corporate Rock" and "Hollywood Rock", this antagonistic version of the beloved Hollywood action star has made it clear that his loyalty lies firmly with his family, creating a formidable barricade for Rhodes and his supporters.
