Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's unexpected return to WWE SmackDown last Friday sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, not just in the ring but behind the scenes as well.

His segment, which included a sharp promo targeting Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, was reportedly planned with little notice. However, the move has already made a notable impact on ticket sales and WWE business.

According to Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer, WWE has moved approximately 2,500 additional tickets for Elimination Chamber since Johnson's appearance. "That's pretty good," Meltzer noted. "So they'll be probably over 30,000 by the time the show's there, maybe more."

Beyond ticket sales, The Rock’s presence also boosted SmackDown’s ratings, reaffirming his star power. However, Meltzer revealed that not everyone within WWE is pleased with how the situation was handled.

"There's definitely people not happy with the way they had a game plan, and the game plan completely changed this last week. But it's probably only changing for a couple of people," he said.

Fan reactions were also mixed, with some criticizing Johnson’s rapid character shifts during the promo. Still, Meltzer emphasized that The Rock's involvement—regardless of storyline consistency—has a significant business impact.

As WWE gears up for Elimination Chamber this Saturday, all eyes will be on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, who are set to cross paths once again.

Additionally, the winner of the Men's Elimination Chamber match will earn the right to challenge Rhodes at WrestleMania 42, raising the stakes even higher.