“I did little research,” Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson breaks kayfabe and comments on antagonizing Phoenix for ‘cocaine and meth use’

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's SmackDown promo about Phoenix cocaine and meth users was well researched by him.

“I did little research,” Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson breaks kayfabe and comments on antagonizing Phoenix for ‘cocaine and meth use’

Dwayne Johnson on his Phoenix promo (via WWE)

The March 1st, 2024, episode of SmackDown aired live from Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale. The show was hyped for being the first of three consecutive appearances of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson alongside The Bloodline. The episode kicked off with the heel team’s appearance and had Rocky address the sold-out Arizona crowd to turn against him quickly. The Rock claimed even then that his research brought him to this conclusion about the fact that Phoenix is the number one city in the US for cocaine and meth use.

Dwayne Johnson was reminded of this promo on Jimmy Kimmel Live, which the host enjoyed. A video of that very part of the promo was shown and entertained the audience present there too. But before Jimmy Kimmel could show the clip, Dwayne clarified that he had just stated the facts after brief research. The clip later showed the ‘cocaine and meth user’ line along with the cactus-loving crackheads wordplay.

YouTube video

Johnson later mentioned that it was the best thing to have been able to work with WWE again. He even showed his excitement for being a heel and saying things on people’s behalf, as they are too edgy. Kimmel claimed that Dwayne is one of the most beloved people in the world. However, in the wrestling world, the 56-year-old enjoys that Rock manages to gain the crowd’s boos due to his heel persona.

Phoenix, Arizona by the way... did a little research and what I’m saying is the truth.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson about the highest cocaine and meth users in Phoenix

Johnson and Kimmel shared the stage a night before at the Dolby Theatre for the 96th Academy Awards. Kimmel was the host for the night, while Dwayne came out to present the Oscar for Best International Feature Film. He was accompanied by Bad Bunny in the process, which amazed the wrestling fans.

Jimmy Kimmel saw a missed opportunity at Oscars 2024 to promote WrestleMania 40

Jimmy Kimmel has a history of hosting consecutive Oscars, in 2017–2018 and 2023–2024. But a shocking moment happened with him this year when he came out on stage with a partially nude John Cena. His half-naked look was contrary to the award he presented, the Oscar for Best Costume Design.

Jimmy Kimmel and WrestleMania 40
Jimmy Kimmel and WrestleMania 40 (via Variety and WWE)

Kimmel referenced that going through the side alley, where there was Dwayne Johnson and a half-naked Cena. He feels that was the moment when Johnson and Cena should have had a brawl. The end result would be a promotional activity for WrestleMania 40 that made the wrestler-turned-actors attack each other.

A half-naked John Cena isn't the guy I want to attack in that moment.
Dwayne Johnson about half-naked John Cena

The Rock’s instant, hilarious response stated that he would not prefer to attack a half-naked Cena. On that, a comment from Kimmel asked whether he would like him to be fully naked for it. The audience, along with Johnson, burst out in tears, while the latter clarified that the NSFW joke was wholly Kimmel’s.

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