Even though The Rock didn't appear on television during Monday's Raw, he was at the Staples Center, and he appeared in front of the live crowd after the show went off the air.
The Rock also appeared in front of the live crowd before Raw went on the air, and he was confronted, and fired by WWE chairman Vince McMahon. Of course, the firing wasn't real, as it was part of the entertainment portion of the program. However, Vince probably would've really fired any other WWE superstar for doing what The Rock did after Monday night's show went off the air.
The Rock phones CM Punk in the ring
So, here's what happened after Raw went off the air: The Rock came down to the ring, he pulled out his phone, and told the crowd that he was going to call CM Punk. Of course, the crowd went absolutely crazy, but they were disappointed when it went to voicemail. However, they did get their chance to say hello to the former WWE world heavyweight champion, as they all chanted his name when the call went to voicemail.
CM Punk responds
Apparently, Punk was out walking his dog when The Rock called, which is why he didn't answer. But, he did tweet out a thank you to the fans at the Staples Center.
I'm walking Larry. It's his birthday.
— Coach (@CMPunk) February 21, 2017
Thanks Los Angeles. Nice to hear from you. @STAPLESCenter
— Coach (@CMPunk) February 21, 2017
Vince McMahon's reaction
According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE chairman Vince McMahon wasn't pleased with The Rock during his post-show segment.
In fact, he even attempted to shut it down when The Rock was about to call Punk. But, as we know by now, he was unable to.
"The Rock was on the phone for a long time, CM Punk was out walking his dog, and tweeted a big thank you to Los Angeles," said Alvarez on Monday's post-Raw edition of Wrestling Observer Radio. "The crowd was going nuts chanting his name, then Vince sent a referee down to the ring to tell Rock to stop calling CM Punk."
CM Punk and WWE have been at odds ever since Punk abruptly walked out of the company in January of 2014.
Since then, he's said that he'll never return to WWE, and he's become a full time mixed martial artist, and a UFC fighter.
You can check out the video of The Rock calling Punk below, however, it's a cell phone video from someone who was in the crowd, because WWE hasn't, and probably won't post the segment on their official YouTube page.
