Two big names are said to be behind the scenes at WWE SmackDown

Tonight's WWE SmackDown is said to be nothing short of exciting.

According to Pro Wrestling Insider (I mentioned in their elite section), Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson backstage in Birmingham for Friday's episode of “SmackDown.” PWI claims that Johnson will appear on screen and speculates that it will likely have something to do with the exciting showdown between men's Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes and undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns. This will be Johnson's third live appearance in WWE since his initial return in September, and his first since becoming a TKO board member in January. In his last appearance, on the New Year's Day episode of “WWE Raw,” he talked about a confrontation with Reigns (his real-life cousin) and speculation swirled that Johnson, not Rhodes, would face Reigns at WrestleMania 40.

Also backstage, according to PWI, is an injured CM Punk, who has reportedly already undergone surgery for the torn triceps muscle he suffered at the WWE Royal Rumble. PWI hasn't said if Punk is also scheduled to appear on camera, but it's worth noting that Punk's injury is what changed the WrestleMania card, potentially turning Johnson into a match with Reigns while Rhodes instead challenges World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. But the latest reports indicate that Rhodes vs. Reigns is still the trend.