Dwayne Johnson has smartly turned the DCEU into a WWE event of sorts with his promotion strategy for Black Adam. The movie introduces Dwayne Johnson's Teth-Adam to the DCEU. It also features the introduction of DC's classic team, the Justice Society of America, comprised of Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell), Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo). Dwayne Johnson famously made a name for himself as a WWE star before turning to film and television. Now, the actor appears to be bringing WWE's promotional sensibilities to DC's big-screen franchise.

Black Adam has had an excitingly unique promotional campaign. Throughout the film's press tour, Johnson has consistently emphasized his motto of putting audiences first. Moreover, he has focused on hyping up a potential rivalry between Superman and Black Adam, something Dwayne Johnson wants to see in the DCEU. The way the actor teases the two characters' long-anticipated conflict emulates the many WWE rivalries that have occurred over the years, such as Johnson vs. "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, CM Punk vs. John Cena, and The Undertaker vs. Kane. Wrestling rivalries are meant to further engage audiences in the show's storyline, and it's what Johnson seemingly intends to do with his Black Adam vs. Superman teases.

Related: How Black Adam & The Justice Society's Costumes Compare To The Comics

What The Rock Turning DCEU Into WWE Means For Its Future

Black adam Justice league snyder cut

A film where Black Adam fights Superman is likely to result in great anticipation from audiences, which in turn could yield great financial returns. Yet, it doesn't need to be the end of Black Adam's marketing, as the Man of Steel isn't the only one with whom the antihero could have a rivalry. Teth-Adam is not a typical superhero. He is a morally gray individual willing to do things that crime fighters like Hawkman or Superman would deem unforgivable. He isn't someone who works well with others, and as such, is prone to come into conflict with a number of super-beings. Given that, Adam is the perfect subject on which to center conflicts with other superheroes in the DCEU. Johnson is now focused on hyping up a meeting between his character and Superman. However, if the characters' encounter ends up happening, there are many other potential individuals with whom Black Adam could come into conflict afterward.

The most obvious candidate in the DCEU is Shazam, given his power and connection to Adam. The hero is getting his second film with 2023's Shazam! Fury of the Gods. With one movie and an upcoming sequel under his mantle, Billy Batson has the potential to position himself as a recognizable character for audiences, which would make teases of a fight between him and Black Adam quite beneficial from a marketing perspective. The potential success of a Black Adam/Superman crossover could then theoretically be carried over into a Black Adam/Shazam! film. The creatives behind the franchise could then continue teasing rivalries between Black Adam and other popular DCEU characters, allowing the WWE-styled, rivalry-centered marketing campaigns to go on indefinitely.

Is It Good That The Rock Has Turned The DCEU Into WWE?

Black adam DCEU Justice league power change

The idea of an established film franchise emulating the promotional tactics of WWE events may seem unusual, but it could be exactly what the DCEU needs to finally find its footing. So far, the DCEU has struggled to connect with audiences as a solidified entity. Films like Wonder Woman, Shazam!, Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad found critical success. However, they have arguably mostly been seen as individual projects, as opposed to as part of a unified franchise. Unlike MCU projects, which have built a reputation as an entity, the DCEU is still not perceived as a proper shared saga.

While MCU movies and TV shows create excitement simply by being associated with the Marvel Studios brand, DCEU projects have to constantly prove themselves in the eyes of audiences. That is why Johnson's new marketing approach could benefit DC's franchise. By teasing a long-anticipated rivalry between Black Adam and Superman, Dwayne Johnson is adding excitement and anticipation for not only to Black Adam, but for DCEU projects to come. He is making audiences look forward to future installments in the franchise via teases of greater things down the line. Through its introduction of multiple superheroes and the deeper exploration of the Shazam! universe, Black Adam is exciting on its own. Yet, the DCEU has a lot more to offer, and Johnson is making sure audiences anticipate such future developments.

Next: Superman & Black Adam's DCEU Fight Must Avoid A BvS Mistake

Key Release Dates