World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has always excelled at building anticipation for major events, and tonight’s in-ring return of Kurt Angle is no exception, as the company has literally spent several days hyping the momentous occasion. 

“It has been a masterful slow-build,” writes veteran wrestling journalist Dan Mutzler.

“After WWE announced the return two days ago, the company has literally tweeted about it several times, ratcheting-up fan anticipation to a frenzy.”

Just like when The Rock and John Cena spent a full year building toward their WrestleMania rematch, Angle’s return tonight will seem like an incomparable “once-in-a-lifetime” occasion, thanks to the captivating storytelling of the past 48 hours. 

“When someone the caliber of Kurt Angle returns to the ring, you don’t squander it with a one-day build-up,” said WWE COO Hunter Hearst Helmsley.

“Angle’s return is monumental, so it required a full two days of plugging on social media,” Helmsley added. “And it obviously couldn’t happen anywhere except our biggest event of the year, TLC.”

In related news, WWE announced today that “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will come out of retirement to face The Rock during tonight’s TLC pre-show.