The Rock - Do you care anymore?

As a teenage guy way back when (roughly 1998 - 2002) I was the biggest fan of the Rock, I perfected the eyebrow and the speeches, had the posters, had the shirts. I was the Rock.
Cheered for him when he won and became champion and felt his pain when he lost or getting a beatdown. Finally the time that every Rock fan in the world didn't want to admit had come, the time when there was nothing left to achive except for staying around and becoming stale like some of his adversaries. The Rock was always destined for bigger things and now it was time to step out into hollywood and prove it, and who could blame him he would be getting paid more money for a much lower risk to his body.

Then came the periods of not wanting his name to be associated with his wrestling days, so much so he would say in interviews tongue in cheek " it's not rocky anymore it's Dwayne". For him to always claim he loved what he did and where he was from, for him to drop it to try and make it and be accepted in hollywood always grated with me. I always liken his wrestling days to a booty call (ie If it's to benrfit him, by promoting a movie or get some press).

Which brings me nicely to his return last year, After trying to make it to hollywood's biggest table (some will say he has made it and while I agree, he's still that one role away from breaking through completely in my opinion).

And so The Rock made His dramatic return last year claiming it was not because of the money, and not because of promoting a movie and also claimed he was now home.................Home I ask? I can count on one hand his live appearences since his big return (night after wrestlemania, his birthday, before survivor series and the survivor series match, I am open to be corrected as I am not 100% sure) and as for his pre-recorded videos, most of them are filmed on location at his latest roles, promotion of a film anyone?

Lastly we have the build up for his match at wrestlemania with John Cena, so far from the point of view of the Rock it's all been about his media activities and interests. WWE are also to blame for the direction they have taken with his build up (but knowing the WWE as we do, we have come to expect this as they try so hard to be accepted by any mainstream audience) I frankly don't care about all that guff and would like to be reminded why the Rock could be a threat to the most "dominant" and "successful" wrestler in recent times. Have we even been reminded how many WWE titles the Rock has won since he's been back.

Why is the Rock back?

Is it to serve his ego? - Yea I think it is

Is he genuine? - Not so sure anymore

Has he tanished his status coming back - I'd say a little

Overall I can't say I care for the Rock much anymore.

The thing that realy wound me up about those Rock promos, was that they had no clips of his wrestling career. 

For me The Rock, was the most naturally talented wrestler/performer of all time, he was untouchable on the mic, and he had amazing in ring ability, he would have been alot bigger than Stone Cold and Hogan, had he not ventured into movies and taken that long break after Wrestlemania 17.

After that in many people's eyes he had sold out, and he never quite got the same pops after that. I think even going into WM17 he had surpassed Stone Cold in popularity, and was the top guy in the wwe/f

The problem was the Rock was to talented as you say, and he couldn't resist venturing into hollywood, and when he came back, alot of his fans had turned there back on him. So maybe the Rock then felt betrayed, and un appreciated as a wrestler. 

So I think maybe the wwe fans pushed The Rock away for 7 years, as they werent prepared to share him with hollywood. 

I always loved the Rock regardless, even as a heel he was brilliant, those Rock concerts leading up to WM19 i could watch back on YouTube over and over. There is no other wrestler ever, who could have pulled off those concerts. The guy was a genius. 

As for his return now, its nice to see him back every now and again, but not the same as having him on air week in week out. 

I don't realy care much for his match with Cena. I don't rate or like Cena. You always get the feeling he's trying to hard when he cuts a promo, and his in ring ability is very average. 

We know whats going to happen, Cena is going to win, and then they will shake hands afterwards, which will realy wind me up. I'd just rather not watch it. 

I think you're far too harsh on Dwayne Johnson.

You cannot begrudge him for wanting to be referred to as his own name, rather than as a character he played. It's the same as if, for example, Sylvester Stallone was always called Rocky, but asked if everybody could call him Sylvester Stallone because that's his name.... He may still use the fact he was in Rocky as a way of promoting new movies, but it doesn't mean he has to carry on being that character.

I also don't believe that his recent comeback, and his lack of appearances is his fault. The WWE are the ones who brought him back, full well knowing that he wouldn't be able to appear every week. If that's your gripe, your gripe is with the WWE, same with the video packages, Dwayne Johnson didn't make those video packages.

Although the whole 'Rock' return is a bit tiring now, theres one we have to remember here;

The WWE would have approached him, not vice versa. They would of asked him what it would of taken to get him back, and his response would of obviously been "well ive got 4/5 movies in the pipeline, so my time would be limited".

I just wish that his time would of been better utilised in the ring, and not on silly promos (read: name calling) with John Cena - its been extremely tedious over the past 9 months.

While I agree it's more on WWE the blame for being so desperate to get the Rock back in any measure, I feel you guys are slightly missing the point.

I mean because of the factors above in the OP, do you care for him in a wrestling capacity anymore and what do you think his motives are for making this return.

No I don't. Why? I'm not been given any reason to care. He's not there, so how can I care about him? Plus, there's something about the whole story that doesn't sit well with me. Is it all based around a comment from Cena about The Rock a few years ago? And the fact that despite The Rock "respects" Cena he "just doesn't like hime very much". All very lame for the "match for the ages".

Added to all that, everytime Cena comments on The Rock's no showing - which is all he really can do - The Rock has no answer for it, and has made The Rock look very weak at times throughout the fued.

I think John Cena deserves a hell of a lot of respect for carry a two man feud on his own for a whole year.

The Rock is boring. Even when he does turn up, he's boring. And that is such a shame to have to say that, because as mentioned before - his legacy is anything but boring.

To be honest though, all this build up will be forgotten once the match gets underway - and I'm sure it will be a corker. I just really hope they go for the Cena win, because otherwise, IMO it's a massive slap in the face.

I've got a £20 bet with a mate that Cena will win, so he'd better bloody win.

The Rock is far superior to Cena in every way imaginable, if Rock was more involved Cena would never be able to live with it and it'd be seriously diluted, I don't see how Cena has kept the feud going either to be honest, what has he done to keep it going? He has been his usual never give up underdog self, the only thing he's added to his locker is his new constipated face maneuver

the-gaffer wrote:The Rock is far superior to Cena in every way imaginable

In the year 2012 - he really isn't.

DDT wrote:The thing that realy wound me up about those Rock promos, was that they had no clips of his wrestling career. 

Because if they actually portrayed Rock as a wrestler he would dump all over Cena and thus making the feud sway heavily in his favour.

Cena hasn't carried this feud, he's played his part adequately well and nothing more. As stated, it's the WWE who would've gone to Dwayne and asked him to come back, let's face it, is he really gonna turn his back on $15million a movie to slap arms and thighs with old square head? Very doubtful.

It's also preventing overkill. We all know it's coming, we don't need it rammed down our throats every week. I believe Dwayne is scheduled to be on RAW every show in March up to WM, which is a fair amount of dedication.

Importantly, regardless of what his future plans are, whether he comes back or goes away again, Rock will do what is best for business, same we he always has.

The article should be titled 'Pro-Wrestling - Do you care anymore?'

And my answer would be no.

Jesus Mr. H - you've woken up on the wrong side of the wrong bed in the wrong house on the wrong day this morning fella

Im just still pi$$ed that i wasted 15 quid on that pile of sh*te last week.

The IWC makes me laugh. We are so naive. Every PPV we get our hopes up, hyping up what might happen, clinging on to that little bit of hope that the WWE may deliver, wishing for a big return, a big moment, but time after time after time we are consistently let down, yet 3 weeks later we are sucked in again going into the next PPV. We go round in circles week after week on this board hoping for someone to break the glass ceiling but it never happens then on this board the morning after a PPV its all doom and gloom. We are our own worst enemy at times. We need to lower expectations and realise that the WWE isnt about wrestling anymore, its not about good storytelling or good booking, its not about creating new stars or giving someone a big break, its simply about putting on a weekly entertainment show. Its not the 80s or 90s anymore, its 2012, and if kids go home with smiles on their faces then the WWE are happy and as soon as we learn to accept that the better.

The rock is just about the only thing keeping me interested currently, punk has gone backwards, Miz has floundered, Rhodes and Ziggler haven't stepped up.

The rock still has it, you can see the reactions he gets and how he works a live crowd like no one else can. Showed he can still go in the ring too.

Whilst a full time return would have been a dream realistically and kayfabe it wouldn't have worked, cena aside there is no one big enough in the wwe for him to face.

People also need to realise he is giving others the chance to shine, the buy rate will be up for this wm again and everyone on that card has the chance to be become a star and draw in new viewers.

Mr H wrote:Im just still pi$$ed that i wasted 15 quid on that pile of sh*te last week.

The IWC makes me laugh. We are so naive. Every PPV we get our hopes up, hyping up what might happen, clinging on to that little bit of hope that the WWE may deliver, wishing for a big return, a big moment, but time after time after time we are consistently let down, yet 3 weeks later we are sucked in again going into the next PPV. We go round in circles week after week on this board hoping for someone to break the glass ceiling but it never happens then on this board the morning after a PPV its all doom and gloom. We are our own worst enemy at times. We need to lower expectations and realise that the WWE isnt about wrestling anymore, its not about good storytelling or good booking, its not about creating new stars or giving someone a big break, its simply about putting on a weekly entertainment show. Its not the 80s or 90s anymore, its 2012, and if kids go home with smiles on their faces then the WWE are happy and as soon as we learn to accept that the better.

I agree with all that, we take it too seriously in terms of expecting the next segment of a story, waiting for the next star to be made or getting peed because a younger guy hasn't gonr over, in the context of the show and putting on some entertainment for 2/3 hours it doesn't matter.

I don't take it too seriously. That's why I enjoy it

Electric Demon wrote:I don't take it too seriously. That's why I enjoy it

I would say it depends on certain situations but I don't on the whole

I found some betting odds on the Cena/Rock match they have Cena 1/2 and The Rock 6/4. For those who don't understand (I'm sure there are some) £1 on Cena = £1.50 return, £1 on Rock = £2.50 return. So Cena is a pretty heavy favourite as far as the bookies are concerned.

I dont enjoy 99% of it.

It seems the worse TNA get, the lazier the WWE gets.

Notice how no one even talks about TNA anymore?

DDT wrote:I found some betting odds on the Cena/Rock match they have Cena 1/2 and The Rock 6/4. For those who don't understand (I'm sure there are some) £1 on Cena = £1.50 return, £1 on Rock = £2.50 return. So Cena is a pretty heavy favourite as far as the bookies are concerned.

Where have you seen this?

Mr H wrote:I dont enjoy 99% of it.

It seems the worse TNA get, the lazier the WWE gets.

Notice how no one even talks about TNA anymore?

I hadn't noticed that actually - but now you mention it.

They've been in the UK in the last week, and nobody has said anything

Electric Demon wrote:

Mr H wrote:I dont enjoy 99% of it.

It seems the worse TNA get, the lazier the WWE gets.

Notice how no one even talks about TNA anymore?

I hadn't noticed that actually - but now you mention it.

They've been in the UK in the last week, and nobody has said anything

I walked past the whole TNA crew on the street the other day, nothing worth talking about

bretmeharty wrote:

DDT wrote:I found some betting odds on the Cena/Rock match they have Cena 1/2 and The Rock 6/4. For those who don't understand (I'm sure there are some) £1 on Cena = £1.50 return, £1 on Rock = £2.50 return. So Cena is a pretty heavy favourite as far as the bookies are concerned.

Where have you seen this?

Just type in Cena v the rock betting odds into google, I think it's like 3rd one down.

bretmeharty wrote:

DDT wrote:I found some betting odds on the Cena/Rock match they have Cena 1/2 and The Rock 6/4. For those who don't understand (I'm sure there are some) £1 on Cena = £1.50 return, £1 on Rock = £2.50 return. So Cena is a pretty heavy favourite as far as the bookies are concerned.

Where have you seen this?

888.com of course...

Electric Demon wrote:

the-gaffer wrote:The Rock is far superior to Cena in every way imaginable

In the year 2012 - he really isn't.

He really is and if both are still alive in 2112 he will still be then too

Cena falls short on every single aspect when compared to The Rock

tbh yeah i do! I would hate being referred to as my wrestling name in the "real" world when filming films. He knows wrestling is where it all started and it is in his blood! After all, his dad and grandfather were wrestlers too. Can't blame him for branching out after having achieved so much with the business.

I love the Rock he is a legend. Reason i started watching wwf back in 2000. When he returned i was going mental. Even got loads of people my age back watching wrestling again. ROCKY ROCKY ROCKY ROCKY


Survivor Series 2011 was amazing simply because of the rock.

The Rock > John Cena

I haven't been as into The Rock this time around as I have been in the past but I don't think I have looked forward to a Wrestlemania match in recent memory. The whole thought of it being the biggest superstar of the late 90's and early 2000's against the biggest superstar of the last 5 years just has me massively looking forward to this years Mania. The rest of the card could be terrible but I'll be still watching Mania for this match and that shows even though he isn't the biggest these days, The Rock can still draw.

He isn't the biggest what these days bud?

Name, dammit!

He's well the biggest name, he's on a different level to Cena, if Vince could pick one of them to do a full year after Mania he'd wave goodbye to Cena so fast you'd think he'd been caught in the cupboard with Steph

True Gaff,

But only one of them would actually do it. And its not the one who said "this time I'm never going away"

I think people need to get over the fact that Rock isn't coming back for a full time schedule and just appreciate the fact that he is fighting for one last time.

The Rock is one of the most naturally gifted men to ever work in the wrestling business,good in the ring,unbeatable on the mic and a brilliant athlete.

Compare that to John Cena,who may look like a million dollars but his in-ring work is forced,he doesn't move with fluidity and is yet rammed down the throats because he is "the guy".No doubt Cena can talk on the mic but not like Rocky,and he never will be able to.

Rock outstrips Cena on every level as already stated..in 1998,2008,2012,2028 he will always have been better than Cena.Cena's character appeals to children,his character is child-like and he himself is happy to get by like that.

Everyone likes to slate Rock because he doesn't wrestle.The fact is,he's been there and he's done it all,possibly better than anyone else ever.He has nothing to prove,he owes nobody anything and yet people still get on his back because he won't come back!.I think people should be appreciative of the fact that he is leaving behind Hollywood for even a month to give us the biggest Mania match in 10 years,I sure as hell know I am.

And what about Cena?...I mean sure he's never going away (how fun for us all),and he is such a good guy when it comes to WWE's charity work.But this whole rubbish that he "loves the business" really grates on me.He doesn't love the "wrestling business" because if he did then he would maybe change the character up,give fans what they want,because apart from HHH there is nobody that has Vince's ear like Cena.If Cena wanted a change then it would happen...the fact is Cena loves the "entertainment business",he likes being a clown,he likes being famous with all the little perks of being a celebrity.

The difference is that Rock is and always will be a "wrestler" and Dwayne Johnson will be a Hollywood actor,Cena just likes to appear as a "wrestler".And that grates on Cena,that's where the issue really is.Cena would love to be The Rock,love to be a forever loved WWE icon and then move onto being an A list Hollywood star but it will never happen.His acting is second rate,his wrestling is second rate,and in any other era we wouldnt even be discussing John Cena in the same breath.

I can't wait for Mania,and even though I know Cena will win that isn't the point.If John Cena turns heel at Wrestlemania his stock could rise higher than ever before and for me that will be the telling point on whether Cena really wants to be a "wrestler" or just continue to masquerade as one.

Rock changed it up,Austin changed it up,Hogan changed it up and they are loved for it.When will Cena change it up?...When will Cena make the waves for the "Business"?.

Until John Cena changes his character then for me he will never ever reach that bracket that is only reserved for Rock,Austin and Hogan.It's not about how many PR appearances he can do in a week,I don't care about that and neither does the average wrestling fan.What matters is how far is Cena willing to go for "wrestling".

Because maybe if he put half the time into his wrestling that he did for his charity work then he wouldnt get slated so much.That is why The Rock will always be superior in every way,because there is a line you have to draw.

Wrestler or Entertainer?

Electric Demon wrote:True Gaff,

But only one of them would actually do it. And its not the one who said "this time I'm never going away"

I'm surprised anyone over the age of 10 interpreted Rock's "never going away again" speach as him being back week in week out, it was obvious that was not the case nor was that what he meant, for what, 5 or 6 years he has been in self imposed exile from the WWE, when he said he wasn't going away again he clearly meant he was no longer going to disassociate himself from WWE and no longer fears the WWE stigma holding him back

His pressence has been high throughout the year, it could have been more but it could have easily been a lot less, going by original segments be it live or via video link I'd say Rock's featured at least 10 times over the last year, fitting that in to his packed schedule which he was no doubt contracted to shows a decent level of commitment

I really don't believe some people, particularly smart guys think he meant he was back to work a full time workload, I do think he'll wrestle more this year though.

The gulf in wrestling talent between Cena and The Rock was so obvious at Survivor Series, even approaching 40, and having not wrestled for 7 years, his moves were executed to perfection, whilst Cena as always executed his moves like a guy who does wrestling shows at butlins.

Surely with the way the wwe have pushed Cena over the years, someone would have shown him how to wrestle with abit more skill and technique. I'd assume the wwe have some of the best coaches around training there guys, so why after all this time is Cena still so dire in the ring.

The guy has been pushed as the poster boy of wwe now for years, but as far as actual in ring talent, I wouldn't even place him in the top 50 wrestlers who have competed throughout his career, he is just shocking.

I feel sorry for The Rock, he has to some how make this match live up to the hype, but he has no chance of delivering with Cena as his in ring partner. The wwe should have had the Rock face the Undertaker or CM Punk, at Mania if they wanted to bring him back for one final match.

My dream opponent for The Rock though would have been HBK, as he for me he has been the standout wrestler throughout mania history, and the pair to my knowledge have never had a match at a ppv.

I care, its great. I think wrestling is taken way too seriously, just relax and enjoy it for what it is - fun!

Its great that the Rock is back; now and again is fine by me. Should be a good match at 'Mania.

I still care. I watch wrestling without thinking about it, analysing it or trying to second guess what's planned. I just let it wash over me.

If the Rock came back every week, how many would be moaning at overkill, his weekly presence diluting the match, his promos saying the same thing week in, week out etc? Whenever Stone Cold comes back, I read a ton of moaning about it.

Rock and WWE have played this one right.

That's the best attitude to have......

I also agree that people would be moaning whatever happens. They moan that younger stars aren't pushed then moan that they are in main events, it makes me laugh. That reminds me I think we are due a bit of Stone Cold, that would be fun.

I think those of you who don't care are playing right into the WWEs hands. His video package was terrible but the WWE want him to be portrayed as the entertainment movie star. Remember as far the WWE are concerned, Cena is the face, Rock is the heel despite what the fans think. They want you to think Rock only cares about his movies and doesn't care about the business etc. Whereas good ol Cena is out there every week doing his bit because he ''loves the business''. Has it not occured to you that the only reason the Rock isn't around is because the Kane feud needs to run its course?

"I still care. I watch wrestling without thinking about it, analysing it or trying to second guess what's planned. I just let it wash over me."

Spot on! This is why I still enjoy wrestling as much as I did 10 years ago. Even if you will never better the Attitude Era.

Exactly!!! I don't think there has ever been a RAW or Smackdown! or PPV I haven't enjoyed. I may have been annoyed at some match outcomes but that's just me cheering on my faves

I'm different, I can't just sit back and enjoy something for the sake of it, I like to be hooked or completely engaged in angles but I want it to be in a way that when therre is a big pay-off you can look back and think "wow that was excellently written and had me not knowing how this was going to pay-off"

I want it to be worth my while tuning in every week in order to understand any possible pay-off but in the last few years it's changed completely, if you miss an episode of RAW the chances are you won't miss anything significant, you could be unlucky and miss one of the few RAW's that will mean something but you'd need to be very unlucky, the likelyhood is that if you miss RAW, hell if you miss 3 RAW's in a row that you'll not be too out of the loop as far as storyline progression goes and that for me is the problem because if not missing RAW won't hinder your knowledge of the storyline then what need is there to watch weekly and invest our emotion/time into it

You could watch RAW every second week and be capable of following the stories and angles without much effort