Dwayne 'THE ROCK' Johnson is truly the G.O.A.T.

[The Naitch]

(Looking into this from the WWE Universe point of view)

Remember back in 2004 or so after The Rock retired for good, most of us agreed that Steve Austin would always be the one to have the better legacy compare to The Rock, but as of right now, The Rock will forever have the better legacy. I'm kind of happy that Rock was able to show the world that he was still relevant in the current WWE landscape of today, by swiftly coming back to win the WWE Championship from CM Punk with relative ease. The icing on the cake was marking his own stamp in the game by introducing his custom WWE Championship into the fold, which I know will be used for many years to come.

I give Cena huge respect because his "Spinner" belt proved to be more than just a gimmick, since it became the official WWE Championship belt for 8 years. It wasn't short lived like Steve Austin's Smoking Skull belt.

And now back to The Rock. I think Rock's legacy is complete in the fact that his career has finally come full circle. His career and legacy will forever be greater than Steve Austin's. Thing is with Austin is he was too one dimensional. Same goes for The Undertaker. Rock's legacy will forever be better than The Undertakers' (even if he retires with the streak).

It really seals the deal when a wrestler can cross over. I respect Brock Lesnar because he became a UFC Champion.

As for the next generation, Rock still proves that he is still relevant and that he's still the man by disposing of Punk pretty easily. Maybe Punk isn't there yet. I like and find Punk far more entertaining than The Rock, but Rock is still the alpha male in this situation. Like I said, Punk still has many years left. Also, Rock easily shows he is superior and more dominant than John Cena

If I were The Rock, I would retire for good, right abouts now, and try not to tarnish the legacy by "sticking around" a la Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.

From a 'WWE guy' point of view or from the mainstream 'WWE Machine' standpoint, kayfabe wise, nobody can touch The Rock right now.

[Rammsteinmad]

Winning the belt in a scripted sport doesn't really mean he's still "relevant". Ratings are still pretty much no different than they've been for the last decade. If he'd come back after a ten year absence in a legit sport and won the title, it'd mean something.

Then again, I'm one of those guys who are bitter at a part-timer holding the belt, yet never even appearing on the shows for no other reason than "he has other stuff to do".

With that said, from a kayfabe point-of-view, who the fuck does the Rock think he is? Not even a contracted WWE Superstar, who is he to just waltz into a company and be all like "right, this is now the WWE Championship", and have nobody from higher up challenge this decision. Don't get me wrong, I like the new belt, but I mean this from a kayfabe perspective. I don't just go to my job and say "ok guys, from now on this is the uniform we wear", so why hasn't Vince or Triple H or something questioned this decision.

Unacceptable. The Rock is a douche. :nono:

[Keith]

I actually agree with Naitch on this one. He gives WWE exposure no one else on the roster is able to provide.

And he makes the company money.

[Shadrick]

It's weird. I disagree with Naitch because of his extremes, but I agree somewhat with his general points.

[Shadrick]

But seriously, crossing over to another platform, killing it, and then being able to come back to wrestling and be entertaining (and not even off of pure nostalgia, a la Hogan), Rock is the best to ever do that. I really don't see how thats debatable at this juncture.

But the whole "disposing of Punk with ease" is kind of silly, being that its scripted.

[Keith]

LOL yeah, take Naitch's genereal POV into account. Don't mind his extremes.

He's made it big in Hollywood (much bigger than Hulk Hogan ever did), he was away from WWE for like 7 years, he comes back and he overshadows almost everyone and it's like he never left. He's awesome.

I still want to see a heel run, though.

[XCaliber]

Looking back though I really wish they had CM Punk retain at the Rumble cleanly and have Rock defeat him at EC would have made him look much better going into his match with Undertaker.

[Savio]

The Rock is the New Hulk Hogan (with a better workrate)

[Shisen Kopf]

Daniel Bryan is the goat, duh!!

[Shadrick]

LOL yeah, take Naitch's genereal POV into account. Don't mind his extremes.

He's made it big in Hollywood (much bigger than Hulk Hogan ever did), he was away from WWE for like 7 years, he comes back and he overshadows almost everyone and it's like he never left. He's awesome.

I still want to see a heel run, though.

I want Hollywood Rock so goddamn bad.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Rock has done a pretty good thing for himself and the WWE. He seems to be everywhere these days, so whatever it is has worked. Do I agree that his legacy will always now overshadow Stone Cold's? Not really. Austin has done more appearances since leaving the WWE than The Rock has done, and that has added to the novelty of Rock being back. But should Austin ever return to the WWE for one more match? That will be pretty huge, too. We'll see what happens there.

Also, I think it's pretty much confirmed that The Rock's relationship with the WWE is not over yet. I could even see them giving him the World Heavyweight Championship after he drops the WWE Title.

[Wishbone]

Rock's doing a good job of what he's doing right now. I agree that he should hang it up after the Cena thing at mania too. However I'm a little tired of people acting like he crossed over into movies and became a mega star. Fact is he'll always be "that guy who was a wrestler". I seriously doubt that Rock could get anyone who wasn't a wrestling fan at some point to tune in to wrestling on a regular basis.

Ratings have spiked now and again because of Rocky but he's nowhere near the powerhouse people make him out to be. Wrestling will always be seen as a sideshow by the rest of entertainment, period.

[Ultra Mantis]

If anything, Rock has done much better than he really "should" have in Hollywood because of his past as a wrestler. If he hadn't come back we'd still have a bunch of hurtbutts going around saying he "turned his back" on what "made him a star" and getting all pissy that he hasn't "given back". The man can do what he wants, he's earned it.

[Kane Knight]

The Rock is the New Hulk Hogan (with a better workrate)

And more fighting spirit.

[Shadrick]

Rock's doing a good job of what he's doing right now. I agree that he should hang it up after the Cena thing at mania too. However I'm a little tired of people acting like he crossed over into movies and became a mega star. Fact is he'll always be "that guy who was a wrestler". I seriously doubt that Rock could get anyone who wasn't a wrestling fan at some point to tune in to wrestling on a regular basis.

Ratings have spiked now and again because of Rocky but he's nowhere near the powerhouse people make him out to be. Wrestling will always be seen as a sideshow by the rest of entertainment, period.

Um...after Fast 5, he became A-list. 15 million a movie is considered a "megastar."

[Shadrick]

If anything, Rock has done much better than he really "should" have in Hollywood because of his past as a wrestler. If he hadn't come back we'd still have a bunch of hurtbutts going around saying he "turned his back" on what "made him a star" and getting all pissy that he hasn't "given back". The man can do what he wants, he's earned it.

This x1000000.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I actually agree with Naitch on this one. He gives WWE exposure no one else on the roster is able to provide.

And he makes the company money.

By not mentioning the WWE at all when he was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno?

[Sixx]

By not mentioning the WWE at all when he was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno?

Pretty sure there are like zero people that go "Oh, look, Dwayne Johnson, that actor is on Tonight Show" when they see him. It's still "The Rock, the wrestler is on Tonight Show".

So I don't think he even needs to mention it.

[Rock Bottom]

Rock's doing a good job of what he's doing right now. I agree that he should hang it up after the Cena thing at mania too. However I'm a little tired of people acting like he crossed over into movies and became a mega star. Fact is he'll always be "that guy who was a wrestler". I seriously doubt that Rock could get anyone who wasn't a wrestling fan at some point to tune in to wrestling on a regular basis.

Ratings have spiked now and again because of Rocky but he's nowhere near the powerhouse people make him out to be. Wrestling will always be seen as a sideshow by the rest of entertainment, period.

You can't just think this stuff into existence, The Rock is more than a mega star, lol. You have to go by what actually happens (not by what you dont know)!

[The Rogerer]

Winning the belt in a scripted sport doesn't really mean he's still "relevant".Is wrestling scripted????

Then why doesn't Cena come out and say "I will beat you Rock because it is in the script"? Why does he look sad instead?????

[Sixx]

Is wrestling scripted????

Then why doesn't Cena come out and say "I will beat you Rock because it is in the script"? Why does he look sad instead?????

That convinced me.

[Rammsteinmad]

Is wrestling scripted????

Then why doesn't Cena come out and say "I will beat you Rock because it is in the script"? Why does he look sad instead?????

Cena's not as good an actor.

[Volare]

Cena's not as good an actor.

I for one was disapointed that Cena didn't AA someone off of a ledge into fire or spikes or a shitload of live grenades or...any god damn thing, than leaping 3000 feet into a river.

[Shadrick]

By not mentioning the WWE at all when he was on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno?

Dirtsheets actually got this one right. WWE didn't book the promotion; the GI Joe team did. He was obligated to focus on their bullet points. I'm actually in entertainment, its how these things work.

[Shadrick]

Pretty sure there are like zero people that go "Oh, look, Dwayne Johnson, that actor is on Tonight Show" when they see him. It's still "The Rock, the wrestler is on Tonight Show".

So I don't think he even needs to mention it.

This is based off of....what?

I'll speak on it from the perspective of someone in the entertainment business, as well as being a mark. No, The Rock is not looked at as "The Rock, the former wrestler, on the Tonight Show." People generally look at him as an actor now; the same way people don't look at Will Smith the rapper anymore. He's not "Will Smith, the rapper, is on the tonight show." Its "Will Smith is on the tonight show."

[Wehttam]

I'm actually in entertainment, its how these things work.
lol

[Sixx]

This is based off of....what?

I'll speak on it from the perspective of someone in the entertainment business, as well as being a mark. No, The Rock is not looked at as "The Rock, the former wrestler, on the Tonight Show." People generally look at him as an actor now; the same way people don't look at Will Smith the rapper anymore. He's not "Will Smith, the rapper, is on the tonight show." Its "Will Smith is on the tonight show."

And this is based off of... what?

You working at the local Blockbuster?

Will Smith made a name for himself as an actor, Dwayne not so much. It's not like people are gonna go see a movie with Dwayne Johnson because of all the great movies he's been in. They're gonna go see it for The Rock if anything.

[MoFo]

The Rock is not looked at as "The Rock, the former wrestler, on the Tonight Show." People generally look at him as an actor now.



What?

No...

[MIZantine Empire]

Pretty sure there are like zero people that go "Oh, look, Dwayne Johnson, that actor is on Tonight Show" when they see him. It's still "The Rock, the wrestler is on Tonight Show".

So I don't think he even needs to mention it.

This is a damn good point.. I have some freinds who have never watched wrestling, except for in passing flipping thru the channels, and they know him as the rock.

[Bad News Gertner]

Rock will never reach Hogan's level, but he's right next to him

[Shisen Kopf]

Hogan is the greatest WWF champion...after Bret Hart

[Theo Dious]

Rock will never reach Hogan's level, but he's right next to him

I really believe this has a lot to do with Hogan being first.

[Kane Knight]

Pretty sure there are like zero people that go "Oh, look, Dwayne Johnson, that actor is on Tonight Show" when they see him. It's still "The Rock, the wrestler is on Tonight Show".

So I don't think he even needs to mention it.

This is the IWC. The only suitable way to pay tribute to his time in WWF/E is for him to blow Vince live while Jay Leno makes safe, inoffensive jokes about typos.

And there'd better not be a dusty finish.

Dirtsheets actually got this one right. WWE didn't book the promotion; the GI Joe team did. He was obligated to focus on their bullet points. I'm actually in entertainment, its how these things work.

I'm honestly surprised that the Rock has to prove himself so constantly. Or that the perpetually disapproving fans would expect that he would actually do so to try and please them.

[Tommy Gunn]

The product has sucked since January. The cool midcard guys who were getting pushes are all jobbing to the old dudes that are taking up all the WM spots.

Can't WAIT for the Raw after WM where everyone fucks off and Antonio Cesaro can start winning again.

[Shadrick]

And this is based off of... what?

You working at the local Blockbuster?

Will Smith made a name for himself as an actor, Dwayne not so much. It's not like people are gonna go see a movie with Dwayne Johnson because of all the great movies he's been in. They're gonna go see it for The Rock if anything.

lol, not really sure why you felt the need to try and insult me, but...I do a little more than that.

But you do have to understand he's transcended the whole "oh he's the guy that was a wrestler" thing. That was certainly more accurate 5 years ago. Now he's being looked at as a "franchise savior" of sorts for being an actor.

[Shadrick]

What?

No...

The IWC doesn't. The hardcore wrestling fan doesn't, obviously. The general public has a completely different perception of him. But I can see how a wrestling fan would draw that conclusion; we typically don't know him as anything else.

[St. Jimmy]

Rock was great over a decade ago, now he's pathetic old hash holding down talent.

[Bad News Gertner]

Lol like who? Cesaro? Might be the worst on the mic that I've seen in years. He shouldn't even be in the company.

[Tommy Gunn]

Cause Bret Hart was a fuckin' Wordsworth on the mic? Cesaro let's his ring work do the talking. :cool:

[Kane Knight]

Cause Bret Hart was a fuckin' Wordsworth on the mic?

Let's be fair, Bret had a handicap. He was Canadian.

[Bad News Gertner]

Cause Bret Hart was a fuckin' Wordsworth on the mic? Cesaro let's his ring work do the talking. :cool:

Yes, and the company nearly folded with Bret as champ. Then he went to WCW and they wentout of business.

[Destor]

(Looking into this from the WWE Universe point of view)

Remember back in 2004 or so after The Rock retired for good, most of us agreed that Steve Austin would always be the one to have the better legacy compare to The Rock, but as of right now, The Rock will forever have the better legacy. I'm kind of happy that Rock was able to show the world that he was still relevant in the current WWE landscape of today, by swiftly coming back to win the WWE Championship from CM Punk with relative ease. The icing on the cake was marking his own stamp in the game by introducing his custom WWE Championship into the fold, which I know will be used for many years to come.

I give Cena huge respect because his "Spinner" belt proved to be more than just a gimmick, since it became the official WWE Championship belt for 8 years. It wasn't short lived like Steve Austin's Smoking Skull belt.

And now back to The Rock. I think Rock's legacy is complete in the fact that his career has finally come full circle. His career and legacy will forever be greater than Steve Austin's. Thing is with Austin is he was too one dimensional. Same goes for The Undertaker. Rock's legacy will forever be better than The Undertakers' (even if he retires with the streak).

It really seals the deal when a wrestler can cross over. I respect Brock Lesnar because he became a UFC Champion.

As for the next generation, Rock still proves that he is still relevant and that he's still the man by disposing of Punk pretty easily. Maybe Punk isn't there yet. I like and find Punk far more entertaining than The Rock, but Rock is still the alpha male in this situation. Like I said, Punk still has many years left. Also, Rock easily shows he is superior and more dominant than John Cena

If I were The Rock, I would retire for good, right abouts now, and try not to tarnish the legacy by "sticking around" a la Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.

From a 'WWE guy' point of view or from the mainstream 'WWE Machine' standpoint, kayfabe wise, nobody can touch The Rock right now.i'm having a hard time with this part.

[The Naitch]

I guess it's not fair to Mark, but The Undertaker was always on the same level as Austin in the sense that he never crossed over like Hogan/Rock/Brock did. They are therefore limited to the WWE Universe landscape.

It does affect one's legacy and gives your legacy more credibility once you were able to find legitimate success outside of the WWE. It's like that average kid who hung around with his friends, but one day he graduated and became part of the cool crowd and started sitting with them at lunch, leaving his old friends behind.

Old friends (WWE Universe)
Cool kids (Hollywood Universe or mainstream sports)

Hogan was in a huge Rocky film. Rock is a bonafied A-lister. Brock Lesnar became a legitimate UFC Champion. Undertaker and Austin never really reached the same level of mainstream success.

Cena tried to make his own movies as well, and so did Batista. But whether they tried to make a success outside of WWE, is not the point. Triple H had a bit more success than these two since he was in Blade 3 which was not a WWE produced film (like the Chaperone)

[James Steele]

He has no large pop culture legacy. The legacy of The Undertaker as a wrestler is only topped by only Hogan, Flair, Rock, Austin.

[#1-norm-fan]

You know who seems to be left out of the conversation way too much when it comes to wrestlers who had huge mainstream appeal/a household name? Andre the Giant.

Seems like it's always Rock, Austin, Hogan and then a drop off. EVERYONE knows who Andre the Giant is though.

[James Steele]

You know who seems to be left out of the conversation way too much when it comes to wrestlers who had huge mainstream appeal/a household name? Andre the Giant.

Seems like it's always Rock, Austin, Hogan and then a drop off. EVERYONE knows who Andre the Giant is though.

True. I guess because in the "modern era" he only has 2 mainstream "moments" or claims to fame: Princess Bride and WrestleMania III and his health went down hill before he could really capitalize on his new global fame to a large degree.