The Rock being an ass

[Jeritron]

Source: pwtorch.com

A number of people in WWE weren't pleased with how Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson came off this past Saturday night. He did not leave a positive impression on a number of wrestlers at the Hall of Fame banquet.

A number of sources report that Johnson did not hang out with old friends before and after his speech at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He showed up for the speech, delivered one that offended many in WWE and was believed to be too long, and then left.

Some of his former colleagues are saying that Johnson came across as "aloof" and "totally Hollywood," as if he were "above WWE now," not to mention everyone in WWE as well. One of those people include one-time friend Steve Austin, who was openly displeased and taken aback by Johnson's demeanor.

Here is one wrestler's comments regarding Johnson's Hall of Fame speech: "This wasn't a roast. This was supposed to be a tribute to his dad and grandfather. Instead, he did an hour plus of comedy, running way long, then did a short tribute to his dad and grandfather, then left. It was rude of him."

WWE had plans to control the length of the Hall of Fame speeches, but the induction ceremony ran way over the planned length in large part due to Johnson's drawn out speech. Flair's Hall of Fame speech ran long as well, but everyone was forgiving of that considering that it was his night.

After the event, pretty much everyone backstage shared in their resentment and disappointment on Johnson's conduct at the Hall of Fame. The belief backstage was that Johnson had no reason to treat old friends like discards from a past life.

Johnson's speech went on first because he had to catch a plane immediately to Las Vegas, where they are filming his latest movie, Space Mountain. After he left, two individuals took shots at him during their Hall of Fame speeches. When praising John Cena, Ric Flair made a point to say that Cena, "Will never leave our business for Hollywood." Triple H mentioned, "Rock fans," and then said, "Oops, am I supposed to say Dwayne fans now?"


I remember thinking this when watching it. To be honest, what an ass

[weather vane]

I knew there would be some sort of backlash from that speech.

[KingofOldSchool]

Cena will never leave wrestling for Hollywood, because Hollywood doesn't want Cena.

[Afterlife]

Cena will never leave wrestling for Hollywood, because Hollywood doesn't want Cena.

My thoughts exactly. :lol:

Also, maybe he wasn't taking time for people because he was, you know, in a rush? This was jammed into his schedule last minute -- the movie shoot isn't written around his life. I didn't watch the ceremony because I don't really care about them, so I can't say for his demeanor, but coming up with a speech on the spot when you have a whole movie to memorize at the same time can't be incredibly easy.

[McLegend]

I liked the speech, but I think it was kind of weird(looking for a better word) that he went and did his act on everyone.

[Theo Dious]

Triple H mentioned, "Rock fans," and then said, "Oops, am I supposed to say Dwayne fans now?"

My love of this man seems to grow each day.

[Theo Dious]

Also, maybe he wasn't taking time for people because he was, you know, in a rush? This was jammed into his schedule last minute -- the movie shoot isn't written around his life.

Doesn't seem to have stopped him from taking his sweet-ass fucking time about it.

[Jaton]

I truly hate hearing this. I had always hoped he would never become like that.

[Innovator]

Bye Dwayne

[Lock Jaw]

Someone link me to a video of <s>Rock's</s>Dwayne's speech.

[Jura]

He can do whatever the fuck he wants.

[Londoner]

lol, obviously they're all just jealous of his success or something. I saw a bit of his speech at the HOF though and did get the impression that he didn't really want to be there, or atleast that he felt he was above it all. But meh, i enjoyed what i saw though i didn't get to see his whole speech on tv as they must've edited bits out.

btw lol@what hhh said.

[Jeritron]

If Austin was pissed, it was bad

[Mr. Nerfect]

I didn't see the speech, but I can understand why The Rock would do a speech like that. He is The fucking Rock. He wanted to entertain. He was inducting his father and grandfather for crying out loud, he loved them, and wanted them to go in. He wanted to be there to do it. He was just trying to give the fans a taste of The Rock, I believe.

[HTrain90]

If anyone expected anything different, they're crazy. The headline was "The Rock to return." What the hell did they expect? "Hi. I'm Dwayne, and I want to honor my father and grandfather." No way! I can guarantee that the WWE wanted Rock to go semi-into-character to entertain the fans, because THEN people will tune in for the beginning of the show rather than just for Naitch. I guarantee that a lot of people tuned in just to see The Rock - and they were not disappointed with his speech - more like a promo, really. If they had such a problem with it, they wouldn't have aired it. If some of the current guys had a problem with it, shove it. Grow up. The Rock is a bigger star than 99% of the guys in that arena, and he hasn't wrestled in years! I, for one, thought his speech was hilarious, and it was great to see him knock on Foley, Coach, and Trips. And the line about The Marine was perfect - especially when followed by a burn of himself.

Bottom line, if some of the guys weren't happy, it is to be expected. Rock left when his star shone brightest. In his book, he says he would never "strike while the iron is hot" and get out of the business for a relatively safer, richer pursuit of acting. However, that is exactly what he did. It will mar his legacy in the WWE among those INSIDE THE BUSINESS, but the FANS will always love The People's Champ - simply the very best entertainer of the Attitude Era. Also, he will be a lot richer and his long-term health will be much better for leaving. For that, more power to him - he took a chance and made himself a bona fide star.

But if some in the 'E aren't happy, then shove it. You asked for The Rock. You got The Rock. Judging by the crowd, it went over well. Deal with it.

[Londoner]

^ agreed

[What Would Kevin Do?]

Boo fucking whoo. The Rock was entertaining, and they need to deal with it. If 5 % of the current roster could work a mic like he could, they'd be lucky. And I'd sacrifice Cena to Hollywood in a second if it meant getting the Rock back.

[IC Champion]

Wow, people in the WWE bitch about how Rock turned his back on wrestling, and doesn't care about the fans, and when he shows up and to induct his family, and gives the fans what they want, they bitch and call him disrespectful. Cena and HHH are both jealous they will never see the kind of money The Rock has.

[Londoner]

Exactly, its just jealousy.

[Destor]

Wow, people in the WWE bitch about how Rock turned his back on wrestling, and doesn't care about the fans, and when he shows up and to induct his family, and gives the fans what they want, they bitch and call him disrespectful. Cena and HHH are both jealous they will never see the kind of money The Rock has.
H has access to more money than The Rock does.

[Dave Youell]

H has access to more money than The Rock does.

In a budget capacity for running a company, not millions of dollars per film though..

As for this whole thing, maybe it’s just the way it was edited, but I thought it was quite good, some of the digs were funny and he was taking pot shots at himself as well as the guys in the crowd.

‘The US army was involved in scandals by capturing Iraq militants and tourting them by making them watch The Marine’

‘Don’t worry, I made Doom!’

Saying that it’s not meant to be a roast isn’t strictly true as previous shows, depending on who was being inducted did come across as a roast, Heenan anyone?

Plus he seemed to show general emotion when talking about his Dad, this Granddad and also his love for the business, it’s the first time he’d been in front of a crowd with a mic for several years, what did they honestly think they were going to get?

[Skull316]

The only thing that bugged me was that stupid "Hollywood Smile" he kept on his face the entire speech. The Rock never smiled that much when he was cutting into people! Other than that, it was just a speech in-character for The Rock, which I imagine is what was expected of him.

[What Would Kevin Do?]

"Wah, it's not a roast.."

"Now when Ric Flair is naked in the lobby, it's because he can't remember what hotel room is his."

[IC Champion]

LOL

[Ruien]

Wow, people in the WWE bitch about how Rock turned his back on wrestling, and doesn't care about the fans, and when he shows up and to induct his family, and gives the fans what they want, they bitch and call him disrespectful. Cena and HHH are both jealous they will never see the kind of money The Rock has.

I think it is pretty safe to say HHH has been living the life for awhile now.

[Bad Company]

Rock is the man, he is above wrestling.

[Kane Knight]

My love of this man seems to grow each day.

Why? Do you have a degenerative mental condition?

[El Fangel]

I'd sacrifice Cena to Hollywood in a second if it meant getting the Rock back.

Damn, your one patient man.

No, for serious, I have lost even more respect for the man who was for many years my favorite wrestler.

:'(

[Londoner]

How has that made you lose respect for him?? These people are just jealous of his success in hollywood and that they can't ever do the same.

[El Fangel]

The fact that he seems to have no time to spend with the people and company that gave him enough fame to make Hollywood look at him, and want him in thier movies.

[RVDmark]

I liked the speech, it was entertaining. I can see WWE's point in that it wasn't really a speech I would have expected for the HoF. BUT its the speech I expected from a returning Rock. Its just a shame they had to coincide. If the schedule had allowed it then he could of done a more sombre speech at the HoF and done a "return" speech at either the previous Raw or WM24.

And to whoever it was ho mentioned Rock smiling too much. It came accross to me that he was genuinely having a good time and remembering what a live crowd was like.

As a fan I would havee been VERY disappointed if he had come out, done a sombre speech and left.

And whilst HHH does have access to more money, its not his, its Vince's, Stephanie's and partly his cash.

If Cena is pissed he should have just watched and learnt. 3 or 4 years Rock has been away and he hasn' missed a beat. Roll on the next appearence.

And despite the odds of Val Venis winning the WWE title being greater than this, I STILL hope to see Rock v Austin one last time.

The speech was great, funny, and I thought quite heartfelt. Thankyou Rock for the 10 minutes of laughter.

[Londoner]

The fact that he seems to have no time to spend with the people and company that gave him enough fame to make Hollywood look at him, and want him in thier movies.

That's what you gotta do sometimes to be successful, you got to make sacrifices and if anyone has a problem with that, well, as the rock would say, it doesn't matter if you have a problem with that. :cool:

[Kane Knight]

The fact that he seems to have no time to spend with the people and company that gave him enough fame to make Hollywood look at him, and want him in thier movies.

You mean the company that shilled him to Hollywood in the first place, because they were hoping having that celebrity crossover appeal? The company that discards wrestlers when they have no more use for them?

Damn him for not showing loyalty to such a company!

[What Would Kevin Do?]

The fact that he seems to have no time to spend with the people and company that gave him enough fame to make Hollywood look at him, and want him in thier movies.

He's in the process of filming a movie. They should be thankful he flew out to do it. No one seems to be considering that maybe he had prior obligations that he had to meet. You know, other people who were relying on him to do something too?

No one wants to give the guy the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he really did have to go. I doubt he was thinking "fuck them, I don't want to be around them."

[El Fangel]

That's what you gotta do sometimes to be successful, you got to make sacrifices and if anyone has a problem with that, well, as the rock would say, it doesn't matter if you have a problem with that. :cool:

You mean the company that shilled him to Hollywood in the first place, because they were hoping having that celebrity crossover appeal? The company that discards wrestlers when they have no more use for them?

Damn him for not showing loyalty to such a company!

TL - Forgetting where you came from, and who and what made you who you are will likely always make you seem like an asshole

KK - The above in response to you also.

And if they did not have any use for him, how is it that whenever he returns for a little while, he is never put into a forgettable match/storyline.

And even still, if the company discarded him, and he was pissed at them. (which I doubt is the case, as he still makes occasional appearances with them) what was stopping him from spending some time with the friends that he made in the business? Of course, only Dwayne can answer this correctly, but please give me your opinion, because honestly I cant see a good reason why he would snub all the people he worked with for years.

[Londoner]

TL - Forgetting where you came from, and who and what made you who you are will likely always make you seem like an asshole


What makes you think he's forgotten? do you personally know him or something?

[El Fangel]

TL - Forgetting where you came from, and who and what made you who you are will likely always make you seem like an asshole


What makes you think he's forgotten? do you personally know him or something?

No, I dont. Thats kinda obvious.

Just in my view, I lost respect for someone who could not find maybe 30 mins in his day to spend some time chatting with people he spent years with.

[Londoner]

Well maybe he really didn't have anytime to spare.

[Kane Knight]

So basically, FA, you're pulling your argument out of your ass due to some sense of entitlement. Gotcha.

[El Fangel]

So basically, FA, you're pulling your argument out of your ass due to some sense of entitlement. Gotcha.

Well maybe he really didn't have anytime to spare.

Yeah, I have to say I am pulling an argument out of my ass, as I cant say either way whether I am wrong or right in my assumptions.

But might I ask you something KK?

If you went to a family reunion dinner (provided you get along with your family, I know some don't) and ate, got up and left without saying anything to anyone you have not seen in years, how would your family take it, how in your opinion would others see it?

TL - That could be the case, and if it is, I would feel kinda bad for dissing him like I am, then again, he could have found the time if his speech was not so long. :p

[Kane Knight]

You mean what would other people assume, based on their fanboyish sense of entitlement? Probably something regardless of any evidence to the contrary, as you're doing.

[El Fangel]

I wanted an answer not a question.

[Loose Cannon]

Boo fucking whoo. The Rock was entertaining, and they need to deal with it. If 5 % of the current roster could work a mic like he could, they'd be lucky. And I'd sacrifice Cena to Hollywood in a second if it meant getting the Rock back.

Right on

[Kane Knight]

I wanted an answer not a question.

Aska question that's not stupid. Preferably one that's a better analog to the situation you pulled out of your ass in the first place. :)

[Loose Cannon]

Fallen Angel is such a mark.

I lost so much respect for my former favorite wrestler, The Rock :'( :'( YOU TURNED YOUR BACK ON ME :mad: :mad:

[Testicle]

Yeah, it was too long, but who cares.

[dablackguy]

Ridiculous.

I find it ironic, that if The Rock didn't come back and do what he did, people would piss and moan about how he's too good to come back and be associated with wrestling. So he comes back gives an entertaining speech IN CHARACTER and of course, he's too good for wrestling.

Its just a bunch of fucking whiny, jealous grown men. Hunter, by my recollection has ALWAYS had something to say about the rock going to make movies (Also ironic, didn't Hunter go off and make a movie and sucked at it) and Cena who should be the absolute last person to talk had something to say.

I think I begin to understand why The Rock distanced himself from wrestling, and it doesn't have anything to do with stigmas and assoociations.

[Innovator]

Mike Johnson reported that the Rock hung around people he was with back in the Attitude days (Jericho, Big Show, Austin) and he wasn't aloof.

[Kane Knight]

Ridiculous.

I find it ironic, that if The Rock didn't come back and do what he did, people would piss and moan about how he's too good to come back and be associated with wrestling. So he comes back gives an entertaining speech IN CHARACTER and of course, he's too good for wrestling.

Its just a bunch of fucking whiny, jealous grown men. Hunter, by my recollection has ALWAYS had something to say about the rock going to make movies (Also ironic, didn't Hunter go off and make a movie and sucked at it) and Cena who should be the absolute last person to talk had something to say.

I think I begin to understand why The Rock distanced himself from wrestling, and it doesn't have anything to do with stigmas and assoociations.

Yeah, Hunter's crying sour grapes. He tried to get into film, was turned down, WWE built WWE films with him in mind (Journey of the Dead Man was the first ANNOUNCED movie, though it clearly wasn't put out first), and he's apparently pissed at nothing more than the guy being a success, whereas he's still a carnie....

[HTrain90]

I seriously doubt that it's sour grapes from Hunter or any of the others. There were a number of things: the fact that Rock was in semi-in-character, and went after everyone - faces and heels alike. I think some of the others haven't forgiven him for leaving when he was in his prime. Triple H was never the same once Rock left - HHH is a great second-fiddle guy, but a terrible lead man. He was great when he was pushed to the forefront by a great babyface Rock or Austin, but once they were gone he, and the company, floundered. It's taken the WWE a long time to find the iconic figure to replace The Rock. I think they've finally found that figure in John Cena - he has some mainstream appeal (Subway commercials, Make-A-Wish, etc.) and could become the star that Rock was for the 'E when he left.

Back to my point. This isn't jealousy about money or anything. The guys who are in WWE still are bound to the business. Triple H lives and breathes the business. He is offended that someone who once claimed that "wrestling is in my blood" and "I will always be in some way affiliated with the WWF[/E]" has so quickly up and left for another pursuit. Hunter has got more than enough money to live quite luxuriously for the rest of his life, his children's lives, and his grandchilren's lives. This is about the biggest star of the Attitude Era leaving at the peak of his game, and never once glancing over his shoulder at what he left behind.

[Gerard]

Triple h just likes to whine, rock now has a career where the travelling is minimal (and paid for) he gets paid probably a couple of million a movie compared to the top wwe wage of maybe 2 million and a bit per year (according to that leaked wage chart thing).

When it comes down to it if Triple h had more charisma than a half empty tin of baked beans most likely he would have went Hollywood way. The pays better the workload is drastically reduced the toll on the body is obviously massively reduced.

Its not the first time he's openly whined about the rock being in hollywood so i doubt it was just an "on the night" reaction.

[dablackguy]

I seriously doubt that it's sour grapes from Hunter or any of the others. There were a number of things: the fact that Rock was in semi-in-character, and went after everyone - faces and heels alike.


I think some of the others haven't forgiven him for leaving when he was in his prime.

You're completely contradicting yourself.


It's taken the WWE a long time to find the iconic figure to replace The Rock. I think they've finally found that figure in John Cena - he has some mainstream appeal

Maybe the mainstream likes him, the typical wrestling fan (assume male 18-29) can't stand him

Back to my point. This isn't jealousy about money or anything. The guys who are in WWE still are bound to the business. Triple H lives and breathes the business. He is offended that someone who once claimed that "wrestling is in my blood" and "I will always be in some way affiliated with the WWF[/E]" has so quickly up and left for another pursuit.

And I'm sure if Hunter had to work a few months out of the year, make millions and be home more he'd absolutely decline the opportunity. Rock's decision wasn't just a smart career move, it was a smart QUALITY OF LIFE MOVE. More to the point, who's Hunter to say anything anyways?

This is about the biggest star of the Attitude Era leaving at the peak of his game, and never once glancing over his shoulder at what he left behind.

And it was HIS choice. You think that these guys aren't pissed that once Rock left, business went downhill and Vince scrambled to find the next big thing? And screwed up doing that? By your logic, that has to have something to do with it.

[Kane Knight]

Why do people slobber over Hunter's cock anyway?

[dablackguy]

Why do people slobber over Hunter's cock anyway?

Cause he's the best of a mediocre era ala Bret Hart?

[Gerard]

Cause hes THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT DAMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMNNNNNN zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzwut?

[ron the dial]

the rock continues to be the man

[Kane Knight]

Cause he's the best of a mediocre era ala Bret Hart?

Except he's not. He sucked in the Attitude Era (Anyone who was given his level of hype could have gotten over...Even Gilberg, Stevie Richards, or Zach Gowen), and he sucks now. He's not the most over guy, he's not the best on a mic, and he's not the best wrestler.

[Kane Knight]

Oh, and as I said in the headlines forum, This is especially stupid because heat on a guy who they need more than he needs them is just insane. The Rock actually has some level of status, and WWE's looked down upon. He has little reason to show up as it is, and wrestlersgetting sand in their pampers over this shit is not going to change anything.

[dablackguy]

One thing I wanna bring up which I don't think anyone has. The retards (wwe wrestlers included) that are pissed he came out in character and gave THAT speech.

Did anyone happen to catch how the HOF was promoted? Commercials on USA FEATURING THE ROCK depicting his face on the screen. Hell, USA even went so far as to make it 'The Rock night' I believe they aired the Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King before the HOF show. So, it would seem blatantly obvious that they were building the show around him. That makes the Ric Flair thing null and void. If USA advertised it heavily and in the manner they did (I'm sure authorized by the E) you'd have to be retarded (again, wrestlers 100% included to expect anything different) not to expect the Rock 'character' and instead expect Dywane Johnson the person.

Not for nothing, but I'd be mad a fuck too if some guy who was out of the business 5 years was a bigger draw than I was.

[TerranRich]

All I have to say is, the Rock could have said NO to the whole thing. He made time in his busy schedule for this event, made a few jokes, which his character is known for, and did his job. For God's sake, leave him alone already.

[TerranRich]

LEAVE DWYANE ALOOOONE! :'(

[Kane Knight]

Yeah, they really did market it around the Rock. I mean, big time. So if he made it about him in character, the cocky character for whom the show was always about, big fucking deal.

[Kane Knight]

LEAVE DWYANE ALOOOONE! :'(

LOL. Somebody has to do that one.

[The One]

This is one of the most retarded things I think I’ve ever heard. On so many levels I can’t begin to count.

Let’s start first with people being all butt hurt that The Rock made fun of people at a WWE event. I think I’ll say that one more time because it bares repeating. People are angry that The Rock made fun of people at a WWE event, with WWE fans in attendance expecting to see The Rock. Did WWE advertise that Dwayne Johnson was going to induct his father and grand father? No. They advertised The Rock. What they got was The Rock. Give the man a mic and he will say whatever, WHATEVER it is that he knows will get a reaction out of the people in attendance. They TRAINED him to do that. They PAID him to do that. And now, in a pathetic attempt to get him to show up for even one night, they grant his dad and granddad in the HoF, largely as a ploy to get him to come back. Well he did, he came back, he did exactly what the 2nd most advertised wrestler was supposed to do. And this is somehow wrong? The speech was funny. The Rock is supposed to be funny, that’s why he’s, you know, The Rock.

Now let’s move on to people, WWE workers, marks, smarts, movie goers, XPW fans, whoever it is that seems to have a problem with The Rock doing movies. Take your jealousy, shine it up real nice AND STICK…you know what you know where this is going. Let me just say this, FUCK YOU. Fuck you for feeling like this guy is somehow indebted to you. He entertained you for years. Isn’t that enough? And before people get all on my ass about how he was built up by the company and blah blah blah…let’s not forget this is the man who dropped the WWE Gold to Brock Lesnar in his rookie year, without so much as a peep of complaint. This is the man who before leaving the company he put over Goldberg. This is the man who, despite not needing to, and despite it being an inconvenience for his schedule, came out of retirement to be in a match with Foley where they could put over Orton & Batista (and Flair, but, well, you know). WWE did build him up, but he played the game honorably. Have you ever, EVER heard him say “no”, complain, or politic his way out of jobbing or putting someone over? Ever. Go ahead I’ll wait for an example. No. He was a business man who put his company before his own ego. I mean he put over The Hurricane twice for god sake. And now, AGAIN as an inconvenience, he goes out of his way to continue to do what is best for the company that made him, and honor his love and history with wrestling by coming back, getting a mic in his hand, and doing what he does best...but people bitched about that too.

Dwayne Johnson is a man, a man with a family, a man with bills to pay. If anyone can tell me one logical reason why he should step inside the squared circle again, I’d love to hear it. The points of money, safety, and time spent with family have been covered to nausea...but have you ever considered maybe he’s genuinely happier doing movies? Does the fact that he could be having the best time of his life matter to you? And while we’re at it, let’s talk about fans. The Rock has more people going to watch his movies than he does people who watched him wrestle. I know a lot of people that love The Rock as an actor but would never watch pro wrestling for him.

And now, after Hollywood has spent MANY millions more on building Dwayne Johnson up than WWE ever did building The Rock up, Dwayne should turn his back on the people who helped him get there? His agent, his manager, his friends from the movies, his cousin who can now make a living off of being his stunt double...yeah fuck them. What’s really important is that he stops performing for the world and goes back to performing for the esoteric little universe of Pro Wrestling.

[Loose Cannon]

lol, thread over.

[Kane Knight]

And aaaaaaaalso, if we're going to talk debt...

Let me first of all state that the concept that someone "owes" someone else in this is pretty fucking ridiculous. I'm following specifically the point of view that the Rock should be giving back to wrestling or some such.

The Rock and Steve Austin made the business what it was in the 90s. They were the chief draws, the chief sellers, the big guns. If anything, WWE owes the Rock. Vince owes the Rock. Triple H owes the Rock. Instead of cheap shots, Triple H should be checking to see if Rocky needs his balls massaged or his asshole tickled. Triple H is on top because professionals made him look good. The Rock was among those ranks.

They very likely only inducted Maivia because it would entice the Rock to show up. He wasn't obliged to show up, and he isn't obliged to do anything for WWE. The Rock gave WWE some of their best years in terms of popularity, if not financial. WWE is in the dumps right now because of their own hubris, not because of the Rock being in Hollywood.

[ron the dial]

TOVO

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

DO YOU SMELL WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING?

[thedamndest]

Sounds like Triple H and John Cena will not be wishing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ANY luck in his future endevours.

[Fox]

All of those great points aside, what about The Rock apparently wanting to drop the name "The Rock" and just be Dwayne Johnson, so as to get rid of the pro wrestling stigma as a Hollywood A-list actor? Or his claims that he would NEVER come back to perform for the WWE again (meaning in a storyline, as a GM, etc, etc)?

Do those things not make you feel even the littlest bit tarnished or thrown aback as wrestling fans?

If, say, 6 months from now, Dwayne Johnson was on a talk show promoting his new film and the host referred to him as "The Rock," and he said "Don't call me that, that's the old me, I don't go by that name anymore, my name is Dwayne Johnson, I'm an actor," would that not bother you even the slightest?

I respect the man for leaving the WWE and I believe he should be given every right to go out and do what he wants with his charisma and skill and that he shouldn't be judged by it, but at the same time, the man cannot forget who got him started in the world of entertainment. If it wasn't for Vince McMahon and the WWE fans, he WOULD just be Dwayne Johnson, some ex-CFL linebacker who works at fucking Big R, for all we know.

I'm not saying that's who he is now, but I'm asking if he WERE to become that stuck up, that full on Hollywood, and truly trying to "erase" his wrestling past, would you still feel that The Rock is not an ass?

[ron the dial]

oh no a guy wants to make a name for himself in hollywood with his real name and not a wrestling moniker. i'm so hurt. the guy has moved on. so should everyone else.

[Fox]

<object height="339" width="420">


<embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x4x2w6" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="339" width="420"></object>Hall of fame 2008 the rock part 1/2 (http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x4x2w6)
by 04jamell (http://www.dailymotion.com/04jamell)


<object height="339" width="420">


<embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x4x3au" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" height="339" width="420"></object>
Hall of fame 2008 the rock part 2/2 (http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x4x3au)
by 04jamell (http://www.dailymotion.com/04jamell)

[ron the dial]

no

see my above reply

[Fox]

yeah i mis-read it. thus the delete.


anyways, austin seems to be enjoying the promo when rock calls him out.

[Fox]

Jericho... not so much.

[BigDaddyCool]

Rock was hilarious. Peoples just be hatin'.

[IC Champion]

I think it is pretty safe to say HHH has been living the life for awhile now.

Not because of any personal accomplishment of his own. When its all said and done Rock will have made of a 100 million, HHH will at best inherit anything he gains.

[Kane Knight]

All of those great points aside, what about The Rock apparently wanting to drop the name "The Rock" and just be Dwayne Johnson, so as to get rid of the pro wrestling stigma as a Hollywood A-list actor? Or his claims that he would NEVER come back to perform for the WWE again (meaning in a storyline, as a GM, etc, etc)?

Has he actually said he'd NEVER work for WWE again? I haven't seen that.

Do those things not make you feel even the littlest bit tarnished or thrown aback as wrestling fans?

No more than I did when Mick Foley started actively badmouthing wrestling. Of course, I didn't really care then, and I don't care now.

If, say, 6 months from now, Dwayne Johnson was on a talk show promoting his new film and the host referred to him as "The Rock," and he said "Don't call me that, that's the old me, I don't go by that name anymore, my name is Dwayne Johnson, I'm an actor," would that not bother you even the slightest?

Should it?

I respect the man for leaving the WWE and I believe he should be given every right to go out and do what he wants with his charisma and skill and that he shouldn't be judged by it, but at the same time, the man cannot forget who got him started in the world of entertainment. If it wasn't for Vince McMahon and the WWE fans, he WOULD just be Dwayne Johnson, some ex-CFL linebacker who works at fucking Big R, for all we know.

Or, for all we know, he'd have become a big movie star without WWE. That's how hypotheticals work.

I'm not saying that's who he is now, but I'm asking if he WERE to become that stuck up, that full on Hollywood, and truly trying to "erase" his wrestling past, would you still feel that The Rock is not an ass?

People move on.

In fact, given the state of things, I wish more people would move on. Ric Flair's retirement match, his big moment, would mean more to me if it had happened years ago. Hulk Hogan should have moved on ages ago. Hell, Mick Foley retired, never to wrestle again, and keeps coming back. Now, I love Foley, but his continued returns are bothersome. Kurt Angle should have walked away while ago, and Steve Austin's kind of lucky he can walk at all.

Unless the Rock starts actively ragging on WWE, I doubt I'll have a problem with him if he says something like "That's not me now." Because it isn't. He's not the Rock anymore, except maybe in name. Even then, Mick Foley ragged on wrestling in general, and he said in a speech I saw him give that he'd have more to say about WWE specifically when the terms of his contract were up. Mick's still respected, despite the fact that he slammed the product pretty hard and pretty loud.

Will I be happy? No. Will I care?

Probably not.

[BigDaddyCool]

Side note...there is a commersial for some sports drink or sports shoe, I can't remember which. It features Stacey Keibler, actress. Yeah, that is right, actress, not former wrestler though she does mention dancing with the stars in said commersial. Yet no one is hating on her.

[Kane Knight]

Side note...there is a commersial for some sports drink or sports shoe, I can't remember which. It features Stacey Keibler, actress. Yeah, that is right, actress, not former wrestler though she does mention dancing with the stars in said commersial. Yet no one is hating on her.

Howabout Jericho? Many ofthe times he appeared on VH-1, he wasn't listed as a wrestler. I guess people couldn't stop slobbering all over his cock long enough to call him on that, but It sounds like it's the same thing to me.

[Jeritron]

I dont think The Rock is an ass for being in Hollywood or going by his real name. That's more than fine. They're stupid for being upset about that. It's a few of the other things, like being a dickhead while there and upsetting longtime friends

[BigDaddyCool]

Howabout Jericho? Many ofthe times he appeared on VH-1, he wasn't listed as a wrestler. I guess people couldn't stop slobbering all over his cock long enough to call him on that, but It sounds like it's the same thing to me.

What was he in? Oh yeah a straight to discount bin sci-fi piece of crap, yeah, that makes him an actor.

[dablackguy]

I dont think The Rock is an ass for being in Hollywood or going by his real name. That's more than fine. They're stupid for being upset about that. It's a few of the other things, like being a dickhead while there and upsetting longtime friends

If its in the dirt sheets, it MUST be true....

[TerranRich]

This is one of the most retarded things I think I’ve ever heard. On so many levels I can’t begin to count.

Let’s start first with people being all butt hurt that The Rock made fun of people at a WWE event. I think I’ll say that one more time because it bares repeating. People are angry that The Rock made fun of people at a WWE event, with WWE fans in attendance expecting to see The Rock. Did WWE advertise that Dwayne Johnson was going to induct his father and grand father? No. They advertised The Rock. What they got was The Rock. Give the man a mic and he will say whatever, WHATEVER it is that he knows will get a reaction out of the people in attendance. They TRAINED him to do that. They PAID him to do that. And now, in a pathetic attempt to get him to show up for even one night, they grant his dad and granddad in the HoF, largely as a ploy to get him to come back. Well he did, he came back, he did exactly what the 2nd most advertised wrestler was supposed to do. And this is somehow wrong? The speech was funny. The Rock is supposed to be funny, that’s why he’s, you know, The Rock.

Now let’s move on to people, WWE workers, marks, smarts, movie goers, XPW fans, whoever it is that seems to have a problem with The Rock doing movies. Take your jealousy, shine it up real nice AND STICK…you know what you know where this is going. Let me just say this, FUCK YOU. Fuck you for feeling like this guy is somehow indebted to you. He entertained you for years. Isn’t that enough? And before people get all on my ass about how he was built up by the company and blah blah blah…let’s not forget this is the man who dropped the WWE Gold to Brock Lesnar in his rookie year, without so much as a peep of complaint. This is the man who before leaving the company he put over Goldberg. This is the man who, despite not needing to, and despite it being an inconvenience for his schedule, came out of retirement to be in a match with Foley where they could put over Orton & Batista (and Flair, but, well, you know). WWE did build him up, but he played the game honorably. Have you ever, EVER heard him say “no”, complain, or politic his way out of jobbing or putting someone over? Ever. Go ahead I’ll wait for an example. No. He was a business man who put his company before his own ego. I mean he put over The Hurricane twice for god sake. And now, AGAIN as an inconvenience, he goes out of his way to continue to do what is best for the company that made him, and honor his love and history with wrestling by coming back, getting a mic in his hand, and doing what he does best...but people bitched about that too.

Dwayne Johnson is a man, a man with a family, a man with bills to pay. If anyone can tell me one logical reason why he should step inside the squared circle again, I’d love to hear it. The points of money, safety, and time spent with family have been covered to nausea...but have you ever considered maybe he’s genuinely happier doing movies? Does the fact that he could be having the best time of his life matter to you? And while we’re at it, let’s talk about fans. The Rock has more people going to watch his movies than he does people who watched him wrestle. I know a lot of people that love The Rock as an actor but would never watch pro wrestling for him.

And now, after Hollywood has spent MANY millions more on building Dwayne Johnson up than WWE ever did building The Rock up, Dwayne should turn his back on the people who helped him get there? His agent, his manager, his friends from the movies, his cousin who can now make a living off of being his stunt double...yeah fuck them. What’s really important is that he stops performing for the world and goes back to performing for the esoteric little universe of Pro Wrestling.


Read this in the style of that Chris Crocker guy (whatever his name is), then end it with "LEAVE DWAYNE ALOOONE!" and you've got a HIT.

[Good Ol JG]

Personally I liked The Rock's speech. I could see while I was watching it how some people would be bothered by it, I didn't agree with why they would be bothered by it, but I could see that they would be.

Look at the faces in the crowd while he was up there. Did you see anybody scowling at what he was saying? Austin was laughing, Jericho smirked and agreed when The Rock made fun of his hair, Coach laughed, he and Mick had a classic exchange, Stephanie laughed at what he said about her being pregnant, even that no-talent waste of space Cena laughed when he got cracked on for The Marine. He even put Santino over some while he was there, because as we know, The Rock can rip on anyone and help put them over. So what the fuck was such a problem about what happened? I didn't see any wrestler get up and dash for the door, or boo, or anything like that. Triple H said what he said, but Triple H is pretty much known for shit like this. He didn't come off as an ass to me, he came off as The Rock, the guy who entertained us for years and who has every right to come back and be himself.

As for The Rock owing wrestling anything, that's bullshit. He fulfilled his contract, he did what was asked and put people over, what else does he have to do for some people to feel that he has fulfilled some sort of fanboy debt? He's not Hogan, he doesn't come back, hold up for money, refuse to job, then leaves and acts like he's the only wrestler to ever draw a crowd. He has nothing to prove, nothing to accomplish, nothing that he needs to do for wrestling. And personally I'm glad to see that he's not like some guys who've retired, as sad as I hate to point out Foley I have to here, he doesn't have to come crawling back to the business. Let's be real, if you had a chance to switch jobs for more money, less risk, and you accomplished everything there was to accomplish at a certain job, would you leave? Hell yeah you would! This bullshit about the Rock not loving wrestling is ridiculous. He gave to the business, he left on his own terms, and he left the business better than he found it.

[Rob]

yeah he did such a shitty job that he got the biggest reaction on the show and they'd have him back tomorrow if he wanted to come back. Not only that, every single person with any power in WWE would get on their knees and suck him off one by one if they thought he'd come back.

They knew what they were getting with Dwayne Johnson. They don't put anything on TV they don't know about. They also edited the show in post production so they could have edited anything they liked. And insteqd he was on TV more than anyone in that hour. Why? Because he is the real star.

As for unprofessional? Why? Because he never had the time to hang out with a bunch of marks? And when I say marks, I mean the wrestlers. So fuck! Get a life. Dwayne Johnson wasn't even gonna do the Hall of Fame because of his schedule and they pretty much had to bribe him saying his family weren't getting in if he never did it.

All the hall of fame proved was The Rock is still the biggest star in the business and he isn't even part of it anymore.

[OverTaker]

^ Yep. The Rock oops or Dwayne has movied on and everyone should be happy for him and that he atleast came back to induct his relatives.

[Rob]

Why the fuck are wrestling fans so fucking gay for wrestling anyway? Seriously. Judging a fucking CARNY business like it's the gateway to heaven. It's a job. Get over it.

I could just imagine when I give my job my 3 week notice with no intention of working for their competitors and all of a sudden all the other engineers refuse to talk to me and all the customers can't "you sold out!" when I walk the streets.

[Stickman]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with what I saw in that clip.

[OverTaker]

Why the fuck are wrestling fans so fucking gay for wrestling anyway? Seriously. Judging a fucking CARNY business like it's the gateway to heaven. It's a job. Get over it.

I could just imagine when I give my job my 3 week notice with no intention of working for their competitors and all of a sudden all the other engineers refuse to talk to me and all the customers can't "you sold out!" when I walk the streets.



And I bet they'd hire you back in a heartbeat too, wouldn't they?

[thedamndest]

I can't get over how tiny the Rock's head looks.

[OverTaker]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with what I saw in that clip.

Except Jerichos hair?

[Juan]

:sigh:

Who the fuck cares? The speech was funny as hell, and that's probably what the point was in the first place. Trying to justify The Rock's actions or HHH's reaction is rather pointless IMO.

[Jeritron]

There was absolutely nothing wrong with what I saw in that clip.

I think it was edited down by a half hour for TV

[Kane Knight]

What was he in? Oh yeah a straight to discount bin sci-fi piece of crap, yeah, that makes him an actor.

Wonder how much money Fozzy made.

yeah he did such a shitty job that he got the biggest reaction on the show and they'd have him back tomorrow if he wanted to come back. Not only that, every single person with any power in WWE would get on their knees and suck him off one by one if they thought he'd come back.

They knew what they were getting with Dwayne Johnson. They don't put anything on TV they don't know about. They also edited the show in post production so they could have edited anything they liked. And insteqd he was on TV more than anyone in that hour. Why? Because he is the real star.

As for unprofessional? Why? Because he never had the time to hang out with a bunch of marks? And when I say marks, I mean the wrestlers. So fuck! Get a life. Dwayne Johnson wasn't even gonna do the Hall of Fame because of his schedule and they pretty much had to bribe him saying his family weren't getting in if he never did it.

All the hall of fame proved was The Rock is still the biggest star in the business and he isn't even part of it anymore.

I wouldn't put it past WWE to be so far out of it that they didn't know what they were getting.

Why the fuck are wrestling fans so fucking gay for wrestling anyway? Seriously. Judging a fucking CARNY business like it's the gateway to heaven. It's a job. Get over it.

I could just imagine when I give my job my 3 week notice with no intention of working for their competitors and all of a sudden all the other engineers refuse to talk to me and all the customers can't "you sold out!" when I walk the streets.


LOL. Actually, the analogies would be priceless.

[IC Champion]

Why the fuck are wrestling fans so fucking gay for wrestling anyway? Seriously. Judging a fucking CARNY business like it's the gateway to heaven. It's a job. Get over it.

I could just imagine when I give my job my 3 week notice with no intention of working for their competitors and all of a sudden all the other engineers refuse to talk to me and all the customers can't "you sold out!" when I walk the streets.

LOL, Gold.

[Fox]

Why the fuck are wrestling fans so fucking gay for wrestling anyway? Seriously. Judging a fucking CARNY business like it's the gateway to heaven. It's a job. Get over it.

I could just imagine when I give my job my 3 week notice with no intention of working for their competitors and all of a sudden all the other engineers refuse to talk to me and all the customers can't "you sold out!" when I walk the streets.

Since engineering is the same as performing live in front of 80,000 fans inside a sold out arena. :roll:

And I mean, I'm not saying pro wrestling isn't like a carnival; yeah, they have the same roots, they put on a "fake show" for crowds to produce revenue, they run the roads all the time, yes, they have those similarities. But there is a difference between being a "pro wrestler" in some dirt-fed indy promotion and being a "WWE Superstar." On the road, these guys live like fucking rock stars. Yes they take beatings, yes they are on the road, but they party, make money, and have hot women at their whim.

I mean, I guess the best way to put it is The Rock against Ric Flair. Flair's career is now over and it was one of the greatest careers of all time. Yes, there were unfortunate periods, but overall it was an amazing ride, not just for Ric Flair, but for all of his fans as well. Flair dedicated his LIFE to pro wrestling.

The reasons we appreciate and love Ric Flair are reasons that I don't know will ever be applied to The Rock. Will we look back 20 years from now and say "The Rock made a huge difference in the world of wrestling, he is a true legend, he is a cornerstone of wrestling"?

Ric Flair? Yes.
Bret Hart? Yes.
Bruno Samartino? Yes.
Hulk Hogan? Yes.
Sting? Yes.
Shawn Michaels? Yes.

The Rock? Was he a wrestling legend, or was he just an entertainer, like Andy Kauffman's stay in the world of wrestling, who was merely going through one phase of his life?

[Jura]

Professional wrestling has long been about entertaining the crowd. It goes hand in hand with the actual wrestling. The Rock was a part of the attitude era along with Stone Cold which many believe is the best era of wrestling. Can you imagine what wrestling would be like now if it weren't for those two and other attributing factors? They are legends right now in my opinion.

[Corkscrewed]

Wait, wait, wait, wait....

The Rock's in a movie called Space Mountain???

[Vastardikai]

That sounds like a role MADE for Ric Flair, doesn't it?

[Jura]

It's "Race to Witch Mountain" lol.

[addy2hotty]

Brilliant thread. Really brilliant.

I shake my head at some people on here. Moaning at Rock for using his real name? LMFAO! Seriously?

He makes a few jokes in-character about people in the WWE not too dissimilar from when he was there, and seemingly attempts to raise Santino's profile for no apparent reason other than doing the guy a favour and he's the devil's spawn? Haitch does his bit to get back at him, like he always does - then someone makes some shit up and suddenly we have retarded 'The Rock being an ass' threads popping up?

There's truly some fuckwits around here trying to push bandwagons up a skyscraper.

[Mooияakeя™]

For all that sat through the Attitude era. I think we can forgive The Rock for just about anything.

It's plain to see he's moved on. Some people are still stuck in their circles. Why that may be nice and suit them, Big Dwayne has a new chapter in his life. I mean, ffs, he didn't "HAVE TO" induct his dad or his grandad. His dad could of done is grandad and I'm sure they wouldn't of inducted his dad anyway if Rock didn't agree.

[Johnny Vegas]

Since engineering is the same as performing live in front of 80,000 fans inside a sold out arena. :roll:

And I mean, I'm not saying pro wrestling isn't like a carnival; yeah, they have the same roots, they put on a "fake show" for crowds to produce revenue, they run the roads all the time, yes, they have those similarities. But there is a difference between being a "pro wrestler" in some dirt-fed indy promotion and being a "WWE Superstar." On the road, these guys live like fucking rock stars. Yes they take beatings, yes they are on the road, but they party, make money, and have hot women at their whim.

I mean, I guess the best way to put it is The Rock against Ric Flair. Flair's career is now over and it was one of the greatest careers of all time. Yes, there were unfortunate periods, but overall it was an amazing ride, not just for Ric Flair, but for all of his fans as well. Flair dedicated his LIFE to pro wrestling.

The reasons we appreciate and love Ric Flair are reasons that I don't know will ever be applied to The Rock. Will we look back 20 years from now and say "The Rock made a huge difference in the world of wrestling, he is a true legend, he is a cornerstone of wrestling"?

Ric Flair? Yes.
Bret Hart? Yes.
Bruno Samartino? Yes.
Hulk Hogan? Yes.
Sting? Yes.
Shawn Michaels? Yes.

The Rock? Was he a wrestling legend, or was he just an entertainer, like Andy Kauffman's stay in the world of wrestling, who was merely going through one phase of his life?

Wow, and 2 of those people basically politic'd half of their "legendary career" (Hogan & Michaels). The Rock never did such a thing and the fact that you have Hulk Hogan up there...:nono:..Hogan was there to ENTERTAIN lol. Hogan hardily, if ever, put on a ***** match. He had so much control over what would happen with the outcome of his matches, i mean the list goes on. Same with Michaels.

If you want to say something legendary about The Rock, opposed to these guys (including HHH), it is that despite putting numerous people over, not politicing, having the crowd in the fucking PALM of his hand, getting a bigger reaction than all of those people up there (Hogan got reactions, but once again, if he put over Savage, Piper, and others like a team player should've done, would he have gotten those reactions?), and actually put on GOOD-GREAT matches. In all my years of knowing wrestling (besides maybe Razor), i cannot remember a guy being so fucking liked as a heel that they HAD to turn him face..and he wasn't even that all the way.

Anyway, to say that The Rock won't be talked about in 20 years, you might as well take out '97-'03 out of the wrestling books, dude. Lol i love HBK to death, but what puts him on that list w/o The Rock..only thing would be the # of good matches he put on.

BTW, HHH...?! Are you kidding me? The ONLY reason he probably hasn't went off to hollywood is b/c 1.) They don't want him 2.) He's married to the owner's daughter...c'mon, who would leave that scenario?

[Paranoid Rattlesnake]

It was obvious from the start that some would become jealous of The Rock especially the likes of the massive movie stars that are Stone Cold Steve Austin and HHH :|

[The CyNick]

I made sure to PVR this show when I heard Rock was going to be on, and after I watched, I thought man he's light years ahead of everyone else on the roster when it comes to cutting an entertaining promo.

Wrestlers are a jealous bunch. Anytime someone breaks away from the pack, the hating begin. I mean I guess that happens outside wrestling too, but just seems to be more obvious among wrestlers.

At the end of the day Rock made it, and all the other guys hate him for it. A guy like Cena can sit there and rip on The Rock for not having passion for the business, but then go out and basically emulate him on a nightly basis.

A guy like Triple H, who has everything he has ever wanted, he's on top of the business he loves, he has the boss in his back pocket and he has a rich piece of tail that will keep him rich for the rest of his life (unless he does something dumb to ruin it). Plus he's got her to squeeze out a couple of his kids, who will get a piece of the WWE fortune one day. Yet with all that, he still is a hater because Rock really and truely doesnt need the WWE anymore. He doesnt need to come back for the fame, because he has more now, he doesnt need to come back for the money, because he has wayyyy more now, and he doesnt need to come back most importantly because he's not a mark like most of the guys are. And thats a threat to everyone else there, because I think deep down, they wish they were him.

I loved his speech, I thought it was funny, but I didnt even think he ripped on guys that hard. What that line on Cena about The Marine was over the line? I didnt see that movie, but most people say it was terrible. So whats the problem. And Rock even threw a shot in at himself.

He gets heat for not hanging out and talking with the boys? Big f'n deal, the guy is a busy man, he had places to be, things to do. WWE is NOT the most important thing in his life anymore. He's moved on.

I agree that the show was promoted around him, so I believe it was the WWE who wanted him to take up half the show, to ensure they boosted the rating for as many QH's as possible. And clearly that plan paid off.

[NeanderCarl]

Wading in a bit late on this one, but WWE is lucky they even get a look-in from the Rock every now and again.

Rock mentioned publically several years ago how upset and disappointed he was when WWE simply let his contract expire without even a courtesy call about it, or without any kind of offer for further appearances.... (obviously he wouldn't expect a big downside renewal as he was not going to be there full time, but maybe some kind of Legends contract or just an agreement to maintain professional ties with the company as far as his wrestling exploits were concerned) but basically WWE gave Rock the cold shoulder out of jealousy and resentment, and now Rock has taken the high road and still makes appearances as and when his schedule allows.

Fuck anyone who says Rock is a dick for not "dropping in" more often... Vince is a dick for not taking better care of one of his biggest names. Rock has a new and demanding full time occupation nowadays, yet has still contributed to Raw, Hall of Fame and the Families DVD in the last year.

As far as how he treated the boys backstage... well, we don't know how it REALLY went down, and guys like Austin aren't known for spreading their feelings online or in the sheets (nor paying enough attention to them to refute any claims made in their names), so this is tertiary information from God knows which source... another disgruntled, bitter wrestler... notice how 90% of all wrestling news is negative? Because the guys feeding the dirtsheets are disgruntled jobbers with chips on their shoulders or out-of-the-REAL-loop backstage staff.

Anyways, Rock probably didn't even know most of the wrestlers, and those who did must surely be simply casual acquaintences if they haven't kept in touch over the years. Maintaining communication is a two-way street. Rock's genuine friends will have kept in touch on a regular basis, and therefore will have been embraced as friends upon seeing him. Those who haven't spoken a word to him in five years can hardly exepct a hug and a kiss from Rock, but rather a professional and cool greeting. That's fair enough.

I love the wrestling business but at times it seems to have jealousy, negativity and bitterness oozing out of every pore.

[Ben Rodrigues]

I was there for the entire thing - The Rock had everyone in the palm of his hand for the hour and a half or whatever it was. It didn't come across as disrespectful, if anything it came across as if he genuinely was having a great time. The fans certainly didn't want him to leave.

[Kane Knight]

Wading in a bit late on this one, but WWE is lucky they even get a look-in from the Rock every now and again.

Rock mentioned publically several years ago how upset and disappointed he was when WWE simply let his contract expire without even a courtesy call about it, or without any kind of offer for further appearances.... (obviously he wouldn't expect a big downside renewal as he was not going to be there full time, but maybe some kind of Legends contract or just an agreement to maintain professional ties with the company as far as his wrestling exploits were concerned) but basically WWE gave Rock the cold shoulder out of jealousy and resentment, and now Rock has taken the high road and still makes appearances as and when his schedule allows.

Fuck anyone who says Rock is a dick for not "dropping in" more often... Vince is a dick for not taking better care of one of his biggest names. Rock has a new and demanding full time occupation nowadays, yet has still contributed to Raw, Hall of Fame and the Families DVD in the last year.

As far as how he treated the boys backstage... well, we don't know how it REALLY went down, and guys like Austin aren't known for spreading their feelings online or in the sheets (nor paying enough attention to them to refute any claims made in their names), so this is tertiary information from God knows which source... another disgruntled, bitter wrestler... notice how 90% of all wrestling news is negative? Because the guys feeding the dirtsheets are disgruntled jobbers with chips on their shoulders or out-of-the-REAL-loop backstage staff.

Anyways, Rock probably didn't even know most of the wrestlers, and those who did must surely be simply casual acquaintences if they haven't kept in touch over the years. Maintaining communication is a two-way street. Rock's genuine friends will have kept in touch on a regular basis, and therefore will have been embraced as friends upon seeing him. Those who haven't spoken a word to him in five years can hardly exepct a hug and a kiss from Rock, but rather a professional and cool greeting. That's fair enough.

I love the wrestling business but at times it seems to have jealousy, negativity and bitterness oozing out of every pore.

Well, if it wasn't run like a fifth grade playground....

[NoRoolz]

The Rock is the man.

Nothing at all wrong with his speech, his jokes weren't spiteful and were generally light-hearted and 'rock-like'. Where's all this forgetting where he's from etc business coming from? I don't see what he's done wrong other than not be a full time wrestler any more, but like about 10 people have said, why would he full-time wrestle, realistically?

[thedamndest]

I just watched some of Beyond the Mat on Youtube the other day. There's a part in there that I had forgotten where Vincent Kennedy McMahon mentions that the real profit and the next step is for the WWF to start making movies. And he has this kind of gleam in his eye where you can tell that he really thinks that this is going to be the thing that puts them on the map, the same gleam he got when they opened WWE New York, started WWE Music, opened the XFL, etc. Not that really relevant here, except Rocky made movies on somebody else's dime and made himself rich so I guess Vince was half right.

[TerranRich]

LOL Vince gets that greedy gleam every time he mentions a new endeavor.

"The next step for WWE is to start making porn movies! [evil gleam]"

As the Divas cower in the corner.

[thedamndest]

He's already made those, they just aren't available to the general public.

How else do you account for Layla El having a job?

[Fox]

LOL Vince gets that greedy gleam every time he mentions a new endeavor.

"The next step for WWE is to start making porn movies! [evil gleam]"

As the Divas cower in the corner.

Noid will be happy; Val Venis will finally get that big push.

[Kane Knight]

LOL Vince gets that greedy gleam every time he mentions a new endeavor.

I know this was a setup for the joke and all, but it's perfectly valid. That motherfucker seems to think everything he comes up with is gold, which is why his brilliant decisions have always failed outside wrestling. And Hell, he nearly Paul Heyman'd WWF....

[NeanderCarl]

Or his gimmick will be exposed forever as that "shrinkage" Kaientai caused was a permanent injury.

[RP]

LEAVE ROCK ALONE!!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TerranRich]

LEAVE ROCK ALONE!!!! LEAVE HIM ALONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Already did that. :)

[NeanderCarl]

LEAVE RECTAL PERTRUDER ALONE! HE DIDN'T REALISE! LEAVE HIM ALONE!!!

[NeanderCarl]

Meh, bored of that Crocker shit now.

Hah! "Crocker shit"! Geddit?

[RP]

Already did that. :)

O

:shifty:

[TerranRich]

BA DUM, CHINNNNGGG!

Or, if you don't have any cymbals...

BA DUM BUMP.

[Destor]

This thread is ridiculous.

Also: TOVO!

[NeanderCarl]

I think that's the one The One post that one can think one can expect for another one year.

[Kane Knight]

Destor misses ToVo, because ToVo is the only person in the world who can make Destor seem credible by proximity. You know, what with the getting AIDS on purpose so he could spread it around to people....

[NeanderCarl]

I didn't know this but apparently you can get AIDS off a toilet seat!

[NeanderCarl]

(That is, if you sit on it before the other dude gets off)

[TerranRich]

Without a reach-around, no less!

[NeanderCarl]

Boom boom.

Next!

[TerranRich]

WTF are we doing?