Now that the rumors are swirling that Rock might have wrestled his last match it got me thinking about the "bigger picture" that Rock alluded to in interviews.
What was it really? Was it to simply "pass the torch" to Cena (one that many argue wasn't Rock's to pass anyway)? Or was it to boost business short term under the guise that it would reap benefits for the long term?
Lastly do you think that this last run soured people on The Rock because as you put it "people saw through what he was doing?"
Is this like gang up on the Rock day or something?
I think the bigger picture was supposed to be boosting business by, as you noted, passing the torch to Cena, which is like Andre "passing the torch" to Hogan three years into his World title reign. The torch was already taken long ago. If anything, Rock passed the torch to Brock Lesnar in 2002, and then Brock pawned it to fund his lawsuit against WWE. Credit to Rock for wanting to do the right thing, but if guys like him and Brock are just there to wrestle the Cenas and HHHs of the world, they probably shouldn't have bothered.
You wanker. The biggah pictah always involves Wade Barrett.
ReplyDeleteCena may have taken the torch long ago, but it's more of a candle at this point.
ReplyDeleteOne little tidbit from F4W this week regarding the WM buyrate:
ReplyDelete"No real update on the WrestleMania buyrate except that we’re told it looks more promising this week than it did last week."
The bigger picture is that Rock wanted to wrestle again, got his jollies, and now has decided the pain isn't worth it and it's a younger man's endeavor.
ReplyDeleteI thought the bigger picture was more Rock wanting to shut up the WWE's harping on "Rock left for Hollywood, I would never do that" and be the only guy with a legit Hollywood career who came back for a short run, thus silencing those critics. Just my take.
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOOOO! 925K!
ReplyDeleteI think everyone's theory about why "the Rock returned" has a shred of truth. I think he wanted closure on his career. Don't think many casual fans remember that his final match was a fun throw-away tag match with Foley vs. Evolution. At least passing a long extinguished torch to Cena at Wrestlemania in front of thousands of fans in NY at least feels more like a fitting finale.
ReplyDeleteI doubt Rock feels getting booed out of the building in his final match is a fitting finale.
ReplyDeleteWho's the "they" in that last sentence?
ReplyDeleteIf you mean McMahon/WWE, agreed. I think it's fair to say Rock and Brock were probably a break-even at best. If you mean Rock and Brock, I think the millions of dollars they're making for a few matches apiece: worth bothering.
On a barely related note: I thought the Rock/Cena promos were pretty good this time around and the match was still at least ***ish with a suitably epic-feeling finishing sequence. Punk/Rock was disappointing overall, but there were at least two nuclear promos and although the Rumble match wasn't great, it also had an epic feel.
My point: I think I've probably had my fill of Rocky also, but if he decides to come back in 9 months, I won't complain. If you feel the need to be Mr. Super Smarky Smark and tell me that you would complain, make a better use of my time and yours and eat a bag of hammers instead.
I think he just wanted to wrestle again because he loves it and was being better compensated for it, in terms of dollars to matches wrestled, than probably anyone ever.
ReplyDelete1.1M
ReplyDeleteIm tellin you... The Fuj = Negrodamus
If you get it, you'll be insufferable.
ReplyDeleteim already insufferable.
ReplyDeleteIll be like Fire Lord Ozai turning into The Phoenix King of insufferage
I commend you all for refraining from "rock and a hard place" puns.
ReplyDeleteThe problem was the inconsistency of Rock's promos. There were some where he was just on, and some where it was obvious he had no point (probably because he was out promoting and did no prep). They didn't even do anything like make him show ass, such as the notes on his hand plant.
ReplyDeleteIt means that he successfully passed the torch. John Cena can finally be The Man.
ReplyDeleteI know you're insufferable, I'm saying more so. As in, we should probably just close up shop because it's over.
ReplyDeleteEverybody has an opinion on this situation, one way or another.
ReplyDeleteI don't because I don't think about it. It is what it is, it gave us a few exciting moments, and now it's over.
Now if you excuse me, I have a pop locking competition to attend.
glad you think so highly of me.
ReplyDeletei have to counteract your "pompous, holier than thou, smarter than the room, too cool for the blog" anti-gimmick.
BALANCE.
Agreed. He's a working actor who took what he thought was a low risk gig for good money. Plus it's a gig that he's always loved. I don't think there's anything else to it.
ReplyDeleteWho's the "they" in that last sentence?
ReplyDeleteGo listen to some King Diamond, and you shall have your answer.
im already insufferable.
ReplyDeleteThis guy gets it, ironically enough
That's why Virgil got a job with WWE.
ReplyDeleteB/c Pat Patterson...
...preferred the bigger pitcher.
Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Rock didn't get booed out of the building?
ReplyDeleteAt least we can put this whole "faked an injury" BS to rest. The fucking guy had surgery and sent out a pic from the hospital and it delayed the filming of Hercules.
ReplyDeleteCan someone explain what "people saw through what he was going" means? I'm honestly baffled as to what that references since he really didn't need to come back at all and did it as a favor to Vince since he surely doesn't need a dime from the WWE.
I said he did.
ReplyDeletePhotoshop.
ReplyDeleteWooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
ReplyDeleteGet out.
ReplyDeleteIs everyone ready to discuss the Smackdown spoilers yet? Because, without spoiling it, that was the dumbest thing they've done is YEARS.
ReplyDeleteYou're part of the conspiracy you damn dirty mod!
ReplyDeleteIt must be a doozy of stupidity if that's the case. The bar is set fairly high.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to check spoilers now.
I don't really remember anything too offensive on there. The main event segment seemed actually pretty killer if it was actually going to be on television.
ReplyDeleteHe's an actor, you don't think he has access to a hospital bed? Props? You're such a mark!
ReplyDeleteJust read them. Are you talking about the main event outcome? (i'm tippy toeing as to not give away results)
ReplyDeleteYes. On a fucking Smackdown, and with no build up. I was stunned when I read it.
ReplyDeleteI prefer to discuss things after they show on TV. I oftentimes find recappers are heavily biased and misinterpret things. Plus the editing and everything else can make it entirely different.
ReplyDeleteYeah, seems like they could've milked that for at least a week and had it on RAW. I'm not upset at the match result considering what happened afterwards, but no build and no advertising is classic "napkin booking" if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteHowever, they surely have done dumber things than this. I saw the result of the gauntlet thing with Henry....really??
...did you just make an Avatar: the Last Airbender reference?
ReplyDeleteAren't you 10 years older than it's target audience...when it came out five years ago?
I'm upset with the match result too. He is LAST person that needs it. No idea why they didn't do a schmoz. That shit at then end is just another case of their bullshit 50/50 booking.
ReplyDeleteGenerally agree but I don't see how a tv report can misinterpret a match result.
ReplyDeleteILLUMINATI!
ReplyDeleteTrue, but this appears like a "pay your dues" situation. I know it sucks and it's old carney thinking, but I'm not surprised.
ReplyDeleteChin, is that you?
ReplyDeleteI know but fuck him. Especially because it's the exact opposite of how he got his break.
ReplyDelete"Retire now, you
ReplyDeletecrippled, has been, slow-moving, fried-food eating, motorcyle-riding,
no-selling, tobacco-chewing, no-money-drawing, talentless piece of
selfish SHIT.
;-)
Still applies today. I hope he enjoys his year long vacation and his giant one day paycheck going over guys who are 10x more relevant than he is. He earned it.
ReplyDeletePost the fucking spoiler for christ's sake....
ReplyDeleteOf course he does, but it was reported by every major entertainment news agency.
ReplyDeleteI guess they're all in on the hoax.
I'm sure that the guy he wrestled isn't upset by it, I'm sure it was an honor for him.
ReplyDeleteGoogle the fucking show for christ's sake....
ReplyDelete(Just so we're clear, I was messing with you)
ReplyDeleteHonestly, it's kind of jarring for me to see Rock so jacked up like he is now. He was bound to get injured trying to wrestle the same way he did back when he was a lot slimmer. This guy was able to do nip ups like Shawn Michaels for crying out loud.
What does Reed Richards, Tony Stark, Namor, Charles Xavier, Dr. Strange, and Black Bolt have to do with Rock's cover up?
ReplyDeleteIs Rock going to be in Avengers 2?
I gotta admit, I was honestly surprised at your post since normally your pro-Rock although this situation isn't for or against Rock. The guy, like you said, was too jacked to be wrestling a fast tempo.
ReplyDeleteIn the history of wrestling, to my recollection, WWE has NEVER had a guy lose a match to a faction member, then get beat up by the faction immediately afterward.
ReplyDeleteBesides, if anything, this shows how much faith they have in that guy to wrestle this other guy in a one on one match in the first place. Drew never even got to wrestle the guy before they decided "fuck it, you got beat up by your wife".
"In the history of wrestling, to my recollection, WWE has NEVER had a guy lose a match to a faction member, then get beat up by the faction immediately afterward."
ReplyDeletelolwat? This has happened thousands and thousands of times in pro wrestling.
I'm confused, are you pissed that he went over? If so, I totally agree with you. It's one thing to pull that shit at the same time every year (and I don't even think that should be happening), but any other time he steps in the ring he should be fucking jobbing, period.
ReplyDeleteBRB Passing the torch to a near 40 year old.
ReplyDeletePissed is probably too strong. I'm just dumb founded that A. the match happened at all, B. he went over, and C. they did it on a fucking Smackdown.
ReplyDeleteWhile we're at it, this is officially my favorite Rock promo, and is instantly greater than the "Billy talks to God" promo. This should be called, "Taker, Kane, and Big Show go to the Casino".
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aCNs-XMrAE
Ah, OK. Totally agree that A, B, and C are all complete bullshit.
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I always seem to remember Guy #1 winning the match against Guy #2, then Guy #2's posse jumping in to beat down Guy #1.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I'm going to try this Don't Spoil Anything thing:
ReplyDeleteBut THEY haven't lost YET. Waitwaitwait...
BUT THEY haven't LOST yet. No? Hold on...
But they haven't LOST YEEEEEEET?
time-out: i cant like cartoons?
ReplyDeleteSounds like smackdown is gonna be crazy
ReplyDeleteI am. That seems like it might not be terrible. I've gotta see it and the aftermath before I pass judgment
ReplyDeleteAh. That's what's bothering you.
ReplyDeleteYeah...well, I don't think wins and loses are everything. And what actually happened in the match is equally if not more important. But still, I imagine that somebody who shouldn't be jobbing is jobbing.
Please don't tell me, I'd rather find out for myself friday.
The fact that I got his reference might mean that I watched the show.
ReplyDeleteOr it means that I'm psychic.
Flip a coin or something.
Nobody said you couldn't. But it's a Nickelodeon show aimed at tweens.
ReplyDeleteSeriously Fuj, the more I learn about you, the more your badass cool black guy army cred is burning up.
A) You like 80s pop songs.
B) You watch Avatar: the Last Airbender.
C) You bought something by Caliber Winfield.
It was a joke, relax.
ReplyDeleteFunny enough, I started watching this show with my nephews and got so hooked on it, I watched the whole series on Netflix in about a week.
It may be aimed for kids, but damn if the writing isn't great.
Fwiw over the years hasn't smackdown basically been the brand that dude does stuff on?
ReplyDelete985 for sure
ReplyDeletenever wanted to be that guy.
ReplyDeleteI argue about wrestling... online....
Im self-aware.
Oh, no doubt.
ReplyDeleteFantastic show.
That fucking movie though...god damn.
Worst movie adaptation since the Golden Compass.
No one seems to have posted this yet in any of these Rock threads and its pretty damn relevant to what we're talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGNgA3gxriM
ReplyDeleteYeah, I run a fucking DnD game over the internet and have gotten into hour long debates over the direction of the characters in A Song of Ice and Fire.
ReplyDeleteWe are all nerds here.
thank you, the writing is off the chain.
ReplyDeletelast fight is anti-climatic but the journey is awesome.
It's a total piece of shit, but a masterpiece when watched with the rifftrax guys.
ReplyDeleteI love Rosenberg s interviews. Hes like the Howard stern for smarks.
ReplyDeleteHaha I knew you would be heated.
ReplyDeleteI LITERALLY read "the pain isn't worth it" as a Pain & Gain commercial was playing and Marky Mark was saying "it's supposed to hurt!" Trippy.
ReplyDeleteA summer franchise he didn't start out as a part of? Probably, yeah.
ReplyDeleteI heard they may not air it? Or is it confirmed that match will air fri.?
ReplyDeleteJust about to order the Golden Compass on blu ray a minute ago because it's only 6 bucks and I saw it years ago randomly on HBO. Remember it being decent.
ReplyDeleteRock vs. Cena was worth doing once, but I don't need to see Rock wrestle again. Dude had his days of glory and they were...glorious
ReplyDeleteIf they were going with THAT finale, why not just do a fuck-finish like they do for every other match that DOESN'T matter?
ReplyDeleteRead the Smackdown results. . . HAHAHAHAHA. I love how pissed err body is.
ReplyDeleteHe really ought to play Namor in something.
ReplyDeleteWhen Scott said that awhile back I took it to mean that everyone saw that he was just there to put over Cena (especially during this last WM build up) and the excitement for The Rock kind of died.
ReplyDeletecan u give me a link please?
ReplyDeletehttp://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/281692/More-Detailed-WWE-Smackdown-Taping-Report-(SPOILERS).htm
ReplyDeleteI'll admit it didn't make much sense. I don't have a problem with the result so much as lack of any build or announcement.
ReplyDeleteThat's what I meant, yes. He was only interacting with Cena and everything was just a one-way ticket down that road.
ReplyDeleteNo.
ReplyDeleteYou make Bryan Gumbel look like Malcolm X.
ReplyDeleteIf you look over your head you might notice there is a joke from Mar Solo there...
ReplyDeleteChadoucheo will be thrilled to come and troll us over it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of bullshit... the one thing they had left that was worth looking forward to.
Or possibly even worse ILLUMINUTTI!! Part of the conspiracy to keep George Washington Carver listed as the inventor of peanut butter.
ReplyDeleteAh, well then.
ReplyDeleteI could see how the movies wouldn't bother you then.
As a fan of the books though...fuck that movie killed them.
Not the worst adaptation of all time, but a pretty bad one.
WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK ARE THEY THINKING
ReplyDeleteI still cal it Negro Love Butter.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know we have a one joke per joke rule around here.
ReplyDelete