Rock still battles resentment by the current roster

[PSachkovsky]

Source: Pro Wrestling Revolution on Facebook.

Rock still battling resentment - details on what wrestlers said about his Rumble return, how Rock feels about the locker room, elements of his Rumble promo that were real, more

During The Rock's third WrestleMania Season Tour with WWE, there are still feelings of resentment toward him in some circles of the locker room.

Rock addressed that in a Twitter post Saturday night. "Thank U WWE Superstars for the awesome welcoming me back & getting the 'big picture' plan. You're true locker room leaders! #RoadToMania," Rock tweeted.

Not all are on-board with the "big picture plan," which is essentially that Rock's return makes everything in WWE bigger and makes everyone more money. This is especially the case after Rock's in-ring return at the Royal Rumble, which received mixed reviews backstage. The following is an exclusive break down of sources of resentment in the locker room.

- Some wrestlers noted that Rock came back to WWE looking very muscular in a way that they believe they cannot, whether it's because of the schedule or how WWE approaches their careers.

- At the Rumble, there was some resentment toward Rock because they felt he was not in great ring shape for his first match back in WWE. Now there's pressure on Rock to come back at the Elimination Chamber in two weeks in better cardio condition. Also, the pressure is on to be in-shape for WrestleMania in April, but the issue for Rock is that Mania is one month before he films "Hercules," which is a role that he has to look jacked for.

- Wrestlers with an eye for how other wrestlers perform have noted that Rock wasn't moving around much in the ring with C.M. Punk. The main point of emphasis is that Rock did not bounce or spring off the ropes as much as he used to. Rock is 40-years-old now, is carrying muscle mass, and there was ring rust at the Rumble PPV. At 40, it's starting to be noticeable and it's more difficult to shake off the ring rust.

The Rumble PPV match could be passed off as Rock holding back for the Chamber, especially knowing it would be a re-match against Punk. But, there is no hiding ring rust.

- Rock is said to have no allies from the current locker room. Rock has isolated himself behind-the-scenes, which is due to how he feels he's been treated since returning to WWE and so that he can tend to other business affairs. But, there are also stories of how Rock has gone out of his way to talk to wrestlers and offer advice. It's a touchy situation, almost on a case-by-case basis how certain wrestlers receive him, which has led to mixed feelings about Rock's presence in WWE.

Rock senses it. According to backstage sources, Rock feels like he's being scrutinized by the current locker room. After his memorable pre-match promo during the Rumble PPV, Rock carried himself like, 'How do you like that everyone who doubts me?' There was an extra spring in his step, which some observers took as either adrenaline before the match or arrogance. As an "outsider," it came across like Rock telling people, 'Don't forget that I can do that. Now, you step up and do it.'

- Also from Rock's pre-title match promo, Rock did not stray from the truth when he said he came back to WWE for the fans and for his mom, who was shown in the crowd. The message is that he did not come back to WWE for the wrestlers, especially due to how he feels he's been treated since returning.

It comes down to Rock enjoying the live-crowd interaction and having a rich family tradition in the wrestling business. Rock is certainly getting paid nicely and there is loyalty to WWE and Vince McMahon, but his main loyalty is to pro wrestling genre, and WWE is the biggest stage.

- Another source of locker room resentment is the feeling that Rock is using his planned WWE Title run as a marketing tool for his movie career. Wrestlers feel like Rock is telling lapsed wrestling fans that he's "part of WWE again" and he still likes wrestling, so come see my latest movie. Essentially, the relationship is mutually beneficial for both Rock and WWE, which will be getting plenty of mainstream exposure when Rock starts promoting his 2013 slate of movies.

 

[Senhor Perfect]

It's win/win for everyone. All the supposed whiners are getting higher PPV bonuses cause the Rock has decided to grace WWE with his presence. Sure his movies get more exposure, but so does WWE.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

Any pissant piece of shit candy ass motherfucker in the locker room bashing Rock should be buried up to his neck in venomous snakes and have boulders hurled at his head for being such an insufferable blueberry.

 

[Dat Kid1]

I agree with Senhor when he says everyone wins when Rock returns and ratings have shot up since his return, but i agree that his in ring skills aren't what they used to be, and neither are his promo skills IMO. Rock isn't the best but he draws attention for the company. Rock is definately going to get more viewers for his movies because of his association with WWE and I'd probably watch his movies either way because he's not that bad of an actor.

 

[Dolph'sZiggler]

I haven't watched a 'Fast and the Furious" since I was 12 and the original came out.. but the new one looks pretty sick I gotta say

 

[RoyalRaven]

It's a win/win for sure. But the situation could have been just as good if the Rock hadn't been wrestling. They could have had him Endorse a new star a few months before the PPV. Having him training with him and being there as support in matches, because if the Rock says, I like this guy! The crowd would no doubt cheer him on and not only would the WWE have pushed up a new talent, but the Rock being there and maybe teasing abit of In Ring Action, would have gotten them just as many views as him being champion. Lets face it, He doesn't need the belt to draw people to watch the show, but a Superstar "Hand picked by the Rock" would have gotten over very easily. (for this role I would have suggested Tyson Kidd, had he not been injured.)

But that's my main gripe with this whole thing.

Edit: this also would have stopped the whole situation this Topic is talking about. Because it seems he came back to promote movies and re-live his glory days 10 years past his prime.

 

[Senhor Perfect]

It's a win/win for sure. But the situation could have been just as good if the Rock hadn't been wrestling. They could have had him Endorse a new star a few months before the PPV. Having him training with him and being there as support in matches, because if the Rock says, I like this guy! The crowd would no doubt cheer him on and not only would the WWE have pushed up a new talent, but the Rock being there and maybe teasing abit of In Ring Action, would have gotten them just as many views as him being champion. Lets face it, He doesn't need the belt to draw people to watch the show, but a Superstar "Hand picked by the Rock" would have gotten over very easily. (for this role I would have suggested Tyson Kidd, had he not been injured.)

But that's my main gripe with this whole thing.

Even if your scenario came to be, they wouldn't put the championship on Kidd. Having the Rock with the strap gives it instant mainstream attention.

 

[RoyalRaven]

Even if your scenario came to be, they wouldn't put the championship on Kidd. Having the Rock with the strap gives it instant mainstream attention.

Well It was only a suggestion, as it currently stands I much prefer Rock on the mic as opposed to in the ring. I'm sure having the Rock be a manager for someone until Wrestlemania could have attracted just as much attention. Again maybe get him in the ring to do a finisher on someone, tease him in the ring but not put a full match on his shoulders. Since we've seen he's far from capable of doing a good match at the moment. I can see why the other guys don't like him, he's stolen the limelight from a newer superstar to give it to Cena at Wrestlemania. As if he needs putting over anymore.

 

[Leo C]

It's a win/win for sure. But the situation could have been just as good if the Rock hadn't been wrestling. They could have had him Endorse a new star a few months before the PPV. Having him training with him and being there as support in matches, because if the Rock says, I like this guy! The crowd would no doubt cheer him on and not only would the WWE have pushed up a new talent, but the Rock being there and maybe teasing abit of In Ring Action, would have gotten them just as many views as him being champion. Lets face it, He doesn't need the belt to draw people to watch the show, but a Superstar "Hand picked by the Rock" would have gotten over very easily. (for this role I would have suggested Tyson Kidd, had he not been injured.)

But that's my main gripe with this whole thing.

Edit: this also would have stopped the whole situation this Topic is talking about. Because it seems he came back to promote movies and re-live his glory days 10 years past his prime.

This is a pretty nice idea, a new star being endorsed by the Rock, even if just a backstage segment or similar, could be good.

 

[Senhor Perfect]

Well It was only a suggestion, as it currently stands I much prefer Rock on the mic as opposed to in the ring. I'm sure having the Rock be a manager for someone until Wrestlemania could have attracted just as much attention. Again maybe get him in the ring to do a finisher on someone, tease him in the ring but not put a full match on his shoulders. Since we've seen he's far from capable of doing a good match at the moment. I can see why the other guys don't like him, he's stolen the limelight from a newer superstar to give it to Cena at Wrestlemania. As if he needs putting over anymore.

Hogan had sub par main event matches for a decade and people didn't give him as much shit. Rock is much better now thaN Hogan was in the late 90s.

 

[RoyalRaven]

Hogan had sub par main event matches for a decade and people didn't give him as much shit. Rock is much better now thaN Hogan was in the late 90s.

But that's just not good enough. He could have done so much better.

 

[Senhor Perfect]

But that's just not good enough. He could have done so much better.

Like the OP said he's 40 and is massive, it is what it is. I for one did not expect a 5 star match at RR, as long as there was a decent story I'd be happy. I was disappointed Vince had to be involved but it could have been a lot worse.

 

[BrockLesnarFanForLife]

Fuck those whiners Rock is the reason their getting high pay checks

 

[Swift]

This kind of shit makes me laugh.

 

[Laura]

I can understand the resentment. Sure, the Rock gives WWE mainstream exposure, but no one that tunes in for the Rock is going to stick around for the rest of the roster while every shred of focus and storytelling time is being lavished on Rock, Punk, and Cena.

Personally, I think the Rock should've stayed away. The build up to RR was awesome, but the match and followup were so anti-climatic that it almost would've been better if it never happened. Now the title is on someone who's garanteed to lose it at WM to the most hated and overpushed guy on the roster (for the sake of short-term buys), and Punk has no match with Taker and could quite possibly wind up buried. So what exactly has the Rock contributed, aside from superficial excitement and making the real roster look useless?

This is the difference between the Rock and Jericho. When Jericho comes back, he leaves the product in a better shape by putting over talent and giving us great matches. When the Rock comes back, all he does is steal valuable spotlight and get puffed out in the ring. And now even his promos aren't that good. Sorry if I seem like a hater, but really. The Rock isn't the savior some of you marks beleive.

The Rock is a short-term solution to long-term problem, like putting a band-aid on a broken arm. The WWE need to shift focus from 'dream matches' onto real matches. But this is nothing that hasn't been said before, so whatever. Point is, I think a portion of the lockeroom is entitled to a little resentment. Some of the fans are, too.