Rock will QUIT wrestling after WrestleMania

[Guest Mik at Cornell]

Anyone who thinks Rock's fans are only wrestling fans needs to open their eyes because they are being incredibly ignorant. My mother hates professional wrestling, and loves the Rock. Pretty much every girl I know at home, in school and when I was in Australia LOVED the Rock. Rock brings in fans, whether you want to believe that or not.

 

To all those people who keep saying Helldorado will bomb...HELLO?? Sean William Scott and the Rock? Every person under the age of 25 will most likely see that movie.

 

Methinks you people just don't want to admit that you're losing Rock forever.

[Guest Just call me Dan]

If this is true, fuck the Rock. He was given a talent and he has too many fans in the wrestling world to just piss that away. Going back and watching his ridiculous and hypocritical speech about being in it for the long haul makes me want to vomit. The WWE is losing everything it has, so Rock decides to leave for good. What a company man. I absolutely cannot wait until his movies flop and he is the next Steven Segal. When Rock is out of job offers and he is in the joke lineup for the Tonight Show every night, , then I'll be happy. He's going to wrestle for Goldberg and probably lay down for a man, who, after maybe another month will high tail it out of the WWE also. Great move. This whole ordeal leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

[Guest IB2BLACK]

Damn The Rock for trying to be successful. Damn The Rock for taking advantage of opportunites, that if presented to any of his critics, they would do they exact same thing.

[Guest Just call me Dan]

No, damn the Rock for being a hypocrite and wasting everyone's time. He is the next Sable.

[LooseCannon25 0]

So, what you guys are saying is if you had a chance to go and do movies for $5 million and beyond for shooting scens for a few months, or get your ass kicked night in and night out for not even close to that amount you would pick wrestling over movies? Whoever says yes to that question is a friggin moron and full of shit.

[Guest Just call me Dan]

Wel,l if you choose that, don't come on RAW and denounce a man who helped your career and send out a message basically saying "if you want to be in the WWE, you better give it all you have all the time and make the WWE your life" only to leave THAT SAME NIGHT to go back to Hollywood.

[Guest Quik]

So, is Sean William Scott going to play Rocky's retard sidekick, or is he going to be the cocky college guy who always wants to get laid?

 

"Dude, the Rock says you got a tatoo!"

"Dude, you got one too!"

"No way, what's it say... if you smellalalalala...?"

"It says SWEET! What's mine say?"

"Great, now the Rock says DUDE!"

"SWEET!

"The Rock says DUDE!"

 

And so on...

[LooseCannon25 0]

Wel,l if you choose that, don't come on RAW and denounce a man who helped your career and send out a message basically saying "if you want to be in the WWE, you better give it all you have all the time and make the WWE your life" only to leave THAT SAME NIGHT to go back to Hollywood.

That part i absolutely agree with and thats the thing that bothers me about him. But, if Vince wanted him to do it he had to do it......that's vince's fault for not bringing out Taker or HHH. With all of that being said maybe he decided recently he wanted to do movies full time. I'll tell you this though ......if he goes for a few years and they bomb and he gets no new offers and he thinks he can just come back to WWE when times are tough he can kiss my ass if he thinks i'm gonna do anything else except boo the hell out of him.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

I wouldn't have much of a problem with The Rock if he hadn't made the whole "Get the F Out" speech after Austin left.

 

For better or for worse...

-Austin left because he saw/thought the company was going to shit.

-Rock left becuase he could make more money (nothing wrong with that on its own mind you)

 

-Austin is now coming back full-time

-Rock is coming back for two months before retiring for good for Hollywood (if the article is to be believed, which i'm already doubtful of)

 

Who is really more deserving of being the brunt of The Rock's stupid little speech?

 

Yeah wrestling's in your blood...

 

Remove that speech from history and I have no problem with Rock going on to Hollywood and making oodles of money. With it, he's a gigantic hypocrite.

[Guest benoitrulz4life]

I believe nothing unless on hear it from Meltzer or straight from the horse's mouth.

[Guest Just call me Dan]

That speech cemented my hate for the Rok. He's a damn good performer, he has great charisma, and he should take his opportunities in Hollywood. But, like metroman said, that speech just made all of his reasons wrong.

[Guest IB2BLACK]

Austin walks out not once, but twice. and yet people are giving The Rock tons of HATE, for doing movies. I don't get it.

[Guest Mulatto Heat]

I don't get it either but that's just the way it is - there's always been Rock hate at some degree but now it's probably back up to 1997 levels.

[Guest NoSelfWorth]

--Probably the most talked about news item over the past few days was a story posted by Georgiann Makropolous on 1wrestling.com yesterday regarding the future plans of The Rock. Because the story was written by someone named "Jake T. Icon," who said he had spoken to Rock on the movie set of the movie with no name, where the anonymous writer worked as an extra. Most of the response to the story has been from people thinking it's not true or made up. I have no doubt the story is authentic and that Rock did say much if not all of what is attributed to him.

 

These were the key points of the story as Rock talked about for his wrestling future:

1) He has purchased the rights to use the name The Rock from WWE (no deal has been consummated, but Rock has talked in other interviews about this same subject and working on such a deal)

2) Goldberg recently showed up on the "Helldorado" set and talked with Rock and was introduced around (true, I'd heard that story a few days ago)

3) Rock will return as a heel (well, that's hardly a secret)

4) Rock will have his first match back at No Way Out against Hulk Hogan (as things stand right now, that is true and I'm expecting it to be announced this week)

4) The finish of the match will be Vince McMahon interfering, costing Hogan the match, and Rock being involved in it, going back to the Corporate Rock heel character (I don't know this, but it makes perfect sense since McMahon vs. Hogan is the plan for Mania)

5) Rock vs. Bill Goldberg at Wrestlemania (that has been talked about a lot. As those who have followed the story closely know, it is Rock, more so than either McMahon or Goldberg, who wants that match. As of this morning, Goldberg has not signed with WWE. Until he does, this is more what Rock wants to have happen then what is planned)

6) Rock will leave wrestling after Mania. This is the major point of the story. I've heard those rumors, and given his schedule with so many movie projects being thrown at him, it is believable, but not confirmed. The story said Rock said he would return to wrestling at some point if and when the movie offers slow down and he'd have the time. (many have heard rumors, but Rock has not officially told WWE this, but also hasn't committed to anything past either March or April's PPV)

 

Credit - WrestlingObserver.com

[Guest IB2BLACK]

So, the Rock basically gave details of future booking plans to an extra?

 

Therefore, he has spoiled what five suprises the WWE has planned, leading up to WM19?

 

Also, how much do you think Vince let the name "The Rock" go for?

 

Also, if Rock owns the name, will he leagally change his name to "The Rock", like Warrior did?

[Guest CanadianChick]

Also, if Rock owns the name, will he leagally change his name to "The Rock", like Warrior did?

 

 

We can only hope...we can only hope.

[Guest Army Eye]

I don't understand where people get this idea that Rock's not a "movie star" from.

 

What about Rock doesn't scream "Movie star"? Rock has EVERYTHING Hollywood looks for in an action star.

I'm gonna disagree.

 

First of all, let's get it out of the way that Rock is a bad actor. This doesn't help but of course, it doesn't necessarily preclude you from being an action star either.

 

 

But the real issue here is that Rock simply doesn't have a tough guy aura. He's a pretty boy! He has a good muscular build, but past that, he does not look at all like a threatening guy and he certainly doesn't sound like one when he talks. He looks and sounds way too 'nice'. Ultimately he just isn't convincing as a movie ass-kicker.

 

He never got over in wrestling playing a tough guy. When he truly got over for the first time, as a heel, he was a self-absorbed egomaniac who talked a big game but ultimately couldn't back it up. That was a role he really excelled in; he was outstanding. His long run as a face after that was basically dependent on pre-written comedy material to get pops. But he has NEVER been a badass who strikes fear into the heart of whatever wrestler is standing in the ring when he walks down that aisle, and for good reason.

 

Rock might have some kind of future in movies. I'm sure he'll get enough work to make a living, but not as a headliner, and certainly not as an action star in the vein of Schwarzenegger/Stallone/Willis.

 

Take a look at Vin Diesel. Virtually no acting talent, but in terms of being an action star, he's everything that Rock isn't. The minute he came on the screen in Fast and the Furious, you knew he was the baddest motherfucker in the movie. With Rock, you don't get that. Vin is the guy who will be getting paid $20 mil to show up on a set, kill a few hundred baddies, utter a few one-liners, and go home.

[Guest IB2BLACK]

Vin Deisel sucks. He is no better than The Rock, IMO. If Vin Deisel can make $20 million, I'm sure The Rock can & will, also. They are in the boat. Besides, all The Rock has to do, is have decent showings at the box office. And so far he has. I mean Kangaroo Jack made like $17 million, last week. You think can't do that?

[Guest Army Eye]

Well, I have already explained to you why Vin Diesel is a better action star than Rock. Rock has almost none of the attributes fitting the action star archetype. And yes, again, I'm aware Vin Diesel is a rotten actor. That doesn't mean much here though.

 

The numbers support my logic. Scorpion King made about $90 million domestically, and this was with a huge amount of media hype, nonstop hype on WWE programming, AND being the sequel to Mummy and Mummy Returns, huge blockbusters which grossed about $150 and $200 million respectively.

 

Vin Diesel's last two features, Fast and the Furious and XXX, both made over $140 million domestically, easily crushing Scorpion King's numbers, and both had no built-in lineage to hugely successful movies like The Scorpion King did.

 

I guarantee you that Rock will never be the box-office draw that Vin Diesel is. I'd bet money on it.

 

And I just want to make clear that I'm not bitter that Rock is going into movies, or criticizing his decision, or whatever. It's a much more desirable lifestyle than the pro wrestling grind, so all power to him. I'm just saying that being a perennial action movie superstar is not in the cards for him.

[JasonX 0]

Also, if Rock owns the name, will he leagally change his name to "The Rock", like Warrior did?

No, because Warrior only legally changed his name to "Warrior" to get around the WWE owning the rights to the "Ultimate Warrior" name....

[Guest Mole]

Okay, a few things about this subject.

 

1) Fuck ALL OF YOU who say Rock is a sellout for going to Hollywood. I guarantee all of you would do the same exact thing. I sure as hell would. He will be making a lot more loot, not having to worry about injuring himself everynight in the ring, and gets more mainstream attention.

 

2) Why does he have to stay in WWE? What does he have to prove? NOTHING. He has done everything there is to do, except win KoTR, which really means nothing. Whenever he was asked to job to someone, he never gave shit about it. He was a true company man, and he doesn't need to continue wrestling.

 

3) And that whole damn speech thing he did on Raw after SCSA left, he was saying that he wouldn't walk out of WWE just because he didn't like what was going on. He is leaving because there are BETTER and BIGGER things out there for him. Face it fellas, wrestling isn't jack shit when it comes to Hollywood. There is a difference for each wrestler leaving.

 

Yes, I will miss the Rock. SCSA, Rock, and Mick Foley were the three men who were on top of the boom period. But guess what folks, we can't live in the past forever. Let the young new talent come in. Why do you think he didn't give a shit jobbing to Brock? Because he knew that he wasn't going to be around much longer and wanted to past the torch on, which he did.

 

I'll say it once, and I'm gonna say it again. FUCK ALL OF YOU, who are giving the Rock shit for leaving. It's like when people would give rock bands shit for actually getting a contract with a record company. The band is actually going to have a steady good paycheck, and not have to live out of a fuckin van. No the band didn't "sell out," they went on to BIGGER and BETTER things. Like all of you would, and what the Rock is doing.

 

Damn, that was rant.

[Guest teke184]

While Molestomp has taken it to extreme, I also think a lot of Rock haters are full of shit right now.

 

 

Whenever he's working, everyone says "Boo! I hate The Rock! Just leave!"

 

Whenever he leaves to do a movie, everyone says "Boo! Rock sucks! Why can't he just stick with the business?"

 

Whenever he's been filming movies for about three months, they say "When is The Rock coming back? These guys on top suck!"

 

Whenever the subject of him leaving the business altogether comes up, everyone says "Boo! Rock sucks! He thinks he's better than the business."

 

 

As for the "Get the F out!" speech about Austin, that was probably scripted by Brian Gerwitz and approved by Vince because he was so upset at Austin. Gerwitz isn't above writing promos for wrestlers that contain potshots at people he doesn't like, such as X-Pac, so he probably saw an opportunity to do it to Austin once Vince was pissed at him for leaving.

 

 

The only thing I would be pissed at Rock over would be if he faces Goldberg in his retirement match. I feel that Rock's last match should be with a guy who has worked hard and should be just about ready to go over the top as a main eventer. You could insert most of the hot guys in the promotion into this spot with the exception of Lesnar, as that match has already been done and he's going to be facing Angle anyway.

 

Rock putting over a guy who's never even worked for the WWE before and probably won't stick around after Wrestlemania is, in my opinion, f*cking stupid.

[Guest AndrewTS]

Whenever he's working, everyone says "Boo! I hate The Rock! Just leave!"

 

Who?

 

I think what people were saying is that he's stale as a face, and should turn heel.

 

And if Vince wants to let him out of his contract, that's fine. However, Rock always contributes when he's around, unlike dead weight like Taker and HHH. He'll be a huge loss if he leaves, but hey, he's got free will you know.

 

The only thing I would be pissed at Rock over would be if he faces Goldberg in his retirement match. I feel that Rock's last match should be with a guy who has worked hard and should be just about ready to go over the top as a main eventer. You could insert most of the hot guys in the promotion into this spot with the exception of Lesnar, as that match has already been done and he's going to be facing Angle anyway.

 

Rock putting over a guy who's never even worked for the WWE before and probably won't stick around after Wrestlemania is, in my opinion, f*cking stupid.

 

Agreed on all points. If Rock wants to leave, Vince should cordially tell him, "Fuck no I'm not wasting money on Goldberg. You can put over someone on the way out, though." Which is what he should do. Hell, Jericho's friends with him, maybe he could be the one if they kill this HBK program and HHH isn't just going to have Jericho fed to him afterwards.

[Guest Mole]

While Molestomp has taken it to extreme, I also think a lot of Rock haters are full of shit right now.

 

It was just Just Call Me Dan's comments on it. I just think he is totally wrong and there are many people like him, but just don't say anything.

 

And yes, Rock should NOT fight Goldberg in a retirement match. I believe Rock should fight Matt Hardy.Matt Hardy would be the BEST person to put in a feud with Rock. That would bring Mattitude to the next level, and make him bigger to the casual fans.

 

Yup, I am firmly on that pick. Matt Hardy should retire Rock, no doubt.

 

Do you fellas agree?

[Guest Brian]

Disagreed. Given Rock's heel personality, it should be Benoit, the man who gave everything for this business going over the guy who gave it all up, and in the fans' eyes, sold out. The best way to capitalize on Benoit's face momentum.

[Guest AndrewTS]

Do you fellas agree?

BWAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!

 

 

...you were serious?!!

 

BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH!!

 

Oh, come on, wake the fuck up. Sure, Matt's character is getting over, and he's above average in the ring. However, he's just going to be the Lionheart-esque bitchy heel who gets punked out constantly for the marks' pleasure until WWE decides if they want to push him. All he is right now is a Randy Orton with better wrestling skills.

 

*sees on Raw that Orton is going to be in HHH's stable*

 

Er, nevertheless, Vince has no interest in pushing Matt Hardy right now. If anyone on SD would get that rub, it would be Edge, or maybe Benoit. And I don't even think it SHOULD be Hardy, because he can barely beat the lowliest of jobbers right now. Overpushing him like that would be just as bad as the shit they did with A-Train. Even if they never gave A-Train hardly any major wins.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

It should definetly be Benoit. It could be absolutely killer, a wrestling vs. Hollywood storyline.

 

Imagine, Rock coming back in full Hollywood prick mode. In promos disrespecting the business, talking about WWE as his "paycheck between movies" and talking about he's got ten scripts on his desk and as soon as he decides which to do he'll be gone making money, banging supermodels, and the works.

 

All Benoit would need is ONE well written promo talking about he gave everything for this business. While Rock was off making Hollywood millions, he was sitting in a neck brace itching to get back in the ring.

 

Then the hype up promos, somewhat similar to the Brock/Rock ones for Summerslam... only The Rock video promos are framed like a movie trailer, starting with the green rating screen, and it says

 

"Hollywood presents...

... The Rock"

And you show Rock talking about the same stuff as above, intercut with a few scenes of him wrestling.

Rock talking about how The People will follow him anywhere and pay any money to see him.

Talks about the peoples elbow as flash, the elbow isn't a wrestling move, is a flashy move because all "my people want" is a bit of sizzle to make them happy, and that's why they'll follow me

Intercut with scenes from The Scorpion King, Rock at a Hollywood Premiere, even slip in scenes from Helldorado.

"The Rock... is bigger than wrestling."

 

Then Benoit's promos are a different way. Like Foley's old homemade scratchy videos, but this is of Benoit wrestling as a youngstar, footage of him in Stu Hart's dungeon, footage of him from Japan, from WCW, talking about all the years and all the training he went through, with voice overs of all the announcers who've called his matches singing his praises "the best wrestler in north america" bla bla, with dramatic music, scenes of fans giving him a standing ovation at the Rumble, scenes fo suplexes and headbuts and all kinds of crazy shit. "Ive been a wrestler since a child, I'm a wrestler now, and I will always be a wrestler... I love wrestling." and close with the shot of Benoit making Rock tap from last year. "I will stand up for wrestling."

 

Wrestling v Hollywood. It will sell itself, and if Rock is leaving for good, this will be a good way to send him off while making Benoit into a true star. Imagine, Rock's entire movie career will be a part of Benoit's storyline.

[Guest Just call me Dan]

"Fuck ALL OF YOU "

 

Thanks molestomp. I'm glad we can argue without you telling me that.

 

I think that is a bit ridiculous, and don't appreciate that.

 

I can see you totally don't agree with my points, fine.

 

I said in a previous post that The Rock actually doing movies is good for him. He earned it, he got a shot, take it. I'm not hating on him for doing movies.

 

What I hate is he also has the talent to wrestle, and to do it well. He has done so much for the WWE, but in its down time he has been there hardly at all. The guy's speech was not about leaving for the right or wrong reasons, it was basically saying if you are in wrestling, you are in it for the long haul, which Rock has completely no sold. I don't like the fact that he went on this emotional tirade and can't back it up.

 

There is nothing wrong with him making movies, many have done it before him. I don't like the fact that he can give so much to the WWE, the WWE that made him what he is, the WWE that is literally DYING before our eyes and most certainly NEEDS THE ROCK, but he will choose to walk away. You can't just replace a Dwayne Johnson. Goldberg nor Austin can bring to the table what he brings.

 

THAT is my point, not that I feel like bitching about the Rock going to Hollywood. I'm not jealous, I'm happy for the guy.

 

So please, let's talk about this rarionally to eachother without you saying "FUCK YOU!" like that will help get your point across.

[Guest Jobber of the Week]

Wrestling v Hollywood. It will sell itself, and if Rock is leaving for good, this will be a good way to send him off while making Benoit into a true star. Imagine, Rock's entire movie career will be a part of Benoit's storyline.

That would be pretty awesome with a few tweaks to it... Heh.. Sports VS. Entertaininment.

 

I could see some awesome heel-ish Rocky packages though.. Make it look like an Entertainment Tonight interview or something. Kind of merge the character of The Rock with himself. For instance, say he talks about himself in the 3rd person sometimes but not EVERY FRICKING TIME.

 

I'm thinking of something like:

 

Announcer: Like many actors, Rock's career in Hollywood started humbly.

 

Rock: So The Rock was doing this guest role in The Mummy Returns, and the day finally came when The Rock came to the studio to say his lines...

 

[FOOTAGE: Rock, as the Scorpion King, stands up on a sand dune and shouts that random crap that isn't recognizable by any language and may have well been simply made up on the fly]

 

Rock: ...And we got it done all in one take. And the producer came to The Rock and said, "I haven't seen anyone ever film an entire role like that in one take. And you said your lines flawlessly. How'd you like to start doing this full-time?" But The Rock said, "WHOA! The Rock is known worldwide for laying the smackdown in the WWE. He can't just switch jobs like that!"

 

[FOOTAGE: Rock beats Hogan at WMX8, random footages of Rock Bottoms and People's Elbows]

 

Rock: So I've been doing juggling both ever since. It's a big job, but The Rock's got many many fans all over the planet that are loyal to him. Sure, I come in for a few months, win the championship belt, find one of the undisconvered talents and make them look like a star...

 

[FOOTAGE: Raw, The Rock verbally strips down Eddie Guererro and compares him to Cheech and Chong]

 

Rock: And then as soon that's over, it's back on that plane and it's back on that movie set, or it's back in that music studio, or it's hosting late night TV. And it's just all in a days work. And for those who wonder why? The reason why... It's because, The Rock is just too big.. The Rock is too good, to limit himself to just one business.

 

(END FANTASY PROMO)

 

Again, you'd really have to do some work to make the viewer feel like they're watching a copy of Access Hollywood or Entertainment Tonight or Extra or what have you, but production packages are at an all time high.

 

As for all that Benoit footage, I'm not sure what they do and don't have access to. I just know I'd love to see the match end when Benoit reverses Rock's crappy excuse for a Sharpshooter into a real man's Sharpshooter and makes Rocky tap. VISIBLY, before any of you monkeys shout "OMG MONTREAL II"

[Guest Mole]

Yeah, Andrew I am totally for Hardy going over Rock. Why is that such a bad idea? They have tried EVERYTHING to get Edge over even more. He has had his shot. I guess they could use Benoit, but I am for Hardy. No doubt. It won't happen, but it could work.

 

And no, WWE doesn't need the Rock Dan. Characters are not what brings ratings in, it is the storylines.

 

For example, just about every TV show that a big star is in flops. Just because the TV show has the star, doesn't mean it's gonna go anywhere. They usually think the star will sell the show, but no, it is the storylines that sell the show.

 

And I'm still saying FUCK ALL OF YOU who think Rock is a sellout.