The wwf without the rock soon!? what do you want?

[Guest Downhome]

As we all know, Rocky's new movie The Scorpion King is going to be released nation wide this coming Friday. What you may NOT know, is that criticts are raving about the film, and more specificly, The Rock as a new up and coming action star. He is being called "the next Arnold" actually, it's that damn serious it seems. My question to you guys is this...

 

...if/when Rocky does indeed leave the WWF to pursue a more serious Hollywood career, will you like that? Just where will that leave the WWF, and can the WWF even survive without him? By survive, I don't mean to insist that they will go out of business, just simply, do you feel they will be able to stay at their current leval?

 

Do you WANT Rocky to stay in the WWF, or do you want him to leave for this new possible career?

 

We know he is going to be MIA for at least 1-2 months now, so I suppose that will say a lot, in where that would leave the WWF without him. On the same note...

 

...if Rocky DOES decide to depart, who do you feel could "take his place" on the roster? You know, who could be "the next SUPER-super star. Also...

 

...how much does the WWF pay Rocky? Someone told me he gets paid 8 Million a year, plus what he gets from sales, which comes to about 10 Million a year, and I can not in a MILLION years see that to be true. He also said that Austin has the same type of contract. Does the WWF pay them both 20 Million added up? That is fu*king insane if you ask me, and I just can't imagine that being true...

 

...do you know the actual figures? By the way, Rocky made 5 Million for The Scorpion King, and I believe he gets an aditional 1 Million if the film is a "blockbuster", so take that for what ya will.

 

What is YOUR outlook, on the career/careers of The Rock?

[Guest Tony149]

Don't worry. I'm not moving this thread. It's worded better. The Rock will make movies and wrestle for a while, then he'll pick one or the other at a later date. Probably when his WWF contracts expires. He can make a helluva lot more money in Hollywood without taking bumps, getting hit by chairs, etc, every night. Doesn't matter to me if he goes. The way he's being hyped in Hollywood, and if The Scorpion King is a blockbuster...it looks like his movie career will turn out better than Hogan's.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

The Rock and Austin have base salaries in the millions, but both make far more than that, particularly last year where they took in the most cash from the enormous WMX-7 buyrate. I wouldn't be surprised if both of them are doing 10-20 million a year totals (from base, PPV, merchandise, etc).

[Guest Downhome]

The way he's being hyped in Hollywood, and if The Scorpion King is a blockbuster...it looks like his movie career will turn out better than Hogan's.

You're kidding me, right? Hell, The Muppets had a better movie career than Hulk Hogan. It isn't too hard to have a Hollywood career better than that of Hogan ya know...

 

...but seriously, I'm sure Rocky will be welcomed into a Hollywood era, desiring new, young, up and coming blood, specificly that which can do action, comedy, etc... The Rock's chance is now, and I see Hollywood and the fans (yes, even non-wrestling fans) embracing him with open arms.

[Guest Tony149]

It was a joke. Most of the posters here probably can have a better acting career than Hogan.

 

Rock can make it big in Hollywood. He'll leave the WWF for Hollywood IMO. Just not right now.

[Guest Risk]

The only good movie Hogan was in was Rocky III, IMO.

[Guest Risk]

Which is ironic if you look at the names.

[Guest]

Personally, im a big fan of the Rock's work ethic, his AMAZING charisma and his over-the-top antics by which have aided the WWF in attaining its frim posistion on top of the wrestling world. It seems inevitable that the Rock pursue a movie career, because let's face it The Rock is a fantastic actor and has proved to be more than just an over night sensation 'one-hit-wonder" style wrestler. The Rock is no flash in the pan, he is currently wrestling's very own phenominon and i believe that without the Rock, the WWF can survive. However, i doubt that it would be the same place. The Rock brings a lot to the table, and for that to all be taken away would be a heavy blow. On the bright side, maybe someone else will be elevated to take Mr. Johnson's place? Who knows, time will tell...

 

But personally, The Rock is a wrestler, i believe he should stay with his roots in one way or another.

 

This has been the Taker Mark...who smells what the Rock is cookin'

[Guest HartFan86]

I haven't like The Rock for a while, but honestly when someone can't decide if it's Hollywood or Movies, it pisses me off. I think Mr. Johnson needs to choose a carrer and stick with it. He's gunna probably end up killing himself if he has such a busy schedule, as well.

[Guest caboose]

I think Mr. Johnson should ride the Movie scene for a couple of years and then if he's smart he'll realise that without the WWF he really is just another Flavour of the Month.

He should come back to the WWF full time, by then there will be enough big money feuds for him. Hopefully with all new elevated stars, e.g RVD, Christian, D'Lo, Brock etc.

[Guest]

Rock will be gone if about a year if Scorpion King and his next movie do good. I hope he doesn't leave because then it will be hard for the WWF to stay as big.

 

I haven't like The Rock for a while, but honestly when someone can't decide if it's Hollywood or Movies, it pisses me off.

Hollywood are movies? What?!!?!?!?!

 

It was a joke. Most of the posters here probably can have a better acting career than Hogan.

Tony.....admit it wasn't a joke and that you just typed like Hogan had a good career in movies.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

I have to see the movie first, I don't care about the rave reviews and all that other stuff. They probably are judging him on a curve because he is a wrestler and not a seasoned actor. The Rock also will have to protect his career by staying away from garbage movies.

 

If he does have a promising acting career what will happen?

 

- He doesn't renew his contract when it is up. I am sure Vince McMahon will try to sign him to a long term contract. If the Rock indicates that he doesn't wish to renew his contract, I think the Rock will be jobbed out mercilessly before he leaves. The Rock will not be able to use the Rock name (he used it in the Scorpion King) and I think Vince will hold hard feelings towards the Rock.

 

- If the Rock leaves on those terms, I honestly believe Vince will try to get him to come back in some way (full time, reduced schedule or just a big money match somewhere down the line) so the Rock will win anyway (assuming Vince doesn't bring him back to job him mercilessly). That scenario depends on the economy and the state of wrestling a few years from now.

 

I still have to see the movie though.

[Guest Hogan Made Wrestling]

1. The Rock is probably almost set for life financially. He has the luxury of pacing his life the way he wants to do it.

 

2. I bet Vince and WWFE corporate are very happy the Rock is doing movies. They have been partly involved in TSK (getting an executive producing credit) which fits into their desire to branch out into other revenue streams (Smackdown Records, etc.). It's also good publicity for the WWF.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

I don't know if it's good publicity for the Rock to talk about leaving the WWF.

 

Also, I don't think the Rock is making 8 million dollars a year from wrestling. I doubt his contract is that high and I doubt that Austin's is that high. I think they make most of their money through merchandise and stuff like that.

[Guest Ace309]

WELL.

 

I personally don't like the Rock's ringwork. It just doesn't do much for me. From my point of view, then, he could leave the WWF for good and work in movies and I wouldn't mind.

 

However, there's no way Vince is going to let him go. What I'd like to see is for Rocky to be booked with a career-threatening injury that forces him into a mic role - Commissioner, for example. Rocky could do a Smackdown segment every week or so and concentrate on movies. When he wasn't shooting films, they could put him in the ring.

[Guest Loss4Words]

"As we all know, Rocky's new movie The Scorpion King is going to be released nation wide this coming Friday. What you may NOT know, is that criticts are raving about the film, and more specificly, The Rock as a new up and coming action star. He is being called "the next Arnold" actually, it's that damn serious it seems. My question to you guys is this..."

 

And I'm very happy for him. Say what you will about the guy's ability, but he has done a better job representing pro wrestling than just about anyone I can think of. The Rock has made me a little less embarrassed to be a wrestling fan. He's well-spoken, educated and he doesn't scream and threaten violence every time you see him in a public setting. He's classy. It was only a matter of time before this happened and I wish him the best, whenever it happens to be that he'll leave.

 

"...if/when Rocky does indeed leave the WWF to pursue a more serious Hollywood career, will you like that?"

 

The cycle goes on. The wrestling business is bigger than any one person. While I think the Rock obviously has a lot of gas left in the tank, if it's his time to go, it's his time to go.

 

"Just where will that leave the WWF, and can the WWF even survive without him?"

 

They can survive without him. I don't doubt that. They survived without Hogan, and in Hogan's era, it was basically JUST him so when he left I think it was more damaging. At least Steve Austin is a top guy and is reliable for a few more years.

 

"By survive, I don't mean to insist that they will go out of business, just simply, do you feel they will be able to stay at their current leval?"

 

Well, their current level is kinda wishy-washy, so let's hope they can progress past it. Business isn't exactly booming right now for the WWF and honestly, among wrestling fans, the WWF banner is the only thing selling tickets at the current time. They'll draw the same regardless of who's there. Ratings and PPV buys are more subjective though, and they could take a beating without the Rock, but they're not exactly flourishing with him either.

 

"Do you WANT Rocky to stay in the WWF, or do you want him to leave for this new possible career?"

 

I think he should do whatever is best for him financially and whatever will make him happy. That's his choice, not mine.

 

"We know he is going to be MIA for at least 1-2 months now, so I suppose that will say a lot, in where that would leave the WWF without him. On the same note...

 

...if Rocky DOES decide to depart, who do you feel could "take his place" on the roster? You know, who could be "the next SUPER-super star."

 

Of the up-and-comers on the roster, I'd say Rob Van Dam and Chris Jericho have the most mainstream appeal while I think Chris Benoit and Kurt Angle will probably be the workhorses in Austin's role once he leaves. HHH is there, but really isn't making waves. So to answer your question, I guess I'd say Chris Jericho or RVD, but I'm not sure which one. Within the next 18 months, Jericho will probably turn face and start a HUGE run and become the top guy anyway and RVD should fall shortly behind.

 

 

"Also...

 

...how much does the WWF pay Rocky? Someone told me he gets paid 8 Million a year, plus what he gets from sales, which comes to about 10 Million a year, and I can not in a MILLION years see that to be true. He also said that Austin has the same type of contract. Does the WWF pay them both 20 Million added up? That is fu*king insane if you ask me, and I just can't imagine that being true..."

 

I believe the Rock makes just barely over $1 million annually and makes the rest in royalties and merchandise. I know that he said in a London interview in 1999 that he was slated to pull in between $6 and $8 million that year. 1999 was a MASSIVE year for the WWF business-wise, so that seems feasible. Compare that though to Mick Foley, who was having his biggest year ever in 1999 bringing in just over $1 million. Since business is down from '99, I'd say the Rock may not be bringing in quite that much, but I'm sure he's not suffering either.

 

"...do you know the actual figures? By the way, Rocky made 5 Million for The Scorpion King, and I believe he gets an aditional 1 Million if the film is a "blockbuster", so take that for what ya will."

 

No clue.

 

"What is YOUR outlook, on the career/careers of The Rock?"

 

As I said earlier, he's had a great run and he's obviously one of the biggest stars in the history of American wrestling, if not the biggest. I think it's fairly safe to say that whether you think the guy is a great worker or not, he's probably one of the most important figures of the modern era. He'll be missed when he's gone, but one thing about wrestling to remember is that there are always five or six guys ready to fight over your spot, especially in today's WWF.