What’s the story?
A new report from the Wrestling Observer details that the WWE was intent on giving the fans The Rock vs. Roman Reigns at this year’s WrestleMania 33 event in Orlando. A multitude of reasons led to this idea being scrapped, but The Rock’s busy Hollywood schedule wasn’t the main one.
In case you didn’t know...
Though The Rock had a mini seven-second match with Erick Rowan of the Wyatt Family at last year’s WrestleMania in Dallas, he last competed in an actually contested WWE wrestling match back in 2013 against John Cena for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 29.
Since then, the WWE brass has been pitching various ideas for real rivalries that could culminate in real matches, but all have fallen on deaf ears. A big idea and dream match scenario for the WWE would be Brock Lesnar vs. The Rock in a high profile program at a major event.
The heart of the matter
Many think that The Rock’s strict Hollywood filming schedule is his main reason for not agreeing to another full on WWE match. While that element is certainly a part of that choice, it isn’t the only thing holding him back.
It is said that the physical and mental toll taken on The Great One due to wrestling matches is significant, plus the injuries are an incredible risk. During The Rock’s last match with Cena at WrestleMania 29, The Rock suffered numerous injuries including a hernia, a torn adductor, and a torn abdominal muscle.
The impact
Because the potential injury risks of having a WWE wrestling match are so great, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever see The Rock wrestle again. Dream matches like Rock vs. Brock, Rock vs. AJ Styles, or Rock vs. Roman Reigns will strictly be just that. Dreams.
The Rock can make a lot more money in Hollywood and Dwayne Johnson, the man behind the character, is certainly smart enough to realise that.
Also read: The WWE fans went crazy after Roman Reigns vs The Undertaker WrestleMania 33 announcement
This impacts the WWE in a big way. Young talent are going to be given the opportunity to step up and take big time positions within the company as the WWE will only be able to rely on their part-time stars for sporadic appearances and not money-drawing storylines and matches.
Author’s Take
I don’t blame The Rock whatsoever for not wanting to compete in a real match for the WWE.
The risk is just too big and I can totally respect where he is coming from on that. Yes, it is unfortunate that we won’t get to see any of the dream matches that The Rock certainly has left in him, but there is a silver lining there as well.
Eventually, new stars are going to get the pushes they deserve. The Rock is the first domino to fall, but other part-time stars will be next. They are all getting older and smartening up to the fact that they can’t be carrying this company any longer.
Enter the new stars. Guys like Seth Rollins, Finn Balor, Samoa Joe, Shinsuke Nakamura, and Dean Ambrose will be called upon soon to not only be the horses keeping the company moving but to be the draws that put folks in the seats so the company can make money.
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