'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Gregor Robertson, the current mayor of Vancouver, has announced that October 19 is now 'The Rock Day' in the city — in honour of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Current WWE SmackDown Live superstar Rusev was quick to respond to the announcement with criticism.
In case you didn't know...
Is there a bigger star in the history of professional wrestling than The Rock? Dwayne Johnson's WWF career got off to a rocky start (pun intended), but Rocky Maivia evolved into The Rock and the rest is history. The Rock is now one of the biggest stars in Hollywood.
The Rock has recently been filming another movie, titled 'Skyscraper'. The majority of the filming has taken place in the Canadian city of Vancouver, the most populous city in British Columbia.
The heart of the matter
The Rock is never slow to declare his love for the cities he finds himself in, and the city of Vancouver has reciprocated in kind. Mayor Robertson announced that October 19 will forever be 'The Rock Day' in the city, in honour of the former WWE Champion's work there.
The declaration laid out the impressive financial influence that The Rock has had on the city, along with his charitable work, his football career (which began and ended in Vancouver) and finally his iconic fanny pack.
The Rock was quick to show his appreciation for the honour.
The news was greeted with cheer worldwide, although one corner of the SmackDown Live roster wasn't overly pleased. Former two-time WWE United States Champion Rusev was quick to remind Rocky that 'Rusev Day' came first and that Johnson should find his own 'schtick'.
What's next?
We will have to wait a whole year before the return of The Rock Day, but the WWE Universe can live safe in the knowledge that Rusev Day is every day. The Bulgarian Brute seemingly entered into a new feud with The New Day last week on SmackDown, which almost guarantees constant entertainment.
'Skyscraper', the latest blockbuster from The Rock, is slated for a 2018 release.
Author's take
Whilst this is patently little more than a PR stunt by all involved, the success of The Rock never fails to astound. Dwayne Johnson has grown from a wildly unpopular Intercontinental Champion to arguably the most recognisable celebrity in the western world.
Rusev? He continues to be hugely under-utilised on the blue show, a man desperate for direction and a face turn.
Send us news tips at [email protected]
