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.
So, basically, the wrestlers think (know) he's on roids, and they dislike that?
I don't believe this, or the Jericho one where they said the same thing; the current product is obviously not doing well and I think they all know that.
I'm sure Punk is real pissed Rock is back, he will never make more money than he will now by working with him. this just speaks to the bigger problem in WWE, failure to build stars people will pay to see. They have about 4-6 regulars that can draw, 1 of them is hated by half the audience, another was champion for 430+ days and never positioned as the top guy as a face.
John Laurinitis' reign as head of talent was an absolute failure
I'm sure Punk is real pissed Rock is back, he will never make more money than he will now by working with him. this just speaks to the bigger problem in WWE, failure to build stars people will pay to see. They have about 4-6 regulars that can draw, 1 of them is hated by half the audience, another was champion for 430+ days and never positioned as the top guy as a face.
John Laurinitis' reign as head of talent was an absolute failure
They let guys like Robert Roode and Austin Aries slip through the cracks for guys that aren't even in the company now and I forget their names because that's how impactful their WWE career was.
Jim Ross should have never been taken out of that position until Triple H took on a more corporate role and even then, they should still work together. Even Gerald Brisco (no idea if he still recruits talent). Brisco recruited Lesnar.
To any rock haters in the locker room. Deal with it. This guys here to revive a huge part of the company and committed to take time away from his new love (making movies).
On the roids/physique subject. Is he on roids? Maybe, its not proven. Different work outs, different age, different results.. The hercules movie is infact only a month away after Mania. With all the special effects from todays technology, they can sure as hell make him bigger.
People really need to stop only looking at the negatives with Rock being around. Its sickening.
Those guys that sometimes don't get an opportunity to can't blame Rock. That blame is squarely on themselves and writing. It's not like there isn't a crap ton of time where Rock isn't there for any of these guys to make a name for themselves. These guys are also never going to be what they could be as long as PG sanctions are hanging over their heads...but again, none of that is Rock's fault. All he is doing is making money for everyone there.
They let guys like Robert Roode and Austin Aries slip through the cracks for guys that aren't even in the company now and I forget their names because that's how impactful their WWE career was.
Jim Ross should have never been taken out of that position until Triple H took on a more corporate role and even then, they should still work together. Even Gerald Brisco (no idea if he still recruits talent). Brisco recruited Lesnar.
Did JR quit or did they fire him? Johnny Ace's term was such a failure and because Vince loves his yes men, he turned a blind eye, and now his company is paying for it
Did JR quit or did they fire him? Johnny Ace's term was such a failure and because Vince loves his yes men, he turned a blind eye, and now his company is paying for it
Pretty sure Johnny was promoted in place of JR. I may be wrong.
Quick question from someone who's been out of watching wrestling since The Rock era...
Now that he's back in some form of a role, does he get drug tested like others do (I assume)?
I just don't see it for Dwayne. There's no doubt in my mind that he's been juicin' for his films, and Vince wouldn't risk him failing a test.
I'm sure Vince is aware of it, but with the amount of $$$ he's bringing in for having The Rock there, suspending him would be the last thing he wants to do (aside from future endeavouring him).
And he probably is on roids. No way you get so big as quickly as he does naturally. Not at 40 years old.
I am guessing he is on steroids. But it's not totally out of the question that he can get that big without steroids. And you said he couldn't have gotten that big that quickly naturally, but how quickly did he get that big? Hasn't he gradually been getting bigger ever since like 2003-2004?
It's the way he drops it and then gains it back almost immediately.
Rock, Lesnar, Cena, etc those top guys probably don't get tested. It's all in house, they probably don't even get tested. Lesnar doesn't look to be on them anymore, Rock does, Cena meh, theres others on the roster that look it too.
I think with WWE it's one of those things where they don't say "don't do it," they say "don't get CAUGHT doing it". With all of the Eddie/Benoit stuff they have to set an example and try to keep their performers healthy, but at the same time Vince knows that look is a huge factor when it comes to draw power.
Especially top guys - Vince definitely looks the other way when a lot of this stuff is happening.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ryback, Mason Ryan, or Big E were juicing either.
I love how people are so sure he's on steroids. Perhaps he just worked hard and took legal supplements?
In the OP it implies that even those in the locker-room think he's doing them, and I'm sure they're more knowledgeable of his workout routine and such.
"- 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.".
