The Rock's return to Raw is everything right & wrong about WWE

[big dog cowboy]

The Rock's return to Raw is everything right & wrong about WWE
By Sean Rueter @s1rude on Oct 7 2014, 11:41a

FINALLY...

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson returned to pro wrestling and WWE last night in Brooklyn with a surprise segment on Raw. And the internet wrestling community (IWC), so often derided as a monolithic hivemind that loves everything Dolph Ziggler does while reviling John Cena's every move, quickly drew lines and started arguing about it.

So, that's one good thing that Rocky's latest return does for us so-called "smart" fans...it's indisputable proof that not everyone who reads and discusses pro wrestling online has the same interests, preferences, standards and morays. He's a flashpoint for what's right and wrong with wrestling, and especially the promotion he's meant so much to over the last almost twenty years WWE.

Before diving into what those things are, some background on this writer as a fan that influences what you're about to read:

I am a Dwayne Johnson mark. The man is as charismatic an action star as we have in Hollywood these days, and sneaky good at more traditional drama moments as well. His "real life" personality, as presented in interviews and on social media, is extremely positive and focused on encouraging and uplifting his loved ones and fans.

I'm also a huge fan of The Rock character, at least from when it was the only role Johnson played. While others were more into beer drinking bad *** Stone Cold or enigmatic superhero Sting, the idea of a cocky smart*** super athlete (I always thought of him as Chevy Chase in a linebacker's body) spoke to and entertained me a great deal more, at least in the late 90s/early aughts.

That out of the way...

The Rock's appearance was glorious, because it was a uniquely pro wrestling moment. That in-the-moment reaction to a surprise, being moved to stand, cheer or just mutter "no way" because you hear some familiar sound blare out of the speakers in the arena or on your television...nothing else does that. Not "real" sports, not movies, or theater, or live music.

Seeing the Brahma Bull in a wrestling ring reminds us not only of the form's peak of popularity, but also that no other entertainment could have produced The Rock. If he were a football star, or started in movies, we'd never have been exposed to the blend of script and improv that WWE produces, nor the back and forth with another performer (or especially the live audience) at which Johnson excels. As he's moved from featured player to special attraction over the course of this century, his content has drifted from being primarily focused on storyline to more generalized storytelling. And that may not be as entertaining to fans who are heavily invested in the company's current week-to-week narrative, or to viewers at home already ancy about sitting through an overlong show. But it doesn't change the fact that Johnson is a gifted monologist capable of taking a large audience on a journey with him.

Read more: http://www.cagesideseats.com/2014/1...rn-to-raw-is-everything-right-wrong-about-wwe

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Great article.

I think it strikes at the route of the problem... the WWE doesn't take itself or the business seriously.

Even though you know the winner is predetermined you still want to believe the seriousness of the match.

Also it makes a great point about focusing way too much on the past, not that you can't incorporate the past in some angles here and there.

But the past stars seem to be what drive the WWE.

Wrestling has always had older stars making an appearance taking on newer talent but these older stars were still active in the sport, not like a Sting or Rock or Hogan who rarely wrestle anymore. This just makes the entire thing appear more of sham.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Great article.

I think it strikes at the route of the problem... the WWE doesn't take itself or the business seriously.

Even though you know the winner is predetermined you still want to believe the seriousness of the match.

Also it makes a great point about focusing way too much on the past, not that you can't incorporate the past in some angles here and there.

But the past stars seem to be what drive the WWE.

Wrestling has always had older stars making an appearance taking on newer talent but these older stars were still active in the sport, not like a Sting or Rock or Hogan who rarely wrestle anymore. This just makes the entire thing appear more of sham.

Soap operas for women.

Dope operas for men.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Soap operas for women.

Dope operas for men.

Yep.

Prior to the mid 80's (geez what happened then?) it was more about what went on in the ring than what on outside the ring.

But after the industry was outted, the inside the ring stuff became less and less important.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Yep.

Prior to the mid 80's (geez what happened then?) it was more about what went on in the ring than what on outside the ring.

But after the industry was outted, the inside the ring stuff became less and less important.

Bring back midget wresting. That was for real.



Lmao

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Bring back midget wresting. That was for real.



Lmao

Yes, they had their moments.

I remember a few mixed tag-matches.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Yes, they had their moments.

I remember a few mixed tag-matches.

The way they charge up and then race across the ring. Some of the funniest stuff I ever saw!

 

[TellerMorrow34]

This is what happens when you're not pushing the right people or spending the right amount of time using the right people. You have to rely on bringing in The Rock for ratings boosts. You have to rely on using a part time World Heavyweight Champion because you've ran off the people who really mattered.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Or relying on a 55 year-old Sting to hold the interest of the fans.

It would have been like the NWA relying on Lou Thesz to save the organization.

 

[CF74]

Did they ever figure out who murdered all the Von Erich's?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Did they ever figure out who murdered all the Von Erich's?

Themselves.

 

[CF74]

Themselves.

So basically they all got the same bad batch of steroids?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

So basically they all got the same bad batch of steroids?

That could be. Could also be a domino thing. It's possible all of them were say manic depressives (inherited maybe?) which was exasperated by drug/steroid/alcohol use. And David's suicide set in motion the others... I dunno.

I just know it's pretty sad what happened. World Class Championship Wrestling was one of the star territories of the NWA, right up there St. Louis, Florida, Georgia and the Mid-Atlantic territory.

 

[Phoenix]

Did they ever figure out who murdered all the Von Erich's?

Was that Texas Tornado guy one of them? I forget. Is he gone too?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Was that Texas Tornado guy one of them? I forget. Is he gone too?

Yeah, he was one of them.

Father Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson)

-Son Jack Jr. died of accidental electrocution. He was just 7 years old.
-Son David, lost his infant daughter just after her birth. David himself died in 1984. Some say it was a heart attack. Ric Flair maintains Bruiser Brody found and threw out drug paraphernalia to protect the family.
-Son Mike, who had physical problems from a car accident, battled drug problems and committed suicide in 1987 using sleeping pills.
-Son Chris, who had physical problems (a bone condition that caused his bones to be very brittle) also had problems with drugs and killed himself with a self inflicted gunshot in 1991.
-Son Kerry shot himself in the heart in 1993.

Kevin was the only son to survive.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

I have quit watching but I would have watched if I knew he was on there just for the change of pace.

 

[BoysFan4ever]

Yeah, he was one of them.

Father Fritz Von Erich (Jack Adkisson)

-Son Jack Jr. died of accidental electrocution. He was just 7 years old.
-Son David, lost his infant daughter just after her birth. David himself died in 1984. Some say it was a heart attack. Ric Flair maintains Bruiser Brody found and threw out drug paraphernalia to protect the family.
-Son Mike, who had physical problems from a car accident, battled drug problems and committed suicide in 1987 using sleeping pills.
-Son Chris, who had physical problems (a bone condition that caused his bones to be very brittle) also had problems with drugs and killed himself with a self inflicted gunshot in 1991.
-Son Kerry shot himself in the heart in 1993.

Kevin was the only son to survive.

I don't know who these guys are but this reads as heartbreakingly tragic.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I don't know who these guys are but this reads as heartbreakingly tragic.

It's fascinatingly tragic.

If it occurred in one of the "Big 4" sports there would have been a massive inquiry by fans and governing bodies alike... But in combination of sport and entertainment, it's almost looked upon as being part of the "story".

 

[BoysFan4ever]

It's fascinatingly tragic.

If it occurred in one of the "Big 4" sports there would have been a massive inquiry by fans and governing bodies alike... But in combination of sport and entertainment, it's almost looked upon as being part of the "story".

To have that many sons & brothers & to just have the one left is very very sad.