Rock gets MAJOR heat; not just the speech..

[kenvin100]

Source PWTorch

A number of people in WWE weren't pleased with how Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson came off this past Saturday night. He did not leave a positive impression on a number of wrestlers at the Hall of Fame banquet.

A number of sources report that Johnson did not hang out with old friends before and after his speech at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. He showed up for the speech, delivered one that offended many in WWE and was believed to be too long, and then left.

Some of his former colleagues are saying that Johnson came across as "aloof" and "totally Hollywood," as if he were "above WWE now," not to mention everyone in WWE as well. One of those people include one-time friend Steve Austin, who was openly displeased and taken aback by Johnson's demeanor.

Here is one wrestler's comments regarding Johnson's Hall of Fame speech: "This wasn't a roast. This was supposed to be a tribute to his dad and grandfather. Instead, he did an hour plus of comedy, running way long, then did a short tribute to his dad and grandfather, then left. It was rude of him."

WWE had plans to control the length of the Hall of Fame speeches, but the induction ceremony ran way over the planned length in large part due to Johnson's drawn out speech. Flair's Hall of Fame speech ran long as well, but everyone was forgiving of that considering that it was his night.

After the event, pretty much everyone backstage shared in their resentment and disappointment on Johnson's conduct at the Hall of Fame. The belief backstage was that Johnson had no reason to treat old friends like discards from a past life.

Johnson's speech went on first because he had to catch a plane immediately to Las Vegas, where they are filming his latest movie, Space Mountain. After he left, two individuals took shots at him during their Hall of Fame speeches. When praising John Cena, Ric Flair made a point to say that Cena, "Will never leave our business for Hollywood." Triple H mentioned, "Rock fans," and then said, "Oops, am I supposed to say Dwayne fans now?"

Suprising to me..well no, Why? Well Vince begged for his return and he did what was asked. Everyone wanted the rock to come back. Cena asked rudely why he doesnt "show the eyebrow" and got it lol. Its not like these inductions had meaning. Yeah it was to pay tribute but both Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia didnt make huge contributions. So that prolly explains the small speeches.

Im sure steve austin or flair or cena would have done the same if they were in hollywood. Course im not calling the Rock the greatest actor but it's descent.

[The Deejish Invasion]

the problem is the rock has been shunning the business for awhile noe he has no need to be apart of the wwe, and in regards to anyone in this business he probably gained the most out of it, it doesnt matter who you are or what you do you will never be bigger then the business and the rock proves that, he will never be the greatest actor around but he will need this business again someday and maybe it wont be so forgiving

[Sicko]

Wrestlers need to stop making it all about them, it was for use the fans who have not seen The Rock in character for a long time, I thought it was fun and great to see, the crowd sitting up top and in the back seems to enjoy it a lot and I know I did

sounds like a lot of jealousy if you ask me, he was just trying to be entertaining and he was

as for going Hollywood, well I am sure the last thing Rock was thinking was "let me use the WWE to become a movie star"

as for the Rock "will need the WWE again" yeah maybe but you honestly think the WWE would turn The Rock away if he was to finally come back??? NEVER! They would bring him back and make him great Heel with a Hollywood attitude

[kenvin100]

Secondly, Rock isnt physically ready for wrestling..lets remember that back in 04, he has muscles that looked like a pillar..i mean he looks awesome right now. Lean and still in great shape, but for wrestling? If he did a rock bottom or lifting a guy over his shoulders, i think it'll hurt lol

And I doubt he will return even if hollywood rejects him completely. Lets remember that this is a tough business. Sure its fake, but you gotta travel tons. People get injured in this business. It might have been a "great ride" (quote the briscos) for some but ended in misfortune for others...

[nbda1997]

Originally Posted by DJ

... but he will need this business again someday and maybe it wont be so forgiving

I wouldn't go that far... Unless he suddenly develops a nasty crack addiction and a gambling problem, I'm sure the Rock will always have enough money to get by VERY comfortably.

As far as his conduct is concerned, what did they expect? The WWE has pleaded with him many times over the last couple of years to make appearances and he always told them "no". So, the last resort was to induct his father and grandfather into the HOF so that he would feel "obligated" to show up. Of course he's going to go into business for himself.

And lets be honest - if he's really serious about one day becoming an A-list George Clooney/Matt Damon calibur actor, he's better off distancing himself from pro wrestling. For every Ric Flair tribute show, there are at least 10 Katie Vicks and a Shockmaster to make it the laughing stock of the entertainment industry again.

I personally found the portion of the Rock's speech that made it onto USA very entertaining, but I did feel that he took some unnecessary digs (especially against Cena. I mean, come on; he didn't WRITE The Marine!)

I'm just going to hold onto my memories of The Rock in the late 90's. I'll always remember him that way. Let's face it; Dwayne Johnson really isn't The Rock anymore.

[klunderbunker]

I didn't like the way Rock came off on the show. Like someone said already, it wasn't his night. Rock was one of the greatest of all time as far as entertainment goes, but his time is over. He's a movie star now, not a wrestler. The problem is, if he ever said the word, Vince would welcome him back with open arms. No wonder he could say whatever he wants, no way he can burn his bridges.

Rocky Johnson and Peter Maivia didn't make any huge contributions? Ahem...o.k. I guess Rocky and Atlas being the first black tag team champions meant nothing. Oh, and I suppose Peter never left a huge legacy for the Samoan wrestling community. Right... that sounds like something to me.

[a7xoff]

*sigh* when I read this report I could only do nothing but reaffirm to myself that Dwayne really could care less about the wrestling industry at this point. What pisses me off the most is that Vince would take him back in a second reguardless of how he acts. Seriously If I was anyone in that locker room, say HHH, I would never want Dwayne to come back, even for a HOF ceromony. It's supposed to be a realitivly serious affair for guys and women being inducted. However sadly for Dwayne's dad and grand dad, they're induction looked like a joke... Ugh Dwayne just pisses me off, no anyone would piss me off if they take something like a HOF ceremony, go in and act like your above even the guys your inducting... It's just pathetic I think...

[Dark Blaze]

Sigh, I knew this would happen...ok I didn't really see anything wrong with the Rock's speech/ portion at all..it was entertaining...and I think that's why WWE wanted him back in the first place...to give the people a bit of the Rock once more...if Rock had just come up there and inducted his dad/ grand father...everyone would still COMPLAIN that he didn't even acknowledge his past in the business...so what do they really want?

It was known that he was already on a tight schedule..so he simply came to do what he had to( imagine if he didn't induct his family). IT just proves that Dwayne Johnson is no longer the Rock, he's an actor now trying to make it in the film industry. I don't feel that any of his comments were harmful(not to me anyway) those were the type of jabs he normally gave to Y2J, Mick Foley etc. when he WAS apart of WWE, I don't think the targeted individuals would take those jokes personally but then again...I don't know...whatever.

This article could simply be the product of hearsay, or jealousy(could be true though)...I won't let it or the current behaviour of Dwayne Johnson influence how I feel and respect the Rock as a character in the late 90's.

[Sicko]

or it could just be die hard Cena fans that want people to believe that Cena is better so bad and is upset that The Rock took a little friendly jab at Cena

Rock history in the WWE is set in stone, it may have been a short run but it was hands down one of the greatest runs ever, during his ERA NO ONE was better NO ONE was more complete, even the new guy today NONE of them, not Cena, not Orton, not Batista NONE of them come close to The Rock, MVP is probably the only guys I see right now that can have the type of impact that the Rock had because he is complete, in the ring and with a mic in his hand, Cena is awesome on the mic but average in the ring, Orton is outstanding in the ring but average on the mic and Batista is actually average in the ring and on the mic but just has the "look"

clearly some of the people that are trying to run with this story are just hardcore Cena fans, at least when Rock got booed and "you suck" chants he did not stand in the ring looking like he was about to start crying LOL, nothing against Cena I actually like him unlike most but he will never be as good as The Rock was SORRY

as for HHH I don't think he ever liked the Rock because he knew The Rock was always a bigger star, I respect HHH was a performer but I am just being honest I don't think he ever liked The Rock, not sure if Rock care about him much either