Exclusive: Backstage WWE Concerns On The Rock's Involvement at The Royal Rumble

[Martin Gabriel]

Sources have informed WZ there is growing concern within WWE as to whether or not CM Punk vs The Rock at The Royal Rumble is a wise move.

The Royal Rumble usually sells itself and has traditionally always been one of the best bought pay-per-views throughout the years. The worry seems to be whether or not having The Rock in a high profile match at the Rumble is the best use of WWE's time and focus.

Several officials are concerned that with The Rock appearing at the PPV, the attention paid to the Royal Rumble match will be less than what it should be, from both an advertising and creative standpoint. This concern is coming from the talent as well as those in positions of power.

As of now, there is no set plan or path on exactly what is going to happen regarding The Rock at Rumble and the road to WrestleMania. Apparently, if you were to ask most in WWE a few months ago, they would say it was a sure thing The Rock wins the title at Rumble. Now, there is less certainty as WWE is said to have not made final decisions on any of the high profile names, feuds and matches for WrestleMania 29.

Posted by Justin Labar.

 

[Martin Gabriel]

I don't think they'll pull Rock/Cena. Just because there's some "concern" doesn't mean they're likely to go back on their prior announcement. Dirt sheets are infamous for exaggerating every crumb of news they can scavenge from WWE's tablecloth. If they are considering removing the match, the solution isn't a black-and-white choice of keeping the match or not. If they're worried there won't be as much emphasis on the Rumble match itself, the answer is to be more thoughtful about how you hype the match and how The Rock and Punk hype theirs. What sort of matches you use to sell the Rumble (like developing mini-rivalries or maintaining old ones to create exciting interactions during the match) and how much time people gets for promos. It's a matter of micromanaging the details, not copping out by pulling the match altogether. Punk/Rock will only need maybe two or three segments at most each RAW, if Rock's even there that often. There should still be plenty of time on their three-hour RAWs to redress their advertising concerns. And I don't see how Rock/Punk potentially outshining the Rumble match would hurt them creatively. Whenever someone wins the Royal Rumble and chooses the World Heavyweight Champion his storyline is secondary to the WWE Championship's.

In the end, Rock/Punk probably will outshine the Royal Rumble match, but if it sells, what's the problem? Hell, if more people buy the Royal Rumble, that means more people will have also seen the Rumble and therefore those guys with whom they're less familiar. That sort of exposure is good for the company when they capitalize on it.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Didn't last year's Survivor Series prove that even The Rock does not guarantee huge numbers?

WWE hears what the fans are assuming, that The Rock can't lose so they use the desperate for news dirt sheets to create uncertainty and hopefully bring back some of the angry fans that can't handle the idea of a movie star definitely beating their hero.

 

[Vincent Michaels]

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Justin Labar's latest news report...

WWE Not Happy With Something
My source revealed to me WWE may not be happy with something in the company, but then again, they may also be happy with that same thing. My source also revealed that they may be on the fence.

Updates will follow when I find something else to make up.

JustinLabar.org

 

[ABMorales787]

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

 

[BaconBits]

I heart when LaBar trolls the IWC with ambiguity.

 

[Y-2-Jay]

Didn't last year's Survivor Series prove that even The Rock does not guarantee huge numbers?

http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/245325

But Survivor Series got a 312K buyrate and that was the best SS buyrate in years and outdrew Summerslam. When the hell was the last time Survivor Series out drew Summerslam? WM27 got the first 1 Million buyrate in 3 years and WM28 has either the 1st/2nd highest PPV buy ever.

I don't agree with your comment at all.

 

[a0161613]

SS still tanked though, 312k buyrate is pretty poor considering the much bigger Mania result.

 

[Dirk]

These part-timers...

 

[Mr. Artistic guy]

BULL manure.

 

[Y-2-Jay]

SS still tanked though, 312k buyrate is pretty poor considering the much bigger Mania result.

The terrible, terrible build up to the event hurt the buyrate for sure. Shame really because it was an awesome show.

Still the PPV was the 3rd highest drawing of the year, the highest bought Survivor Series PPV in over 4 years and outdrawed Summerslam which I don't think has ever happened before.

I would consider this a success. Summerslam 2011? Now there is a show that tanked considering it's supposed to be the "Number 2" PPV of the year (I think Royal Rumble actually should be consiered "Number 2" now)