So now that The Rock is Champion....

[THTRobtaylor]

It does make sense with the news that Brock has re-signed for 2 years, perhaps he wanted to see how Rock's "2 year plan" went before committing for 2 of his own on the heavier schedule. So yeah, I can see Rock being gone after Mania for pretty much ever but Brock stepping in so we don't notice quite as much.

As for whether he should be held to the same standard as others, no... he is an A-List actor, commanding $15-20m a picture and the most famous wrestler/actor ever. If anyone gets to write their own ticket Rocky does... from what I have seen though, his schedule involves a lot of movie releases rather than filming between now and April, Pain and Gain and GI Joe most notably... so him being on RAW every week makes sense from his acting perspective, as he will be in the public consciousness a lot more than he could be otherwise. Anyone want to bet against him bringing Mark Wahlberg in or Channing Tatum for an appearance?

Punk got the run he wanted, he got the belt for over a year and the commitment from Vince to him being a top guy...but he did also hold him to ransom so there was always going to be a "payback" and dropping to Rock was it. Punk is smart enough to know that Rock is going to be gone, Cena is so banged up he has one year full time tops left and then he becomes the top guy...

 

[The Fabulous Rougeau's]

This is more of fantasy booking than realistic and is also my first time recommending a Cena heel turn.

Lets say the Rock and Cena do go one on one at Mania. Everyone is fully expecting Cena to win but he loses AGAIN. The next night on RAW the Rock is celebrating his win and Cena comes out and destroys him, the ring, maybe even announcers. He than goes on a huge rampage as a heel just completly out of his mind.

Just a crazy thought and something I thought would be cool if booked properly.

Or they could redo the Rock/Austin Mania XVII story where they have Cena turn towards the end of the match when he realizes that he can't beat The Rock. It would be a great way to keep Rock real strong and to have Cena get the win if your ultimate end game is Cena turning heel.

 

[scottyshowman82]

Just a question concerning The Rock and the royal rumble ppv. When was it decided the title match go on last. I always thought the rumble match went on last and especially Cena with him being 'top guy'. And how he ends most ppvs. Just curious??

This year the WWE Title match went on last, I'm sure just on the magnitude of the Rock returning and the fact that Punk has held the belt so long. The crowd was really into this match too.

As for the future surrounding the title situation, I'm not a big fan of triple threat matches for major titles at Wrestlemania, most of the time a traditional one on one is the best way to go I think, however this year I think it makes all the sense in the world to have The Rock defend his title against John Cena and CM Punk. By having Punk in the match they can still hold on to the claim that Rock and Cena one on one was once in a lifetime and Punk can finally do one of the only things that he has yet to do in his career, truly main event Wrestlemania. I really think it makes all the sense in the world.

 

[Brothervis]

Do what Punk couldn't and dump that crap title. If he does that they might as well make that punk's burial because it would prove Punk is kissing Cena's ass. If Punk wanted change he would of dumped the title at summerslam 2011. People say Rock buried the title by being a part timer think it was okay for Punk to put the title in a fridge. CM Punk has talent but is not on Cena's level and especially not the Rock's level. Until he gets people wishing him dead as a heel he proves his character like his fan base is a joke. CM punk is Vince's way of making you think he cares about you. CM punk is not lying when he says he doesn't care about the fans(iwc). If the people on this board died tommorow he would laugh and rightfully so. The man is a Y2J wannabe "best in the world" using large words to insult the fans. Rips the fans that cheer him when he is a heel.IWC is CM Punk's bitch

 

[HBsam31]

As much as many people won't like this, I think Rock has been involved in a 2-year plan, with this being the second and final year. Although WWE offers swerves that could relieve John Cena of his Rumble-won shot at the title between now and WM, I agree it's a given that he engages in his unfinished business with Rock and takes the title back from him. Yes, the Cena-haters are going to howl but, in fact, it's been quite a while since the #1 man in the company has held the #1 position, and I think it's inevitable.

The part people won't like? It's that the cycle is completed after Rock drops the belt to Cena at WM. There'll be an exquisite show of sportsmanship by the Rock and all wounds with Cena will be healed. At that point, all is right in the WWE Universe.....while Rock goes back full-time to making movies and we'll never see him this involved with wrestling again; not to the degree we've seen the past two years. It's been a great ride.

Hard to believe he'll be appearing on every Raw from now until April, as some have suggested.....it just doesn't seem possible, given his schedule. But whatever his involvement, it comes to an end at WM.

This is pretty much it. Once Rock beat Cena last year I don't see how any wrestling fan could have seen it go any different this year. Rock is going to go back and make movies full time. That was inevitable. Cena has been the top guy even in his slump year with Punk's historic reign. I loved Punk's run, but really he wasn't going to hold the belt for another year so if he was going to lose it, losing it to a legend was the way to go. I am not looking forward to a Cena/Rock rematch, but we will get it, and Cena will be champ again. The Rock and Cena will hug, and The Rock will hand Cena the belt. On and on we go.

 

[theHeadliner]

Its unreal to me that with Rocky's movie career as hot as it is and as big as he is in Hollywood, he has come back to wrestling enough to be champion. He obviously won't be going on the road, hopefully he will be at every TV though.

 

[theBec2101]

First I would like to say I thought the WWE title match should of went right before the Rumble, I thought that having Rock lose the match only to enter the Rumble and win and go to Mania would be enough to keep a build and give them time to think of possiable opponents with out the rush. With that said...

I thought Ziggler should of cashed it in and beat the Rock. Even though it did not happen there is still time at the EC PPV. This would be considered the next best thing to a Rock vs HBK that were probably never going to get. Plus it would elevate Ziggler far more then this affair story is now.

Another one is Randy Orton heel turn and gomes back as the legend killer and goes for the Rock. I think this would be a great match and an great way to get Orton top heel again.

I just dont want to see rematches you have the chance to use the Rock try to use him to the fullest. I also would mind like a unifacation type match or a triple threat or 4 way. Just not just Cena or not Just Punk matches with the Rock

 

[InstantAttitude]

Hopefully his match with Cena at WM29 isn't his last....not the way I wanna see his career end.
I hope WWE does HHH Vs. Rock at WM 30....and let him have one last battle with one of his long time rivals.
Then boom Hall of Fame induction and Rock's Semi-Run is over and he can make appearances here and there.

 

[I am Mr. Excitement]

First off I have to say the Punk vs Rock match was pretty shitty on The Rock's part. He looked terrible, he was gassed, he didnt look the same as he used to (obviously). I can see why CM Punk got in his face last night he knew how the match was gonna end and Punk carried Rock through that whole match, no doubt. Rock doesnt deserve to hold the title I don't give a damn if he was one of the best ever there are many people in the WWE who could have beaten Punk but of course Rock wants to hog the spot light and it's bullshit.

 

[Da Solo]

First off I have to say the Punk vs Rock match was pretty shitty on The Rock's part. He looked terrible, he was gassed, he didnt look the same as he used to (obviously). I can see why CM Punk got in his face last night he knew how the match was gonna end and Punk carried Rock through that whole match, no doubt.

Oh, the butthurt...

No shit the Rock was gassed. The dude wrestled 3 matches within the last 9 or 10 years, and they all went on for 30+ minutes and put him through some high-pressure spots: the fact that he could walk after the 1st ten is a credit to him, much less the fact that he could work a full match without a botch (table spot was an anomaly). In fact, credit the Rock a bit, because when the table dropped, he at least tried to feign a knee injury and smoothly moved the Rock Bottom into happening anyway, which amended what could have been a disastrous event.
And Punk got in his face because he's a good heel, not whatever anti-hero fetishes you have about Phil Brooks the person.

Rock doesnt deserve to hold the title I don't give a damn if he was one of the best ever there are many people in the WWE who could have beaten Punk but of course Rock wants to hog the spot light and it's bullshit.

1. The only person who could have justifiably taken the title off of Punk was Ryback, and you would have bitched. If Brock did, he would be hogging the spotlight in your eyes as well, and you would have bitched. If Cena did, we all would have bitched. No one else was ready, at most the best WWE could have pulled off without Rock is for Henry to re-ignite their 3 week feud and come take the belt, and people still would have bitched. Rock gave Punk a legendary end before he got stale (which was looming dangerously), which is a serious rub for someone like Punk.

2. Rock stars in Hollywood blockbusters. If he wanted the spotlight, he didn't need to come back. It was booking; don't blame the man, blame Creative, who, by the way, booked the "spotlight hogger" Rock in a loss against an up-and-coming Randy Orton and Batista in his last return (before 2011) without a problem. Still wanna bitch?

3. Hop off Punk's nuts. Too many people there already, not enough space.

 

[streicher187]

1st I hope Rock points out how stupid the belt looks and has a new one

I really hope Vince is smart enough to know that if Cena takes the belt from the Rock he will immediatly become a heal and get booed by anyone over the age of 12.

The attitude era worked because people like Austin, Rock etc. has personality and could grab a mic and get the crowd fired up - other then Jericho who is a part timer there is no one who can do that today. Take away the scripts and they are all the same and NO ONE stands out. Not Cena, Not Punk no one.

Vince can only rely on Rock, HHH, Taker, Jericho for so long before people have to step up or the WWE is in real trouble.

 

[Da Solo]

On topic now, I only hope for four things from Rock's run:

1. He ditches the spinner belt and brings in the Brahma Bull belt, which was gorgeous, by the way. It can go away once he loses it so he doesn't overshadow the championship.

2. He shows up at every RAW, and wrestles at least one match on TV. Have one satellite appearance on Smackdown just to piss off the IWC/Punk & Cena fanboys

3. Please, for the love of God, make the WM match a triple threat, and if you really want to make me happy, let Punk win.

4. Keep cutting awesome promos, and keep cookiepuss alive to, once again, piss off more fanboys.

 

[flawd101]

It depends on how much WWE is in The Rock's future.
If he is done. Rock vs Cena.
if not, punk vs rock at elimination chamber. then triple threat w/ cena at WM
wild card. rock vs taker. punk(c) vs cena at wm

 

[WrestlingSabermetrics]

I'll be in the minority here, but I think Rock-Cena II for the Title as the headline match will lead to a lower buy rate than last year. The fan bases for Rock and Cena are pretty inelastic, meaning that both fan bases tend to watch, buy, purchase no matter what the situation is for their favorites.

Rock is still going to do TV appearances on Leno and Letterman like he did leading up to WM and Cena will get media attention as well. I just don't think the Title brings in anymore WM purchases.

I think if Punk held the belt, it would not only keep the hardcore and indie fans interested (they'll be interested regardless), but it would have brought in more mainstream and younger fans. Streak vs. Title would have been amazing. So, while I like Rock, I'm actually thinking this hurts the WM buy rate (even with him appearing regularly up until WM).

 

[New Hot Fed]

I think they should have had something screwy happen wheras Punk can still get a re-match but at Mania and Cena challenges for the title with Rock still champ, then put the World champ in there too and the return of Bock Lesnar, you have the Elimination Chamber at Mania itself with Rock, Cena, Punk, Lesnar, Rios, Show and a few others, making a mega cage match. And you also make it a reunification title belts to make an undisputed grand-slam champ.

 

[DixieAtheist]

My main issue with Rock having the title is a matter of timing, I think it would have been better timed to win at Elimination Chamber, though in the long run I suppose it doesn't matter' as much when Rock wins it as it's only till WM 29 and then we get Cena running with it for however long. Which brings up a much more serious issue, the creation of new stars. I get that this is the big send off for Rock, he's gonna do all those things that made the Attitude Era so awesome. But frankly I feel all of that is best left in the Attitude Era, a fcous has to be on the youth and building the new breed. When Cena takes the title at Mania, cause he absolutely will, his 11th reign as champ should be about building the guys who have come far and just need that final push. I understand you want to build the money matches but you can at least have a card of young talent built around that.

 

[HellBoundPower]

It's pretty obvious where it's going. The Rock will promote his movies, and he'll promote the WWE with the WWE Title at every premiere. The Rock having the belt is good for business because it has the potential to bring back older fans from the Attitude Era by peaking their interest. Who doesn't remember the glory days of The Rock and Triple H exchanging the WWF Title in infamous wars? Getting older fans to check out the product and see The Rock on Raw could potentially spike ratings and help maximize Wrestlemania purchases. It's a win/win for the WWE, and they have nothing to lose from it.

I think Rock's reign will be memorable because of what I've already stated, and also because it's a feel good story. The Rock comes back and wins the WWE Title 10 years after his last reign, just like Muhammad Ali. People will back him, watch the product, go out and see his movies, and money will be made hand over fist for both the WWE and The Rock in general. Not only that, but Rock's match with Punk at the Rumble was a good match, as will the rematch be at Elimination Chamber.

As for the future, it's pretty obvious now that we're going to get Rock/Cena II at Wrestlemania, most likely with Rock dropping the belt to Cena. And while I'm not a fan of Cena, it's what makes the most sense for business. Cena gets his revenge for the loss last year, Rock officially passes the torch to Cena (who, while being the face of the company since 2005 has never actually had the torch passed to him), and things go back to business as usual. Rock goes back to making movies, and Cena goes back to being WWE's number one guy.

Now, there is potential for CM Punk to be involved in the match in a triple threat match, but I don't think it's likely. I think WWE wants to put all the focus on Cena vs. Rock, and have Punk do something else. And I'm personally okay with that. The man just had a 434 day reign as WWE Champion, so it would be nice to see him do something else for awhile to avoid him getting stale. With the rumors that he might be facing Undertaker, I can see him going in a completely different direction while WWE puts it's money on Rock vs. Cena. I think it should be a good Wrestlemania no matter what they decide to do.

 

[DannyDirtz]

Well after watching last nights Raw im a little dissappointed as its clear where this is going. Rock to wrestle again next at Elimination Chamber. Thats in 3 weeks.

IMO a bad move. Even looking at the crowds reaction aswell , usually when a challenge is accepted at a live event the crowd goes nuts but this time when Rock said

"you want a rematch at chamber you got it"

the crowd stayed silent like they realized the rock wont be in action again for 3 weeks.

Still on subject of the crowd, throughout the entire night the attending audience just wanted to see The Rock.

They chanted "Rocky" nonstop through the promos with Punk , Cena , Shield , Ryback and Sheamus. Everything right now is about Rock. However theres a long way yet up until WM. Theres only so many promos of the rock people can take considering hes been doing it for the last 2 years.

HOWEVER having said that , im just grateful hes there. The product was dead but now Rock , Jericho and Brock's returns in quick succession have resuscitated wwe.......for now.

 

[Fated_Sin]

Honestly I want rock to wrestle a little more before mania so he can get his stamina back and it can then be a match we want to watch over and over. I was watching their match from WM 28 and I got so disenchanted from seeing how worn out he was that I skipped back to the Taker/HHH match which in my opinion was the main event regardless of the card.

He needs more ring time or he'll keep getting gassed out. Even Cena could balance hollywood and the wwe without losing his stamina and I agree that mania would be a perfect chance for Cena to say "You know what I hate this PG crap!" and smash the Rock with a chair over and over ala Stone Cold though maybe have wait for it...paulie dangerously hand him the chair. There would be a nice twist. As for Punk I want him to get a shot at ending Taker's streak I mean even if he loses it'll be a match of the year for sure just like Taker/HHH end of an era beat out Rock/Cena 1 for the that title for this past year.

But seriously Taker vs Punk needs to happen and Rock...you need to get to working on that stamina otherwise you and Cena's epic final battle will fall flat on its face...kinda like I'm sure you wanted to 10 minutes into the match with punk at the rumble...

 

[Lockard23]

The Rock is WWE Champion since 10 years ago. I know some are upset all over the internet, but I think in time history will look back on CM Punk's 400+ reign ending to one of the all-time greats in his comeback to the top will be a moment in time. That is all I have to say about that.

Rock winning with just the elbow was a bit surprising, but they did have a whole match beforehand. Seeing the reactions on the internet I think now it was the right move. People are upset with Punk losing which is the point I think. The company does not want Punk as a babyface right now and losing in a fashion like say Austin at WM 13 would do the opposite.

As for the match and my feelings I didn't like the lights out stuff, but the dusty finish was was good as it got people. I also didn't really like Rock "telling the boss" what to do, but in reality/kayfabe of course the boss would want his "corporate champion" to be champion again for the betterment of publicity for the title.

The booking of Rock winning the title was the right move imo although to the hardcores/smarks it was obvious. The people in that arena loved it and I'm sure the paying customers at home who ordered on ppv. I think if Punk retained with that finish it might have caused the opposite effect that CM Punk fans are feeling now with Rock fans not paying to see another possible screwjob at EC or WM in their minds.

It would have bee interesting to see what people in IWC today would say after watching the ironman match with Bret Hart and HBK because it was basically the same ending.

The match continued and within seconds Bret goes down and loses his title to the super kick.

 

[Fated_Sin]

True it was good for business but I want to see The Rock not Dwayne Johnson at Wrestlemania. That can't happen if he doesn't get back to in ring shape. To quote JBL you can't get that shape on an elliptical.

 

[thomasgj]

I feel like whenever he's here the Divas get treated crappier than usual, so it honestly isn't something I'm looking forward to. Also, I hope they at least add Punk into the Cena/Rock match, because it is the only thing that can make their match bearable. Once in a life time!... again!!

 

[chris21]

Interesting tweet from the Rock last night...

Dwayne Johnson ‏@TheRock
Thank U @WWE Superstars for the awesome welcoming me back & getting the "big picture" plan. You're true locker room leaders! #RoadToMania

Little dig at people who say he's stealing the spotlight from other superstars?