The Rock: "I Didn't Come Back To WWE To Be Champion Again..."

[Jack-Hammer]

Over the weekend, The Rock posted some messages on Twitter hyping his match with Cena and the reason, kayfabe, why he returned to the WWE in the first place:

"A few years ago when Cena - inexplicably - started talking trash publicly, I knew then I could turn this into a...massive main event. One that could elevate the WWE to unprecedented heights. The timing had to be right though. Wrestlemania 27: for me and the fans - the time was right. The build to Wrestlemania 28 will be like nothing the world...has ever seen before. The match itself will be historic."

That's all well and good, standard stuff for talking about his match at WM. However, what I found most interesting was this one:

"I didn't come back to the WWE to become champion again. I came back for these reasons: entertain the fans like no one else can. Elevate the WWE to new heights never seen before...Challenge and mentor some of the younger talent. Give the millions what they want which is to kick John Cena's f'n ass."

In a nutshell, The Rock said that he doesn't want to be WWE Champion. Now this could be an extremely good sign, depending upon where you sit on this. Some don't want to see Cena vs. The Rock for the WWE Championship and some do. Personally, I'm in the camp of the former. The match doesn't need the title. If it were for the title, that means Cena will almost certainly get it back long enough to add it to the build for the match, which means the WWE Champioinship itself will be brought to a period of stagnation. Also, The Rock isn't going to be staying after WrestleMania so having him wrestle Cena for the title gives away the ending to the match right then and there. The presence of the WWE Championship would, most likely, water down the match because, as I said, we all known The Rock isn't going to stick around and wrestle. With The Rock just putting out there that he doesn't want to be WWE Champion, the WWE shouldn't include the title for their match.

This also leaves the window open for Alberto Del Rio to, possibly, have a very long and significant run with the title and have a marquee match of his own at WrestleMania XXVIII.

 

[frostbite2819]

breaking kayfabe to an extent is sadly just the nature of the business nowadays.
however, to come out and say these things is an insult and a slap in the face to not only the wrestlers busting their asses, but the heritage of the title itself.
say what you want about his accomplishments and how he is 'above' fighting for a title, but as far as talking to the fans, (which is what twitter is all about)
the title should be the goal of every wrestler who steps through the ropes to compete, regardless of how many crappy movies one has made.

 

[RJJ]

breaking kayfabe to an extent is sadly just the nature of the business nowadays.
however, to come out and say these things is an insult and a slap in the face to not only the wrestlers busting their asses, but the heritage of the title itself.
say what you want about his accomplishments and how he is 'above' fighting for a title, but as far as talking to the fans, (which is what twitter is all about)
the title should be the goal of every wrestler who steps through the ropes to compete, regardless of how many crappy movies one has made.

Been there, done that, but you got a good point. I understand the fact that the wwe title is the ultimate goal for every superstar in the wwe locker room, but hey you need to understand that rock is not an active wrestler any more. He's not supposed to compete in the ring. He's in it just for one more match, and after that he's done.

 

[WWEIsLife2]

Well I am under the impression that the Cena/Rock Match at Mania will NOT be for the WWE Title nor did I ever think it would be. I for one am looking forward to seeing it and how the Miami Crowd reacts the entire time. I have the utmost respect for both men and it should be awesome when it comes around.

 

[wrestler36]

This fight is big enough on its own merits. No title is necessary, and frankly would make it worse. It telegraphs the fact that Cena automatically has the title going into Wrestlemania, and with Rock being a short term attraction, it does nothing for him to hold the belt. To me, this is the equivalent attraction match of Rock vs Hogan, which truly was the main event of Wrestlemania X8.

 

[sTyLnK]

Obviously he's back just to make appearances here and there and to entertain. He's much to busy doing other things like filming movies. Which is fine. He had his years in the WWE as champion. It's all about entertaining the fans from here on out. Just like Austin does. He pops up once in a while just to give back to the fans.

 

[subsouljah82]

So lemme get this straight you people bitch he doesn't come back so he comes back then u bitch cause he isn't there every week even though u knew goin into it he had movies to make then u whine and cry that the mania match would be for the belt when u feel ur little up and coming stars that ain't draw a dime yet deserved the tiitle shot so he comes out and says he doesn't want the title does that make u marks happy noooooo then it he needs to want the title and that's what makes a superstar a superstar no that pop he got on feb 14 and the over a million buys for mania 27 that makes him a superstar if u don't like it keep jerkin the curtain for ur indy standouts the rock doesnt want or need ur approveal he is already one of the top guys of all time like him or hate him get over it and urselves and relize those guys u worship will never be one tenth the draw or star that he is

 

[TCBT]

I agree with most (although I have no clue what subsouljah was trying to say), I don't agree with The Rock vs. Cena being for the WWE Title. It's just bad business. The match alone is worth the price of the PPV. Having another marquee, main event match for the WWE Title will only solidify the PPV and make it stronger.

If we have on one card: Cena vs. The Rock, A WWE Title Match, A World Title Match, an Undertaker match, and a match with a strong, long build (presumably something involving CM Punk the way it's looking right now), we already have a great WrestleMania right there. And it's only August!

 

[GW_Hart86]

The Rock is a traitor to wrestling, he is all about the money (full stop.) Personally I'm not one bit interested in Cena vs Rock at WM28, I wouldn't give The Rock the time of day in a wrestling ring. I don't care how much he has achieved in the past and the fact he is a third generation superstar, he is not committed to wrestling nor the WWE and the fact he just walks back, makes false promises and gets to headline WM28 is a disgrace if I'm being brutally honest.

The Rock says it wasn't his intention to "mis-lead" the fans, but what else could he possibly mean by his own words of " I'm here to stay, I'm not going anywhere." Simply put, he came back,made a false promise that he clearly had no intention of keeping and had the complete and utter arrogance and disrespect to lie to the faces of the WWE universe.

Please GO AWAY Rocky!

Only problem is that there is too many daft WWE fans out there that still give this guy their support which is totally un-deserved.

 

[rge2010]

The Rock is a traitor to wrestling, he is all about the money (full stop.) Personally I'm not one bit interested in Cena vs Rock at WM28, I wouldn't give The Rock the time of day in a wrestling ring. I don't care how much he has achieved in the past and the fact he is a third generation superstar, he is not committed to wrestling nor the WWE and the fact he just walks back, makes false promises and gets to headline WM28 is a disgrace if I'm being brutally honest.

The Rock says it wasn't his intention to "mis-lead" the fans, but what else could he possibly mean by his own words of " I'm here to stay, I'm not going anywhere." Simply put, he came back,made a false promise that he clearly had no intention of keeping and had the complete and utter arrogance and disrespect to lie to the faces of the WWE universe.

Please GO AWAY Rocky!

Only problem is that there is too many daft WWE fans out there that still give this guy their support which is totally un-deserved.

Yawnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn......if the Rock is truly about money why has he come back? He makes more in 1 movie than Cena probably does in 5 years. Rock hasnt come back for a pay day, he's 'doing ok'...he's come back for the fans and lets be honest, it's not gunna do his movie credentials anygood with the stigma of pro wrestling attached once again is it?

The Rock is here, he didnt mean he was coming back full time. People who took these words at face value are thick as fucking pigshit if you ask me!!!!!!!!

 

[subsouljah82]

Ill make what I said more simple I have no clue why the iwc feels the need to bury the rock no matter which way he goes with what he says either way u people are never happy does he need wwe or wrestling in general hell no he makes more per move then half the roster does in a year combined just be happy for what he adds to the show and not get overly worried about all the other stuff this is a buisness and he is a monster draw the average public wont buy wrestlemania for d bryan cashin in money in the bank just check how fast the mania travel packages sold out that's why he is in the mainevent and still the biggest draw wrestlemania is about dream matchs and huge stars get over it and be glad he came back and enjoy the entertainment that only he can deliver

 

[hbkmark]

I am sorry but this whole thing when anyone says that anyone who gets out of wrestling is a traitor is ridiculous. Most guys that do last in it do love it and stay committed to it because of it. However, almost all have made attempts to break into other areas...who can forget HBK's Emmy Eligible effort on "Baywatch" or HHH's character stretch playing a guy named HHH in a DX shirt playing a bodyguard on "Pacific Blue"?

I understand that you want these guys to continue living the life on the road and being away from their families. I know that if you were given the option of less punishment on your body, a bigger payday and easier schedule that you would obviously turn it down.

The Rock generated more buzz with one appearance than any wrestler on the roster could because the people that see the wrestlers ALREADY WATCH WRESTLING. The Rock gives mainstream appeal and extra buzz. Getting people outside the wrestling community to care about it is the way to grow the business.

Obviously, Shawn Michaels is my favorite wrestler of all time but 95 percent of people I meet every day do not know who he is. I would guess that the same percentage of those people do know who The Rock is and just might pay attention to what is going on.

 

[Deoxyribonucleic A.C.I.D.]

So, this leads to possible screwjob against Cena while competing in a Championship match? Very likely. This is what is needed to make this feud even more personal, to make this feud be all about pride, and this is what it has to be all about. Pride and personal feelings. By having Cena being the champ going into Mania, makes this match way too predictable as everyone knows that The Rock isn't back full time.

 

[Mitch Henessey]

I actually thought Cena going into Wrestlemania 28 as the WWE Champion was a sure thing. I thought WWE would want Cena to look stronger than ever, and having a very lengthy WWE Championship reign would be a perfect way to do that. Although, it looks like the WWE Championship won't be a factor, and I don't think I would have a problem with this.

The Rock really doesn't need the WWE Championship, and this match will still be a big deal without the title. Cena VS Rock will still be the blockbuster Wrestlemania match we've all been waiting on, because both of these men have more than enough star power to fuel this main event.

Also, as Jack-Hammer said in the OP, Rock isn't going to be around on a regular basis after Mania 28. He's not going to wrestle in the weekly main event on Raw, he won't pop up at any house shows, and he's not going to wrestle on every pay per view. The Rock winning the WWE Championship at Wrestlemania in his return match could provide one of those special Mania moments, but Rock won't stick around on a permanent basis, so there's no need for him to win the title.

 

[Pedigree1]

Yah i knew people would misunderstand what he meant by never leaving!! Technically he hasnt left never did just went on to make movies!! Who the fuck can blame him for that one!! Make more money making movies take care of your body the rock doesnt owe the fans a damn thing!! Hes not a traitor hes smart!!! Cena might do the same damn thing one day cept Cenas problem is HE CANNOT ACT!!!!! The rock is dynamite as an actor but in all seriousness we will see the great one around Survivor Series Time

 

[Dagger Dias]

This is great news. As epic as Cena VS The Rock would be for a WWE Championship match, they do not need the title to be involved because this match will sell on name value alone. We have a future legend and the current face of wrestling in Cena taking on a legend and one of the best of all time in The Rock. People talked about how Trips and Taker last year would be a clash of titans, those comments were one year too early. THIS match is the clash of titans that we have been waiting for.

It is good for the title as well. Del Rio could still be champion by the time Wrestlemania is coming, and guys like Punk could get title shots at the biggest show of the year. Cena and Rock not fighting for the title is a great move and one that will benefit the entire federation. It better still go on last though. Neither match between Bryan VS Smackdown's champion or Raw champion VS Raw challenger could ever hope to follow an epic match like Cena VS The Rock, it's the biggest match in YEARS. All part of why they don't need any titles involved with it.

 

[sTyLnK]

The Rock is a traitor to wrestling, he is all about the money (full stop.) Personally I'm not one bit interested in Cena vs Rock at WM28, I wouldn't give The Rock the time of day in a wrestling ring. I don't care how much he has achieved in the past and the fact he is a third generation superstar, he is not committed to wrestling nor the WWE and the fact he just walks back, makes false promises and gets to headline WM28 is a disgrace if I'm being brutally honest.

The Rock says it wasn't his intention to "mis-lead" the fans, but what else could he possibly mean by his own words of " I'm here to stay, I'm not going anywhere." Simply put, he came back,made a false promise that he clearly had no intention of keeping and had the complete and utter arrogance and disrespect to lie to the faces of the WWE universe.

Please GO AWAY Rocky!

Only problem is that there is too many daft WWE fans out there that still give this guy their support which is totally un-deserved.

What are you 10 years old? Seriously. He accomplished everything in the WWE and wanted to try something else in his life. Good for him. But no, you are so bitter that it's actually comical. People like you who judge others make me sick. You aren't perfect yourself sunshine. BTW you do realize Vince is the one who asked Rocky to headline WM right? Big names sell. That's the wrestling business.

Common sense is wrestlers have there own lives and they can do whatever they want outside of it. If they choose to leave that's their own personal choice.

In closing, stop taking wrestling so fucking serious. Many big name wrestlers leave all the time to try new things. Jericho, Austin, Triple H, HBK just to name a few. The only reason someone like Cena hasn't done much else is because he hasn't found that one thing outside of wrestling yet. Films are out of the question because he's a horrible actor, but he will find something and venture into it, mark my words.

If some people actually think he's traitor like this guy I am laughing at you. A LOT. Grow up. Lord.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

The Rock is a traitor to wrestling, he is all about the money (full stop.) Personally I'm not one bit interested in Cena vs Rock at WM28, I wouldn't give The Rock the time of day in a wrestling ring. I don't care how much he has achieved in the past and the fact he is a third generation superstar, he is not committed to wrestling nor the WWE and the fact he just walks back, makes false promises and gets to headline WM28 is a disgrace if I'm being brutally honest.

You're completely clueless. A "traitor to wrestling"???? This isn't the army, it's professional wrestling. Let me clue you in on some actual brutally honest facts of life. EVERY wrestler with the slightest shred of sense is in wrestling for the money. Any sane wrestler hopes to be able to do it and make a very good living at it. Do you honestly think WWE wrestlers travel all over the country and even the world year in and year out because they get some sort of thrill from being slammed through tables or fall from 20 foot ladders or suffer the wear and tear of being a wrestlerr? Pull your head out of your ass, blow the turds out of your nose, wipe 'em out of your eyes and get a clue. They do it because they make a LOT of money. They're able to provide a better life, financially, for themselves and their families. Every wrestler that seriously wants to do it for a living, as I said, hopes to be signed to a company someday where they can make a good living doing it. Anyone that believes otherwise must be part of some reject backyard wrestling league and has taken one to many florescant light bulbs to the head.

The Rock saw an opportunity and he grabbed it, same as any sane individual would have done. What else was he going to do? He'd been WWE Champion 7 times, he'd won every other title the WWE had at the time that a man could win, he'd headlined huge pay per view events, he had matches & feuds people still talk about today. The man had a Hall of Fame career and there was simply nothing left to accomplish.

As for The Rock's "promise" not to leave again, I agree that it was total bullshit. However, again, anyone with the slightest shred of common sense knew it was bullshit. The Rock's never coming back to pro wrestling except as an occassional, special attraction. He's not going to give up his huge multi-million dollar movie deals and anyone that thinks he should doesn't live in the real world.

 

[outerhaven]

I don't think anyone has thought about this and I might be missing the point completely but when Cena confronted The Rock when he celebrated his Birthday on RAW he held the WWE Title.

The fact is Cena was the WWE Champion and at the time in Kayfabe, told The Rock that he would put his WWE Championship on the line at WrestleMania. That was when he was Champion, stating that he wouldn't lose it, as of course if you're the Champion you try to keep hold of the Title. Cena was merely saying if he was WWE Champion going into WrestleMania 28, it would be on the line.

As Cena isn't the WWE Champion at the moment, the match is still a non-title match as advertised. But if John Cena wins the WWE Title before WrestleMania 28 and keeps it until then and there is nothing to say that he will or not, it will be on the line.

It doesn't mean that The Rock vs John Cena at WrestleMania 28 will be for the WWE Title. It will if John Cena is the WWE Champion.

 

[jokernaut]

There are bigger things sometimes than the wwe championship. Just having two icons lock horns is the best thing like when the rock and hogan went at it. If it were for the title then yeah it would give away the ending to a dream match and that would be absolutely stupid. Cena can go one wrestlemania with out a title match Im sure and if he cant then that just shows how he is. This match should just be icon vs. icon and be a memorable match on paper and hopefully in the ring.

 

[a member of wwe universe]

So lemme get this straight you people bitch he doesn't come back so he comes back then u bitch cause he isn't there every week even though u knew goin into it he had movies to make then u whine and cry that the mania match would be for the belt when u feel ur little up and coming stars that ain't draw a dime yet deserved the tiitle shot so he comes out and says he doesn't want the title does that make u marks happy noooooo then it he needs to want the title and that's what makes a superstar a superstar no that pop he got on feb 14 and the over a million buys for mania 27 that makes him a superstar if u don't like it keep jerkin the curtain for ur indy standouts the rock doesnt want or need ur approveal he is already one of the top guys of all time like him or hate him get over it and urselves and relize those guys u worship will never be one tenth the draw or star that he is

Agree. Haters will always find a way to hate no matter what. Rock said he doesnt want to be champion respectfully and you ppl hate him for that?

If Rock does compete for the title, ppl are gonna bitch him anyway about taking the spot of a young talent like john morrison.

what the heck?

 

[hollowpoint]

I'm with what seems to be the majority when I say Cena v The Rock doesn't need the WWE Title. It's an epic match in itself and having the WWE Title in it does more damage to the title than it helps the match. My opinions of the Rock are this: I was fine when he left to do movies, I've seen everyone that he's been in (even the Tooth Fairy). As a huge fan of the Rock I can't help but be happy for his success. That being said, for a while, he did everything he could to distance himself from the business. Everything from taking "The Rock" out of his name to only doing apperances (via satalite) if the money was right. When he came back to the ring, I marked out, but only because I remember who he was before he left. Who he his now is a Hollywood movie star who shows up at WWE events from time to time and takes us back. I've accepted it and i've moved on. Cena has been the man in the years since and he's dedicated himself to the sport and I admire him for it. They are easily 1 and 1A in my book so WM28 is gonna be like WM18 was when Hogan and Rock went at it.

 

[Dysturbed]

The Rock is a traitor to wrestling, he is all about the money

I say that you are a traitor as a fan for turning on him because he can't benefit you in the ring. That is selfish imo. That isn't to say that it isn't understandable to want to see him, just that his career shouldn't have to revolve around what a portion of the fanbase wants. The Rock, or anyone for that matter can walk away from the profession that made them and have a deep appreciation for it and anyone who likes it without having to be around to justify that appreciation.

The average person dates multiple people before finding the one (hopefully) person that they marry. Once married to or dating that person are they obligated to maintain constant contact with the previous boyfriends are girlfriends that impacted them and helped make them who they are? If you leave a job that you loved and move onto another one do you need to keep showing up at that old job and doing that job?

The Rock says it wasn't his intention to "mis-lead" the fans, but what else could he possibly mean by his own words of " I'm here to stay, I'm not going anywhere."

If a dying person were to use the line "I'll always be here for you" or another variation of that line would people believe that they weren't going to die or would they understand that it meant something else?

I know that is a different scenario and not the same words as the Rock used about WWE, but the same outcome exists meaning that the words don't and didn't mean things in the literal sense. Words aren't always meant to be taken literally. I don't blame any WWE fans for to take his words literally but I think that most people knew what he meant or what they think that he probably meant.

When announcers say that a match will be the best ever or was the biggest ever it is for hype and not literal. If a heel loses a match and claims he won, it isn't literal. A lot of things aren't literal with wrestling. Maybe the excitement of seeing and hearing the Rock gave the expectation that his words were to be taken 100% at face value but they weren't.

I understand being angry but he clarified himself now.

 

[Syborgg]

Is it possible that by saying that he is "never going away", he meant that he's not gonna go on another 7 yrs hiatus from appearing for WWE? Only time will tell, but perhaps Dwayne meant that between movie shoots and when his busy schedule will allow him to do so, The Rock will appear and electrify us like only he can.

Look, all of us would love for The Rock to say f*ck Hollywood and those huge movie paychecks and return to lay the smackdown full-time. But logic says that that's not going to happen. Rock would have to be stupid to turn down that kind of money, not to mention the risk of being injured in the ring is far more than the risk of injury on the movie sets. Which means that he can make movies for longer than he can effectively compete in a wrestling ring.

As for the fact that he said he doesn't want to be WWE Champion, is it a slight against the belt? Not really. If he was returning full-time, then maybe you could see it like that. However, I honestly view it as him being unselfish for wanting the WWE Championship to be defended in a match between guys that have worked all year to earn that right. His match with Cena will be like the Rock/Hogan match at WM 18. It will be one of the main attractions without actually being THE main event. If The Rock was able to elevate WM 27 by just being a guest host, imagine what things will be like when he actually competes. Add that to the 2 ME Championship matches and whoever faces 'Taker for the streak, it's already shaping up to be a pretty good Wrestlemania and it's only August.

 

[bxbigshow]

As far as the "never going away" comment, if you took it at face value...shame on you. It's pro-wrestling, storyline, a comment used to get a pop.

As far as that comment being misleading, hey there are some people who do invest more into WWE than others. I can see someone believing as is and I think Dwayne was aware of that. Or else the pop would'nt have been as genuine. But there were other things he could've said to not make that direct mislead. ("My heart will always bleed WWE", "WWE is in my family, my blood, that will never go away.") something like that, maybe not that directly.

As far as his stating he is not returning for the title...I have only one problem with that. As of now John Cena is chasing the WWE Title with the intent of defending it against The Rock at 'Mainia. So by stating he(Rock) isn't interested in the Title, it kinda kills the current storyline. It almost guarantees that Cena won't be Champion by 'Mainia.

So what would be the point of Cena's current chase?