The Rock Praises TNA Champion

[Wrestling4Ever]

Multiple sources indicate to us that he did not hob-nob much with old friends before or after the Hall of Fame speech. He showed up in time for the speech, delivered an overly-long speech that offended many in WWE, and then left before the ceremony ended and did not watch the Ric Flair induction ceremony.

A friend of Rock's says he warned WWE he had a tight schedule and wouldn't be able to stay long before or after.

Our sources say he came across as "aloof" and "totally Hollywood," as if he were "above WWE now," including toward his ex-colleagues. This surprisingly included one-time good pal Steve Austin, who was said to be displeased and taken aback by what he saw and heard.

"This wasn't a roast," says one wrestler in attendance. "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."

The ceremony ran way over the planned length in great part due to Rock's speech. Ric Flair also ran long, but everyone was more forgiving of that since it was his night.

Afterward, many backstage shared in their disappointment and even disgust with how he acted. The feeling was, even if he has heat with some higher-ups in WWE for some reason, he had no reason to treat old friends like discards from a past life whom he couldn't make time for.


Yeah. Rock is a jackass and I'm clearly not the only one to think this. As far as your moronic comment about CM Punk being a rebel..im talking about outside of the WWE not the scripted WWE Universe kid. Rock backstage is an arrogant prick. Far from where he used to be.

lol @ that bullshit report. Read this from JR and not a "dirtsheet" rumor.

The Rock arrived in Orlando late Friday night after working during the day in LA and then came to the Amway Arena late Saturday afternoon after preparing to do two speeches at the HOF Ceremony. I spoke to Rock at length back stage, as did my wife, and he was his usual happy, friendly self and thanked us for all the J.R.’s products he has received and he said he loves our sauces and thanks that our peanuts are a great idea, which was nice to hear. He also is the owner of an "I’ve Got Big Nuts" T-shirt from our place. The Rock may have gone long on his speech to many, as he had lots of ground to cover and our fans can be the judge of that when they watch the unedited DVD. I enjoyed our visit and his presentation. I can also see sitting in the audience for several hours without a break, being a challenge,nature does call occasionally . The Rock stayed as long as he could after his presentation and then had to fly back to work where he was back on the set Sunday. Word going around the Internet is that Rock was aloof to many, is hard for me to buy into. I did not personally see that.

Rock isn't a backstage prick. Just you buying into more garbage. JR & Big Show just recently talked about Rock having a positive backstage attitude.

 

[ae_wrestler123]

Multiple sources indicate to us that he did not hob-nob much with old friends before or after the Hall of Fame speech. He showed up in time for the speech, delivered an overly-long speech that offended many in WWE, and then left before the ceremony ended and did not watch the Ric Flair induction ceremony.

A friend of Rock's says he warned WWE he had a tight schedule and wouldn't be able to stay long before or after.

Our sources say he came across as "aloof" and "totally Hollywood," as if he were "above WWE now," including toward his ex-colleagues. This surprisingly included one-time good pal Steve Austin, who was said to be displeased and taken aback by what he saw and heard.

"This wasn't a roast," says one wrestler in attendance. "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."

The ceremony ran way over the planned length in great part due to Rock's speech. Ric Flair also ran long, but everyone was more forgiving of that since it was his night.

Afterward, many backstage shared in their disappointment and even disgust with how he acted. The feeling was, even if he has heat with some higher-ups in WWE for some reason, he had no reason to treat old friends like discards from a past life whom he couldn't make time for.


Yeah. Rock is a jackass and I'm clearly not the only one to think this. As far as your moronic comment about CM Punk being a rebel..im talking about outside of the WWE not the scripted WWE Universe kid. Rock backstage is an arrogant prick. Far from where he used to be.

Well IF that crap is true. The rock IS BIGGER than the WWE. Maybe you don't know the political bullshit that goes on in the back. So yea the guy can come and fart on the entire roster and tell Vince F U if he wanted to and there isn't a damn thing Vince can do about it except whine and bitch that the rock has gone "hollywood". If u were in a company where people were trying to hold u down, drug problems, marital problems, always on the road, no rest, obsessive boss. Wouldn't you cherish the day you can go back to that place and tell everyone F U and get away with it?
I guess you never heard the history behind dwayne and shawn michaels and triple H. Or what happened between punk and taker. Wrestling business is a dirty business. There is no such things as friends. Steve austin said it, you don't have a lot of friends in this business. So who gives a shit if dwayne is a backstage prick, he deserves to be cuz not many people can do that. At least he doesn't hold down younger talent for his benefit.

 

[TheOneTheyCallOn]

Well here are my thoughts for what they are worth. First of all even though TNA may not be a 'credible threat' to the WWE the idea of the WWE not at least paying attention to what happens there is ridiculous, at very least they could be scouting talent. Second, regardless of anyone's feelings on the Rock he is a legend in the business and a household name. Just by him simply acknowledging Bobby Roode's existence and work can't do anything but help. I feel it will certainly give some people who wouldn't normally give TNA a shot an excuse to check out Impact to see what the fuss is about simply because of the comments.

 

[Monkey_Mania]

I'd say that it's just a former wrestler giving praise to a wrestler that he respects. I say who can blame him? Bobby Roode has really come into his own as a heel champion, so much so that I feel that he is going to become bigger than TNA. I'd say that Rock had ulterior motives to butter Roode up for when his contract runs out, that he might sign with WWE. Doubtful, but it does make sense. Really though it's probably just someone admiring the work of a fantastic superstar.