willhustle
OG
WWE has the biggest WrestleMania main event in over a decade on tap, one that can penetrate the mainstream more than any other matchup the pro-wrestling promotion can do.
And some fans are furious about it.
Every indication is that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will return for his first legitimate match since 2013 against Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns in the main event of the two-night WrestleMania 40 on either April 6 or 7 in Philadelphia. Johnson is as recognizable worldwide as anyone else on Earth. Reigns has been the face of WWE during this era, is in the middle of a record-setting title run, and, by the way, happens to consider himself to be Johnson's cousin -- even if not by blood.
Reigns vs. The Rock has been teased for years. Reigns' storyline, the best one WWE has done in a long time, is called The Bloodline, and it's all about Reigns and his family's legacy in wrestling. Johnson fits into that perfectly.
In a vacuum, the match is a no-brainer. It checks all the boxes. Yet, if the online reaction is any indication, the most ardent pro-wrestling enthusiasts are pushing back hard on it. Or at least its timing. As of Sunday night, the full Smackdown segment on WWE's YouTube channel has more than 500,000 downvotes, compared to just over 100,000 upvotes.
Their ire could be misguided and misplaced, but this is a phenomenon WWE has to keep a close tab on. WWE would be foolish to miss out on what is likely a small window of time for this match to happen due to Johnson's age -- he's 51 now -- and busy schedule. Remember, Johnson is one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, involved in blockbuster after blockbuster. Waiting another year and hoping Johnson is in ring shape and not involved in some movie or TV project could be too risky.
The mainstream attention gained by Reigns vs. Rock outweighs any current storyline direction, as good as those have been. Per WWE, there have been more than 79 million social media views for the Johnson segment Friday, as of Sunday night. Who else can put up those kinds of numbers? And a match with Johnson only raises the profile of Reigns, who, while being the biggest name in pro wrestling currently, has not yet crossed over to the more casual audience in the way others before him have. No, the match does not need the title on the line, but that's a small point for the majority of potential viewers.
But let's address why everyone is so mad online.
If Johnson were not around, Reigns would have almost certainly faced Cody Rhodes in the WrestleMania main event, a rematch of last year's show which saw Rhodes get storyline-screwed by Reigns' cousins -- The Usos and Solo Sikoa -- en route to a heartbreaking loss. In fact, Reigns vs. Rhodes 2 was reportedly the plan until very recently.
Rhodes, the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, is an excellent professional wrestler and the WWE fanbase is fully invested in his character and arc. Cody Rhodes was named ESPN's 2023 male wrestler of the year, a well-earned honor. He returned to WWE in 2022, after being one of the founders of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), as a prodigal son. He vowed then to achieve his goal of winning the top championship in WWE, which his father was never able to do.
the last two years, Cody Rhodes has battled back from a badly torn pec, won back-to-back Royal Rumble matches (the first time anyone has done that since "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in 1998), headlined WrestleMania 39 and been on the cover of the WWE 2K24 video game. Rhodes is the kind of babyf---
www.espn.com
And some fans are furious about it.
Every indication is that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will return for his first legitimate match since 2013 against Undisputed WWE Universal champion Roman Reigns in the main event of the two-night WrestleMania 40 on either April 6 or 7 in Philadelphia. Johnson is as recognizable worldwide as anyone else on Earth. Reigns has been the face of WWE during this era, is in the middle of a record-setting title run, and, by the way, happens to consider himself to be Johnson's cousin -- even if not by blood.
Reigns vs. The Rock has been teased for years. Reigns' storyline, the best one WWE has done in a long time, is called The Bloodline, and it's all about Reigns and his family's legacy in wrestling. Johnson fits into that perfectly.
In a vacuum, the match is a no-brainer. It checks all the boxes. Yet, if the online reaction is any indication, the most ardent pro-wrestling enthusiasts are pushing back hard on it. Or at least its timing. As of Sunday night, the full Smackdown segment on WWE's YouTube channel has more than 500,000 downvotes, compared to just over 100,000 upvotes.
Their ire could be misguided and misplaced, but this is a phenomenon WWE has to keep a close tab on. WWE would be foolish to miss out on what is likely a small window of time for this match to happen due to Johnson's age -- he's 51 now -- and busy schedule. Remember, Johnson is one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, involved in blockbuster after blockbuster. Waiting another year and hoping Johnson is in ring shape and not involved in some movie or TV project could be too risky.
The mainstream attention gained by Reigns vs. Rock outweighs any current storyline direction, as good as those have been. Per WWE, there have been more than 79 million social media views for the Johnson segment Friday, as of Sunday night. Who else can put up those kinds of numbers? And a match with Johnson only raises the profile of Reigns, who, while being the biggest name in pro wrestling currently, has not yet crossed over to the more casual audience in the way others before him have. No, the match does not need the title on the line, but that's a small point for the majority of potential viewers.
But let's address why everyone is so mad online.
If Johnson were not around, Reigns would have almost certainly faced Cody Rhodes in the WrestleMania main event, a rematch of last year's show which saw Rhodes get storyline-screwed by Reigns' cousins -- The Usos and Solo Sikoa -- en route to a heartbreaking loss. In fact, Reigns vs. Rhodes 2 was reportedly the plan until very recently.
Rhodes, the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, is an excellent professional wrestler and the WWE fanbase is fully invested in his character and arc. Cody Rhodes was named ESPN's 2023 male wrestler of the year, a well-earned honor. He returned to WWE in 2022, after being one of the founders of All Elite Wrestling (AEW), as a prodigal son. He vowed then to achieve his goal of winning the top championship in WWE, which his father was never able to do.
the last two years, Cody Rhodes has battled back from a badly torn pec, won back-to-back Royal Rumble matches (the first time anyone has done that since "Stone Cold" Steve Austin in 1998), headlined WrestleMania 39 and been on the cover of the WWE 2K24 video game. Rhodes is the kind of babyf---
We hear you Cody fans, but Roman vs. Rock is WWE's can't-miss moment
Despite the disconnect in the Bloodline storyline, WWE has to take advantage of the best possible matchup it can book to main event WrestleMania 40.
IP360
Doctorate & Ph.D in Bootyology
Smh.
Any jackass sending death threats...I hope karma comes for them in the WORSE...POSSIBLE...WAY, and they suffer GREATLY.
willhustle
OG
This ain't right on no level. This shit makes some ppl embarrassed to be wrestling fans.
A prominently featured NXT talent’s WWE contract is up in a few months.
Fightful Select has learned that Dijak’s WWE contract is up in June of 2024. The year will tons of WWE deals coming due, as many signed five-year deals in 2019 after the formation of AEW.
Dijak previously went by Dominik Dijakovic and T-Bar in WWE, and had a run on the main WWE roster as a part of Retribution. His most prominent run has been his current NXT run that has seen him have several memorable matches.
Dijak formerly worked for Ring of Honor and the indie circuit extensively.
Griffith
Rain Maker
Instead he's starting up his own promotion which is even more nuts. Another All Japan / NOAH exodus. Bushiroad are about to look crazy lmao.
StringerBell
OG
So New Japan was just suppose to sit back and let poach their contracted employees until he decided to resign or leave when his contract was up…
KillaCham
Ya wife can't read
Only way that story makes sense is if Rock & Ari didn't tell their head of creative and let them build toward matches they knew weren't going to happen. Which would be grimey.
I don't think Triple H had much to do with this Rock/Roman move either way. Doesn't seem like his style.
Griffith
Rain Maker
New Japan?
Also no lol. They were right to do what they did, that's just business. Especially considering that they asked him not to poach before. They're about to look crazy because the Stardom talent is very loyal to him for the most part. Contracts are coming up soon so it'll be interesting to see who walks. Either way, Bushiroad might be in a sticky situation.