The Wrestling Thread Invented Canada! - - - Part 48

[The Sage]

I gotta say, the promos for the main-events have been good. Wasn't too crazy about HHH/Taker III, but their promo last week was good. Punk/Jericho is on its way with their great one tonight, and while Rock's wasn't that good, his reaction to Cena had me hooked because he looked genuinely pissed.

And so far, each is dipped in reality in some way. I hope Bryan and Sheamus have a good promo segment. Maybe they can bring up not even being on the Mania card last year.

 

[SpideyFan866]

Just thought of something. This year, it'll be ten years since the last time Rock was a full-time wrestler, and ten years since Cena made his WWE debut.

Yup.

BTW, I thought the Rock's promo was great in the first half. It reverted back to the "trending" and jokes set up towards the end.

John Cena was fantastic again (Keep Trending was gold) and I can tell he got under the Rock's skin like he hasn't before.

The truth hurts and tonight The Rock got told.

 

[The Sage]

Re: Rock's anger.

I don't know if anyone else caught it, but he said "mother****er" after Cena left. I don't if he was censored or if he was just mouthing it, but it was clear as day.

I didn't catch it. I don't think Rock was expecting the promo notes comment and even some of what Cena said. Man oh man...

 

[Soapy]

Maybe this is just my ignorance of wrasslin' showing, but it doesn't seem like a great idea to have two guys wrestle when they're legit pissed at each other. It seems like an easy way for a match to not turn out very good, or even worse, for one of them to get injured.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Just thought of something. This year, it'll be ten years since the last time Rock was a full-time wrestler, and ten years since Cena made his WWE debut.

Cool factoid, I wodner if they'll bring it up, although after tonight the ammo is loaded without any extras lol.

Yea Rock did have notes which Cena pointed out and were clearly visible on his arm.

That's surprising to an extent given his usual ease at talking.

Re: Rock's anger.

I don't know if anyone else caught it, but he said "mother****er" after Cena left. I don't if he was censored or if he was just mouthing it, but it was clear as day.

Where abouts exactly? I'm trying to find it on the tape.

 

[Van Petrol]

Did anyone else know that Austin used to almost carry and lead the way with the majority of promos between he and Rock in earlier days. Rock used to follow his lead a lot of the time, and watching some of their earlier promos together you can sort of see it.

 

[SpideyInATree]

Yup.

BTW, I thought the Rock's promo was great in the first half. It reverted back to the "trending" and jokes set up towards the end.

John Cena was fantastic again (Keep Trending was gold) and I can tell he got under the Rock's skin like he hasn't before.

The truth hurts and tonight The Rock got told.

Yeah, he kind of did, heh. I didn't notice he had notes on his wrist and then Cena said something and you could kind of make it out. Who knows what set Rock off...maybe it was all of it. He just seemed a bit lost after Cena left.

 

[venom892]

The promo notes comment is what set him off I think. That was breaking Kayfabe a bit too much for Rock's taste I think.

 

[SpideyFan866]

I gotta say, the promos for the main-events have been good. Wasn't too crazy about HHH/Taker III, but their promo last week was good. Punk/Jericho is on its way with their great one tonight, and while Rock's wasn't that good, his reaction to Cena had me hooked because he looked genuinely pissed.

And so far, each is dipped in reality in some way. I hope Bryan and Sheamus have a good promo segment. Maybe they can bring up not even being on the Mania card last year.

This is the "Reality" Era.....

 

[The Sage]

Maybe this is just my ignorance of wrasslin' showing, but it doesn't seem like a great idea to have two guys wrestle when they're legit pissed at each other. It seems like an easy way for a match to not turn out very good, or even worse, for one of them to get injured.

Whether they like each other or not, business is business. I have to believe neither Cena or Rock will let personal feelings get in the way of putting on a good match on wrestling's biggest show of the year.

 

[Soapy]

Where abouts exactly? I'm trying to find it on the tape.

I'm not sure exactly. It was after Cena left, and Rock was pacing back and forth staring at the entrance and he said "mother****er" followed by "*****" (b word). Or maybe he said "mother****ing *****"

 

[Hunter Rider]

Maybe this is just my ignorance of wrasslin' showing, but it doesn't seem like a great idea to have two guys wrestle when they're legit pissed at each other. It seems like an easy way for a match to not turn out very good, or even worse, for one of them to get injured.

Bret and Shawn loathed each other and it didn't effect the matches, the thing with wrestlers is they work by a code so the trust between the ropes is not an issue. I recall HBK saying that even at the height of his issues with Bret he never feared diving off the ropes backwards for the moonsault as he knew Bret would catch him as Bret lived by the code.

Did anyone else know that Austin used to almost carry and lead the way with the majority of promos between he and Rock in earlier days. Rock used to follow his lead a lot of the time, and watching some of their earlier promos together you can sort of see it.

Not a surprise as Austin has shown over the years an adaptability within his career to do all sorts of promos, so him leading the way for The Rock when stepping outside of his comfort zone seems likely.

 

[The Sage]

This is the "Reality" Era.....

True.

 

[venom892]

I'm still most excited for Punk/Jericho. Best promo exchange so far.

 

[Metallo]

To me that segment showed what I have always said about Rock's limitations as a promo guy, when it's comedy, catchphrases and trash talk sure, he is one of the best, but when you want to make the people believe, when you want them to feel, he's lost. Contrast that with the promo a few weeks ago between HBK and Triple H, it felt so real, the emotions came off as legit.

Rock can rarely ever cut a serious promo. Cena kicks his a** there. He relied to much on catch phrases, nick names, and repeated insults tonight. Half that promo was rambling and repetitive. Took twice as long as it should have to get to the point.

Unlike Rock Cena retorted strongly without even having to use words like b*tch.

I definitely think Cena was the one who deserves credit for getting that segment to where it was supposed to be at the end. After he came out Rock got more focused on the point of the while feud.

The line is one that will be interpreted by people how they wish but the key was I think that was the line that had Rock struggling to get his words out and his voice sounded close to tears until he went into nickname overdrive.

I think Cena hit him with some spontaneity. If so...good. He may not have been expecting that. Thats what the business needs more of in the promos. I liked more serious emotion from the Rock. We've seen a year of jokes between both. Now its time to get more serious.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I'm still most excited for Punk/Jericho. Best promo exchange so far.

I have to agree with Sage, the 3 big ones have all had strong promo work so far.

Rock can rarely ever cut a serious promo. Cena kicks his a** there. He relied to much on catch phrases, nick names, and repeated insults tonight. Half that promo was rambling and repetitive. Took twice as long as it should have to get to the point.

Unlike Rock Cena retorted strongly without even having to use words like b*tch.

I definitely think Cena was the one who deserves credit for getting that segment to where it was supposed to be at the end. After he came out Rock got more focused on the point of the while feud.

I think Rock got way too caught up in all the silly chants and then acting like trending was some sort of trailblazing achievement, just about anything can trend.

These shoot style promos are not a good idea for The Rock as he's not Triple H, he's not used to the personal shots and the home truths as shown tonight. I really think doing a set of sit down interviews with JR like you suggested would benefit him more.

I think Cena hit him with some spontaneity. If so...good. He may not have been expecting that. Thats what the business needs more of in the promos. I liked more serious emotion from the Rock. We've seen a year of jokes between both. Not its time to get more serious.

The Rock showed the goosebumps on his arm tonight, there is no doubt he loves being back, but this is not his own personal get together with the live crowd, he's part of a huge angle and his mic work should be focused on that, not him getting his kicks and having fun because daft lines he says generate a chant.

 

[Project862006]

i do think rock had notes i will tell you why

25 minute solo promo has got to be very hard to do even stand up comedian have weeks and weeks of prep when they do stand up rock did'nt

to keep a promo interesting on the fly without another guy to go back and forth with has got to be extremely hard for 20-25 minutes

 

[Hunter Rider]

Considering he paused and listened to chants for about half of that time I don't see it as an issue, in fact I'm not sure it was supposed to go on as long as it did, the overrun is never as long as it was tonight.

 

[Metallo]

Punk and HHH have been doing the best promos building up for Mania. Funny how the part time guys need to be lead. Even Jericho was somewhat repetitive tonight and HHH saved the last live segment with Taker.

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

Oh my Jesus Christ.

I just turned on Raw.

This Jericho and Punk promo to open the show is just amazing. Absolutely freaking amazing. From both sides.

Holy **** buckets.

 

[Project862006]

I want your guys thoughts on something i noticed clearly tonight with rock/cena

It seems like rock is treating this thing as kayfabe as if it was a real scripted story line ,etc. he treats it like a wrestling program that vince told him about he is coming across as phony because of it

while cena is going for the jugular he is breaking rock down persoanlly

he is shooting on the rock calling him dwayne and his scripted promos

he is exposing the rock because rock is too kayfabe with this feud while cena is himself shooting on the rock and breaking him down

rock is'nt a straight shooter like say triple H is he is a catch phrase crowd chanting guy this is why rocky is looking so bad imo

 

[Project862006]

HOLY CRAP Cena was right

 

[Metallo]

Like Hunter said Rock still has a little carny in him. Thats exactly what he was doing tonight.

Cenas getting more personal in a real way. Rock gets personal with insulting nicknames. The most personal thing Rock said about Cena was saying he used to think Cena was a phony who went to private school. Then he talked about how the people tell Cena how tired they are of him.

Its just the kind of guy Rock is. He even said it himself he's an entertainer. He likes to entertain more than pushing various emotional buttons. Even Cena is better at getting down to real business ASAP in a promo.

 

[Metallo]

HOLY CRAP Cena was right

Well I'll be damned. Rock had crib notes. I guess Cena DID shoot on him a little tonight with that "lines on his arm" dig. No wonder Rock looked at his arm and talked about having goosebumps. He was probably going over his bullet points. ;D

That looks kinda lame to me. How may top guys do this? If Cena did shoot or work shoot that explains why Rock was briefly at a loss for words.

 

[The Sage]

Like Hunter said Rock still has a little carny in him. Thats exactly what he was doing tonight.

Cenas getting more personal in a real way. Rock gets personal with insulting nicknames. The most personal thing Rock said about Cena was saying he used to think Cena was a phony who wen to private school. Then he talked about how the people tell Cena how tired they are of him.

Its just the kind of guy Rock is. He even said it himself he's an entertainer. He likes to entertain more than pushing various emotional buttons. Even Cena is better at getting down to real business ASAP in a promo.

It's smart on Cena's part. He's been accused of being a Rock-lite at times with his comedy shtick, so he'd doing what he's better at, cutting serious promos. The real question is, can Rock do it? Because for me, cracking jokes just isn't going to do it.