CM Mark
03-31-2008, 06:32 PM
Figured I would give this it's own thread. From The Torch News Letter
http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_25126.shtml
Duane Johnson, known in WWE of course as "The Rock," did not leave a positive impression on wrestlers at the Hall of Fame banquet on Saturday night.
Multiple sources report he did not hob-nob 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.
He came across as "aloof" and "totally Hollywood," as if he were "above WWE now," including all of his colleagues. This surprisingly included one-time good pal Steve Austin, who was said to be openly displeased and taken aback by Johnson's demeanor.
"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, everyone backstage shared in their disappointment and 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.
Several people expressed in front of the Hall of Fame crowd derision toward him afterward, including mocking how particular he was about being called Duane Johnson, not The Rock. Dusty Rhodes took a dig at him that did make it to the USA Network telecast.
The Rock did not attend WrestleMania, either.
Keller Analysis: I loved Rock's performance at the Hall of Fame banquet. I also didn't know when I watched it that it was greatly edited down, that he had gone way over on time, or that he hadn't checked with the targets of his humor first before chopping them down. WWE was charitable in featuring him as prominently and positively as they did given how upset everyone was with him. Then again, Johnson and WWE basically used each other for each other's benefit. WWE got the rub of Rock returning and seemingly being part of WWE and on good terms. Rock got the chance to give his father and the rest of his family a night to remember. Apparently Rock also used it as a chance to "get even" with a few people he had issues with by taking some hard shots at them, such as mocking John Cena's "The Marine" and Chris Jericho's haircut.
http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_25126.shtml
Duane Johnson, known in WWE of course as "The Rock," did not leave a positive impression on wrestlers at the Hall of Fame banquet on Saturday night.
Multiple sources report he did not hob-nob 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.
He came across as "aloof" and "totally Hollywood," as if he were "above WWE now," including all of his colleagues. This surprisingly included one-time good pal Steve Austin, who was said to be openly displeased and taken aback by Johnson's demeanor.
"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, everyone backstage shared in their disappointment and 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.
Several people expressed in front of the Hall of Fame crowd derision toward him afterward, including mocking how particular he was about being called Duane Johnson, not The Rock. Dusty Rhodes took a dig at him that did make it to the USA Network telecast.
The Rock did not attend WrestleMania, either.
Keller Analysis: I loved Rock's performance at the Hall of Fame banquet. I also didn't know when I watched it that it was greatly edited down, that he had gone way over on time, or that he hadn't checked with the targets of his humor first before chopping them down. WWE was charitable in featuring him as prominently and positively as they did given how upset everyone was with him. Then again, Johnson and WWE basically used each other for each other's benefit. WWE got the rub of Rock returning and seemingly being part of WWE and on good terms. Rock got the chance to give his father and the rest of his family a night to remember. Apparently Rock also used it as a chance to "get even" with a few people he had issues with by taking some hard shots at them, such as mocking John Cena's "The Marine" and Chris Jericho's haircut.