In a surprising twist to WWE’s ever-evolving narrative, The Rock’s recent social media onslaught—a 21-minute promo targeting Cody Rhodes, Seth Rollins, and even Rhodes’ dog, Pharoah—has become a topic of widespread speculation and intrigue. Despite the seismic waves it created among fans, this promo peculiarly never made its way to WWE television. Why, you ask? The answer is more complex than one might assume, shedding light on the intricate dynamics within the wrestling behemoth’s decision-making corridors.
The Saga Begins: A Social Media Masterstroke
Last week, ahead of the March 1 edition of WWE SmackDown, The Rock, also known as The People’s Champ, took to his social media to unleash a promo that instantly became the talk of the wrestling world. Addressing Cody Rhodes’ challenge from the Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, The Rock didn’t hold back, firing shots across the bow in a manner only he can.
What u talking about, Rock told Cody the people want me, not you against Roman. Then the people spoke on social media. Cody listened and heard they want him, not the Rock. He changes his mind. It's brilliant writing. And it makes sense. The loose ends all tied up.
— V8 Gooner (@GoldenGoonerlg) March 5, 2024
His appearance on SmackDown to formally respond to Rhodes‘ challenge added fuel to the fire, setting the stage for what many hoped would be an epic showdown. However, the absence of this viral promo from WWE’s television broadcast sparked a flurry of questions and theories.
Unraveling the Mystery: Insights from Inside the WWE
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio shed some light on this conundrum, challenging the prevailing assumption that The Rock’s status as a member of TKO’s Board of Directors would grant him unlimited on-air time. Contrary to this belief, Meltzer discovered that even The Great One has his limits within WWE’s programming decisions.
A conversation with a high-ranking WWE official revealed the startling truth: “I woke up on Friday morning… And I’d seen messages that he did this promo because they weren’t gonna give them enough time on SmackDown. And I said, That’s ridiculous! Rock can get as much time as he wants… So I checked with somebody who I know was over there, pretty high up. And I said there’s a story going around; I know it’s bullsh*t, and they go it ain’t bullsh*t. Because he can’t get as much time as he wants, this isn’t working this way.” This revelation indicates a nuanced power balance, suggesting that even the biggest stars may not always sway programming decisions as much as fans might think.
A WrestleMania Dream Match in the Making
Despite these behind-the-scenes limitations, The Rock’s promo did its job, electrifying the WWE universe and setting the stage for a potential WrestleMania spectacle. Suggesting a tag match between himself and Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, The Rock upped the ante. He proposed that if Rhodes and Rollins were to lose, Rhodes’ match with Roman would be under Bloodlines rules—a stipulation that could drastically alter the landscape of WWE storylines leading up to WrestleMania Night 1.
As fans eagerly await Cody Rhodes’ response on RAW, the anticipation for this star-studded clash continues to build. While the reasons behind The Rock’s promo not making WWE TV are now clearer, the excitement it has generated is undeniable. Wrestling aficionados are left to wonder: what other surprises do WWE’s creative minds have in store as the road to WrestleMania unfolds?
In Conclusion
The saga of The Rock’s unaired promo is a fascinating glimpse into the complex interplay of star power, creative decisions, and the logistical realities of television programming. As WWE marches towards WrestleMania, the storyline involving The Rock, Roman Reigns, Cody Rhodes, and Seth Rollins promises to be one for the ages, demonstrating once again why WWE remains at the pinnacle of sports entertainment.
