"Cena-Rock: The Perfect Storm" by Mark Madden
Posted by David Damage on Monday, March 12, 2012
Under: Internet Columns
"Cena-Rock: The Perfect Storm" by Mark Madden:
WrestleMania 28 looms as the perfect storm. The WWE Network launch has
been delayed, making WM’s priorities self-contained as opposed to part
promo, part PPV. All three main-event matches feature participants who
know what they’re doing. Sad to say, but that’s the “dying breed” they
keep referencing: QUALITY PERFORMERS.
The Rock vs. John Cena is
still the wild card. The level of disrespect they have for each other
is doubtless being exaggerated on-screen, but it’s there. That
disrespect has produced some SIZZLING promos, but will it hinder
cooperation at match time?
The guess here is no. These are two
legit pros who understand the BUSINESS part of the wrestling business.
Again, sad to say, but few do.
Some feel it’s NOT FAIR for The
Rock to stumble back from Hollywood occasionally and get a ‘Mania main
event. IT’S NOT FAIR, IT’S NOT FAIR, IT’S NOT FAIR!
OK, but so
what? IT’S GOING TO DRAW A HOUSE. Pathetic, juvenile thinking like that
is why John Hennigan and his hoeski work indie shows these days.
Cena legit discombobulated The Rock with his promo last Monday,
especially when he called him out for having notes written on his arm –
something The Rock has done for years, BTW. Cena didn’t totally turn the
crowd, but he cooled The Rock’s babyface buzz, both in the arena and at
home. Is that good, or bad?
Dunno, but come Miami, IT WILL BE
ABSOLUTELY FUTILE. Not sure if having ‘Mania in The Rock’s hometown was a
condition of his return, but there’s no turning THAT CROWD on THAT
NIGHT. For the sake of this feud, ‘Mania should be elsewhere.
Rumor holds that WWE booking called for Cena to win Monday’s promo, and
for The Rock to be flustered, by way of building ‘Mania.
If
that’s true, congrats. But I don’t buy it. I don’t think WWE creative
knows the meaning of the word SUBTLETY. This past Monday was more likely
the result of two QUALITY PERFORMERS sensing and pursuing the right
direction.
I go back and forth between who’s babyface, and who SHOULD be babyface.
Everything Cena says about The Rock is true, but SO WHAT? The marks
still perceive The Rock as the REAL STAR, especially given the love-hate
relationship with Cena. The marks want to cheer The Rock. Wrestling is
about giving the marks what they want.
Problem is, The Rock
leaves after WrestleMania. Cena doesn’t. Given their heroic effort to
keep Cena babyface, WWE seems to want to move ahead with Cena as their
No. 1 good guy after ‘Mania. The Rock cost Cena the WWE title at last
year’s WM, so it’s Cena’s turn to win. Logic points to Cena beating The
Rock at Miami.
Unless you embrace the idea of giving the marks
what they want. No one – and certainly no one that’s going to be at the
live show – wants to see Cena beat The Rock. If Cena wins, a large
faction of WWE Universe is going to HATE HIM MORE THAN EVER. That’s not
good when Cena’s your No. 1 baby moving forward.
But I would
still book Cena to win, in a fashion that has The Rock cede him grudging
respect after. Cena’s going to be there after. That counts for
something.
Unless The Rock disagrees. I’ve never heard of The
Rock refusing to job. But if that’s ever going to be the case, it’s
going to be in front of friends and family at ‘Mania.
BTW,
being in your hometown means nothing to Vince McMahon. If anything, it
makes him turn up the humiliation quotient. Witness Jim Ross whenever
WWE visits Oklahoma.
I’ve been very outspoken when I say divas
don’t draw money. Eve Torres may be an exception. I think she could draw
BIG MONEY at Sapphire Gentleman’s Club in Las Vegas. WHAT A BODY. The
Rock should have written his crib notes on her jugs. But that promo Eve
did Monday had NO POINT WHATSOEVER.
Mark Madden hosts a radio
show 3-6 p.m. weekdays on WXDX-FM,Pittsburgh, PA (105.9) . Check out his
web page at WXDX.com. Contact Mark by emailing wzmarkmadden@hotmail.com
. FOLLOW MARK ON TWITTER: @MARKMADDENX.
In : Internet Columns