The Katz Files – Arnie Katz
Return of the Rock
The Kingfish Arnie Katz looks at the ramifications of one of the wrestling world’s hottest current rumors.
The Wrestle Nation is buzzing with the rumor that Dwayne Johnson, better-known as The Rock, will return to the WWE for a limited engagement built around a featured role at WrestleMania
It certainly makes sense for WWE to try to lure The Rock back to the ring. He’s in good shape and should be able to work something approximating his old program once he shakes off the ring rust. And there’s no reason to think that he has lost any of his magnetic charisma with the microphone.
The Rock isn’t 108 years old, either, which will play well versus TNA’s Hulk Hogan-led assault on WWE’s pre-eminent position in professional wrestling. Let’s face it The Rock is a much better worker than Hogan – and his mic skills may be better-suited to today’s wrestling audience.
The prevailing rumor is that The Rock will battle John Cena. Presumably, this would not involve turning either man heel. The match should end either in a Cena victory or some kind of “no decision,” so that Cena gets the rub from the all-time great. (The Rocks status may require that he not actually lose a match._
That match-up will probably work, but I think there are better possibilities within reach. The Rock could return to Smackdown, which he has always claimed was “his show,” and challenge Edge if the Rated R Superstar is ready or a villainous Undertaker if the Dead Man isn’t going to finish his career at WM 26.
If The Rock goes to RAW, as the actual rumors indicates, he should fight Randy Orton, not John Cena, “The Battle of the Third-Generation Stars” packs real promotional punch and would be as good as Cena-Rock.
The Rock, whomever he fights, figures to give fans a good show. After some dreary months in WWE, that sounds pretty good tome.
That’s all for today! I’ll be back on Monday with my recap and analysis of Turning Point on Monday. Hope you’ll join me then – and, please, bring your friends.
— Arnie Katz
Executive Editor
[email protected]
(11/30/09)