I just need to mention real quick about last week’s date being 1-24-24. Yes, we will have that every month like last year but January brings the first of course. I love repeating numbers AND this is it for the first month of 2024. Wasn’t it just New Year’s Day?
OK, WRESTLING fans~~~ I’m BAACK…. Did you miss that topic? Sometimes, I need to focus my energy on different areas or there isn’t much of a story from the wrestling world waiting to be explored by ME. Now, there is yet again. (***BTW- I wrote this post after finding out about “The Rock” but BEFORE the most recent scandal broke the following day… ***)
You’ll notice if you read to the end (as I HOPE you do) that pic of Ultimate Warrior. It involved a tag team match between him and “King” Duggan (Hacksaw) versus André the Giant and “Ravishing” Rick Rude in 1989. The good guys won albeit by cheating a little, oops~~~ ha ha! As fans of U.W. know- he was part of two tag teams with Sting being the “Freedom Fighters” and then “Blade Runners.” Jim Hellwig’s name with the Blade Runners was “Rock.” . Fans may also know a few others by that name. We had “The Rock” Don Muraco who was “Magnificient” and then “The Rock” Dwayne Johnson years later. His Dad’s name doesn’t count as Rocky.
That takes me to the real topic at hand here. Any guesses? Come on. IYKYK. DJ has hinted at “possibly” stepping in the wrestling ring once again only this time as part of WrestleMania 40. They need something BIG right? It is rumored he will be facing none other than his cousin who is the universal champ- Roman Reigns. The Rock also just recently signed onto the WWE Board of Directors, while securing the rights to his name. That second part sounds a little like with someone else years ago did in a way to secure HIS name, only legally and not with WWE. What DJ is doing means nobody in the business can use “The Rock” as a moniker anymore. Well, we’ve had others in the past so let’s move on from the same name. That is similar to WWE over using (at least in my opinion…) “the King” moniker many times hence part of the pic again below. Yes, they had the “King of the Ring” tournament for years but I mean just the name like with Jerry Lawler, Harley Race, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, and of course, Haku, who lost the crown he won from Jerry to none other than Hacksaw. Yes, I had to re-look all that up about Haku and Hacksaw as it’s very vague in my memory. And to think weeks ago, I just took a photo from a U. W. tag team match. Wow, the connectors that “tag” in are crazy! Writing brings out details I never had originally thought of quite often. 😜
Also, in WWE news is the recent announcement beginning next January 2025, how RAW will be moving to Netflix. My brother informed me of this before I read it on social media. It’s a HUGE multi year deal. Plus, my 80s podcast guys also covered some of that info on their episode of last week. Both SmackDown and NXT will be switching cable networks in October as well. Can you just imagine how RAW will change the face of Netflix? The guys were trying to determine the increase of viewers. I believe it will skyROCKet, 🚀 how about you? WWE will also be moving their PLE’s (paid live events) to Netflix too. Those used to be PPV’s as I always called them. No idea on that name change. How decades have evolved, that is for sure. At this time next year, they will know how viewership increased as I’m sure it will, by a LOT. It’s all business and moving through the eras WWE will always do. The Internet and streaming are the NEW now.
So, what’s your opinion as I get back to the topic of The Rock at WrestleMania 40? Yes, his appearance earlier this month drew BIG ratings for them as it would, nostalgia and all. Who knows how this will play out with a title on the line. I cannot predict what they will do and obviously with him now being on the board, he will be more involved. Is he stepping away from movies and Hollywood for a while to strap on the boots? He is generational with everyone, but is this just a one time thing? So many questions with WWE always leaving us guessing. To have a brief run for him again would be monumental but a LONG run, I actually don’t want that. Sure, he can still perform and entertain as many wrestlers continue into later years like U. W’s old tag team partner of Sting. He will be retiring this year from AEW. I just feel personally that like Warrior said in his HOF speech, you will know when it’s time to move on and pass that torch to the next generation. I understand how different it is these days with veterans still wanting roles in the business. They don’t just want to mentor or be backstage, they want to be in the ring if they still can at whatever capacity. If this continues though with the current roster, nobody would ever retire and the HOF would just honor past legends of yesteryear. The Rock of course will be part of a class one year and he is still so young (my age!) but when is it time to fully step away? I believe they should push some of the existing talent who work tremendously hard at that level. We can’t relive the past, but is it great for the Bloodline story? Of course.
Roman is close to beating Hulk’s “reign” as I’ve mentioned. My brother does not want this to happen. He was a huge Hulkamaniac. It would be more near SummerSlam if it did so if The Rock takes the title, what then? He’s on the BOE so he can maybe help Triple H with creative, ha! It would be great to see DJ back in action now that he is more part of the business end and he has the family legacy just like Roman. A brief run is what I’d like as I’m sure more movies will be calling his name. It would be that huge revenue WWE can do to make Mania 40 but we shall wait and see. Wait and see…..
All those guys with The Rock as their monikers lived or have lived up to being solid. Solid in word, solid in action. However you define it but it worked for them with the ways they needed and still is for one. Let’s just not have any more “kings” shall we? 👑😐😬
P.S. Also- most recently came THIS news. Unless you’ve been living under a rock- pun intended- you know…
***For the first time in over 50 years no McMahon will be involved in WWE. Vince’s resignation (once again) stemmed from more recent graphic allegations. All before WrestleMania 40. *** SIGH**As he always said though : “the show must go on.” Will he be back once again? I’m finally thinking NO… This hit me in a different way as I cried for many various reasons… 😞💔
mywarriorwritings.com 