The Rock Has Become A Modern Day Hulk Hogan

We all know how much Hulk Hogan wanted to get in his grandstanding at the end of an event. But who knew Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson would turn into that guy after beating Hollywood Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania X8?

The Rock showed up this past Friday on Smackdown to confront Roman Reigns. All signs were pointing to Reigns vs Cody Rhodes II at Wrestlemania 40. However, there were rumblings and whispers that a match between The Rock and Reigns had been planned for years in advance. The Rock even said so when he was on the Pat McAfee Show, and First Take toward the end of 2023.

But this would be Cody’s moment since Wrestlemania 39 ended, where Rhodes lost the match to Reigns. He was going to finish the story. Instead, Rhodes cuts a promo talking about how he knows someone who knows you (Roman) better than you know yourself. Then The Rock’s music hits, and the place goes nuts. He and Cody shake hands, whispering something in Rhodes’s ear. You could see Cody’s face was dejected. This was his time.

Instead, Dwayne used his power on the Board of Directors to get the match he wanted at Wrestlemania. Again, that happened on the same day as the Netflix deal. And as part of the deal, The Rock got to pick this match for Wrestlemania. Now, nothing is for certain until it is announced, but once Smackdown ended, the promos were out for The Rock and Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania 40.

However, what was the point of Cody Rhodes winning the Royal Rumble if this had been the plan all along? That is what makes the most sense. We know Dwayne Johnson has talked about the long-term storytelling and the long game with this Roman Reigns match, but this is a power move like Hulk Hogan.

Remember, Hogan was the one who decided it was best for business when he beat Yokozuna to close out Wrestlemania IX. Playing the role of Cody Rhodes was Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart, who told Hogan to go in the ring after losing the WWF Championship just minutes before. Hogan wanted to save Wrestlemania IX and the company.

Nobody can deny the pop Hogan got, but the time was meant for Yokozuna, who got the WWF Title back at the 1993 King of the Ring. However, the original plan was Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan, and if you believe Bret and what he says, Hogan did not want to put him over at 1993 Summerslam because they were not on the same level.

Wrestlemania: The Rock Confronts Roman Reigns on Smackdown

Now Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson wants to swoop in and save Wrestlemania 40 like Hogan did all those years ago. It does not make sense because the event does not need saving. Fans know what they want. And the company turned Cody Rhodes into the ultimate babyface and The Rock into a big heel. But who did not see this coming?

Remember Hogan lost to Ultimate Warrior at Wrestlemania XI and was there to help Macho Man Randy Savage win the title at Wrestlemania IV. But he went over most of the time to get his grandstanding in. Or, as Randy Savage said before their Wrestlemania V match, “Hot Dogging and Grandstanding In.”

Now, The Rock wants to do the same thing. Cody Rhodes was naive enough to think the Rock had more respect for the business and not interrupt the story he was telling. But that was not the case. CM Punk knew because he went through it in 2013 with Dwayne losing the title at the Royal Rumble and losing his Wrestlemania main event slot as well.

The Rock and John Cena II did not need the title, just like this match does not need the title. We all knew Dwayne did not need another title run with the company. But another part-timer stole the spotlight from the brightest star in the company.

But The Rock will be himself, and he wants the spotlight on him because he thinks he is the biggest draw and will be the biggest match in Wrestlemania history, but it could all backfire on the company. The fans know what they want, and right now, they don’t want another Hulk Hogan Running Wild in Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.