Jumpin said:
Ironically, your attempt at irony ended up making the correct point. Neither does having a "beef" with Vin Diesel, nor turning down a role in a film called "Shazam" in favour of starring in another film, show that The Rock has a fragile ego. It's common for any successful celebrity, including those with high self-esteem (the opposite of a fragile ego) to turn down roles/jobs they don't want and to have feuds with other people. In fact, if you're talking about major celebrities with high self esteem, The Rock is probably someone who'd rank high on many people's lists. Also, The Rock didn't just get booed in 1996, he was booed through 97, 98, and into 99, and again after his 2003 heel run. In fact, he began using the moniker "The People's Champion" in 1998 to make the crowds boo him harder. Every wrestling fandom seems to have people like you--at least the ones I've come across. They can be filed as: |
No, that's not the story with Shazaam.
The Rock did not turn down a role. He accepted a role as Black Adam, who in the comic books is the arch nemesis of Shazaam. One would think, particularly in the era the MCU and super hero crossovers, there would inevitably be a link between Black Adam and Shazaam. Yet, there was not.
As the rumor mill goes there was supposed to be a post credit scene, but the Rock vetoed it. Which led to kind of an awkward situation. What isn't in dispute is that the Rock exercised a ton of control over the character, moreso than the actor usually does. And, it didn't really work out. Which the Rock just blamed on factors beyond his control despite his pretty heavy involvement. And this also seems to be the case in the Fast and the Furious where he publicly called out his coworkers CM Punk style, and several of them called him out as well.
As for the Rock being booed, there is a difference between being booed as a heel, and being booed as a face. There is also a difference in being booed when you're relatively new and can't do much about it, and when you're established as a hero. We'll see how he reacts to it this time around. But he did seem genuinely upset at John Cena... who to be honest kind of torched him on the mic in their feuds.
And... his decisions definitely seem to be ones that promote him as the biggest star. You could argue that it is because he is in fact the biggest star and the biggest draw, so doing that is what is "best for business". But... I dunno. It seems he could have done things differently to get his spots without shoving others down. Did he really have to take the title off Punk to get the Rock/Cena 2? Does his match with Roman have to be be at Mania? If he's such a star could it not be done at any other event?
I obviously can't speak to what's in the Rock's head, and self-esteem and ego are easily mixed up to the outside observer. But... what is clear is that the Rock is fiercely protective of his image and his brand. I'm fairly certain he doesn't want a stadium full of people chanting Rocky sucks at him. Maybe there's a way to get Rock vs Reigns in the main event without that happening, but I dunno how.
On a separate but related note, I think we have to give a shout out to Mr. Dave Batista. He was put in a similar situation, only in his case he wasn't on the board of directors, and handled it as a professional. He immediately shifted into heel mode and tapped out to Bryan at Mania. Despite getting kind of screwed out of a title shot that was promised to him when he returned, he stuck around, and helped put over the Shield. And he was at that point in one of the biggest movie franchises in history, he didn't have to do any of that.
So, we'll see how Dwayne handles it. Don't be a Black Adam, be a Drax.
Last edited by JWeinCom - on 07 February 2024
