For those who watched the WWF/WWE in the 80s, 90s and early 2000s, there's the prevailing thought that wrestling today isn't as good as it used to be. I agree that certain elements aren't as enjoyable now as they were in previous years, but it doesn't mean that wrestling today still can't provide some memorable moments.
One of these occured on Raw, on February 14, 2011.
The guest host for WrestleMania XXVII was to be announced, and names from Snoop Dogg to Stone Cold were thrown about by announcers. When Vince McMahon said the previous week that "Only one man" could host WrestleMania, I had a sneaking suspicion as to who it would be.
This meant a desire to watch Raw live (at 2 am in the UK, by the way) due to the possiblity of him coming back.
Him being a former 9-time World Champion. Him being one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Him being The Most Electrifying Man In Sports-Entertainment, who hadn't laid the smack down in the ring for years, and was seemingly gone from WWE for good.
Could it be him?
At around 4:03 am UK time, the question was answered.
The lights went out in the arena in Anaheim. The anticipation grew. The chants came from fans who also hoped it was him. And then . . .
"If You Smelllllll . . ."
What followed was the loudest crowd roar of approval in years, and out of the curtain stepped the host for WrestleMania.
It was him.
It was The Rock.
Live on Raw for the first time in almost 7 years, what had at that point been a rather ordinary and dull build-up to 'Mania suddenly became a lot more Electrified. Within minutes, The Rock had turned the WWE on its head, and announced his participation as host of WM XXVII.
He then fired some verbal blows at then-WWE Champion The Miz, but saved his best material for John Cena. Cena had slated Rock in interviews outside the ring for some time, mainly regarding Rock's defection to Hollywood. One could charge Cena with being a hypocrite, due to his own involvement in films. But anyway, on this night The Rock mocked Cena's catch phrases, ring attire, hand gestures - in other words, on this night The Rock verbally laid the smack down on John Cena - something which the "Cena Sucks" brigade had hoped to see for years.
By the end of the night, The Rock had reignited Raw, and raised interest in WrestleMania XXVII. This was made more powerful by the fact that Rock hadn't been at 'Mania since 2004; this appearance, unlike other returns, meant something.
Over the next few weeks, Rock and Cena (and Miz) exchanged words and blows, culminating in Rock actually helping Miz beat Cena at WM XXVII. This was followed by the monumental announcement of Cena vs Rock at WM 28. It was assumed that Rock would never wrestle again; even with Mania in Rock's hometown of Miami, the possibility of WWE's biggest match in a decade seemed very unlikely. But it was on.
Since then, in the world of WWE Rock has only resurfaced to celebrate his birthday on Raw and fire verbal blows at Cena in an online video. But with whilst at this point WM 27 is a distant memory, the buzz surrounding the Great One will soon go into overdrive again, as he will appear at Survivor Series in some fashion in November. From there, fireworks will go off as the build-up to Rock vs Cena will intensify, and just about anything could happen.
But regardless of whether Rock retires at WM 28, Cena loses the WWE Title (assuming he regains it by then), or if somehow the match doesn't even happen, it was only made possible by the return of the People's Champion on that Valentine's Night Raw. Many have returned in grand fashion, but few were such big names, returning after such a long time, and with their identity still being such a surprise. At the time, just having him on Raw at all was a moment.
Seven months from now (seven months from today, in fact), a match that few thought they would ever see will headline WrestleMania XXVIII. But it all began when the Great One was announced as host of WrestleMania XXVII.
Forget a match with Cena, an unlikely tenth World Title reign, or a live birthday party. On February 14, 2011, that was all to come, and still may be. On February 14, 2011, just an appearance by the man was incredible enough. On February 14, 2011, finally, finally after seven years, FINALLY, The Rock came back to Monday Night Raw.
No comments:
Post a Comment