A Rocky Road Ahead?

The Rock gets pumped up
Photo courtesy: The Rock
@TheRock on Twitter

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Let me start off by saying once again, I am a big fan of the Rock.  I really am.  Since his days in the Nation of Domination, I've always enjoyed him.  But in 2013 I have a problem with him getting a shot at the WWE title.  I think many on the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook page agree, but I think the overall WWE Universe is not on the same page.

Here's my reasoning.  The Rock has wrestled 3 matches since Wrestlemania 20 in 2004.  Nearly 9 years ago, he and Mick Foley teamed up at that year's event.  Then he came back and teamed with John Cena at the 2011 Survivor Series and then his match with John Cena at Wrestlemania 28.  To me, there are more deserving guys on the roster worthy of a title match.  I understand that the Rock will "put asses in seats", but that happens today.  What about six months down the road?  Is the brief ratings bump now worth the affects on current superstars later this year?  I think he can still be used at the Royal Rumble and Wrestlemania, but why not in other matches not involving the title?

Obviously a win for CM Punk keeps his momentum going and a storyline that's been more than a year in the making.  It also leaves an opening for someone still developing perhaps to be the one to step up and pin Punk and win the title.   Imagine what kind of career boost that would be, not only winning the belt, but ending the longest title reign in more than 25 years.  I believe that should be a rising star, not a part timer (who is obviously a legend, but still)

Punk lays out Rock & Cena at Raw 1000
Photo courtesy: WWE

Having Punk retain could also lead to the Rock facing someone OTHER than Cena at Wrestlemania.  I don't want this happening for several reasons.  One of my biggest pet peeves is Wrestlemania rematches.  I attend the event each year and expect to see some fresh content, especially from the upper card.  Ideally I'd like to see the Rock in there with someone like Daniel Bryan or Dolph Ziggler and help put them over so they're ready for that next level.  Cena doesn't need to beat the Rock.  But someone on that upper-mid card level would benefit greatly from a pinfall victory over "The Great One" on the grandest stage of all.

Again, I'm putting the cart before the horse, but there's been so much buzz about the Rock and his return tonight, I just wanted to share a few quick thoughts.  I also had an idea that would take both he and Cena out of the title hunt completely.  I'm still developing how to get there in my head, so I'll wait and share that later.