On March 15, The Rock ignited SmackDown with a charming promo centered around his WrestleMania XL rivals, Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The segment received widespread acclaim for its energy and engagement. However, following The Rock’s electrifying entrance, the show seemed to lose its momentum, as pointed out by former WWE head writer Vince Russo, known for his contributions during RAW’s peak in the late 1990s.
Russo, in a candid moment on Wrestling’s Writing With Russo, expressed disappointment in the lackluster response to subsequent segments post-The Rock’s promo. Specifically, he highlighted the lack of crowd enthusiasm during the feud between The LWO and Legado Del Fantasma, emphasizing the stark difference in audience engagement compared to The Rock’s segment. Russo’s critique underscored the challenges in maintaining viewer interest and excitement throughout the entire show.
The Rock (Via WWE/Twitter)
Looking ahead to WrestleMania XL, The Rock’s involvement in a tag team match alongside Roman Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins holds significant importance. The outcome of this match will directly impact Reigns’ defense of the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Rhodes in the main event. A victory for The Rock and Reigns could introduce a ‘Bloodline Rules’ stipulation, while a loss might lead to The Bloodline members being barred from ringside during Reigns vs. Rhodes.
In addition to analyzing the current WWE terrain, Russo also shared insights on potential post-WrestleMania XL booking strategies for The American Nightmare, as well as speculated on various matchups expected at the upcoming event. Fans were encouraged to join the conversation and share their predictions for WrestleMania XL, fostering an interactive dialogue within the wrestling community.
