PHILADELPHIA – The city of brotherly love is about to witness the biggest and most electrifying event in sports entertainment – WrestleMania. And if there’s one man who knows how to create buzz and excitement, it’s The Rock. But this time, he’s not just bringing his signature moves and larger-than-life persona. He’s bringing something else to the ring – unabashed trash talk and unapologetic insults aimed not just at his opponents, but also at the fans.
During a recent promo, The Rock dropped a bombshell on the Arizona crowd, claiming that Phoenix is the number one city in America for cocaine and meth use. The audience roared with laughter and approval, reveling in the insults. But the question remains – were The Rock’s assertions true or just a means of hyping up his WrestleMania opponents? And does it really matter, as long as it adds to the entertainment value of the event and draws in more fans to watch and spend their money?
In today’s world of blurred lines between sports, entertainment, and even politics, the ethos of being a bad guy has never been more popular. Say what you want, do what you want – the public loves it. And for decades, the world of professional wrestling has thrived on this concept, sitting right in the middle of it all.
Outside the ring, Dwayne Johnson portrays a completely different image – that of a good guy – to promote his movies, tequila label, men’s care line, and football league. But inside the ring, he knows that his Hollywood heel persona is what sells storylines and keeps the audience hooked.
“I feel like everybody wants to be the good guy, the good girl. Everyone wants to be loved and cheered and considered the hero, which is great and natural,” says Johnson. “But the rare air is when you have the opportunity to grab it by the throat and not let it go. And that’s the opportunity to be a great bad guy.”
This weekend, The Rock is set to headline one of the two nights of WrestleMania in Philadelphia, where a record-breaking 70,000 fans are expected to pack the stadium. The city is buzzing with the energy and excitement of the event, with banners of wrestlers lining the streets and numerous wrestling-related events and conventions taking place.
WrestleMania was created to be different from any other wrestling event, and it has certainly lived up to its reputation. From Mr. T and Muhammad Ali appearing in the first WrestleMania in 1985 to Donald Trump facing off against Vince McMahon in a “Battle of the Billionaires” match in 2007, the event has always been larger than life. As it approaches its 40th year, WrestleMania has become a mainstream cultural phenomenon, with fans from all over the world tuning in to watch their favorite wrestlers in action.
But is wrestling really a sport? The answer is debatable. However, one thing is for sure – it has a huge fan base and a massive following. Even those who are not avid wrestling fans have heard of The Rock, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and John Cena. These wrestlers have become household names and have even crossed over into mainstream media, with Dave Bautista winning a WrestleMania championship before making it big in Hollywood.
In the 1980s, WWE founder Vince McMahon revolutionized the wrestling industry by turning it into a larger-than-life spectacle. He marketed the wrestlers as action figures, cartoons, and even lunch boxes, capturing the attention of the younger generation and making them true icons of the era.
Despite the revelations that wrestling is scripted and not a legitimate sporting event, fans continue to embrace the theatrics and entertainment value of the sport. In fact, many fans, including professional athletes, are drawn to the industry and aspire to emulate their favorite wrestlers.
For Joel Embiid, star player of the Philadelphia 76ers, wrestling holds a special place in his heart. Recently, he appeared on TV wearing a WWE T-shirt with the slogan “Suck It” – a reference to one of the wrestling company’s most infamous factions, Degeneration X. Wrestling has become so ingrained in the sports landscape that even professional athletes can’t resist its magnetism.
With the constant rise in popularity of wrestling, it’s no surprise that WWE has struck a major streaming deal worth more than $5 billion with Netflix, securing their future in the industry.
