LEADING MAN
"Because of the responsibility you have when you take a role like Spy Hunter or this movie, we have a responsibility to the studio, to the actors, to the crew, to production to be 100% focused....but I love wrestling. I've always said that and that's why I went back to Wrestlemania. For me, wrestling is my theatre. The ring is my stage." -The Rock
If that is true, where is The Rock? Where is the People's Champion? The Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment? The Such and Such Other Random Nickname we have come to know over the years? He is in Hollywood. He is acting. He is making, at present, a lot more money that he was wrestling for WWE. He is living both financially comfortable and physically comfortable as well. He may do a lot of his own stunts, but nobody is cracking chairs over his head (or in his case, his hands) or slamming him on thin mats over hard concrete. For the most part, he is gone from WWE and wrestles only slightly more than I do.
This is not, however, going to be an article about Rock "selling out." I would never do that because The Rock did not sell out. Mick Foley, in his first autobiography, defined selling out as violating your moral code for money. The Rock has done nothing wrong, and while I miss his presense on Raw and Smackdown, there are no hard feelings. When he made a cameo on Raw this week, I was pleased. The "you sold out" chants during his match with Brock Lesnar were not wholly accurate, and I do not agree with them. No, my friends. This article is actually about statistics. Fiscal figures. Box office success. Not something I often cover because I do not watch or judge wrestling based on how much money the product is making. That would be silly. What this is about is The Rock's Hollywood status. His "hot or not" rating. His hits and misses at the cineplex. Why write about such things in a column that focusses mainly on wrestling and not "entertainment?" Simple. The Rock's star is falling. His "hot" is now "not." Which means, theoretically, he could end up like every other wrestler who briefly dipped into the film industry:
Back in wrestling.
--THE MUMMY RETURNS--
"[The Mummy Returns] is like standing behind someone playing a pretty cool video game. You may feel some vicarious excitement, but eventually you'd rather experience your own thrills." -Chicago Tribune
There are interesting parallels between The Rock's first glimpse of fame in the wrestling documentary Beyond the Mat and his first mainstream film, The Mummy Returns. In both, Rock played a very small role but is made out to be more than it is. In Beyond the Mat, he did almost nothing except wrestle Mick Foley, one of the true leads in the documentary. Yet, his face is right there on the front of the video box graphic. A marketing ploy to cash in on The Rock's growing success as a wrestler and minor celebrity. In The Mummy Returns, The Rock had yet another small role. That of the Scorpion King very early in the picture. Though, again trying to pull in the then-hot wrestling crowd, he was featured prominently on the posters and on the covers of magazines standing side by side with the real star, Brendan Fraser.
The Rock was being blown up big and fast. His instant fame overshadowed the fact that he did very little in the film. It also overshadowed the fact that he could not act. Before diehard Rock fans blast me for that statement, please realize that I readily admit The Rock is a better actor and more charasmatic than the vast majority of the WWE roster. By Hollywood standards, or even action star standards, he was sub-par and continues to be. That being said, I mostly enjoyed The Mummy Returns and smiled like a doofus upon seeing Rock on a big screen. The movie garnered average to good reviews. Mostly around the two and a half star area. Not bad. However, that was not the movie's true success.
While The Mummy Returns cost a whopping $98,000,000 to make, it grossed about $202,000,000 in the United States and $430,000,000 worldwide. Keep in mind, the figures here do not take advertising and certain other factors into account. Still, that is a blockbuster no matter how you slice it. I was shocked too, so I checked two different sources and found the same result. Despite The Rock's marginal part in the film, with its massive success, critics were touting the People's Champion as the next great action hero. It seemed a little extreme considering The Rock's role in it all, but the wrestler-turned-actor angle was like candy for entertainment magazines eager to show off new stars. The Rock, with little screen time, was being declared the new Arnold Schwarzenegger.
--THE SCORPION KING--
"Did I enjoy this movie? Yeah, I did, although not quite enough to recommend it. Because it tries too hard to be hyper and not hard enough to be clever. It is what it is, though, and pretty good at it. Those who would dislike the movie are unlikely to attend it (does anybody go to see The Rock in "The Scorpion King" by accident?)." -Roger Ebert
The Rock's Hollywood star was on the rise. So much that he was given the role of Scorpion King again. This time in a prequel to The Mummy. While filming, The Rock's absense was becoming more and more noticeable. Wrestling fans, myself included, were wondering if this was going to be permanent or if Rock would be a flash in the pan and come back to wrestling full-time. The Scorpion King's box office success answered our questions. In its opening day, it shattered records for the month of its debut and snatched not only dollars but a lot of hype for both the movie and its star. Yes, The Rock was the real star this time. The budget for The Scorpion King was $60,000,000 and made over $90,000,000 just in America. It may not have been on The Mummy Returns' level of success, but it was still a cash cow.
Reviews were more or less the same as The Rock's last film. Reasonably good but not spectacular. I saw The Scorpion King on opening night. It was pretty good. Worth my admission and not only to see a wrestler at my local theatre. I saw something unusual as I watched, though. During the credits, the Executive Producer was Vince McMahon. Vince? He produced this? Well, not quite. In fact, not at all. As I understand it, because The Rock was still under WWE contract and because McMahon still owned the rights to the name "The Rock," McMahon received an producer credit in the film even though he did not actually do much at all. That seemed like a small reward to McMahon considering he was losing his top wrestler to Hollywood. I soon learned that the reason he McMahon had little qualms with the arrangement was that he was also receiving a small sum of the gross. Not a large percentage, I'd wager. Enough to satisfy him and make the venture profitable.
The Rock was gone for a fairly long time for this movie. He missed a portion of 2001 if I recall correctly. In 2002, he was gone again. This time to promote it on Saturday Night Live and other big shows. When he returned, he delivered a speech about loyalty to WWE in the wake of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's unexpected no-show. This dispelled some rumors but also fed others about Rock's future in wrestling. Not long after, The Rock was defeated by Brock Lesnar in the aforementioned "you sold out" match. The crowd was all over him, even though he was the babyface, due to the fans learning that he was leaving to film another movie.
--THE RUNDOWN--
"Based on this movie and last year's 'The Scorpion King,' Hollywood wants to keep The Rock doing Smackdown. Because he weighs in at 255 pounds, stands 6 foot 5, and wrestles professionally for Vince McMahon's WWE, he ought to be piledriving and clotheslining movie extras. He's not meant to have costars -- only opponents." -Boston Globe
The Rock was gone for the rest of 2002. WWE still had lots of popular superstars, but there was an empty void. Let's face facts. The Rock is not my favorite wrestler, but he is good. I missed him. He brought a lot to the show. Even his detractors had to admit that. During his time away, he was playing the role of a man named Beck in a movie originally called Helldorado, renamed Welcome to the Jungle, and finally settling as The Rundown. Of the three, The Rundown works best. The others seem corny. After filming Hell/Jungle/Rundown, he came back to WWE in early 2003 to feud once again with Hulk Hogan. WWE capitalized on some of the fans turning on him and made The Rock a heel again. A little different from his previous Nation of Domination and Corporate Champion heel work, though. This time, The Rock played an exaggerated role that many fans actually believed him to be: a stuck-up sell-out movie star who was too good to wrestle for the fans anymore. After wrestling Hogan, Steve Austin, and Goldberg, The Rock was gone yet again. This time, it seemed quite permanent.
It was around this time that cracks in The Rock's armor became noticeable. Maybe people began to realize that while The Rock was a fine wrestler, he was no actor. Maybe people grew tired of him. Maybe his star lit up the sky so bright and so fast that it burned out too quickly. Maybe The Rundown just was not that good. Whatever the reason, it failed at the theatres. The Rundown cost approximately $100,000,000 to make. It grossed less than half of that. $47,593,000. Not chump change by any stretch of the imagination but it did not come close to covering the cost of production. In Rock's first starring role in The Scorpion King, the American gross minus the budget gave about $30,000,000 profit. Like I said earlier, that is not too shabby for a new actor in his first lead. However, his next film lost more than $50,000,000. It could be argued that Hollywood was not looking at The Rock as a money-maker anymore. Technically, his movies lost much more than they made covering the first two movies in which he was the leading man.
Much like his previous works, The Rundown was given some good critical reviews, including two thumbs up from Ebert and Roeper. Of all Rock's movies, I enjoyed this one the most. It was not exactly brilliant, but I liked the clever introduction of Beck fighting the football players in the bar with ESPN style graphics explaining the characters. A three-second cameo by Arnold Schwarzenegger telling him "good luck" was seen as passing the torch. The Rock still could not act, but he could beat people up. Besides, Christopher Walken could do the real acting while Rock blew people away with a shotgun. Unfortunately, good or not, it was not profitable at all.
--WALKING TALL--
"Walking Tall is a remake of the 1973 movie of the same name, in which Joe Don Baker plays Buford Pusser, the real-life law enforcement legend who cleaned up an entire Tennessee town with reluctant brute force -- and a big stick. It was released amid the flood of social justice flicks that emerged during that period in which the wilting Western was repotted in the vibrant soil of America's cities and burgs. This remake, directed by Kevin Bray, replaces the original's rugged vigilantism with less urgent 'Smackdown' fantasia." -Boston Globe
The Rock was absent from WWE television for the majority of 2003. At this point, the fans were accostomed to it and accepted that The Rock was not actually a wrestler anymore unless the term could be used very loosely. I did not like it, but all things considered, a lot of us would do the same even as rabid wrestling fans. In early 2004, he came back briefly to wrestle alongside Mick Foley against Evolution. When that was through, so was The Rock. He plugged his move and made his exit. Not even a singles match this time. Not even the focus of the feud. He made a couple non-wrestling appearances after that, but he did not seem like part of the roster anymore. More like a special guest.
Walking Tall made its debut shortly after his Wrestlemania tag match. I saw it on the opening night. I had grown used to seeing Rock's face on the big screen and was no longer wowed. The movie was so-so. Average. Nothing special but not awful. The Rock appeared more intense and dramatic this time around, though. More human. I liked that in contrast to his mythical Scorpion King character and wrestling gimmick. Then again, acting opposite of Johnny "Jackass" Knoxville can make anyone look more human. Anyway, of all The Rock's pictures, I liked this one the least. The critics seemed to agree and gave it generally low to average ratings. It failed in terms of money too. The budget was about $56,000,000, and it only grossed about $47,000,000 worldwide. That meant The Rock had been the main star in three movies with two of them tanking. Predictions about him being the next Arnold or Sly or Bruce were seeming even more absurd than when they were made.
After Walking Tall was gone from theatres and awaiting VHS and DVD release, The Rock made a few appearances on WWE television. Not wrestling but at least talking and letting the fans know he was still part of the company in some small way. First to put over Eugene and then to cut a promo on Randy Orton. Earlier this week, he popped up to give credibility to the ridiculous Raw Diva Search contest and help get Tajiri and Rhyno over as Tag Team Championship contenders. He was electric as usual.
--THE FUTURE--
On a recent conference call, Linda McMahon stated that there is nothing currently planned for The Rock in WWE. He may make occassional appearances but will not be returning to the active roster any time soon. Not surprising. The Rock has not signed a new WWE contract, and he bought the rights to his gimmick name from the McMahons. It is now all his. This leads one to believe that he is optimistic about his future in Hollywood even though recent numbers suggest he shouldn't be. Still, good for him for buying the name. Not a lot people can claim that. WWE protects its copyrights vigilantly. They must either believe The Rock is never coming back or the offer he made them was too good for a name that is just sitting on the shelf. Besides "The Rundown starring Dwayne Johnson" doesn't have the same zing.
The Rock is currently involved in two projects that will debut in 2005. One is a supporting role in Be Cool. It's the sequel to Get Shorty, which will be a decade old by the time Be Cool makes its premier. That isn't the real issue, though. The Rock will not be starring in this film. He will be a supporting character. In the preview I am reading, he will be billed somewhere around fourth behind John Travolta, Danny DeVito, and James Gandolfini. However, to be fair, this has a greater chance of being a quality film than all his others. His other project is Spy Hunter, a movie based on the video game of the same name. Nine times out of ten, video game movies are terrible. I realize that is prejudging this flick. All I'm saying is the odds are stacked against The Rock.
While the People's Champ is not on as many magazine covers anymore, he still has roles in movies. What about two years from now? If Spy Hunter fails, and in all probability, it will, what is The Rock's status going to be in Hollywood? Supporting character? Hasbeen? If either are true, that could mean a return to WWE. Part-time wrestler if he is a supporting character and full-time if his movie career fails completely. Also, even if he does not entirely flop as an actor and maintains small roles, how much incentive is that to stay in Hollywood and away from the business in which he was raised? The possiblity of a serious return from The Rock may not be likely in 2005, but it isn't so far-fetched in 2006 when his career has a good chance of stalling. Let me be clear on something. I am not wishing failure on the man. Only thinking about the chance from a wrestling fan standpoint.
WWE may not pay as well as movie companies that can hand out $100,000,000 movie budgets without batting an eye, but McMahon has been known to give million-dollar contracts to the right people. The Rock certainly qualifies in terms of star power and ratings draw. Not to the mention the fact that next year, The Rock will only be thirty-three years old.
A comeback is not out of the question. In fact, the more I think about it and the more I read of his movie career, the more I think the pieces may be falling into place.
------------------------------------
Comments? Thoughts? E-mail me at Trophar@Lycos.com
Read the archives of Beauty in Wrestling at LeonThomas.Net Will be updated in full before the day is out.
Sources: Boston Globe, Ebert and Roeper, Chicago Tribune, Obsessed with Wrestling, The-Numbers.Com, Movieweb.com, and PWInsider.
-------------------------------------
MAILBAG -- THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE
"I just got done reading your article and it sparked some new thoughts in my mind. Last night at Summerslam a good friend of mine who is also a big Benoit fan and I were talking about Benoit's title reign. He was saying that he wished they had done more with it. I thought about it and said that what more could you want he did beat Triple H, Kane, and HBK. Then I read your columm and realize he was right Benoit's title reign was really missused. I have never been a huge fan on Benoits, I am not quite sure why, I mean I respect everything he has done and enjoy all of his matches because like you said he can bring out a good match in almost anyone. The thing is no matter who we like and don't like the WWE has never done what is good for the long run they have always used gimmicks and matches that make for a quick boost in ratings instead of waiting and dragging things out to make them more exciting."
-Mark Davis
"Every new champ gets a test drive. Benoit got his, and he got his at an upswing on the RAW brand which he is partially attributable for. He definately will get another title shot...I know HHH/Orton seems to be the new hot feud, but that will only make it better because they aren't burning out this rivalry right away like they have so many others. There is a twisted web of feud dynamics on RAW right now circling the Title, which is spectacular. Benoit is a good little soldier and I really dont see him pulling a Jericho and falling into the pits of midcard hell and not getting out."
-Nick
"I totally agree with everything you said. Chris Benoit is not my favorite wrestler though. I don't really have one 'favorite'. But Chris is the best wrestler I have seen by far and yes, he was done 'dirty' by the WWE. Now I know that you did not say that in your column, but come on. The man has busted his a$$ for 19 years and when he fianlly gets what he deserves, he only has two main people to wrestle against?"
-Becky
"I understand your sentimental attachments to the Benoit title reign, but dont rain on the wwe's parade. They needed to redeem themselves, and not have a football player as THEIR youngest champ ever. And how could it be any better for story and closure purposes than to have it happen at the same event in which Brock earned the honor. At least now the youngest champion ever is the third ever third generation star; a man with a marquee name, and a true love for the business. I am a veteran wrestling fan, and i too had goosebumps when Benoit won the title in the first tap out victory in Wrestlemania main event history, but times must move on. For now, it is the Legend Killer's time."
-ChrstDn9
"Orton is a gifted third generation superstar who, as a heel, started to gain respect from the fans. If you noticed in the past few months, Orton has received some nice pops and Orton chants. If you watch the Backlash match with Cactus Jack, there is no way to say that Orton is not a great wrestler. He carried a ring rusted Foley through the match. That night Orton made himself World Title contender for the future. Simply put, Orton has the looks and skills to become one of the greatest to ever step foot in the ring. It won't be long before everybody starts jumping on the Randy Orton bandwagon."
-Joe Smith
"When Wrestlemania XX finished, i looked at Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero celebrating and remarked to my wife 'I wonder how long Triple H wants off. He is obviously planning a vacation or something. Maybe Steph is due to pop out a kid.' Unfortunately, Chris Benoit, rather than being the champion he deserved to be, was left holding the belt like a cloakroom attendant while HHH was 'playing' with his new 'friend' Eugene. While we appreciate the technical wrestling skills that Chris Benoit displays week after week, behind the scenes, one wrestler alone holds court with Vinnie Mac. Randy Orton may be a great champion one day, in years to come, but right now he is just keeping it warm for the favorite son-in-law."
-Larry Saunders
"Whether he's the champion or not, Raw revolves around Triple H. Who's fault it is, we don't know, and perhaps will never know. There is always an air around the closed doors of the WWE that no matter how deep you dig for the truth, there will always be something we never find out. It may be the fault of Triple H and his backstage sway, or perhaps Vince McMahon is really that high on his son-in-law, or perhaps Stephanie McMahon has daddy's ear in terms of Triple H's involvement. Don't get me wrong - the man is great, one of the best the business has ever seen, inside the ring and out. Yet this greatness has taken new levels, and this is most clearly evident throughout your meticulous examination of Chris Benoit's World Title reign. Shortly after Benoit won the title at Wrestlemania, I wrote a column entitled "Smaller Champions" praising the decision to give Benoit and Guerrero title belts and heralded a new era for the company. On Raw at least, nothing has changed. The main man remains Triple H, and despite him not being World Champion, he is still more often than not the focal point of the show. Now Triple H is good, but he is not immortal, and for as long as his prescence on Raw is the same as it is right now, perhaps no-body will ever emerge from under his shadow."
-Greg
