Dave Meltzer Addresses The Rock's 'Complete Horsesh*t' Tweet

Dave Meltzer has addressed The Rock's "complete horsesh*t" comments.

The Rock has been back in WWE since January 2024, having joined the TKO Board of Directors. Dwayne Johnson will be involved in a headline match at WrestleMania 40 when he main events night one by teaming with Roman Reigns to take on Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.

Multiple reports, including an article from Dave Meltzer in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, have stated there has been frustration amongst the WWE roster over a perceived double standard that sees WWE talents banned from swearing, even on social media, while The Rock has appeared on WWE TV and cursed as much as he wants without any repercussions. The policy of no swearing was implemented in a memo sent by WWE President Nick Khan, Triple H, and Executive Vice President of Talent Dan Ventrelle only a few weeks ago. Talent are also not allowed to say "ass" because FOX doesn't want the word on their network, although Cody Rhodes received a one-night reprieve on the March 18 edition of Raw.

Talent, according to Meltzer, have argued Dwayne Johnson should be setting an example and following the rules set out in the memo as he is a member of the TKO Board of Directors. Furthermore, there was a feeling within WWE the double standards for top stars that existed under Vince McMahon were over, only for The Rock to come in and show it is "exactly the same" with Triple H as Chief Content Officer.

The report published in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter was subsequently improperly aggregated by Wrestlelamia, who tweeted: "WON: TKO would like the Rock to follow (and set a good example) it's guidelines of TV-PG product. However, many feel the double standards of the Vince McMahon Era are back."

This prompted a response from The Rock, who replied: "This story is complete horsesh*t."

Meltzer has since addressed Dwayne Johnson's comments, replying to one X user: "You mean, first of all I never said TKO wanted him to change anything. I wrote that because he's The Rock he can do what he wants. You always cater to people of that level whether in wrestling or other endeavors. Somehow that was changed in translation to something me or the other reporter who had the basic same story both never said."

Meltzer then stated: "I'm sure he wouldn't like what some talent said for the story, but other talent have said similar elsewhere. That said, we've also constantly pointed out his value at the box office and for company perception, in ways a lot of people don't consider such as him being there engages a lot of heavy hitters who wouldn't engage in WWE business otherwise and has to greatly help in making deals and sponsorships. A lot of people don't get this aspect of business and you can't overstate his value, which is why he got a $30M deal."

Following his match at WrestleMania 40, The Rock looks set to take time away from WWE. A24's 'The Smashing Machine' is set to begin filming on May 1 and last until August 1. Dwayne Johnson is the star of the movie and he will portray UFC legend Mark Kerr.