Update On WWE Talent's Frustration Over 'Double Standard' For The Rock
More details on why talents are frustrated with WWE's treatment of The Rock
Mar 19, 2024
The Rock is currently the reason for frustration amongst the WWE roster, with reports over the weekend noting that The Rock's swearing had rubbed some in the company the wrong way. This is due to a perceived double standard as the rest of the roster are beholden to WWE's PG rules while Dwayne Johnson is allowed to swear as much as he wants on social media and WWE TV.
The Rock has even addressed the reports, writing on Instagram: "'You sound like somebody the Rock can love - drunk and horny'. Networks and 'standards & practices' have issues with my language, but I'd rather be real than not. I talk from the heart, shoot from the hip and try to always have fun. Enjoy the Rock concert."
Further details about the unhappiness within WWE have been revealed by Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, who has reported that The Rock is able to do what he wants because he is a member of the TKO Board of Directors and "nobody is going to say anything to him." If any issues do arise, Dwayne Johnson has a whole team around him to deal with any problems while he "stays out of the mess with the people he directly deals with."
The frustration amongst the WWE roster stems from a memo sent by WWE President Nick Khan, Triple H, and Executive Vice President of Talent Dan Ventrelle only a few weeks ago which stated that WWE is a PG company and there was to be no swearing from WWE talents, including on social media. All talent have also been told to never say "ass" because FOX doesn't want the word on their network but The Rock has cursed in his WWE promos and used the word "ass" on multiple occasions.
Talent have argued that because The Rock is on the TKO Board of Directors then he should be following the rules set out by the memo in order to set an example. Some talents have also stated they would be able to get more traction on TV and social media if they had the PG handcuffs removed.
Another person within WWE noted the feeling within the company was the double standards that existed under the Vince McMahon regime for his top stars was over now that Triple H is WWE Chief Content Officer, only for The Rock to come in and show it is "exactly the same." The likes of John Cena, Roman Reigns, the Bloodline, Undertaker, and Brock Lesnar always had a different standard but the belief is The Rock has taken the situation further.