As a long-time wrestling enthusiast who’s had the privilege to witness The Rock’s electrifying performances and charismatic presence both inside and outside the ring, I find the recent resurfacing of the People’s Championship utterly fascinating. It seems that Dwayne Johnson is relishing in the nostalgia of his iconic Attitude Era days, possibly yearning for a custom title that never saw the light of day during that era – the “Brahma Bull” WWE Championship belt.
For a while, I believed it wouldn’t be too much longer before “The Rock,” also known as “The Final Boss,” made an appearance at a future WWE event. And sure enough, he did exactly that, following a six-month hiatus, in the climactic moments of Bad Blood. However, when he stepped onto the stage, he wasn’t accompanied by another member of the Anoaʻi family to bolster The Bloodline or anything similar. Instead, he carried with him the eccentric People’s Championship belt over his expensive $500 shirt, giving the impression of a victorious warrior returning from battle.
You know what? I still can’t make sense of the People’s Championship, what it means to Dwayne Johnson (both the wrestler and “Franchise Viagra” box office hero), or how I’m supposed to feel about it. I thought the great American nightmare was over after Rocky’s strange run-in with Cody Rhodes following that ridiculous Mania main event, yet here I am, in the next chapter of this confusing and seemingly never-ending saga.
So, How Did The Rock Earn The People’s Championship In The First Place?
At the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame, The Rock, famously known as the “People’s Champion” before embracing the “Final Boss” persona for WrestleMania 40, received a title not meant for display in his office or gym. To my surprise, this wasn’t just a ceremonial belt; it was something much more significant.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson holds a position on TKO’s board of directors, granting him significant creative freedom within WWE. This liberty allows him to perform unconventional actions, such as showcasing a humorous, unwarranted championship belt that was given to him rather than earned in a match. Despite not having won the title through competition, he brought the belt with him to the Night One main event and the subsequent post-match press conference.
I’m Pretty Sure The Rock Is Working Wrestling Fans By Carrying This Gaudy Belt Around
I’ve watched a lot of wrestling over the years, and I know a heel when I see one. The Rock, who has been a great villain in WWE multiple times over the years, is doing a fantastic job of working the crowd into a frenzy and making them boo him (which is no easy task for a beloved superstar like this). I’m pretty sure that’s the purpose of the Peoples Championship, and I’m pretty much convinced he’s doing this just to work fans by carrying this gaudy belt with him whenever he’s on TV.
This wrestler stands out in a way that’s beyond the usual absurdity; he manages to stir up a significant reaction. Admittedly, I have a certain respect for him due to his unique style. During the Attitude Era, his expensive attire, including $500 shirts, leather loafers, designer sunglasses, and million-dollar smiles, infuriated countless fans, so he had to adapt, and adapt he did.
But I’m Also Not Convinced He Doesn’t Think This Is The Coolest Thing Ever
I’m not trying to put Dwayne Johnson down, as he’s been one of the most electric wrestlers to ever step in the ring or pick up a mic, but I’m not fully convinced he doesn’t think the People’s Championship isn’t the coolest thing ever. This makes the whole situation all the more confusing because I don’t know if this is a work or a shoot.
If Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson genuinely believes this belt is impressive, that’s fantastic in my book. It makes sense to me how he might justify receiving it over someone else, and I can certainly understand his desire to flaunt it on television rather than just using it for cheap crowd reactions as some might suggest when he criticized Cody supporters. The fusion of reality and storyline in wrestling only enhances the entertainment value. Pondering where Dwayne Johnson ends and his character begins has always been a fascinating exploration for me.
Maybe The Rock Is Bringing It Around Because He Never Used The Custom “Brahma Bull” WWE Championship During The Attitude Era
One idea that I have been toying around with since the People’s Championship came around earlier this year is that The Rock wants his own personalized title after his “Brahma Bull” WWE Championship belt that was commissioned back in 1999 never saw the light of day.
If you’re not acquainted with the “Brahma Bull” WWE Championship belt, The Rock and WWE created a unique title design, replacing the traditional “Winged Eagle” with his own tattoo image. However, it wasn’t utilized since, according to his statement to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful in 2018, it was too much like Steve Austin’s “Smoking Skull” belt, which was made first. It seems possible that he was particularly drawn to that belt due to the strong resemblance between the two designs.
Is It A Real Championship If You Don’t Defend It?
Currently, there are numerous title holders in WWE, and typically they defend their titles at least once every month, sometimes more often. However, this isn’t true for The Rock and his People’s Championship, leading one to wonder: is it really a genuine championship if it’s not defended?
It’s not that I expect The Rock to constantly hold onto the title, but it’s striking that no one has attempted to dethrone him yet or used the championship in a plot. Perhaps this could happen before WrestleMania 41, as it appears we might see The Rock and Roman Reigns go head-to-head then. However, if they both claim victory, would the Original Tribal Chief also be known as the People’s Champion? Or will the WWE Championship stay with The Rock himself after the match?
But It’s Also Crazy How The People’s Championship Is The One Belt You Can’t Buy On The WWE Shop
Typically, WWE swiftly capitalizes on fan enthusiasm by offering merchandise, but at present, you can’t purchase a replica of the latest championship belt from the company. While the classic Brahma Bull WWE Championship is up for grabs on the WWE Shop, the sleeker, updated version that The Rock showcased during his standoff with Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns at Bad Blood isn’t available yet.
It strikes me as unusual that their official online store offers such a vast array of items, ranging from excellent to downright poor quality. Perhaps they’re unique pieces, or maybe there’s some confusion within WWE about the product line, and they’re hesitant to address it directly.
Am I perplexed about the People’s Championship? Absolutely, I am. But am I eager to witness what The Rock will do now that he has reappeared? Definitely! And with Raw transitioning to Netflix in early 2025, we can expect to see a lot more of Dwayne Johnson and his over-the-top championship.
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2024-10-12 14:07