JerryLawson is a journalism seniorSend comments to: jlawson@rohan.sdsu.edu
Welcome to one of the most electrifying columns in sportsjournalism today — well, maybe. For quite some time now aprofessional wrestler known simply as “The Rock” has been packingarenas across the nation with wild and crazy fans.
The World Wrestling Federation seems to have something of anentertainment phenomena and “The Rock” seems to be one of its ringleaders. He doesn’t even have to appear before his fans begin tochant the name Rock or Rocky.
As soon as the phrase “if you smell what ‘The Rock’ is cooking” isplayed over the loud speaker, the mania begins and is quicklyfollowed by “The Rock’s” music. As he makes his way to the ring, “TheRock” makes sure to give his patented “The People’s Eyebrow” severaltimes, which ignites the crowd further. Then he climbs to the top ofone of the ring’s corner rails, where he proceeds to insult hisopponent or opponents with an ensemble of witty and rather funnyphrases.
A unique vocabulary of words that only “The Rock” can use inclever and compelling ways, combined with his one-of-a-kindpersonality, provide the basis for his verbal attacks. For those ofyou that don’t know the words, let me share with you just a few ofhis favorite selections. There is “Roody Poo,” which is usually aimedat whatever unlucky foe has angered “The Rock” most recently; thereis “Jabroni,” which is also usually pointed toward his competitors;and there is “Candy Ass,” which he uses practically every weekwithout fail.
Oh, and the opponents can forget about making any kind of slyretort, because all “The Rock” has to say is “it doesn’t matter” andthe crowd erupts with screams and hollers.
I don’t know if it was “The Rock” who came up with these words andphrases, or some shrewd script writer who just knew such words wouldignite the crowds, but whoever is responsible probably is a richperson right now and all because of a few words that probably cannotbe found in any scholarly dictionary.
The madness continues as “The Rock” attempts to defeat his humbledbut angered challenger. Whenever “The Rock” finds himself in troubleof losing the match, more chants of “Rocky — Rocky” fill the air.The craze, that by this time has engulfed just about every attendant,continues until well after this lone individual makes his way towardthe exit.
But that’s not even the half of it. “The Rock” has named justabout everything that goes along with his weekly performances. Hecalls himself “The People’s Champion,” even though he holds noofficial title and wears no championship belt around his waist at thepresent time. When things go well in the ring for “The Rock,” fansknow that such finishing moves as the “The Rock Bottom” and “ThePeople’s Elbow” are sure to follow.
Many critics have attacked wrestling, especially the WWF, becauseof its use of sex and violence to sell its product. Now I am notabout to say that the WWF doesn’t do this, because when it comesright down to it — it does.
However, it looks to me like the critics are missing the onecomponent that is the biggest reason why wrestling and characters andimages such as the WWF and “The Rock” are so popular and are so easyto market.
It’s the simplicity of the whole thing.
Where else can you find such a mixture of action, comedy, intrigueand adventure?
It’s the soap opera of the new millennium.
Wrestling had once disappeared from the spotlight, but has nowreturned to the scene bigger, badder and more powerful than everbefore.
So when it comes right down to it, what the hell is “The Rock”cooking anyway?
If you haven’t already figured it out, let me tell you.
He is cooking a weekly feast of some of the most entertainingdishes to hit the entertainment scene in quite some time. If youdon’t believe me, check out the action for yourself some Monday Nightat around 9 p.m. on the USA Network. I haven’t been a wrestling fansince my junior high school days, but I find myself once again tuningin to see what wrestling has to offer its viewers, and especially tofind out what new spread “The Rock” has prepared for his fans tofeast on.
