Former WWE manager Dutch Mantell recently weighed in on The Rock’s provocative promo from SmackDown, which took aim at Cody Rhodes’ mother. The exchange unfolded following Rhodes’ emotionally charged speech on RAW, where he pledged to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship at WrestleMania and dedicate it to his mother.
However, The Great One seized the opportunity to mock Rhodes during SmackDown, jesting that he would personally present a belt to Cody’s mother after using it to pummel The American Nightmare.
During a segment on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Smack Talk podcast, Mantell shared his initial surprise at the direction of The Rock’s promo.
With a touch of humor, Mantell jokingly speculated that The Rock might have been teasing the prospect of physically disciplining Rhodes’ mother with the championship belt. His playful commentary highlighted the unexpected turn the promo took and entertained the idea of a dramatic altercation unfolding on pay-per-view.
“I thought he was gonna say when he started, he was gonna whip her. I thought wait a minute that’d be something different. You whip the mama right there on pay-per-view, wham, wham! That would be something different.” [16:20 onwards]
Mantell’s humorous perspective provided insight into the unpredictability of wrestling storytelling and the creative liberties taken by performers to engage audiences. The Rock’s scathing promo on SmackDown targeted not only Rhodes but also Seth Rollins, aligning with his narrative that both competitors and their supporters are “crybabies.”
This narrative echoed sentiments expressed earlier in the week by former WWE head writer Vince Russo, who also poked fun at Rhodes for his emotional displays on national television.
The controversial nature of The Rock’s promo sparked debate among fans and wrestling insiders alike, showcasing the power of compelling storytelling to elicit strong reactions from audiences.
As tensions mount leading up to WrestleMania, the verbal jabs exchanged between competitors only serve to intensify the anticipation surrounding their impending showdowns.
Ultimately, Mantell’s commentary offered a lighthearted perspective on the intricacies of wrestling promos and the playful banter that accompanies them, adding an additional layer of entertainment to the ongoing drama unfolding in the WWE universe.
