Wrestling icon Dutch Mantell has weighed in on the daunting challenge facing today’s WWE Superstars as they attempt to follow in the footsteps of legends like The Rock on television each week.
This past week on SmackDown in Memphis, TN, The Brahma Bull electrified the audience with a signature Rock Concert, taking aim at rivals Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins.
In a fiery promo, the 51-year-old icon declared his intention to not only defeat Rollins at WrestleMania but also to present the bloody championship belt to Rhodes’ mother in a symbolic gesture of victory.
Speaking on the latest episode of Sportskeeda Wrestling’s Smack Talk podcast, Mantell expressed his belief that the show struggled to maintain momentum after The Rock’s commanding performance.
Drawing a clear distinction between the Hollywood superstar and his contemporaries, Mantell lamented what he perceived as a lack of excitement among today’s generation of wrestlers compared to icons like The Rock.
“I’ll tell you what, I found it tough to get back into it (the show) too. Once The Rock finished his spiel, you might as well have switched the channel. And that’s what happened. It’s a tough act to follow, and I get it. But I’m starting to resent some of those guys who had to follow The Rock. It really showcased how dull they can be,” Mantell remarked during the podcast.
With his impassioned promo on SmackDown, The Great One has intensified the anticipation for the upcoming tag team match at WrestleMania. He left no doubt about his determination to ensure that Seth Rollins does not retain his championship and that Cody emerges from the event battered and bloodied.
The Rock’s return to the ring and his subsequent verbal jousting have injected a new level of excitement and drama into the WrestleMania storyline.
As the event draws nearer, anticipation continues to build for what promises to be a memorable clash between some of WWE’s most prominent figures.
In the wake of The Rock’s electrifying appearance, the challenge facing WWE’s current crop of Superstars has become abundantly clear.
They must not only strive to entertain but also to captivate audiences in a manner befitting the legacy of icons like The Rock. Only time will tell if they can rise to the occasion and leave their own indelible mark on the world of professional wrestling.
