Despite The Rock‘s latest delivery of sass on the blue brand not sitting well with some WWE higher-ups, FOX TV seems cool with it all. Getting to see the script in advance, the TV network officials could have censored any inappropriate lines when needed. While we are not sure if this will curb the surge in controversies, it, at least, reveals a crucial factor regarding the nature of WWE’s FOX deal.
The reality behind The Rock’s problematic SmackDown promo from FOX’s perspective
The Rock is never foreign to receive some extra pounds of attention, be it positive or negative. Ever since the former champion embraced his classic heel gimmick on WWE TV, he attracted a lot of heat. But his supposed offensive language on SmackDown on March 15 upset a host of WWE insiders as it violated the benchmark set by the ‘networks’ and ‘standards & practices’. However, it actually didn’t. According to Dave Meltzer, Fox didn’t let it out on broadcast without going over it with a fine tooth comb. ‘FOX gets the script ahead of time so they know when to bleep. Because the whole thing, The Rock promo, obviously it’s completely scripted. If it was anyone else, they would just be not allowed to say it. But with The Rock, it’s like he can say whatever he wants, but they know what he’s gonna say and when he’s gonna say it, so anything they wanna bleep out, they will bleep out. And they know when to bleep it out because they’re told ahead of time. ” Meltzer noted on F4Wonline.
With WWE mostly regarded as a PG company, using expletives is prohibited on a large scale except under some exceptional circumstances. The same applies to social media promos as well. Now, while it might seem from the outside that the channel went beyond the norm by accepting The Rock’s latest anomaly on TV, the network had no issues with the content on display.
Moving ahead, The Brahma Bull had his logic on point in defense of his recent controversial escapade.
The Rock seems unfazed amidst obscene promo controversy
Several personnel in the company have shown their infuriation with The Rock’s insensitive SmackDown promo last week. However, it doesn’t bother the Great One. Although the height of controversies and brickbats pushed him to come up with a justification, it never resulted in an apology from his side. The Rock has garnered a reputation for proudly wearing his savage, unfiltered side on his sleeves. And he’s the last one to give up on this ever. The Holywood mogul noted in a recent IG post, ‘‘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 ? ? ? ~ Final Boss #SmackDown”
It will be quite engaging to see how things move forward for the Brahma Bull amidst the WrestleMania season.
What’s your take on FOX taking care of Dwayne Johnson’s recent SmackDown promo beforehand? Let us know in the comments.
