WWE forced to mute live coverage at WrestleMania 40 after The Rock 'broke protocol' on-air with x-rated tirade
Topics: WWE, Wrestling, Dwayne Johnson
Ben Thompson
Featured Image Credit: WWE
Topics: WWE, Wrestling, Dwayne Johnson
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has made his big comeback to the WWE ring, but it wasn't without its spicier moments.
At WrestleMania 40, The Rock was centre stage as he took on Cody Rhodes and World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins.
Helping him out was WWE's Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Advert
This was Johnson's first time back in the ring in eight years.
His previous appearance saw him defeat Erick Rowan at WrestleMania 32.
The 51-year-old's latest rumble saw him getting heated with a referee, and appearing to boast about his influence since he joined the board of directors at TKO Holdings, WWE's parent company, this year.
He first ordered the official not to count anyone out or he would be 'fired'.
He then shouted: "I'm not f**king around!"
As the Jumanji star continued to rant, WWE opted to mute the heated conversation.
Warning, the clip below contains some strong language:
“YOU COUNT, YOU'RE FIRED”
— Overtime (@overtime) April 7, 2024
THE ROCK DON’T PLAY 😳 (via @WWE)
pic.twitter.com/IBp3vD1Qyc
The Rock is no stranger to using fresh language while appearing in a wrestling match.
During an episode of RAW, in which he pummelled Rhodes, he shouted: "This is what happens when you f**k with The Final Boss!"
Some have speculated the Rock's strong language is a headache for WWE, which is trying to maintain a TV-PG rating.
Johnson, however, denies this. He responded to a tweet saying 'TKO would like the Rock to follow (and set a good example) it's guidelines of TV-PG product', calling the story 'horses**t'.
In recent days, this isn't the first war of words that Johnson has found himself in.
Footage of a tense face-off with a fan went viral earlier this week, while he was attending a WWE Hall of Fame ceremony.
Johnson was inducting his late grandmother, who was a wrestling promoter, into the coveted Hall of Fame.
Johnson would describe his grandmother as a 'pioneer in our business of professional wrestling' after she took over his grandfather's wrestling company in Hawaii.
After giving a speech, Johnson had an exchange with a fan in the crowd, who had something to say about his upcoming fight against Rhodes.
The fan seemingly jeered: "Cody's coming for you," prompting The Rock to make him repeat himself.
When Johnson urged him to expand on what he was saying, the crowd member responded: "You sold out."
In response, the WWE veteran said: "That’s right, That’s what I f**king thought. Watch your f**king mouth."
After The Rock reigned supreme last night, that fan is probably enjoying a nice slice of humble pie.
It's been over 20 years since Johnson became a household name as a wrestler.
Now, he's a big name in Hollywood, but is still known to millions by his wrestling name.
With an estimated net worth of $800 million and the most social media followers of any American man, it's no wonder he's been dubbed The Great.