Wrestling fans are still feeling the aftershocks of WrestleMania 41, but not for the reasons WWE hoped. Former company commentator Jonathan Coachman has delivered a scathing critique of The Rock’s absence from the event, claiming the Hollywood megastar’s no-show completely overshadowed what should have been wrestling’s biggest weekend.
Coach Pulls No Punches on The Rock’s WrestleMania Absence
During his appearance on the “Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling” podcast, Coachman didn’t mince words about The People’s Champion’s decision to skip the Showcase of the Immortals. The veteran broadcaster argued that Rocky’s absence created a black hole that consumed all media attention.
“He knew by not showing up that all anybody would talk about was him not showing up. And then what happened? The 13 other matches, two nights of WrestleMania, nobody talked about any of them. You watch any of the recaps, any of the shows, nothing. And that to me was a real disservice to the talent that got onto the shows.”
The former ESPN personality believes The Rock’s strategic absence was a calculated move that backfired spectacularly. Instead of generating positive buzz, it created a narrative vacuum that swallowed the accomplishments of every other performer on the card.
The Final Boss’s Unfinished Business
Coachman took particular issue with The Rock’s post-WrestleMania explanation on Pat McAfee’s show. The Great One claimed his “Final Boss” character had completed its purpose in the storyline, suggesting his work was done without needing a physical appearance.
That reasoning didn’t sit well with the broadcasting veteran, who sees it as a fundamental misunderstanding of wrestling storytelling principles.
“When you’re doing a wrestling angle, you start it and you finish it. But when he said, ‘Oh, I called Cody and I called John afterwards and said, I think the final boss’s job is done.’ Remember when he said that on McAfee? ‘I think my job is done.’ All you’ve done is this [throat slash gesture].”
Travis Scott vs. The People’s Champion
Adding insult to injury, Coachman pointed out that Travis Scott occupied the celebrity spotlight that many expected The Rock to fill. The contrast between a rapper with no wrestling connection and wrestling’s biggest crossover star wasn’t lost on the former announcer.
Coach’s Alternative WrestleMania Booking
Never one to criticize without offering solutions, Coachman laid out his vision for how the storyline should have concluded. His fantasy booking centers around John Cena capturing championship gold before making a deal with the devil.
The scenario involves Cena winning the title from Cody Rhodes as a beloved babyface, generating maximum crowd euphoria. Then, in a shocking twist, the Cenation Leader would align himself with The Rock, potentially as early as the following night’s Raw.
“So, I would have let him win as a babyface and go crazy, and the crowd would have gone bananas. And then you spend this summer, he can sell his soul the next night. You could have brought Rock out.”
The Summer That Could Have Been
This alternative timeline would have created months of compelling television, with Cena’s heel turn providing fresh storyline possibilities. The veteran broadcaster sees missed opportunities everywhere in WWE’s handling of the situation.
When Hollywood Schedules Clash with Wrestling Logic
Coachman’s criticism highlights the ongoing tension between The Rock’s entertainment empire commitments and his wrestling legacy. While The People’s Champion has successfully balanced both worlds before, WrestleMania 41 represents a rare misstep in that juggling act.
The situation raises important questions about part-time performers’ responsibilities to ongoing storylines and whether star power alone justifies incomplete narrative arcs.
The Rock’s absence from WrestleMania 41 may have protected his Hollywood image, but it left wrestling fans and fellow performers feeling abandoned at the industry’s most crucial moment. As WWE continues building toward future events, will The Final Boss return to finish what he started, or has this chapter of his wrestling story truly reached its premature end?
