Did fans like The Rock's final boss WWE gimmick during recent run?

The Rock’s final boss gimmick was loved by fans and haters alike.

The Rock’s recent heel turn and the adoption of the “Final Boss” persona leading into WrestleMania 40 have sparked significant interest and debate among WWE fans and insiders alike. With his promos veering away from WWE’s traditional PG content and delivered primarily via social media, the new gimmick has both thrilled and perplexed the wrestling community. Here’s a detailed look at how fans have reacted to The Rock’s transformation and the impact of his unorthodox promotional strategy.

In the lead-up to WrestleMania 40, The Rock turned heel and embraced the “Final Boss” character. This shift saw him facing off against top stars Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. What set this heel turn apart was The Rock’s use of social media to cut his promos. These videos were raw, filled with expletives, and strayed far from WWE’s PG guidelines, creating a buzz that extended beyond the usual wrestling audience.

Fan reactions were quite positive and the use of social media gave WWE more audience

Despite some rumored backstage frustrations regarding the explicit nature of his promos, the overall reaction from fans was overwhelmingly positive. Many praised The Rock’s new character as one of the best heel turns in recent WWE history. His ability to engage fans with his charisma and authenticity resonated deeply, turning skeptics into supporters.

The decision to use social media as a primary platform for his promos was born out of necessity. According to The Rock’s personal writer, Brian Gewirtz, the first promo on SmackDown was cut short due to time constraints. Gewirtz explained on The Ringer Wrestling Show, “I communicated with Rock afterward, like, ‘What are we gonna do? You didn’t get to cut half the promo,’ and he’s like, ‘Nah, it’s cool. I’ll just cut it on social media. It’ll be fine,’ and that’s kind of how that started.”

This pivot to social media allowed The Rock to deliver his message fully and without the limitations of television time slots. The Rock, who boasts 17.1 million followers on X and a staggering 397 million on Instagram, leveraged his massive online presence to enhance his storyline, bringing unprecedented attention to WWE.

With WrestleMania 40 behind us and The Rock’s “Final Boss” character firmly established, the question remains: What’s next? The positive fan reception and the strategic use of social media have set a new benchmark for wrestling promotions. As The Rock continues to evolve his character, it’s clear that the lines between traditional wrestling storytelling and modern digital engagement are blurring, much to the delight of fans.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.