finally the rock has returned...to HONG KONG

So today, the Rock came to Hong Kong to promote his new movie. I was psyched to go cover because I was told I'd get to do a group interview with him. I tried to ask for a one-on-one interview because I'm quite possibly the biggest pro wrestling fan in Hong Kong. I mean I been watching the Rock since 96 and have followed his entire WWF career. But of course, we didn't get the one-on-one interview because in the end, it's all about "circulation numbers". (SCMP got a one-on-one interview, probably Milk) It's perfectly understandable and I accept that.

But today, seeing the Rock giving generic "Hollywood answers" ("I love Hong Kong! I want to stay here!") made me sad. Seeing him smile and wave hi to everyone as he walked along Main Street with Mickey made me sad

Because we all liked the Rock best when he was clowning people, talking down to people, bragging about his 500 dollar shirts, his rolexes, about how much poontang he gets, about how everyone around him is a jabroni and we should "know our roles and shut our mouths". The Rock owned all of us every Monday night from 1998 to 2002 and we loved him for it.

Now? He making Disney movies. Grinning, and talking about himself in first person.

Remember when he was handing out presents to the Nation of Domination? He gave DLo and Kama Mustafa rolexes, then he gave Faarooq A FRAMED PICTURE OF HIMSELF. That was the greatest gift in the world.

Remember when he threw Austin off roody poo bridge? The People's Elbow?

The most disheartening thing is this: before the interview, the PR people reminded us we can't call him The Rock, but Dwayne Johnson. It was a request we all followed suit. I spoke to him (for 40 seconds) and called him Mr Johnson. Others called him Dwayne. But then this one local media guy--who is clearly a WWF fanboy, just like me--goofed. When he was selected to ask a question, he jumped up and said "HEY ROCK!"

Stunned silence all around. The local media guy immediately apologized, to which the Rock quickly replied "It's ok, that's fine" followde by a smile.

I hated that moment. I wished The Rock would have given the people's eyebrow, then tell the guy either one of the following:

A: You...what's your name? IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOUR NAME IS. Why don't you drink a big tall glass of shut up juice!

or

B: Why don't you take this Mickey Mouse microphone here, you shine that sumabitch real nice. Then you turn it sideways, AND STICK IT STRAIGHT UP YOUR MONKEY ASS!

That's the Rock I remember.

But it's gone. Forever.

"Any chance you'll ever step back int he ring?" I asked.

"I've been retired for five years. There's no chance I'm getting back into the ring."