WWE’s Likely Use of The Rock to Shift Focus From Vince McMahon Scandal

The Rock became public enemy #1 after Cody Rhodes momentarily gave away his WrestleMania 40 main event spot to The Great One last week on SmackDown, leading to an entire movement. Now it appears WWE used The Rock just to divert attention from Vince McMahon’s lawsuit.

In case you have been living under a rock, Vince McMahon is facing allegations of sexual trafficking and misconduct from Janel Grant. In her lawsuit, she contends that McMahon distributed explicit content featuring Grant without her permission, involving other WWE personnel, undisclosed executives, and so much more.

However, it became evident that immediately after it was made apparent The Rock could main event WrestleMania 40 instead of Cody Rhodes, fans forgot about Vince McMahon’s lawsuit and focused their outrage on The Rock instead.

According to Dave Meltzer on The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the decision to involve The Rock in the storyline seemed to divert attention from the Vince McMahon controversy. The situation turned into a meme, and on social media, the focus shifted from outrage over McMahon to criticism directed at The Rock and the company.

While Meltzer acknowledged the tactic as a way to redirect attention, he also noted the unsettling aspect of the situation when considering its intent to manipulate public perception.

“It became a meme that they went to Rock to distract from the Vince McMahon story. And it does seem that it worked, because in social media, the outrage over McMahon pretty much ended and became outrage against The Rock and the company. It’s kind of sick when you think about it, but if the idea as a way to divert attention, it did work.”

Seth Rollins also hopes everyone involved in the Vince McMahon lawsuit face consequences. Only time will tell whether Vince McMahon will be brought to justice, as WWE is more focused on the Road to WrestleMania 40 now.

What do you think of WWE’s supposed diversion tactic? Do you feel The Rock might just be a scapegoat now? Sound off in the comments section below!