The Rock Denies 'Complete Horses--t' WWE Rumors About 'Double Standards' Backstage

The ongoing discussion about The Rock's ability to use certain language in his promos that other talent in WWE his prohibited from using won't go away.

Per Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter (h/t Subhojeet Mukherjee of Ringside News), one person within the company described it as "feeling that the era of Vince McMahon's double standards for his handpicked stars and for everyone else was over, and then The Rock shows up and it's exactly the same."

The Rock responded to the report on X by calling it "complete horses--t."

The double standard seems to involve the Great One's ability to use vulgar language in promos, particularly on social media. He's been posting videos calling out Cody Rhodes leading up to WrestleMania 40 that include strong language.

Per Aaron Vrable of SEScoops, a recent memo sent out from higher-ups in WWE to the talent reminded them "they need to stick to PG language, even on social media."

Vrable noted the Rock's promos led to a lot of frustration among other people wondering why they are getting held to a different standard and everyone should "play by the same rules" because it can be easier to get over if you're allowed to act more edgy on the microphone.

Even if there is a double standard for the Rock, this isn't a product of the old Vince McMahon era. The history of entertainment and sports around the world has shown that bigger stars get more leeway than anyone else.

Terrell Owens wasn't known for being a model citizen to all of his teammates, but there's a reason he played 15 seasons in the NFL.

WWE did give some leeway to Cody Rhodes on Raw this week when he responded to The Rock's recent concert on SmackDown in which he talked about, among other things, the American Nightmare's mother.

The Rock isn't doing anything nefarious. He's just using some colorful language in promos on social media.

It might be easier for other WWE superstars to get over if they could cut loose in ways the company doesn't currently allow, but they're not going to be afforded that situation on a show that is still trying to maintain a TV-PG rating.

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