Wrestlers Unhappy with The Rock, Flair Talks About the Future & More

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Wade Keller at PWTorch.com has reported that some wrestlers weren’t happy with the way The Rock carried himself on stage and behind the scenes at the Hall of Fame ceremony, saying that Steve Austin and other past colleagues felt he came across as aloof and above the business. “Multiple sources report he did not hob-nob with old friends before or after the Hall of Fame speech,” writes Keller. “He showed up in time for the speech, delivered an overly-long speech that offended many in WWE, and then left.” This could also be seen by some digs on Dwayne Johnson that made and didn’t make the broadcast of the ceremony.

Also according to PWTorch.com, Ric Flair was on “Primetime with the Packman” today — nationally syndicated radio show — saying he doesn’t know specifics of tonight’s tribute to him, and that he’ll do PR at least (but not announcing) for WWE in the future.

There are personal accounts of the fireworks situation at the Torch and Observer sites, including some Mania attendees saying that they were hit with pieces of fireworks, seemingly due to wind. Dave Meltzer reports that there are talks in Orlando about getting WWE do not use pyro on Raw tonight.

Also from the Observer site, Hulk Hogan told Bubba the Love Sponge that he didn’t watch Mania, but that Show should have went over Mayweather since Show was staying.

Mike Johnson at PWInsider.com noted that Big Daddy V was taken off of WrestleMania due to coming down with pneumonia. We wish him a quick recovery.

The only two WWE contracted talent not in Orlando, according to Johnson (that he was aware of), were Boogey Man and Johnny Jeter. Boogey’s been hurt and Jeter… has been a mystery, although last we reported, he was going to be sent to FCW. Johnson writes that some of the developmental wrestlers got heat for eating food from catering before the main roster talents arrived and ate.

Johnson also reports that the number of druids used during The Undertaker’s entrance was cut down from 24 to the 10 they used, and developmental stars Matt Sydal and Colt Cabana worked as Melina’s papparazzi during the ring entrance.

There is video on the fireworks accident over at TMZ.com.

Mick Foley updated his MySpace blog… with nothing directly related to WrestleMania. In the post, he reviews Bret Hart’s book.

Jim Ross has updated his blog with a new Q&A and an update from Orlando. J.R. says tonight’s RAW is can’t-miss, praises Floyd Mayweather, talks about the custom Rolex HBK gave Flair, his Solie speech being cut short and more.

Matthew Michaels is editor emeritus of Pulse Wrestling, and has been since the site launched.