Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has responded to criticism from Busted Open Radio host Dave LaGreca. The backlash came after Johnson’s recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. Fans were upset over his absence from WrestleMania 41, claiming it hurt the main event featuring Cody Rhodes and John Cena.
During the interview, Johnson explained why he stepped away from the storyline. He said he wanted Cena to have his moment in the spotlight. However, not everyone agreed with his reasoning. LaGreca was among those who criticized both Johnson’s absence and his comments.
Johnson fired back at LaGreca in an Instagram post. He reminded him that wrestling is a scripted business. Every match, every interview—it’s all part of the work, he said. He then invited LaGreca to join creative talks with Rhodes, Cena, and Brian Gewirtz once to know their approach.
“Hi Dave, the business is a complete work. Always has been, always will be. Every aspect of it. Every match. Every interview,”
The Rock on Dave LaGreca’s furious reaction on his WrestleMania 41 absence
Johnson ended his message with lighthearted advice. He told LaGreca to stop ranting and enjoy the show. As a playful touch, he asked to tell Bubba Ray Dudley that he has Grand Marnier and Hush Puppies for them.
Dave LaGreca is ‘hurt and disappointed’ by The Rock’s bad response to him
Earlier this week, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson spoke on *The Pat McAfee Show*. He explained why he missed WrestleMania 41. He also shared how he would have changed the show’s bad ending. His comments sparked backlash from fans and media, including Busted Open Radio’s Dave LaGreca.
The Rock later responded to LaGreca. He dismissed the criticism, saying wrestling is a work. He argued fans should just enjoy the show instead of complaining. The Great One emphasized his love for wrestling, calling it unique. He acknowledged the physical risks wrestlers take, making it real in that sense.
LaGreca fired back, saying he didn’t need The Rock to remind him wrestling is scripted. He rants because he’s passionate, not because he hates wrestling. The Talk Show Host compared it to being upset when his favorite sports teams lose. He said fans believe in the magic of wrestling and don’t need insiders calling it fake.
“So when you say it’s a work, I don’t need to be reminded. I know that. I’m trying to fight that off from everybody outside of our circle. I don’t need somebody inside the circle who sits at the highest mountain in this business, which is the WWE, to tell me it’s not real.I appreciate what [you’ve] done for me and for this business but what you put in that response I felt was wrong. And it hurt me. I’m not angry about. I’m actually hurt and disappointed with the response.”
Dave LaGreca on The Rock’s comments
LaGreca’s rant makes sense—criticism often comes from passion. It’s dismissive for a performer to just say, “It’s a work.” As one commenter noted, nobody says that when fans like a storyline. Outsiders call wrestling fake, not insiders. The Rock’s response felt out of touch, echoing Cody Rhodes’ famous words to him at Elimination Chamber.
