UNIONDALE, N.Y. Aug. 25, 2002 -- It was a bittersweet evening for The Rock, but certainly not because many of the fans in Nassau Coliseum cheered for his opponent, Brock Lesnar. As the Great One addresses right off the back in this interview, he feeds off the crowd, whether theyre with him or against him. No, the reason the night was bittersweet is because The Rock is off to Los Angeles Monday to shoot his next movie, tentatively titled Helldorado. So after an interview with Access Hollywood today, and after an unforgettable match with Brock Lesnar, which saw the Next Big Thing become the new WWE Undisputed Champion, The Rock will appear tomorrow morning at a Smackdown Your Vote! rally in Manhattan, and then catch a charter to Hollywood. That meant The Rock was saying his goodbyes today to dozens of World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars and staff, who he wont be seeing for the next four months or perhaps longer.
WWE.com: Did you hear the crowd out there tonight? What was your reaction?
The Rock: Lets just stick with my reaction, because I certainly hear them. And I work that way, by listening to them. I thought it was unbelievable in a great way. I absolutely love that. I thrive off that energy and that vibe. Just as jacked up and geeked as I get when theyre behind me, I do the same when theyre against me. And they know that I thrive off that. Ive always thought that, boo me or cheer me, thats your hard-earned dollar that youve spent. You have every right to do whatever you want. I will continue to entertain on both ends of the fence.
WWE.com: What did you think about the match?
Rock: I thought the match was tremendous. I loved the fact that we could go out there and follow all these other matches -- everyone on the card from top to bottom had tremendous matches -- was a testament to Brocks ability to go out there and perform the way he did. And we had talked about this Pat Patterson, myself and Vince had talked about the possibility of the crowd going the other way. It was tremendous. My hats off to Brock. I thought he did a tremendous job tonight.
WWE.com: What do you attribute that reaction to? Is it a New York thing? I remember SummerSlam 98 when you wrestled Triple H, and the crowd cheered for you even though you were the bad guy.
Rock: I dont think its necessarily a New York thing as much as it is an attitude thing. Its like two bulls clashing up against each other because, The Rock is all attitude. Its typical in the entire northeast that the audience is very attitudinal. Thats why its just a New York thing. Its Northeast attitude. But I dont break. You wont break me. And Im going to wink at you all the way through the match.
WWE.com: Ive noticed youve given a lot of hugs and handshakes today. How hard is it for you to leave?
Rock: Its difficult because I love this business. I love wrestling. I grew up in it. Thats why I came back a month and a half ago. Ive been pulling double duty. I havent had a day off since the day I came back. Ive done it because I believe in the direction that the companys going. I believe in what were doing with Brock. You know what I mean?
WWE.com: Besides Brock, who do you look to step up in your absence?
Rock: I dont know. Guys around the locker room know within themselves who needs to step up, who needs to work their ass off to grab the brass ring. But if I start naming names, theres five other guys who I should name. Its like, You didnt name me. Youre trying to get me in trouble!
WWE.com: When will you be back?
Rock: I dont know when Ill be back. The movie will take me into next year, into the first quarter of next year. So I dont know.
WWE.com: Will you continue to go by The Rock in your movies? Or will you switch to Dwayne Johnson? I know theres been some talk about that.
Rock: Yeah, we have. But Im The Rock. There cant be but one Rock.
WWE.com: OK, my last question is, how about those Miami Hurricanes?
Rock: I hate like hell always to start off as No. 1 because theyve got that big bulls eye on them. I hate that on one token, but on the other hand, I wouldnt want it any other way. So weve got a big bulls eye on our chest. F*** it. Bring it.
