>>13585295Problem with Rikishi is that there is zero build up to this guy. Hindsight is 20/20, but in an ideal situation, Rikishi would've been billed as one of the strongest samoans sent to establish dominance in name of the clan and try to take over. So cold and stoic and no nonsense, but then 2 Cool's infectious energy and weirdness rubs off on him. He puts the hat on, dons those glasses, and something just changes...
I would go on, but let's assume it like how Rikishi was normally done. They could have easily hinted towards a backstory like that of being the clan's hitman, with one of the elders reprimanding Rikishi for stooping so low in class and "engaging in such childishmess". Then he reminds Rikishi of what he came for, and his next objective is told off screen, and clear.
Now you have better build up for his assault.
The second issue is they tried to turn it into a race angle, which not only got rebuked by the Rock, which is fucking absurd, he straight up BURIED it alive with that "I did it for da rock" promo. It's hilarious but I genuinely wonder what he was thinking at that time. Just another case of WWE creative showing how incompetent they are at their writing.
So they should've leaned harder into it. The Rock, contemplates, and looks to the crowd, to himself. Is he right? Would a darker skin tone make him less appealing? Obviously the answer is no, but Rock should at least let Rikishi have his say and then answer back next week with a more thoughtful response. Something like him calling his dad, and asking about his career. Maybe something like admitting his dad did feel discriminated, or whatever. But Rock's here to change the script. Black or white, the People's Champ is beloved by all, and he will continue to prove it. To Rikishi though, orders are absolute, and the samoans want total control. Rock's refusal to take advantage of the situation is problematic, so they decide to have Rikishi take his place. Cue the feud.
Something like that.
