Rock was still an actual spectacle and a surprise in 2011. It was 2013 when he became champ where people are like "um, ok". Currently people have been getting the feeling that he's solely coming back due to movie breaks, unlike past years
He still is a spectacle and surprise though. The reactions are proof of that.
But Fam. You must not have been around the criticism during that time.
First off. Rock has always been coming back due to movie breaks. WWE is his getaway. That's not a bad thing either because he clearly enjoys what he does in the WWE.
But people claim it was only for money. Only to steal spotlights and bury talents. This goes back to 2011.
They complained about him not showing up enough. People misunderstanding when he said he was never going away. They moaned about him going over RTruth/Miz. Bryan. Some complained about him going over Cena.
2013 was the peak of his flack. And it lead on to people moaning about his stuff with Vickie, Punk, Lana/Rusev, New Day, and now Wyatts. Anything he does.