“No “Rocky II” Where Rocky Loses to Apollo Creed Again” – Rob McElhenney Explains How Wrexham’s Season Turned Into a “Rocky” Saga and What He Expects From Season 2

After 15 long years, Wrexham eventually achieved promotion to EFL League Two. Give due credit to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney for taking over the club and returning them to the promised land. The story sounds similar to Sylvester Stallone picking himself up and conquering Apollo Creed in the fabled Rocky series. Well, it is exactly what Rob mentioned in filming the Welcome to Wrexham documentary. As the first season of the docuseries was in full flow, the season concluded in chaos as they failed to gain a promotion. 

However, there is light at the end of every tunnel. In a recent interview with Variety, Rob described how the story of Wrexham shadowed Stallone’s success as Rocky in the iconic movie franchise. Although the happy ending of season one never panned out as planned, every cloud has a silver lining. 

Wrexham’s Rob McElhenney references Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky movie

Having Hollywood power for a soccer club works wonders. The creativity in content elevated the Welsh club to soaring heights. The ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ show epitomizes all that is good for the Welsh club. But to create these docuseries, the owners went through burning walls as their plans failed miserably at the first bit. Rob explained, “It was devastating. We had two or three episodes already done and edited. We had all of these high hopes that there was going to be a happy ending, and we had to sit down and make the rest of the series knowing that it was going to have this tragic end — and figure out how to approach it.”

Although the results on the pitch were unsatisfactory, the documentary’s ratings rocketed off the charts. Rob mentioned how they would start filming the second season soon, and they found a shining light by specifying a perfect analogy. The movie Rocky, at its peak, hit differently amongst the masses. The protagonist was Sylvester Stallone, a boxer who appeared in the sport by chance. Since coming onto the scene, he never looked back. 

READ MORE- Welcome to Wrexham Season 2: Release Date, Where to Watch, and Everything You Need to Know

Rob put the movie into perfect sense by comparing it to Wrexham’s documentary and season. He continued, “I mean, Rocky didn’t win at the end of the first “Rocky.” Because the point wasn’t that he beat Apollo Creed, it was that he proved to himself that he mattered, and he could keep getting up. So, we knew there was an ending to the story there that could be profound. But it definitely sets up an expectation for Season 2. Because there really is no “Rocky II” where Rocky loses to Apollo Creed again.”

Rocky and Wrexham give a knockout blow!

As Wrexham succumbed to the National League yet again, despite Ryan and Rob’s takeover, Stallone lost to Apollo Creed, the fictional character who challenged him for a bout. Until then, Creed was the finest boxer in the world, decimating his opponents to the ground. Pompous and extravagant with his entrance, Creed showed off his arrogance to Rocky in the initial stages. Bang comes Rocky with a KO. The crowd, stunned in silence, gave rousing applause as Creed got himself back up. Once he started taking the match seriously, the fight became a cinematic masterpiece for years. Expected to lose the bout soon, Rocky lasted for a full fifteen rounds, and via split decision, Creed retained the title. 

Despite losing the match, he won the hearts of millions and stood up for himself. Similarly, Wrexham won the hearts of their fans by getting their ethos back with their determined effort. With fans hopeful of the next season, Rocky delivered a knockout blow to Creed in the movie’s second installment. In contrast to Wrexham, they launched a stunning performance and gained promotion to the higher leagues of England. 

READ MORE- Sylvester Stallone Refused to Write ‘Creed’ Because of 4-Decade-Long Problem That Could Not Be Fixed

Although they acknowledged the last-minute edits and cuts of the season knackered him as a chairman, through the lens of a storyteller, it worked wonders! Wrexham and Rob-Ryan had their defining moment, similar to Rocky and Stallone. 

Season two of the docuseries is on the cards

Wrexham is currently the most beloved soccer club among fans. They have taken over the world through this documentary, which recently won the ‘Best Sports Show’ at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards. For many fans, soccer is a way of life. But sometimes, they lose connection with the club because of various toils. However, through these documentaries, it bridges the long-lost gap. 

Welcome to Wrexham struck the right chords in all senses. As Stallone reclaims the title in Rocky 3, can Wrexham gain back-to-back promotions for the 2023/24 campaign?

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