The Jig is Up for “Johnny Rock”

From challenge beast to unlikely “Survivor” strategist?

I know it’s not the popular opinion, but John Wetteland Rocker started looking pretty okay(?) in the second episode of “Survivor: San Juan del Sur”.  But, man, it sure didn’t start that way.

First, the former big leaguer volunteered himself, for some reason, to compete in a hero challenge meant for a much smaller (Rocker is 6’4”), nimbler contestant and lost.

“Remove the friend part,” Rocker said after losing to his girlfriend Julie. “I just got beat by a girl!”

Next, he was sent to Exile Island alongside Massachusetts firefighter Jeremy, who, naturally, knew exactly who he was dealing with.

“I’m not saying he’s a racist,” Jeremy said. “But it will follow you the rest of his life.”

Lastly, he squared off in the immunity challenge against Jon, while a touch smaller than Rocker and more than a dozen years his junior, is every bit the physical specimen. That said, it was the football player who bested the bulky onetime baseball star by pushing him into the water and winning the challenge. The former Michigan State linebacker even bloodied Rocker’s nose for good measure.

Rocker learned first hand that those young bucks are hungrier and as a result stronger than him,” Survivor Hall of Famer Jonny Fairplay said.  “Despite what looks to be an amazing strength regimen going into Survivor. Balance and youth are not on John’s side.”

So…what did Rocker do right?

“Conversely, Rocker has worked in team sports all of his life,” Fairplay added, “and is learning rather quickly that tribe adaptation and strategy is much more important than muscles.”

Well, while on Exile Island, he tried bonding with Jeremy, even agreeing to the old “you protect my lady and I’ll protect yours” routine. Then, upon returning to his tribe, partnered up with Jeremy’s wife Val and even tried getting cozy with fellow tribemate Josh. Most importantly, Rocker was able to find himself a hidden immunity idol…almost assuring himself (and us!) that he will be around a little while longer and referred to himself as “Johnny Rock’ in the process.

But, just when it seemed a though he might be figuring out this “Survivor’” game, Rocker’s closest ally (Val) gets the boot and we’re treated to some potentially explosive scenes from next week’s episode.