I am convinced it was not staged, but more a massive buildup of annoyed adrenalin. It was a slap instead of a punch which illustrates some level of restraint. A good friend of mine who is a retired pro boxer simply said that if his wife was humiliated in full public glare like Jaden was, 'Rock would have been unable to speak let alone continue'.
Anyone who thought this was staged, as most of the audience did initially, should compare the initial laughter with the stunned silence that followed Mr Smith's advice to Mr Rock about not mentioning Mrs Smith again.
It was assault, and provocation does not excuse it.
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