Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s impact on professional wrestling spanned four decades. While his burgeoning acting career led to increasingly reduced WWE appearances compared to traditional part-time wrestlers, his contributions were substantial enough to forge a legendary legacy.
Here are five things wrestling fans get wrong about “The Great One.”
The Rock Had His Most Successful Run In 2003
The “Hollywood Rock” persona is a celebrated and legendary chapter in Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s career, lauded for its immense entertainment value. His 2024 heel run leading into WrestleMania 40 effectively channeled that iconic character, sparking considerable debate about it being his most compelling iteration. However, this perspective sometimes overshadows his remarkable run as the top babyface from 1999 to 2001.
In this period, Rock was a massive box office draw and instrumental in WWE’s continued growth during the beloved Attitude Era. While “Hollywood Rock” garnered critical acclaim for its uniqueness and unexpectedness, his earlier face run was equally vital to the company’s success.
Wasn’t A Great In-Ring Performer
Discussions about the qualities of a great wrestler often center on in-ring ability and character work. While The Rock is widely considered one of the most excellent talkers in wrestling history, this sometimes led fans to undervalue his wrestling skills.
A narrative suggests that The Rock was less capable in the ring than contemporaries like Steve Austin and Triple H. However, during his relatively shorter peak run, The Rock delivered numerous classic matches against top-tier opponents such as Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, and Brock Lesnar, showcasing his well-rounded greatness and dispelling the notion of his lack of in-ring skills.
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John Cena Feud Was A Disappointment
WWE invested over two years in the storyline ending in The Rock and John Cena main eventing consecutive WrestleMania events. WrestleMania 28, in particular, set a company record for pay-per-view buys, driven by mainstream fan interest extending beyond regular weekly viewers.
While some fans criticized WWE for booking the first match a year in advance and revisiting the rivalry the following year, The Rock’s immense name recognition as a major Hollywood movie star undeniably generated substantial revenue against WWE’s top star, John Cena, making the feud a significant financial success for the company.
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He Never Passed Steve Austin As The Top Star
The Attitude Era is a unique period in WWE history, characterized by having two simultaneous top faces of the company. Steve Austin held the undisputed top spot from 1998 to 1999, while The Rock steadily ascended as a consistent main eventer, transitioning from heel to face. Fan discussions often assert that The Rock never reached the same level of popularity and impact as Austin during their peak periods.
However, when an injury sidelined Austin, The Rock seamlessly stepped into the company’s top babyface role in 2000, maintaining the incredible momentum. WWE did not falter with Austin’s absence due to The Rock’s exceptional performances. Upon Austin’s return, a subsequent heel turn was partly attributed to The Rock having surpassed him as the company’s primary star.
Accused Of Burying More Talent Than Helping THem
The near possibility of The Rock replacing Cody Rhodes as Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania 40 opponent sparked accusations of him burying other talent throughout his career. Some fans genuinely hold this belief, citing The Rock’s promo style, which often involved running down opponents for comedic effect.
However, The Rock was arguably more selfless than past top stars like Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, and Shawn Michaels. Numerous talents, including Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, and Goldberg, secured significant victories over The Rock, elevating their careers. Even a lower mid-card comedic character like The Hurricane famously defeated The Rock, reportedly at The Rock’s suggestion to help the performer gain credibility.
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