Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a figure synonymous with the pinnacle of sports entertainment, has consistently commanded the spotlight, often navigating the tumultuous currents of fan adoration and fierce opposition throughout his storied career. His journey, marked by both strategic reinvention and visceral reaction, recently saw him embrace a polarizing new persona, “The Final Boss,” a move that reignited debates among loyalists and newcomers alike.
His latest impactful return to the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) landscape in 2024 commenced with a tease of a former WWE Champion appearing on the Day 1 edition of Raw on January 1. This mystery champion was initially revealed as Jinder Mahal, whose insults to the crowd were swiftly cut short by Johnson, making his first live appearance on Raw since 2016. Following a decisive brawling victory, Johnson provocatively questioned the crowd, asking if he should sit at “the head of the table,” a direct and unmistakable reference to his relative, Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns.
Johnson’s presence further intensified with an appearance on the February 2 episode of SmackDown, where he directly confronted Reigns. This face-off occurred after Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes controversially decided against choosing Reigns as his WrestleMania 40 opponent, seemingly paving the way for Johnson to challenge Reigns. This unexpected development, however, triggered an intense backlash from fans who passionately advocated for Rhodes to complete his story against Reigns.
Amidst this fervent fan sentiment, the WrestleMania XL media event on February 8 became a pivotal moment. Johnson aligned himself publicly with Reigns, marking a significant turn in his character. He sharply chastised Rhodes for reversing his decision regarding the WrestleMania opponent and proceeded to slap Rhodes, an action rooted in Rhodes speaking out against the Anoaʻi family, of which both Johnson and Reigns are members. This dramatic turn of events prompted WWE’s chief creative officer, Triple H, to be interviewed backstage, where Johnson and Reigns assertively told him to “fix it” or they would, though Triple H later appeared on SmackDown to firmly uphold Rhodes’ original decision.
Johnson solidified his newfound allegiance on the February 16 episode of SmackDown, officially joining Reigns’ faction, The Bloodline. Concurrently, he debuted his potent new persona, “The Final Boss,” which artfully incorporated elements of his arrogant “Hollywood Rock” incarnation from 2003. This transformation included publicly insulting the audience, donning gaudy and expensive attire, and introducing a new entrance theme that cunningly transitioned from his heroic character’s music into his “Hollywood Rock” tune, signaling a deliberate shift in his on-screen identity.
On the March 1 episode of SmackDown, Johnson firmly established his new nickname, “The Final Boss,” and issued a challenge that reverberated through the wrestling world. He proposed a high-stakes tag team match for WrestleMania Night 1, pitting himself and Reigns against Cody Rhodes and Seth “Freakin” Rollins. The stipulation was clear: if Rhodes and Rollins emerged victorious, Rhodes’ championship match against Reigns on Night 2 would be free from any interference from The Bloodline. Conversely, if Rhodes and Rollins lost, the championship match would be contested under the ominous “Bloodline Rules.” This challenge was accepted by Rhodes and Rollins the following week, setting the stage for a monumental clash.
The animosity escalated further on the March 25 episode of Raw when Johnson launched a brutal backstage attack on Rhodes, leaving him visibly beaten and bloody in the parking lot, signaling his commitment to his villainous persona. During the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Johnson was bestowed with a unique “People’s Championship” by Muhammad Ali’s wife, Lonnie, an accolade he subsequently began carrying over his shoulder during his televised appearances, cementing his status as a defiant and impactful figure.
The Night 1 main event of WrestleMania XL saw Johnson and Reigns triumph over Rhodes and Rollins, a victory that granted them the strategic advantage of “Bloodline Rules” for the Night 2 championship match. In the chaotic Night 2 main event between Reigns and Rhodes, multiple individuals intervened, impacting the outcome. Johnson notably appeared, hitting John Cena with a Rock Bottom after a tense staredown, only for The Undertaker to emerge and chokeslam Johnson. Ultimately, Cody Rhodes defeated Roman Reigns for the Undisputed WWE Championship, concluding a significant chapter.
In the immediate aftermath, on the following night’s Raw, Johnson interrupted Rhodes’ championship celebration. In a surprising display, he congratulated Rhodes, signaling a temporary truce or acknowledgment, and then revealed his intention to depart from WWE, leaving fans to ponder his next move after his latest, intense run. This recent chapter in Johnson’s career underscores his enduring ability to generate significant buzz and controversy.
Johnson’s journey in professional wrestling began in 1996, following his departure from Calgary’s football scene. Veteran wrestler Pat Patterson played a crucial role, securing several tryout matches for Johnson with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) that year. Initially competing under his real name, Johnson secured a victory against The Brooklyn Brawler at a house show on March 10 but faced defeats against Chris Candido and Owen Hart, marking the very nascent stages of his in-ring development.
His early professional experience also included a stint at Jerry Lawler’s United States Wrestling Association, where he competed under the moniker Flex Kavana. During the summer of 1996, he achieved notable success, twice winning the USWA tag team championship alongside his partner Bart Sawyer. This period proved fruitful, leading to Johnson being signed to a WWF contract, where he received further specialized training from Tom Prichard, working alongside fellow trainees Achim Albrecht and Mark Henry, honing his skills for the grand stage.
Johnson’s WWF debut unfolded as Rocky Maivia, a name ingeniously crafted from a combination of his father’s and grandfather’s ring names, though announcers duly acknowledged his real name. Initially, Johnson expressed reluctance concerning this specific ring name, but he was ultimately persuaded by the influential figures of Vince McMahon and Jim Ross to adopt it. He quickly earned the nickname “The Blue Chipper” and was prominently heralded as the WWF’s pioneering third-generation wrestler, a testament to his unique lineage within the sport.
Despite his relative inexperience in the wrestling world, Maivia, characterized as a clean-cut face character, received a significant and immediate push from the company. His inaugural appearance on Monday Night Raw occurred on November 4, 1996, as a member of Marc Mero’s entourage. His first official match took place at Survivor Series on November 17 in an eight-man elimination tag match, where he remarkably stood as the sole survivor, eliminating the final two members of the opposing team, Crush and Goldust, showcasing his innate talent and resilience.
His ascent continued on February 13, 1997, when he captured the Intercontinental Championship from Hunter Hearst Helmsley during a Thursday edition of Monday Night Raw. Maivia successfully defended this title against Helmsley at In Your House 13: Final Four on February 16, solidifying his early championship reign. His first WrestleMania appearance followed at WrestleMania 13 on March 23, where he again emerged victorious in his Intercontinental Championship defense against The Sultan, cementing his status as a rising star.
However, this period also marked the beginning of significant fan dissent, as WWF fans increasingly rejected his wholesome character and the company’s strong push. Chants of “die, Rocky, die” and “Rocky sucks” became audible during his matches, reflecting a growing audience dissatisfaction. Despite this, he secured a victory over Bret Hart by disqualification in a title defense on the March 31 episode of Raw is War. Behind the scenes, Hart played a mentoring role for Johnson during his inaugural year in the WWF and notably refused to be booked to take the title from him, showcasing his support for the young talent.
At In Your House 14: Revenge of the ‘Taker on April 20, he lost to Savio Vega by countout but, due to the nature of the finish, retained his Intercontinental Championship. The hostile audience reception persisted, illustrating the depth of the fans’ rejection of his persona. His Intercontinental Championship reign concluded when he lost the title to Owen Hart on the April 28 episode of Raw Is War. A legitimate knee injury sustained in a match against Mankind in June then forced him into several months of recovery, providing an unexpected pause in his burgeoning career.
Upon his return in August, Maivia underwent a transformative heel turn, openly lashing out at the very fans who had been booing him, embracing their negative energy. This pivotal shift saw him join forces with Faarooq, D’Lo Brown, and Kama to form the formidable stable known as the Nation of Domination. Crucially, he then renounced the Rocky Maivia name, opting to refer to himself in the third person as The Rock, although he would continue to be billed as “The Rock” Rocky Maivia until 1998. In this new persona, The Rock frequently engaged in cutting promos, openly insulting the audience, fellow WWF performers, and interviewers, a characteristic that quickly became a hallmark of his evolving character.
At D-Generation X: In Your House on December 7, Stone Cold Steve Austin swiftly defeated The Rock in under six minutes to retain the Intercontinental Championship, a significant setback. The following night on Raw Is War, Mr. McMahon ordered Austin to defend the title in a rematch. In a surprising turn, Austin forfeited the title to The Rock, handing him the belt before delivering his signature Stone Cold Stunner. This initiated a series of intense feuds for The Rock, prominently against Austin and Ken Shamrock, extending through the close of 1997 and into early 1998.
On January 19, 1998, at the Royal Rumble, The Rock successfully retained the Intercontinental Championship by defeating Shamrock via disqualification. Later that same night, he participated in the Royal Rumble match, lasting until the final two competitors before ultimately being eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin. His Intercontinental Championship defense continued at WrestleMania XIV on March 29, where he again defeated Shamrock by disqualification. The very next night, on Raw is War, The Rock unveiled a new Intercontinental Championship design and subsequently overthrew Faarooq as the leader of the Nation of Domination, sparking a new feud between the two. He successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship against Faarooq at Over the Edge: In Your House on May 31. Following this, the stable collectively began referring to themselves simply as “The Nation.”
During this period, The Rock and The Nation entered into a heated rivalry with Triple H and D-Generation X (DX). The two stable leaders first clashed in the quarter-final of the 1998 King of the Ring tournament, which The Rock won. At King of the Ring on June 28, The Rock defeated Dan Severn in the semi-final match but ultimately lost to rival Ken Shamrock in the final. The Rock then resumed his feud with Triple H, engaging in a two-out-of-three falls match at Fully Loaded: In Your House on July 26 for the Intercontinental Championship, which The Rock controversially retained. This intense rivalry culminated in a ladder match at SummerSlam on August 30, where The Rock finally lost the title to Triple H.
The latter half of 1998 saw a significant surge in fan support for The Rock, marking a crucial turning point in his career. During this time, he also began consolidating his famous persona, a character that would endure until 2000 and become globally recognizable. His burgeoning popularity led to him being booked in a feud with his fellow Nation members, Mark Henry and D’Lo Brown, effectively turning him babyface in the process. Henry defeated The Rock at Judgment Day: In Your House on October 18, following interference from Brown, a result that effectively led to the dissolution of the stable.
As a prominent member of The Corporation, The Rock engaged in an intense feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin, notably stealing Austin’s personalized WWF Championship and his distinct “Smoking Skull” belt. He was subsequently entered into the “Deadly Game” tournament for the vacant WWF Championship, reaching the finals at Survivor Series on November 15. There, The Rock defeated Vince McMahon’s associate, Mankind, to secure his inaugural WWF Championship. A “double turn” immediately followed, as The Rock reverted to a heel persona after forging an alliance with Vince and Shane McMahon, becoming the highly touted “crown jewel” of their stable, The Corporation, following the McMahons’ betrayal of Mankind.
On December 13, at the pay-per-view aptly named Rock Bottom: In Your House, The Rock faced Mankind in a rematch for the WWF Championship. Mankind appeared to win the contest when The Rock passed out from the Mandible Claw submission maneuver. However, Vince McMahon intervened, controversially ruling that since The Rock did not explicitly tap out, he would retain his title. This decision fueled the intensity of their rivalry and deepened the animosity surrounding The Rock’s heel character.
In the main event of the January 4, 1999, episode of Raw Is War, Mankind successfully defeated The Rock for the championship, with crucial interference from Stone Cold Steve Austin playing a decisive role. Then, at the Royal Rumble on January 24, The Rock dramatically regained the title in an “I Quit” match, a type of submission match that only concludes when one combatant audibly says “I quit” into a microphone. Intended to display a vicious streak in The Rock’s character, the match became infamous when The Rock struck Mankind in the head with a steel chair an unprecedented 11 times, far exceeding the scripted five shots, which were already deemed risky. After the fifth blow, Mankind remained at ringside instead of retreating up the entrance ramp as planned, and following the eleventh shot, which rendered Mankind unconscious, a recording of Mankind saying “I Quit” from an earlier interview was played over the public address system, securing The Rock’s contentious victory.
On January 31, during an episode of Sunday Night Heat, The Rock and Mankind participated in an Empty Arena match, a unique contest held in an arena with 22,000 empty seats, allowing any part of the facility to be utilized. After 20 minutes of chaotic brawling that traversed the ring, the stands, a kitchen, the catering area, an office, arena corridors, and finally a basement loading area, Mankind secured the WWF Championship by pinning The Rock, ingeniously using a forklift truck. Their intense feud continued, culminating at St. Valentine’s Day Massacre: In Your House on February 14, in a Last Man Standing match which ended in a draw, allowing Mankind to retain the title.
The iconic rivalry between The Rock and Mankind finally concluded on the February 15 episode of Raw Is War, where The Rock secured his third WWF Championship in a Ladder Match, aided by the interference of a debuting Big Show. However, his reign was short-lived, as he lost the WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV on March 28, marking yet another significant chapter in their storied rivalry. Throughout this period, The Rock’s burgeoning popularity was undeniably propelled by his unparalleled charisma and exceptional speaking abilities, which led to the proliferation of numerous iconic catchphrases and substantial merchandising opportunities.
Despite his heel persona, The Rock’s popularity continued to surge, with audiences often cheering for him, a testament to his captivating presence. He subsequently lost the title rematch against Stone Cold Steve Austin at Backlash: In Your House on April 25. The following night on Raw is War, The Rock was abruptly fired from The Corporation after being betrayed by Shane McMahon, a turn that instantly reinstated him as a fan favorite and ignited a new series of feuds against Triple H, The Undertaker, and The Corporate Ministry.
On April 29, 1999, WWF launched the pilot episode of SmackDown!, a term directly derived from one of The Rock’s popular catchphrases. In this inaugural episode, The Rock continued his ongoing feud with The Corporate Ministry. This led to a victory against Triple H at Over the Edge on May 23, but a subsequent loss in a WWF Championship match against The Undertaker at King of the Ring on June 27. The Rock then lost a number one contender’s match to Triple H at Fully Loaded on July 25, following interference from “Mr. Ass” Billy Gunn.
The Rock exacted his revenge, defeating Gunn in a memorable Kiss My Ass match at SummerSlam on August 22. Furthermore, The Rock was granted the unique privilege of having his own signature match, joining the ranks of elite performers like The Undertaker with the Buried Alive match, Kane with the Inferno Match, and Mankind with the Boiler Room Brawl. His specialized match was the Brahma Bullrope match, a variant of a strap match where competitors are bound together by a rope used for cattle farming, and both the rope and its attached cowbell could be wielded as weapons. The Rock contested this match twice, both times in Texas, against Triple H in Dallas and Al Snow in Houston, further diversifying his in-ring repertoire.
Shortly after SummerSlam, The Rock forged an unlikely alliance with his former opponent, Mankind, forming the critically acclaimed tag team known as the Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection. Their combined charisma quickly led them to capture the WWF Tag Team Championship for the first time, defeating The Undertaker and Big Show for the titles on the August 30 episode of Raw is War. The duo captivated audiences with a series of highly praised comedic skits, including the unforgettable “This Is Your Life” segment. In this particular skit, Mankind presented parody versions of individuals from The Rock’s past, such as his high school girlfriend and his high school football coach, only for The Rock to humorously insult them. The segment achieved an impressive 8.4 Nielsen rating, one of the highest ratings ever recorded for a Raw segment, underscoring their immense popularity.
The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection experienced a dynamic period of title exchanges, losing the tag titles back to Undertaker and Big Show on the September 9 episode of SmackDown! before regaining them on the September 20 episode of Raw is War. They subsequently lost the titles to The New Age Outlaws on the very next episode of SmackDown!. The Rock and Mankind would secure the tag titles for a third and final time after defeating the New Age Outlaws on the October 14 episode of SmackDown!, only to lose them to The Holly Cousins on the October 18 episode of Raw is War, concluding a memorable, albeit tumultuous, run as champions.
At the Royal Rumble on January 23, 2000, The Rock entered the titular Royal Rumble match and was one of the final two competitors remaining, alongside Big Show. In a planned “false finish,” Big Show intended to throw The Rock over the top rope in a running powerslam-like position. However, The Rock countered the move while on the ring apron, sending Big Show to the floor before reentering the ring as the declared winner. Unbeknownst to television viewers at the time, The Rock’s feet accidentally touched the floor during the reversal attempt. This visual detail was later played up in the storyline, as Big Show provided additional video footage to prove the accidental touch, asserting himself as the rightful winner.
Consequently, The Rock’s number one contendership for the WWF Championship was put on the line against Big Show at No Way Out on February 27, a match that Big Show won after Shane McMahon’s interference. The Rock, however, would regain the right to face the WWF Champion, Triple H, by defeating Big Show on the March 13 episode of Raw Is War. This set the stage for WrestleMania 2000 on April 2, where The Rock competed in a Fatal Four-Way elimination match that also included Big Show and Mick Foley. Each wrestler had a McMahon in their corner: Triple H was accompanied by his wife, Stephanie, Foley by Linda, The Rock by Vince, and Big Show by Shane. The Rock lasted until the final two competitors but was eliminated by Triple H after Vince McMahon surprisingly betrayed him by striking him with a chair. Such was his pervasive impact at the time that a Magic: The Gathering deck archetype was even named after him.
In the subsequent weeks, The Rock intensified his feud with Triple H and ultimately claimed his fourth WWF Championship on April 30 at Backlash, a victory secured with the crucial intervention of Stone Cold Steve Austin on his behalf. The very next night on Raw is War, The Rock successfully defended his newly won title against Shane McMahon in a Steel Cage match, demonstrating his dominance. On May 21, at Judgment Day, The Rock faced Triple H in an Iron Man match, with Shawn Michaels serving as the special guest referee. With the score deadlocked at five falls each and mere seconds remaining on the time limit, The Rock was controversially disqualified when The Undertaker attacked Triple H, thereby awarding Triple H the 6–5 victory and the championship, a frustrating loss for The Rock.
However, The Rock quickly rebounded, winning the WWF Championship for a fifth time at King of the Ring on June 25. He achieved this by scoring the decisive pin in a six-man tag team match, where he teamed with Kane and The Undertaker against Shane McMahon, Triple H, and Vince McMahon, ultimately pinning Vince. The Rock successfully defended his championship against Chris Benoit on July 23 at Fully Loaded. The following month, he continued his impressive reign by successfully defending his title against Kurt Angle and Triple H at SummerSlam on August 27. He further solidified his championship status with another successful title defense against Benoit, Kane, and The Undertaker on September 24 at Unforgiven.
The Rock’s remarkable WWF Championship reign concluded when he lost the title to Kurt Angle at No Mercy on October 22, 2000. The following month, The Rock engaged in a feud with Rikishi, ultimately defeating him at Survivor Series on November 19. The Rock then competed in a six-man Hell in a Cell match for the WWF Championship at Armageddon on December 10, a contest that Angle won to retain his title. On the December 18 episode of Raw is War, The Rock secured the WWF Tag Team Championship alongside The Undertaker, defeating Edge and Christian, only to lose the titles back to Edge and Christian the very next night at a SmackDown! taping.
His rivalry with Kurt Angle over the WWF Championship persisted, culminating at No Way Out on February 25, 2001, where he pinned Angle to claim the WWF Championship for a sixth time, a testament to his persistent pursuit of the top prize. The Rock then entered into a high-stakes feud with the Royal Rumble winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin, ultimately losing the title to Austin at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1 after Austin formed an unexpected alliance with Vince McMahon, who interfered on his behalf. The next night on Raw is War, during a steel cage title rematch, Triple H shockingly attacked The Rock, allying himself with McMahon and Austin to form the formidable tag team known as The Power Trip, further isolating The Rock. Following this, The Rock was indefinitely suspended in the storyline, a period Johnson utilized to begin his acting career with The Scorpion King.
Johnson made his highly anticipated return in late July, coinciding with The Invasion storyline, where the WWF was feuding with rival promotions World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). In reality, WCW had been acquired by Vince McMahon and the WWF, and ECW had ceased operations earlier in 2001. Numerous former WCW and ECW wrestlers were brought onto WWF television, forming The Alliance to challenge the WWF in the storyline. Both The Alliance and Vince McMahon sought to persuade The Rock to join their respective teams. Ultimately, The Rock aligned himself with McMahon and the WWF, signaling his loyalty to the company where he made his name.
The following month, The Rock secured his first WCW Championship by defeating Booker T at SummerSlam on August 19. He later lost the title to Chris Jericho at No Mercy on October 21. The very next night on Raw, he teamed with Jericho to capture the WWF Tag Team Championship from The Dudley Boyz. However, their reign was short-lived, as they lost the tag titles to Booker T and Test on the November 1, 2001, episode of SmackDown!. The Rock then reclaimed his second WCW Championship by defeating Jericho on the November 5 episode of Raw, further cementing his hold on the WCW title during the inter-promotional war.
As part of the WWF’s decisive battle against The Alliance, The Rock participated in a pivotal “winner takes all” five-on-five elimination tag team match at Survivor Series on November 18, with the losing team’s company slated to be dissolved in storyline. He was a crucial member of Team WWF, alongside Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, and Big Show, facing The Alliance’s formidable team consisting of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Van Dam, and Shane McMahon. In the dramatic conclusion, it came down to a one-on-one showdown between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Rock seemed to hold the advantage until his own teammate, Jericho, surprisingly entered the ring and attacked The Rock. Austin attempted to capitalize on this betrayal by pinning The Rock, but in a shocking turn, Kurt Angle revealed his true allegiance by attacking Austin. This unexpected intervention allowed The Rock to pin Austin, securing victory for Team WWF and forcing The Alliance to disband. Following The Alliance’s loss, The Rock’s WCW Championship was notably renamed the unbranded “World Championship.”
At the subsequent pay-per-view, Vengeance on December 9, The Rock lost the World Championship to Chris Jericho, who then went on to unify the WWF and World titles later that night, establishing himself as the Undisputed Champion. The Rock then unsuccessfully challenged Jericho for the newly unified Undisputed WWF Championship at the Royal Rumble on January 20, 2002. At the next pay-per-view, No Way Out on February 17, The Rock defeated The Undertaker in a singles match, further demonstrating his ability to overcome formidable opponents. This event also marked the highly anticipated WWF debut of the famed WCW faction, the New World Order (nWo), which at the time comprised “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.
This led to a dream match between The Rock and Hogan at WrestleMania X8 on March 17, a bout billed as “icon versus icon,” symbolizing the clash of top-tier wrestlers from two distinct generations. Ultimately, The Rock pinned Hogan at WrestleMania X8 to secure a historic victory. Despite The Rock portraying a heroic character and Hogan a villain, a significant portion of the crowd attending the SkyDome passionately rooted for Hogan, creating a unique atmosphere. In a 2013 interview, Hogan recounted that he and The Rock dynamically adjusted the style of their match on the fly, responding directly to the crowd’s unexpected preference.
Following the introduction of the first-ever brand extension, the WWF conducted a “draft lottery” on the March 25, 2002, episode of Raw. The Rock was selected as the number one overall pick, assigned to the SmackDown! brand before taking a sabbatical from wrestling to focus on his burgeoning acting career. The Rock made a surprise return on a June episode of Raw before transitioning to his assigned SmackDown! brand. There, he was immediately named the number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship, a title he won for a record-setting seventh time at Vengeance on July 21, defeating Kurt Angle and then-champion The Undertaker in a Triple Threat match, further cementing his legendary status.
The Rock successfully defended the title at the Global Warning event on August 10 against Triple H and Brock Lesnar, securing the pinfall over Triple H. However, on August 25, at SummerSlam, The Rock lost the WWE Undisputed Championship to Lesnar, simultaneously losing the record for the youngest WWE Champion, which he had established in 1998. In a 2018 retrospective review for ESPN.com, Sean Coyle observed that following his victory over Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8, The Rock “started to see a dip in fan support,” and this “dip turned into a plunge” by the time he faced Lesnar at SummerSlam. This decline was attributed to fans’ awareness that he was preparing to depart WWE to pursue a full-time acting career, a sentiment clearly evidenced by the negative crowd response during his match with Lesnar.
Following the conclusion of SummerSlam, The Rock visibly expressed his anger at the crowd’s reaction. When he attempted to deliver a post-show speech, the fans continued to boo him, undeterred. He eventually cut a short, poignant promo, emphatically declaring that “sing-along with the Rock is over!” This moment marked a definitive shift as The Rock then took time off from wrestling to fully kickstart his acting career, ushering in a new phase of his public persona.
Returning on the January 30, 2003, episode of SmackDown!, The Rock immediately set the stage for another highly anticipated match with Hulk Hogan at No Way Out on February 23. Acknowledging the negative fan reaction during his previous matches, which stemmed from his blossoming acting career, The Rock made a deliberate heel turn. He also unveiled a distinctive new persona, dubbed “Hollywood Rock,” characterized by a fresh look and a shaved head, fully embracing this polarizing transformation. The Rock defeated Hogan at No Way Out before transitioning to the Raw brand.
On Raw, he engaged in various smaller feuds, including one with The Hurricane, showcasing his versatility even in a villainous role. He also began performing his popular “Rock Concerts,” segments in which he played the guitar and hilariously mocked both WWE performers and fans through song, a creative way to express his new character’s arrogance. After failing to secure a number one contendership for the World Heavyweight Championship, The Rock entered into another program with his long-standing rival, Stone Cold Steve Austin. This led to a highly anticipated match at WrestleMania XIX on March 30, a contest that paid homage to their two previous WrestleMania encounters, both of which Austin had won.
In a definitive victory, The Rock defeated Austin after delivering three consecutive Rock Bottoms, effectively concluding their long-running rivalry in what notably turned out to be Austin’s final match until WrestleMania 38. The following night, Raw was specially billed as “The Rock Appreciation Night,” held in honor of his triumph over Austin. However, the celebration was cut short when he was brutally attacked by a debuting Goldberg. At Backlash on April 27, Goldberg defeated The Rock, who then briefly departed WWE to film his movie, Walking Tall, continuing his balancing act between Hollywood and the squared circle.
On the June 2 episode of Raw, The Rock made a surprise appearance on the Highlight Reel segment, where he joined forces with Booker T to attack Christian and Chris Jericho, signaling a surprising face turn once again. He later returned on the December 8 episode of Raw to assist Mick Foley against La Résistance, further solidifying his renewed heroic alignment. In 2004, The Rock notably aided Mick Foley in his heated feud against Evolution, leading to a much-anticipated reunion of the Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection. However, their comeback was unsuccessful, as they lost to Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista in a handicap match at WrestleMania XX on March 14, 2004, when Orton pinned Foley after an RKO, marking Johnson’s final wrestling match until November 2011.
At WrestleMania XXVII on April 3, The Rock opened the show by delivering a captivating promo, igniting the crowd. After appearing in several backstage segments throughout the event, The Rock dramatically came to ringside during the main event between Cena and The Miz. Following the match ending in a double countout, he restarted it as a No Disqualification match. In a calculated act of revenge for Cena’s previous attack on Raw, The Rock delivered a Rock Bottom to Cena, allowing The Miz to pin him and retain the WWE Championship. After the match, The Rock proceeded to attack The Miz, hitting him with the People’s Elbow, satisfying the crowd and solidifying his presence.
The very next night on Raw, in a groundbreaking development, The Rock and Cena mutually agreed to a highly anticipated match at WrestleMania XXVIII the following year, a historic booking made a full year in advance. They then temporarily set aside their rivalry to collaborate, effectively fending off an attack by The Corre, a faction that at the time consisted of Wade Barrett, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, and Ezekiel Jackson. The Rock subsequently appeared live on Raw in his hometown of Miami to celebrate his 39th birthday, connecting directly with his roots and local fanbase.
On September 16, WWE announced that The Rock would participate in a traditional 5-on-5 Survivor Series tag team match, teaming with John Cena at Survivor Series in November, a pairing that promised an intriguing dynamic. However, on the October 24 episode of Raw SuperShow, Cena proposed an alternative: The Rock instead be his partner in a standard tag team match against The Miz and R-Truth, a duo known as Awesome Truth, a suggestion The Rock readily accepted the following week. On November 14, during the special Raw Gets Rocked event, The Rock made a live appearance, delivering memorable Rock Bottoms to Mick Foley, who had been hosting a “This Is Your Life”-style segment for Cena, and later to both members of Awesome Truth, further cementing his presence.
The Rock and Cena successfully defeated Awesome Truth on November 20 at Survivor Series, with The Rock securing the pinfall over The Miz. In a characteristic move, following the match, The Rock delivered a Rock Bottom to Cena, maintaining the tension in their ongoing rivalry despite their tag team victory. Leading up to WrestleMania XXVIII, The Rock and Cena engaged in several intense verbal confrontations on Raw SuperShow, escalating the anticipation for their impending clash. On the March 12, 2012, episode of Raw SuperShow, The Rock hosted his first “Rock Concert” segment since 2004, expertly mocking Cena in his songs, further fueling their rivalry with his signature blend of humor and disdain.
On September 15, 2023, The Rock made a surprise return to SmackDown, engaging in a segment with Pat McAfee and Austin Theory, where he swiftly took out Theory. This marked his first televised appearance in WWE since October 4, 2019, underscoring his enduring connection to the company and his ability to generate significant impact with even brief appearances.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s career is a testament to the power of reinvention, resilience, and an unwavering connection with his audience. From the polarizing “Rocky Maivia” to the self-proclaimed “Hollywood Rock” who defiantly mocked his critics, and now to the menacing “Final Boss” who commands respect through sheer force of will, Johnson has consistently pushed boundaries. He has transformed perceived weaknesses, like fan rejection or his Hollywood aspirations, into integral parts of his character, proving that controversy, when wielded by a master, can be an incredibly potent tool. His journey, marked by indelible catchphrases, record-breaking achievements, and a unique ability to provoke and entertain, ensures his legacy will remain etched in the annals of sports entertainment as an unparalleled icon who continually shaped the narrative around him, always leaving fans eager for his next electrifying pronouncement.
