From a humble start, laced with the legacy of His Grandfather the “High Chief”, and dipped in the Mode of His Father, Rocky Johnson…Rocky Maivia stepped into the WWE ring. We did not know in the years to follow, this blue chipper (once called by Jim Ross) would transform right before the eyes of the millions…and millions of fans into the most electrifying man in sports entertainment…The Rock.
We will never be able to fully appreciate the cultural impact in professional wrestling, however looking at one culture and tracing some of the roots of Dwayne Johnson, we have to at least mention some of his lineage, the Wild Samoans, Manu, The Late Yokozuna, The Late Umaga, Rosey, and one of my favorites Rikishi… (Who could forget the Stone Cold rundown in the back with the car)? This is just to name of few. However the most notable, would be the Rock. From his time as a Hurricane, Miami that is, a football injury made way for two future icons to be born; One Warren Sapp and two Dwayne Johnson.
A Career that started in the USWA with Jerry Lawler, Dwayne “Flex Kavana” Johnson would begin and go on to win the tag team gold twice. From here WWF(E) came calling; He started out as the clean cut “green” blue chipper with the big smile and 3rd generation superstar moniker. He faired well, won the Intercontinental Title from Triple H (Hunter Hearst Helmsley) as he called back then In 1997. After a few months Rocky lost the belt, and was injured… During this hiatus and healing; a heel turn was imminent; enter the “Nation of Domination”.
First an underling to the 2012 Hall of Fame inductee Ron Simmons, The Rock propelled into a Heel(fan fav) as he got his chance to cut promos, and who knew this is where the Eye-brow raising, trailblazing, pie eating, jabroni beating, People’s Champ would be born. His promos too this day rival that of Roddy Piper, Ric Flair and the infamous Arn Anderson. The Rock Then the focal point of the Nation persuaded them to kick out Faroooq, Ron Simmons, you know the future partner of the APA. From the Nation to the Corporation, The Rock carried on to win titles, to win the hearts of fans as one of the best heels along with in ring rival Stone Cold Steve Austin. Now who would or could forget the many battles with Mick Foley including the unprecedented and never ever again attempted “Super Bowl” half-time Empty Arena Match January 1999.
He was a heel, but his promos made him loved. He was a heel yet we couldn’t get enough of him. The rivalry began and carried on through the infamous attitude era. Remember the initial face off. The Rock VS Stone Cold. The Smackdown Hotel VS the The Pick-up Truck, The Beer Truck; The Bridge promo when he threw the belt over the bridge. The Pager promo, when he told Stone Cold He would take him down “Know your Role Blvd, Down Jabroni Dr. and check him into the Smackdown hotel; Only for Stone Cold to respond, He would check into room 3:16 and burn that summabitch down to the ground. CLASSIC.
Less we forget to mention the “Rock and Sock” connection with Mick Foley. Also the “This is your life spot”. He has feuded with Triple H, The Undertaker, Kane You name it… He lost to Chris Jericho, who subsequently also beat Stone Cold to become the Undisputed Heavyweight champion in 2001 (this could only have had relevance due to the face that the top two wrestlers of that time were defeated in one night).
Perhaps the biggest match to date, minus WrestleMania 17 VS Stone Cold would be the following years Mania: ICON VS ICON The Rock VS Hogan. This is and was any true wrestling fans dream match; at least it was until this year’s match VS John Cena. This was a match, not sure how it came about, between the biggest fan favs (faces) in the history. With the Rock winning one could only interpret him (thanking Hogan post match) as a “thank you” for pasting the torch as the ultimate fan favorite.
NOW, between that match to the present The Rock went on to do movies, quit a few and quit well I might add…Leading to him pretty much walking away at his Prime During this time he wrestled but “completely” walked away or so we thought. Thus that’s where we are today. Enter the “Doc of Thuganomics, an up and coming new “Blue Chipper” who did after a few years in the biz make the statement that the Rock walked away from his “People”, Went to Hollywood and took his Ball. Who knew? I never saw it coming last year for the Rock to come back to the WWE and have this “Spot” addressed. To this day I am not sure if this was a “shoot” or what, who cares… It is rear that one challenge, one spot, could literally keep stream for one whole year. This could only be done with a few people and the greatest and most electrifying man in Entertainment being one of them is back. His promos are second to no one…John Cena, Cm Punk, the Miz are getting there. However the last year, especially the last few weeks have proved his fan base never left; and the eye-brow raising, trail blazing, jabroni beating, pie-eating, boots to asses, People’s Champ of the masses will again make History….all for the Millions and Millions of WWE Fans….Finally the Rock has come back to Wrestlemania!!!!!!!
Martin A. Bryant
Until Next time----See you on the Mat!!!!
Next week- The Evolution of the Phenom…Focus on the persona!!!!!
