The Evolution of The Rock in 6 stages

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He is part of Hollywood's A-list, top billing blockbuster films such as the Fast and Furious series, Jumanji and Moana and is one of the busiest and most successful actors in the world.

However, way back in November 1996, Johnson was only known to WWE audiences as happy-go-lucky babyface Rocky Maivia; a ring name that paid homage to his father, former Tag Team Champion, Rocky Johnson and his grandfather, the warrior, High Chief Peter Maivia.

Maivia would later transmute into The Rock, the 10 time World Champion and the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. Rock would headline three consecutive Wrestlemania's between 1999 and 2001 and would main event two more in 2012 and 2013 when he returned to the company after a prolonged absence due to his incredibly successful Hollywood career.

Rock was born on May 2, 1972, the son of Rocky Johnson and Ata Maivia and grandson to Peter Maivia and Lia Maivia.

Despite growing up around the wrestling business, Rock elected to instead pursue a career in American Football. However, in 1995 he was cut from his team, the Calgary Stampeders after just two months.

After his Football career didn't pan out, Rock elected to follow his father and grandfather into wrestling.

With his familial connections, he quickly got a foot in the door with WWE and with just 12 months of training under his belt, was thrust into the spotlight at the 1996 Survivor Series.

In the following slideshow, SK revisits Rock's entire career and the evolution of the man, who is and may forever be, the biggest superstar the wrestling business has ever produced.

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