WWE News: The Rock on career-changing moment with Vince McMahon
What’s the story?
The Rock recalled a career-changing moment he experienced with Vince McMahon back at Survivor Series 1996.
In reference to the same, The Rock explained how his career took a turn for the worse briefly after that, before ascending to the top in the world of sports-entertainment.
In case you didn’t know…
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is a third-generation professional wrestler, who was touted as a blue-chip prospect by the WWE right from the get-go.
However, the Brahma Bull was introduced by the WWE as ‘Rocky Maivia’ in the mid-1990s—which in turn wasn’t very well-received by fans. Regardless, he eventually turned heel in ’97 and promoted himself as ‘The Rock’.
The heart of the matter
The Rock recalled the night he made his WWE debut—Survivor Series PPV 21 years ago—as Rocky Maivia.
Expounding on the same, The Rock revealed that Vince McMahon summoned him to his office a couple of hours before the aforementioned PPV began; which led the People’s Champion to think he was in trouble .However, McMahon simply told him—“You’re going over tonight.”
Furthermore, The Rock explained that the days that followed Survivor Series 1996, saw his career hit a downward trajectory, before things eventually took a turn for better—something that he’s grateful for.
What’s next?
The Rock is presently busy with his Hollywood obligations, and continues to make sporadic appearances for the WWE.
Author’s take
They don’t make them like that anymore! The Rock’s sincerity and devotion not only toward professional wrestling or Hollywood, but anything in general, just goes to show his great fortitude and values.
Vince McMahon chose the right person to put the promotional machine behind, and given the "Jabroni Beatin’" WWE icon’s success in the years that followed the aforementioned incident, it’s safe to say that The Rock and McMahon special moment in 1996 positively influenced the former’s career forever.