The Rock made his World Wrestling Federation debut as Rocky Maivia during the 1996 Survivor Series; but he was just a glimpse of the Superstar he is today.
Rocky proved himself by winning the Intercontinental Championship, early in his career.
The "People's Champion" turned heel by joing the Nation of Domination and was overshadowed by other members.
The Rock started to shine though. He regained the Intercontinental Championship, and he had a great showing at the 1998 Royal Rumble. He survived a grueling match against Ken Shamrock. He then entered the Royal Rumble as number 4. He lasted all the way to the end, only to be eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin. Austin had drawn a late number and was not as fatigued.
He held the Intercontinental Championship until Summer Slam 1998, when HHH, with Chyna's interference, robbed him of his belt. He then realized that he was being held down by the Nation, and disbanded the group.
Steve Austin,the current champion, lost the belt at the Breakdown pay-per-view. At the same pay-per-view, The Rock defeated two other opponents, in order to become the number one contender to the World Title. Due to Kane and the Undertaker, both defeating Austin to become champion, Vince McMahon decided to have a title tournament at the 1998 Survivor Series.
The Rock was entered in the tournament. He defeated the Big Bossman in the first round, Ken Shamrock in the second, and the Undertaker in the third. Then, he met Mankind in the final match. The "People's Champion" did win the title that night, but also turned heel again. He joined Vince McMahon's Corporation as the Corporate Champion.
He successfully defended the title at Rock Bottom, but then lost it to Mankind on an edition of Monday Night Raw. He regained the title at the 1999 Royal Rumble as he forced Mankind to say he quit. He held the title until the halftime of Super Bowl XXXIII. He lost the title to Mankind in an empty arena match.
He was able to get a rematch with Mankind, a ladder match. The Rock and Mankind fought hard and long and it appeared the Rock would become the victor. As he was climbing the ladder, about to grab the belt, Mankind got on the ladder as well. But Paul Wight choke slammed him off of the ladder, and the Rock grabbed the title belt.
The Rock was defeated though by Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV. It was a close match that could have gone either way, as both men kicked out of eachother's finishers. Unfortunately, Austin won.
The Rock is a great champion. He will rise above again, and I look forward to that day.
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