The fans used to chant "Rocky Sucks" and hold up posters that said "Die Rocky Die.' That's harsh for a youngster with unlimited ability and the Intercontinental Title around his waist during his first year in the World Wrestling Federation. People hated him because they felt he didn't "deserve it". Despite it all, The Rock worked his ass off and MADE you like him. Cocky and arrogant? Of course! From the gravity-defying eyebrow to the People's Elbow to the catch phrases, the entire arena is on their feet when he has the spotlight. You might still boo the guy, but you have to admit he's one of the best entertainers in the business. But he's not about to play the crowd because it's just too damn much fun pissing you all off!
conducted by Kevin Kelly
KK: Tell about the transition from being hated by the fans to now being "over' with them. What was that like? Did you ever think it would happen?
ROCK., No. I didn't think it would ever happen. I never put too much thought into any of that. I knew a change needed to happen and I knew it didn't have to be a big change. All I said to myself, and I said this to the office, was that all I needed to do was go out there and be myself And that's really it. If someone says something to me I can react. I can flip them the eyebrow. I can be the arrogant S.O.B. I can be at times., of course, in a much more exaggerated and dramatic way. And, of course, that just came over time. So, as far as the transition from being "not over" to "over"... it's one of those things I never put too much thought in it and I would just go out there night in and night out and on television and Pay-Per-Views and just do what I had to do. And it just so happened that the character wound up developing in a way that people disliked and hated. But then over a period of time they starting saying, "You know what? He may be an asshole, but he's pretty damn good."
KK: Was there one moment in particular that stands out in your mind when you realized what you were doing was starting to get over?
ROCK: I can think specifically about autograph sessions that I would go to as a heel, and this is probably in January or February after the Royal Rumble, during my second title reign, and thinking to myself "Man, these people really hate me," because people were buying "Rocky Sucks" T-shirts. So, for somebody to spend $25 for a T-shirt that says "Rocky Sucks," there really has to be a lot of hatred there for some reason. [Laughing] So I'm thinking if these people really hate me, I'm wondering if people are actually gonna want my autograph. And then I go to the autograph sessions and there's damn near a thousand people at them. I'd think "Damn!" It just comes down to that, over a period of time, the character has done a lot of cold things like hitting people in the face,like Ken Shamrock, for example, twice with a chair-and just doing everything a heel would do and taking it one step further. Spittin' on people? I'd do that in a second. I'd spit on the same people that made life miserable for The Rock two years ago. When I see them now, just because you like The Rock doesn't mean The Rock likes you. It's just little things like that. It all comes down to what I said before-I may be an arrogant asshole, and I may do and say a lot of things that just get under your skin, and in particular like that interview with Gennifer Flowers. People to this day come up to me and say, "That was the coolest thing since an eggwhite omelet! It was great!" And just talking about running the presidency and talking about the homeless and the answers I was giving, it comes down to this guy is a you-know-what and a S.O.B. and everything else under the sun, but The Rock's pretty damn cool.
KK: And that goes back to the question of your catch phrases. Everyone now is saying, "You smell what The Rock is cookin'?" and "Know your role" and all the things that you've made signature. Are those things you've said at the spur of the moment that have caught on or were they premeditated on your part?
ROCK: To be completely honest with you, nothing at all was premeditated. Turning heel over a year ago wasn't premeditated. The catch phrases weren't premeditated. Nothing really was! I just knew, you know, let me go out there and entertain people as best I can. On top of entertaining these people as best I can, go in the ring and give 110-percent effort and have the mentality that no one will outwork me. From every punch to every rear chinlock to swinging DDTs to the Rock Bottom. Everything. You're gonna see 110-percent emotion and adrenaline from me. So, I went out with that mentality and it just clicked. Now, as far as the catch phrases and the "Smell what The Rock is cookin', jabbroni" and "Know you role and shut your mouth" and things like that, I just continued to say them and they caught on.
KK: Last month we featured you on the cover of RAW Magazine. It was the first time you were on the cover and it posed the question: "Is It The Rock's Time: Could the Rock be the best Federation Champion ever"? Is it The Rock's time or as before, is it too soon?
ROCK: That's a good question. Being apprehensive only because of what happened before. Getting the belt way too early. Getting the push was too early. Being jammed down those people's throats way too early. A little apprehensive because of that, and it damn near killed me. It damned near pushed me over the edge. Hell, I almost hit Rock Bottom! As far as now, is it too early? [Pause] I don't think it's too early, and I'm just a little biased. Now, if you would have asked me that a year ago during the first title run, I would have said the same thing----@'Well, no, I don't think it's too early!" But having the fans know what they know now, the fans knowing The Rock like they know him now is a lot different. With the character and the freedom the character has, to me, is phenomenal. Do I think it's too early? No, I don't think it's too early. Is the timing right? I don't think the timing is right because we have a fantastic champion now.
KK: What does Stone Cold Steve Austin mean as not only the champion, but also as the leader in the locker room? What does he mean to you?
ROCK: He was very influential on The Rock, and at times he can still be, make no mistake about it. When we go out there and get in that ring, something special happens when we get in that ring. When it's right, something special happens and fireworks happen. And when it's The Rock and Stone Cold and we're doing our thing, with all the emotion set in, it's a hell of a match. But at the same time, I do respect him. I respect him in every way possible. He's a hell of a champion. I think he's a hell of a champion and a hell of a guy. But at the same time, when the time is right I'll take the belt off Steve Austin. And he's gonna take the Rock Bottom,.and he's gonna take it right in the middle of the ring, 1-2-3.
KK: A lot of people talk about the adult nature of World Wrestling Federation programming these days. What's your opinion about that?
ROCK: Well, being that I am young-26 years old-I'm. young in the business compared to my co-workers, yet I'm extremely old school because I grew up in the business and I have a passion for what I do and I have respect for what I do. Now, there's a lot of things to me that The Rock doesn't necessarily agree with, but at the same time we are in a ratings war, and there is a place for that. There's a place for the graphic nature, there's a place for the adult-oriented storylines especially of late. There's a place for that on our show. Should our show be saturated with that? No. Not at all. At the same time, there is a place and there is a strong place and a much bigger place than that part of the show that belongs to going out there and having a kick-ass match, going out there and entertaining the people in the ring with the eyebrow and the "Smell what the Rock is cookin... and "Oh, Hell, Yeah" and having Steveweisers and things like that and cutting great promos. There's a place in our business for that, too.
KK: As an athlete and a man, do you think you have a responsibility as a role model for kids?
ROCK: Yeah, without a doubt. Anyone who says they don't is completely full of shit. Without a doubt. Being in the position that I am in and being in the position everyone here in the World Wrestling Federation is in... you're on television and we've got a huge kid base that watches us and they look up to us. They live vicariously through us, as do the adults. A lot of adults live vicariously through Steve to go tell their boss to go to bell. So, the kids are doing the same thing. They look up to The Rock, Steve, Undertaker, Shawn, Kane and the list goes on and on. It's the same old thing that we did when we were kids! When you were watching the business, you wanted to do a Piledriver or a Stunner. I've seen Billy Gunn's kids play, and that's all they're doing. It's the funniest thing. They all want to do the Stunner, and then the one kid is telling the other one "Okay, let me Stun you! You have to be Rocky!" It's just hilarious. Without a doubt, there's a huge responsibility. So, it's extremely important to me, outside of the ring, outside of the character, these kids realize you have to go to school. It's the age-old story! You do have to go to school, get your grades, make sure your grades are up and do the right thing. It's hard in this day and age to escape the peer pressure. But, believe me, look peer pressure straight in the face and tell those other guys who want you to do drugs or take pills or take crack or smoke or whatever it is, and say, "Hey, I'm going to do the right thing. Kiss my ass!" It's just that simple.
KK: If children happen in your life, would you want them to follow in your footsteps and get into the business?
ROCK: I wouldn't have a problem with that at all. My wife and I talk about kids, and possibly next year we'll go ahead and put that foot forward and have some kids. Right now, we're just practicing! [Laughing] I wouldn't have a problem with that because this is a fantastic business to be in. It's phenomenal. To be in this business is truly fascinating. It's a fascinating business once you've looked deep into it. And the business has been great to me. Of course, I put into it exactly what I get out of it. I work my ass off night and day, at home and in the gym training and stuff like that. So, I wouldn't have a problem with it at all.
KK: Now, I'm going to change gears and go in a different direction. Was the DX parody offensive to you in any way?
ROCK: No. It was not offensive to me in any way. Before it was done, I had an idea they were going to do something like that. I made sure that I knew exactly what was going to happen. I wanted to be sure that they didn't cross any lines or go too far or be disrespectful or demeaning in any way. But, no, I never had a problem with that. As long as it wasn't black faces and white lips and saying "Hey, Mammy!" or whatever it is, that would have been bullshit. But what they did, they just went out there and it got over like a million dollars. And everyone appreciated what they did, and I'm talking about the fans appreciated what they did because they did it so damn good. If I was ever in jeopardy of my job here in the Federation, Hunter would make a good Rock! But, then again, there ain't nobody, and The Rock means nobody that could ever be The Rock.
KK. How much racism have you encountered during your professional career?
ROCK: Well, I don't think any at all to be honest with you. And that's the biggest thing that pisses me off, too, is just anyone playing the race card, and I've encountered a lot of guys who have done that. "Oh, well, I didn't get this because of the color of my skin." Well, that's a bunch of B.S.
KK: Does some of that mentality exist here in the Federation?
ROCK: Not anymore... IF you smell what The Rock is cookin'!
KK: There was a former Federation Superstar who perhaps blamed his plight on the color of his skin?
ROCK: I don't know about that, but I know at times that was always a concern. I'd hate to even glorify him in any way, so I don't even want to talk about him anymore. I just think as far as racism in the Federation, I don't think so. It's never been brought to my attention, and I've never felt that way at any time... at ANY time whatsoever.
KK: What about the fans who say the Nation is a "black group" and, for example, Owen Hart doesn't belong?
ROCK: When it first started, it was. When it was the Nation of Domination and it was headed by Ron Simmons, it was almost like the Black Panthers, a black military-type group that was very militant and pro-black. And it's funny. It seemed like it was pro-black and all the references that were made were pro-black and anti-white, but they had Crush in the damn group! And now, when The Rock took over the Nation, and The Rock made it clear from day one even when he joined the Nation, it had nothing to do with the color of my skin. And as a shoot, I didn't give a damn what color the Nation was, and that's a whole different story. But now it's not a "black group" or a "black thing". Being in the Nation is not a "black thing", it just so happens every guy in the Nation outside of Owen is a man of color. You got all these guys and when they come out, and three or four of them are of color, and you think "Wow, that must be a black thing!" Well, no it's not. It's not a black thing, and not at one time has The Rock ever said it's a black thing. So, having Owen in our group to me is a huge step forward. We got a guy aside from Shawn Michaels who is the most decorated guy in the World Wrestling Federation. He's held the Intercontinental Title on a couple of occasions and the Tag Team Titles on several occasions. He's extremely decorated, so it was a plus to have him in the Nation. To me, fans who question that are nothing short of ignorant.
KK: You attended the University of Miami. I wanted to ask you a little about college sports as this will be coming out right in the heart of the college football season. Do you think the Proposition 48 rule is racially biased?
ROCK: No, I don't think so. What has led to that? Have they been saying that of late?
KK: Over the past couple of years, there's been a lot of discussion. Some people say the SAT test is culturally biased against African-Americans, as so much of the Proposition 48 relies on SAT scores, and therefore it's unfair for black athletes to be held to those standards.
ROCK: Well, once again, I think that's a big pile of dog crap. I went to.the University of Miami. I was down there for five years and, hell, I'm in Miami now. The team is 95-percent black! Whether they were from the damn ghetto or from the suburbs, all my black partners passed the SAT test.
KK: They all had to study and work hard.
ROCK: Yeah! It's so simple. It's such a farce to blame that as an excuse. I don't know too many black athletes-and believe me I know a lot-whether they're in the NFL now or the NBA or still in college now who passed the SAT who've actually complained, saying that it's racially biased!
KK: Do you think college athletes who are on scholarships should be paid?
ROCK: Yeah, absolutely. How much they should get paid all depends. To me, at the same time I know how it was for The Rock when I was at the University of Miami. I was dead-ass broke for five years and it wasn't fun at all. Living on macaroni and cheese and just living on that training table food and I couldn't take my future wife at the time to the movies. She had to pay for everything. I didn't have my first car until I was out of college! I know how it was for me, and I know how it was for a lot of guys, so there should be some money that should be allotted for the full scholarship athlete. At the same time, the argument is that you're a full scholarship athlete and you're getting everything paid for. Yeah, that's wonderful, and believe me, every college football player who gets that works their asses off for it. Especially at the University of Miami, because there's a motto-"No one will ever outwork us." But at the same time, you just don't have a dime! So, it would be nice to have a little bit of money to buy a shirt now and then or go out to eat or go to the movies.
KK: A lot of times agents will prey upon college scholarship athletes that are starving. Were you ever offered any money or made any offers by an agent?
ROCK: Oh, yeah, without a doubt, a ton of offers! When I signed with my agent, I took money from him.
KK: But you were done with your football requirements, correct?
ROCK, Yes. I played my final game in the Orange Bowl against Nebraska, and it was shortly after that I signed with him and I was able to get a little bit of money. I was able to buy a used truck, and that was it. You get that, and a lot of agents realize that, and that's how they get a lot of their players early, because they'll approach them when they're sophomores. It's rare, but sometimes even as freshmen. And, of course, as juniors and most definitely as seniors. You get approached at the beginning of the season especially if you're worth half a damn. They approach you with this money situation, and it's tough to pass it up for a guy who doesn't have a dime to his name.
KK: These agents prey on scholarship athletes and it's a direct violation of the law in most states and NCAA rules, but they still go about doing it anyway. When you encountered them, was it hard to say no while you were still under scholarship?
ROCK: Oh, yeah, it was tough as hell. We're talking about the beginning of the season when you get approached, and at the beginning of my senior year, I was a pre-season All-American, and everything was looking fantastic. So, it looked like I was gonna get drafted, possibly drafted high, so everything was cool. And it was almost like "Hell, I'm going to make this money, anyway, it would be great if I could just have a little bit up front now." But at the same time, I'm not the type of guy to take risks like that, and you never know what could have happened. And it's funny how things work out in the long run. But, yes, it was hard to say no to that because you're looking at a nice amount of money you can get up front before the season even starts which would allow you to do things for your mom and dad, or for your family that needs help financially or for yourself if you need something financially. I knew a lot of guys who had to do that. Obviously not mentioning any names, but they did what they had to do.
KK: Earlier this year I wrote an article comparing you to Muhammad Ali. It made comparisons to your style and the way you draw emotional reactions, and the fact that both of you were hated in your young careers. Now , of course, Ali is almost a God-Like figure in his later years. It seems to me now that the fans are starting to care for The Rock a little bit more. Have you noticed that?
ROCK: Yeah, I have noticed that. And it's one of the things that I've been fighting, because as far as being a babyface that's something that's not in The Rock's agenda. Believe me, it's not.
KK:Yeah, when you snatch off that elbow pad and you're setting up for the People's Elbow, they're all on their feet. They want to see it.
ROCK: Well, you know what, when I first came out and The Rock started to develop and I got my second title run and I started calling myself the "People's Champ". There were 20,000 fans chanting The Rock's name, I mean I said stuff like that for "heat getters". They were zingers to zing right back at the people. You may hate me, dammit I am still YOUR Intercontinental Champ! I am "the People's Champ" and there’s no getting around that because I got the belt to prove it! The People's Elbow. Everyone wants to see the People's Elbow. Well, this was a time that people couldn't give a crap about the People's Elbow and they hated the fact that I was calling myself "the People's Champ". They hated the fact, and it was a fact, that I was their Intercontinental Champion. So, the more I would say that, the more to me I was just zinging the hell out of them. Well, as time progressed, it was almost like "Yeah, you are our champ! The People's Champ! Let us see that Elbow! The Rock Bottom" It's one of those things where you go, "Oh, man, I never planned on this to happen." I enjoy being a heel. I love being a heel and I love doing what I do. So, talking with certain guys who have gone through this exact same thing, and you can imagine who I'm talking about-in particular a guy who kind of changed overnight at last WrestleMania. Of course, I'm talking about Steve. It's just one of those things. He's told me it's something you just can't fight. You can't fight it, you'll drive yourself up a wall if you fight it. So, I just go out there and be The Rock, and do The Rock's thing, and lay the smack down. And still... and you know it's funny, I still go out and completely shit on these people. They're all trailer park trash to The Rock, each and every one of them. From 8 to 80, blind, crippled or crazy-they're all trailer park trash, and I guess I like it!
KK: One last question. Any thoughts about pro wrestlers who should retire because age has caught up with them and they still decide to hang around, which holds back young up-and- comers? Any thoughts about guys like that, not mentioning any names, of course?
ROCK:Well, yeah, I know what you're saying. It's hard for me to answer that question because I don't feel we have any of those guys here. I'm not in position where I feel I'm being held back because a certain guy has the book, because certain guys are in the company and they won't give it up. I gotta look at it this way, those same guys who are out there in age- and I can particularly think of three of them, and they're all down south-you know they still draw.So, I think as long as they're drawing, you run into a problem when one of them is the booker or has their hand on the book down there. Of course, you run into a problem because naturally you want to book yourself on top. You know, I gotta look at it that way-those guys still draw a dollar and there are some older guys here in our company, don't get me wrong. How many dollars they can draw down south, I don't know. But, at the same time, I'm not in a position where I feel I'm being held back by an older guy. If I was, I would probably have a lot more to say or a lot more answers for you on that. As far as those guys in particular, and they know who they are, they're still drawing a dollar and, hey, doing their thing. If I were a victim of that, and if I felt I was being held back... and, yeah, there are guys down there who are being held back and you can see that and it sucks. But that's not The Rock's problem.
