The Rock 40th B-Day Tribute

Today, I would like to personally take the time out and present a Birthday Tribute with a Special Article Dedicated to a Living Legend in Sports & Entertainment: "The Rock". Born Dwayne Johnson on May 2, 1972 in Miami, FL wrestling was in Rocky's DNA from day one. As the Grandson of High Chief Peter Maivia, and Son of Rocky Johnson (Both Hall of Famers), The Rock was destined to be great in the ring. After excelling as a star Defensive Lineman for the Miami Hurricanes, The Rock soon took his talents to his stomping grounds, the squared circle. After being cut by the CFL, Dwayne Johnson goes on to sign with the WWF in 1996 under the name Rocky Maivia, making his debut at Survivor Series '96. The following year, he goes on to win the 1st of 2 Intercontinental Titles, which included the start of his feud with longtime archrival, Stone Cold Steve Austin. During this time, The Rock was the rising star as the co-leader of the Nation of Domination with Faarooq (Ron Simmons). From there, The Rock's meteoric rise begins, and by the end of '98, he becomes the youngest champion in WWF/E history at the time at age 26 with the win over Mick Foley (Mankind) at Survivor Series '98. From there, he and Foley would have a feud that would last through Royal Rumble '99 with a Legendary "I Quit" Match. Rocky would move on to continue his feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin, but this time to another level for the WWF Championship. The Rock would be the perfect villain to the hero of Stone Cold, as he was Vince's Greatest Weapon for the Corporation. Austin defeated The Great One at WrestleMania XV, which was the first of their Legendary & Iconic WrestleMania Trilogy matches (XV, XVII, XIX). The Rock vs. Stone Cold feud was a MAJOR piece of The Rock's legacy, as well as the greatest reason that WWE won the Monday Night War vs. WCW. Austin/Rock were like Magic/Bird, Chamberlain/Russell, Ali/Frazier, Batman/Joker, Spiderman/Goblin, etc. The Texas Rattlesnake and The Brahma Bull had terrific chemistry together. There was no backstage BS between them, but rather a very strong bond, and their matches were perfect examples of that. Throughout 1999, The Stone Cold/Rock feud shot TV Ratings & PPV Buyrates to Infinity and Beyond! (Buzz Lightyear voice). These two Warriors were the Kings of the Attitude Era, as Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were the Kings of the NBA in the 1980s. Simultaneously, Austin and Rock were the headliners. Arenas were packed, other talent was pushed, merchandise sold left and right off the shelves and the business became a tremendous mainstream phenomenon again, like the Rock 'N Wrestling Era of the '80s. This was the closest that I had been to witnessing the Golden Era of Hogan, Savage, Flair, Piper, etc. Wrestling was a force to be recognized through the mainstream media and all over the world, because of the groundwork that these men laid and the foundation that they set for the generation today. Today's stars are performing in the arenas and the rings that The Rock BUILT for them. The People's Champ shed his blood, sweat and tears through 7 long years in the business. The Rock was a REAL Total Package Star (not Lex Luger) that could not only entertain, do a GREAT Promo, but he could actually WRESTLE and put on great matches, night in and night out. The Rock was a multi-dimensional superstar, and he is STILL a multi-dimensional entertainer. What Hulk Hogan started in the '80s with movies, TV, etc., The Rock capitalized on that and took acting to another level that Hogan could only dream of. Rocky is a ratings & PPV machine, because he is his own brand! He would go on to feud with fellow Attitude Era stars Triple H & The Undertaker over the title later that year as well. By 2000, The Rock's star value escalated to another level, as he won the Royal Rumble, headlined his second-straight WrestleMania, hosted Saturday Night Live, won another World Title and continued his feud with The Game. 1997-2002, the Alpha Dogs of the Attitude Era were Stone Cold/The Rock. '97-'99 Stone Cold was the Top Alpha Dog. '00-'02 The Rock took over as more of the Alpha Dog of the company, both from a performance standpoint, and career standpoint. 2001 saw the best match of the Austin/Rock WM Rivalry with the Classic WM 17 Match in Houston, with Stone Cold turning heel. The match itself was a masterpiece. It was filled with one great spot after another, as both men pulled out all of the weapons from their arsenal. Rock hit the Stunner, Austin hit Rock Bottom. Both did the Sharpshooter, with Stone Cold even pulling out an old trick with the classic Million Dollar Dream. This was truly a 5 star match, and possibly the best of Rock's career. At that same time, The Rock would go on to carry team WWF to victory over the WCW/ECW Alliance with an Epic victory at Survivor Series. In 2002, The Rock went on to headline WM X8 in a Fantasy Icon vs. Icon Match with Hulk Hogan. This was the Attitude Era vs. The Golden Era and the passing of the torch. The Rock would go on to win in another Match of the Year classic, like the previous ones he had with Austin. Rocky would go on to surpass Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin for most WWF/E titles (6), with his 7th at Vengeance. Outside the ring, The Rock was a Box Office Headliner as well, starring in the Scorpion King, along with Walking Tall, Rundown, etc. later on. He has also starred in the smash hit Fast Five, and will be in the upcoming G.I. Joe 2.

The Rock's pop culture influence in & out of the squared circle has been unparalleled. Now, he has become a 7 time WWE Champion, 2 time WCW Champion, 2 time IC Champion, multi time tag champion, 2000 Royal Rumble Winner, headliner of 5 straight WMs, and many other PPVs in his era, and a cornerstone for the Attitude Era. The Rock has done more in 7 years than many others have done in 20-25 years in the business. His impact is phenomenal, drawing power amazing, and is a Walking, Talking, Legend and Icon. If it were not for The Rock, WWE would not be here today! John Cena, Randy Orton, and CM Punk would not have the platform that they have now, if The People's Champion had not laid the building blocks for them to do what they do. This is my personal tribute to the Jabroni' beating, Pie eating, Trail Blazing, Eyebrow raising, Most Electrifying Man in Sports Entertainment! There will never be another like him, if you SMELL, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, LA, what The Rock is COOKIN'!