As a babyface, The Rock arguably is the most popular superstar of all time(as Cornette has aptly said recently). Guy was a money making machine at his prime. In 2000 itself, he drew ratings, 10,000+ arenas, PPV buys unlike anyone in the industry before or after, and took wrestling to its very peak. When you think about how small his time at the top was, and yet how many 500k+ PPVs this guy has drawn it's simply insane. Despite lacking longevity, the guy is considered the greatest of all time by many fans, and that includes hardcore smarks in huge number as well, and holds his place as a bona fide mega star along with Hogan/Austin to complete wrestling's elite trinity.
But in this thread we should analyse Rock as a heel character. How great he was, his impact etc! Rock's heel career can be divided into three parts:
1. Nation of Domination heel Rocky Maivia(the evolution)- mid/late 1997 to mid 1998.
2. Corporate heel Rock- GOAT heel character- late 1998 to mid 1999.
3. Hollywood Rock- very entertaining heel character- early 2003.
Nation of Domination heel Rock
After getting constant Rocky Sucks chants(and Die Rocky Die slogans), Rock joined "Nation of Domination", and who could forget that first promo, "The Rock doesn't suck." This was the time where Rock really came into his own. His witty promos and antics were awesome. That led to his his first face turn at Summerslam 98, where the MSG crowd suddenly started to chant his name in that awesome ladder match.
Corporate Rock:
This was the ultimate evolution of the heel Rock, IMO. The heel turn was a shocker at SVS 98. Rock, the self proclaimed people's champion', after feuding with the greatest heel character ever Mr. McMahon throughout the road to SVS, suddenly decided to join him and became his corporate champion, leaving the crowd completely flabbergasted. The promos which he cut were pure GOLD, IMO. Him calling Austin ,"the biggest piece of texas trailer park trash" was just:lmao And those legendary catchphrases became so popular that WWF decided to name their second weekly show "SmackDown."
Unfortunately just like the previous time, Rock was just too popular to remain heel. The guy was getting cheers/pops against the ultimate babyface then "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. And they had to cut short his feud with Austin, and turn him babyface after Backlash 1999.
Hollywood heel Rock:
After getting booed against Hogan, and Lesnar in 2002, Rock decided that it was enough to play a good guy, and brought Hollywood Rock character in 2003. Though the purist Rock fans prefer the corporate heel Rock, but many, till date find this character very entertaining. Him spitting in the face of Hogan, owning the Toronto crowd, Rock concerts, him making fun of Goldberg in his home town , were some of the most awesome moments you would tend to remember.
So, how high do you rate The Rock as a heel in the all time list? How does he stack against "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, Ric Flair, Hollywood Hogan and other GOAT heel wrestlers?
EDIT:: When comparing modern heels with pre 1980 heels, kindly bear in mind the distinction between pro-wrestling and sports entertainment. Thanks.
But in this thread we should analyse Rock as a heel character. How great he was, his impact etc! Rock's heel career can be divided into three parts:
1. Nation of Domination heel Rocky Maivia(the evolution)- mid/late 1997 to mid 1998.
2. Corporate heel Rock- GOAT heel character- late 1998 to mid 1999.
3. Hollywood Rock- very entertaining heel character- early 2003.
Nation of Domination heel Rock
After getting constant Rocky Sucks chants(and Die Rocky Die slogans), Rock joined "Nation of Domination", and who could forget that first promo, "The Rock doesn't suck." This was the time where Rock really came into his own. His witty promos and antics were awesome. That led to his his first face turn at Summerslam 98, where the MSG crowd suddenly started to chant his name in that awesome ladder match.
Corporate Rock:
This was the ultimate evolution of the heel Rock, IMO. The heel turn was a shocker at SVS 98. Rock, the self proclaimed people's champion', after feuding with the greatest heel character ever Mr. McMahon throughout the road to SVS, suddenly decided to join him and became his corporate champion, leaving the crowd completely flabbergasted. The promos which he cut were pure GOLD, IMO. Him calling Austin ,"the biggest piece of texas trailer park trash" was just:lmao And those legendary catchphrases became so popular that WWF decided to name their second weekly show "SmackDown."
Unfortunately just like the previous time, Rock was just too popular to remain heel. The guy was getting cheers/pops against the ultimate babyface then "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. And they had to cut short his feud with Austin, and turn him babyface after Backlash 1999.
Hollywood heel Rock:
After getting booed against Hogan, and Lesnar in 2002, Rock decided that it was enough to play a good guy, and brought Hollywood Rock character in 2003. Though the purist Rock fans prefer the corporate heel Rock, but many, till date find this character very entertaining. Him spitting in the face of Hogan, owning the Toronto crowd, Rock concerts, him making fun of Goldberg in his home town , were some of the most awesome moments you would tend to remember.
So, how high do you rate The Rock as a heel in the all time list? How does he stack against "Nature Boy" Buddy Rogers, Ric Flair, Hollywood Hogan and other GOAT heel wrestlers?
EDIT:: When comparing modern heels with pre 1980 heels, kindly bear in mind the distinction between pro-wrestling and sports entertainment. Thanks.