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When did you become a fan of The Rock?

8K views 111 replies 83 participants last post by  Hazzard 
#1 ·
December 97. IYH DX.

It went into overdrive by July98 (Fully Loaded).

By the time he won the title in November, I was already a full blown Stan.
 
#76 ·
This. When he went heel is when I liked the guy. Of course, I'm one of the few that couldn't stand his face runs after a couple of weeks. He was always a much better heel.
 
#13 ·
"I got 3 words, die rocky die, that's the type of gratitude I get from you pieces of crap? In arenas across the country, I heard chants of rocky sucks. I am many things but sucks ain't one of them. You know it's not a white thing, it's not a black thing, it's gana be a me kicking your ass thing"- first promo the rock did in nation.
 
#42 ·
I liked his debut at SVS96. But really became a big fan when he was feuding with Sultan in early 97. However, he was not my "the favourite" at that time, as I liked/loved Undertaker and Bret Hart more. But during late 97 when Bret left for WCW, and Rock became a full blown heel is the time he became my "the favourite". I recall it was his rivalry with Shamrock that did it for me.

And to be honest, him leaving in 2003 left such a big vaccum in my wrestling interest that I still miss him to date. Frankly speaking "there is no one that can replace The Great One". GOAT:rock4
 
#32 ·
I first got into wrestling when I was only 5 in 1999 and the Rock just immediately became one of my favorites. There'll never be anyone like him and I know that sounds cliché but it's true. Absolute unique mic skills that everything he said basically became a catchphrase, knew how to cut a promo on just about anyone, lacked technical wrestling skills but still able to put on classics, was the company's biggest star at the young age of 27, came from a strong wrestling background and his passion, even to this day when he comes out and gets goosebumps despite being a well-established actor, for the business is just so admirable. The fact he can go away for 8 years and, what some might say "turn his back on the business", but still come back to 70,000+ cheering for him says everything you need to know about The Rock.

Its always a tough thing to look back and think what if he didn't make it in Hollywood because he was so young and had so much left in the tank to carry the company through the post-attitude era and into the 2010's but movies and acting were perfect for him because of his strong charisma and presence.
 
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#41 ·
I first got into wrestling when I was only 5 in 1999 and the Rock just immediately became one of my favorites. There'll never be anyone like him and I know that sounds cliché but it's true. Absolute unique mic skills that everything he said basically became a catchphrase, knew how to cut a promo on just about anyone, lacked technical wrestling skills but still able to put on classics, was the company's biggest star at the young age of 27, came from a strong wrestling background and his passion, even to this day when he comes out and gets goosebumps despite being a well-established actor, for the business is just so admirable. The fact he can go away for 8 years and, what some might say "turn his back on the business", but still come back to 70,000+ cheering for him says everything you need to know about The Rock.

Its always a tough thing to look back and think what if he didn't make it in Hollywood because he was so young and had so much left in the tank to carry the company through the post-attitude era and into the 2010's but movies and acting were perfect for him because of his strong charisma and presence.
:clap

Rock had one catchphrase after another. He's the reason why I don't write wrestlers off after a rough start. He went from ho hum Rocky Maivia to the most electrifying man in sports entertainment. As you said, he wasn't the best technical wrestler, but he knew how to put on a few classics and a show.

I'm glad he successfully transitioned from wrestler to actor.
 
#46 ·
 
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#49 · (Edited)
As soon as the heel turn happened, it was like a switch went off. Everything came together. I loved the promo he cut after the heel turn when he reminded the fans that he never forgot "Die Rocky Die". I can't seem to find it on Youtube.

This clip is one of my favorites from him. It was so wrong, but I loved it and still do.



And this is how you tell a nursery rhyme during a promo. :lol



And no sing along's. The crowd just loved him.

 
#67 ·
was always a fan as far as I can remember.

Breakdown 98 triple threat cage match w/ Mankind & Shamrock is when I really remember becoming a huge Rock mark.

Man, the pop which Rock received in this match was awesome(infact by far the biggest of the night). He really had a nice chemistry with both Shamrock(loved their feud in early 98), and Mankind(the rivalry that gave WWF its FINAL ratings edge against WCW). MOTN.
 
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#81 ·
I stopped watching wrestling from 1995-1999. Randomly switched it on sometime in September 1999 and saw the episode of Smackdown where Rock is the special guest referee for the Triple H/Bulldog match. Where he fucked with both guys all match and hit the infamous sliding People's Elbow.

Needless to say, that was all it took. I knew instantly he was the coolest thing I would ever see.

Does anyone have a link to the Sunday Night Heat late 1998 when Rock and Austin had that quick staredown? It was shortly before Rock turned heel and joined the Corporation. They had a staredown and the crowd is going nuts for both guys.
 
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#106 ·
I remember when I started paying attention to him..you can tell something was going on. He wasn't paying attention to Farooq, was into himself, started rocking sunglasses, and he was the one getting all the heat. A few months after the heel turn, he did a IC title program with Austin and you could tell by the way he was talking that he was gonna matter. But when it became insanely obvious was the lead in to Summerslam 98 when he decimated Chyna on the mic while he stood on that ladder and Jim Ross couldn't find words enough to describe how bad Rock shitted on the girl.
 
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#7 ·
Meh, Rock is ok. I like him but he isn't up there with the likes of Stone cold, nash, Sting, Steiner, Foley, Hogan, Hall, HHH, cm punk.

Not for me personally. I found his promos a bit childish and boring and not funny in the slightest very often. But he is still amazing and I wish he actually wrestled full time, shame he is so talented he could go elsewhere. Meanwhile cena has no talent so we are stuck with him playing the same gimmick for 10 long yrs
 
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