The Rock's 12 Most Legendary WWE Moments (#8-5)
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is arguably the most successful wrestler who ever lived. After his successful stint in pro wrestling, in which he most recently won the WWE Championship in 2013, he shifted into the world of Hollywood where he is now known as one of the most top grossing actors in the entire industry.
The Rock stars in Hercules, which is set for a release on July 25th. The myth that surrounds the Greek demigod is that he had to overcome 12 labors, which is fitting for our feature on one of WWE's greatest
legends.
Wrestling Inc. is proud to give you The Rock's 12 Greatest Moments In WWE History, counting down the top moments of his wrestling career.
The Rock's 12 Most Legendary Moments In WWE (#12-9)
Without further ado, here is our second installment, where we continue with numbers 8 to 5:
8. The Birth of "If Ya Smell What The Rock Is Cooking" With Gennifer Flowers
Ahead of his match against Ken Shamrock at WrestleMania XIV, The Rock participated in a sit-down interview with Gennifer Flowers, a model and actress who claimed to have a sexual relationship with former U.S. President Bill Clinton.
Flowers spoke to The Rock, who was just starting to come into his own as "The Great One," being the Intercontinental Champion at the time.
Johnson ripped on the homeless, the judicial system, and how he would run the White House. When telling Flowers he'd be a hung jury, he followed up by saying, "If ya smell what The Rock is cooking."
It definitely stuck, and little did observers know at the time, the catchphrase would go on to be one of the greatest and most popular in pro wrestling history.
7. The Rock's Famous Armageddon 2000 Promo
Arguably the best comedic promo in the history of the WWE, The Rock spoke to Kevin Kelly on an episode of Raw in New Jersey about his bout at Armageddon 2000, which was a 6-Man Hell In A Cell Match alongside Triple H, Kurt Angle, Rikishi, The Undertaker, and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Johnson imitated all six wrestlers while speaking to Kelly, which included saying Angle was going to drink a big glass of milk and take Viagra, and also labeling Rikishi as a "thong-wearing fatty."
The clip has famously made the rounds on YouTube, and it's even pleasurable for people who know very little about pro wrestling in general. Perhaps the cherry on top was when The Rock pulled out an Austin cap, and put it on Kelly once he was done his impersonations.
Somehow, Kelly kept a straight face during the entire interview.
6. The First Rock Concert
The Rock hosted several "Rock Concerts," where he would play an acoustic guitar in the middle of the ring and ridicule opponents and authority figures, including Goldberg John Cena, and Vickie Guerrero.
But none were more memorable than the first Rock Concert on Raw, played in Sacramento, California, one week before his anticipated showdown against Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIX.
On the go-home show to what would be The Rock and Austin's final bout in their WrestleMania trilogy, The Rock made fun of Sacramento, and sang songs to Stone Cold while he was stuck outside of the arena in his pickup truck.
Modifying songs by Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra and Willie Mae Thornton (although many referred to Elvis Presley's version of "Hound Dog"), it was another classic moment where Johnson proved he could be just as funny — if not funnier — when acting as a heel.
5. The Rock Wins 1st WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1998
One year after the infamous Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997, The Rock participated in a reenactment of the occurrence, winning his first WWE Championship at Survivor Series 1998.
The title was vacant, and the winner of the one-night Deadly Game Tournament would be awarded with the gold. The Rock met Mankind in the finals, having defeated The Undertaker, Ken Shamrock and Big Boss Man beforehand.
Not only was winning his first title a legendary moment, but aligning himself with his evil boss, Vince McMahon, solidified his heel turn and he would be the face of The Corporation moving forward, known as the "Corporate Champion."
By putting Mick Foley in the Sharpshooter — Bret Hart's submission move — and getting referee the call for the bell because of McMahon's orders, this instantly made The Rock hated among many wrestling circles. McMahon had screwed Foley, Steve Austin, and most importantly, fans?again.
Still, The Rock was so beloved at the time that his followers were more than happy to see him with the belt around his waist.
Click here for #12-9 of The Rock's 12 most legendary WWE moments.