The Ropes Profile of The Rock

Duane Johnson is the first third generation superstar in WWF history.  Son of wrestler Rocky Johnson and Grandson of the great High Chief Peter Miavia, Duane got his first real break in the WWF under the name Rocky Miavia.  Now known as The Rock, he captured his first Intercontinental title on February 13, 1997 prior to becoming leader of the Nation of Domination.  The Rock later lost the title to Owen Hart.  When "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was forced to vacate the Intercontinental Title, The Rock became the new champion, but he lost the title in a memorable Ladder Match with Hunter Hearst Helmsley at Summerslam (1998), ending an eight month title reign.

That was not the only gold The Rock has had around his waste.  As he grew in popularity, The Rock became The People's Champ, because of his in ring ability as well as the ability he had to entertain the crowd, coining such phrases as, "know your role," "layin' the smack down," and "smell what The Rock is cooking."  These qualities earned him the nickname, "The Most Electrifying Man in Sports-Entertainment."

At Summerslam (1998) The Rock became the first "man of colour" to capture the coveted WWF World Heavyweight Title, defeating Mankind in the final match of a tournament but not without controversy.  The Rock betrayed his legions of fans and sided with WWF owner Vince McMahon and the Corporation.  Mankind sought revenge, leading to many of the WWF's most brutal matches to date, including an I Quit Match, an Empty Arena Match and a Last Man Standing Match.

At the January 1999 pay-per-view entitled In Your House: Rock Bottom, we saw The Rock lose to Mankind but according to Vince McMahon, because The Rock was not pinned and did not give up, he would not lose the title.  The Rock, latter lost the title a RAW telecast.  However, Mankind latter accepted The Rock's challenge to an I Quit Match at the Royal Rumble, a match that Hardcore Legend, Mankind, seemingly could not loose.  However, The Rock took him to his limit.  After being thrown onto a circuit board and hit in the head at least a dozen times with a steel chair, Mankind was knocked unconscious, leading to another controversial victory by The Rock.  An epic battle, but the war was far from over.

The first ever "Halftime Heat" aired during halftime of the Superbowl.  The main event saw champion The Rock suffer defeat at the hands of Mankind in an Empty Arena Match.  Mankind scored the pin fall by lowing a fork lift on The Rock.  The Rock as determined to regain the World Title and faced off with Mankind again at In Your House: St. Valentine's Day Massacre, this time in a Last Man Standing.  If your opponent cannot stand before the referee reaching the count of ten, he looses.  Unfortunately for The Rock, neither man could answer the referee's count and the match was declared a draw and Mankind retained the World Title.  The next day on RAW, The Rock and Mankind were once again involved in a match, this time a Ladder Match.  The Rock would not taste defeat this time, as he climbed the ladder and unhooked the World Heavyweight Title and was champion for the third time already in his career.

The Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin renewed their rivalry, which reached its climax at Wrestlemania XV on March 28.  The Rock put his title on the line but suffered defeat at the hands of the Texas Rattlesnake.  This loss and his next loss at In Your House: Backlash lead to The Rock leaving the Corporation and returning to glory as The People's Champ.