Dwayne Johnson needs no introduction to wrestling fans. The Great One is not only one of the best wrestlers to come out of the WWE but also one of the most popular. So it’s shocking to casual fans who do not know about The Rock’s initial run in the company, that the WWE audience back in the day hated him. It was until Johnson turned heel that many arenas had fans chanting negative slogans at The Rock.

But how did Johnson get past this phase to become the star we know and love today?

Dwayne Johnson recounts smiling through the hate

Johnson, being an icon and veteran of the WWE, has many stories to tell. Some are great, while others are sad. Among the saddest is his initial run in the WWE. As hardcore fans know, Johnson had an underwhelming run in the company when he first started out. Despite being the son of the great Rocky Johnson, The Rock did not share his father’s fame.

While on the Joe Rogan Experience, The Rock shared his thoughts and experiences during his initial run in the WWE. Johnson said, “I’ll never forget it, every night they were chanting ‘Rocky Sucks’, and I had to smile through it.” This was in reference to the hate fans gave him for his happy, always-smiling gimmick. Fans were quick to turn on The Rock for it. However, Johnson’s bosses told him to smile through it all.

Johnson continued, “You’re paying your hard-earned money as a fan even though this world is fiction and it’s not real.” The Rock claimed that he hated his initial gimmick as it was not him. He claimed that he wanted to be himself and even decided to leave the WWE after his first WrestleMania show.

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His first WrestleMania show was WrestleMania 13 on March 23, 1997. He defended his Intercontinental Championship against The Sultan. However, as The Rock stated on the podcast, the fans were not on his side and chanted negativity. This would all change after his heel turn.

The Rock’s heel turn and rise to fame

As The Rock recounted in the podcast, he took some time off from the WWE after his failed initial run. However, Vince McMahon wanted to give him another chance. McMahon stated that he was turning heel and joining the Nation of Domination.

However, The Rock pleaded to McMahon to give him a chance to speak on the mic. The resulting promo led to The Rock becoming one of the biggest heels in the company within just a month.

What do you think about Johnson’s initial run in the company? Tell us your thoughts down below.

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