There is a reason that Dwayne Johnson is called the People’s Champ. His popularity and fame in WWE, rose to an astronomical height during the Attitude era. In his 8-year run with the company, 6 of them saw The Rock at the top of any card. While his debut was not the best, he recovered quickly after aligning himself with the Nation of Domination. After he left that group, the rest is history.
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But now after almost 2 decades of his absence from wrestling, people are puzzled about how Johnson was able to climb so fast. And this wrestling legend that spearheaded a company that rivaled WWE in the ’90s has a clear answer.
Wrestling legend gives his two cents about the rise of Dwayne Johnson and Goldberg in the ’90s
On a podcast conveniently named, Ask Eric Anything, the titular Eric Bischoff, was asked about 5 wrestlers from the current day that he would like to have in his promotion. On the top of his head, Bischoff picks MJF. He says that MJF is one of the best ones out there. But he needs more time in the industry. Because he believes that stars in this industry need both talent and the right landscape to become great.
READ MORE: ‘All of a Sudden The Rock Got the Attitude’: UFC Legend Shared Honest Thoughts on Dwayne Johnson
He continued, “If you go back in time, and you look at some of the biggest names in the history of wrestling over the last, let’s just say 20 years, 25 years, there are only two people that have made it to the top that haven’t been in the business for at least five or seven years. That’s The Rock and Goldberg. I think the reason that they were able to collapse that cycle is because wrestling was so freaking hot at the time that they essentially broke in.”
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“And because they had such exceptional charisma. They found their way with their characters and their personalities, and they were given the opportunity. They were given the opportunity to showcase that special charisma and talent at a time when the wrestling audience was at a fever pitch.”
Bischoff also said that he would like to have Dolph Ziggler and Becky Lynch as well. Ziggler because of his versatility in the ring. And Becky Lynch because of her raw charisma.
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WATCH THIS STORY: 50 Years of The Rock: Dwayne Johnson’s Greatest Achievements
Tell us what you think about this bunch of wrestling legends-in-the-making in the comments below.