WWE Birthday Spotlight: The Rock's Most Memorable Moments

May 2, 1972—Dwayne Johnson is born. Coming from a lineage of successful WWE Superstars, namely "High Chief" Peter Maivia and "Soulman" Rocky Johnson, his pedigree caused his entry to the wrestling world to come with high expectations.

The WWE had the same expectations, giving him the opportunity to step into immediate superstardom by winning his debut match for his team at Survivor Series in 1996. Three months later, he won his first singles title by defeating Triple H for the Intercontinental Championship.

Unfortunately, due to his babyface character being one-dimensional and the advent of the attitude era, Rock started to get booed more than cheered.

The WWE played on these boos and turned it into a heel turn that would springboard into one of the most successful careers of all time.

In honor of Rock's 40th birthday today, here are the most memorable moments out of the very long list of possibilities.

5. The Rock Turns Heel and Joins the N.O.D.

In 1997, Rocky Maivia becomes extinct. The Rock is born.

In a match pitting Nation of Domination leader Faarooq against Disciple of Apocalypse member Chainz, the referee was "knocked out" due to an accidental bump from Faarooq. 

Out of nowhere, the Rock appears, seemingly to revive the ref to count Chainz's pin attempt on Faarooq. Instead, we see a Rock bottom and a heel turn.

The rest is history.

4. Rock's "This Is Your Life"

Due to the both of them feuding with Vince McMahon and the Corporation, a makeshift team of the Rock and Mankind—later coined the "Rock N' Sock Connection"—was formed. They become one of the most successful tag teams of that era, winning the Tag Team Championship on three occasions.

At Unforgiven in 1999, Mankind delivered a Mandible Claw to the Rock during the Six Pack Challenge match for the WWE Championship.

Attempting to be forgiven for his transgression, he moderated a segment named This is Your Life and recalled the Rock's past in his honor.

To this day, it is one of the highest rated segments in WWE Raw history.

3. The Rock Wins the WWE Title, Joins the Corporation

At the 1998 Survivor Series, there was a tournament that was held for the vacant WWE Championship. After a series of grueling matches, the two finalists were Mankind and the Rock.

At this time, Mankind was a member of the Corporation, and the Rock's popularity ascended him into one of the top babyfaces.

In a shocking turn of events, Vince McMahon prematurely commanded the bell to be rung during a Sharpshooter executed by Rock on Mankind, similar to the infamous "Montreal Screwjob" ending just one year prior. 

The Rock won the WWE Championship, and joined the Corporation.

2. The Rock Defeats "Stone Cold" Steve Austin

The feud between the Rock and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin is undoubtedly one of the best in WWE history. They had multiple hard fought matches, and a series of intriguing storylines to help polish both of their careers.

Their feud drew money, and was a top investment. So much, that they competed against each other at three Wrestlemanias: 15, 17 and 19.

The Rock lost his matches at Wrestlemania 15 and 17. However, the Rock wanted one more chance to prove that he can cure the Kryptonite of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

At Wrestlemania 19, he achieved one of the greatest moments of his career in one of the greatest matches of his career—defeating Steve Austin.

1. The Rock vs. "Hollywood" Hulk Hogan

March 17, 2002 marked one of the most memorable nights in professional wrestling history. At Wrestlemania 18, two of the biggest icons faced each other—The Rock and Hulk Hogan.

Although Hogan was still technically a heel during this match, Toronto threw his villainous status out the window, as he unquestionably received the biggest pop of the evening. Similarly, the Rock just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time when it came to being cheered, because he was heavily booed from the crowd.

The electricity of the match was at an unparalleled pitch, cementing its place as a match that no one will ever forget.

At the end, it was a proverbial "passing of the torch" as the Rock defeated Hulk Hogan and claimed his spot among the pro wrestling elites.

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