Editing Dwayne Johnson (section)

==== WWF Champion and rise to superstardom (1998–2000) ====
{{See also|The Corporation (professional wrestling)|l1=The Corporation|Rock 'n' Sock Connection}}
[[File:WWE - Sheffield 020499 (49) b.jpg|thumb|upright=1|As part of [[The Corporation (professional wrestling)|The Corporation]], the Rock feuded with [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] and stole Austin's personalized [[WWE Championship|WWF Championship]] and his "Smoking Skull" belt.]]
The Rock was then entered into the "Deadly Game" tournament for the vacant WWF Championship. The finals occurred at [[Survivor Series (1998)|Survivor Series]] on November 15, where The Rock defeated Vince McMahon's associate, [[Mick Foley|Mankind]], to win his first WWF Championship.<ref name="rock1wwe">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541401 |title=The Rock's first WWE Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313105504/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541401 |archive-date=March 13, 2008}}</ref><ref name="Survivor Series – Rock vs Mankind">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1998/mainevent/ |title=The Rock def. Mankind to become new WWE Champion |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224064736/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1998/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> A "double turn" then occurred as The Rock turned heel again after allying with Vince and [[Shane McMahon]] as the crown jewel of their stable, The Corporation, after the McMahons betrayed Mankind.<ref name="rock1wwe"/><ref name="corporation">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/corporation.html |title=The Corporation Profile |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514225923/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/c/corporation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On December 13, at the pay-per-view named after him, [[Rock Bottom: In Your House]], The Rock had a rematch with Mankind for the WWF Championship. Mankind appeared to win the match when The Rock passed out to the Mandible Claw submission move, but Vince McMahon ruled that since The Rock did not tap out, he retained his title.<ref name="corporation" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/rockbottom98.html |title=In Your House 26: Rock Bottom results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107061306/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/rockbottom98.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the main event of the January 4, 1999, episode of ''Raw Is War'', Mankind defeated The Rock for the championship after interference from Stone Cold Steve Austin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wwe.com/videos/stone-cold-helps-mankind-win-the-big-one-raw-january-4-1999 |title="Stone Cold" Helps Mankind Win the Big One |access-date=January 2, 2023 |publisher=WWE}}</ref> Then at the [[Royal Rumble (1999)|Royal Rumble]] on January 24, The Rock regained the title in an [["I quit" match|"I Quit" match]], a type of submission match that only ends if one of the combatants says "I quit" on a microphone. Intended to show a vicious streak in The Rock's character, The Rock hit Mankind in the head with a steel chair 11 times instead of the scripted five, five shots already being risky (most wrestling matches in the Attitude Era involving steel chairs had at most 2 or 3 shots to the head). After the fifth shot, Mankind was still ringside instead of two-thirds up the entrance ramp where he was supposed to be, and after the eleventh shot, which knocked Mankind out, a recording of Mankind saying "I Quit" from an earlier interview was played over the public address system.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881143/results/ |title=Royal Rumble 1999 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=January 12, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060112160248/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/19881143/results/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541412 |title=The Rock's second WWE Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309231225/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/3044541412 |archive-date=March 9, 2008}}</ref> On January 31, during an episode of ''[[WWE Heat|Sunday Night Heat]]'', The Rock and Mankind participated in an [[Professional wrestling match types#Empty Arena match|Empty Arena match]], a match that took place in an arena with 22,000 empty seats where any part of the facility could be used to contest the match. After 20 minutes of chaotic brawling in the ring, the stands, a kitchen, the catering area, an office, the arena corridors and finally a basement loading area, Mankind pinned The Rock using a [[forklift truck]] to win the WWF Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/130790/20160204/wwe-looks-back-super-bowl-halftime-heat-rock-vs-mankind.htm|title=WWE Looks Back At Super Bowl 'Halftime Heat' With The Rock vs. Mankind|first=Mark|last=Lelinwalla|date=February 4, 2016|website=Tech Times|access-date=March 26, 2020|archive-date=January 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010319/https://www.techtimes.com/articles/130790/20160204/wwe-looks-back-super-bowl-halftime-heat-rock-vs-mankind.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The two faced off again, at [[St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House]] on February 14, in a Last Man Standing match which ended in a draw, meaning Mankind retained the title. Their feud ended on the February 15 ''Raw Is War'', when The Rock won his third WWF Championship in a Ladder Match after a debuting [[Big Show]] interfered on his behalf.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999/raw021599 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026204143/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1999%2Fraw021599 |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |title=Monday Night Raw: February 15, 1999 |publisher=The Other Arena |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445414121 |title=The Rock's third WWE Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080327050913/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/30445414121 |archive-date=March 27, 2008}}</ref> The Rock then lost the WWF Championship to Stone Cold Steve Austin at [[WrestleMania XV]] on March 28.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm15/mainevent/ |title=Stone Cold vs. The Rock for the WWE Championship |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080223191232/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm15/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 23, 2008}}</ref>
[[File:WWE - London 6+70500 (22) b.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1|The Rock's popularity was fueled by his charisma and speaking abilities, which led to many catchphrases and merchandising opportunities.]]
The Rock's popularity continued to grow and audiences still cheered for him even though he was a heel. He then lost the title rematch against Stone Cold Steve Austin at [[Backlash (1999)|Backlash: In Your House]] on April 25.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash1999/mainevent/ |title=WWE Champion Stone Cold Steve Austin def. The Rock |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221164543/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash1999/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw is War'' The Rock was fired from The Corporation after he was betrayed by Shane McMahon, turning him face again and starting a feud with Triple H, [[The Undertaker]] and [[The Corporate Ministry]]. On April 29, 1999, WWF aired the pilot episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'', a term derived from one of The Rock's catchphrases. In the episode, The Rock continued his feud with The Corporate Ministry. This led to a match with Triple H, at [[Over the Edge (1999)|Over the Edge]] on May 23, which The Rock won,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/overtheedge99.html |title=Over the Edge 1999 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=January 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120002030/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/overtheedge99.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and a match for the WWF Championship against The Undertaker, at [[King of the Ring (1999)|King of the Ring]] on June 27, which The Rock lost.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering99.html |title=King of the Ring 1999 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217032104/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering99.html |archive-date=February 17, 2008}}</ref> The Rock then lost a number one contender's match to Triple H, at [[Fully Loaded (1999)|Fully Loaded]] on July 25, after interference from [[Monty Sopp|"Mr. Ass" Billy Gunn]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/fullyloaded99.html |title=Fully Loaded 1999 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=February 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220207222429/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/fullyloaded99.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock then defeated Gunn in a Kiss My Ass match at [[SummerSlam (1999)|SummerSlam]] on August 22. The Rock was also given the privilege of having his own signature match, like The Undertaker with the Buried Alive match, Kane with the Inferno Match and Mankind with the Boiler Room Brawl: the Brahma Bullrope match, a variant of a [[strap match]] was a normal singles match where the components are tied together with a rope used for cattle farming, and the rope and its attached cowbell could both be used as weapons. The Rock contested this match twice, both times in Texas (vs Triple H in Dallas, and vs [[Al Snow]] in Houston).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1999/results/ |title=SummerSlam 1999 official results |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620173807/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1999/results/ |archive-date=June 20, 2007}}</ref>

Shortly after SummerSlam, The Rock began teaming with former opponent Mankind and the two became known as [[the Rock 'n' Sock Connection]].<ref name="Aug40-99">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1999/ |title=WWE Raw Results – August 30, 1999 |date=August 30, 1999 |access-date=May 4, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607173232/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_1999/ |archive-date=June 7, 2008}}</ref> They became [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE, 1971–2010)|WWF Tag Team Champions]] for the first time after defeating The Undertaker and Big Show for the titles on the August 30 episode of ''Raw is War''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132135 |title=Rock 'n' Sock Connection's first World Tag Team Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080325074122/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132135 |archive-date=March 25, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321116 |title=Rock 'n' Sock Connection's third World Tag Team Championship reign |publisher=WWE |access-date=March 19, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224220518/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321116 |archive-date=February 24, 2007}}</ref> The two performed a number of critically acclaimed comedic skits together, including one called "This Is Your Life", which saw Mankind bring parody versions of people from The Rock's past on television, such as his high school girlfriend and his high school football coach, only to have The Rock insult them. The segment earned an 8.4 [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen rating]], one of the highest ratings ever for a ''Raw'' segment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slashwrestling.com/raw/990927.html |title=Slashwrestling RAW report – with ratings |access-date=January 13, 2007 |author=Christopher Robin Zimmerman |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061102112807/http://slashwrestling.com/raw/990927.html |archive-date=November 2, 2006}}</ref> The two lost the titles back to Undertaker and Big Show on the September 9 episode of ''SmackDown!'' and won them back from them on the September 20 episode of ''Raw is War''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132126 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051013101134/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132126 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 13, 2005 |title=WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > World Tag Team > 19990909 – Undertaker & Big Show |date=October 13, 2005 |access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132117 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127181916/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132117 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 27, 2005 |title=WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > World Tag Team > 19990920 – Mankind & The Rock |date=November 27, 2005 |access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> The Rock and Mankind then lost the titles to [[The New Age Outlaws]] on the very next episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413218 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051123031447/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413218 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 23, 2005 |title=WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > World Tag Team > 19990923 – New Age Outlaws |date=November 23, 2005 |access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref> The Rock and Mankind would win the tag titles for the third and final time after beating the New Age Outlaws on the October 14 episode of ''SmackDown!'' before losing the titles to [[The Holly Cousins]] on the October 18 episode of ''Raw is War''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321116 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051128114939/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321116 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 28, 2005 |title=WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > World Tag Team > 19991014 – Mankind & The Rock |date=November 28, 2005 |access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413211115 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051230211555/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/30445413211115 |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 30, 2005 |title=WWE: Inside WWE > Title History > World Tag Team > 19991018 – Crash & Hardcore Holly |date=December 30, 2005 |access-date=April 19, 2019}}</ref>

At the [[Royal Rumble (2000)|Royal Rumble]] on January 23, 2000, The Rock entered the [[Royal Rumble match]] and was one of the final two remaining, along with Big Show. In an attempt at a "false finish", Big Show intended to throw The Rock over the top rope in a running [[powerslam]]-like position, before The Rock countered the move on the ring apron, sending Big Show to the floor before reentering the ring as the winner.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811411/mainevent/ |title=The Rock (No. 24) wins the Royal Rumble Match |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |archive-date=January 17, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060117061721/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811411/mainevent/ |url-status=live }}</ref> But The Rock's feet accidentally hit the floor during the reversal attempt, though those watching the event on television did not see that. This was played up in the storyline as Big Show provided additional video footage showing it and claimed to be the rightful winner. The Rock's number one contendership for the WWF Championship was then put on the line against Big Show at [[No Way Out (2000)|No Way Out]] on February 27, which Big Show won after Shane McMahon interfered.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2000/results/ |title=No Way Out 2000 official results |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319121436/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2000/results/ |archive-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref> The Rock then defeated Big Show on the March 13 episode of ''Raw Is War'', to regain the right to face the WWF Champion, Triple H, at [[WrestleMania 2000]] on April 2, in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic elimination matches|Fatal Four-way elimination match]], also including Big Show and Mick Foley.<ref name="raw00">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_2000/ |title=Raw 2000 results |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080607173238/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/_2000/ |archive-date=June 7, 2008}}</ref><ref name="wrestlemania00">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/results/ |title=WrestleMania 2000 official results |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309233852/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/results/ |archive-date=March 9, 2008}}</ref> Each wrestler had a McMahon in his corner: Triple H had his wife, [[Stephanie McMahon|Stephanie]], Foley had [[Linda McMahon|Linda]], The Rock had Vince and Big Show had Shane.<ref name="wrestlemania00" /><ref name="wrestlemania00event">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/mainevent/ |title=Triple H w/ Stephanie McMahon vs. Mick Foley w/ Linda McMahon vs. Big Show w/ Shane McMahon vs. The Rock w/ Mr. McMahon |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221171738/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm16/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref> The Rock lasted until the final two but was eliminated by Triple H after Vince betrayed him by hitting him with a chair.<ref name="wrestlemania00event" /><ref name="oww-wrestlemania00">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/wrestlemania16/ |title=WrestleMania 2000 results |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218001433/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/wrestlemania16/ |archive-date=February 18, 2009}}</ref>

Due to his image at the time, a ''[[Magic: The Gathering]]'' deck archetype was named after him.<ref>{{Cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IzGjBLuSgLc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/IzGjBLuSgLc| archive-date=December 11, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Where Did The Deck Name "The Rock" Come From? {{!}} MTG #Shorts|date=August 17, 2021|last=Olive|first=Saffron|publisher=MTGGoldfish}}{{cbignore}}</ref>