Editing Dwayne Johnson (section)

=== World Wrestling Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment ===
==== Intercontinental Champion (1996–1997) ====
Johnson made his WWF debut as Rocky Maivia, a combination of his father and grandfather's ring names, although announcers acknowledged his real name.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Marc Mero, Rocky Maivia, Jake Roberts, and The Stalker vs. Crush, Jerry Lawler, Hunter Hearst Helmsley, and Goldust |series=[[Survivor Series (1996)]] |credits=World Wrestling Federation |airdate=November 17, 1996}}</ref> He was initially reluctant to take this ring name but was persuaded by [[Vince McMahon]] and [[Jim Ross]].<ref name="yahoo" /><ref>{{cite book |author=The Rock |first2=Joe |last2=Layden |title=The Rock Says... |publisher=Harper Entertainment |year=2000 |location=Chapter 10, "Rocky Maivia" |page=[https://archive.org/details/rocksaysmostelec00john/page/146 146] |isbn=0-06-039298-3 |url=https://archive.org/details/rocksaysmostelec00john/page/146 }}</ref> He was given the nickname "The Blue Chipper", and to play up his lineage, he was hyped as the WWF's first third-generation wrestler.<ref name="wwebio" /> A clean-cut [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] character, Maivia was [[Push (professional wrestling)|pushed]] heavily from the start despite his wrestling inexperience. He debuted on ''[[WWE Raw|Monday Night Raw]]'' as a member of [[Marc Mero]]'s entourage on November 4, 1996.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Episode 183 |series=WWF Monday Night Raw |series-link=WWE Raw |network=[[USA Network]] |airdate=November 4, 1996 |minutes=4:15}}</ref> His first match came at [[Survivor Series (1996)|Survivor Series]] on November 17, in an [[Elimination tag team match|eight-man elimination tag match]]; he was the sole survivor and eliminated the final two members of the opposing team, [[Brian Adams (wrestler)|Crush]] and [[Goldust]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results/ |title=Survivor Series 1996 official results |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=December 11, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071211021831/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/1996/results/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On February 13, 1997, he won the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]] from [[Triple H|Hunter Hearst Helmsley]] on a Thursday edition of ''Monday Night Raw''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw021397 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026201823/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997%2Fraw021397 |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |title=WWF Thursday Raw: February 13, 1997 |publisher=The Other Arena |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322532 |title=Rocky Maivia's first Intercontinental Championship reign |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070410102450/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322532 |archive-date=April 10, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode |series=WWF Television |title=[[WWE Raw|WWF Monday Night Raw]] |network=[[USA Network]] |airdate=March 31, 1997 |quote=The camera goes backstage after Steve Austin's in-ring interview, and Jim Ross says: "There, you see The Rock."}}</ref> Maivia then successfully defended the title against Helmsley at [[In Your House 13: Final Four]] on February 16.

Johnson's first [[WrestleMania]] match came at [[WrestleMania 13]] on March 23, where he was victorious in his Intercontinental Championship defense against [[Rikishi (wrestler)|The Sultan]]. WWF fans started to reject his character and push from the company.<ref name="MondayNightWars01-12">{{cite AV media |title=Monday Night War S01 E12:The War Gets Electrified |publisher=WWE}}</ref> He defeated [[Bret Hart]] by disqualification in a title defense on the March 31 episode of ''Raw is War''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thehistoryofwwe.com/97.htm|title=Ring Results: 1997|first=Graham|last=Cawthon|date=January 16, 2023|publisher=The History of WWE|access-date=January 2, 2023|archive-date=January 2, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102180618/http://thehistoryofwwe.com/97.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Behind the scenes, Hart mentored Johnson for his first year in WWF<ref>{{cite web |author=Oliver, Greg |url=http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/feb24_rocky.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991011034221/http://www.canoe.com/SlamWrestlingArchive/feb24_rocky.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 1999 |title=A piece of The Rock |work=Slam! Wrestling |date=February 24, 1998 |access-date=August 26, 2018 |publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]] |author-link=Greg Oliver }}</ref> and refused to be booked to take the title from him.<ref>{{Cite book |ref={{harvid|Hart, Bret|2007}} |last1=Hart |first1=Bret |title=Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling |publisher=[[Random House Canada]] (Canada), [[Grand Central Publishing]] (US) |year=2007 |page=420 |no-pp=y |isbn=9780307355676|title-link=Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling }} {{ISBN|978-0-307-35567-6}} (Canada) {{ISBN|978-0-446-53972-2}} (US)</ref> On April 20, at [[In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker]], he lost to [[Savio Vega]] by countout but retained the title. Audiences became increasingly hostile toward Maivia, with chants of "die, Rocky, die" and "Rocky sucks" being heard during his matches.<ref name="slam">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/rock.html |title=The Rock Bio |last=Milner |first=John |access-date=April 13, 2008 |work=Slam! Sports |publisher=[[Canoe.com|Canadian Online Explorer]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519192214/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/rock.html |archive-date=May 19, 2015}}</ref><ref name="yahoo"/>

After losing the Intercontinental Championship to [[Owen Hart]] on the April 28 episode of ''Raw Is War'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw042897 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026201852/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997%2Fraw042897 |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |title=WWF Raw: April 28, 1997 |publisher=The Other Arena |access-date=March 18, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Maivia suffered a legitimate knee injury in a match against [[Mick Foley|Mankind]] in June and spent several months recovering.<ref name="slam" />

==== Nation of Domination (1997–1998) ====
{{see also|Nation of Domination}}
Upon returning in August, Maivia turned [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]] for the first time in his career by lashing out at fans who had been booing him and joining [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]], [[D'Lo Brown]] and [[Charles Wright (wrestler)|Kama]] in the [[Professional wrestling stable|stable]] called the [[Nation of Domination]].<ref name="nation">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/n/nation-of-domination.html |title=Nation of Domination Profile |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307074516/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/n/nation-of-domination.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He then refused to acknowledge the Rocky Maivia name, instead referring to himself in the third person as The Rock, though he would still be billed as "The Rock" Rocky Maivia until 1998. The Rock would then regularly insult the audience, WWF performers, and interviewers in his [[Promos (professional wrestling)|promos]].<ref name="nation" />

At [[D-Generation X: In Your House]] on December 7, [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] defeated The Rock in under six minutes to retain the Intercontinental Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse19.html |title=In Your House 19: D-Generation X results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514225935/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse19.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The next night on ''Raw Is War'', Austin was ordered by [[Mr. McMahon]] to defend the title in a rematch, but forfeited it to The Rock instead, handing him the title belt before hitting him with the ''[[Stone Cold Stunner]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997/raw120897 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061026202130/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?1997%2Fraw120897 |archive-date=October 26, 2006 |title=WWF Raw: December 8, 1997 |publisher=The Other Arena |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322552 |title=The Rock's second Intercontinental Championship reign |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070428234605/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/intercontinental/322552 |archive-date=April 28, 2007}}</ref> The Rock feuded with Austin and [[Ken Shamrock]] through the end of 1997 and beginning of 1998.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811511/results/ |title=Royal Rumble 1998 official results |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=May 1, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110501114652/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811511/results/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm14/results/ |title=WrestleMania XIV official results |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080313110737/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm14/results/ |archive-date=March 13, 2008}}</ref> On January 19, 1998, at the [[Royal Rumble (1998)|Royal Rumble]], The Rock defeated Shamrock by disqualification to retain the Intercontinental Championship. Later that night, he entered the Royal Rumble match and lasted until the final two before he was eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin. On March 29, at [[WrestleMania XIV]], he defeated Shamrock by disqualification once again to retain the title. The next night, on ''Raw is War'', The Rock debuted a new Intercontinental Championship design and would later overthrow Faarooq as leader of the Nation of Domination to spark a feud between the two. He then successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship against Faarooq at [[Over the Edge: In Your House]] on May 31. The stable would then refer to themselves as simply "The Nation".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse22.html |title=In Your House 22: Over the Edge 1998 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=February 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205170956/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse22.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Rock and the Nation then feuded with [[Triple H]] and [[D-Generation X]] (DX), with the two stable leaders first meeting in the quarter-final of the [[King of the Ring (1998)#King of the Ring bracket|1998]] [[King of the Ring tournament]], which The Rock won. At [[King of the Ring (1998)|King of the Ring]] on June 28, The Rock defeated [[Dan Severn]] in the semi-final match and lost to rival Ken Shamrock in the final. The Rock then resumed his feud with Triple H, as the two had a [[two out of three falls match]] at [[Fully Loaded: In Your House]] on July 26 for the Intercontinental Championship, which The Rock retained in controversial fashion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse23.html |title=In Your House 23: Fully Loaded 1998 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905200036/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/inyourhouse23.html |url-status=live }}</ref> This led to a [[ladder match]] at [[SummerSlam (1998)|SummerSlam]] on August 30, where The Rock lost the title to Triple H.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1998/results/ |title=SummerSlam 1998 official results |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |access-date=March 19, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620164459/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/1998/results/ |archive-date=June 20, 2007}}</ref>

In the latter half of 1998, The Rock saw a big uptick in fan support. He also started consolidating his famous persona during this time, which would last until 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/791462-video-tributes-ten-things-to-love-about-wwe-legend-dwayne-the-rock-johnson|title=Video Tributes: 10 Things to Love About WWE Legend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson|first=Kevin|last=Germany|website=Bleacher Report}}</ref> His popularity caused him to be booked in a feud with fellow Nation members [[Mark Henry]] and D'Lo Brown, turning [[Face (professional wrestling)|babyface]] in the process. Henry defeated The Rock at [[Judgment Day: In Your House]] on October 18 after interference from Brown, effectively breaking up the stable.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/breakdown98.html |title=In Your House 24: Breakdown 1998 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514225942/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/breakdown98.html |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/judgementday98.html |title=In Your House 25: Judgment Day 1998 results |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=March 19, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128011334/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/judgementday98.html |archive-date=January 28, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== 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>

==== Record-breaking world champion (2000–2002) ====
[[File:Therockaswwfchampion b.jpg|thumb|upright=1|The Rock as the WWF Champion in 2000]]
In the following weeks, The Rock continued his feud with Triple H and eventually won his fourth WWF Championship, which he won on April 30, at [[Backlash (2000)|Backlash]], after Stone Cold Steve Austin intervened on his behalf.<ref name="backlash00">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2000/mainevent/ |title=The Rock defeats Triple H to become new WWE Champion |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219071938/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2000/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454141111 |title=The Rock's fourth WWE Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331191439/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454141111 |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> The following night on ''Raw is War'', The Rock successfully defended his title against Shane McMahon in a Steel Cage match. On May 21, at [[Judgment Day (2000)|Judgment Day]], The Rock faced Triple H in an [[Iron Man match]] with [[Shawn Michaels]] as the special guest referee.<ref name="judgmentday00main">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2000/mainevent/ |title=The Rock vs. Triple H in a 60-Minute WWE Iron Man Match for the WWE Championship |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224054925/http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/judgmentday2000/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> With the score tied at five falls each, and with seconds left on the time limit, The Rock was disqualified when The Undertaker attacked Triple H, thus giving Triple H the 6–5 win and the title.<ref name="judgmentday00main" /><ref name="rawmay2000">{{cite web |url=http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/raw/raw5-22-00.html |title=Raw results – May 22, 2000 |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=Lords of Pain |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071219025907/http://www.lordsofpain.net/reports/raw/raw5-22-00.html |archive-date=December 19, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The Rock won the WWF Championship for a fifth time at [[King of the Ring (2000)|King of the Ring]] on June 25 by scoring the winning pin in a six-man tag team match, teaming with [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] and The Undertaker against Shane McMahon, Triple H and Vince McMahon, whom he pinned.<ref name="kingofthering00">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering00.html |title=King of the Ring 2000 results |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216070305/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/kingofthering00.html |archive-date=February 16, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454140 |title=The Rock's fifth WWE Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224032006/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454140 |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> The Rock successfully defended the championship against [[Chris Benoit]] on July 23 at [[Fully Loaded (2000)|Fully Loaded]]. The next month, he successfully defended his title against [[Kurt Angle]] and Triple H at [[SummerSlam (2000)|SummerSlam]] on August 27. The Rock had another successful title defense against Benoit, Kane and The Undertaker on September 24 at [[Unforgiven (2000)|Unforgiven]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://profightdb.com/wrestlers/the-rock-229.html?title=263 |title=The Rock: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD) |website=profightdb.com |access-date=November 22, 2012 |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221225015/http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/the-rock-229.html?title=263 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Rock then lost the WWF Championship to Kurt Angle at [[No Mercy (2000)|No Mercy]] on October 22, 2000.<ref name="nomercy00">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2000/mainevent/ |title=The Rock vs. Kurt Angle for the WWE Championship |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219054407/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2000/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> The next month, The Rock feuded with [[Solofa Fatu|Rikishi]] and defeated him at [[Survivor Series (2000)|Survivor Series]] on November 19.<ref name="survivorseries00">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2000/results/ |title=Survivor Series 2000 official results |access-date=March 20, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224051027/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2000/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> The Rock wrestled a six-man [[Hell in a Cell]] match for the WWF Championship at [[Armageddon (2000)|Armageddon]] on December 10, which Angle won to retain the title.<ref name="armageddon00">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2000/mainevent/ |title=Six-Man Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224001810/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/history/2000/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> On the December 18 episode of ''Raw is War'', The Rock won the WWF Tag Team Championship with The Undertaker, defeating [[Edge and Christian]], before losing the titles back to Edge and Christian the next night at a ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' taping.<ref name="nowayout03">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132112212 |title=Undertaker and Rock's first World Tag Team Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319100130/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132112212 |archive-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref> The Rock continued to feud with Angle over the WWF Championship, culminating at [[No Way Out (2001)|No Way Out]] on February 25, 2001, where he pinned Angle to win the WWF Championship for a sixth time.<ref name="nowayout01">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/mainevent/ |title=Kurt Angle vs. The Rock for the WWE Championship |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319113212/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2001/mainevent/ |archive-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454141121 |title=The Rock's sixth WWE Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331201241/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454141121 |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> The Rock then feuded with the [[Royal Rumble (2001)|Royal Rumble]] winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin, whom he lost the title to at [[WrestleMania X-Seven]] on April 1 after Austin allied with Vince McMahon, who interfered on his behalf.<ref name="wm17">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm17/mainevent/ |title=Stone Cold vs. The Rock for the WWE Championship |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224052118/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm17/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> On the next night's ''Raw is War'', during a steel cage title rematch, Triple H attacked The Rock, allying with McMahon and Austin and helping Austin retain the championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?2001/raw040201 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060115131945/http://www.otherarena.com/htm/cgi-bin/history.cgi?2001%2Fraw040201 |archive-date=January 15, 2006 |title=WWF Raw: April 2, 2001 |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=The Other Arena |url-status=dead}}</ref> Austin and Triple H then formed a tag team called [[The Power Trip]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/p/power-trip.html |title=The Power Trip Profile |access-date=April 13, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |archive-date=January 1, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101015950/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/p/power-trip.html |url-status=live }}</ref> while The Rock was indefinitely suspended in storyline. Johnson used this time off to act in ''[[The Scorpion King]]''.

[[File:WWF RAW 2001-10-15 The Rock at ringside b.jpg|left|thumb|upright=1|The Rock taunting an opponent at ringside at ''[[WWE Raw|WWF Raw]]'', October 2001]]
The Rock returned in late July when the WWF was feuding with rival promotions [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) and [[Extreme Championship Wrestling]] (ECW) during what is known as [[The Invasion (professional wrestling)|The Invasion]] storyline. In reality, WCW was purchased by Vince McMahon and the WWF, and ECW had gone out of business in early 2001. Many former WCW and ECW wrestlers were then brought onto WWF television and formed [[The Alliance (professional wrestling)|The Alliance]] to compete with the WWF in storyline. The Alliance and Vince McMahon then both attempted to persuade the Rock to join their team. The Rock then aligned with McMahon and the WWF. The next month, the Rock defeated [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]] at [[SummerSlam (2001)|SummerSlam]] on August 19 to win the [[WCW World Heavyweight Championship|WCW Championship]] for the first time.<ref name="summerslam01">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2001/mainevent/ |title=The Rock vs. Booker T w/Shane McMahon for the WCW Championship |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621123202/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2001/mainevent/ |archive-date=June 21, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110223 |title=The Rock's first WCW Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080331155507/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/304454110223 |archive-date=March 31, 2008}}</ref> He later lost the title to [[Chris Jericho]] at [[No Mercy (2001)|No Mercy]] on October 21.<ref name="nomercy01">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2001/results/ |title=No Mercy 2001 official results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224055025/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2001/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321134 |title=Chris Jericho and The Rock's first World Tag Team Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311084859/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321134 |archive-date=March 11, 2008}}</ref> The next night on ''Raw'', he teamed with Jericho to win the WWF Tag Team Championship from [[The Dudley Boyz]]. The two then lost the tag titles to Booker T and Test on the November 1, 2001, episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://profightdb.com/wrestlers/the-rock-229.html?title=261 |title=The Rock: Profile & Match Listing – Internet Wrestling Database (IWD) |website=profightdb.com |access-date=November 22, 2012 |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221231948/http://www.profightdb.com/wrestlers/the-rock-229.html?title=261 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock defeated Jericho on the November 5 episode of ''Raw'' for his second WCW Championship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411028 |title=The Rock's second WCW Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221192855/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wcwchampionship/30445411028 |archive-date=February 21, 2008}}</ref>

As part of the WWF's battle against The Alliance, the Rock wrestled in a "winner takes all" five-on-five elimination tag team match at [[Survivor Series (2001)|Survivor Series]] on November 18 where the losing team's company would be dissolved in storyline. He was a member of Team WWF along with Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, and Big Show. The Alliance's team consisted of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, [[Rob Van Dam]], and Shane McMahon. In the end, it came down to a one-on-one between the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Rock seemed to have the upper hand, until his teammate Jericho entered the ring and attacked the Rock. Austin tried to capitalize on this by pinning the Rock, but Kurt Angle revealed his true allegiance by attacking Austin. The Rock then pinned Austin, giving Team WWF the victory and forcing The Alliance to disband. The Rock's WCW Championship was renamed the unbranded "World Championship" following the Alliance's loss.<ref name="survivorseries01">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2001/mainevent/ |title=The Rock, Chris Jericho, Big Show, Kane & Undertaker def. Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Shane McMahon, Booker T & Rob Van Dam; Sole Survivor: The Rock |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224064801/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2001/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref> At the next pay-per-view, [[Vengeance (2001)|Vengeance]] on December 9, The Rock lost the World Championship to Jericho, who would then unify the WWF and World titles later that night.<ref name="vengeance01">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2001/results/ |title=Vengeance 2001 official results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224065720/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2001/results/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Rock then unsuccessfully challenged Jericho for the now [[WWE Championship|Undisputed WWF Championship]] at [[Royal Rumble (2002)|Royal Rumble]] on January 20, 2002.<ref name="royalrumble02">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811413/results/ |title=Royal Rumble 2002 official results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |archive-date=November 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122185729/http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811413/results |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Rockwrestling b.jpg|thumb|upright=1|The Rock doing his signature pose before wrestling [[Hulk Hogan]] (bottom right) at [[WrestleMania X8]], March 2002]]
At the next pay-per-view, [[No Way Out (2002)|No Way Out]] on February 17, The Rock defeated The Undertaker in a singles match. The event also saw the WWF debut of the famed WCW faction [[New World Order (professional wrestling)|New World Order]] (nWo), which at the time consisted of [[Hulk Hogan|"Hollywood" Hulk Hogan]], [[Kevin Nash]], and [[Scott Hall]].<ref name="nowayout02">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2002/results/ |title=No Way Out 2002 official results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |quote=The Rock def. Undertaker |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080309220538/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2002/results/ |archive-date=March 9, 2008}}</ref> This later led to a match between The Rock and Hogan at [[WrestleMania X8]] on March 17. The match was billed as "icon versus icon", with both men representing the top tier of two generations of wrestling; ultimately The Rock pinned Hogan at WrestleMania X8 to win the match.<ref name="wmx8">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm18/results/ |title=WrestleMania X8 official results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311090004/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm18/results/ |archive-date=March 11, 2008}}</ref> Despite The Rock portraying a heroic character and Hogan a villain, a portion of the crowd attending the [[SkyDome]] was rooting heavily for Hogan.<ref>{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Gramlich |title=WrestleMania X8 results |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWM18/mar18_wmgramlich-can.html |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=March 2, 2008 |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731100656/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWM18/mar18_wmgramlich-can.html |url-status=usurped }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=WrestleMania X8 results |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWM18/mar18_wrestlemania-can.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120630174936/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWM18/mar18_wrestlemania-can.html |url-status=usurped |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |publisher=SLAM! Sports |access-date=March 2, 2008 }}</ref> In an interview in 2013, Hogan said he and The Rock changed the style of the match on the fly based on the crowd's response.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/news/263/hulk-hogan-i-changed-rock-match-on-the-fly |title=Hulk Hogan: I Changed Rock Match On The Fly |work=[[Fighting Spirit Magazine]] |date=March 20, 2013 |access-date=April 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325001711/http://www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk/art/news/263/hulk-hogan-i-changed-rock-match-on-the-fly|archive-date=March 25, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> After the introduction of the first-ever [[WWE brand extension|brand extension]], the WWF held a "[[2002 WWF draft lottery|draft lottery]]" on the March 25, 2002, episode of ''Raw''. The Rock was the number one overall pick, going to the [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] brand before taking a sabbatical from wrestling.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gerweck.net/wrestlemania18.htm |title=WrestleMania 18 review |publisher=Gerweck.net |access-date=April 16, 2008 |date=March 17, 2002 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324113713/http://www.gerweck.net/wrestlemania18.htm |archive-date=March 24, 2008 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Rock made a surprise return on a June episode of ''Raw'' before going to his assigned brand of SmackDown!. There, he was named the number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship, which he won for a record-setting seventh time at [[Vengeance (2002)|Vengeance]] on July 21, by defeating Kurt Angle and then-champion The Undertaker in a Triple Threat match.<ref name="rockwwe7">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454141122 |title=The Rock's seventh WWE Championship reign |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311084919/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwechampionship/304454141122 |archive-date=March 11, 2008}}</ref><ref name="vengeance02">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2002/mainevent/ |title=The Rock defeats Undertaker and Kurt Angle in a triple threat match to become WWE Champion |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224010913/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2002/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref> The Rock successfully defended the title at the [[WWE in Australia#WWE Global Warning Tour: Melbourne|Global Warning]] event on August 10 against Triple H and [[Brock Lesnar]] after pinning Triple H.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/liveevent/020810s.html |title=Global Warming results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |archive-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828193410/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/liveevent/020810s.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On August 25, at [[SummerSlam (2002)|SummerSlam]], The Rock lost the WWE Undisputed Championship to Lesnar along with the record for the youngest WWE Champion, which he had set in 1998.<ref name="summerslam02">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2002/mainevent/ |title=Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman vs. The Rock for the Undisputed Championship |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070526181034/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2002/mainevent/ |archive-date=May 26, 2007}}</ref> In 2018, writing for ''[[ESPN.com]]'', Sean Coyle noted in a retrospective review of the event, that following his victory over Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8, The Rock "started to see a dip in fan support" and "that dip turned into a plunge" by the time The Rock had his match with Lesnar at SummerSlam because fans knew he was leaving WWE to pursue an acting career,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coyle |first1=Sean |title=SummerSlam 2002: A look back at a landscape-shifting moment in WWE history |url=https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/20286399/look-back-landscape-shifting-moment-wwe-history |website=[[ESPN.com]] |publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]] |access-date=December 2, 2018|date=August 8, 2017 }}</ref> as evidenced by the negative crowd response during his match with Lesnar.<ref>{{cite web |first=Rick |last=Scaia |url=http://www.oowrestling.com/recaps/ppv/20020825.shtml |title=WWE SummerSlam |access-date=January 23, 2008 |date=August 25, 2002 |publisher=Online Onslaught |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080609224551/http://www.oowrestling.com/recaps/ppv/20020825.shtml |archive-date=June 9, 2008}}</ref> After SummerSlam ended, The Rock was visibly angry at the crowd reaction. When he tried to do a post-show speech for the crowd, the fans booed him. He eventually cut a short promo, declaring that "sing-along with The Rock is over!"<ref>{{cite web |title=WWE SummerSlam 2002 |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/summerslam/summerslam02/ |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221231954/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wwe/wweppv/summerslam/summerslam02/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock then took time off to kickstart his acting career.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Vaughn |title=Throwback Thursday: Looking back at WWE Summerslam 2002 |url=http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/Throwback-Thursday-Looking-back-at-WWE-Summerslam-2002.html |work=[[Philly.com]] |date=July 3, 2014 |access-date=December 2, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110233412/http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/the-squared-circle/Throwback-Thursday-Looking-back-at-WWE-Summerslam-2002.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Hollywood Rock (2003) ====
[[File:Rockaustinxix b.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1|The Rock defeated [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] (left) in Austin's final match at [[WrestleMania XIX]] in March 2003.]]
The Rock returned on the January 30, 2003, episode of ''SmackDown!'' to set up another match with Hulk Hogan at [[No Way Out (2003)|No Way Out]] on February 23.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030130.html |title=WWE SmackDown! Results – January 30, 2003 |date=January 30, 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |archive-date=August 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823210316/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/030130.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Because of negative fan reaction during previous matches as a result of his budding acting career, The Rock turned heel for the first time since 1999. He also started a new persona that has been called ''Hollywood Rock'', with a new look and a shaved head.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/the-rock-wwe-phases-dwayne-johnson-versions/|title=Every Version Of The Rock, Ranked|date=February 13, 2021|website=TheSportster|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124162806/https://www.thesportster.com/wrestling/the-rock-wwe-phases-dwayne-johnson-versions/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-ruthless-aggression-hollywood-rock/|title=WWE Ruthless Aggression Review: Hollywood Rock – TJR Wrestling|date=July 12, 2021|website=tjrwrestling.net|access-date=January 24, 2022|archive-date=January 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124162802/https://tjrwrestling.net/review/wwe-ruthless-aggression-hollywood-rock/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Rock defeated Hogan at No Way Out before moving to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] brand.<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2003/mainevent/ |title=The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080219180229/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nowayout/history/2003/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 19, 2008}}</ref> There, he had various small feuds, including one with [[Gregory Helms|The Hurricane]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030224.html |title=WWE Raw Results – February 24, 2003 |date=February 24, 2003 |access-date=May 2, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |archive-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180102114330/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030224.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He also began performing "Rock Concerts", segments in which he played the guitar and mocked WWE performers and fans in song.<ref name="mar24-03">{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030324.html |title=RAW results – March 24, 2003 |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |archive-date=November 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106224121/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030324.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

After failing to win a number one contendership for the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE, 2002–2013)|World Heavyweight Championship]], The Rock went into another program with Stone Cold Steve Austin. This led to a match at [[WrestleMania XIX]] on March 30, which called back to their previous two WrestleMania encounters, both of which Austin had won.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woodward |first=Hamish |date=January 4, 2023 |title=Ranking Every Steve Austin vs The Rock Match At Wrestlemania (Worst To Best) |url=https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/the-rock-vs-steve-austin/ |access-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127225922/https://atletifo.com/wrestling/wwe/the-rock-vs-steve-austin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The Rock won after delivering three consecutive ''Rock Bottoms'', ending their long-running rivalry in what turned out to be Austin's final match, until [[WrestleMania 38]].<ref name="slam" /><ref name="wm19">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm19/results/ |title=WrestleMania XIX official results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |archive-date=July 9, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130709133741/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/19 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next night, ''Raw'' was billed as "The Rock Appreciation Night", in honor of his victory over Austin. That night, he was attacked by a debuting [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]].<ref name="RAWWM">{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1049212077.shtml |access-date=March 9, 2008 |title=WWE Raw (March 31, 2003) Results |last=Moore |first=Wesley |publisher=WrestleView |archive-date=February 21, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221231947/http://www.wrestleview.com/news/1049212077.shtml |url-status=live }}</ref> At [[Backlash (2003)|Backlash]] on April 27, Goldberg defeated The Rock, who then briefly left WWE to film ''[[Walking Tall (2004 film)|Walking Tall]]''.<ref name="slam" /><ref name="backlash03">{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2003/mainevent/ |title=Goldberg defeats The Rock |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224033134/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2003/mainevent/ |archive-date=February 24, 2008}}</ref>

==== Final feuds and departure (2003–2004) ====
On the June 2 episode of ''Raw'', The Rock joined the Highlight Reel and attacked [[Christian (wrestler)|Christian]] and [[Chris Jericho]] with [[Booker T (wrestler)|Booker T]], turning face once again.<ref name="Jun02-03">{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2003/06/03/102478.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723162842/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2003/06/03/102478.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 23, 2017 |title=Raw: Rock-ing and rolling in San Diego |first=Nick |last=Tylwalk |access-date=May 2, 2008 |publisher=Slam! Sports}}</ref> He would later return on the December 8 episode of ''Raw'' to help Mick Foley against [[La Résistance (professional wrestling)|La Résistance]]. In 2004, The Rock aided Mick Foley in his feud against [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]],<ref name="wwebio" /><ref name="slam" /><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040308.html |title=RAW results – March 8, 2004 |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |archive-date=January 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105080322/https://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040308.html |url-status=live }}</ref> leading to a reunion of the Rock 'n' Sock Connection. They lost against [[Ric Flair]], [[Randy Orton]], and [[Dave Bautista|Batista]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Handicap match|handicap match]] at [[WrestleMania XX]] on March 14, 2004, when Orton pinned Foley after an ''[[Cutter (professional wrestling)|RKO]]''.<ref name="slam" /><ref name="wmxx">{{cite web |url=http://wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results/ |title=WrestleMania XX official results |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080319101057/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm20/results/ |archive-date=March 19, 2008}}</ref> This was Johnson's final wrestling match until November 2011. The Rock appeared in WWE sporadically following WrestleMania XX. He made returns to provide support for [[Nick Dinsmore|Eugene]] against [[Jonathan Coachman]] and made a cameo in his hometown of Miami, where he confronted [[Randy Orton]].<ref name="slam" /> On the August 23 episode of ''Raw'', he hosted a pie-eating contest, as part of the [[WWE Diva Search]], and ended the segment by giving Coachman a ''People's Elbow''.<ref name="slam" /> The Rock's contract with WWE then ended and he started his full-time acting career.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rootzoo.com/articles/view/Pro-Wrestling/WWE/The-Great-OneThe-Rock-A-Biography_3277 |title=The Great One, The Rock-A Biography |date=March 30, 2008 |access-date=April 13, 2008 |website=RootZoo.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614095053/http://www.rootzoo.com/articles/view/Pro-Wrestling/WWE/The-Great-OneThe-Rock-A-Biography_3277 |archive-date=June 14, 2008}}</ref>

==== Non-wrestling appearances (2007–2009) ====
On March 12, 2007, the Rock appeared on a [[WWE]] show after nearly three years, via a pre-taped promo shown during ''Raw''. He correctly predicted that [[Bobby Lashley]] would defeat [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]] at [[WrestleMania 23]] in [[Donald Trump]]'s and Vince McMahon's "Battle of the Billionaires" Hair vs. Hair match.<ref>{{cite web |first=Noah |last=Starr |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03122007/ |title=Billion dollar burn |access-date=March 21, 2008 |publisher=WWE |archive-date=June 30, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070630180834/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/03122007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On March 29, 2008, Johnson inducted his father [[Rocky Johnson]] and grandfather [[Peter Maivia]] into the [[WWE Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/articles/hoffacts |title=Be a part of the 2008 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony |publisher=WWE |access-date=April 1, 2008 |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102200851/http://www.wwe.com/superstars/halloffame/articles/hoffacts |url-status=live }}</ref> His next appearance was through a pre-taped promo on October 2, 2009, during the ''[[List of WWE SmackDown special episodes|Decade of SmackDown]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/10/02/11248986.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160107141105/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2009/10/02/11248986.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 7, 2016|title=Smackdown: A decade of memories|work=Slam! Sports|publisher=[[Canoe.com|Canadian Online Explorer]]|first=Matt|last=Bishop|date=October 2, 2009}}</ref>