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People today might know Dwayne Johnson as the action movie star whose mere presence can turn any mediocre movie into a blockbuster, but before the bright lights of Hollywood, Dwayne Johnson was known by his alter ego of 'The Rock', as he laid the smack on WWE Superstars for years.
Very few people have excelled in two very different industries like The Rock has. He was the biggest star in the WWE, and he now is the biggest star in Hollywood. But nobody should be surprised as The Rock's charisma was clear for all to see even back in his WWE days.
He is arguably the best on the mic in WWE history. But that does not mean that the self proclaimed 'Great One' was just talk. He knew how to back it up in the ring as well.
Here are what we think are the five greatest matches of The Rock.
#5 The Rock vs Chris Jericho (No Mercy 2001)
The Rock's genius lies in his adaptability to any situation that he finds himself in. On this night, he found himself in a situation where the crowd was dying to see Chris Jericho finally win the big one. The two men used the emotions of the red hot St. Louis crowd to their advantage, and created a masterpiece.
And when Chris Jericho did finally score the pin to win the WCW Championship, it was absolute madness. Jim Ross was on the top of his game as well, and not even an annoying interference from Stephanie McMahon could ruin this match.
#4 The Rock vs The Undertaker vs Kurt Angle (Vengeance 2002)
Three of the greatest of all time were on top of their game, and delivered one of the greatest triple threat matches in history. It was end to end action from start to finish. The three men exchanged finishers as the fans were left guessing who would take the win.
The match also features a great last stretch that is sure to leave fans on the edge of their seats even to this day.
#3 The Rock vs Triple H (Judgement Day 2000)
In case you didn't know, it is extremely difficult to hold the people's attention for a full hour. But this is exactly what these two did back at Judgement Day 2000, albeit with a little help from special guest referee - Shawn Michaels.
At one point in the match, Triple H got himself intentionally disqualified by bashing The Rock with a steel chair, just to get the pin back seconds later, and gaining a physical advantage as well. That's some of the most impressive in ring story telling ever.
The pacing of the match also could not have been better, with both these masters of their crafts managing to keep fans guessing throughout the course of the match. It might very well be The Rock's best technical match, only to be outdone by the occasion and star power of the next two.
#2 The Rock vs Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania 18)
There are dream matches and then there is this. The Rock and Hulk Hogan are not just two of the biggest stars in wrestling history, but two of the biggest stars in world history. And when these two icons came face to face at the grandest stages of them all, it was magic.
Now, by this point Hulk Hogan was years past his prime. But the 70,000 fans at the Toronto Skydome collectively decided that it was 1985, and Hulkamania was back just like that, brother.
The fans hung onto every movement of Hogan, and ate up everything that was served to them by their childhood hero. The Rock read the crowd perfectly and let the spotlight shine on the Hulkster.
By the time The Rock got the pinfall win, wrestling history had been made. It is ridiculous to think that the WWE did not have this match as the main event, but at the end of the day - in The Rock's immortal words: "It doesn't matter". This match will live on forever.
#1 The Rock vs Stone Cold (WrestleMania 17)
A match so big that it got to main event WrestleMania on three different occasions. The Rock and Stone Cold were the two biggest stars in wrestling during the peak years of the sport - the Attitude Era. And it is their second encounter at WrestleMania which is the best of the three encounters.
During the build up to this match, the anticipation among the fans was feverish. And the match itself delivered - and then some. The pacing was perfect, the selling was perfect, the storytelling was perfect. And although the finish might not be everybody's cup of tea, it was a truly shocking heel turn by Stone Cold at that point in time.
The Attitude Era began with Stone Cold turning face against Bret Hart four years earlier, and it ended with Stone Cold reverting back to the dark side, bringing to a close the most successful era in wrestling history. It could not be more fitting.
