In late 1996, young Rocky Maivia made his debut in a traditional Survivor Series elimination tag team match that also involved Hunter Hearst Helmsley. Just months later, during Thursday Raw Thursday, Maivia upset Helmsley to capture the Intercontinental Championship. It was the first of the many clashes the two Superstars would have over the next five years, in a feud that led them to the promised land that was the main event scene of WWE. In 1998, they would feud as the leaders of D-Generation X and The Nation. Their match at SummerSlam, a Ladder match for the Intercontinental Championship, was a star-making vehicle for Rock, who basked in the adulation of the New York fans and rode a wave of momentum to his first WWE Championship in November at Survivor Series. Triple H fought through injuries late in the year to return better than ever in 1999. At WrestleMania XV, he turned heel, beginning a run to the WWE Championship that set him up as the primary opposition for Rock. Together, the two wrestled some quality matches, including a No. 1 Contender's Strap Match at Fully Loaded in July '99, which was won by The Game. A month later, he would capture his first heavyweight title. Their series in 2000 ranks as one of the best in WWE history. They traded the championship back and forth across four pay-per-view events, providing fans with exciting and unpredictable moments along the way. Of course, Rock's flirtation with Hollywood (she's such a slut) led to the Great One eventually stepping away from the ring to engage in hot, passionate career intercourse with the movie business, robbing fans of further matches between the two. But that's a story for another time.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
