10 Genius Ways WWE Wrestlers Survived “Go Away” Heat
6. The Rock
On the surface, “go away” heat might seem like the most disastrous thing. Whilst it has the potential to define a career in negative ways, some have used it to ascend to unfathomable heights.
The Rock may well be the best example of someone turning the crowds hatred on its head.
Debuting as a dull white-meat babyface and islander stereotype, Rocky Maivia was a pet project of the WWF booking team and it was readily apparent. Not only was the inexperienced Rocky’s first win the traditional Survivor Series match (where he eliminated two opponents to be the sole survivor) but he quickly scooped up the Intercontinental Championship and even beat Bret Hart on TV.
Fans could see that he was chosen for greatness and rejected the notion, with infamous chants of “die Rocky die”. Instead of letting this get the better of him, Maivia used this as springboard.
Joining the Nation of Domination and turning his back on the fickle WWF audience was a stroke of genius. The microphone in the Rock’s hand, and the fire in his belly, cast a light on the Great One’s true talent. As he began to amass a handful of mannerisms and catchphrases, Rock not only proved that he had been miscast but that he was going to move past it in big ways.