Much was made of young Rocky Maivia's debut at the 1996 Survivor Series. For weeks leading into the event, commentators such as Jim Ross and Vince McMahon made a huge deal about his heritage, touting him as the first third-generation star in WWE history. Video packages featuring footage of him training for his first match aired seemingly nonstop on Raw and syndicated programming. It was made abundantly clear that fans were supposed to cheer this man, that the young former collegiate football star would be the future of the industry. As he stepped into the ring inside the hallowed halls of Madison Square Garden, however, it was also clear that he was not ready to be the humongous breakout star McMahon was hoping he would be. He was green. Really green. Grinch green and it showed as he executed only the bare minimum, Sure, he eliminated Crush and Goldust, was the sole survivor of his very first match and was booked to look like a world-beater but the early success only fueled the eventual hatred spewed by the audience in the direction of the generic babyface. Only in hindsight is the match, and win, memorable. It would not be until Rock took to the ring five years later at the 2001 event that his potential had been realized. As the leader of Team WWE in its war with The Alliance, The Rock was a star bigger and brighter than the world of sports-entertainment. He was a mainstream success, a movie star and his name and face were known to millions around the globe, wrestling fans or not. He was an industry icon and a pop culture phenomenon. In short, he was everything Vince McMahon ever envisioned him being. Five years after his debut at the '96 show, he again emerged the sole survivor from an elimination tag bout, though this time the competition was much stiffer and more celebrated than he had faced on that evening. Rock eliminated Booker T, Kurt Angle and, finally, Steve Austin to secure the win for WWE. Two of those stars are Hall of Famers and the other should be, if he would ever return to the company that made him a star. That makes Rock's win even that more impressive. The 2001 show would be the last the Great One would ever compete at as a full-time star. He returned ten years later to team with John Cena as part of the build to their epic WrestleMania 28 bout but he has yet to compete in a traditional Survivor Series elimination bout. And likely never will again.
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.
