10 Huge Wrestling Stars Who Lost To Ridiculous Opponents

3. The Rock Loses To The Hurricane

In the first of two ultra-rare occasions on which a top star can do a shocking job without doing any harm to their star aura whatsoever, the Rock infamously lost to the Hurricane in 2003.

It worked as a real shocker, but it also worked in the context of the Rock's ultra-hubristic 'Hollywood' character. Hollywood Rock had by definition transcended wrestling, and barely even cut wrestling promos. He was an amazing, piss-funny stand-up, and the fat idiots in the crowd of some sh*t hole or other were the punchline. The act was a sensation. Fans were desperate to see him get his, and of all people, the Hurricane was the one to do it. Rock's graduating desperation was superbly worked.

The Rock ripped the piss out of Hurricane mercilessly in a few backstage skits to set up the match. They shared an inexplicable chemistry. Some things simply work. This was one of them. Of course, Steve Austin's interference influenced the outcome, which deepened the stakes of the real money feud.

At least, this should have; the Hurricane mini-feud was so memorable and entertaining that few even remember Austin's actual role in the WrestleMania XIX build.