From the minute The Rock set foot in a WWE ring, he was destined for great things. Jim Ross repeatedly referred to him as a "blue chipper" and Vince McMahon constantly put over his status as a third-generation star. They both told fans watching at home, "this is gonna be the man one day." And it did not take look for young Rocky Maivia to win the Intercontinental Championship. There was only one problem: fans rejected the goody-two-shoes babyface. They hated the generic nature of him, not to mention his stupid haircut and obnoxious smile. When he returned as a heel and eventually took over as the leader of The Nation, he earned a following thanks to his catchphrases and sense of humor. Even as he turned the chants of "Die, Rocky, Die," to "Rocky! Rocky! Rocky," he still lacked that something that convinced fans of his Superstardom. That something was the WWE Championship, which he won at Survivor Series 1998 after swerving the audience and aligning himself with the hated Vince McMahon as the corporate champion. As the heavyweight champion chosen by McMahon, he was even cockier, more brash and unlikable than before. He also let his vicious, ruthless and violent side out during an epic rivalry with Mankind. That title reign convinced fans to invest in him as a main event star, the heel that the company's top programs could be built around. By the time he had created as many of his memorable catchphrases as he did, he became The People's Champion, the top babyface in the industry and a Superstar that transcended the industry. None of it, though, would have happened without the championship helping to make him the star he eventually became.
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.
