10 Wrestling Swerves That Actually Worked

3. The Rock Joins The Corporation (WWF Survivor Series 1998)

the rock mankind survivor series 1998
WWE.com

If anyone had been able to smell what The Rock was cooking at Survivor Series 1998, then this moment wouldn't have had the same impact. Without any shred of distrust, the WWF's core audience began to enjoy Rocky's heel-ish banter, catchphrases and put-downs. He was becoming loved, and it seemed the company had their new top babyface.

Not quite yet.

The Rock linked up with Vince and Shane McMahon to cruelly swindle Mankind at Survivor Series, steal the WWF Championship and form The Corporation. Vince said it best when he revealed that Rocky wasn't the "People's Champion", he was the "Corporate Champion" and the hand-picked golden boy of the federation.

This worked so well because fans had willingly walked into the ambush. Going into Survivors, it was Mankind who played the role of corporate schmuck, not The Rock. His betrayal of their newfound admiration kicked everyone square in the candy ass.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.