100 Greatest WWE WrestleMania Moments
97. Rocky Maivia’s Early Bloodline Moment (WrestleMania 13)
The Bloodline has dominated WWE programming since 2020, but the family lineage stretches back decades before that. Celebrated tag-teams like The Wild Samoans laid foundations for workers like Rikishi, Roman Reigns, The Usos and more to do their thing. The Rock's father Rocky Johnson was also part of that story after marrying into the linked Samoan clan's family tree.
Here's something: Did you know that The Rock actually worked an often-downplayed Bloodline battle way back at WrestleMania 13 in 1997? The fresh-faced babyface Rocky Maivia successfully defended his Intercontinental Title against The Sultan. None other than Rikishi played that vicious heel gimmick. Post-match, Sultan's managers Bob Backlund and Iron Sheik attacked Maivia, which caused Johnson to run in out of nowhere and help his boy.
It'd be a lie to claim that Rocky Maivia was working out as a smiling baby in '97, obviously. The WWF fanbase rejected him quickly, and their hate set wheels in motion for a memorable heel turn later that year. The rest is history. At 'Mania 13, Rocky and Rocky Sr linked up to share the stage and send Sultan, Backlund and Sheik packing. This had to be a real feel good angle for the family, and it served to give Rocky Johnson some relevance in a more modern era.
Maivia vs. Sultan was hardly a must see match, but The Rock's younger fans will get a kick out of seeing him in this setting. Personally, this night meant the world to Dwayne Johnson. Teaming up with his dad is something he'll never forget. Despite Rikishi playing The Sultan guise, it's also an early Bloodline in-fighting moment to cherish.