There's no doubt that The Rock is one of the biggest stars the wrestling business has ever produced. Not only that but he is one of the few in-ring performers that has genuinely transcended the industry to become a bonafide star in the real world too. He's every bit the celebrity in and out of the ring and even after stepping away from wrestling for a number of years still holds a special place in his heart for the company and the fans that made him who he is. Back in 1996, though, the man named Dwayne Johnson was just starting out and had been given one of the most ghastly gimmicks in recent memory - the third generation, blue-chipper super athlete. After a series of vignettes explaining Johnson's long standing ties with the WWF/WWE it was announced he would take on an amalgamation of his father Rocky Johnson and his grandfather The High Chief Peter Maivia's names to honour them both - and so Rocky Maivia was born. WWE chose the 1996 Survivor Series as the place to launch their newest Superstar. Teaming alongside Marc Mero, Jake Roberts and The Stalker, Maivia went on to be the sole survivor outlasting all his team mates and eliminating Crush, Jerry Lawler, Goldust and Hunter Hearst Helmsley for good measure. As the referee raised the youngsters hand in victory, the crowd sat on theirs showing their resentment for the saccharine rookie. As the months passed the "Die Rocky die" chants begun. Eventually - after a droll reign as Intercontinental Champion - WWE had no choice but to listen to its audience and turn Maivia heel. The rest as they say is history.
