8 Times WWE Turned Trash Into Treasure

2. Rocky Maivia - Bland Babyface To Super-Cool Heel

Rocky Maivia The Rock Intercontinental Champion 1997
WWE.com

When Rocky Maivia bounded gleefully onto screens in late-1996, the harder edges of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin had already started to appear on programming. Fans cottoned on to the contrast; like a throwback to high-fiving goodies of the past, Rocky didn't fit in an era where rebellious anti-heroism was becoming the norm for babyfaces.

Something had to change, and it did. Once Maivia was benched through injury, WWF officials created something different for his return. No longer an outdated character, Rocky transformed quickly into The Rock. This self-sure persona spoke in third person and with a confidence the 'blue chipper' of old could only dream of.

Joining the Nation Of Domination, The Rock swiftly outgrew his stablemates to become a standalone star. Suddenly, Rocky's razor sharp wit and coolest guy in the room attitude won fans over. People couldn't help but be intoxicated by The Rock's slick composure and even cooler putdowns on the mic.

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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.