8 Times WWE Turned Trash Into Treasure

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

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 No longer an outdated character, Rocky transformed quickly into The Rock.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.