8 Wrestlers The Rock Couldn't Get Over
5. Faarooq
The net result of The Rock's 1998 feud with Faarooq wasn't to get both men over; this was penned specifically to remove Rock from the Nation of Domination and rid him of its midcard stigma. The writing was phenomenal, but in what was something of an omen, Rock was so bloody entertaining as an arrogant blowhard that it was impossible not to fall for him charm. Presenting the rest of the Nation with Rolex watches, and Faarooq with a framed portrait of himself, was almost psychotic in its hubris.
Faarooq's character work was good, too, if thoroughly dwarfed in comparison; his facial expression when presented with what was essentially dog sh*t in a paper bag was classic - itself an omen of the no-nonsense badass he'd become as one part of the winning APA act.
In its own strange way, despite how dire the Over The Edge climax was, The Rock Vs. Faarooq programme was quietly significant for Rock, at least; by utterly overshadowing and drawing more cheers than babyface Faarooq in the heel role, he had at last subverted entirely the blue chipper Rocky Maivia character.
The Rock wasn't just an over heel now; he was a megastar in waiting.