The Rock's 10 Best WWE Moments

With his sights firmly set on Hollywood, the Rock left the WWE on a full-time basis in 2004. It’s hard to believe, but the Rock stayed largely absent from the company for 7 long years, appearing only in a few pre-taped vignettes and to induct his father into the WWE Hall of Fame. He had broken what has become Vince McMahon’s First Rule: he had become bigger than the business.

However, that didn’t quell the Rock’s love of the business it seemed. For the weeks leading into Wrestlemania 27, a guest host had been teased for the event. Speculation grew in equal parts of optimism and cynicism. Wrestling fans knew that a great host would be amazing, but had been conditioned to disappointment from years of letdowns.

Finally, the moment came to reveal on the Valentine’s Day episode of Raw, 2011. Justin Roberts announced the guest host, and the microphone went silent. A piped-in sound of electricity began to surge through the arena, as sections of lights were extinguished. Gradually, tension built as the darkness overtook the arena. There was a lull as the crowd buzzed excitedly in the pitch black. Without warning, the PA system blared “IF YOU SMELL…” and the lights shot back up, the crowd absolutely exploding in rapture. Walking out looking cooler than anyone in the organization, the Rock came home. There were no words. He looked toward the crowd, they to him, and, up until the actual event, all was right in the world.