Kane and Triple H reminisced about their time alongside The Rock during the mid-to-late 1990s in WWE, shedding light on the challenges the future wrestling icon faced when he initially entered the locker room.
The Rock, then known as Rocky Maivia, made his WWE debut at Survivor Series 1996. Despite the considerable hype surrounding his first match and consistent television exposure, his portrayal as a babyface was met with resistance from many fans.
In a recent episode of A&E’s WWE Rivals, Triple H discussed the skepticism surrounding The Rock’s rapid rise. Kane echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the initial jealousy and resistance among fellow wrestlers toward The Rock’s push:
“When he first came in, there was some jealousy, and people were like, ‘Oh, why are they pushing this kid?’ and he struggled with that,”
Kane remarked.
Triple H candidly admitted to being among those who questioned the favoritism toward The Rock by WWE management:
“I can remember him coming in and just taking a ton of s**t from people. I would look at it like everybody else, like, ‘F**k this guy, getting a push when somebody else should be getting that push,’ and he just comes in here and he’s getting all this stuff. There’s a part of you that thinks that way.”
Despite their initial reservations, The Rock and Triple H eventually engaged in one of WWE’s most memorable rivalries during the Attitude Era. Over time, their animosity evolved into a genuine friendship.
The Rock’s ascent to the WWE Championship in 1998, just two years after his debut, further fueled the jealousy among his peers. Triple H, who had yet to claim a world title, admitted feeling envious of The Rock’s accomplishment:
“It was a big deal at the time. Titles didn’t change hands as often. I can remember being jealous of that.”
Triple H eventually secured his own WWE Championship reign nine months later in August 1999, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Reflecting on The Rock’s legacy, fans often debate whether he is the greatest WWE Superstar of all time. The ongoing discussion prompts enthusiasts to share their perspectives in the comments section, further fueling the conversation around wrestling’s iconic figures.