Is The Rock doing the best work of his WWE career? Ranking his five faces

Dwayne “The Rock”Johnson’s unrivaled reputation in Hollywood is matched only by his long-standing role as the main character in WWE. His transformation into The Final Boss has resulted in some of the most impressive villainous performances in the company’s recent history, earning him widespread praise.

Despite sparking a heated discussion, the current gimmick of The Great One has raised questions about whether it is the pinnacle of his 27-year career so far. Some believe that his current persona, which is arguably his most raw and authentic, is the most exceptional, while others maintain a preference for his previous roles. In light of this debate, we have also decided to share our opinions and rank his top five most prominent personas in the company based in Stamford.

Therefore, savor the journey as we determine the top five personas of The Rock during his time in WWE.

#5. Dwayne “The Rock”Johnson overcame early struggles to become a WWE superstar

At Survivor Series in 1996, The Rock made his debut in WWE as a young and optimistic babyface. As the first third-generation superstar in the company’s history, Rocky Maivia was immediately expected to achieve great success. He proved this by winning his debut match as the sole survivor for his team. However, a premature push resulted in fan backlash, which was famously demonstrated by the “Die, Rocky, Die!”chants.

Despite its undeniable significance to The Great One’s narrative, this particular persona was his least favored among fans and will likely be ranked fifth. However, Rocky Maivia will forever be remembered for his remarkable debut and his iconic WrestleMania 13 moment alongside his late father, Rocky Johnson.

#4. The PG Era Rock: A Balance of Entertainment and Restrictions

After an absence of seven years, The Rock made his highly-anticipated return to WWE as the host of WrestleMania XXVII. His comeback was met with an exuberant reaction from the crowd, as he dominated the Road to WrestleMania with his electrifying promos. Throughout these segments, his main focus was on John Cena, whom he interrupted during his WrestleMania match and ultimately aided in The Miz’s victory over the Cenation Leader.

Despite some setbacks, the two megastars still managed to have an iconic and highly successful feud in the Stamford-based company, setting numerous box office records. They also had a follow-up rivalry, although it was not as well-received due to an injury suffered by The People’s Champion during the second match. Additionally, The Brahma Bull engaged in a feud with CM Punk and made several memorable one-off appearances in subsequent years.

Despite not being held in high regard by many, this era is still significant due to the controversy surrounding The Rock’s supposed “theft”of CM Punk’s WrestleMania main event opportunity. Additionally, it provided us with a highly anticipated and rare match between The Chain Gang Soldier and the world’s biggest movie star. For this reason alone, it remains a cherished moment in wrestling history.

#3. The Rock’s Best WWE Moments Are Yet to Come

After the 2024 Royal Rumble Premium Live Event, The Rock made his triumphant return to WWE as a hero. However, his comeback was met with backlash from the “We Want Cody”movement, who accused him of stealing Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania XL moment. As a result, The Great One was forced to turn heel and this paved the way for the emergence of The Final Boss. Known for his intense and boundary-pushing villain persona, The Final Boss has been making waves in the headlines.

Despite the arguments made, there are still many who believe that this version of The Great One reigns supreme. With complete control over the Stamford-based company, ever-changing entrances, and drawing inspiration from his past successes, he presents a strong argument. However, until we witness The Final Boss in action and witness more rivalries, it is difficult to definitively declare this gimmick as the greatest.

Given his upcoming collaborations with Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes in the upcoming year, #3 seems like an appropriate rank for his current persona.

#2. The Tragic Legacy of Hollywood Rock

Throughout his time in WWE, The Rock has consistently impressed fans with his ability to adapt and evolve based on their reactions. Even 22 years before he was rejected by fans in favor of Cody Rhodes, The Great One faced boos in comparison to Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania X8. This ultimately led to a heel turn, as he embraced his growing acting career and transformed into the iconic “Hollywood Rock”character.

Despite having highly publicized rivalries with top wrestlers such as Goldberg, Hulk Hogan, and Stone Cold Steve Austin, Hollywood Rock is perhaps best known for his entertaining segments, including the “Rock concerts”and his comedic feud with The Hurricane. Had he continued to develop this character for a few more years, it had the potential to become his most successful and iconic persona.

#1. The Rock’s Attitude Era persona was his most iconic character in WWE

When one considers The Rock’s time in WWE, it is likely that their thoughts turn to his contributions during the Attitude Era. From his involvement with the Nation of Domination and The Corporation to his portrayal as a charismatic, outspoken champion, The Great One played a pivotal role in carrying the Stamford-based company alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin.

The pair set a new benchmark for the industry, sparking what many consider to be the greatest rivalry in history. The People’s Champion was at the top of his game, actively competing and contributing to the Stamford-based company’s record-breaking ratings and victory in the Monday Night Wars against WCW. This achievement will forever be at the heart of his legacy and is unlikely to be surpassed, even by the current blockbuster Final Boss character.