The Corporate Champion: The Rock 1998 Heel Turn

[@ChiseledAdonis]

Corporate Rock was the heel that you hated to hate, dude's charisma was just on a whole other level.

[@TreFKennedy]

Truth

[@chrisortiz8072]

To be fair the rock had so much help that it would of been harder to fail than succeed. I mean from his name to catch phrases and hell being put against the best of the best didn't hurt. Aside from that everyone was getting over in that era

[@MajinTar]

Beat version of the rock and best theme

[@konnorrockkonnoisseur4970]

Welcome back, CA 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@liquidgeorge]

@@MajinTar I think his best theme is the Nation version of it, but Corporate Rock’s theme is still amazing!

[@grammysworld5449]

I always loved how Rock got revenge on the fans that hated him not even 2 years prior

[@persistentlypathetic6820]

@Claire Brady they chanted Die Rocky Die for awhile when he was a baby face up and Comer in the WWF

[@leseditongela663]

@@persistentlypathetic6820 You are absolutely right. Before Rocky joined the Nation, the fans booed the hell out of him. "Die Rocky Die" and "Rocky Sucks", but he used that to his advantage. Mega respect For The Rock

[@MALITH666]

I mean to hear "Die Die" from 1000 people on a stage, is pretty depressing. Glad Rock had the turn things around and the strength of mind.

[@deadpilled2942]

Just like he did with Toronto after Wrestlemania 18

[@Ai14106]

The long sideburns added a lot to this character

[@KingKhanate1997]

Long sideburns, the silk shirts, the eyebrow, the sunglasses… It’s a signature look brother.

[@kuruption03]

And him getting rid of his and I quote "bitch tits". For years i never knew and it blew my mind.

[@dend1]

@@kuruption03 I don't follow

[@kuruption03]

@vortex he ended up getting chest implants. Which sounds funny but he didn't like the way he looked.

[@solascriptura-e7t]

Correct,@@kuruption03 . There was a time that he wore tshirts, to disclose his surgery.

[@kevinb6831]

I preferred Rock as a heel. Wrestling fans of that era were lucky to have had Stone Cold and The Rock at their peaks.

[@chrisortiz8072]

@politicians uck nope just #1 drawing champion ever

[@chrisortiz8072]

Hell the biggest problem had back then was 2 many people were over lol

[@chrisortiz8072]

@politicians uck basically everyone well unless you go back to the 50s and such where it's harder to judge the success of the wrestlers as population, tv, etc are a factor that should be added in. So let me clarify in the modern era Austin was the highest drawing champion if doubt it listen to jim ross, vince McMahon, bruce, or many others. That is why Austin either had the title, was going after it, or out for injury was basically the only time he wasnt in the picture.

[@civildiscourse7626]

@@chrisortiz8072 rock surpassed him and was more versatile. Austin pretty much began going stale after aligning with vince, his retirement saved us from watching him drop down in levels

[@chrisortiz8072]

@@civildiscourse7626 only passed in Hollywood and Austin would of had a better chance in Hollywood if he left at the height of his popularity as the rock did. Austin was always with the title or about to get it for a reason. Dont forget even when his body broke down and he was injured they still left the title on him lol. He was actually funny with vince but if they just gave him a reason to be Austin again would of been welcomed back by fans the same as before

[@sergelamarre1809]

"Hey!! This is not sing-A-long with the great one!" - Corporation Rock

[@nlee4566]

Man you dishing out the best wrestling content on the internet.

[@jaybillion23]

Facts

[@JDMitch4578]

I second this vote! These videos break down some of the greatest moments of my childhood as far as watching pro wrestling goes. Classic content right here!

[@nohudi9119]

Yes he is I seen a few other channels like wrestling with regret but wrestling bio's is way better

[@thegame7134]

Wrestling Bios and Wrestlelamia put out some of the best content going.

[@nohudi9119]

@@thegame7134 true dat

[@xanderashes2100]

His 98 theme was really good. I love how Rock shakes his boots before he stomps his opponent's lol

[@CharlesHitmanStone]

Imagine you see someone getting beat up and you just seen someone do that 🤣🤣

[@IMPOTUSx2]

in the wwf wm 2000 game for n64 & no mercy i disliked that because it slows the amount of stomps you could give to your opponent.

[@hotrodd29]

Ric flair did the boot shake stomp before the rock

[@WarhawkBeyond2040]

Even though Rock's heel run as the Corporate champion only lasted 6 months from November 98 to April 99, this period to me was when he really came into his own as a performer and slowly started to become the man that we would all come to know him as. He was cocky on the mic but a real natural talker and always backed up his words, everyone was so drawn to him that it was really hard to hate him and he always delivered epic performances in his matches as well, his I Quit match with Mankind at Royal Rumble 99 was a bloodbath and cemented him as a main event guy even if the brutality was a bit much at times. I remember Rock got so loved and over with the fans that he was getting too popular to be in a heel faction due to the big pops he was getting. As much as I love him as a face, I loved him even more as a heel and that was the role he delivered his best work. Fantastic video as always and keep up the good work my friend 👊

[@fitness65]

The rock in 1998 was such a great heel he was more arrogant and cocky then ever and he started dressing up I'm stylish clothes more then what he did when he was in the nation. I remember always doing the rocks entrance when I was in junior high school.

[@benespinosa6725]

The Rock was such a great Heel in 1998

[@o0oStillWeRiseo0o]

The Rock is without a shadow of a doubt...the BEST damn corporate Champion of ALL TIME! If Ya Smeeellllllllllllll...Uh ah...this ain't sing-a-long with The Rock...

[@toysofarkham]

I was blessed to be 17/18 watching the Rock hitting his absolute peak... blessed to have witnessed the attitude era at the perfect time in my life

[@MorganDanielleBeauty]

Yeah you’re lucky lmao 🤣 I wasn’t even 1 years old yet by the time the Montreal Screwjob happened

[@kenanKTV]

Just the right video for my epic meal, cheers

[@jg5004]

Austin/Rock was the Conor/Porier of my childhood.

[@All_Hail_Chael]

@@davyjones2032 Chael>Conor and Mayweather

[@antwaneparks3425]

What was the meal?

[@JayRCity]

I eat and watch too 💯

[@dr.loomis4221]

@@antwaneparks3425 A Banquet TV dinner

[@InfamousHorse]

The Rock initial heel turn is a perfect example of risk vs reward in pro wrestling. Taking what people loved about The Rock and making him despise the crowd for only 2 years prior chanting for him to die was amazing. Also, having Steve Austin and Mankind being the biggest faces with a badass and the most sympathetic characters during the time probably made the decision to turn The Rock heel easier.

[@nygblue24]

My favorite character. Corporate Rock was absolutely untouchable. He was too cool and way badass.

[@sachinisthegod2824]

Corporate Rock was all about the $500 shirts.

[@Cameron_611]

The Rock came into his own in 1999. Even when he turned heel when the fans were FINALLY starting to like him due to his charisma as a heel slowly turning into a face before turning heel again the fans still cheered for him. Thus,everything from the Nation to the Corporation was just what the Rock needed to cement his legacy as the Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment. ‘Nuff said!

[@constablekennedy7705]

The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) was legitimately made after this Heel Turn and the WWF was way better off for it … 💯

[@lexkanyima2195]

And he is so tough and very unexpected how he won the WWF title at the Survivor Series.

[@jackwei22]

Aye although that Summerslam 1998 ladder match with HHH is what made him that pushed him towards main event status as survivor series confirmed it.

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@jackwei22 same with Bret Hart 6 years prior

[@ttdub321]

The '98 survivor series set up was probably one of the best angles of the entire AE .. the rocks run from that point on through the entirety of '99 was legendary in the wrestling business , a lot of credit to the writers, vince and dwayne

[@constablekennedy7705]

@@jackwei22 💯

[@kevinb6831]

Vince is the greatest heel ever. This whole period was predicated on him.

[@kevinb6831]

@Energetic Coach What ruined wrestling was and is the internet.

[@brianmcdonald7017]

Indeed it was

[@brianmcdonald7017]

@Energetic Coach what ruined wrestling was Vince hiring "professional " writers

[@adityabhatt61]

@@brianmcdonald7017 nah it's the smarks and internet in general who killed it

[@RyzinEnagy]

Genius on his part to turn the Montreal Screwjob into a newfound role for himself.

[@Stumpers24]

I loved his theme song from this time. This song and his 03 Hollywood theme are my favorites ever

[@aceofspades4269]

The Rock's heel turn was one of the best bait and switch moments in WWE history. Also Survivor Series 1998 was one of the best double turns too.

[@lexkanyima2195]

It's not a double turn

[@stephenwright354]

@@lexkanyima2195 yea it was rock became heel and mankind became a face

[@lexkanyima2195]

@@stephenwright354 but it's unexpected

[@underpressure07140]

The moment when the bookers finally realized a smiling Rocky Maivia with shitty hair was never gonna get over

[@grammysworld5449]

It's crazy because I honestly have never seen anyone else with that haircut even in the 90s

[@My19812011]

They realised that when Rock first turned heel and joined The Nation, from late 1997 to mid 1998 we’d already seen enough to know The Rock was a main event star but it was the heel turn at Survivor Series that built him up enough to be THE top heel in the company

[@IMPOTUSx2]

& when the rock that smiles for a brief moment before it turns to a frown makes dollars & cents to the bookers...great times...

[@shawnmoney8055]

Y’all can hate on Russo all y’all want, but to turn Rock heel was a crazy but brilliant move.

[@RonCorleone]

18:02 **Stone Cold drives up, Rock sniffs the air** The Rock: "Well The Rock smells trash."

[@RonCorleone]

The Rock: "Austin, if you want the piece of trash, come get the piece of trash." Also The Rock: "I'll probably catch a mutated freak fish cuz you're such a candy ass piece trash."

[@thetruest7497]

Knocking Austin off the Roody Pooh Bridge was my favorite Raw moment ever.

[@jon-erich9752]

@@RonCorleone I forget when it happened, but there was a time when Stone Cold was talking really close to the Rock's face and the Rock's response was "You're breath smells like strudel!" I'm assuming this was after he started talking about "pie" a lot.

[@King_Kunta]

This was one of the funniest things I ever heard lol. “Well well the rock smells trash”

[@spiscold50]

😂

[@levibradley5098]

Man I appreciate the hard work you do researching and putting these together

[@ThraxxL0rd]

The Rocks theme during this time was my favorite, by far my favorite

[@lorenzoalsobrooks739]

Mine too. I loved how the arena is quiet and then you hear and see on the Titantron "Do you smell what The Rock is cookin'?" and the crowd would pop instantly!

[@brianmcdonald7017]

100%

[@Dr-Alexander-The-Great]

Yes

[@pasta1169]

Russo played the crowd like a fiddle with the rock heel turn, great stuff

[@brianmcdonald7017]

Like a harp from hell

[@JaCrispy210]

We will never get to see another rivalry as big & beautiful as rock vs Austin 🥺😤

[@jackwei22]

Probably the biggest but in terms of history I would say Rock vs HHH and possibly Mankind vs Taker.

[@thealjohnsonshow2188]

*"Rock, since I have a problem with the people, that means I have a problem with the People's Champion."* What a time this was.

[@g-dub5272]

Fun fact: I heard Steve Austin say the word jabroni before the Rock but it sounds much better when The Rock does it

[@playboicarti1736]

🤨 do you smell what the rock is cooking

[@martynodonnell8467]

I also once heard Austin asking “If you Smell What The Rattlesnake is Cooking” then sniffing the air, however always sounded better when Rock done it

[@DoloresOGTrivia]

I think the term Jabroni was first uttered in the WWF was from the Iron Sheik. I want to say I either heard an interview or saw an online article where the Rock admitted he borrowed the term jabroni from Sheiky Baby.

[@solascriptura-e7t]

Austin was using that word during his ECW days, @@DoloresOGTrivia .

[@DoloresOGTrivia]

@@solascriptura-e7t its been, historically, going back to the 70s at least, the go to insult. And it is the best one ever.

[@SiReTV8929]

A masterclass in pro wrestling psychology, especially when it takes place in a wild and crazy era like the Attitude Era. Austin was still the #1 babyface and top guy, they played up to the Rock and his organic rise to popularity, and Mick Foley was the perfect gullible individual for Vince and Co. to screw in the end... Me & my friends at the time were genuinely surprised and shocked when the Rock aligned himself with The Corporation.

[@rallysport92]

I was actually watching this whole arc of his a while back. It was great because you can tell the crowd wanted to boo The Rock when he was in The Corporation, but they simply could not help but cheer for him. Every crowd was mixed feelings lol

[@donaldb93]

I loved The Rock so much as a kid I had no idea he was a heel

[@TheSBleeder]

Mick Foley deserves so much respect for what he did for the career of others. Both the Rock and Triple H were considered pretty boy heels until their wars with Foley.

[@MR.__G]

Didn’t he also feud with edge ?

[@MrTimLee84]

His theme during that time is his best

[@brianmcdonald7017]

100%

[@MichaelDJackson1958]

What theme of the rocks music was used at the beginning of this intro

[@kingswift782]

@@MichaelDJackson1958 the rock nation theme

[@liquidgeorge]

Survivor Series 98 is an example of beautiful writing by Vince Russo. And Corporate Champion The Rock is the best character of all time.

[@itemacquired]

When The Rock made a heel turn at Survivor's Series, I was confused because I was like he doesn't need Mr. McMahon. He was doing good all by himself.

[@robertgermainii7813]

Hell yeah I love wrestling bios it's becoming one of my favorite channels on KZbin. Keep it up🔥🔥🔥

[@TheJayLordx]

13:58 man that's a really cool chair shot sell Great content as always dude, love it 🤘

[@micahhill4786]

Grew up watching this Rock and I miss this rock along with 2003.

[@TheAutistWhisperer]

His heel run in 1998 showed what The Rock can do.

[@lexkanyima2195]

But too quick

[@yeezynapkins2970]

I think the corporate heel turn was so perfect because you knew down the road, he was still building momentum and would eventually challenge the biggest heel in the WWF, Vince McMahon. Not to mention, he was 26 years old. There was an energy there you weren't getting from the current roster and certainly not WCW.

[@sarthakrocks95]

Thank You Wrestling Bios for blessing us on a Saturday Evening with a Masterpiece Highlight like this!

[@patrickl6987]

I think The Rock needed to turn heel before he truly got over. He was obviously becoming a huge star either way, but him turning heel was a nice nemesis to Austin who was the other huge star at the time obviously and gave both of them the space to shine. Also it made fans realize that hey we actually do like cheering for The Rock.

[@ankita_156]

That intro theme was so damn smooth

[@generalkhan5569]

WB on a Saturday I'm glad I took off from work today🙌

[@joshjones9749]

To get that over with the fans in Stone cold's era is a true testament to the Rock

[@ViDZ-el9km]

it def was austins era. if taker wasnt so damn captivating n wrestled for 30 years austin would be goat. also if not 4 austin, it woulda been called the smackdown era not attitude.

[@civildiscourse7626]

Defo, austin was given the best angle in wwe history- the fact Rock was able to reach and surpass austin shows how good he was…. If it was the other way round no one would have come close

[@evanhanley6437]

One of the best heel turns of all time. This is what helped him become one of the greats. His promos were brilliant and hilarious and he could wrestle rings around people.

[@z216ghost]

Except for the sharpshooter, Rock never learned how to do that, even though he did it often.

[@alexmeyers3244]

Respect for how much content you write, produce and edit - it must be a lot of work… Appreciate your channel, one of the best!

[@blkd25]

This era also had the early stages of the sing-a-long. Rock got the fans involved in a way no one had before him.

[@midniteryder_3-16]

Thnx 4 another upload of the most electrifying man in sports-entertainment!

[@jeremyzwirecki6150]

I’m not even a huge wrestling fan anymore yet your videos are so well made and chronicled!

[@robertblake279]

Thank you!!! I've been waiting for an episode of this.

[@MrMGR1986]

One of the most entertaining heel runs ever

[@retepoteil]

Best version of the rock. It catered to his strengths

[@jonsummersprizepicks]

Greatest wrestler of all time had the best catch phrases and the best finishers

[@TeamDreg]

Anyone here who got to experience this era in high school knows how great these times were. Weeks when by like days with always looking forward to Monday Thursday and Sunday nights.

[@zemox2534]

A Wrestling Bios video on Saturday instead of Sunday? This is an early Christmas present. Thank You Bios

[@vaibhavdbz8661]

Waited for long time to cover up this topic ....this is my favourite of all time moment

[@joejohnson4613]

The corporate champ was some of the best mic work in history in my opinion. That segment with dx was hilarious

[@bd519]

This heel turn got me back into wrestling!! Let’s go!

[@adityabhatt61]

I think just like everyone wrestling bios loves the 90s wrestling. Keep bringing the good content

[@ankita_156]

You indian?

[@adityabhatt61]

@@ankita_156 yup

[@danielmarkle9000]

As someone who grew up in the attitude era I can say anyone who saw rock early in his career You knew you were watching someone special. You knew he was gonna become one of the cornerstones of the WWF. Even if you didn’t like him you couldn’t help but be captivated by seeing the rock in the ring or on the mic.

[@Jcrash71]

You definitely weren't watching if you felt that way, no one felt that way about him during the Rocky Miavia gimmick when he kept smiling non stop. This revisionist history

[@montanaSD]

Using all the video clips in these videos have taken your content to the next level. Best wrestling KZbinr in the game.

[@daxmoney5011]

HES BACK LADIES AND GENTLEMEN

[@benziescha5438]

I remember when stone cold was on commentary and saved the rock during his match, rock looking all confused at austin saving him, secretly he was playing him all along 😎

[@brianmcdonald7017]

Best wrestling content on KZbin

[@Beefsneeze9]

The Rock was the full package Charisma , wrestling abilities , Mic skills Top 5 of all time easily

[@martynodonnell8467]

Another awesome video from wrestling bios 👏👏👏

[@kevinpayton2664]

I loved the Attitude Era Rock. The arrogance, attitude, plus he was so funny.

[@NewPatek_]

Easily the highlight of Russo’s career. Clever booking on his behalf.

[@pasta1169]

Without doubt, it ain’t even close to be honest

[@assassin923ck45]

It definitely was balsy, and worked out perfectly. It’s rare you see a company turn their next big face star heel, and then when he goes back to being face he’s even MORE over than before. Rock in 1998 was rising, face Rock in ‘99 was a megastar

[@kappakiev9672]

This can’t be the same guy that practically murdered WCW insid and out

[@davidringle7]

Said nobody ever when Russo is concerned lol the one and only time he wasn't a complete clown

[@gandalf_thegrey]

That man was between genius and disgrace lmao

[@itsa-itsagames]

this is the rock's best character in anything he has done and will ever do

[@LANGI902]

💯

[@childofnature4402]

This show was Russo's masterpiece.

[@mohdwazeeque2893]

mad incorrect? Jim Cornette was a color commentator and doing comedy segments on TV. Russo already replaced him as head writer by December of 1997. Jim Cornette had 0 contribution in this time period.

[@rickytpb2164]

This was a well done swerve, unfortunately it gave credence to the thousands of crappy swerves Russo would later write.

[@scotthitman1]

The rocks theme in the beginning of the video is kick ass! It needs to be on you're next volume of released themes you put on youtube dude!

[@z216ghost]

I always saw Rock as a heel, he was just over, but never saw him as a babyface. He was always arrogant, cut demeaning and offensive insulting promos. The people's elbow is such a heel move. He dressed and worked like such a heel his entire career. Attitude Era was filled with Heelfaces, just heels that were over, but definitely not traditional babyfaces.

[@antman1001000]

That's cause the traditional babyface is passe especially during that time. They wanted faces who weren't afraid to be cool and insulting to their opponents as long as it wasn't against the fans.

[@GoGetYourShinebox]

Yeah but it's hard to think of him as a heel when he was declaring himself the people's champ all the time lol

[@blkd25]

@@GoGetYourShinebox He started saying it to annoy the fans -- It's like saying "I know you hate me, but you really love me" kinda things.

[@KaitouKaiju]

When he was still Rocky Maivia he was so extremely face and boring he did a 180

[@jonnywhite7818]

Such a great video. Wrestling Bios is the only reason I watch KZbin

[@cryptomnesiac]

I heckled the rock so badly at a house show around this time that he actually asked for the mic to address me. He kept it PG, but looking back at it now is really amusing.

[@ollieduracell]

Yes. You always layeth the smacketh down on your content man

[@Bandana_Boi]

Dude I love your channel. Just incredible stuff! I'm right in the middle of corporate Rock's run right now

[@xtn5378]

I was thought Rock worked better as a heel.

[@dannyinoakpark9095]

I was at The Rock Concert and when he said Sacramento Queens we wanted to riot on him

[@adityabhatt61]

Heel rock was gold and better than face imo

[@brianlarsen9952]

Wooooooooo This was excellent and brought back so many memories of my friends and I watching every show. Love that entro edit

[@daretoran5616]

Corporate Rock was fun man his Rivalry with Mankind in the empty arena match is always dope to revisit. Stone Cold vs Rock at Blacklash my favorite bout between the two.

[@slowburnraloh1807]

Been waiting on this one👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 Can't wait to get the "People's Champ" late 99-early2001

[@SentinelPrimal]

The Rock had that Razor Ramon-level cool swagger going on.

[@Ataraxia462]

The Survivor Series heel turn by the Rock was officially the last time I bought into a wrestling storyline. I was legit pissed when I went to school the next day. Incredible storytelling, WWF at their finest.

[@Sebster85]

Please do The Rock vs The McMahon-Helmsley Faction feud which culminated into the Rock winning the belt again at Backlash 2000 as well as Stone Cold’s epic return. While Stone Cold vs The Rock was great, I believe Rock vs HHH was the better feud since the former was the ultimate baby face and the latter the ultimate heel. And their grudge against each other felt a lot more personal.

[@loulou7194]

The Rock vs The McMahon-Helmsley Faction feud continued after backlash 2000. You had the cage match vs Shane in early May, the triple threat match vs Shane and HHH at Insurrextion, the Ironman Match at Judgment Day vs HHH. At that point, The Rock had some help from The Biker Undertaker (who made his comeback) and Kane because he lost the belt. I remember a lumberjack match between The Rock and The Undertaker, finished in a brawl against the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. And finally, The Rock won the belt at King of the Ring in a 6-man tag team match against the faction for a 4-month reign.

[@CharlesHitmanStone]

Agree. Austin Vs Rock was better in terms of a rivalry that would really define an era and you save a match like that for a HUGE angle

[@Jofishgolf]

The rocks heel runs were insanely entertaining.

[@marcell8542]

When i see that "Wrestling Bios" have a new Video,the first what i do is give a Thumbs up,all of your Content is so Good!Thank you.

[@gordonmcgowan5622]

Salute to the 10 time WWE Champion, the one and only The Rock, the Corporate Champion and People's Champion!!! The Most Electrifying man in Sports Entertainment History. Great Video!!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[@_Vissal_]

Been waiting for this one.

[@VickStarkiller]

One of the best heel turns that gave way to one of the best face turns of all time. This is exactly what they should’ve done with Roman Reigns years ago with the Authority after Seth Rollins got hurt.

[@imogenaris1697]

It was great to see that not even HHH could bury the Rock. Lord knows what could have happened if Paul had been in power much earlier in his career during the start of The Rock's ascension. The Rock vs Austin- truly the greatest rivalry of all time. & that covers ALOT of ground. Old/current fans still talk about it to this day because that era will never be duplicated

[@AJ_savage16]

Keep in mind the Rock and mankind went from arch rivals to forming a tag team in fall of 1999... that was epic I also liked his heel run in late 98 and early 99.

[@sgallegos702]

I hated and loved The Rock. 🤣 His mic skills made it into perfection.

[@TheBrister]

The moment when the rock was announced as the winner over mankind is burned into my memory. The way that the crowd initially cheers and you just feel that positive feeling slowly escape from the crowd as they realize what happened.

[@thedxexpress]

Was waiting for this one

[@molletre9606]

Great video, like all the others. You´re a constant stream of good old memories and so many background facts I never even thought of.

[@cebapplejak5997]

been waiting for this

[@hellionsentinel]

Mate, you produce the best wrestling content on KZbin

[@DJDoubleCee]

I wonder how Bret Hart felt when they re-enacted the Montreal screwjob at the end of the Deadly Game tournament.

[@ShaunInce123]

He has to have been asked about it at some point.

[@brianmcdonald7017]

Not happy

[@lexkanyima2195]

Vince wants to Wound up

[@aicbrian]

The video I've been waiting for. The best swerve of all time