Survivor Series will mark almost 29 years since the debut of one of the greatest to ever step between the ropes. Dwayne Johnson, a.k.a The Rock, made his first appearance on November 17th, 1996, in a traditional Survivor Series match — and quickly became one of the best in the industry, despite a turbulent start in his early days with WWE.
The Rock was the perfect sports entertainer for WWE. On the mic, no one could match The Brahma Bull. His quick wit was only matched by his ability to ad-lib during promos — a rare quality in wrestling, and one that set him apart from the rest.
When The Rock wasn’t delivering a verbal beatdown, he was using his tremendous athletic ability to dominate opponents. His in-ring talents were undeniable, delivering 5-star calibre matches with some of the biggest names in the business.
Below, we look at some of the best matches from the incredible career of The Great One, along with ratings and fan reception where available.
The Rock vs Hulk Hogan — WrestleMania 18 ★★★
When the NWO made its WWE debut, fans immediately began fantasy booking dream matches. At the top of the list was Stone Cold vs Hulk Hogan — but due to backstage politics, that never happened. Instead, fans got The Rock vs Hollywood Hogan, and it turned out to be one of the most unforgettable WrestleMania moments ever.
The second both men stepped foot into the ring, the Toronto crowd erupted, split between their two icons. This wasn’t a technical wrestling clinic, but it didn’t need to be. The match was pure crowd psychology, with Hogan playing the hero again mid-match as fans cheered his every move.
The Rock eventually picked up the win, cementing his place in the pantheon of WWE legends.
Rating note: Dave Meltzer gave it 3 stars, but many fans call it a “5-star sports entertainment classic” for its atmosphere and crowd energy.
The Rock vs “Stone Cold” Steve Austin — WWE Championship Match, WrestleMania 17 ★★★★½
The two biggest stars of the Attitude Era squared off in a main event that defined an era. This was a brawl in every sense of the word — no chain wrestling, just two men tearing into each other for the richest prize in the game.
Both men were at their peak, and the Houston crowd was fully invested in every punch, kick, and near fall. The finish — with Austin turning heel and aligning with Vince McMahon — remains one of WWE’s most controversial endings.
Rating note: Meltzer rated it 4.5 stars, and it’s widely considered one of the greatest main events in WrestleMania history.
The Rock vs Mankind — I Quit Match, Royal Rumble 1999
In his early main event run, The Rock needed a babyface foil — and Mankind was perfect for the role. Their “I Quit” match at the Royal Rumble was one of the most violent in WWE history, with chair shots so brutal that they made even hardcore fans wince.
The multiple unprotected chair shots to Mankind’s head remain infamous, and while hard to watch today, the match has become legendary for its intensity.
Rating note: TheSportster ranked it 8.5/10 for storytelling and emotional weight, despite its disturbing violence.
The Rock vs Mankind — WWE Championship Match, Raw Is War (January 4th, 1999)
This match wasn’t about technical mastery — it was about the Monday Night Wars. WCW tried to spoil the ending live on air, but it backfired spectacularly, with hundreds of thousands switching over to see Mankind’s first WWE Championship win.
The moment has gone down as one of the most significant in wrestling history, signalling a major momentum shift toward WWE in the ratings battle.
The Rock vs John Cena — WrestleMania 28
After an eight-year absence, The Rock returned to WWE and set his sights on John Cena. The verbal exchanges leading up to the match were as heated as the match itself.
Despite questions about ring rust, The Rock kept up with Cena in a back-and-forth contest that delivered on the hype. He walked away with the win, in what was billed as a “Once in a Lifetime” match.
The Rock vs Triple H — WWE Championship Match, Backlash 2000 ★★★★¼
After a lacklustre WrestleMania main event, WWE delivered the real payoff at Backlash. With the McMahons backing Triple H, The Rock seemed doomed — until Stone Cold made a shocking return to even the odds.
The Rock’s victory marked his first babyface world title win, solidifying him as the man to lead WWE into the new millennium.
Rating note: Meltzer gave this match 4.25 stars, praising its crowd heat and storytelling.
The Rock vs The Undertaker vs Kurt Angle — Triple Threat for the Undisputed Championship, Vengeance 2002
Three all-time greats collided in a triple threat match that serves as a masterclass in the format. Every man had a claim to the title, and every man brought his A-game.
The Rock walked out as Undisputed Champion for the first and only time, in a match praised for its pacing and dramatic near falls.
Rating note: While Meltzer’s specific rating isn’t widely cited, fan polls frequently place it among The Rock’s top five matches.
The Rock vs Triple H — Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship, SummerSlam 1998 ★★★★¼
The Rock’s heel run as Intercontinental Champion was brought to a thrilling end in this ladder match. Both he and Triple H used the stipulation to its fullest, introducing creative spots and a level of violence that helped push both into the main event scene.
Rating note: Meltzer awarded it 4.25 stars, calling it one of the best ladder matches of the 90s.
The Rock vs Brock Lesnar — WWE Undisputed Championship Match, SummerSlam 2002
Brock Lesnar’s coronation came at the expense of The Rock, who sold his power and dominance masterfully. The match was fast, physical, and explosive, with Lesnar leaving as the youngest WWE Champion in history.
The Rock vs Chris Jericho — WWE Undisputed Championship Match, Royal Rumble 2002
Jericho’s first world title reign struggled in booking, but his match with The Rock was one of its highlights. Using every heel tactic possible, Jericho managed to steal the win.
Rating note: While no official Meltzer rating is widely known, TheSportster ranks this match highly for its chemistry and crowd investment.
Outro
From brutal brawls to emotionally charged showdowns, The Rock’s career is a masterclass in blending sports entertainment with genuine in-ring excellence. Whether facing legends like Hogan and Austin, battling workhorses like Triple H and Jericho, or helping to elevate rising stars like Lesnar, The Rock has consistently delivered matches that remain timeless.
Almost 29 years after his debut, the Great One’s legacy isn’t just intact — it’s untouchable.
