Published: Nov 18, 2022 by Ryan Coogan | Last Updated: Nov 18, 2022 by Ryan Coogan
@theothercoogan
WWE
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has reflected on the 26th anniversary of his WWE in-ring debut at the November 17, 1996 Survivor Series event.
At the event, the third generation star teamed with Jake Roberts, Marc Mero & Barry Windham (The Stalker) to face Crush, Goldust, Jerry Lawler & Hunter Hearst Helmsley in an elimination tag bout.
The Rock responded to a tweet by Boardroom, who posted a message commemorating the Great One’s latest milestone with the following along with a picture of Johnson in his original Rocky Maivia character.
Boardroom wrote:
“On this day, 26 years ago: Rocky Maivia makes his wrestling debut. He would eventually go on to become @TheRock.
— 10x world champ
— 2x Intercontinental champ
— 5x Tag Team champ
— 2000 Royal Rumble winner
— WWE’s 6th Triple Crown champ”
The Rock retweeted the message, adding:
“Wow 26yrs ago What a fateful night in Madison Square Garden having my first ever wrestling match for @wwe.
That big kid who was willing to be the hardest worker in the room would go on to only become famous for wearing a fanny pack.
“Seriously tho, what a grateful journey”
Wow 26yrs ago 🤯
What a fateful night in Madison Square Garden having my first ever wrestling match for @wwe.
That big kid who was willing to be the hardest worker in the room would go on to only become famous for wearing a fanny pack.
Seriously tho, what a grateful journey🙏🏾 https://t.co/5VoMB5qER0— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 17, 2022
The Rock departed WWE as a full-time competitor in 2004, and returned for sporadic appearances since then including an extended feud with John Cena in 2011 and 2012.
The Great One last wrestled a full match at WrestleMania 29 in 2013, losing the WWE Championship to John Cena in the show’s main event.
He did technically wrestle at WrestleMania 32 in 2016, defeating Erick Rowan (Redbeard) in 6 seconds.
It was previously reported that WWE plans to have The Rock face Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 39 next April.
This match will only happen if The Rock’s schedule allows him to train for an in-ring return in early 2023.
Check out WrestleShop.com for all your favorite WrestleTalk merch, the WrestleTalk Magazine, wrestling shirts for grown-ups, and more!
Trending
- Jack Cartwheel Wants To Face El Grande Americano In WWE AAA, Admits He ‘Might Get Booed Out Of The Building’
- Rejected Pitch For Kay Lee Ray (Alba Fyre) WWE Name Revealed: ‘They Were Like ‘No, You’re A Badass”
- Report: WWE Interested In Signing Zilla Fatu, Spotted At Performance Center
- Chad Gable Officially Babyface, Brings Back Original American Alpha Entrance Theme On WWE Raw
- WWE Star Giulia Comments After Attacking Kiana James On SmackDown: ‘It’s Over’
- WWE Money In The Bank 2026 Date Changed To Saturday, October 10
- WWE AAA Star Jack Cartwheel Says He Doesn’t Need Surgery Following Arm Injury: ‘I’m Not Going To Be Out For Six Months’
- Liv Morgan & Je’Von Evans Advance In 2026 WWE King & Queen Of The Ring Tournaments
- Kay Lee Ray (Alba Fyre) Confirms WWE Departure Was Due To Contract Expiring, Not Release: ‘I Had The Decision Of Whether I Wanted To Stay Or Not’
- AEW Star Nick Wayne Addresses NJPW Best Of The Super Juniors Tournament Crossover Run: ‘All We Can Do Is Hope That One Day I’ll Be Back’
mailing list