WWE HOF’er reveals what stopped Vince McMahon from scrapping one of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s most popular Attitude Era acts

Vince McMahon almost cut The Rock midway into one of his legendary promos.


WWE HOF’er reveals what stopped Vince McMahon from scrapping one of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s most popular Attitude Era acts

Vince McMahon and Dwayne Johnson [via- Wrestle Ops on X]

Had his co-workers not stopped Vince McMahon from getting out of his way trying to overrule an iconic segment in 1999, WWE would’ve been deprived of a record 8.4 rating on national television. Who could ever forget Mick Foley, draped as The Mankind at the time, pleasing Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson? On September 20, 1999, The Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection held a segment entitled “This Is Your Life, Rock.”

Despite going down as one of the most entertaining skits of all time, Vince McMahon almost ended up scrapping the entire thing. As revealed by Mick Foley on his podcast, Foley Is Pod, the former WWE Chairman felt that the segment was going on for too long.

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Mick described it as a trainwreck unfolding in real time. Foley wasn’t aware of McMahon’s tactics until former lead writer Vince Russo spilled the beans. However, after the parody was done and dusted, the segment roped in gargantuan ratings.

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I did not know how much Vince hated it, I really didn't, but Vince Russo said later that Vince had to be restrained or talked out of going out there and getting it to stop because it was running for so long.
Mick Foley via Foley Is Pod

And that was enough for Vince McMahon to let Rock and Foley continue with their shtick. Looking back on that day, one would say it was a blessing in disguise for WWE. Though it wasn’t meant to be one of the highest-viewed TV segments ever, it ultimately turned into one.

Is Dwayne Johnson returning to WWE in 2024?

His days as a wrestler are far gone, and The Great One is like Hollywood’s Babe Ruth. Despite so much on his plate, Johnson has managed to make a couple of one-off WWE appearances in the past few years. The latest one came when he accompanied Pat McAfee on SmackDown back in September.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson on SmackDown [via- WWE]

His sporadic appearance once again sparked rumors about his future in-ring return. While that might be subject to his Hollywood schedule, Rock recently teased a WWE return. During the holiday season, the Black Adam star bestowed numerous Make-A-Wish grants. After meeting a 15-year-old wrestling fanatic, he said that he told the kid a little secret that may or may not involve some dude laying havoc on WWE Superstars.

The rumors recently intensified when The West Australian reported that tourism officials in Australia have launched a bid to lure The Rock. As known, WWE is holding next year’s Elimination Chamber PLE in Perth. Therefore, the local authorities are leaving no stone unturned to secure The People’s Champ.

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