What If The Rock Never Left WWE?

In the early 2000s, The Rock left WWE for the world of Hollywood, transitioning out of the professional wrestling business for the bright lights of film. But… what if he didn’t leave? We’ll take a look at an alternate reality in which The Rock didn’t part ways with WWE, going part-time and eventually becoming disconnected for several years from the company. We will attempt to take a realistic look at how the next few years of WWE would’ve unraveled, how The Rock’s career in professional wrestling would’ve changed, and how WWE in the long term would’ve been affected by The Rock sticking around.

Things Would’ve Remained Consistent For WWE & The Rock At First

• The Rock would lead the line for Team WWE during the Invasion storyline.
• The “Hollywood Rock” gimmick would not exist.
• The Rock vs. Shawn Michaels would have finally happened.

The Rock’s first foray into Hollywood came with The Scorpion King in 2001, at which time he took a hiatus from WWE as the “Invasion” angle began. If The Rock didn’t take his leave, then he would’ve become the leading force behind Team WWE much sooner than he did, though it is safe to assume that the whole Invasion story would’ve developed how it did, with The Rock also eventually having his major showdown with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18. In the aftermath, fan sentiment towards The Rock began to change, with everyone cheering on Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam 2002. The Rock showed signs of a heel turn, returning in 2003 as “Hollywood Rock”.

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Instead, The Rock would’ve turned heel immediately after SummerSlam 2002, developing a character that would’ve shown glimpses of the Hollywood gimmick, though obviously not going the full way given that he didn’t actually leave to film movies. He would’ve continued to feud with Brock Lesnar and existing as a big part of WWE SmackDown, putting over the younger star before his eventual “one final match” with Steve Austin in 2003 and dream match with Goldberg. On the back of this loss, The Rock sticking around would’ve seen him mix it up with the likes of Booker T, Scott Steiner, and perhaps even the huge showdown with Shawn Michaels that fans so desperately wanted. After Michaels’ return to WWE as a big babyface, a match with a heel version of The Rock would’ve been inevitable had he stuck around, perhaps taking place at SummerSlam 2003, Survivor Series 2003, or WrestleMania 20.

The Rock Vs. Evolution Would’ve Carried WWE For A While

• The Rock would’ve been pushed as the face of WWE.
• The Rock vs. Triple H would happen repeatedly.
• WWE’s next big stars, like Randy Orton, would come face to face with The Rock.

WWE needed a big babyface following the exit of Brock Lesnar, so it is easy to imagine WWE rallying behind The Rock once again, turning him babyface to feud with Triple H and Evolution. The Rock would’ve come to aid Mick Foley, much like he did in reality in 2004, but then stuck around to feud with Triple H over the World Heavyweight Championship. However, with The Rock serving as the big babyface to Triple H’s “Reign of Terror” would’ve delayed the pushes of both Randy Orton and Batista. There would’ve been no need for WWE to have Orton or Batista break out, and The Rock vs. Triple H would’ve likely headlined WrestleMania 21. The pair would’ve become stars eventually, though most likely with Orton playing a heel in the aftermath of WrestleMania, challenging The Rock for the World Heavyweight Title in 2005 – maybe even being the one to beat him for it.

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The Rock would likely battle with Ric Flair, Batista, Randy Orton, and Triple H across many PPVs, with this serving as WWE’s number one feud at the time. We can also see The Rock mixing it up with other names of RAW at the time, such as Chris Jericho, Kane, and RVD, whether it be for long-term feuds or one-off matches.

The Rock Vs. John Cena Would’ve Happened Much Sooner

• John Cena would have the torch passed from The Rock in 2006 or 2007.
• The Rock would eventually become a part-timer.
• Cena’s run at the top would’ve been way more positively received.

Vince McMahon saw a lot of potential in John Cena, so he would’ve still emerged as WWE’s next big star, but with The Rock still being present, the need to push Cena so hard so soon is not there. Due to this, we will act as though Cena’s rise would’ve been slower, and that he would’ve stepped up to face The Rock perhaps at WrestleMania 22 or 23 – or even both! Cena would have eventually defeated The Rock to become WWE’s next big thing (and not be as despised due to his push feeling less forced), and from this point on, The Rock’s time in WWE would’ve begun to gradually wind down.

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It is easy to forget that The Rock was quite young when he stepped away from wrestling, but similar to many of those on the rise in the Attitude Era (not including the likes of Triple H and The Undertaker), the in-ring careers of those at that time was not extensive. We can imagine The Rock becoming more of a part-timer by the time 2008 rolled around, returning to the ring for big events and feuds, taking on the likes of Edge, The Undertaker at WrestleMania, a rising CM Punk, and more.

The Rock’s presence would have no doubt halted the pushes of many rising stars at the time, both on the babyface and heel side, as he’d have defeated the likes of Batista, Orton, Cena, Edge, and Umaga, among others. Given The Rock’s ties to the Attitude Era, the PG Era of WWE may have been a little more delayed too, but it was ultimately inevitable. In many ways, The Rock’s absence led to WWE building a whole new breed of talent, so his presence would have hindered that.