In the early 2000s, The Rock left WWE to pursue a career in Hollywood, stepping away from wrestling’s spotlight. But imagine if he hadn’t fully departed—what if he remained a part-time wrestler and was eventually away from WWE for several years? Let’s explore how WWE’s next era might have unfolded, how The Rock’s wrestling career would have evolved, and the long-term impact his continued involvement would have had on WWE.
At first, things between WWE and The Rock would have stayed steady. While filming The Scorpion King in 2001, The Rock took a break during the WWE “Invasion” storyline. Had he stayed, he would have led Team WWE in this arc, likely without adopting the “Hollywood Rock” persona until his return in 2003. Post-Summerslam 2002, The Rock turned heel and developed a character hinting at his Hollywood transition. He continued feuding with Brock Lesnar and remained a key figure on WWE SmackDown, building up younger stars and engaging in high-profile matches—including a final dream showdown with Steve Austin and aspirations to face Shawn Michaels, which fans eagerly anticipated. Had Michaels stayed a major babyface after his return, a match with Rock’s heel character might have headlined Summerslam 2003, Survivor Series 2003, or WrestleMania 20.
The Rock versus Evolution would have kept WWE’s momentum strong. After Brock Lesnar’s departure, WWE would likely have shifted the babyface spotlight back to The Rock, setting him against Triple H and the Evolution faction. He would’ve supported Mick Foley, clashed with Triple H over the World Heavyweight Championship, and slowed the rise of new stars like Randy Orton and Batista, as he would act as the top babyface during Triple H’s reign. This rivalry could have headlined WrestleMania 21, with The Rock facing off against Evolution’s top members, including Ric Flair, Batista, Orton, and Triple H, as well as engaging with other Raw stars like Chris Jericho, Kane, and Rob Van Dam.
The iconic Rock versus John Cena clash would have happened earlier. Vince McMahon saw Cena as WWE’s future star, but with The Rock still around, Cena’s ascent would have been more gradual. This would have led to a major WrestleMania showdown between Rock and Cena around WrestleMania 22 or 23, with Cena eventually passing the torch to The Rock, marking the end of The Rock’s full-time era and his transition into part-time appearances. The Rock’s championship run during this time might have been better received, and the transition into WWE’s newer generation handled more smoothly.
Here’s a quick rundown of significant alternative matches that might have happened:
– Rock vs. Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2002
– Rock vs. Shawn Michaels at Summerslam 2003
– Rock vs. Triple H at WrestleMania 21
– Rock vs. Randy Orton at Summerslam 2005
– Rock vs. John Cena at WrestleMania 22
It’s important to remember The Rock was quite young when he left wrestling. Similar to stars like Triple H and The Undertaker, his wrestling career was still in its early stages during the attitude era. By 2008, The Rock would likely have become a part-timer, returning for major feuds with stars such as Edge, Undertaker, and CM Punk. His ongoing presence might have slowed the rise of several new talents—including Batista, Orton, Cena, and Umaga—while WWE’s shift to the PG era may have been delayed but inevitable. Ultimately, The Rock’s absence allowed WWE to nurture a new wave of talent that otherwise might have been overshadowed.
Fan Take: This alternate history highlights just how pivotal The Rock’s Hollywood leap was for WWE’s evolution. For fans, it’s fascinating to imagine the “what if” scenario of The Rock balancing movie stardom with wrestling, and how his continued presence might have reshaped WWE’s talent landscape and storytelling direction in the 2000s.
