On a recent episode of ‘The Joe Rogan Experience’ podcast, WWF Legend The Rock (aka Dwayne Johnson) revealed being initially distracted by Pat Patterson’s apparent lack of interest during his first (dark) match in front of Vince McMahon in 1996, only to later discover it was just a rib by Pat.
Here’s what The Great One said about Patterson’s reaction from that night:
“Kind of blew me off, kept smoking a cigarette and walked out and I was like, ‘Man, I think I really f***** things up, or I’ll take his word for face value, take it for gospel’. I’ll just keep working.
Little I knew, he went home and he called Vince McMahon. He said, ‘You gotta see this f******* kid.”
Dwayne had another dark-match the next night before Monday Night RAW, in which he wrestled Body Donna Skip (aka Chris Candido), but Vince McMahon wasn’t impressed with his performance and allegedly said the following words to Johnson after the match:
“You’re not ready for WWE (the WWF), you’re not ready for the big time.”
The Rock credits his success to joining The Nation of Domination, later in 1997. Despite a rocky start with the disliked babyface character ‘Rocky Maivia’, he overcame challenges, including harsh criticism and the infamous ‘Die, Rocky, Die’ chants.
Also Read: Top WWE Star Says The Rock Wasn’t A Wrestler
WATCH: The Rock Kisses Trish Stratus:
