Rock Concert, a popular WWE segment from the early 2000s, made its long-awaited return on WWE SmackDown this week, marking its first return in nearly a decade. WWE went all out for the comeback, bringing back The Rock's iconic Hollywood theme music, perfectly matching his early heel persona.
The Rock Concert's roots date back to 2002, when The Rock was at a crossroads in his career, balancing his wrestling and acting pursuits. Fans were disappointed when he lost the WWE Championship to Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam that year, and it felt like their beloved star was moving away from the squared circle. Attempting to respond to their complaints, The Rock found himself drowning out the crowd's complaints. However, a year later, he made a spectacular comeback with a fresh personality. He wore a shaved head, sunglasses, and a black leather vest and pants, with a new entrance theme he dubbed himself “Hollywood Rock.”
This marked The Rock's first foray into WWE villainy since his Attitude days, and once again captured the attention and imagination of fans. It was during this time that the multiple-time champion reignited his storied rivalry with Stone Cold Steve Austin, culminating in an epic match at WrestleMania 19. His heel turn also sparked an unforgettable feud with Hulk Hogan, with both icons electrifying WWE audiences with their unique personalities. Unmistakable charisma.
However, The Rock's recent concert on the blue brand sparked controversy backstage, with stars furious over the segment's extra time.
By 2004, The People's Champion officially parted ways with WWE when his contract expired, allowing him to fully focus on his career in Hollywood. Despite leaving, he continued to make sporadic appearances in the wrestling world and stayed connected with fans by occasionally returning to the squared circle over the years.
