The Rock joined 'The Nation of Domination' OTD 23 years ago in an iconic storyline

On this day 23 years ago, Dwayne ‘ Rock’ Johnson joined iconic Nation of Domination faction which was formed by Faarooq, D'Lo Brown and ors in 1996. During his time in faction, Rock established himself as one of biggest heels of Attitude Era and it kick-started his iconic rivalry with WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin. WWE fans started loving Rock, who y hated for his previous babyface persona. y loved new Rock because of his trash-talking and incredible promo delivery, which old Rock failed to bring to table. 

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Rock joined Nation of Domination in 1997

After making his debut as Rocky Maivia in 1996, Rock competed in multiple matches but received a lot of heat from fans and critics for his dull persona. After Rock lost his Intercontinental Championship to Owen Hart and went on a break to recover from his knee injury, WWE officials decided to turn his character into a heel, which is how  trash-talking Brahma Bull came to be. Rock returned to WWE on August 12, 1997, where he joined Faarooq, D'Lo Brown and Kama’s Nation of Domination.

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Feuding with Stone Cold Steve Austin and backstabbing Faarooq

He n refused to acknowledge Rocky Maivia name, inste referring to himself in third person as Rock. He would often insult audience, or superstars, and interviewers, which WWE Universe loved to hate. His first feud was with Stone Cold Steve Austin and pair faced each or for first time at D-Generation X: In Your House PPV. With help of faction, Rock soon won back his Intercontinental Championship and went on to face likes of Ken Shamrock.

However, a major change in Nation of Domination came on a March 1998 episode of WWE RAW, where Rock attacked Faarooq and replaced him as new leer of Nation of Domination. Rock face Faarooq a number of times and defeated him on most occasions. Under Rock’s leership, Nation of Domination started referring to mselves as simply " Nation" and welcomed Mark Henry to group.

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Feuding with D-Generation X and ending Nation of Domination

Nation n started a feud with Triple H and D-Generation X, with two stable leers facing each or in quarter-finals of 1998 King of Ring tournament, which Rock won. Despite losing in final of tournament, Rock continued his feud with Triple H and two clashed at Fully Loed: In Your House PPV, where Rock once again defeated Triple H to retain his IC title. However, he lost his title to Game at SummerSlam a month later.

Rock blamed Nation for his title loss, which forced fellow members Mark Henry and D'Lo Brown to turn on him. Mark Henry went on to defeat Great One at Judgment Day: In Your House, which also marked end of Rock’s faction. However, after leaving stable, Rock became face of WWE and went to ignite iconic feuds with Stone Cold and Triple H.

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Image Source: WWE.com