Has the Rock vs HBK ever took place?

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Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson & Shawn Michaels Cross Paths
By Daniel Pena
Apr 7, 2011 - 9:06:51 PM


It's worth noting that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Shawn Michaels, who long harbored animosity towards each other, crossed paths during WrestleMania weekend. WWE.com published a photo of Johnson and Michaels sharing a laugh shortly after HBK had appeared on stage at WrestleMania XXVII to commemorate his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. According to F4WOnline.com, their past animosity was actually settled in 2008 when Johnson inducted his father, Rocky Johnson, and grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Johnson's issues with Michaels dated back to when he was a teenager. He long harbored animosity towards Michaels because he felt he was disrespectful to his maternal grandmother (Lia Maivia) at a wrestling show she was coordinating for Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling. His disrespect towards her incensed Johnson, and nearly led to an altercation.

Their issues persisted several years later when Johnson was a rookie starting out in WWE. Bret Hart wrote in his 2007 autobiography, Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling, that Michaels and Triple H disliked Johnson "intensely." Both resented him because he was talented and Hart, a political foe, had taken a shine to him. Many believe they were out to sabotage Johnson so that Hunter would ascend to the top before him, since they were both viewed as the future of the company at the time.

Michaels and Hunter conspired to obstruct Johnson's push in March 1997, who was the Intercontinental Champion at the time. Michaels suggested to Vince McMahon that Johnson lose the title to Hart on an episode of Raw. Meanwhile, Hunter insisted to Hart that he beat Johnson. Their suggestion would serve two purposes — sabotage Johnson's push and take Hart out of the world title scene. Hart, however, refused to beat Johnson. Hart felt it wouldn't build heat for his newly launched heel turn, not to mention that it would undermine Johnson. Instead, Hart insisted on a DQ finish, which infuriated Michaels and Hunter.

By 1999, Johnson had ascended to the top of WWE, going beyond nearly wrestler, including Hunter. Meanwhile, a back injury had forced Michaels to retire and he was relegated to sporadic appearances. Nonetheless, Michaels attempted to politically undermine Johnson by lobbying to McMahon that he be replaced by Hunter in the main event at WrestleMania XV. His suggestion fell on deaf ears.

Johnson stated years later in a 2005 interview with WWE.com that he never had interest in working with Michaels — when asked if he would have liked to.

This makes me wonder.. have they ever face each other in the ring? if so was it any good? I don't recall them ever being in the ring together.

 

[TheKingHustla]

Nope, never. Rock even said something about it in 08, at the hall of fame thing. He had a list of people he wanted to wrestle, dream matches if you would, the list was Rey Mysterio Jr, John Cena, and Shawn Michaels.

 

[HamSwissman]

I'd pay to see it, I know that much. With Rocky hanging around a little bit these days, there are several more dream matches that could bring in the money, including HBK vs. Rock.

 

[Rated-RKO_24]

The Rock vs HBK is the greatest feud that never happened, IMO.

I'd love to see it happen, but HBK is retired and I doubt he'd even come back for a 'one more match' kind of thing, even though I'm sure he could and still steal the show.

 

[matty]

First ever episode of Smackdown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=End7DMZhYR8

I thought maybe this would do it but Michaels wasn't actually back so this was basically not even ever mentioned after it happened.

It was a GREAT SCM though lol

 

[TheKingHustla]

I think it would have been great back in the days, but now, even with both of them "retired" sort of speak, they both have fueds that they are "obsessed" with. Rock with the whole Cena thing, and HBK with the whole streak thing, so I highly doubt it would happen. what would have been great is if Rock came back to challenge Taker at mania27, then get closer to winning the streak than shawn, and coming out and bragging about it and have shawn come out and confront him about it.

It's actually a match I've been dreaming about because there my two favorite wrestlers of all time, HBK 1, Rock 2, so it would be great to see. Mr. Wrestlemania vs The Most Electrifying Man In Sports and Entertainment= Truly Most Electrifying Wrestlemania In all of Sports and Entertainment.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

Nope, never. Rock even said something about it in 08, at the hall of fame thing. He had a list of people he wanted to wrestle, dream matches if you would, the list was Rey Mysterio Jr, John Cena, and Shawn Michaels.

I thought it was Mysterio, Cena, or Sting.

In any event this actually shows the professionalism both The Rock and Triple H had since they had such good chemistry during their rivalry. Or maybe they didn't like each other so much that it translated well in the screen.

The story makes sense, though I remember Shawn Michaels wanted Mankind vs. Austin as the main event of WMXV since the original plan was Mankind vs. Austin vs. The Rock. Thankfully the best scenario played out with The Rock vs. Austin.

This kind of solidifies the insane backstage heat Triple H and Michaels had at the time. I remember Austin didn't want to job the title to Triple H at Summer Slam 1999 instead opting to drop it to Foley.

As for Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock, its a money match but I don't want to see it. It builds none of the new stars or puts them over. I would rather see Shawn Michaels and The Rock having programs with The Miz, Punk, or Morrison.

 

[BASSER911414]

Well the reason the match didnt happen is because the rock and hbk had a lot of animosity towards each other back in the day during the rocky maivia period. but later on during rocks first heel run also his first time as the rock. both hhh and hbk had no longer any beef against him. they were working the nation vs dx angle. and there was a vid on youtube in which rock parodies other legends catchphrases with shawn michaels beside him with his arm around his shoulder.

IMO rock earned the respect of the locker room with the new persona and gimmick

 

[RJJ]

I thought it was Mysterio, Cena, or Sting.
In any event this actually shows the professionalism both The Rock and Triple H had since they had such good chemistry during their rivalry. Or maybe they didn't like each other so much that it translated well in the screen.

The story makes sense, though I remember Shawn Michaels wanted Mankind vs. Austin as the main event of WMXV since the original plan was Mankind vs. Austin vs. The Rock. Thankfully the best scenario played out with The Rock vs. Austin.

This kind of solidifies the insane backstage heat Triple H and Michaels had at the time. I remember Austin didn't want to job the title to Triple H at Summer Slam 1999 instead opting to drop it to Foley.

As for Shawn Michaels vs. The Rock, its a money match but I don't want to see it. It builds none of the new stars or puts them over. I would rather see Shawn Michaels and The Rock having programs with The Miz, Punk, or Morrison.

Actully, It's Mysterio and sting.

In a WWE magazine interview(2002), Rock mentioned that he would love to get in the ring with mysterio. He also threw batista's, and steiner's names on the list.

In 2005(Not sure...), HBK made a challenge to the rock in some radio interview, In response, rock said he had no interest at all in facing shawn, he also said that he faced every wrestler he wanted to face, except sting.

As far as cena goes, Rock said that he have no interest in wrestling cena and that was 1 or 2 yrs, I believe, don't know what change his mind.





And Oh...here is the pic:

 

[TheKingHustla]

I thought it was Mysterio, Cena, or Sting.

No, what I was talking about was him talking during 08, you can see it here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42nq6UNp0D4

 

[midgensa]

To the OP ... does not take long to do some research and see they have never met in the ring.

Obviously, this match would be as huge if not bigger than Rock vs. Cena. And obviously it is a shame it never happened. Rock's big surge was 99-2002 or so and Michaels was out all but the very end of Rock's run with the WWE.

I think that one of the more memorable moments in Rock's top of the company years was the Smackdown! match where he was facing Triple H for the WWF Championship and Michaels was the special guest referee, apparently on The Rock's side. And then he Superkicked The Rock in the face to end the match.

These two definitely could be electric in the ring.