Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson Reflects on His First WWE Match 

In a nostalgic and heartfelt episode of Rock Reacts, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson took fans on a trip down memory lane by revisiting his very first WWE match, which took place at Survivor Series 1996 in the iconic Madison Square Garden.

The event, which marked the beginning of his legendary wrestling career, was a defining moment that Johnson says “changed everything” for him.

A Monumental Debut at Survivor Series

Most wrestlers begin their careers in smaller, low-stakes events before making it to a major pay-per-view.

However, Johnson’s debut was different.

His very first WWE match was on one of the biggest stages in professional wrestling—Survivor Series—an honor that few wrestlers receive so early in their careers.

Johnson provided background on the historic moment, emphasizing the significance of wrestling in Madison Square Garden, a venue where both his grandfather and father had competed before him.

“It was surreal,” Johnson said.

“My grandfather wrestled in the ’70s for Vince McMahon’s dad, my dad wrestled in the ’80s for Vince McMahon, and here I was in 1996, stepping into the same ring.”

Excited about his first match, Johnson recalled calling his parents to tell them, “Just watch tonight.

Something special is going to go down.” And indeed, something special did happen.

The Pressure and the Unexpected Turn of Events

The match featured seasoned competitors, including Jake ‘The Snake’ Roberts, Crush, and Goldust.

Johnson, the rookie babyface, was left as the last man standing against two veteran wrestlers, setting up a dramatic underdog moment.

As Johnson reviewed the footage, he laughed at his youthful energy and inexperience, joking about his awkward entrance and his questionable hairstyle, which he compared to a “Chia Pet.

” However, despite the nerves and minor blunders, something remarkable happened during the match—something that couldn’t have been scripted.

“When Jake ‘The Snake’ got eliminated, there was a shift in the crowd,” Johnson explained.

“22,000 people in Madison Square Garden either thought I was going to get my ass kicked, or they decided, ‘You know what? We like this kid.

Let’s see if he can kick some ass too.’”

The crowd erupted in chants of “Rocky!” as Johnson found himself in a thrilling showdown with the villains.

This overwhelming support from the fans, he noted, was a career-defining moment that helped shape his future in WWE.

The Climactic Finish and Unforgettable Gratitude

Johnson went on to describe the match’s conclusion, breaking down each moment of action.

He recalled a particularly significant moment when he pinned Crush with a crossbody maneuver—a move that led to his victory.

“In wrestling terms, Crush ‘put me over’ that night,” Johnson explained, referring to how the veteran wrestler allowed the rookie to secure a victory and establish credibility.

Johnson shared a touching behind-the-scenes detail that had never been revealed before.

“As I was pinning him, I whispered to him, ‘Thank you so much, brother.

’ And he replied, ‘I got you, brother.’”

Following his victory, Johnson finished off Goldust with a shoulder breaker—his finishing move at the time—and secured his first major WWE win.

The reaction from the Madison Square Garden crowd was deafening, and Johnson recalled how his family was overwhelmed with emotion.

“My mom was crying at home, my dad was proud, and my grandmother was in tears,” he said.

A Night That Defined a Career

Despite making fun of his bright blue ring gear and his rookie mistakes, Johnson admitted that this match laid the foundation for everything that followed.

“This night defined my career,” he said.

“There’s an old saying in show business: if you can make it in New York, you can make it anywhere.

And on my first night in New York, they embraced me like a son.”

From that moment, Johnson’s career skyrocketed.

He went on to become one of the most electrifying superstars in WWE history, winning multiple championships and later transitioning into a massively successful Hollywood career.

However, he remains deeply grateful for that night and the fans who supported him from day one.

Looking Forward to More Rock Reacts

As Johnson wrapped up the Rock Reacts segment, he invited fans to suggest more moments for him to react to in future episodes.

“Let me know what you guys want me to react to next,” he said.

“And I appreciate you all more than you know.”

For longtime WWE fans, this look back at Johnson’s debut was both nostalgic and inspiring—a reminder of how one night, one match, and the support of 22,000 fans can change a career forever.