Dwayne ‘The Rock‘ Johnson once wrestled on an independent show days before a WWE (then WWF) pay-per-view despite Vince McMahon wanting him to stay home.
In May of 1998, The Rock reigned as Intercontinental Champion. He successfully defended his title against Faarooq at WWF In Your House 22: Over The Edge, but he put his title match in jeopardy when he wrestled for Border City Wrestling just days before. On that occasion, he teamed with D’Lo Brown to take on the team of Scott D’Amore and Larry Destiny.
Speaking in a new interview with Metro, IMPACT President Scott D’Amore gave details on The Rock’s BCW appearance, revealing that Vince McMahon had told him to stay home as he was dealing with a knee injury.
“On a bum knee after getting hurt six days earlier, [he] still showed up at Border City Wrestling when there was no reason he had to, and by just showing up, he had done more than can be expected of him.
“Instead, he showed up and wrestled hurt, even though it was a day or two before a big pay per view – like, Vince McMahon had told him to stay home! And he actually kind of like half carney-ed his way into still being able to come to the show.
“He wasn’t dishonest, but he wasn’t, full disclosure, saying “I’m going up there, and I’m gonna wrestle on on a show”. But he did that!”
Continuing, D’Amore explained that Rock wanted to fulfill his commitment to BCW as he’d promised he would be there.
“He knew we had advertised and he knew we had a sold out crowd, which to us was the biggest thing in the world. But let’s be clear, that sellout crowd I think was 1,100 people!”
According to D’Amore, no one would have taken The Rock to task for missing the independent show, but it was important to the star to honor his commitment.
“It was funny, because he didn’t plan on wrestling. But he had said, “Hey, I’m coming,” because it was just so important. Remember, in 1998, you can’t shoot a promo on your phone and say, ‘Hey, Border City Wrestling fans, I’m so sorry.'”
Scott D’Amore Says Wrestling The Rock At BCW Was A Huge Risk
D’Amore explained that The Rock was not originally supposed to wrestle on the event, but said he was “feeling it” and decided to participate in the tag team match. According to D’Amore, this was a huge risk as if The Rock had been injured further, his own WWE prospects could have been compromised.
“You got to think in 1998, I’m still a year away from having my WWF tryout. And my plan is to try be a wrestler full time for a living and become a superstar.
“And all I’m thinking of if he gets hurt worse, I’m done. Like, I’m in so much trouble! But he was great. And we played it safe!”
In the end, D’Amore is grateful for the experience, and knows it’s a night that everyone in the building will remember.
“Those 1100 people that were there that night will never forget it. And I often joke with D’Lo – because D’Lo was was a huge part of making that happen.
“We were joking the other day, that if every person that has told us they were there that night that The Rock wrestled in LaSalle… then there would have been 30,000 plus there, not 1,100!”
Back in September, The Rock made a surprise return to SmackDown alongside Pat McAfee.
In a new interview, The Rock revealed that he nearly quit wrestling altogether as he considered a move to MMA.