The Rock’s Most Electrifying Madison Square Garden Moments

The Rock will join forces with John Cena at Survivor Series. With the potential to be the most charismatic tag team of all time, The Great One and Cena are a dream team for many fans and also an ideal way to shut up The “Awesome Truth.” Taking place Nov. 20 in New York City at Madison Square Garden, this year’s Survivor Series is already a huge event and The Rock’s involvement only makes it that much more massive. The multi-time champion has a long history at Madison Square Garden, with ups and downs, wins and losses. Here are some of his most memorable moments at The Garden.

Survivor Series 1996

Debuting at Survivor Series is a big deal for anyone, not to mention teaming with stars like Marc Mero, The Stalker and Jake “The Snake” Roberts. And then there are the bright lights and deafening crowd of MSG to deal with. However, The Rock never appeared out of his depth in 1996. He was the lone survivor on his team, snaring the win by pinning Goldust after a shoulderbreaker. There was no doubt that this talented and tough newcomer was going to make major waves in WWE.

SummerSlam 1998
The Rock returned to MSG nearly two years later to take on Triple H in a Ladder Match with his Intercontinental Championship on the line. After a grueling 25-minute battle, The People’s Champion was defeated. Although he was vanquished, The Rock again showed incredible grit and passion, and the Madison Square Garden crowd – notoriously one of the toughest in the world – eventually embraced the charismatic competitor.

R

oyal Rumble 2000
As the 24th entrant in the ring in the 13th annual Royal Rumble Match, The Most Electrifying Man in Entertainment was noticeably fresher than many of his opponents. After nearly an hour of struggle, it all came down to The Rock and Big Show. When the dust settled, The Brahma Bull had defeated the giant and won the Rumble. In front of a huge audience, he again showed the heart and will of a champion.

WrestleMania XX
After nearly five years apart, The Rock 'n' Sock Connection reunited at WrestleMania in 2004. The Rock and Mick Foley had their differences in the past, but put that behind them to take on Evolution, composed of Randy Orton, Batista and Ric Flair, in a Handicap Match. Although Rock ‘n’ Sock lost when Orton pinned Foley, this contest reinforced The Rock’s popularity. This would prove to be his final official match in WWE for over seven years.

Whether he won or lost, The Rock has always thrilled at Madison Square Garden. The WWE Universe can now look forward to his epic return to MSG in less than three weeks at Survivor Series.