To misquote the good Bob Dylan, “That is the tale of the storm of a person who introduced down an enormous superstar named Dwayne!” That is proper, people. As soon as, The Rock and The Typhoon had a fit, with Typhoon beating The Rock 1-2-3 within the middle of the hoop.
This is not some random difficult to understand fit from Johnson’s flex cabana days or slightly a laugh at a area display. This used to be his primary tournament on Monday Evening Uncooked when each males have been of their high.
On March 10, 2003, the Hurricanes made historical past through defeating The Rock.
The Rock and The Hurricanes – The feud we by no means knew we would have liked
Our tale starts on Monday Evening Uncooked on February 24, 2003, when a fight royal used to be held to decide the number 1 contender to the Triple H International Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 19.
Booker T would finally end up successful this fit (and in the long run, understandably, shamefully failing), however an surprising storyline additionally unfolds all through this multi-man fit. It gave the look of the seeds of this could be sown.
Shane Helms, who performed the fan-favorite Typhoon, recalled at the 411 Wrestling Interviews Podcast how issues naturally fell into position.
“That used to be the purpose [in the battle royal] If I exclude somebody, and [The Rock] He picked me up and I began capturing again at him. I may really feel the target market being energized through this.
“It felt excellent in that second, however I assumed it used to be over. Then it sounds as if inventive and Vince McMahon learned that and made up our minds to paintings on it.
![“Stand back, the hurricane is coming!” “The Hurricane” when Shane Helms upset The Rock! [design: JP Zarka / ProWrestlingStories.com]](https://prowrestlingstories.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/the-rock-and-the-hurricane.jpg "In 2003, rocks and hurricanes create an unexpected situation.")
“Stand again! A storm is coming near!”
In fact, the higher-ups listened to the target market’s response, which ended in them pre-recording some behind-the-scenes scenes between The Rock and The Typhoon, together with the scene the place Rocky reveals Typhoon hiding at the back of a curtain. Ta.
Neatly, they have been meant to be pre-recorded…
“The Rock used to be doing one thing fascinating to me on that pre-tape,” Shane Helms defined to Chris Jericho on Communicate Is Jericho.
“He saved blowing the pre-tape. He saved blurting out strains, and at one level he simply blurted out a line and grew to become to me and gave me slightly wink. He saved breaking it up on objective, so , we needed to do it reside.
“Now it does not must take 90 seconds, it will probably final so long as he desires. Neatly, he can move so far as he desires. I bring it to mind like that.
The Rock discovers Typhoon hiding at the back of the curtains within the locker room. A happy environment persevered.
Little did the Typhoon know that this may change into the most important night time of his profession.
“I used to be in a lodge,” Helms defined. “I left my telephone in my room and went to shop for a drink from the merchandising system.
“I went again to a neglected name. It used to be The Rock announcing, ‘Me and you’ll the principle tournament in Cleveland on Monday night time, however you are going to move it.’ Put on your surprising footwear! I keep in mind considering this used to be terrible ribs. ”
The night time the storm beat rock
Monday Evening Uncooked on March 10, 2003, noticed The Rock, then a Hollywood heel, use the excuse that he used to be 100% keen on his fit towards Stone Chilly to lose his spot in the principle tournament of the night time. It began with Eric Bischoff asking for a distinct opponent than Booker T. Steve Austin at WrestleMania.
Bischoff is of the same opinion that there’s no downside if they are able to in finding somebody else.
Later within the display, whilst strumming a guitar behind the scenes, The Rock’s selected opponent walks as much as The Nice One…and stands at the back of him, revealing it to be none rather than The Typhoon!
After stating a no-disqualification fit so Typhoon can use its “superpowers”, The Rock compares Typhoon to Massy D’s villain Hamburglar, earlier than sucker punching the Emerald hero.
In fact, this primary tournament took all night time to arrange, so any savvy fan would know that, particularly with regards to The Rock, who made up our minds to break Steve Austin as he ranted at Eric Bischoff. , you will have anticipated it to be extra than simply squash. Will it come again to chunk me within the ass later? (Spoilers forward, there are).
The Rock seems and the gang awaits The Typhoon’s rival. Once his song turns into a success, JR provides his stamp of acclaim for the tales that want to learn. “Guys, that is going to be a automotive coincidence!”
The Rock and The Typhoon moments earlier than their conflict on Monday Evening Uncooked on March 23, 2003.
The fit begins with The Rock bullying Typhoon. If Helms good points any momentum, The Folks’s Champ cuts him off.
Rocky received the Smackdown whilst posing in a cape and mocking his smaller competition.
However each time the Hurricanes get started a small position of hope, a possibility for a turnaround, the target market in attendance turns into increasingly more into it, rooting for the underdog.
This fit is an ideal instance of natural in-ring storytelling.
On Monday Evening Uncooked on March 10, 2003, Typhoon provides The Rock a style of his personal medication.
Then it occurs. Typhoon hits The Rock with a chokeslam! Citizens of Cleveland, Ohio had the roofs in their constructions blown off. The Rock manages to kick out for the pin, however then the glass breaks and Cleveland flies out once more!
Austin walks to the hoop and creates a distraction for Typhoon to roll up The Nice One. 1-2-3, the Hurricanes received!
In fact, this fit had the bigger objective of putting in the 3rd fit between Austin and The Rock at WrestleMania 19.
The Hurricanes were not even given a possibility to rejoice their victory, as a substitute operating up the ramp in a triumphant dash…like some roughly Hamburgler.
At the March 10, 2003 episode of Monday Evening Uncooked, Typhoon makes a successful dash to final position after Steve Austin defeats The Rock whilst giggling at what he did.
“I will be able to inform Austin attempted to get me. He used to be there after I were given the directions to take off, so I did what I used to be informed, however that is some of the issues about me being a brand new individual. ” Helms remembers. I do not wish to offend any individual, I simply wish to beat The Rock.
In a great situation, I must were status at the back of Austin and doing a great 1-2-3 beat. ”
It would possibly not were a whole victory. Nonetheless, the response from the WWE Universe (then merely referred to as “enthusiasts”) used to be that everybody used to be truly glad to look Typhoon pop out on best, somewhat than as soon as once more changing into the butt of jokes and squash. It presentations that.
It used to be one of the entertaining underdog win since 1-2-3 Child defeated Razor Ramon a decade in the past.
It used to be an evening each Shane Helms and Dwayne Johnson won’t ever disregard.
The Rock and the Hurricanes give credit score the place credit score is due on Twitter.
Now inform me, guys, who does not like a contented finishing?
Watch: The Rock vs. Hurricanes on Monday Evening, March 10, 2003:
You may additionally have an interest within the following tales:
We’ve got loads of serious wrestling tales, however after all we will’t learn all of them nowadays. Signal as much as liberate his 10 easiest wrestling tales uniquely curated only for you, plus subscriber-only content material. After you sign up, a different reward from us shall be looking ahead to you!
Need extra? Please make a selection every other tale! You should definitely apply us on Fb. X/Twitter, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Flipboard! Professional Wrestling Tales is dedicated to correct and impartial wrestling content material this is carefully fact-checked and verified through a workforce of researchers and editors. Any inaccuracies shall be corrected promptly and a timestamp of the replace shall be famous within the signature header of the item. Have a repair, tip, or tale thought for Professional Wrestling Tales? Touch us! Be told extra about our editorial requirements.
This publish would possibly include associate hyperlinks. This implies chances are you’ll earn commissions at no further price to you. This permits us to offer loose content material so that you can experience.
