Although The Rock was a heel, he was beginning to get a good fan following (like Steve Austin in 97'), and at Wrestlemania he took on Steve Austin in a huge show-down between the most popular players in the game. The Rock lost his WWF title, but continued to feud with Austin, which led to another match at Backlash, which was just as good as their clash at Wrestlemania. The Rock lost again, but his popularity by this time had soared.

The next night on Raw, Shane Mcmahon berated The Rock for losing the match. The WWF decided it was time for The Rock to turn, and so The Rock became a full-fledged baby-face, taking on Shane Mcmahon and The Corporation. Throughout the summer, The Rock feuded with The Undertaker, Triple H and Billy Gunn. Later in the year, he formed The Rock N' Sock Connection with Mankind and had a few tag-title reigns at the expense of The Undertaker and The Big Show. Actually, Rocky spent most of the remainder of the year being wasted in the tag division.

The Rock won the 2000 Royal Rumble in January, but not without controversy. His feet did actually hit the floor, and The Big Show was the real winner. But that was only discovered on viewing delayed video coverage, so The Rock's win stood.