The Rocks Eyebrow Raise (Meme Backstory, Examples & Templates!)
In the vast world of internet memes and viral sensations, few have captured the attention and amusement of the masses quite like Rock’s Eyebrow Raise.
This phenomenon revolves around none other than Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a renowned actor, and former professional wrestler.
With his trademark eyebrow raise and accompanying Vine Thud sound, this series of reaction videos has taken the online community by storm.
In this article, we delve into the backstory of this meme, exploring its origin and how it skyrocketed to popularity in the 21st-century humor scene.
The Rocks Eyebrow Raise: The Backstory
To truly appreciate “The Rock’s Eyebrow Raise,” we must travel back to the days of Dwayne Johnson’s wrestling career.
As a charismatic figure in the ring, Johnson often dazzled audiences with his trademark facial expression: raising one eyebrow while lowering the other and tilting his head.
This distinctive gesture became known as “The People’s Eyebrow,” an extension of his self-proclaimed title as “The People’s Champ,” paying homage to the legendary Mohammed Ali. Johnson’s eyebrow antics carried over into his successful movie career, further solidifying this quirk as a recognizable symbol of his persona.
Fast forward to the digital age, where social media platforms reign supreme. On October 9th, 2019, Johnson posted an Instagram video, playfully addressing rapper DaBaby and concluding with his signature eyebrow raise.
This video quickly garnered millions of views and likes over the following years, generating initial buzz around this captivating expression. Then, on February 19th, 2021, Johnson took to TikTok, setting a video to the infectious beat of “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice, once again showcasing his iconic eyebrow raise.
The TikTok post swiftly amassed millions of views and likes, propelling the meme even further into the spotlight.
However, it was not until March 2021 that the eyebrow raise truly caught fire, finding a new home in the realm of TikTok edits. The earliest known edit of Johnson’s Instagram video was shared on YouTube by FAERKING on March 14th, 2021, accumulating over 41,800 views.
The mysterious creator of these edits, pairing the eyebrow raise with the infamous Vine Thud sound, remains unknown. Nonetheless, their genius amalgamation of these elements birthed a new sensation dubbed “Sus Rock” due to the prevailing popularity of ironic Among Us memes and the expression’s innate ability to convey suspicion.
The Rocks Eyebrow Raise: Popularity
With the arrival of March and April 2021, the eyebrow raise videos began their meteoric rise to internet stardom. They spread like wildfire across platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and iFunny, captivating users and inspiring countless reposts and edits.
One notable addition to the meme’s repertoire was an edit posted on May 3rd, 2021, by iFunny user InternalCancer. This edit incorporated an old interview clip featuring Johnson, created by an unknown user, adding another layer of humor to the mix.
As the meme gained traction, it started making appearances in the realm of 21st-century humor edits. On May 25th, 2021, an Instagram user known as stdabbers posted a meme that garnered over 77,800 views and 15,700 likes within a mere five months.
Then, in late July 2021, TikTok became a hub for various videos combining the eyebrow raise reactions.
Memes For Days, a YouTube channel, uploaded a video on August 23rd, 2021, merging the reaction videos into one cohesive piece, though the author remains unknown.
Other creators, such as WiseTinedManatee and Will AFS, also joined the fray, incorporating the eyebrow raise into their own humorous content, resulting in millions of views and further cementing the meme’s prominence.
Come September 2021, the eyebrow raise videos, particularly the Vine Thud edit of the February 2021 TikTok, reached new heights of popularity on TikTok.
As a reaction format for “suspect” videos, dedicated accounts like @rock.and.football emerged, captivating viewers with their clever utilization of these reactions.
TikTok users flocked to these accounts, with videos from @rock.and.football, @the_rockreaction, and @r0ckreaction gaining millions of views and an impressive number of likes.
Throughout September and October 2021, the meme continued its reign over TikTok and YouTube, enchanting audiences with its infectious humor.
It stands as a testament to the creativity and power of online communities to transform a simple gesture into a cultural phenomenon.
So, the next time you encounter “The Rock’s Eyebrow Raise,” embrace the laughter and join the legions of fans who have found joy in this lighthearted expression of suspicion and amusement.