10 Interesting Facts about Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
The Rock is one of the most popular wrestlers in the world of modern wrestling. After almost 8 years of career at WWE, The Rock began to penetrate the Hollywood world to this day. Here are 10 interesting facts about The Rock summarized by WWE Indonesia Reborn.
1. Third Generation
The Rock is the third generation of his family to engage in professional wrestling. His grandfather, 'High Chief' Peter Maivia, and The Rock's father, Rocky Johnson, had a career in professional wrestling. Both were inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2008 and The Rock himself had the honor of inducting his father. The Rock's role in WWE is now being carried on by his daughter, Simone Johnson, the only fourth generation in the family to have a career in professional wrestling.
2. American Samoan
The Rock was born in Hayward, California, and has Samoan blood from his grandparents.
The Rock family is known as a family of wrestlers and most of their careers in WWE such as Rikishi, Jimmy & Jey Uso (The Usos), Nia Jax, to Roman Reigns. The public knows them as The Anoa'i Family.
3. The People's Champ
The Rock had the nickname The People's Champ during his career at WWE. Sound familiar? Yes, this nickname actually belongs to boxing legend Muhammad Ali. Before using this nickname, The Rock had asked permission from Ali and the legendary fighter did not mind The Rock using that nickname.
4. If you Smeeeell What The Rock Is Cooking!
One of the characteristics of The Rock is the sentence If you Smell What The Rock Is Cooking! which is always said by The Rock in the ring when it's promo. This sentence is so legendary that former US president Barack Obama used this jargon to become Do You Smell What Barack Is Cooking? while campaigning for President of the United States in 2008.
5. Man of the Century
In 2015, one of America's leading magazines, Muscle & Fitness, gave The Rock the title of "Man of the Century" because of The Rock's extraordinary success.
6. Rivalry with Stone Cold Steve Austin
The feud between The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin in the ring has always been remembered by fans as one of the most legendary feuds in WWE history. The match of the two even became the main duel in 3 different WrestleMania namely WrestleMania 15, WrestleMania 17, and WrestleMania 19. Although big rivals in the ring, the two are close friends to this day outside the ring.
7. Last fight
At WrestleMania 29 (in 2013), The Rock appeared and lost in the main party against John Cena. After the fight, The Rock saluted Cena which was followed by raising Cena's hand high as to indicate that Rock was handing over the 'stick'. The future of The Rock finally answered while promoting the film Hobbs & Shaw, Dwayne Johnson said that his career at WWE was over.
8. It's getting busier in Hollywood
The Rock's debut in the world of cinema began in 2002 when he acted as an antagonist in the film The Scorpion King. Initially, many of The Rock's films were not as successful in the market. However, in 2011 The Rock reaped great success since starring in Fast Five (the fifth film in the Fast & Furious franchise). Because of its popularity, the character of The Rock in this film franchise, Luke Hobbs, has made his own spin-off film. The Rock is also known to have its own production house called Seven Bucks Production which is managed by The Rock and his first wife, Dany Garcia.
9. The Brahma Bull
In addition to The People's Champ, The Rock is known by the nickname 'The Brahma Bull' with the bull logo which is his trademark in WWE. The Rock then tattooed his right arm with a tattoo of the bull logo. After WWE, The Rock is known to have collaborated with the well-known brand Under Armor and the bull logo remains the hallmark of Rock and Under Armor products.
10. The greatest wrestler in WWE history?
There are many great wrestlers in WWE but many say that The Rock is the greatest WWE wrestler in history. Popular wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Chris Jericho, Ric Flair to John Cena also share the same opinion. If you look at the achievements so far, it doesn't feel wrong if the 'title' is pinned to The Rock.
