[68] He defeated Bret Hart by disqualification in a title defense on the March 31 episode of Raw is War. The Rock's WCW Championship was renamed the unbranded "World Championship" following the Alliance's loss. See the full winners' list". The Rock has often contributed his success towards his family, especially his mother, Ata Johnson. When one talks of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's name is bound to pop up during the conversation. He debuted on Monday Night Raw as a member of Marc Mero's entourage on November 4, 1996. The . This led to a match at WrestleMania XIX on March 30, 2003, which called back to their previous two WrestleMania encounters, both of which Austin had won. [75][76] The Rock feuded with Austin and Ken Shamrock through the end of 1997 and beginning of 1998. Born: 2-May-1972 Birthplace: Hayward, CA. Wrestling at first under his real name, Johnson defeated The Brooklyn Brawler at a house show on March 10[60] and lost matches to Chris Candido and Owen Hart. The Rock's popularity was fueled by his charisma and speaking abilities, which led to many catchphrases and merchandising opportunities. The Rock then aligned with McMahon and the WWF. Nationality refers to the country to which one is a citizen and ethnicity refers to a person's ethnic background. 'Sweetest Baby Girl in the Whole World,' Lauren Hashian Says", "One good thing Virginia has going for it this week? With the critical and financial success of Welcome to the Jungle, production of the movie began in early 2019, and was released on December 13, 2019. [143] This later led to a match between the Rock and Hogan at WrestleMania X8 on March 17, 2002. Tanoai Reed has been Johnson's stunt double for more than 15 years. - Advertisement - While many people know it's from his early wrestling career and many people my know that Dwayne Johnson comes from Samoan wrestling royalty perhaps what is less well known are the origins of his iconic nickname. [203] Johnson underwent surgery on April 23 to reattach the torn tendons. Jacob O'Connor, a 10-year-old Michigan boy, was able to save his younger brother's life by using what he saw Johnson's character do in the movie "San Andreas," in which he played a search-and-rescue medic. Ate at the fast food restaurant, In-N-Out, for the first time ever. He was a member of the Miami Hurricanes football team during his freshman year in 1991, and won that year's national championship. Was the first person to ever kick out of the "Stone Cold Stunner" while fighting Stone Cold Steve Austin (, His favorite eyebrow trademark (not including his own) is, Was a member of Miami's NCAA national championship football team (1991). On March 29, at WrestleMania XIV, he defeated Shamrock by disqualification once again to retain the title. [109][110], At the Royal Rumble, on January 23, 2000, the Rock entered the Royal Rumble match and was one of the final two remaining, along with Big Show. His first video, The YouTube Factory, featured online personality Lilly Singh and several other internet stars. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is one of the most well . [269], At the 2021 Survivor Series, WWE held a 25-man Battle Royal to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of The Rock's WWE debut. Trademark move: Charging Double Leg Spinebuster, Trademark Phrase: "Lay a smack down on your candy ass", Trademark phrase: "Do you smell what The Rock is cookin'?". You will go one on one with the Great One! The Rock. Johnson was born into a family of wrestlers, with his grandfather, High Chief Peter Maivia, a well-known wrestler. As his wrestling character The Rock, often referred to himself in the third person. [41][42][43][44][45] In 2008, Johnson inducted his father and grandfather into the WWE Hall of Fame. [344], Johnson voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections. Had a long reign as WWF Intercontinental champion for 9 months between December 1997 and August '98. Attended and graduated from Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He reprised his role as Luke Hobbs in The Fate of the Furious, which was released in 2017. The Rock then lost the WWF Championship to Kurt Angle, at No Mercy, on October 22, 2000. To a degree, all of my promos are scripted, in that there are certain lines and phrases that I plan to include. They lost against Ric Flair, Randy Orton, and Batista in a handicap match at WrestleMania XX on March 14, 2004, when Orton pinned Foley after an RKO. [288][289] In 2018, he starred in the action films Rampage and Skyscraper. Is an official Priest registered in California for a special YouTube video for his best friend (Nick Mundy). [181] However, on the October 24 episode of Raw, Cena instead suggested the Rock be his partner in a standard tag team match against The Miz and R-Truth, a team called Awesome Truth,[182] which Rock agreed to the following week. Their feud ended on the February 15 Raw Is War, when the Rock won his third WWF Championship in a Ladder Match after a debuting Big Show interfered on his behalf. The Rock appeared in WWE sporadically following WrestleMania XX. After he and Cena exchanged insults, The Miz and Alex Riley appeared and attacked the Rock; he fended off Miz and Riley, only for Cena to blindside him with an Attitude Adjustment. Thinking it would make him appear big-headed, he graciously turned the offer down. The Rock was then aided by a returning John Cena to fend off Wyatt, Rowan and Braun Strowman. [183] On November 14, during the special Raw Gets Rocked, the Rock appeared live, delivering Rock Bottoms to Mick Foley, who had been hosting a "This Is Your Life"-style segment for Cena, and later both members of Awesome Truth. (December 12, 2017) Announced that he and his girlfriend Lauren are expecting their second daughter in Spring 2018. Uncle to wrestlers Jimmy (Jonathan Solofa Fatu) and Jey (Joshua Samuel Fatu) Also known as "The Usos". ", "Wrestler 'Umaga' Edward Fatu dies of heart attack, friend says", "Wow check out my 8yr old AFRO!! The wrestling superstar began his career in the National Wrestling Alliance all the way back in the 1960s, but rose to fame in the 1980s upon joining the WWE. Even in interviews today, his teammates still refer to him as Dewey. The movie will be comparable to Braveheart in tone, given Wallace's work on both films, and will depict the king's role in resolving the wars among the islands of Hawaii. [312], Johnson has been a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in the Actor's Branch since 2017. [227] In 2000, Access Hollywood ranked him number six in their list of the Top 10 Celebrities of 2000. [141] The Rock then unsuccessfully challenged Jericho for the now Undisputed WWF Championship at Royal Rumble on January 20, 2002. He was a member of Team WWF along with Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, and Big Show. Intended to show a vicious streak in the Rock's character, the Rock hit Mankind in the head with a steel chair 11 times instead of the scripted five, five shots already being a risky amount (most wrestling matches in the Attitude Era involving steel chairs had at most 2 or 3 shots to the head). [213] On the February 20, 2017, episode of Raw, the Rock made an untelevised appearance after the broadcast had gone off the air, where he promoted and filmed a scene for his then-upcoming film Fighting with My Family. The Alliance and Vince McMahon then both attempted to persuade the Rock to join their team. [360] They first met in 2006 while Johnson was filming The Game Plan. Dwayne is a skilled light tackle salt water fisherman. taping. There, he was named the number one contender for the WWE Undisputed Championship, which he won for a record-setting seventh time at Vengeance, on July 21, by defeating Kurt Angle and then-champion The Undertaker in a Triple Threat match. Later that night, he entered the Royal Rumble match and lasted until the final two before he was eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin. before losing the titles to The Holly Cousins on the October 18, 1999, episode of Raw is War. Let's roll.. #OwnIt", "How the Rock Went From Action Hero to TNT Reality 'Hero', "Kids' Choice Awards Winners 2013: Kristen Stewart & More Full List", "John David Washington To Co-Star In HBO's 'Ballers', Robert Hoffman In E! During his high school years, Dwayne began playing football and he soon received a full scholarship from the University of Miami, where he had tremendous success as a football player. After the match, the Rock gave Cena a Rock Bottom. Cousin of former wrestler Umaga and wrestler Roman Reigns. [101], Shortly after SummerSlam, the Rock began teaming with former opponent Mankind and the two became known as the Rock 'n' Sock Connection. [71] On April 20, at In Your House 14: Revenge of the 'Taker, he lost to Savio Vega by countout but retained the title. [218][219], The Rock appeared on Wyclef Jean's 2000 single "It Doesn't Matter" and in its music video. Johnson said his tattoo took 60 hours to complete and that it tells the story of his ancestors and his own life. [3][225] Johnson has stated the success of that episode is the reason he began receiving offers from Hollywood studios. Wherever his origins lie, this man has repeatedly wowed us with his talent and created a permanent niche for himself in our hearts. He turned face and became known as "The Peoples Champion". He then successfully defended the Intercontinental title against Faarooq at Over the Edge: In Your House on May 31. His maternal grandfather, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, emerged on the professional scene in the 1960s and '70s. [140] At the next pay-per-view, Vengeance on December 9, 2001, the Rock lost the World Championship to Jericho, who would then unify the WWF and World titles later that night. [134][135] He later lost the title to Chris Jericho at No Mercy on October 21, 2001. [319] Johnson is also attached to produce/star in a sequel to Big Trouble in Little China,[320][321] as well as project under development with Shane Black focusing on a new interpretation of Doc Savage. [204], In April 2014, the Rock appeared in the opening segment of WrestleMania XXX along with Stone Cold Steve Austin and Hulk Hogan. [74] The next night on Raw Is War, Austin was ordered by Mr. McMahon to defend the title in a rematch, but forfeited it to the Rock instead, handing him the title belt before hitting him with the Stone Cold Stunner. [120][121] The Rock won the WWF Championship for a fifth time at King of the Ring on June 25 by scoring the winning pin in a six-man tag team match, teaming with Kane and The Undertaker against Shane McMahon, Triple H and Vince McMahon, whom he pinned. Rocky eventually took over leadership of the "Nation" and began taking the persona of The Rock. [189] This event broke the record for biggest professional wrestling pay-per-view buyrate. In 2012 and '13 he came out of retirement to wrestle John Cena at 'Mania twice, both matches were also the main event. [69] Behind the scenes, Hart mentored Johnson for his first year in WWF[70] and refused to be booked to take the title from him. [350] On October 2, 2007, he and his then wife, Dany Garcia, donated $1million to the University of Miami to support the renovation of its football facilities. [2][164] The next night, Raw was billed as "The Rock Appreciation Night", in honor of his victory over Austin. However, he always knew his future lay in wrestling, and he eventually made his WWF bow in 1996, under the name Rocky Maivia. [343] He also had a speaking role at the 2000 Republican National Convention that same year. Your boy has discovered himself between the Rock and a Coronary heart place, who's historically depicted as a dark-skinned, black man whereas Johnson is half black and half Samoan. You can get great people around you, smart minds and great resources, but it's still from here [points to heart]. [120] With the score tied at five falls each, and with seconds left on the time limit, the Rock was disqualified when The Undertaker attacked Triple H, thus giving Triple H the 65 win and the title. The Rock w/ Mr. McMahon", "The Rock defeats Triple H to become new WWE Champion", "The Rock's fourth WWE Championship reign", "The Rock vs. [47][48] Johnson attended President William McKinley High School in Honolulu and then Glencliff High School and McGavock High School, both in Nashville, and then Freedom High School in Bethlehem Township in the Lehigh Valley, where he graduated in 1990. [85][87] On December 13, 1998, at the pay-per-view named after him, Rock Bottom: In Your House, the Rock had a rematch with Mankind for the WWF Championship. The Horizon Award is presented to individuals from the private sectors who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life. [63] His first match came at Survivor Series, on November 17, 1996, in an eight-man elimination tag match; he was the sole survivor and eliminated the final two members of the opposing team, Crush and Goldust. 1. Who is The Rock's mom? Dwayne Johnson's character creation of "the Rock" became one of the most charismatic and dynamic characters the WWE industry has ever seen. His maternal grandfather was wrestler "High Chief" Peter Maivia, and . [162], After failing to win a number one contendership for the World Heavyweight Championship, The Rock went into another program with Stone Cold Steve Austin. 3. Success isn't overnight. To Split Into Two Films: Dwayne Johnson To Star As 'Black Adam', "Dwayne Johnson Won't Appear in 'Shazam!,' DC's Geoff Johns Says", "Dwayne Johnson Hints 'Shazam' Might Release Sooner than Announced", "Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson Launches "Project Rock," His New Signature Line of Under Armour Gear", "Under Armour, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Sell Out of Gym Merch Promo Marketing", "The Rock Designed a Gym Bag to Help Guys Everywhere Get Swole", "411MANIA WWE News: The Rock's Alarm Clock App Breaks 1 Million Downloads, Owen Hart's Birthday Today", "Athleticon Is Coming to Shake Up the Bodybuilding and Fitness World", "Dwayne Johnson is breaking all records with his new booze brand", "Watch: "The Rock's Ultimate Workout" Features Music From Tech N9ne", "Dwayne Johnson makes his rap debut with 'Face Off' even if fans don't believe it's his first", "Smackdown Your Vote! Before the age of 17, he was arrested multiple times for fighting, theft, and check fraud and was suspended two weeks for fighting. [281] In May 2013, it was announced that he would executive produce and star in Ballers,[282] an HBO comedy-drama series about NFL players living in Miami. [172] Johnson's next appearance was through a pre-taped promo on October 2, 2009, during the Decade of SmackDown. He was majoring in criminology. [239][3][224] The movie's financial success led to Johnson's first leading role in the spin-off The Scorpion King (2002). A highly successful professional wrestler before making his foray into films, Johnson is also famous by his ring name, 'The Rock'. [238] The movie broke a two-year record for the highest-grossing single day in film history by earning US$28,594,667. And everyone always asks me, from Letterman [. [305], Johnson is noted for his busy schedule and developing multiple projects at once. It's nice to be important but more important to be nice. [105] The two lost the titles back to Undertaker and Big Show on the September 9, 1999, episode of SmackDown! [39][40] Through his maternal grandfather Maivia, Johnson is a non-blood relative to the Anoa'i wrestling family. The title was named the WWF Championship during The Rock's first six reigns. Competed in the Royal Rumble match four times ('97, '98, 2000, 2001), winning in 2000. Big love to all the kids and staff. Apart from establishing his own foundation for terminally-ill and at-risk children, he has time and again donated thousands of dollars for relief efforts from hurricanes and floods. [138] The Rock defeated Jericho on the November 5 episode of Raw for his second WCW Championship. When one talks of the greatest wrestlers of all time, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's name is bound to pop up during the conversation. [64] On February 13, 1997, he won the Intercontinental Championship from Hunter Hearst Helmsley on Monday Night Raw. [306][307] A sequel to the box-office hit San Andreas was announced to be in the pre-production stage with the director of the first film, Brad Peyton, returning as director along with the main cast (marking the fourth collaboration between the two following Journey 2, San Andreas, and Rampage). Johnsons enormous popularity extends far beyond the wrestling world, with the California native having become one of Hollywoods most successful superstars, and widely popular across the world. [148], The Rock made a surprise return on a June episode of Raw before going to his assigned brand of SmackDown!. The finals occurred at Survivor Series on November 15, 1998, where the Rock defeated Vince McMahon's associate, Mankind, to win his first WWF Championship. His father, Rocky Johnson, created history by becoming the first black wrestler to win the WWF Tag Team Championship, along with partner Tony Atlas. Calgary moved Johnson from defensive tackle to the linebacker position. PS. 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