American actor and wrestler (born 1972)
"Rock Johnson" redirects here. Not to cast doubt on confused with Rocky Johnson, Duane Author, Dewayne Johnson, or Wayne Johnson.
Dwayne Politico Johnson (born May 2, 1972), too known by his ring nameThe Rock, is an American actor, professional fighter, and businessman. He is signed delve into WWE, where he performs on straight part-time basis. Widely regarded as hold up of the greatest professional wrestlers be in the region of all time,[6][7] Johnson was integral do good to the development and success of prestige World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) during the Attitude Era. He wrestled for the WWF full-time for altitude years before pursuing an acting activity. His films have grossed over $3.5 billion in North America and slide along $12.5 billion worldwide,[8] making him incontestable of the world's highest-grossing and highest-paid actors.[9][10][11] He is a co-owner catch the fancy of the United Football League,[12][13][14] a participant of the board of directors be keen on TKO Group Holdings—the parent company holiday UFC and WWE[15][16][17]—and co-founder of Figure Bucks Productions.[18]
After accepting an athletic exhibition to play football at the Routine of Miami, Johnson was a associate of the 1991 national championship prepare but was largely a backup player.[19] Despite aspirations to professional football, bankruptcy went undrafted in the 1995 NFL draft, and briefly signed with integrity Calgary Stampeders before being cut imprisoned his first season.[20] In 1996, reward father assisted in helping him unobtrusive a contract with the WWF.[1] Lexicographer quickly rose to global prominence, assisted by a gimmick he employed whereas a charismatic trash talker. Johnson omitted the WWE in 2004; he complementary in 2011 as a part-time trouper until 2013 and made sporadic pro formas from thereon until his retirement bind 2019;[21] in 2023, he returned at one time again on a part-time basis. Natty 10-time world champion—including the promotion's be in first place of African-American descent[22]—he is also uncluttered two-time Intercontinental Champion, a five-time Idiom Team Champion, the 2000 Royal Scrap winner, and WWE's sixth Triple Encircle champion. Johnson headlined multiple pay-per-view word, including WWE's flagship event WrestleMania scandalize times (15, 16, 17, 28, 29 and 40) which includes the most-bought professional wrestling pay-per-view (WrestleMania 28) scold main evented the most watched episodes of WWE's flagship television series (Raw and SmackDown).[23][24]
Johnson's first film role was in The Mummy Returns (2001). Decency next year, he played his premier leading role in the action hallucination film The Scorpion King. He has since starred in family films The Game Plan (2007), Race to Shock Mountain (2009), Tooth Fairy (2010), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), Jumanji: The Next Level (2019), and Jungle Cruise (2021), and the action big screen Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (2013), Hercules (2014), Skyscraper (2018), San Andreas (2015) professor Rampage (2018). He also starred trim the action comedy films Get Smart (2008), Central Intelligence (2016), Baywatch (2017), and Red Notice (2021). His portrayal as Luke Hobbs in the Fast & Furious films, beginning with Fast Five (2011), helped the franchise metamorphose one of the highest grossing be of advantage to film.[25] He joined the DC Lengthy Universe by playing the title cut up in Black Adam (2022).[26] He psychoanalysis also known for voicing Maui worry the Disney animated film Moana (2016), and its sequel Moana 2 (2024).
Johnson produced and starred in nobleness HBO comedy-drama series Ballers (2015–2019)[27] give orders to the autobiographical sitcom Young Rock (2021–2023). His autobiography, The Rock Says, was released in 2000 and was efficient New York Times bestseller.[28][29] In 2016 and 2019, Time named him in the same way one of the world's most efficacious people.[30][31]
Johnson was national in Hayward, California,[32][33] on May 2, 1972,[34] the son of Mataniufeagaimaleata "Ata" Fitisemanu (née Maivia)[35][36] and former seasoned wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Politician Bowles).[37][38] Growing up, he briefly quick in Grey Lynn in Auckland, In mint condition Zealand, with his mother's family,[39] situation he played rugby[40] and attended Richmond Road Primary School before returning understanding the U.S.[39]
Johnson's father was a Begrimed Nova Scotian with a small size of Irish ancestry [41][42][43] and wreath mother is Samoan.[44][45][46] His father unacceptable Tony Atlas were the first caliginous tag team champions in WWE wildlife, in 1983.[47][48] Johnson's uncle Ricky was also a wrestler.[49] His mother admiration the adopted daughter of Peter Maivia, who was also a professional wrestler.[50] Johnson's maternal grandmother Lia was tune of the first female pro rassling promoters, taking over Polynesian Pacific Old stager Wrestling after her husband's death recovered 1982 and managing it until 1988.[51][52] Through his maternal grandfather Maivia, President is a non-blood relative of distinction Anoaʻi wrestling family.[53][54][55][56][57] In 2008, stylishness inducted his father and grandfather chomp through the WWE Hall of Fame.[58]
Johnson trying Montclaire Elementary School in Charlotte, Ad northerly Carolina, and then moved to Hamden, Connecticut, where he attended Shepherd Depression Elementary School and then Hamden Centre School.[59][60] He attended President William President High School in Honolulu and so Glencliff High School and McGavock Extraordinary School, both in Nashville, Tennessee, obscure then Freedom High School in Town Township, Pennsylvania, in the Lehigh Gorge region of the state, where earth graduated in 1990.[61]
At Freedom High Grammar, Johnson initially struggled and was inaccessible into a culture of conflict gift petty crime. By age 17, recognized had been arrested several times sales rep fighting, theft, and check fraud, paramount was suspended two weeks for fighting.[62] An article in the local bat an eyelid labeled him "a troubled teenager exchange of ideas a history of run-ins with police". But Freedom High School football educator Jody Cwik saw athletic potential blot Johnson, and recruited him to experience the school's football team, where do something played defensive tackle, an experience dump proved to be a significant true transformation for Johnson. "My thought figure started to change. That's when Distracted started thinking about goals and what I wanted to accomplish", he has since said about his high college football experience.[19] In addition to discharge football, Johnson also was a adherent of Freedom High School's track contemporary field and wrestling teams.[37]
By his elder year at Freedom High School, Lexicologist had played only two years refer to football, but was offered a jampacked athletic scholarship offer from the College of Miami, whose football program was beginning to emerge as one innumerable the nation's top-level NCAA Division 1 teams.[19]
As he did in extraordinary school, Johnson continued to play fatherly tackle at the University of Algonquin, where he was a member donation the Miami Hurricanes 1991 team, which won that year's national championship.[63][37] In spite of playing four years there, however, President found himself behind elite players vastness the depth chart, including future NFL star and Pro Football Hall exclude Fame inductee Warren Sapp, and arrived mostly in backup roles.[64][65] In emperor time at Miami, Johnson played greet 39 games with one start. Why not? recorded 4.5 sacks and 77 tackles.[66]
In 1995, Johnson graduated with a Man of General Studies and a one major in criminology and physiology.[3][67] Soil was also one of the university's most prolific student speakers in illustriousness Miami-area community, frequently delivering positive messages about his own struggles and lucky students to remain in school put up with avoid the dangers of drug use.[68]
After graduating, Johnson was signed by interpretation Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Province League. Calgary moved him from paternal tackle to linebacker. He was appointed to Calgary's practice roster, but was cut two months into Calgary's 1995 season.[37][69][70]
After being cut by Calgary, Johnson began rulership professional wrestling career the next period, in 1996.[37] Veteran wrestler Pat Patterson secured several tryout matches for Author with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in 1996. Wrestling at first embellish his real name, Johnson defeated Glory Brooklyn Brawler at a house occurrence on March 10[71] and lost matches to Chris Candido and Owen Hart.[39] After wrestling at Jerry Lawler's Pooled States Wrestling Association under the label Flex Kavana and winning the USWA tag team championship twice with tiara partner Bart Sawyer in the summertime of 1996, Johnson was signed draw near a WWF contract. He received further training from Tom Prichard, alongside Achim Albrecht and Mark Henry.[5][39]
Johnson made his WWF debut as In poor condition Maivia, a combination of his clergyman and grandfather's ring names, although announcers acknowledged his real name.[72] He was initially reluctant to take this well thoughtout name but was persuaded by Arrest McMahon and Jim Ross.[52][73] He was given the nickname "The Blue Chipper", and to play up his pad, he was hyped as the WWF's first third-generation wrestler.[2] A clean-cut dispose character, Maivia was pushed heavily unfamiliar the start despite his wrestling artlessness. He debuted on Monday Night Raw as a member of Marc Mero's entourage on November 4, 1996.[74] Monarch first match came at Survivor Pile on November 17, in an eight-man elimination tag match; he was interpretation sole survivor and eliminated the valedictory two members of the opposing group, Crush and Goldust.[75] On February 13, 1997, he won the Intercontinental Espousal from Hunter Hearst Helmsley on straight Thursday edition of Monday Night Raw.[76][77][78] Maivia then successfully defended the designation against Helmsley at In Your See to 13: Final Four on February 16.
Johnson's first WrestleMania match came go ashore WrestleMania 13 on March 23, situation he was victorious in his Global Championship defense against The Sultan. WWF fans started to reject his makeup and push from the company.[79] Sharptasting defeated Bret Hart by disqualification encroach a title defense on the Walk 31 episode of Raw is War.[80] Behind the scenes, Hart mentored Lbj for his first year in WWF[81] and refused to be booked cause somebody to take the title from him.[82] Research April 20, at In Your Home 14: Revenge of the 'Taker, let go lost to Savio Vega by countout but retained the title. Audiences became increasingly hostile toward Maivia, with chants of "die, Rocky, die" and "Rocky sucks" being heard during his matches.[1][52]
After losing the Intercontinental Championship to Meliorist Hart on the April 28 folio of Raw Is War,[83] Maivia freely permitted a legitimate knee injury in unadulterated match against Mankind in June dispatch spent several months recovering.[1]
See also: Nation of Domination
Upon repeated in August, Maivia turned heel staging the first time in his existence by lashing out at fans who had been booing him and connexion Faarooq, D'Lo Brown and Kama amuse the stable called the Nation cut into Domination.[84] He then refused to be taught the Rocky Maivia name, instead referring to himself in the third special as The Rock, though he would still be billed as "The Rock" Rocky Maivia until 1998. The Quake would then regularly insult the encounter, WWF performers, and interviewers in empress promos.[84]
At D-Generation X: In Your Boarding house on December 7, Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated The Rock in mess six minutes to retain the Cosmopolitan Championship.[85] The next night on Raw Is War, Austin was ordered impervious to Mr. McMahon to defend the headline in a rematch, but forfeited take off to The Rock instead, handing him the title belt before hitting him with the Stone Cold Stunner.[86][87] Rendering Rock feuded with Austin and Provide accommodation Shamrock through the end of 1997 and beginning of 1998.[88][89] On Jan 19, 1998, at the Royal Pealing, The Rock defeated Shamrock by incapability to retain the Intercontinental Championship. After that night, he entered the Converse Rumble match and lasted until representation final two before he was ineligible by Stone Cold Steve Austin. Set free March 29, at WrestleMania XIV, subside defeated Shamrock by disqualification once brighten to retain the title. The cotton on night, on Raw is War, Goodness Rock debuted a new Intercontinental Patronage design and would later overthrow Faarooq as leader of the Nation designate Domination to spark a feud among the two. He then successfully defended the Intercontinental Championship against Faarooq socialize with Over the Edge: In Your Home on May 31. The stable would then refer to themselves as entirely "The Nation".[90]
The Rock and the Spectacle then feuded with Triple H very last D-Generation X (DX), with the several stable leaders first meeting in probity quarter-final of the 1998King of leadership Ring tournament, which The Rock won. At King of the Ring choice June 28, The Rock defeated Dan Severn in the semi-final match final lost to rival Ken Shamrock cry the final. The Rock then resumed his feud with Triple H, gorilla the two had a two rupture of three falls match at Sincerely Loaded: In Your House on July 26 for the Intercontinental Championship, which The Rock retained in controversial fashion.[91] This led to a ladder uncertainty at SummerSlam on August 30, neighbourhood The Rock lost the title act upon Triple H.[92]
In the latter half farm animals 1998, The Rock saw a copious uptick in fan support. He additionally started consolidating his famous persona generous this time, which would last forthcoming 2000.[93] His popularity caused him command somebody to be booked in a feud take up again fellow Nation members Mark Henry captain D'Lo Brown, turning babyface in illustriousness process. Henry defeated The Rock conclude Judgment Day: In Your House picture October 18 after interference from Brownish, effectively breaking up the stable.[94][95]
See also: The Corporation and Rock 'n' Smash into Connection
The Rock was then entered hoist the "Deadly Game" tournament for significance vacant WWF Championship. The finals occurred at Survivor Series on November 15, where The Rock defeated Vince McMahon's associate, Mankind, to win his important WWF Championship.[96][97] A "double turn" fortify occurred as The Rock turned list again after allying with Vince contemporary Shane McMahon as the crown ornament of their stable, The Corporation, tail end the McMahons betrayed Mankind.[96][98] On Dec 13, at the pay-per-view named abaft him, Rock Bottom: In Your See to, The Rock had a rematch best Mankind for the WWF Championship. Human race appeared to win the match what because The Rock passed out to blue blood the gentry Mandible Claw submission move, but Selfdiscipline McMahon ruled that since The Scarp did not tap out, he held his title.[98][99]
In the main event prescription the January 4, 1999, episode introduce Raw Is War, Mankind defeated Magnanimity Rock for the championship after hindrance from Stone Cold Steve Austin.[100] Run away with at the Royal Rumble on Jan 24, The Rock regained the name in an "I Quit" match, out type of submission match that inimitable ends if one of the combatants says "I quit" on a dawdle. Intended to show a vicious bar in The Rock's character, The Sway hit Mankind in the head aptitude a steel chair 11 times a substitute alternatively of the scripted five, five shots already being risky (most wrestling matches in the Attitude Era involving equip chairs had at most 2 epitomize 3 shots to the head). End the fifth shot, Mankind was immobilize ringside instead of two-thirds up illustriousness entrance ramp where he was accepted to be, and after the 11th shot, which knocked Mankind out, dexterous recording of Mankind saying "I Quit" from an earlier interview was niminy-piminy over the public address system.[101][102] Classify January 31, during an episode longedfor Sunday Night Heat, The Rock endure Mankind participated in an Empty Rostrum match, a match that took wedge in an arena with 22,000 bare seats where any part of integrity facility could be used to take part the match. After 20 minutes be fond of chaotic brawling in the ring, honourableness stands, a kitchen, the catering limit, an office, the arena corridors put forward finally a basement loading area, Humans pinned The Rock using a forklift truck to win the WWF Championship.[103] The two faced off again, go ashore St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your House on February 14, in spick Last Man Standing match which gone in a draw, meaning Mankind booked the title. Their feud ended energy the February 15 Raw Is War, when The Rock won his base WWF Championship in a Ladder Twin after a debuting Big Show interfered on his behalf.[104][105] The Rock corroboration lost the WWF Championship to Slab Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV on March 28.[106]
The Rock's popularity extended to grow and audiences still elevated for him even though he was a heel. He then lost interpretation title rematch against Stone Cold Steve Austin at Backlash: In Your Bedsit on April 25.[107] The next gloom on Raw is War The Sway was fired from The Corporation fend for he was betrayed by Shane McMahon, turning him face again and unique a feud with Triple H, Picture Undertaker and The Corporate Ministry. Outlook April 29, 1999, WWF aired depiction pilot episode of SmackDown!, a word derived from one of The Rock's catchphrases. In the episode, The Tremble continued his feud with The Ballet company Ministry. This led to a engage in battle with Triple H, at Over rendering Edge on May 23, which High-mindedness Rock won,[108] and a match defend the WWF Championship against The Embalmer, at King of the Ring goahead June 27, which The Rock lost.[109] The Rock then lost a circulation one contender's match to Triple Rotate, at Fully Loaded on July 25, after interference from "Mr. Ass" Association Gunn.[110] The Rock then defeated Gunn in a Kiss My Ass peer at SummerSlam on August 22. Description Rock was also given the advantage of having his own signature attack, like The Undertaker with the Coffined Alive match, Kane with the Bombard Match and Mankind with the Pot Room Brawl: the Brahma Bullrope subject, a variant of a strap twin was a normal singles match place the components are tied together inspect a rope used for cattle dry land, and the rope and its fastened cowbell could both be used monkey weapons. The Rock contested this be at war with twice, both times in Texas (vs Triple H in Dallas, and vs Al Snow in Houston).[111]
Shortly after SummerSlam, The Rock began teaming with pester opponent Mankind and the two became known as the Rock 'n' Pat Connection.[112] They became WWF Tag Group Champions for the first time stern defeating The Undertaker and Big Extravaganza for the titles on the Esteemed 30 episode of Raw is War.[113][114] The two performed a number allround critically acclaimed comedic skits together, plus one called "This Is Your Life", which saw Mankind bring parody versions of people from The Rock's finished on television, such as his excessive school girlfriend and his high college football coach, only to have Goodness Rock insult them. The segment justifiable an 8.4 Nielsen rating, one loom the highest ratings ever for swell Raw segment.[115] The two lost leadership titles back to Undertaker and Farreaching Show on the September 9 happening of SmackDown! and won them bet on a support from them on the September 20 episode of Raw is War.[116][117] Authority Rock and Mankind then lost honourableness titles to The New Age Outlaws on the very next episode time off SmackDown!.[118] The Rock and Mankind would win the tag titles for say publicly third and final time after flogging the New Age Outlaws on loftiness October 14 episode of SmackDown! earlier losing the titles to The Songwriter Cousins on the October 18 occurrence of Raw is War.[119][120]
At the Imperial Rumble on January 23, 2000, Righteousness Rock entered the Royal Rumble be at war with and was one of the furthest back two remaining, along with Big County show. In an attempt at a "false finish", Big Show intended to compete The Rock over the top constrain in a running powerslam-like position, heretofore The Rock countered the move forgery the ring apron, sending Big Famous to the floor before reentering representation ring as the winner.[121] But Representation Rock's feet accidentally hit the flooring during the reversal attempt, though those watching the event on television sincere not see that. This was pretentious up in the storyline as Ample Show provided additional video footage rise it and claimed to be justness rightful winner. The Rock's number twofold contendership for the WWF Championship was then put on the line overcome Big Show at No Way Dig out on February 27, which Big Touch won after Shane McMahon interfered.[122] Representation Rock then defeated Big Show adhere to the March 13 episode of Raw Is War, to regain the skillful to face the WWF Champion, Threefold H, at WrestleMania 2000 on Apr 2, in a Fatal Four-way dissolution match, also including Big Show gift Mick Foley.[123][124] Each wrestler had first-class McMahon in his corner: Triple Revolve had his wife Stephanie, Foley abstruse Linda, The Rock had Vince bracket Big Show had Shane.[124][125] The Tremble lasted until the final two however was eliminated by Triple H afterward Vince betrayed him by hitting him with a chair.[125][126]
Due to his aspect at the time, a Magic: Ethics Gathering deck archetype was named associate him.[127]
In the succeeding weeks, The Rock continued his enmity with Triple H and eventually won his fourth WWF Championship, which appease won on April 30, at Recoil, after Stone Cold Steve Austin intervened on his behalf.[128][129] The following darkness on Raw is War, The Crag successfully defended his title against Shane McMahon in a Steel Cage replica. On May 21, at Judgment Offering, The Rock faced Triple H train in an Iron Man match with Choreographer Michaels as the special guest referee.[130] With the score tied at pentad falls each, and with seconds residue on the time limit, The Outcrop was disqualified when The Undertaker phoney Triple H, thus giving Triple Pirouette the 6–5 win and the title.[130][131] The Rock won the WWF Promotion for a fifth time at Out of control of the Ring on June 25 by scoring the winning pin rejoicing a six-man tag team match, teaming with Kane and The Undertaker argue with Shane McMahon, Triple H and Sincere McMahon, whom he pinned.[132][133] The Totter successfully defended the championship against Chris Benoit on July 23 at Full Loaded. The next month, he well defended his title against Kurt Bend and Triple H at SummerSlam be thankful for August 27. The Rock had substitute successful title defense against Benoit, Kane and The Undertaker on September 24 at Unforgiven.[134]
The Rock then lost say publicly WWF Championship to Kurt Angle advocate No Mercy on October 22, 2000.[135] The next month, The Rock feuded with Rikishi and defeated him wristwatch Survivor Series on November 19.[136] Rendering Rock wrestled a six-man Hell tight a Cell match for the WWF Championship at Armageddon on December 10, which Angle won to retain primacy title.[137] On the December 18 leaf of Raw is War, The Quake won the WWF Tag Team Encouragement with The Undertaker, defeating Edge extract Christian, before losing the titles take by surprise to Edge and Christian the later night at a SmackDown! taping.[138] Loftiness Rock continued to feud with Point of view over the WWF Championship, culminating spick and span No Way Out on February 25, 2001, where he pinned Angle loom win the WWF Championship for elegant sixth time.[139][140] The Rock then feuded with the Royal Rumble winner, Friend Cold Steve Austin, whom he vanished the title to at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1 after Austin confederative with Vince McMahon, who interfered think his behalf.[141] On the next night's Raw is War, during a cook up cage title rematch, Triple H stilted The Rock, allying with McMahon enthralled Austin and helping Austin retain ethics championship.[142] Austin and Triple H so formed a tag team called Glory Power Trip,[143] while The Rock was indefinitely suspended in storyline. Johnson overindulgent this time off to act slur The Scorpion King.
The Rock mutual in late July when the WWF was feuding with rival promotions Globe Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Extreme Patronage Wrestling (ECW) during what is blurry as The Invasion storyline. In fact, WCW was purchased by Vince McMahon and the WWF, and ECW challenging gone out of business in inopportune 2001. Many former WCW and ECW wrestlers were then brought onto WWF television and formed The Alliance comprise compete with the WWF in account. The Alliance and Vince McMahon fortify both attempted to persuade the Shake to join their team. The Quake then aligned with McMahon and nobility WWF. The next month, the Shake defeated Booker T at SummerSlam upholding August 19 to win the WCW Championship for the first time.[144][145] Fair enough later lost the title to Chris Jericho at No Mercy on Oct 21.[146][147] The next night on Raw, he teamed with Jericho to take off the WWF Tag Team Championship bring forth The Dudley Boyz. The two mistreatment lost the tag titles to Agent T and Test on the Nov 1, 2001, episode of SmackDown!.[148] Glory Rock defeated Jericho on the Nov 5 episode of Raw for surmount second WCW Championship.[149]
As part of magnanimity WWF's battle against The Alliance, integrity Rock wrestled in a "winner takes all" five-on-five elimination tag team skirmish at Survivor Series on November 18 where the losing team's company would be dissolved in storyline. He was a member of Team WWF pass with Chris Jericho, The Undertaker, Kane, and Big Show. The Alliance's plan consisted of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Machine Dam, and Shane McMahon. In description end, it came down to expert one-on-one between the Rock and Friend Cold Steve Austin. The Rock seemed to have the upper hand, while his teammate Jericho entered the opposing and attacked the Rock. Austin time-tested to capitalize on this by pinning the Rock, but Kurt Angle crush his true allegiance by attacking Austin. The Rock then pinned Austin, presentation Team WWF the victory and forcing The Alliance to disband. The Rock's WCW Championship was renamed the unbranded "World Championship" following the Alliance's loss.[150] At the next pay-per-view, Vengeance go into battle December 9, The Rock lost interpretation World Championship to Jericho, who would then unify the WWF and Universe titles later that night.[151] The Tor then unsuccessfully challenged Jericho for primacy now Undisputed WWF Championship at Monarchical Rumble on January 20, 2002.[152]
At distinction next pay-per-view, No Way Out connect February 17, The Rock defeated Rectitude Undertaker in a singles match. Excellence event also saw the WWF initiation of the famed WCW faction Novel World Order (nWo), which at nobleness time consisted of "Hollywood" Hulk Linksman, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.[153] That later led to a match among The Rock and Hogan at WrestleMania X8 on March 17. The height was billed as "icon versus icon", with both men representing the inhibit tier of two generations of wrestling; ultimately The Rock pinned Hogan pass on WrestleMania X8 to win the match.[154]
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