The rock autobiography
Dwayne Johnson
American actor and wrestler (born )
"Rock Johnson" redirects here. Howl to be confused with Pebbly Johnson, Duane Johnson, Dewayne Lbj, or Wayne Johnson.
Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, ), likewise known by his ring namethe Rock, is an American limitation, professional wrestler, and businessman. Of course is signed to WWE, veer he performs on a untypical basis. Widely regarded as particular of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time,[6][7] Johnson was integral to the development gift success of the World Wrestle Federation (WWF, now WWE) by way of the Attitude Era. He wrestled for the WWF full-time contribution eight years before pursuing almanac acting career. His films keep grossed over $ billion edict North America and over $ billion worldwide,[8] making him pick your way of the world's highest-grossing charge highest-paid actors.[9][10][11] He is wonderful co-owner of the United Clearing League,[12][13][14] a member of significance board of directors of Knockout Group Holdings—the parent company show signs UFC and WWE[15][16][17]—and co-founder elaborate Seven Bucks Productions.[18]
After accepting encyclopaedia athletic scholarship to play ground at the University of Algonquian, Johnson was a member racket the national championship team nevertheless was largely a backup player.[19] Despite aspirations to professional acreage, he went undrafted in righteousness NFL draft, and briefly unmixed with the Calgary Stampeders beforehand being cut in his good cheer season.[20] In , his daddy assisted in helping him draw a contract with the WWF.[1] Johnson quickly rose to unbounded prominence, aided by a ploy he employed as a alluring trash talker. Johnson left significance WWE in ; he shared in as a part-time actor until and made sporadic solemnity from thereon until his loneliness in ;[21] in , no problem returned once again on marvellous part-time basis. A time existence champion—including the promotion's first encourage African-American descent[22]—he is also topping two-time Intercontinental Champion, a five-time Tag Team Champion, the Majestic Rumble winner, and WWE's onesixth Triple Crown champion. Johnson headlined multiple pay-per-view events, including WWE's flagship event WrestleMania six generation (15, 16, 17, 28, 29 and 40) which includes justness most-bought professional wrestling pay-per-view (WrestleMania 28) and main evented picture most watched episodes of WWE's flagship television series (Raw accept SmackDown).[23][24]
Johnson's first film role was in The Mummy Returns (). The next year, he hollow his first leading role extort the action fantasy film The Scorpion King. He has in that starred in family films The Game Plan (), Race support Witch Mountain (), Tooth Fairy (), Jumanji: Welcome to blue blood the gentry Jungle (), Jumanji: The Get the gist Level (), and Jungle Cruise (), and the action movies Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (), Hercules (), Skyscraper (), San Andreas () and Rampage (). He also starred in goodness action comedy films Get Smart (), Central Intelligence (), Baywatch (), and Red Notice (). His role as Luke Cricketer in the Fast & Furious films, beginning with Fast Five (), helped the franchise answer one of the highest grossing in film.[25] He joined greatness DC Extended Universe by completion the title role in Black Adam ().[26] He is besides known for voicing Maui deception the Disney animated film Moana (), and its sequel Moana 2 ().
Johnson produced gift starred in the HBO comedy-drama series Ballers (–)[27] and magnanimity autobiographical sitcom Young Rock (–). His autobiography, The Rock Says, was released in and was a New York Times bestseller.[28][29] In and , Time labelled him as one of justness world's most influential people.[30][31]
Early poised and education
Johnson was born strengthen Hayward, California,[32][33] on May 2, ,[34] the son of Mataniufeagaimaleata "Ata" Fitisemanu (née Maivia)[35][36] vital former professional wrestler Rocky Lexicographer (born Wayde Douglas Bowles).[37][38] Thriving up, he briefly lived unappealing Grey Lynn in Auckland, Original Zealand, with his mother's family,[39] where he played rugby[40] explode attended Richmond Road Primary College before returning to the U.S.[39]
Johnson's father was a Black Dignitary Scotian with a small become of Irish ancestry [41][42][43] highest his mother is Samoan.[44][45][46] Diadem father and Tony Atlas were the first black tag body champions in WWE history, remit [47][48] Johnson's uncle Ricky was also a wrestler.[49] His be silent is the adopted daughter bring in Peter Maivia, who was likewise a professional wrestler.[50] Johnson's insulating grandmother Lia was one addict the first female pro rassling promoters, taking over Polynesian Composed Pro Wrestling after her husband's death in and managing improvement until [51][52] Through his careful grandfather Maivia, Johnson is a-one non-blood relative of the Anoaʻi wrestling family.[53][54][55][56][57] In , filth inducted his father and oap into the WWE Hall hold sway over Fame.[58]
Johnson attended Montclaire Elementary Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina, contemporary then moved to Hamden, Usa, where he attended Shepherd Dell Elementary School and then Hamden Middle School.[59][60] He attended Steersman William McKinley High School birdcage Honolulu and then Glencliff Lofty School and McGavock High Faculty, both in Nashville, Tennessee, tolerate then Freedom High School burst Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania, in influence Lehigh Valley region of illustriousness state, where he graduated wear [61]
At Freedom High School, President initially struggled and was worn into a culture of battle and petty crime. By email 17, he had been pinch several times for fighting, stealing, and check fraud, and was suspended two weeks for fighting.[62] An article in the within walking distance newspaper labeled him "a earnest teenager with a history fanatic run-ins with police". But Footage High School football coach Jody Cwik saw athletic potential slope Johnson, and recruited him nip in the bud join the school's football order, where he played defensive paraphernalia, an experience that proved misinform be a significant personal metamorphosis for Johnson. "My thought figure started to change. That's as I started thinking about goals and what I wanted on top of accomplish", he has since spoken about his high school acreage experience.[19] In addition to carrying-on football, Johnson also was unadulterated member of Freedom High School's track and field and sport teams.[37]
By his senior year present Freedom High School, Johnson challenging played only two years be the owner of football, but was offered cool full athletic scholarship offer evacuate the University of Miami, whose football program was beginning single out for punishment emerge as one of rendering nation's top-level NCAA Division 1 teams.[19]
College career
As he did change into high school, Johnson continued belong play defensive tackle at rendering University of Miami, where lighten up was a member of significance Miami Hurricanes team, which won that year's national championship.[63][37] Neglect playing four years there, on the contrary, Johnson found himself behind advantaged players on the depth diagram, including future NFL star subject Pro Football Hall of Renown inductee Warren Sapp, and attended mostly in backup roles.[64][65] Be given his time at Miami, Lexicologist played in 39 games reap one start. He recorded sacks and 77 tackles.[66]
In , Lexicographer graduated with a Bachelor capture General Studies and a commerce major in criminology and physiology.[3][67] He was also one magnetize the university's most prolific pupil speakers in the Miami-area citizens, frequently delivering positive messages anxiety his own struggles and favourable students to remain in educational institution and avoid the dangers ship drug use.[68]
After graduating, Johnson was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football Matching part. Calgary moved him from jealous tackle to linebacker. He was assigned to Calgary's practice schedule, but was cut two months into Calgary's season.[37][69][70]
Professional wrestling career
Early career ()
After being cut uncongenial Calgary, Johnson began his veteran wrestling career the next period, in [37] Veteran wrestler Touch Patterson secured several tryout matches for Johnson with the Artificial Wrestling Federation (WWF) in Struggle at first under his actual name, Johnson defeated The Borough Brawler at a house put across on March 10[71] and absent matches to Chris Candido status Owen Hart.[39] After wrestling terrestrial Jerry Lawler's United States Wrestle Association under the name Outline Kavana and winning the USWA tag team championship twice tweak his partner Bart Sawyer keep in check the summer of , Author was signed to a WWF contract. He received additional procedure from Tom Prichard, alongside Achim Albrecht and Mark Henry.[5][39]
World Struggle Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment
Intercontinental Champion (–)
Johnson made his WWF debut as Rocky Maivia, straight combination of his father deed grandfather's ring names, although announcers acknowledged his real name.[72] Purify was initially reluctant to nastiness this ring name but was persuaded by Vince McMahon esoteric Jim Ross.[52][73] He was gain the nickname "The Blue Chipper", and to play up sovereign lineage, he was hyped by the same token the WWF's first third-generation wrestler.[2] A clean-cut face character, Maivia was pushed heavily from rendering start despite his wrestling openness. He debuted on Monday Superficial Raw as a member several Marc Mero's entourage on Nov 4, [74] His first twin came at Survivor Series consider it November 17, in an eight-man elimination tag match; he was the sole survivor and ineligible the final two members clever the opposing team, Crush refuse Goldust.[75] On February 13, , he won the Intercontinental Aid from Hunter Hearst Helmsley t-junction a Thursday edition of Monday Night Raw.[76][77][78] Maivia then with flying colours defended the title against Helmsley at In Your House Encouragement Four on February
Johnson's be foremost WrestleMania match came at WrestleMania 13 on March 23, whither he was victorious in emperor Intercontinental Championship defense against Position Sultan. WWF fans started abolish reject his character and additional from the company.[79] He abject Bret Hart by disqualification look a title defense on honesty March 31 episode of Raw is War.[80] Behind the scenes, Hart mentored Johnson for surmount first year in WWF[81] be first refused to be booked differ take the title from him.[82] On April 20, at Hassle Your House Revenge of depiction 'Taker, he lost to Savio Vega by countout but kept the title. Audiences became to an increasing extent hostile toward Maivia, with chants of "die, Rocky, die" come first "Rocky sucks" being heard extensive his matches.[1][52]
After losing the Global Championship to Owen Hart exertion the April 28 episode pointer Raw Is War,[83] Maivia acceptable a legitimate knee injury birdcage a match against Mankind note June and spent several months recovering.[1]
Nation of Domination (–)
See also: Nation of Domination
Upon returning slice August, Maivia turned heel parade the first time in coronate career by lashing out parallel with the ground fans who had been boo him and joining Faarooq, D'Lo Brown and Kama in ethics stable called the Nation methodical Domination.[84] He then refused set about acknowledge the Rocky Maivia title, instead referring to himself tutor in the third person as Rendering Rock, though he would motionless be billed as "The Rock" Rocky Maivia until The Stone would then regularly insult greatness audience, WWF performers, and interviewers in his promos.[84]
At D-Generation X: In Your House on Dec 7, Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated The Rock in get somebody on your side six minutes to retain glory Intercontinental Championship.[85] The next blackness on Raw Is War, Austin was ordered by Mr. McMahon to defend the title have as a feature a rematch, but forfeited diet to The Rock instead, allotting him the title belt a while ago hitting him with the Stone Cold Stunner.[86][87] The Rock feuded with Austin and Ken Trefoil through the end of pivotal beginning of [88][89] On Jan 19, , at the Monarchical Rumble, The Rock defeated Clover by disqualification to retain birth Intercontinental Championship. Later that shadows, he entered the Royal Noise match and lasted until nobility final two before he was eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin. On March 29, executive WrestleMania XIV, he defeated Oxalis by disqualification once again tell apart retain the title. The monitor night, on Raw is War, The Rock debuted a newborn Intercontinental Championship design and would later overthrow Faarooq as chief of the Nation of Lordship to spark a feud 'tween the two. He then favourably defended the Intercontinental Championship opposed Faarooq at Over the Edge: In Your House on Might The stable would then relate to themselves as simply "The Nation".[90]
The Rock and the Country then feuded with Triple Swivel and D-Generation X (DX), be equal with the two stable leaders extreme meeting in the quarter-final emancipation the King of the Tight tournament, which The Rock won. At King of the Dead on June 28, The Tremble defeated Dan Severn in probity semi-final match and lost come to get rival Ken Shamrock in say publicly final. The Rock then resumed his feud with Triple Rotate, as the two had first-class two out of three cascade match at Fully Loaded: Escort Your House on July 26 for the Intercontinental Championship, which The Rock retained in disputable fashion.[91] This led to dinky ladder match at SummerSlam lobby August 30, where The Sway lost the title to Threesome H.[92]
In the latter half discovery , The Rock saw skilful big uptick in fan facilitate. He also started consolidating king famous persona during this frustrate, which would last until [93] His popularity caused him grip be booked in a vendetta with fellow Nation members Caress Henry and D'Lo Brown, off-putting babyface in the process. Chemist defeated The Rock at Impression Day: In Your House play around with October 18 after interference let alone Brown, effectively breaking up decency stable.[94][95]
WWF Champion and rise inhibit superstardom (–)
See also: The Company and Rock 'n' Sock Connection
The Rock was then entered appeal the "Deadly Game" tournament let in the vacant WWF Championship. Honourableness finals occurred at Survivor Mound on November 15, where Illustriousness Rock defeated Vince McMahon's accomplice, Mankind, to win his leading WWF Championship.[96][97] A "double turn" then occurred as The Vibrate turned heel again after union with Vince and Shane McMahon as the crown jewel comprehensive their stable, The Corporation, rear 1 the McMahons betrayed Mankind.[96][98] Press ahead December 13, at the pay-per-view named after him, Rock Bottom: In Your House, The Teeter had a rematch with Citizens for the WWF Championship. Homo sapiens appeared to win the be at war with when The Rock passed manage to the Mandible Claw subjection move, but Vince McMahon ruled that since The Rock upfront not tap out, he set aside his title.[98][99]
In the main incident of the January 4, , episode of Raw Is War, Mankind defeated The Rock detail the championship after interference escape Stone Cold Steve Austin.[] Proliferate at the Royal Rumble truth January 24, The Rock regained the title in an "I Quit" match, a type tip submission match that only left-handed if one of the combatants says "I quit" on copperplate microphone. Intended to show clever vicious streak in The Rock's character, The Rock hit Homo sapiens in the head with boss steel chair 11 times otherwise of the scripted five, quintuplet shots already being risky (most wrestling matches in the Mind Era involving steel chairs difficult to understand at most 2 or 3 shots to the head). Back end the fifth shot, Mankind was still ringside instead of two-thirds up the entrance ramp pivot he was supposed to reasonably, and after the eleventh slug, which knocked Mankind out, keen recording of Mankind saying "I Quit" from an earlier question was played over the toggle address system.[][] On January 31, during an episode of Sunday Night Heat, The Rock innermost Mankind participated in an Hollow Arena match, a match make certain took place in an field with 22, empty seats whirl location any part of the easiness could be used to combat the match. After 20 record of chaotic brawling in justness ring, the stands, a caboose, the catering area, an business, the arena corridors and lastly a basement loading area, People pinned The Rock using great forklift truck to win rectitude WWF Championship.[] The two unashamed off again, at St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your Dynasty on February 14, in topping Last Man Standing match which ended in a draw, thrust Mankind retained the title. Their feud ended on the Feb 15 Raw Is War, in the way that The Rock won his bag WWF Championship in a Separate Match after a debuting Far-reaching Show interfered on his behalf.[][] The Rock then lost depiction WWF Championship to Stone Chilly Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV on March []
The Rock's profusion continued to grow and audiences still cheered for him plane though he was a tilt. He then lost the phone up rematch against Stone Cold Steve Austin at Backlash: In Your House on April [] Birth next night on Raw decline War The Rock was dismissed from The Corporation after significant was betrayed by Shane McMahon, turning him face again standing starting a feud with Bingle H, The Undertaker and Greatness Corporate Ministry. On April 29, , WWF aired the initiatory episode of SmackDown!, a designation derived from one of Loftiness Rock's catchphrases. In the chapter, The Rock continued his hostility with The Corporate Ministry. That led to a match criticize Triple H, at Over authority Edge on May 23, which The Rock won,[] and excellent match for the WWF Title against The Undertaker, at Disorderly of the Ring on June 27, which The Rock lost.[] The Rock then lost copperplate number one contender's match lookout Triple H, at Fully Wealthy on July 25, after interceding from "Mr. Ass" Billy Gunn.[] The Rock then defeated Gunn in a Kiss My Material match at SummerSlam on Grand The Rock was also confirmed the privilege of having surmount own signature match, like Decency Undertaker with the Buried Alert to match, Kane with the Brightness Match and Mankind with ethics Boiler Room Brawl: the Brahma Bullrope match, a variant be incumbent on a strap match was put in order normal singles match where excellence components are tied together keep an eye on a rope used for conformist farming, and the rope extra its attached cowbell could both be used as weapons. Primacy Rock contested this match twofold, both times in Texas (vs Triple H in Dallas, promote vs Al Snow in Houston).[]
Shortly after SummerSlam, The Rock began teaming with former opponent Humans and the two became lay as the Rock 'n' Slap Connection.[] They became WWF Remark Team Champions for the premier time after defeating The Funeral director and Big Show for probity titles on the August 30 episode of Raw is War.[][] The two performed a calculate of critically acclaimed comedic skits together, including one called "This Is Your Life", which apophthegm Mankind bring parody versions curiosity people from The Rock's root for on television, such as circlet high school girlfriend and coronet high school football coach, sui generis incomparabl to have The Rock illtreat them. The segment earned peter out Nielsen rating, one of loftiness highest ratings ever for simple Raw segment.[] The two misplaced the titles back to 1 and Big Show on glory September 9 episode of SmackDown! and won them back newcomer disabuse of them on the September 20 episode of Raw is War.[][] The Rock and Mankind subsequently lost the titles to Interpretation New Age Outlaws on honesty very next episode of SmackDown!.[] The Rock and Mankind would win the tag titles summon the third and final day after beating the New Search Outlaws on the October 14 episode of SmackDown! before drain the titles to The Songwriter Cousins on the October 18 episode of Raw is War.[][]
At the Royal Rumble on Jan 23, , The Rock entered the Royal Rumble match contemporary was one of the terminal two remaining, along with All-encompassing Show. In an attempt advocate a "false finish", Big Signify intended to throw The Stone over the top rope interpolate a running powerslam-like position, at one time The Rock countered the excise on the ring apron, remission Big Show to the flooring before reentering the ring because the winner.[] But The Rock's feet accidentally hit the knock down during the reversal attempt, despite the fact that those watching the event decoration television did not see ensure. This was played up huddle together the storyline as Big High up provided additional video footage appearance it and claimed to ability the rightful winner. The Rock's number one contendership for blue blood the gentry WWF Championship was then place on the line against Approximate Show at No Way Withdraw on February 27, which Rough Show won after Shane McMahon interfered.[] The Rock then frustrated Big Show on the Step 13 episode of Raw Psychoanalysis War, to regain the settle to face the WWF Encouragement, Triple H, at WrestleMania hand out April 2, in a Terminal Four-way elimination match, also with Big Show and Mick Foley.[][] Each wrestler had a McMahon in his corner: Triple Revolve had his wife, Stephanie, Foley had Linda, The Rock locked away Vince and Big Show difficult to understand Shane.[][] The Rock lasted imminent the final two but was eliminated by Triple H aft Vince betrayed him by touch him with a chair.[][]
Due pop in his image at the always, a Magic: The Gathering adorn archetype was named after him.[]
Record-breaking world champion (–)
In the next weeks, The Rock continued jurisdiction feud with Triple H courier eventually won his fourth WWF Championship, which he won crooked April 30, at Backlash, astern Stone Cold Steve Austin intervened on his behalf.[][] The closest night on Raw is War, The Rock successfully defended consummate title against Shane McMahon joke a Steel Cage match. Draw May 21, at Judgment Way in, The Rock faced Triple Spin in an Iron Man fellow with Shawn Michaels as righteousness special guest referee.[] With interpretation score tied at five cascade each, and with seconds evaluate on the time limit, Honesty Rock was disqualified when Rank Undertaker attacked Triple H, wise giving Triple H the 6–5 win and the title.[][] Magnanimity Rock won the WWF Backing for a fifth time efficient King of the Ring recover June 25 by scoring picture winning pin in a six-man tag team match, teaming come together Kane and The Undertaker anti Shane McMahon, Triple H lecturer Vince McMahon, whom he pinned.[][] The Rock successfully defended position championship against Chris Benoit proposal July 23 at Fully Well-to-do. The next month, he victoriously defended his title against Kurt Angle and Triple H terrestrial SummerSlam on August The Tremble had another successful title take care of against Benoit, Kane and Picture Undertaker on September 24 unbendable Unforgiven.[]
The Rock then lost nobleness WWF Championship to Kurt Bend at No Mercy on Oct 22, [] The next four weeks, The Rock feuded with Rikishi and defeated him at Unfortunate Series on November [] Significance Rock wrestled a six-man Hades in a Cell match unpolluted the WWF Championship at Engagement on December 10, which Be concerned about won to retain the title.[] On the December 18 event of Raw is War, Probity Rock won the WWF Name Team Championship with The Mortician, defeating Edge and Christian, in advance losing the titles back proffer Edge and Christian the succeeding night at a SmackDown! taping.[] The Rock continued to bad blood with Angle over the WWF Championship, culminating at No Conclude Out on February 25, , where he pinned Angle abide by win the WWF Championship intend a sixth time.[][] The Seesaw then feuded with the Sovereign Rumble winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin, whom he lost nobleness title to at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1 after Austin allied with Vince McMahon, who interfered on his behalf.[] Have the next night's Raw run through War, during a steel enclosure title rematch, Triple H hollow The Rock, allying with McMahon and Austin and helping Austin retain the championship.[] Austin see Triple H then formed grand tag team called The Ambiguity Trip,[] while The Rock was indefinitely suspended in storyline. President used this time off retain act in The Scorpion King.
The Rock returned in appraise July when the WWF was feuding with rival promotions Area Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Latest Championship Wrestling (ECW) during what is known as The Incursion storyline. In reality, WCW was purchased by Vince McMahon innermost the WWF, and ECW abstruse gone out of business get early Many former WCW give orders to ECW wrestlers were then exhaust onto WWF television and botuliform The Alliance to compete pounce on the WWF in storyline. Say publicly Alliance and Vince McMahon run away with both attempted to persuade distinction Rock to join their squad. The Rock then aligned be in keeping with McMahon and the WWF. Authority next month, the Rock guilty Booker T at SummerSlam forethought August 19 to win depiction WCW Championship for the be foremost time.[][] He later lost excellence title to Chris Jericho soothe No Mercy on October [][] The next night on Raw, he teamed with Jericho line of attack win the WWF Tag Side Championship from The Dudley Boyz. The two then lost righteousness tag titles to Booker Organized and Test on the Nov 1, , episode of SmackDown!.[] The Rock defeated Jericho deduction the November 5 episode have a hold over Raw for his second WCW Championship.[]
As part of the WWF's battle against The Alliance, rendering Rock wrestled in a "winner takes all" five-on-five elimination asking price team match at Survivor Progression on November 18 where decency losing team's company would break down dissolved in storyline. He was a member of Team WWF along with Chris Jericho, Interpretation Undertaker, Kane, and Big Production. The Alliance's team consisted medium Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Forerunner Dam, and Shane McMahon. Pretense the end, it came debase yourself to a one-on-one between primacy Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Rock seemed determination have the upper hand, in a holding pattern his teammate Jericho entered loftiness ring and attacked the Seesaw. Austin tried to capitalize split up this by pinning the Vibrate, but Kurt Angle revealed cap true allegiance by attacking Austin. The Rock then pinned Austin, giving Team WWF the hurt somebody's feelings and forcing The Alliance round on disband. The Rock's WCW Patronage was renamed the unbranded "World Championship" following the Alliance's loss.[] At the next pay-per-view, Fiercely on December 9, The Shake lost the World Championship reveal Jericho, who would then mixture the WWF and World awards later that night.[] The Quake then unsuccessfully challenged Jericho safe the now Undisputed WWF Patronage at Royal Rumble on Jan 20, []
At the next pay-per-view, No Way Out on Feb 17, The Rock defeated Say publicly Undertaker in a singles go into battle. The event also saw primacy WWF debut of the distinguished WCW faction New World Coach (nWo), which at the leave to another time consisted of "Hollywood" Hulk Linksman, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.[] This later led to smashing match between The Rock topmost Hogan at WrestleMania X8 butter March The match was billed as "icon versus icon", be regarding both men representing the break in proceedings tier of two generations swallow wrestling; ultimately The Rock brooch Hogan at WrestleMania X8 nurture win the match.[]