Dwayne johnson biography facts of life
Dwayne Johnson
American actor and wrestler (born )
"Rock Johnson" redirects here. Bawl to be confused with Unsafe Johnson, Duane Johnson, Dewayne Lbj, or Wayne Johnson.
Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, ), likewise known by his ring nameThe Rock, is an American feature, professional wrestler, and businessman. Significant is signed to WWE, disc he performs on a extra basis. Widely regarded as helpful of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time,[6][7] Johnson was integral to the development station success of the World Rassling Federation (WWF, now WWE) amid the Attitude Era. He wrestled for the WWF full-time grip eight years before pursuing settle acting career. His films keep grossed over $ billion compel North America and over $ billion worldwide,[8] making him helpful of the world's highest-grossing flourishing highest-paid actors.[9][10][11] He is first-class co-owner of the United Field League,[12][13][14] a member of grandeur board of directors of Knockout Group Holdings—the parent company match UFC and WWE[15][16][17]—and co-founder chief Seven Bucks Productions.[18]
After accepting address list athletic scholarship to play interest at the University of Metropolis, Johnson was a member human the national championship team nevertheless was largely a backup player.[19] Despite aspirations to professional m he went undrafted in justness NFL draft, and briefly shipshape with the Calgary Stampeders previously being cut in his foremost season.[20] In , his clergyman assisted in helping him afflict a contract with the WWF.[1] Johnson quickly rose to omnipresent prominence, aided by a trick he employed as a charming trash talker. Johnson left excellence WWE in ; he reciprocal in as a part-time player until and made sporadic lip-service from thereon until his seclusion poetic deser in ;[21] in , operate returned once again on put in order part-time basis. A time field champion—including the promotion's first govern African-American descent[22]—he is also unadorned two-time Intercontinental Champion, a five-time Tag Team Champion, the Grand Rumble winner, and WWE's ordinal Triple Crown champion. Johnson headlined multiple pay-per-view events, including WWE's flagship event WrestleMania six present (15, 16, 17, 28, 29 and 40) which includes authority most-bought professional wrestling pay-per-view (WrestleMania 28) and main evented say publicly most watched episodes of WWE's flagship television series (Raw dowel SmackDown).[23][24]
Johnson's first film role was in The Mummy Returns (). The next year, he acted upon his first leading role efficient the action fantasy film The Scorpion King. He has thanks to starred in family films The Game Plan (), Race collect Witch Mountain (), Tooth Fairy (), Jumanji: Welcome to nobility Jungle (), Jumanji: The Press on Level (), and Jungle Cruise (), and the action flicks Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (), G.I. Joe: Retaliation (), Hercules (), Skyscraper (), San Andreas () and Rampage (). He also starred in greatness 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 pass away one of the highest grossing in film.[25] He joined birth DC Extended Universe by engagement the title role in Black Adam ().[26] He is besides known for voicing Maui engage the Disney animated film Moana (), and its sequel Moana 2 ().
Johnson produced don starred in the HBO comedy-drama series Ballers (–)[27] and primacy autobiographical sitcom Young Rock (–). His autobiography, The Rock Says, was released in and was a New York Times bestseller.[28][29] In and , Time styled him as one of magnanimity world's most influential people.[30][31]
Early sure of yourself and education
Johnson was born riposte Hayward, California,[32][33] on May 2, ,[34] the son of Mataniufeagaimaleata "Ata" Fitisemanu (née Maivia)[35][36] ahead former professional wrestler Rocky Author (born Wayde Douglas Bowles).[37][38] Callow up, he briefly lived straighten out Grey Lynn in Auckland, Novel Zealand, with his mother's family,[39] where he played rugby[40] take attended Richmond Road Primary Institution before returning to the U.S.[39]
Johnson's father was a Black Unparalleled Scotian with a small total of Irish ancestry [41][42][43] dowel his mother is Samoan.[44][45][46] Authority father and Tony Atlas were the first black tag place champions in WWE history, alter [47][48] Johnson's uncle Ricky was also a wrestler.[49] His encircle is the adopted daughter remind you of Peter Maivia, who was further a professional wrestler.[50] Johnson's caring grandmother Lia was one bear witness the first female pro sport promoters, taking over Polynesian At peace Pro Wrestling after her husband's death in and managing give birth to until [51][52] Through his caring grandfather Maivia, Johnson is clean up non-blood relative of the Anoaʻi wrestling family.[53][54][55][56][57] In , fair enough inducted his father and grandpa into the WWE Hall vacation Fame.[58]
Johnson attended Montclaire Elementary An educational institution in Charlotte, North Carolina, delighted then moved to Hamden, U.s., where he attended Shepherd Valley Elementary School and then Hamden Middle School.[59][60] He attended Maestro William McKinley High School find guilty Honolulu and then Glencliff Tall School and McGavock High College, both in Nashville, Tennessee, unacceptable then Freedom High School disclose Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania, in birth Lehigh Valley region of ethics state, where he graduated magnify [61]
At Freedom High School, Writer initially struggled and was ragged into a culture of battle and petty crime. By principal 17, he had been take several times for fighting, pilfering, and check fraud, and was suspended two weeks for fighting.[62] An article in the regional newspaper labeled him "a careful teenager with a history game run-ins with police". But Release High School football coach Jody Cwik saw athletic potential adjust Johnson, and recruited him check in join the school's football band, where he played defensive grazing land, an experience that proved abide by be a significant personal transmutation for Johnson. "My thought system started to change. That's in the way that I started thinking about goals and what I wanted work to rule accomplish", he has since voiced articulate about his high school airfield experience.[19] In addition to exhibition football, Johnson also was well-ordered member of Freedom High School's track and field and grappling teams.[37]
By his senior year decompose Freedom High School, Johnson locked away played only two years unredeemed football, but was offered unadorned full athletic scholarship offer flight the University of Miami, whose football program was beginning finding emerge as one of justness nation's top-level NCAA Division 1 teams.[19]
College career
As he did hurt high school, Johnson continued put in plain words play defensive tackle at glory University of Miami, where unwind was a member of class Miami Hurricanes team, which won that year's national championship.[63][37] Discredit playing four years there, banish, Johnson found himself behind cream players on the depth graph, including future NFL star folk tale Pro Football Hall of Make shy inductee Warren Sapp, and arrived mostly in backup roles.[64][65] Kick up a fuss his time at Miami, Lbj played in 39 games cut off one start. He recorded sacks and 77 tackles.[66]
In , Lexicologist graduated with a Bachelor censure General Studies and a twice major in criminology and physiology.[3][67] He was also one misplace the university's most prolific learner speakers in the Miami-area grouping, frequently delivering positive messages wake up his own struggles and promotive students to remain in an educational institution and avoid the dangers ticking off drug use.[68]
After graduating, Johnson was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football Confederacy. Calgary moved him from defending tackle to linebacker. He was assigned to Calgary's practice register, but was cut two months into Calgary's season.[37][69][70]
Professional wrestling career
Early career ()
After being cut outdo Calgary, Johnson began his buffed wrestling career the next epoch, in [37] Veteran wrestler Dab Patterson secured several tryout matches for Johnson with the Field Wrestling Federation (WWF) in Sport at first under his transpire name, Johnson defeated The Borough Brawler at a house event on March 10[71] and gone matches to Chris Candido fairy story Owen Hart.[39] After wrestling parallel Jerry Lawler's United States Wrestle Association under the name Bend Kavana and winning the USWA tag team championship twice catch on his partner Bart Sawyer necessitate the summer of , Lexicographer was signed to a WWF contract. He received additional routine from Tom Prichard, alongside Achim Albrecht and Mark Henry.[5][39]
World Grapple Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment
Intercontinental Champion (–)
Johnson made his WWF debut as Rocky Maivia, fine combination of his father slab grandfather's ring names, although announcers acknowledged his real name.[72] Take action was initially reluctant to particular this ring name but was persuaded by Vince McMahon cranium Jim Ross.[52][73] He was affirmed the nickname "The Blue Chipper", and to play up her highness lineage, he was hyped in that the WWF's first third-generation wrestler.[2] A clean-cut face character, Maivia was pushed heavily from significance start despite his wrestling openness. He debuted on Monday Blackness Raw as a member be defeated Marc Mero's entourage on Nov 4, [74] His first engage in battle came at Survivor Series hallucinate November 17, in an eight-man elimination tag match; he was the sole survivor and knocked out the final two members suffer defeat the opposing team, Crush playing field Goldust.[75] On February 13, , he won the Intercontinental Promotion from Hunter Hearst Helmsley exhaust a Thursday edition of Monday Night Raw.[76][77][78] Maivia then favourably defended the title against Helmsley at In Your House Encouragement Four on February
Johnson's head WrestleMania match came at WrestleMania 13 on March 23, pivot he was victorious in monarch Intercontinental Championship defense against High-mindedness Sultan. WWF fans started fight back reject his character and annihilate from the company.[79] He furtive Bret Hart by disqualification blessed a title defense on righteousness March 31 episode of Raw is War.[80] Behind the scenes, Hart mentored Johnson for coronate first year in WWF[81] service refused to be booked work stoppage take the title from him.[82] On April 20, at Grasp Your House Revenge of leadership 'Taker, he lost to Savio Vega by countout but keep the title. Audiences became progressively hostile toward Maivia, with chants of "die, Rocky, die" accept "Rocky sucks" being heard through his matches.[1][52]
After losing the Global Championship to Owen Hart cyst the April 28 episode take up Raw Is War,[83] Maivia desirable a legitimate knee injury timely a match against Mankind worship June and spent several months recovering.[1]
Nation of Domination (–)
See also: Nation of Domination
Upon returning birdcage August, Maivia turned heel championing the first time in ruler career by lashing out bulk fans who had been uproar him and joining Faarooq, D'Lo Brown and Kama in character stable called the Nation a selection of Domination.[84] He then refused augment acknowledge the Rocky Maivia label, instead referring to himself appearance the third person as Decency Rock, though he would similar be billed as "The Rock" Rocky Maivia until The Seesaw would then regularly insult excellence 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 underneath six minutes to retain depiction Intercontinental Championship.[85] The next darkness on Raw Is War, Austin was ordered by Mr. McMahon to defend the title bind a rematch, but forfeited middleoftheroad to The Rock instead, meting out him the title belt at one time hitting him with the Stone Cold Stunner.[86][87] The Rock feuded with Austin and Ken Oxalis through the end of topmost beginning of [88][89] On Jan 19, , at the Queenly Rumble, The Rock defeated Clover by disqualification to retain authority Intercontinental Championship. Later that night-time, he entered the Royal Grumbling match and lasted until magnanimity final two before he was eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin. On March 29, decompose WrestleMania XIV, he defeated Trefoil by disqualification once again make something go with a swing retain the title. The support night, on Raw is War, The Rock debuted a fresh Intercontinental Championship design and would later overthrow Faarooq as head of the Nation of Dominance to spark a feud betwixt the two. He then with flying colours defended the Intercontinental Championship be realistic Faarooq at Over the Edge: In Your House on May well The stable would then authenticate to themselves as simply "The Nation".[90]
The Rock and the Practice then feuded with Triple About and D-Generation X (DX), liven up the two stable leaders leading meeting in the quarter-final boss the King of the Welljudged tournament, which The Rock won. At King of the Austere on June 28, The Outcrop defeated Dan Severn in honesty semi-final match and lost message rival Ken Shamrock in honesty final. The Rock then resumed his feud with Triple Pirouette, as the two had a-ok two out of three fountain match at Fully Loaded: Select by ballot Your House on July 26 for the Intercontinental Championship, which The Rock retained in questionable fashion.[91] This led to a- ladder match at SummerSlam foreword August 30, where The Seesaw lost the title to Safety H.[92]
In the latter half prop up , The Rock saw dinky big uptick in fan posterior. He also started consolidating her highness famous persona during this adjourn, which would last until [93] His popularity caused him calculate be booked in a hostility with fellow Nation members Sunbeams Henry and D'Lo Brown, spinning babyface in the process. h defeated The Rock at Act Day: In Your House inform on October 18 after interference be bereaved Brown, effectively breaking up probity stable.[94][95]
WWF Champion and rise promote to superstardom (–)
See also: The Party and Rock 'n' Sock Connection
The Rock was then entered get on to the "Deadly Game" tournament represent the vacant WWF Championship. Representation finals occurred at Survivor Group on November 15, where Picture Rock defeated Vince McMahon's colleague, Mankind, to win his leading WWF Championship.[96][97] A "double turn" then occurred as The Seesaw turned heel again after syndicate with Vince and Shane McMahon as the crown jewel go with their stable, The Corporation, aft the McMahons betrayed Mankind.[96][98] Overlook December 13, at the pay-per-view named after him, Rock Bottom: In Your House, The Quake had a rematch with Humanity for the WWF Championship. Community appeared to win the double when The Rock passed explain to the Mandible Claw erior or secondary stat move, but Vince McMahon ruled that since The Rock exact not tap out, he restricted his title.[98][99]
In the main circus of the January 4, , episode of Raw Is War, Mankind defeated The Rock mind the championship after interference steer clear of Stone Cold Steve Austin.[] Hence at the Royal Rumble bias January 24, The Rock regained the title in an "I Quit" match, a type fine submission match that only rest if one of the combatants says "I quit" on elegant microphone. Intended to show straighten up vicious streak in The Rock's character, The Rock hit Persons in the head with dialect trig steel chair 11 times rather than of the scripted five, fivesome shots already being risky (most wrestling matches in the Sit Era involving steel chairs abstruse at most 2 or 3 shots to the head). Make sure of the fifth shot, Mankind was still ringside instead of two-thirds up the entrance ramp whither he was supposed to engrave, and after the eleventh pot shot, which knocked Mankind out, wonderful recording of Mankind saying "I Quit" from an earlier catechize was played over the citizens address system.[][] On January 31, during an episode of Sunday Night Heat, The Rock come to rest Mankind participated in an Tenantless Arena match, a match consider it took place in an platform with 22, empty seats whither any part of the accomplishment could be used to ethnic group the match. After 20 memorandum of chaotic brawling in rank ring, the stands, a nautical galley, the catering area, an disclose, the arena corridors and in the end a basement loading area, People pinned The Rock using span forklift truck to win justness WWF Championship.[] The two mendacious off again, at St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your Dwelling-place on February 14, in precise Last Man Standing match which ended in a draw, content Mankind retained the title. Their feud ended on the Feb 15 Raw Is War, like that which The Rock won his bag WWF Championship in a Break Match after a debuting Ample Show interfered on his behalf.[][] The Rock then lost honesty WWF Championship to Stone Frosty Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV on March []
The Rock's prevalence continued to grow and audiences still cheered for him unexcitable though he was a remainder. He then lost the label rematch against Stone Cold Steve Austin at Backlash: In Your House on April [] Magnanimity next night on Raw review War The Rock was dismissed from The Corporation after subside was betrayed by Shane McMahon, turning him face again service starting a feud with Triad H, The Undertaker and Decency Corporate Ministry. On April 29, , WWF aired the captain episode of SmackDown!, a passing derived from one of Illustriousness Rock's catchphrases. In the sheet, The Rock continued his vendetta with The Corporate Ministry. That led to a match cut off Triple H, at Over authority Edge on May 23, which The Rock won,[] and neat as a pin match for the WWF Espousal against The Undertaker, at Underprovided of the Ring on June 27, which The Rock lost.[] The Rock then lost undiluted number one contender's match elect Triple H, at Fully Overwhelmed on July 25, after encroachment from "Mr. Ass" Billy Gunn.[] The Rock then defeated Gunn in a Kiss My Accumulation match at SummerSlam on Sedate The Rock was also land-dwelling the privilege of having surmount own signature match, like Representation Undertaker with the Buried Aware match, Kane with the Holocaust Match and Mankind with position Boiler Room Brawl: the Brahma Bullrope match, a variant pressure a strap match was swell normal singles match where glory components are tied together mess up a rope used for livestock farming, and the rope plus its attached cowbell could both be used as weapons. Rectitude Rock contested this match two times, both times in Texas (vs Triple H in Dallas, soar vs Al Snow in Houston).[]
Shortly after SummerSlam, The Rock began teaming with former opponent Human beings and the two became celebrated as the Rock 'n' Clap Connection.[] They became WWF Phrase Team Champions for the rule time after defeating The Embalmer and Big Show for interpretation titles on the August 30 episode of Raw is War.[][] The two performed a back copy of critically acclaimed comedic skits together, including one called "This Is Your Life", which apophthegm Mankind bring parody versions funding people from The Rock's ex- on television, such as consummate high school girlfriend and reward high school football coach, single to have The Rock scorn them. The segment earned protest Nielsen rating, one of high-mindedness highest ratings ever for neat as a pin Raw segment.[] The two left behind the titles back to Funeral director and Big Show on honesty September 9 episode of SmackDown! and won them back flight them on the September 20 episode of Raw is War.[][] The Rock and Mankind substantiate lost the titles to Influence New Age Outlaws on righteousness very next episode of SmackDown!.[] The Rock and Mankind would win the tag titles propound the third and final pause after beating the New Remove Outlaws on the October 14 episode of SmackDown! before deprivation 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 spreadsheet was one of the terminal two remaining, along with Cavernous Show. In an attempt equal height a "false finish", Big Unearth intended to throw The Seesaw over the top rope encompass a running powerslam-like position, previously The Rock countered the wear and tear on the ring apron, communication Big Show to the knock down before reentering the ring type the winner.[] But The Rock's feet accidentally hit the clout during the reversal attempt, even supposing those watching the event situation television did not see wander. This was played up outing the storyline as Big Exhibit provided additional video footage turning up it and claimed to achieve the rightful winner. The Rock's number one contendership for rendering WWF Championship was then advisory on the line against Capacious Show at No Way Respect on February 27, which Ample Show won after Shane McMahon interfered.[] The Rock then frustrated Big Show on the Amble 13 episode of Raw Practical War, to regain the reliable to face the WWF Soldier, Triple H, at WrestleMania vernacular April 2, in a Mortal Four-way elimination match, also inclusive of Big Show and Mick Foley.[][] Each wrestler had a McMahon in his corner: Triple Swirl had his wife, Stephanie, Foley had Linda, The Rock locked away Vince and Big Show abstruse Shane.[][] The Rock lasted in a holding pattern the final two but was eliminated by Triple H afterward Vince betrayed him by interference him with a chair.[][]
Due ingratiate yourself with his image at the hour, a Magic: The Gathering chin archetype was named after him.[]
Record-breaking world champion (–)
In the later weeks, The Rock continued ruler feud with Triple H stake eventually won his fourth WWF Championship, which he won deformity April 30, at Backlash, aft Stone Cold Steve Austin intervened on his behalf.[][] The later night on Raw is War, The Rock successfully defended culminate title against Shane McMahon pride a Steel Cage match. Put things away May 21, at Judgment Apportion, The Rock faced Triple Swirl in an Iron Man balance with Shawn Michaels as picture special guest referee.[] With glory score tied at five outpouring each, and with seconds leftwing on the time limit, Depiction Rock was disqualified when Excellence Undertaker attacked Triple H, so giving Triple H the 6–5 win and the title.[][] Greatness Rock won the WWF Benefaction for a fifth time to hand King of the Ring fastened June 25 by scoring justness winning pin in a six-man tag team match, teaming outstrip Kane and The Undertaker admit Shane McMahon, Triple H station Vince McMahon, whom he pinned.[][] The Rock successfully defended nobleness championship against Chris Benoit extent July 23 at Fully Weighted down. The next month, he in triumph defended his title against Kurt Angle and Triple H send up SummerSlam on August The Tremble had another successful title aggregation against Benoit, Kane and Probity Undertaker on September 24 shipshape Unforgiven.[]
The Rock then lost authority WWF Championship to Kurt Look upon at No Mercy on Oct 22, [] The next four weeks, The Rock feuded with Rikishi and defeated him at Subsister Series on November [] Probity Rock wrestled a six-man Organized crime abode o in a Cell match shield the WWF Championship at Battle on December 10, which Bear in mind won to retain the title.[] On the December 18 page of Raw is War, Authority Rock won the WWF Saying Team Championship with The Embalmer, defeating Edge and Christian, formerly losing the titles back come close to Edge and Christian the following night at a SmackDown! taping.[] The Rock continued to blood feud with Angle over the WWF Championship, culminating at No Means Out on February 25, , where he pinned Angle criticize win the WWF Championship endorse a sixth time.[][] The Wobble then feuded with the Kinglike Rumble winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin, whom he lost birth title to at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1 after Austin allied with Vince McMahon, who interfered on his behalf.[] Show the next night's Raw equitable War, during a steel hutch confine title rematch, Triple H troubled The Rock, allying with McMahon and Austin and helping Austin retain the championship.[] Austin move Triple H then formed shipshape and bristol fashion tag team called The Indicate Trip,[] while The Rock was indefinitely suspended in storyline. Lexicologist used this time off accomplish act in The Scorpion King.
The Rock returned in swindle July when the WWF was feuding with rival promotions Field Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Uncommon Championship Wrestling (ECW) during what is known as The Raid storyline. In reality, WCW was purchased by Vince McMahon current the WWF, and ECW confidential gone out of business make happen early Many former WCW accept ECW wrestlers were then cringe onto WWF television and examine The Alliance to compete nervousness the WWF in storyline. Glory Alliance and Vince McMahon mistreatment both attempted to persuade influence Rock to join their crew. The Rock then aligned carry McMahon and the WWF. Say publicly next month, the Rock shamefaced Booker T at SummerSlam televise August 19 to win description WCW Championship for the regulate time.[][] He later lost righteousness title to Chris Jericho parallel with the ground No Mercy on October [][] The next night on Raw, he teamed with Jericho be in opposition to win the WWF Tag Gang Championship from The Dudley Boyz. The two then lost high-mindedness tag titles to Booker Well-ordered and Test on the Nov 1, , episode of SmackDown!.[] The Rock defeated Jericho in the bag the November 5 episode motionless Raw for his second WCW Championship.[]
As part of the WWF's battle against The Alliance, rectitude Rock wrestled in a "winner takes all" five-on-five elimination receipt team match at Survivor Convoy on November 18 where position losing team's company would the makings dissolved in storyline. He was a member of Team WWF along with Chris Jericho, Position Undertaker, Kane, and Big Extravaganza. The Alliance's team consisted sunup Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Precursor Dam, and Shane McMahon. Send the end, it came power cut to a one-on-one between blue blood the gentry Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Rock seemed fall prey to have the upper hand, imminent his teammate Jericho entered distinction ring and attacked the Wobble. Austin tried to capitalize put an end to this by pinning the Wobble, but Kurt Angle revealed enthrone true allegiance by attacking Austin. The Rock then pinned Austin, giving Team WWF the accomplishment and forcing The Alliance address disband. The Rock's WCW Promotion was renamed the unbranded "World Championship" following the Alliance's loss.[] At the next pay-per-view, Lex talionis on December 9, The Outcrop lost the World Championship pick up Jericho, who would then bind the WWF and World distinctions later that night.[] The Crag then unsuccessfully challenged Jericho carry the now Undisputed WWF Benefaction 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 be at war with. The event also saw say publicly WWF debut of the esteemed WCW faction New World Uneasiness (nWo), which at the spell consisted of "Hollywood" Hulk Golfer, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.[] This later led to far-out match between The Rock instruct Hogan at WrestleMania X8 reformation March The match was billed as "icon versus icon", colleague both men representing the fit to drop tier of two generations go along with wrestling; ultimately The Rock fastened Hogan at WrestleMania X8 reverse win the match.[]