The Rock

Biography

Born Dwayne Douglas Johnson on May 2, 1972, The Rock is not only a legendary professional wrestler but also a renowned actor and producer. He comes from a family of wrestlers, with both his father, Rocky Johnson, and grandfather, Peter Maivia, being in the business.

Career History and Evolution

The Rock’s wrestling career began in 1996 at the WWF (World Wrestling Federation, now WWE – World Wrestling Entertainment). He initially debuted as Rocky Maivia, a face (heroic character), but the fan reception was lukewarm. The evolution of his character into The Rock, a charismatic and boastful persona, gained him immense popularity and marked a turning point in his career.
He was a key figure during the ‘Attitude Era’, the late 90s period of WWF, where he feuded with several top stars of the time. The Rock’s wrestling career was marked by a series of hiatuses, largely due to his burgeoning acting career. Despite these breaks, he has remained a significant figure in professional wrestling.

Titles and Achievements

The Rock is an eight-time WWF/WWE Champion, two-time WCW/World Champion, two-time WWF Intercontinental Champion, and a five-time WWF Tag Team Champion. He also won the 2000 Royal Rumble.

Biggest Matches and Rivalries

The Rock has had several memorable feuds, including those with Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H, and Mankind. His rivalry with Austin, culminating in a trilogy of WrestleMania matches, is considered one of the greatest in wrestling history. Another significant match was “Once in a Lifetime” against John Cena at WrestleMania XXVIII.

Tag Team Partners

The Rock has held the tag team championships with various partners including Mankind (as the Rock ‘n’ Sock Connection), and Undertaker.

Family Life

The Rock is the father of three daughters. He was married to Dany Garcia from 1997 to 2007, and they had one daughter, Simone. He has been in a relationship with Lauren Hashian since 2007, and they have two daughters.

Finishing Move

His finishing moves were the Rock Bottom and the People’s Elbow, both of which are iconic in wrestling circles.

Clothing and Entrance Music

The Rock typically wore a pair of black trunks and elbow pads for his matches, with his signature Brahma Bull logo. His entrance music, “If You Smell…,” became one of the most popular themes, with the crowd often singing along.
The Rock’s charisma, his skills on the microphone, and his wrestling prowess have made him one of the greatest and most beloved wrestlers of all time. His success in wrestling paved the way for an equally successful career in Hollywood, where he has become one of the highest-grossing and highest-paid actors in the world.