[250] R. D. Reynolds stated in his book "The WrestleCrap Book of Lists" that the Rock was "the biggest star for WWE from 1999 until 2004".[251]. [2][166], Throughout the rest of the year, The Rock made occasional appearances, returning to a face character. He turned face and became known as "The Peoples Champion". He opted to accept a full athletic scholarship offer from the University of Miami, whose football program was then one of the best in the nation. He made returns to provide support for Eugene against Jonathan Coachman, and made a cameo in his hometown of Miami and helped Mick Foley against La Rsistance. He presented the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects at the 80th Academy Awards. In his early years, he played college football at the University of Miami. [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. The Rock's Parents Come From Wrestling Royalty. It seems almost certain that everything about him pointed to wrestling, possibly because its a profession that is apparently in his gene. Before the age of 17, he was arrested multiple times for fighting, theft, and check fraud and was suspended two weeks for fighting. We go home and theres a lock on the door and an eviction notice. American actor and former professional wrestler (born 1972), Debut and Intercontinental Champion (19961997), WWF Champion and rise to superstardom (19982000), Record-breaking world champion (20002002), insulting John Cena using the history of Boston, Massachusetts, Rock Concert on the 20th anniversary episode of. Dwayne Johnson is an American actor, producer, and former professional wrestler, who gained fame in the late 1990s and early 2000s as a wrestler for WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). As is typical of wrestling families, the new family moved around a lot. [313], On March 16, 2021, he appeared for the first time as The Foundation in Fortnite Battle Royale. He is the son of Ata Johnson (born Feagaimaleata Fitisemanu Maivia) and professional wrestler Rocky Johnson (born Wayde Douglas Bowles). [353] In 2018, Johnson donated a gym to a military base in Oahu, Hawaii. [39][40] Through his maternal grandfather Maivia, Johnson is a non-blood relative to the Anoa'i wrestling family. The Rock was then aided by a returning John Cena to fend off Wyatt, Rowan and Braun Strowman. The Rock would pin Punk to retain the championship. [286] He hosted another reality series for TNT in 2014, entitled Wake Up Call, which saw him "lending a helping hand to everyday people who were facing enormous challenges in their lives" alongside guest experts such as Rocco DiSpirito, Jillian Michaels, and Josh Shipp. I asked her, Are you happy ma?. The Rock would then regularly insult the audience, WWF performers, and interviewers in his promos. In 2016 he voiced Maui in the Disney animated film Moana (2016). [188] On April 1, at WrestleMania XXVIII, the Rock beat Cena in the main event after countering Cena's attempt at a People's Elbow into a Rock Bottom. Give your family a hug today and be thankful you can tell them you love them. He debuted on Monday Night Raw as a member of Marc Mero's entourage on November 4, 1996. [68] He defeated Bret Hart by disqualification in a title defense on the March 31 episode of Raw is War. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Despite the complexity of their relationship, there was still an abundance of love between them. Heightline.com 2023. This led to some bad decision-making and often falling in with the wrong crowd. Maivia is a cherished figure within the industry even after her death in 2008. The ascension of Dwayne Johnson in the world of pro wrestling and entertainment continues during Young Rock season 3. Rocky passed away in 2020 from a heart attack at age 75. Those younger years are also fleshed out more as his parents Rocky and Ata . [161] He also began performing "Rock Concerts", segments in which he played the guitar and mocked WWE performers and fans in song. Rocky moved to Toronto from Nova Scotia at the age of 16 to pursue his own. Ten years into their marriage, the couple went through a divorce which was generally reported to be amicable. [156], The Rock returned on the January 30, 2003, episode of SmackDown! [142], At the next pay-per-view, No Way Out on February 17, 2002, the Rock defeated The Undertaker in a singles match. [134][135] He later lost the title to Chris Jericho at No Mercy on October 21, 2001. Johnson also has a daughter, Simone Alexandra, from his first marriage. My mother and cousin @linafanene were hit hard by a drunk driver this week they survived. Photo: Art Streiber/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images, Doctors: No Further Hope for Actor Tom Sizemore, READ MORE: 10 Things You May Not Know About Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Birth Year: 1972, Birth date: May 2, 1972, Birth State: California, Birth City: Hayward, Birth Country: United States. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Where are we going to live? [38] Johnson's maternal grandmother Lia was one of the first female pro wrestling promoters, taking over Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling after her husband's death in 1982 and managing it until 1988. [287] In 2016, Johnson co-starred with Kevin Hart in the action-comedy Central Intelligence and had a lead voice role in the Disney animated film Moana, in which he voiced the Polynesian demigod Maui. The Rock (Dwayne Johnson), who is in town for an event at the William T. Harris Agricultural Hall, greeted about 500 fans who lined up outside the building for a glimpse of and a photo with the . Many former WCW and ECW wrestlers were then brought onto WWF television and formed The Alliance to compete with WWF in storyline. Meanwhile, Rocky kept pushing for himself and his family and it paid off. He has since starred in family films The Game Plan (2007), Race to Witch Mountain (2009), Tooth Fairy (2010), and Jungle Cruise (2021), as well as the action adventure films Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012), G.I. However, most people know him from the eight years he spent wrestling for the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, currently WWE) as The Rock. [331] The first item in his partnership with Under Armour, a gym bag, sold out in a couple of days. [366] Johnson and Hashian live in Los Angeles, have a farm in Virginia, and a home in Southwest Ranches, Florida. and was bullied by a punk and waited for him after school and punched him in the face. His films have grossed over $3.5 billion in North America and over $10.5 billion worldwide,[8] making him one of the world's highest-grossing and highest-paid actors. [218][219], The Rock appeared on Wyclef Jean's 2000 single "It Doesn't Matter" and in its music video. His life story is an inspiring one as it has been revealed that he was kicked out of his home at the age of 13 and became homeless. The Rock later saved Cena from an assault by Big Show, only to be laid out by CM Punk. [356], Johnson first met fellow University of Miami student Dany Garcia in the early 1990s. Johnson used this time off to act in The Scorpion King. The Miz and R-Truth", "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 2/27: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw The Rock returns to Raw, WM28 hype", "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/12: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw Rock Concert vs. Cena Rap, Taker returns", "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 3/26: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw final WM28 hype, Cena-Rock & Hunter-HBK confrontation", "Caldwell's WWE WrestleMania 28 PPV Report 4/1: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV Rock-Cena, Taker-Hunter, Punk-Jericho", "Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 4/2: Ongoing "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw WM28 fall-out, how will Cena respond to Rock loss?, two big title matches", "Caldwell's WWE RAW Results 7/23: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw No. Rock and Rousey prevailed after he attacked Triple H and she overpowered McMahon. The Rock seemed to have the upper hand, until his teammate Jericho entered the ring and attacked the Rock. He is the son of a professional wrestler, Rocky Johnson and Ata Maivia Johnson who gave birth to their son in Hayward, California. David Leitch directed the project from a script co-written by franchise-writer Chris Morgan and Drew Pearce. [184] The Rock and Cena defeated Awesome Truth on November 20 at Survivor Series, when the Rock pinned The Miz. Born Wade Douglas Bowles, Rocky had two children with his first wife, Una Johnson brother Curtis Bowles and sister Wanda Bowles,so although we dont know a lot about them, Dwayne does have a brother and a sister! The WWE Hall of Famer died last week at the age of 75, and now, Dwayne has revealed that he passed. Johnson also returned to wrestling from time to time, including a 2014 appearance with Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania 30. It was known as the WWF Undisputed Championship during his seventh reign and as the WWE Championship during his eighth. The head teacher of a leading grammar school has been sacked after sending parents a list of striking teachers. [50] The local newspaper later described him as "a troubled teenager with a history of run-ins with police." [357][358] On June 1, 2007, Johnson and Garcia announced they were separating amicably,[357] and their divorce was finalized in May 2008. [335] Since then, they have released sneakers, headphones, and other apparel. Cool Mothers Day story.. early am flight and Im sittin across from my mom when out of the blue she looks around the plane, then looks at me and says Son, I cant believe the life I have.. grandma and grandpa would be so proud. The vehicle was struck by a drunk driver that was being chased at the time. .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}READ MORE: 10 Things You May Not Know About Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Henry defeated him at Judgment Day: In Your House on October 18, 1998, after interference from Brown, effectively breaking up the stable. Dwayne Johnson said he is counting his blessings after his mother survived a car accident. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Doctors: No Further Hope for Actor Tom Sizemore, Raquel Welchs Mixed Feelings about Her Fur Bikini, Andrea Riseboroughs Oscar Controversy, Explained, 10 Milestones on Viola Davis Road to EGOT Glory. She is a. [2][164] The next night, Raw was billed as "The Rock Appreciation Night", in honor of his victory over Austin. As well as his overgrown size. Joe: Retaliation and reprising his role as Luke Hobbs in Fast & Furious 6 (2013),[277][278] while also starring in true-story films Pain & Gain (2013) and Empire State (2013). Born in Nova Scotia, Canada in 1944, Rocky began his career at the young age of 16 and was finally inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008. Ata's parents were wealthy thanks to their involvement in sports, and she grew up having everything a child could wish for. Announces New Members, WWF Superstar Kurt Angle Named Honorary Chairman", "Watch the Rock's Very Odd Speech at the 2000 Republican Convention", "Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Admits He Didn't Vote for Trump or Hillary in 2016: I Wanted 'Someone Else', "Dwayne Johnson Endorses Presidential Candidate for First Time, Supports Joe Biden and Kamala Harris", Dwayne Johnson Shares 'Honest Feelings' on Running for President, The Rock for president? Ata's mother, Lia Maivia, too was a wrestler and one of the first female wrestling promoters. [143] This later led to a match between the Rock and Hogan at WrestleMania X8 on March 17, 2002. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was the face of WWE in the '90s until his Hollywood career took off, and Cena was fast approaching his own WWE takeover as The Rock's switched to movies. [246], The Rock has been listed as one of the all-time greatest professional wrestlers[15][6][7] as well as one of the top draws in wrestling history. Dwayne The Rock Johnson found a love of sports no matter where he lived and was recruited to play football on a full scholarship at the University of Miami. As "The Rock," he famously feuded with wrestler Steve Austin and won the WWE Heavyweight title numerous times.