Is The Rock taking over WWE? Dwayne Johnson's surprising life story

Is Dwayne Johnson buying WWE from Vince Vaughn? Media like Koimoi suggest such a thing. Fans have been suspecting for a while that the 'Black Adam' star would want to take over the corporation, as he dropped several hints in interviews.

The Rock, who started his career in wrestling before jumping to acting, may have to spend over $ 6.5 billion, 'Undercutting the Saudi Party' that's also interested in WWE, according to Koimoi.

Dwayne Johnson is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood today. In 2016, The Rock was the highest paid actor of the year ($64.5 million).

In 2017, despite earning more ($65 million), he was overtaken by his colleague and friend Mark Wahlberg ($68 million). He went from strength to strength and now, in 2023, has a net worth of over $800 million.

One of the reasons Dwayne Johnson found star status after his wrestling career was his role in the 'Fast and Furious' film saga. In fact, for his appearance in the duo Hobbs and Shaw, he was paid a cool $20 million alone.

In 1996, at the age of 24, he debuted at Wrestlemania in a USWA championship. His first stage name was Flex Kavana. His second, Rocky Maivia. And by the time his fame began to rise and he joined the select group of wrestling legends, he was already calling himself The Rock.

Many people don't know that The Rock is one of the few Three Crown Champions at Wrestlemania. He holds 8 WWE Championships, 2 WWF Championships and 5 World Tag Team Championships. He also won the 2000 Royal Rumble. He is a legend.

Photo: Screenshot from WWE Raw

Before Wrestlemania, Dwayne Johnson was a professional football player in the NCAA at the University of Miami. He didn't make it to the big leagues because of injuries, but he kept up his training and it led him to the WWF, mentored by Bret Hitman Hart.

Being the son of a pro wrestler can mean a lot of instability. Johnson had to move around a lot and has lived in California, New Zealand, Connecticut, and then lived in Hawaii as a teenager, before moving to Nashville for high school. He finally finished his school years in Pennsylvania.

Dwayne Johnson in an Instagram post revealed he had got in with the wrong crowds as a teenager. In the same post, he also talked of how everyone in school thought he was an undercover policeman due to his incredible size and moustache. Convict or cop, we thank Dwayne Johnson for releasing the throwback photo.

Photo: Instagram @Therock

Dwayne Johnson's first role on the screen was in 'That ’70s Show,' in 1999. He played his real-life father, Rocky Johnson in an episode appropriately titled, 'That Wrestling Show.'

Photo: 'That 70s Show', Fox

His Hollywood debut came at the age of 27. It was a huge role and a big deal to be part of a legendary franchise. In 'Star Trek: Voyager' (1999), Dwayne Johnson played Tsunkatse, a wrestler with a weird forehead.

Photo: 'Star Trek Voyager'

Two years later, in 'The Mummy Returns' (2001), The Rock played the role that made him famous: Mathayus, the Scorpion King. His character was so well liked that he earned his own sequel in 2002. He was paid $5.5 million for it, a record for a first-time leading man.

This film secured himself Hollywood fame, not to mention the considerable profit it brought in. It cost 60 million dollars and grossed 165 million.

Whilst filming 'The Scorpion King', Johnson accidentally hit co-star Michael Clarke Duncan whilst doing a fight scene. Johnson unintentionally threw out an elbow, which collided with Duncan’s chin so hard it knocked Duncan out.

Brendan Fraser revealed on The Drew Barrymore Show that he never actually acted with The Rock in the film 'The Mummy' because, during their characters' scenes, he was digitally added to the movie using CGI. Fraser's experience of acting with The Rock is a cardboard cut out of his head on a stick.

Dwayne Johnson's cousin, Tanoai Reed, has been the star's stuntman for 15 years. They look alike and get on really well, with Reed even calling Johnson the “realest” and most “down to earth, humble and talented” guy he knows.

Despite his name, The Rock is one of Hollywood's softest actors. In 2006 he set up his own foundation to work with terminally ill children. He drops by the foundation often and everyone always comments on his humility and friendliness.

At the turn of the century, Dunkin' Donuts made him an offer. They asked him to be the image of the brand and even have his own doughnut. The Rock turned it down. Why? Because he felt it was too big an honour for him.

Dwayne Johnson was named The Rock at Wrestlemania, in honour of his father, Rocky Johnson, a WWE legend and Hall of Fame inductee since 2008. His grandfather, Peter Fanene Maivia, is also in the Hall of Fame. What not everyone knows is that The Rock had to fight hard to get the rights to his nickname. WWE boss Vince McMahon didn't make it easy.

The Rock is a wall of solid muscle. His imposing height of 1.93 metres, combined with 130 kilos of pure muscle on his body, makes him a real colossus. He trains every day and when he has to shoot, he usually drops to 100 kilos. Except when he shot 'Hercules': he bulked up to a whopping 135 kilos.

The Rock's filmography does have a few fiascos. But perhaps the most relevant came in 2005. The Razzie for worst actor went to his role in 'Doom', a film so bad that The Rock even admitted to having betrayed the video game.

If Johnny Depp hadn't accepted the role, The Rock was Tim Burton's second choice to play Willy Wonka in 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.'

To maintain his bulky figure, Dwayne Johnson must eat around 5,400 calories a day. In a single meal, The Rock can eat eight large pizzas or a leaning tower of pancakes.

Dwayne Johnson pays strong attention to his mind as well as his body. The Rock studied Criminology at the University of Miami, graduating with incredible grades. Believe it or not, his first application was rejected because the university found him 'too brutish.'

In 2016, People magazine named Dwayne Johnson The Sexiest Man Alive.

See the complete list of Sexiest Men Alive by People magazine

While The Rock was shooting to stardom in cinema, he also had his own series on HBO. 'Ballers' is the story of Spencer Strasmore, an ex-footballer who advises and helps young athletes, making sure they don't make the same mistakes he did: spending money on binges, girls, whims and drugs.

Photo: Season 5 trailer, HBO

The Rock is of Samoan descent on his mother's side. This earned him the role of Maui in the Disney animated classic 'Moana'. But, what you might not know is, the King of Samoa bestowed upon him the title of Seiuli, equivalent to a knight.

Photo: Moana, Disney

The two most iconic 'Fast and Furious' actors don't get along well. In fact in Fast 8 you will notice they don't appear together as they refused to film on set near each other. The reason? Vin Diesel has often criticised The Rock on social media.

He's not ruling himself out. This Hollywood star is very involved in politics and does not rule out running for the White House in the future. It would be for the Republican Party, to which he has shown his support on several occasions.