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

Buying WWE from Vince Vaughn?
A lot of money and investment
Dwayne Douglas Johnson, The Rock
He just keeps making money
Fast and Furious
Wrestlemania
World Champ
American Football
An unsettling beginning
In with the wrong crowds
Stepping onto the screen... as his dad
Star Trek: Voyager
The Mummy Returns
The Scorpion King
Mishap on set
Didn't act alongside co-star Brendan Fraser
Brother from another mother
Tough guy but not that tough
Dunkin Donuts
The Rock - copyrighted
Colossus
Not all a success
Willy Wonka?
Monstrous diet
He did great in University
Very attractive
Ballers: a series with The Rock on HBO
Maui
War with Vin Diesel
The White House?
Buying WWE from Vince Vaughn?

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.

A lot of money and investment

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 Douglas Johnson, The Rock

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).

He just keeps making money

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.

Fast and Furious

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.

Wrestlemania

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.

World Champ

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

American Football

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.

An unsettling beginning

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.

In with the wrong crowds

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

Stepping onto the screen... as his dad

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

Star Trek: Voyager

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'

The Mummy Returns

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.

The Scorpion King

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

Mishap on set

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.

Didn't act alongside co-star Brendan Fraser

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.

Brother from another mother

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.

Tough guy but not that tough

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.

Dunkin Donuts

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.

The Rock - copyrighted

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.

Colossus

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.

Not all a success

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.

Willy Wonka?

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.'

Monstrous diet

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.

He did great in University

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.'

Very attractive

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

See the complete list of Sexiest Men Alive by People magazine

Ballers: a series with The Rock on HBO

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

Maui

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

War with Vin Diesel

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.

The White House?

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.