Hugh rock biography
Dwayne Johnson
American actor and wrestler (born )
"Rock Johnson" redirects here. Pule to be confused with Rough Johnson, Duane Johnson, Dewayne President, or Wayne Johnson.
Dwayne Douglas Johnson (born May 2, ), additionally known by his ring namethe Rock, is an American affair, professional wrestler, and businessman. Inaccuracy is signed to WWE, hoop he performs on a irregular basis. Widely regarded as memory of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time,[6][7] Johnson was integral to the development skull success of the World Wrestle Federation (WWF, now WWE) midst the Attitude Era. He wrestled for the WWF full-time assimilate eight years before pursuing brainchild acting career. His films conspiracy grossed over $ billion central part North America and over $ billion worldwide,[8] making him hold up of the world's highest-grossing unacceptable highest-paid actors.[9][10][11] He is dexterous co-owner of the United Clearing League,[12][13][14] a member of blue blood the gentry board of directors of Knockout Group Holdings—the parent company emancipation UFC and WWE[15][16][17]—and co-founder confront Seven Bucks Productions.[18]
After accepting intimation athletic scholarship to play green at the University of Algonquian, Johnson was a member show signs of the national championship team however was largely a backup player.[19] Despite aspirations to professional lea, he went undrafted in dignity NFL draft, and briefly simple with the Calgary Stampeders earlier being cut in his crowning season.[20] In , his holy man assisted in helping him come to a contract with the WWF.[1] Johnson quickly rose to international prominence, aided by a ploy he employed as a captivating trash talker. Johnson left depiction WWE in ; he correlative in as a part-time thespian until and made sporadic ritual from thereon until his isolation in ;[21] in , subside returned once again on topping part-time basis. A time universe champion—including the promotion's first quite a few African-American descent[22]—he is also uncut two-time Intercontinental Champion, a five-time Tag Team Champion, the Monarchical Rumble winner, and WWE's ordinal Triple Crown champion. Johnson headlined multiple pay-per-view events, including WWE's flagship event WrestleMania six epoch (15, 16, 17, 28, 29 and 40) which includes honesty most-bought professional wrestling pay-per-view (WrestleMania 28) and main evented rendering most watched episodes of WWE's flagship television series (Raw highest SmackDown).[23][24]
Johnson's first film role was in The Mummy Returns (). The next year, he bogus his first leading role absorb the action fantasy film The Scorpion King. He has thanks to starred in family films The Game Plan (), Race feign Witch Mountain (), Tooth Fairy (), Jumanji: Welcome to goodness Jungle (), Jumanji: The Fee 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 loftiness 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 grow one of the highest grossing in film.[25] He joined high-mindedness DC Extended Universe by dispatch the title role in Black Adam ().[26] He is as well known for voicing Maui resource the Disney animated film Moana (), and its sequel Moana 2 ().
Johnson produced mushroom starred in the HBO comedy-drama series Ballers (–)[27] and say publicly autobiographical sitcom Young Rock (–). His autobiography, The Rock Says, was released in and was a New York Times bestseller.[28][29] In and , Time entitled him as one of high-mindedness world's most influential people.[30][31]
Early animation and education
Johnson was born play in Hayward, California,[32][33] on May 2, ,[34] the son of Mataniufeagaimaleata "Ata" Fitisemanu (née Maivia)[35][36] explode former professional wrestler Rocky Author (born Wayde Douglas Bowles).[37][38] Adolescent up, he briefly lived bargain Grey Lynn in Auckland, In mint condition Zealand, with his mother's family,[39] where he played rugby[40] increase in intensity attended Richmond Road Primary Nursery school before returning to the U.S.[39]
Johnson's father was a Black Celeb Scotian with a small measure of Irish ancestry [41][42][43] playing field his mother is Samoan.[44][45][46] Dominion father and Tony Atlas were the first black tag body champions in WWE history, domestic [47][48] Johnson's uncle Ricky was also a wrestler.[49] His native is the adopted daughter surrounding Peter Maivia, who was besides a professional wrestler.[50] Johnson's jealous grandmother Lia was one homework the first female pro grappling promoters, taking over Polynesian Ocean Pro Wrestling after her husband's death in and managing introduce until [51][52] Through his tender grandfather Maivia, Johnson is boss non-blood relative of the Anoaʻi wrestling family.[53][54][55][56][57] In , powder inducted his father and old man into the WWE Hall good deal Fame.[58]
Johnson attended Montclaire Elementary Nursery school in Charlotte, North Carolina, presentday then moved to Hamden, River, where he attended Shepherd Dell Elementary School and then Hamden Middle School.[59][60] He attended Chairwoman William McKinley High School be sold for Honolulu and then Glencliff Revitalization School and McGavock High Educational institution, both in Nashville, Tennessee, brook then Freedom High School generate Bethlehem Township, Pennsylvania, in description Lehigh Valley region of authority state, where he graduated bear [61]
At Freedom High School, Lexicographer initially struggled and was reclusive into a culture of fray and petty crime. By wake up 17, he had been prevent several times for fighting, rip-off, and check fraud, and was suspended two weeks for fighting.[62] An article in the resident newspaper labeled him "a unresolved teenager with a history vacation run-ins with police". But Compass High School football coach Jody Cwik saw athletic potential cage up Johnson, and recruited him kindhearted join the school's football band, where he played defensive rigging, an experience that proved kindhearted be a significant personal radical change for Johnson. "My thought enter started to change. That's as I started thinking about goals and what I wanted forget about accomplish", he has since articulated about his high school acreage experience.[19] In addition to acting football, Johnson also was clean member of Freedom High School's track and field and rassling teams.[37]
By his senior year efficient Freedom High School, Johnson locked away played only two years objection football, but was offered trig full athletic scholarship offer raid the University of Miami, whose football program was beginning attain emerge as one of rank nation's top-level NCAA Division 1 teams.[19]
College career
As he did direction high school, Johnson continued nominate play defensive tackle at blue blood the gentry University of Miami, where yes was a member of influence Miami Hurricanes team, which won that year's national championship.[63][37] Notwithstanding playing four years there, nevertheless, Johnson found himself behind sole players on the depth diagram, including future NFL star coupled with Pro Football Hall of Celebrity inductee Warren Sapp, and comed mostly in backup roles.[64][65] Mission his time at Miami, Author played in 39 games connect with one start. He recorded sacks and 77 tackles.[66]
In , Lbj graduated with a Bachelor perceive General Studies and a paired major in criminology and physiology.[3][67] He was also one confess the university's most prolific partisan speakers in the Miami-area citizens, frequently delivering positive messages display his own struggles and clear students to remain in educational institution and avoid the dangers a mixture of drug use.[68]
After graduating, Johnson was signed by the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football Matching part. Calgary moved him from antisubmarine tackle to linebacker. He was assigned to Calgary's practice schedule, but was cut two months into Calgary's season.[37][69][70]
Professional wrestling career
Early career ()
After being cut because of Calgary, Johnson began his office wrestling career the next gathering, in [37] Veteran wrestler Rap Patterson secured several tryout matches for Johnson with the False Wrestling Federation (WWF) in Fight at first under his essential name, Johnson defeated The Borough Brawler at a house put on view on March 10[71] and misplaced matches to Chris Candido limit Owen Hart.[39] After wrestling combat Jerry Lawler's United States Sport Association under the name Outline Kavana and winning the USWA tag team championship twice expound his partner Bart Sawyer nucleus the summer of , Lexicographer was signed to a WWF contract. He received additional habit from Tom Prichard, alongside Achim Albrecht and Mark Henry.[5][39]
World Sport Federation / World Wrestling Entertainment
Intercontinental Champion (–)
Johnson made his WWF debut as Rocky Maivia, nifty combination of his father enthralled grandfather's ring names, although announcers acknowledged his real name.[72] Stylishness was initially reluctant to select this ring name but was persuaded by Vince McMahon careful Jim Ross.[52][73] He was problem the nickname "The Blue Chipper", and to play up dominion lineage, he was hyped gorilla the WWF's first third-generation wrestler.[2] A clean-cut face character, Maivia was pushed heavily from honourableness start despite his wrestling naturalness. He debuted on Monday Shadowy Raw as a member execute Marc Mero's entourage on Nov 4, [74] His first counterpart came at Survivor Series fondness November 17, in an eight-man elimination tag match; he was the sole survivor and disqualified the final two members infer the opposing team, Crush viewpoint Goldust.[75] On February 13, , he won the Intercontinental Backup from Hunter Hearst Helmsley provision a Thursday edition of Monday Night Raw.[76][77][78] Maivia then with flying colours defended the title against Helmsley at In Your House In response Four on February
Johnson's chief WrestleMania match came at WrestleMania 13 on March 23, veer he was victorious in dominion Intercontinental Championship defense against Magnanimity Sultan. WWF fans started abut reject his character and annihilate from the company.[79] He abject Bret Hart by disqualification flat a title defense on rendering March 31 episode of Raw is War.[80] Behind the scenes, Hart mentored Johnson for queen first year in WWF[81] elitist refused to be booked touch upon take the title from him.[82] On April 20, at Check Your House Revenge of nobility 'Taker, he lost to Savio Vega by countout but keep hold of the title. Audiences became more and more hostile toward Maivia, with chants of "die, Rocky, die" gift "Rocky sucks" being heard at near his matches.[1][52]
After losing the International Championship to Owen Hart swag the April 28 episode tactic Raw Is War,[83] Maivia hail a legitimate knee injury inferior a match against Mankind quick-witted June and spent several months recovering.[1]
Nation of Domination (–)
See also: Nation of Domination
Upon returning interchangeable August, Maivia turned heel call the first time in consummate career by lashing out unbendable fans who had been protestation him and joining Faarooq, D'Lo Brown and Kama in excellence stable called the Nation most recent Domination.[84] He then refused think a lot of acknowledge the Rocky Maivia fame, instead referring to himself exterior the third person as Description Rock, though he would unrelenting be billed as "The Rock" Rocky Maivia until The Totter would then regularly insult picture 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 botched job six minutes to retain significance Intercontinental Championship.[85] The next dusk on Raw Is War, Austin was ordered by Mr. McMahon to defend the title break open a rematch, but forfeited hit the ceiling to The Rock instead, segmentation him the title belt previously hitting him with the Stone Cold Stunner.[86][87] The Rock feuded with Austin and Ken Oxalis through the end of service beginning of [88][89] On Jan 19, , at the Regal Rumble, The Rock defeated Sorrel by disqualification to retain rank Intercontinental Championship. Later that darkness, he entered the Royal Pealing match and lasted until interpretation final two before he was eliminated by Stone Cold Steve Austin. On March 29, schoolwork WrestleMania XIV, he defeated Sorrel by disqualification once again join retain the title. The adhere to night, on Raw is War, The Rock debuted a in mint condition Intercontinental Championship design and would later overthrow Faarooq as emperor of the Nation of Control to spark a feud among the two. He then well defended the Intercontinental Championship blaspheme Faarooq at Over the Edge: In Your House on The fifth month or expressing possibility The stable would then take care to themselves as simply "The Nation".[90]
The Rock and the Bank account then feuded with Triple Gyrate and D-Generation X (DX), surrender the two stable leaders primary meeting in the quarter-final make out the King of the Contrary tournament, which The Rock won. At King of the Full-bodied on June 28, The Sway defeated Dan Severn in leadership semi-final match and lost with rival Ken Shamrock in blue blood the gentry final. The Rock then resumed his feud with Triple Whirl, as the two had uncluttered two out of three avalanche match at Fully Loaded: Condemn Your House on July 26 for the Intercontinental Championship, which The Rock retained in controvertible fashion.[91] This led to excellent ladder match at SummerSlam ponder August 30, where The Outcrop lost the title to Threesome H.[92]
In the latter half replicate , The Rock saw wonderful big uptick in fan crutch. He also started consolidating monarch famous persona during this ahead, which would last until [93] His popularity caused him shabby be booked in a enmity with fellow Nation members Regard Henry and D'Lo Brown, upsetting babyface in the process. Rhetorician defeated The Rock at Senseless Day: In Your House repugnance October 18 after interference yield Brown, effectively breaking up blue blood the gentry stable.[94][95]
WWF Champion and rise take over superstardom (–)
See also: The Business and Rock 'n' Sock Connection
The Rock was then entered interruption the "Deadly Game" tournament convey the vacant WWF Championship. Grandeur finals occurred at Survivor Keep in shape on November 15, where Class Rock defeated Vince McMahon's assort, Mankind, to win his regulate WWF Championship.[96][97] A "double turn" then occurred as The Vibrate turned heel again after synthesis with Vince and Shane McMahon as the crown jewel clean and tidy their stable, The Corporation, puzzle out the McMahons betrayed Mankind.[96][98] Mass December 13, at the pay-per-view named after him, Rock Bottom: In Your House, The Seesaw had a rematch with Humanity for the WWF Championship. Humans appeared to win the wage war when The Rock passed presidency to the Mandible Claw surrender move, but Vince McMahon ruled that since The Rock exact not tap out, he set aside his title.[98][99]
In the main foil of the January 4, , episode of Raw Is War, Mankind defeated The Rock provision the championship after interference come across Stone Cold Steve Austin.[] Bolster at the Royal Rumble bargain January 24, The Rock regained the title in an "I Quit" match, a type lady submission match that only awkward if one of the combatants says "I quit" on systematic microphone. Intended to show splendid vicious streak in The Rock's character, The Rock hit Persons in the head with on the rocks steel chair 11 times in place of of the scripted five, fivesome shots already being risky (most wrestling matches in the Posture Era involving steel chairs difficult to understand at most 2 or 3 shots to the head). Rear 1 the fifth shot, Mankind was still ringside instead of two-thirds up the entrance ramp place he was supposed to hide, and after the eleventh bullet, which knocked Mankind out, a-ok recording of Mankind saying "I Quit" from an earlier enquire was played over the universal address system.[][] On January 31, during an episode of Sunday Night Heat, The Rock be proof against Mankind participated in an Clear Arena match, a match think about it took place in an bowl with 22, empty seats veer any part of the effortlessness could be used to fighting the match. After 20 a short time ago of chaotic brawling in integrity ring, the stands, a pantry, the catering area, an reign, the arena corridors and at last a basement loading area, Human beings pinned The Rock using put in order forklift truck to win picture WWF Championship.[] The two unabashed off again, at St. Valentine's Day Massacre: In Your Manor on February 14, in unornamented Last Man Standing match which ended in a draw, goal Mankind retained the title. Their feud ended on the Feb 15 Raw Is War, just as The Rock won his base WWF Championship in a Pecking order Match after a debuting Allencompassing Show interfered on his behalf.[][] The Rock then lost integrity WWF Championship to Stone Harsh Steve Austin at WrestleMania XV on March []
The Rock's regularity continued to grow and audiences still cheered for him level though he was a lean. He then lost the name rematch against Stone Cold Steve Austin at Backlash: In Your House on April [] Rectitude next night on Raw obey War The Rock was laidoff from The Corporation after smartness was betrayed by Shane McMahon, turning him face again limit starting a feud with Trio H, The Undertaker and Interpretation Corporate Ministry. On April 29, , WWF aired the first episode of SmackDown!, a designation derived from one of Authority Rock's catchphrases. In the leaf, The Rock continued his hostility with The Corporate Ministry. That led to a match colleague Triple H, at Over goodness Edge on May 23, which The Rock won,[] and smashing match for the WWF Patronage against The Undertaker, at Gorgeous of the Ring on June 27, which The Rock lost.[] The Rock then lost nifty number one contender's match equal Triple H, at Fully Overwhelmed on July 25, after trespass from "Mr. Ass" Billy Gunn.[] The Rock then defeated Gunn in a Kiss My Show match at SummerSlam on Honoured The Rock was also secure the privilege of having tiara own signature match, like Picture Undertaker with the Buried Living match, Kane with the Match and Mankind with rendering Boiler Room Brawl: the Brahma Bullrope match, a variant slate a strap match was uncluttered normal singles match where interpretation components are tied together be level with a rope used for pigs farming, and the rope attend to its attached cowbell could both be used as weapons. Loftiness Rock contested this match twice over, both times in Texas (vs Triple H in Dallas, don vs Al Snow in Houston).[]
Shortly after SummerSlam, The Rock began teaming with former opponent People and the two became protest as the Rock 'n' Whap Connection.[] They became WWF Price tag Team Champions for the culminating time after defeating The Mortician and Big Show for probity titles on the August 30 episode of Raw is War.[][] The two performed a hand out of critically acclaimed comedic skits together, including one called "This Is Your Life", which maxim Mankind bring parody versions be more or less people from The Rock's former on television, such as rule high school girlfriend and authority high school football coach, solitary to have The Rock injustice them. The segment earned highrise Nielsen rating, one of excellence highest ratings ever for trim Raw segment.[] The two lacking the titles back to Funeral director and Big Show on greatness September 9 episode of SmackDown! and won them back munch through them on the September 20 episode of Raw is War.[][] The Rock and Mankind afterward lost the titles to Blue blood the gentry New Age Outlaws on character very next episode of SmackDown!.[] The Rock and Mankind would win the tag titles complete the third and final delay after beating the New Quotation Outlaws on the October 14 episode of SmackDown! before failure the titles to The Songster Cousins on the October 18 episode of Raw is War.[][]
At the Royal Rumble on Jan 23, , The Rock entered the Royal Rumble match status was one of the concluding two remaining, along with Billowing Show. In an attempt exploit a "false finish", Big Well-known intended to throw The Escarpment over the top rope atmosphere a running powerslam-like position, in the past The Rock countered the determination on the ring apron, dispatch Big Show to the clout before reentering the ring in the same way the winner.[] But The Rock's feet accidentally hit the raze during the reversal attempt, although those watching the event disincentive television did not see stroll. This was played up get in touch with the storyline as Big Agricultural show provided additional video footage screening it and claimed to capability the rightful winner. The Rock's number one contendership for integrity WWF Championship was then ash on the line against Immense Show at No Way Effect on February 27, which Expansive Show won after Shane McMahon interfered.[] The Rock then abject Big Show on the Go by shanks`s pony 13 episode of Raw Recapitulate War, to regain the fasten to face the WWF Winner, Triple H, at WrestleMania lose control April 2, in a Utmost deadly Four-way elimination match, also as well as Big Show and Mick Foley.[][] Each wrestler had a McMahon in his corner: Triple Revolve had his wife, Stephanie, Foley had Linda, The Rock difficult Vince and Big Show locked away Shane.[][] The Rock lasted waiting for the final two but was eliminated by Triple H care Vince betrayed him by intrusion him with a chair.[][]
Due be acquainted with his image at the put on ice, a Magic: The Gathering lay one on archetype was named after him.[]
Record-breaking world champion (–)
In the masses weeks, The Rock continued culminate feud with Triple H esoteric eventually won his fourth WWF Championship, which he won divide April 30, at Backlash, make sure of Stone Cold Steve Austin intervened on his behalf.[][] The multitude night on Raw is War, The Rock successfully defended emperor title against Shane McMahon occupy a Steel Cage match. Bulge May 21, at Judgment Leg up, The Rock faced Triple Turn round in an Iron Man equivalent with Shawn Michaels as prestige special guest referee.[] With righteousness score tied at five waterfall each, and with seconds omitted on the time limit, Honesty Rock was disqualified when Probity Undertaker attacked Triple H, so giving Triple H the 6–5 win and the title.[][] Integrity Rock won the WWF Espousal for a fifth time dead even King of the Ring exert yourself June 25 by scoring leadership winning pin in a six-man tag team match, teaming touch Kane and The Undertaker surface Shane McMahon, Triple H trip Vince McMahon, whom he pinned.[][] The Rock successfully defended honourableness championship against Chris Benoit trade July 23 at Fully Laden. The next month, he famously defended his title against Kurt Angle and Triple H level SummerSlam on August The Totter had another successful title accumulation against Benoit, Kane and Position Undertaker on September 24 scoff at Unforgiven.[]
The Rock then lost nobility WWF Championship to Kurt Viewpoint at No Mercy on Oct 22, [] The next four weeks, The Rock feuded with Rikishi and defeated him at Unfortunate Series on November [] Leadership Rock wrestled a six-man Nether regions in a Cell match divulge the WWF Championship at Fight on December 10, which Partake won to retain the title.[] On the December 18 experience of Raw is War, Birth Rock won the WWF Group of words Team Championship with The Mortician, defeating Edge and Christian, earlier losing the titles back elect Edge and Christian the later night at a SmackDown! taping.[] The Rock continued to vendetta with Angle over the WWF Championship, culminating at No Admirably Out on February 25, , where he pinned Angle come to get win the WWF Championship farm a sixth time.[][] The Wobble then feuded with the Commune Rumble winner, Stone Cold Steve Austin, whom he lost say publicly title to at WrestleMania X-Seven on April 1 after Austin allied with Vince McMahon, who interfered on his behalf.[] Refining the next night's Raw hype War, during a steel shut up title rematch, Triple H troubled The Rock, allying with McMahon and Austin and helping Austin retain the championship.[] Austin folk tale Triple H then formed a- tag team called The Gruffness Trip,[] while The Rock was indefinitely suspended in storyline. President used this time off chastise act in The Scorpion King.
The Rock returned in compute July when the WWF was feuding with rival promotions Earth Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Restricted Championship Wrestling (ECW) during what is known as The Raid storyline. In reality, WCW was purchased by Vince McMahon suggest the WWF, and ECW difficult to understand gone out of business overlook early Many former WCW add-on ECW wrestlers were then knocked out onto WWF television and familiar The Alliance to compete meet the WWF in storyline. Grandeur Alliance and Vince McMahon verification both attempted to persuade primacy Rock to join their band. The Rock then aligned outstrip McMahon and the WWF. Representation next month, the Rock downcast Booker T at SummerSlam overseer August 19 to win magnanimity WCW Championship for the be in first place time.[][] He later lost justness title to Chris Jericho put behind you No Mercy on October [][] The next night on Raw, he teamed with Jericho cut into win the WWF Tag Line-up Championship from The Dudley Boyz. The two then lost blue blood the gentry tag titles to Booker Businesslike and Test on the Nov 1, , episode of SmackDown!.[] The Rock defeated Jericho bombardment the November 5 episode use up Raw for his second WCW Championship.[]
As part of the WWF's battle against The Alliance, excellence Rock wrestled in a "winner takes all" five-on-five elimination mark team match at Survivor Pile on November 18 where rendering losing team's company would hair dissolved in storyline. He was a member of Team WWF along with Chris Jericho, Rendering Undertaker, Kane, and Big Agricultural show. The Alliance's team consisted have possession of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Kurt Angle, Booker T, Rob Front Dam, and Shane McMahon. Infiltrate the end, it came take down to a one-on-one between position Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin. The Rock seemed estimate have the upper hand, while his teammate Jericho entered leadership ring and attacked the Scarp. Austin tried to capitalize fragments this by pinning the Outcrop, but Kurt Angle revealed potentate true allegiance by attacking Austin. The Rock then pinned Austin, giving Team WWF the make sorry and forcing The Alliance put in plain words 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 Seesaw lost the World Championship ascend Jericho, who would then unite the WWF and World distinctions later that night.[] The Tor then unsuccessfully challenged Jericho pray the now Undisputed WWF Promotion at Royal Rumble on Jan 20, []
At the next pay-per-view, No Way Out on Feb 17, The Rock defeated Dignity Undertaker in a singles wage war. The event also saw probity WWF debut of the renowned WCW faction New World Button (nWo), which at the meaning consisted of "Hollywood" Hulk Linksman, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.[] This later led to tidy match between The Rock with Hogan at WrestleMania X8 keep on March The match was billed as "icon versus icon", to both men representing the silence tier of two generations interpret wrestling; ultimately The Rock badge Hogan at WrestleMania X8 suck up to win the match.[]