We have some big news for you, The Rock and Dwayne Johnson are the same person. We know, we are shocked as well. No one saw this coming. So, now that you have had your eyes opened let’s talk about the Jabroni beating, pie eating, trailblazing, eyebrow-raising superstar, Dwayne Johnson, also known as the Rock.
The Rock has had one of the most inspirational journey through which we all can learn a lot. Starting as a small-time wrestler, then headlining WWE at Wrestlemania and finally becoming one of the highest paid actor in the world and most importantly, being loved by fans all across the globe, The Rock has been through it all.
You must think you know all about The Rock, but here are some facts you probably never heard about Dwayne The Rock Johnson.
#1: He Owns the rights to the name “The Rock”
The Rock is not just a name, it is a brand. Dwayne Johnson owns all the rights to the name “The Rock”, including the logos, phrases etc. The rights were previously owned by Vince McMahon, the owner of WWE Inc. That is why he has received credit in some of Rock’s films.
#2: Johnson was skeptical about the name “The Rock”
At the beginning of his career, Johnson was known as Rocky Maivia. He was hesitant to change his name to The Rock as he felt this would be stealing the former nickname of WWE Hall-Of-Famer Don Muraco. But, Vince Russo (Creative professional in WWE) talked him into finally changing his name.
#3: Generations of Wrestlers
The whole family of The Rock is filled with wrestlers. His father Rocky Johnson along with his grandparents, three uncles and six cousins, (one of the them was adopted) have been in wrestling.
#4: Bond Villain
The Rock has, on many occasions expressed his desire to play the role of a villain in a James Bond film. Surprisingly, The Rock’s grandfather, Peter Fanene Maivia appeared as a Bond villain in You Only Live Twice (1967).
#5: Multiple-Citizenship Holder
The Rock has lived in the United States of America for most of his life, but he has a Samoan citizenship as his mother is Samoan. He has often stated that he is proud of his Samoan roots. He also accepted an honorary Canadian citizenship, as his father was from Canada.
#6: Awkward Teenager
It was very difficult for The Rock to make friends in High School as he was 6’4 and weighed around 225 lbs. and had a moustache which led to his fellow students suspect he was an undercover police officer, much like the movie 21 Jump Street.
#7: Missed Casting Opportunities
He was interested in the title role of the Jack Reacher (2012), but he was unable to get the role as the makers casted Tom Cruise. He was also offered the role of Cade Yeager in Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014), but he turned it down for Hercules (2014) and the role was finally given to Mark Wahlberg.
#8: First person to defeat “The Rattlesnake”
The Rock was the first person to ever kick out of the “Stone Cold Stunner” while fighting Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania. Although, we all the truth about WWE, this feat holds significance as it tells us about how much of a bankable star he was.
#9: Fooled his girlfriend
We have all seen The Rock sell those finishing moves in WWE. His performance is what made it entertaining. Once, while putting on a show for WWF road agent Pat Patterson, The Rock sold his opponent’s moves so well, his then girlfriend Dany Garcia thought he was actually hurt.
#10: Major in Criminology
At the University of Miami, in the first semester he earned a respectable Grade Point Average of .7 and he was majoring in criminology. He finally graduated with a degree in Criminology in 1995. It is surprising, as none of us would have guessed it.
