Dwayne Johnson’s Rise: Wrestling, Movies and New Challenges Ahead

Dwayne Douglas Johnson, famously known as The Rock, was born on May 2, 1972, in Hayward, California. He comes from a family deeply rooted in wrestling. 

His father, Rocky Johnson, was a professional wrestler of Black Nova Scotian descent, and his mother, Ata Johnson, has Samoan heritage. Growing up, Dwayne travelled extensively with his parents and watched his father perform in the wrestling ring. 

In high school, Johnson excelled in football, earning a full scholarship to the University of Miami. He had a successful college football career but suffered a back injury in 1995, which ended his chances of playing in the NFL. He briefly played in the Canadian Football League before turning to professional wrestling. 

Johnson made his wrestling debut in the USWA as Flex Kavanah, winning the tag team championship. In 1996, he joined WWE (then WWF) as Rocky Maivia, a character named to honour his father and grandfather.

Initially a crowd favourite, he later adopted the persona of the Rock, a charismatic and confident “heel” or villain, which boosted his popularity.  The Rock became one of WWE’s top stars, engaging in memorable feuds and winning multiple world championships. 

Transitioning to Hollywood, The Rock became a major action star. His notable films include several instalments of the Fast and the Furious franchise, The Mummy Returns, Tooth Fairy, Baywatch and more. Known for his impressive combination of size, athleticism and charisma, Johnson has become one of the highest-paid and most popular actors in the world. 

Recently, Johnson has been making headlines for his intense preparation for his upcoming film, The Smashing Machine, where he portrays former UFC fighter Mark Kerr. For this role, Johnson underwent rigorous MMA training with UFC legends to authentically capture the physical and mental challenges of the sport. 

The film is directed by Benny Safdie and is set for release in action-comedy roles, hoping it could earn him critical acclaim and possibly an Oscar nod. 

In addition to his acting career, Johnson remains connected to wrestling. He appeared on WWE SmackDown in 2025, where he engaged in a storyline involving Cody Rhodes, aiming to shape Rhodes into the undisputed champion. This appearance stirred some fan reactions, with comparisons made to Johnson’s earlier wrestling feuds. 

At the 2025 Golden Globes, Johnson had a notably awkward public interaction with Vin Diesel, reigniting speculation about their past on-set tensions from the Fast and Furious franchise.  Despite Diesel’s friendly gesture, Johnson’s lukewarm response suggested lingering strain between the two stars. 

Dwayne Johnson continues to be a multifaceted figure, an accomplished wrestler, a blockbuster movie star and a dedicated family man, all while preparing for new challenges in both film and wrestling.