Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has won multiple championships, sold out arenas, and smashed box-office records. Aptly-named People’s Champion, he is one of the most charismatic WWE Superstars of all time.
In the wrestling world, the Rock laid the smackdown on “Attitude Era” rivals like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Triple H. In the film world, Dwayne Johnson movies have brought in over $10 billion worldwide. He’s the hardest working guy in showbiz, the highest paid actor on the planet, a most attractive man alive winner, and a revitalizer for aging movie franchises.
With one eyebrow cocked, The People’s Champion would warned his opponents to “Know your role and shut your mouth” before delivering his finishing maneuver, The Rock Bottom, on the way to victory. Here are 7 facts you may not know about the guy who has been called the “Most Electrifying Man in All of Entertainment”:
Never staying for long
Johnson was born in Hayward, California in 1972, but he grew up all over the country, since the family moved around to accommodate Rocky Johnson’s wrestling career. He spent the early years of his life in New Zealand before returning to America to live in North Carolina where he attended Montclaire Elementary School in Charlotte.
He then moved to Connecticut, where he spent a couple of years at Shepherd Glen Elementary School and Hamden Middle School before spending his high school years at President William McKinley High School in Honolulu, Hawaii, Glencliff High School and McGavock High School in Nashville, Tennessee, and Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
He Was Arrested 9 Times Before The Age Of 17
Because of the family’s frequent moves, young Dwayne had a difficult time making friends. He was also teased by other children about his father’s profession, and about his size—even as a youngster, Johnson was bigger than average. As a result, he had a quick temper, and was even arrested several times for fighting.
He was also arrested for theft at age 14. His family was evicted from their small apartment, and he turned to crime to make some fast cash. He was involved in a theft ring that targeted high-end tourist spots going after high-end clothes and jewelry.
Rock said in an interview from 2014: ”There are a lot of tourists that come into Waikiki and there’s a lot of money. A lot of foreign money that comes in, and we were part of a theft ring that would target those groups. We would target the money, we would target the high-end clothes and we would target the jewelry – turn around and sell it, best we could.”
He’s A Third Generation Wrestler
The first third-generation Superstar in WWE history, the man born Dwayne Johnson was destined for sports-entertainment immortality since birth. His mother’s father, Peter “High Chief” Maivia, was a professional wrestler of Samoan descent whose heritage served as the basis for his ring persona. His father, Rocky Johnson, married into the famed Anoa’i family after he wed “High Chief” Peter Maivia’s daughter Ata Maivia.
He Has A Degree In Criminology
Although Dwayne Johnson had a few brushes with the law in his youth, he holds a degree in criminology. In 1995, he graduated from Miami University with a Bachelor of General Studies in criminology and physiology. He earned the degree and at the same time, played college football for the Miami Hurricanes as a defensive lineman.
Johnson played for the football team for four years, amassing 77 tackles and 4.25 sacks during his time at the school. Rock won a national championship during his time with Miami and nine players he played with went on to play in the NFL.
He Introduced The Original X-Box With Bill Gates
On January 6th, 2001, The Rock introduced the newest Microsoft gaming console, the X-Box, with Bill Gates.
The conference was part of CES 2001, and saw Dwayne Johnson and Bill Gates bouncing off each other in a humorous exchange about the WWE, Microsoft and, of course, the Xbox itself.
“The Xbox is everything The Rock is. Cutting-edge, powerful, exhilarating, and like The Rock, it will be the most electrifying thing coming out this year. What The Rock is to sports entertainment to the WWF, the Xbox will be to the video game industry: a breakthrough and certainly an original. The Rock doesn’t impress easily–you know that, Bill. But I’m pretty damn impressed with what we’re seeing here today,” the Rock said.
He Owns The XFL
A group including Dwayne Johnson paid $15M to acquire the XFL from Vince McMahon, after the league filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The league plans to restart in spring 2022.
In a statement, Johnson, provided a glimpse of what he’s bringing to the league.
“The acquisition of the XFL with my talented partners, Dany Garcia and Gerry Cardinale, is an investment for me that’s rooted deeply in two things — my passion for the game and my desire to always take care of the fans,” said Johnson. “With pride and gratitude for all that I’ve built with my own two hands, I plan to apply these callouses to the XFL and look forward to creating something special for the players, fans and everyone involved for the love of football.”
He Holds The World Record For Most Selfies Taken
In 2015, the Rock broke the record for most selfies taken by taking 105 selfies in a span of 3 minutes, all with his fans on the red carpet of the premier of his movie: San Andreas, at London’s Odeon Leicester Square.
Each photo had to be in focus showing the full face and neck of each participant in order to be counted toward the record. A Guinness World Records adjudicator was reportedly on hand to ensure that “selfie rules were followed.
