The Rock has a lot to owe to his legendary father Rocky Johnson, who helped him break into the industry.
There have been many illustrious families in the wrestling world, having countless members of their households compete inside the squared circle. These family clans have had generations battle one after the other, sending their offspring to the industry to become a superstar. One of those amazing pairs of highly talented wrestlers was ‘Soulman’ Rocky Johnson and his son, The Rock.
The Rock is one of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time. He captivated the audience with his amazing charisma, talent, and connection with the WWE Universe. However, it was people like his father Rocky Johnson who emerged as successful athletes in the ring at a time bBlack superstars did not get relevant opportunities.
While his own son had plans to play professional football, a turn of events saw a young Dwayne Johnson turn to his father to help him get into the wrestling industry. However, the two always had a complex equation between themselves as father and son. So let’s explore the relationship between The Rock and his father, the great Rocky Johnson.
Rocky Johnson’s Life Was A Struggle Which Made Him A Stern Parent
Rocky Johnson was a trailblazer in the wrestling industry, becoming one of the first Black wrestlers to win a major championship. He had a successful career in the 1970s and 1980s, winning the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) Georgia Heavyweight Championship and the NWA Florida Tag Team Championship, among other accolades. Furthermore, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2008.
Despite Rocky’s success in the ring, he struggled with personal issues that strained his relationship with his son, Dwayne. Rocky was known to be absent from his family’s life for long periods, leaving Dwayne and his mother, Ata Maivia, to fend for themselves. In his autobiography, “The Rock Says…”, The Rock revealed that his father’s absence was a source of pain for him, and he often felt abandoned as a child.
Moreover, Rocky Johnson was kicked out of his house when he was only 13 years old, so that shaped the man who raised The Rock, including being subjected to tough love, as he mentioned in an interview with The People. “Growing up, and you know we specifically went with these timelines in my life that were very defining times at 10 years old, 15 and 18 … there’s a lot of things in between those years that took place … but it was complicated and the relationship that I had with my dad was incredibly complicated — that was fueled by tough love. My dad was kicked out of his house at 13 and he was homeless, so that then shaped the man who then raised me. And in that complication came an extraordinary life that was full of travel. I lived in 13 different states by the time I was 13 years old, also lived in New Zealand.”
Rocky Johnson’s parenting style was strict and authoritarian, which led to conflicts with his son as he grew up. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, The Rock spoke candidly about the physical and emotional abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, saying that he and his dad had a complicated and tumultuous relationship. However, Oprah raised a toast to The Rock’s father and claimed that their relationship was not over but had evolved with Rocky Johnson. “I would like to make a toast to your father. I’d like to make a toast to the man who helped make you the man you that you are. May your relationship with him in the beyond be stronger, more profound and bring you all the love that you’ve always deserved.”
Rocky Johnson Was Disappointed With His Son’s Decision To Leave WWE For Hollywood
The Rock was inspired by his father’s success in wrestling, and followed in his footsteps, eventually becoming a WWE superstar and surpassing his legacy. But as their careers progressed, their relationship continued to be fraught with tension. In 2003, Rocky Johnson made a surprise appearance on WWE television, confronting his son and challenging him to a match. The angle was intended to build up to a father-son tag team match, but it never materialized. However, the tension between the two men was palpable, with Dwayne later admitting that the segment was difficult for him emotionally.
In 2008, Rocky Johnson spoke out publicly against his son, criticizing him for his decision to focus on his acting career instead of returning to the WWE. He also accused Dwayne of neglecting his family and not being a good father to his own children. Despite these public outbursts, Dwayne continued to speak fondly of his father in interviews, acknowledging the difficult relationship but also expressing his admiration for Rocky’s accomplishments in the wrestling world.
Sadly, Rocky Johnson passed away in January 2020, leaving behind a complicated legacy and a son who continues to grapple with their relationship. In an emotional post on Instagram, Dwayne wrote “I love you. You broke color barriers, became a ring legend, and trail blazed your way through this world. I was the boy sitting in the seats, watching and adoring you, my hero from afar.”
The Rock’s complicated relationship with his father Rocky Johnson is a reminder that even those who achieve great success and fame can still be affected by their personal struggles and family dynamics. While their relationship may have been fraught with tension and conflict, it is clear that there was also love and respect between the two men.
Source: thesportster.com
