“The Rock” is a name is derived from Johnson’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who was the primary Black champion in WWE historical past (alongside accomplice Tony Atlas), in keeping with the WWE.
It is a name that has change into nearly synonymous with skilled wrestling however its bearer, Dwayne Johnson, has by no means legally owned “The Rock”. That will change beneath a brand new settlement with the WWE beneath which Johnson will even be a part of the board of TKO Group, the sports activities and leisure firm that homes WWE and UFC.
“The Rock” is a name is derived from Johnson’s father, WWE Hall of Famer Rocky Johnson, who was the primary Black champion in WWE historical past (alongside accomplice Tony Atlas), in keeping with the WWE.
Johnson, in an interview on CNBC, wouldn’t focus on the monetary worth of the take care of WWE however stated that the name “The Rock” means quite a bit to him personally.
“I owe that name everything,” Johnson stated. “Without that name, there’d be no wrestling career. There’d be no Hollywood career.” Johnson, a film and wrestling star, has a enterprise portfolio that features his manufacturing firm Seven Bucks Productions, tequila model Teremana Tequila, vitality drink firm ZOA Energy, Project Rock attire model and the United Football League.
Johnson stated on CNBC that this can be his first time serving on the board of a publicly traded firm. ”I’m very motivated to assist proceed to globally develop our TKO, WWE, and UFC companies because the worldwide leaders in sports activities and leisure — whereas proudly representing so many phenomenal athletes and performers who present up daily placing within the exhausting work with their very own two arms to make their goals come true and ship for our audiences,” Johnson stated in a ready assertion.
“I’ve been there, I’m still there and this is for them.”
TKO Group Holdings Inc says Johnson’s board appointment, efficient Tuesday, displays its “commitment to delivering long-term value and strong performance for shareholders through strategic growth initiatives across both UFC and WWE.”
Johnson started his wrestling profession with WWE in 1996. The third-generation wrestler turned well-known for rivalries with wrestlers together with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Triple H and his ending maneuver, The Rock Bottom, in keeping with his biography on WWE’s web site.
He has gained eight WWE championships, has a New York Times bestselling autobiography, “The Rock Says”, and starred in films together with “Fast X”, “Black Adam”, “Jungle Cruise”, and ”Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”.
Johnson has not too long ago appeared on World Wrestling Entertainment Inc’s “Smackdown” and “Raw” tv applications, with rumours swirling that he might compete at this yr’s WrestleMania.
“I am thrilled to partner with Dwayne and welcome his immense talent to TKO’s Board,” TKO CEO Ariel Emanuel stated in a ready assertion. “Dwayne brings an incredible track record of creating content and building globally recognised consumer brands, and he will play a key role in realizing our ambitions for TKO.”
TKO additionally introduced Tuesday that Brad Keywell will change into a board member. Keywell has co-founded and led a number of corporations, together with Groupon, Echo Global Logistics, MediaOcean, and Uptake Technologies, the place he’s at present the founder and govt chairman.
The additions of Johnson and Keywell will enhance TKO’s board from 11 to 13 members.
Shares of TKO Group surged greater than 19 % in morning buying and selling after TKO introduced WWE’s weekly tv present “Raw” will transfer to Netflix subsequent yr as half of a significant streaming deal price greater than USD 5 billion.
