VIDEO: Dwayne Johnson Watches His First WWE Match
Dwayne Johnson celebrates his birthday on May 2, and regardless of the millions…and millions that he earns from his absurdly successful acting career, he will always be The Rock. Of course, he…
Dwayne Johnson celebrates his birthday on May 2, and regardless of the millions…and millions that he earns from his absurdly successful acting career, he will always be The Rock.
Of course, he didn’t start off as "The Rock."
In the video below, Johnson looks back on his WWE debut that took place at Madison Square Garden on the Survivor Series pay-per-view event on November 17, 1996. Then billed as Rocky Maivia, he was a long way from becoming “The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment,” but even The Rock had to start somewhere.
Seriously, that hair alone was ridiculous (which he acknowledges), never mind his gear.
Eventually, crowds everywhere would soon sour on the squeaky clean Maivia. As if almost by fate, a knee injury put Johnson on the shelf for four months, and when he returned in August 1997, The Rock was born.
The rest is history.
WrestleMania: 10 Interesting Facts About ‘The Showcase of the Immortals’
WrestleMania 39 kicks off tomorrow, and the Showcase of the Immortals is going "Hollywood."
Taking place over the course of two nights on April 1 and 2, WrestleMania 39 will emanate from SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The event will feature packed cards on both nights including Roman Reigns defending the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship against Cody Rhodes and Charlotte Flair defending the WWE SmackDown Women's Championship against Rhea Ripley
Additionally, fans will see a Hell in a Cell match between Edge and "The Demon" Finn Balor and a six-woman tag team match with Damage CTRL taking on Becky Lynch and WWE Hall of Famers Trish Stratus and Lita.
To celebrate "The Grandest Stage of Them All," here are 10 interesting facts about WrestleMania.
WrestleMania almost wasn't WrestleMania
Bryan Bedder/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 15: Cast member Howard Finkel attends the WWE screening of "Legends' House" at Smith & Wollensky on April 15, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for WWE)
WrestleMania 35 was the first WrestleMania to be headlined by women.
Bryan Steffy/Getty ImagesLAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 12: WWE Superstar Becky Lynch appears on the red carpet of the WWE Mae Young Classic on September 12, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for WWE)
Run-DMC provided a WrestleMania first.
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAmerican rap group Run DMC pose at the Grammy Awards, 1980s. (L-R): Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), Joe 'Run' Simmons and Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
WrestleMania 2 is the only WrestleMania to happen on a weekday.
Paul Kane/Getty ImagesPERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 24: Hulk Hogan gestures to the audience during his Hulkamania Tour at the Burswood Dome on November 24, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
WrestleMania 28 holds the record for most PPV buys.
Taylor Hill/Getty ImagesNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 04: The Rock and John Cena attend the WrestleMania 29 Press Conference at Radio City Music Hall on April 4, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
“Macho Man” Randy Savage has the record for most WrestleMania wins in a single night.
Frank Micelotta/Getty ImagesLOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 16: Actor Randy Savage attends the 31st Annual American Music Awards at The Shrine Auditorium November 16, 2003 in Los Angeles, California. (Phot by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Longest match in WrestleMania history.
Steve Haag/Gallo Images, Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesShortest match in WrestleMania history.
Jesse Grant/Getty ImagesANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 24: Dwayne Johnson of 'Jungle Cruise' took part today in the Walt Disney Studios presentation at Disney’s D23 EXPO 2019 in Anaheim, Calif. 'Jungle Cruise' will be released in U.S. theaters on July 24, 2020. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)
Most losses at WrestleMania.
Getty Images370782 01: World Wrestling Federation's Wrestler Triple H Poses June 12, 2000 In Los Angeles, Ca. (Photo By Getty Images)
Total attendance at WrestleMania.
Bill Olive/Getty ImagesHOUSTON, TX - APRIL 5: Opening fireworks as WrestleMania 25 at Reliant Stadium begins on April 5, 2009 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bill Olive/Getty Images)
