As we reported earlier today here on eWn, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson became a member of the TKO Board of Directors. The announcement came with the news that Johnson will obtain the ownership rights to his “The Rock” nickname.
Speaking during an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk On The Street on Tuesday, The Rock commented on the importance of owning the rights to his nickname. He said,
“There is a business side of that, as we know. There is the economics side of that, but it goes much deeper than that. This idea, the name of The Rock, for me, I owe that name everything. Without that name, there would be no wrestling career, no Hollywood career. Also, that name was a derivative of my dad, Rocky Johnson, who was the first black tag team champion in WWE, trail blazer, paved the way, man of color, for a kid like me to be embraced in a bigger way when I came along. This is one of the reasons why this deal is so unprecedented, the one I was able to do and cut with Ari here. Again, I want to acknowledge Ari and give him his flowers. At the end of the day, he had a million reasons to say no, but he found a reason to say yes. The reason why is he understood, as he told me face-to-face, this is your name and it comes from your family. That’s important to me. Family is very important to us and the name The Rock, this is why it became invaluable. The street valuation of the name The Rock, it has some heft behind it. More importantly than that, it’s something I’ve earned, built, and I owe so much to that wild lunatic called The Rock, that by the way, the greatest benefit of now completely owning the name The Rock, no gimmicks, no BS, across the board, full ownership, is the name The Rock, years ago, really allowed me to be me. That’s very special.”
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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the renowned wrestler and actor, recently made headlines by becoming a member of the TKO Board of Directors and obtaining ownership rights to his iconic nickname. In a recent interview on CNBC’s Squawk On The Street, The Rock emphasized the significance of owning the rights to his nickname and how it has played a pivotal role in his career.
The Rock expressed his gratitude towards his nickname, stating that it has been instrumental in shaping his wrestling and Hollywood careers. He acknowledged that the name “The Rock” was derived from his father, Rocky Johnson, who was the first black tag team champion in WWE. The Rock credits his father for paving the way for him as a person of color in the industry and enabling him to be embraced on a larger scale.
The ownership of his nickname holds personal and sentimental value for The Rock, as it represents his family legacy. Family is of utmost importance to him, and he appreciates that the name “The Rock” is deeply rooted in his family history. This connection makes the ownership deal with TKO even more significant and unprecedented.
The Rock also highlighted the business aspect of owning his nickname. He acknowledged that there are economic benefits associated with it, but he emphasized that it goes beyond just financial gain. The name “The Rock” holds immense value in terms of its brand recognition and marketability. It is a name that The Rock has earned and built over the years, and he attributes much of his success to the persona he created as “The Rock.”
By completely owning the name “The Rock,” The Rock now has full control over how it is used and represented. There are no gimmicks or limitations attached to it, allowing him to fully embrace and embody the character he has become known for. This ownership provides him with a sense of authenticity and allows him to be true to himself.
The Rock expressed his gratitude towards Ari, the person who facilitated the ownership deal, for understanding the importance of the name to him and his family. Ari recognized that the name “The Rock” is not just a stage name but a representation of The Rock’s heritage and legacy.
In conclusion, The Rock’s ownership of his iconic nickname, “The Rock,” is a significant milestone in his career. It symbolizes his family’s legacy, his personal journey, and the impact he has made in the wrestling and entertainment industry. The ownership allows him to fully embrace and celebrate the character he has created, while also giving him control over how the name is used. The Rock’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring wrestlers and actors, highlighting the importance of staying true to oneself and embracing one’s heritage.