On a recent edition of his “My World” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett discussed Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joining the TKO Board Of Directors, Johnson securing the IP rights to his ring name, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On The Rock joining TKO Board of Directors: “Yeah, I’ll say this. Since that came out last week, I’ve had multiple buddies text me [and say] ‘Man, help me out here, what exactly does that mean that Dwayne Johnson is sitting on the [Board]? Because I got — we could talk about this whole pod, because this is fascinating to me in a very — look, first time I met Rock, his dad called him Dewey. He was 14 years old. But the Board — help me out Conrad, because you explain it better. But he’s not an employee. It’s — how many is on that board, eight to 10? But they’re independent, I call them ‘businessman?’ Wouldn’t that be a safe way to say it? Just what it represents is much to me, when you really [go] inside baseball and pull the layers back and pull the layers back and pull the layers back, he’s on the board that owns — it’s Endeavor. I mean, it’s TKO’s Board. It is very impressive.”
On Dwayne Johnson getting the IP rights to The Rock name: “Can we talk about the IP of The Rock? So — and you know these years much better than I do. But he went away, and came back and did the trilogy with [John] Cena, right? What years were those? [two matches at WrestleMania 28 and WrestleMania 29]… In 2011 I still think he was, if not the biggest, right up there, top five most powerful men in Hollywood. He didn’t need the WWE, without question. He could have gone on — anyway, it’s just a hypothetical [that he could have gotten the rights back then]. So when I heard that news, I was like, ‘Wait, he didn’t already play that card way back when?’ I just thought that. But him getting that, what I’m curious about now. This is just a sidebar, Connie and I don’t know if you’ve discussed this on any other podcast.
“But now that Dwayne owns The Rock, and probably there are some associated marks with that… But I say that to say, it’s going to be curious to see what Seven Bucks and whatever his team, how are they going to monetize The Rock differently, that they thought to themselves, a deal came across the table [and they would say], ‘No, I don’t do that. There’s a lot of red tape and the pie may be cut too thin, and this is gonna go there; we’ll pass.’ I’m just curious to see; he got it back. And I know it’s very personal because his dad’s Rocky, and everything, the emotional — and I think he said that in one of his interviews last week. But now that he has it, how’s he going to monetize it? Because I definitely think he’s got a plan for it. And yes, it is a personal family name if you will, but I just see him monetizing it in a way that is not on everyone’s bingo card right now.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the iconic professional wrestler turned Hollywood superstar, has recently made headlines for joining the TKO Board of Directors and securing the intellectual property (IP) rights to his ring name. These developments have sparked curiosity and speculation about what this means for Johnson’s future endeavors and how he plans to monetize his brand.
Firstly, let’s delve into The Rock’s appointment to the TKO Board of Directors. Jeff Jarrett, a WWE Hall of Famer, discussed this on his “My World” podcast, expressing his fascination with the news. While Jarrett acknowledged that Johnson is not an employee of TKO, he emphasized the significance of his presence on the board. TKO, owned by Endeavor, is a prominent company in the entertainment industry. The board consists of independent businessmen who contribute to the decision-making process. Having someone like The Rock, who possesses immense star power and business acumen, on the board undoubtedly adds prestige and credibility to TKO.
Moving on to the topic of IP rights, Jarrett and his podcast co-host Conrad Thompson discussed Johnson’s acquisition of the rights to his ring name, The Rock. They pondered why he didn’t secure these rights earlier in his career when he was already a major force in Hollywood. Nevertheless, they acknowledged the personal significance of The Rock name to Johnson, considering that his father’s nickname was Rocky. Now that he has obtained the IP rights, Jarrett and Thompson are curious about how Johnson and his team at Seven Bucks Productions will capitalize on it.
Jarrett speculates that Johnson will find unique ways to monetize The Rock brand that may not be immediately apparent. He suggests that Johnson and his team might pass on certain opportunities if they feel that the potential returns are not worth the effort or if there are too many complications involved. This strategic approach to monetization aligns with Johnson’s reputation as a savvy businessman who carefully selects his projects and partnerships.
The discussion on the podcast raises intriguing questions about the future plans for The Rock brand. With Johnson’s immense popularity and influence, it is likely that he has a well-thought-out strategy in mind. Fans and industry observers eagerly await to see how he will leverage his ownership of The Rock name and associated marks to create new opportunities and ventures.
In conclusion, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s recent involvement with TKO as a member of the Board of Directors and his acquisition of the IP rights to his ring name have generated considerable interest and speculation. These developments highlight Johnson’s influence and business acumen, as well as his commitment to preserving and capitalizing on his personal brand. As fans and industry insiders eagerly anticipate Johnson’s next moves, it is clear that The Rock’s legacy will continue to evolve and thrive in the worlds of entertainment and business.