In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson explained why he returned to WWE as a board member of TKO Group Holdings after years away from the wrestling industry.
You can check out the highlights from the podcast below:
On why he returned to WWE: “I love it. I love what I do, I love this world of wrestling, I love pro wrestling, I was born into pro wrestling, I will always be a pro wrestler at heart and in attitude too.”
On how the company is bigger than ever: “I think my dad would’ve never ever imagined anything like this, and my grandfather too. I took a little visit on the day that I took the board appointment in New York City — [when] we opened up the stock exchange that morning, which was awesome — and I said to WWE president CEO Nick Kahn, I said, ‘Hey, let’s go down to Stamford and I just want to see everybody face to face at the Stamford WWE HQ, just so I can see them, say thank you and let’s bring in the future together.’”
On Triple H showing him the new WWE HQ: “He goes, ‘Hey, I got one more thing to show you,’ and we went downstairs, [where] you see on the wall these pictures of these wrestlers. He goes, ‘Oh, look at that one.’ And over in the corner is this incredibly well-lit picture, black-and-white, of my dad and Tony Atlas, the day they made history and became the first Black tag team champions. I have never seen that picture before and I was so choked up… I was really moved. In that moment, I thought, ‘Man, they were wrestling in what was a field house back then and wrestling has changed!’ My dad just made history and the bumps and the bruises and the sacrifices that he made and that all those guys made. Now we’re talking about the biggest WrestleMania of all time and the company signs a $5 billion deal with Netflix. It’s just incredible. I’m so grateful for the work that he put in and the ground that he laid, [with] my grandfather and all the other wrestlers. But also, I’m so grateful to come back in this capacity that I could come back and give to this business and give to the men and women in that locker room, and try and do my little part to do this with everything and create greater opportunities for all of them. It’s the greatest thing in the world, so I’m so grateful now.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson recently made headlines when he announced his return to WWE as a board member of TKO Group Holdings. After years away from the wrestling industry, Johnson explained his reasons for coming back in a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight.
First and foremost, Johnson expressed his love for the world of wrestling. He stated, “I love what I do, I love this world of wrestling, I love pro wrestling, I was born into pro wrestling, I will always be a pro wrestler at heart and in attitude too.” This passion for the industry is evident in his decision to return and contribute to its growth.
Johnson also acknowledged the tremendous growth of WWE over the years. He mentioned how his father and grandfather, who were both involved in wrestling, could never have imagined the company’s current success. During a visit to the Stamford WWE HQ, Johnson had the opportunity to meet with the staff and express his gratitude. He said, “Let’s bring in the future together.” This statement reflects his desire to be a part of WWE’s continued expansion and success.
During his visit, Johnson was shown the new WWE HQ by Triple H. It was during this tour that he came across a picture that deeply moved him. The picture depicted his father and Tony Atlas, the first Black tag team champions in wrestling history. Seeing this image reminded Johnson of the sacrifices and hard work that his father and other wrestlers had put into the industry. He reflected on how wrestling has evolved from humble beginnings in field houses to becoming a global phenomenon. Johnson expressed his gratitude for the groundwork laid by his father and grandfather and his desire to give back to the business and the wrestlers in the locker room.
In conclusion, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s return to WWE as a board member of TKO Group Holdings is driven by his love for wrestling and his desire to contribute to its continued success. His passion for the industry and appreciation for its history and growth make him a valuable asset to the company. As WWE continues to expand and reach new heights, Johnson’s involvement is sure to bring greater opportunities for the men and women in the wrestling industry.